Layered Glass Wave Sculptures by Ben Young

Having grown up on the shore of New Zealand and now living in Sydney, Australia,

Ben Young enjoys a life that's always been centered around the ocean.

An avid surfer, he builds boats for a living.

It's easy to see, therefore, how he'd be inspired to 

"dive into" this artistic interpretation of waves!

Using sheets of glass, he cuts and layers them to perfection.

Ben is a self-taught artist, preferring to do all of his work without the use of a computer.

Now watch this video!

Ben's website is called Broken Liquid.

He's also on Facebook.

Images used with direct permission from Ben Young.

Eataly NYC

A favorite stop in New York City is Eataly, an Italian market extrordinaire!

Located at 200 5th Avenue, Eataly is quite the gastronomic experience!

Besides dining opportunities to taste superb Italian dishes,

Eataly offers the best quality available in cheeses, meats, breads and pasta.

You'll find decadent chocolates, robust coffees and rich sauces.

Aromatic olive oils, crusty Italian breads and lots of vino.

Become educated by taking one of their classes on Italian cuisine.

There's a huge selection of kitchen gadgets and gifts.

Since restaurateurs Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali are among the 

founders of Eataly, you'll see their books and products throughout.

It's an all-around fabulous place to visit!

A fantastic array of the freshest-of-fresh fruits and vegetables

under delightful basket-swagged canopies!

Perfect tomatoes. Jumbo artichokes.

Kale, dandelion, carrots and beets.

An exceptional selection of fresh mushrooms, including

oyster, shitake, lobster, wood ear, cremini and morel.

Airtight glass bottles in a rainbow of colors.

Vegetable soap from Tuscany by Alighiero Campostrini in scents like

orange & fennel, iris & cypress, and poppy & chili pepper!

Colorful serving pieces by Guzzini make plastic look chic.

Here's just one of the eating areas.

I enjoyed exquisite focaccia with creamy ricotta, squash & basil.

Oh, the cheeses!

Fresh, wild-caught fish.

Pasta made right before our eyes. 

And beneath the dome: fresh summer truffles.

See more at the Eataly

 Website and Facebook page.
"You are what you Eataly!"

There are 27 Eataly locations around the world:

10 in Italy, 13 in Japan, plus 1 each in

New York City, Chicago, Turkey and Dubai.

Bonus: A shot of the nearby triangular Flatiron Building, built in 1902.

The Amazing Antique Roentgen Desk

metmuseum

David Roentgen, of Germany, 
designed and built this Berlin secretary cabinet in 1779.

It is considered to be his greatest work, filled with 
secret compartments and clever mechanical features.

Ornately decorated with marquetry panels and gilding, it is  

one of the most expensive pieces of furniture ever built. 

Once owned by King Frederick William II of Prussia, it is now 

on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY.

Get ready to be awestruck when you watch this video! 

How about this for a materials list?

Oak, Pine, Walnut, Mahogany, Cherry and Cedar.

Veneered with Curly Maple, Burl Maple and Mahogany.

Marquetry in Maple, Hornbeam, Apple, Walnut, Mulberry, Tulipwood and Rosewood.

Plus Ivory, Mother-of-pearl, Gilt Bronze, Brass, Steel, Iron and Silk.

Visit the The Metropolitan Museum of Art website.

Driftwood Art by Drifting Concepts

Naomi of London, Canada, gleans driftwood from the shores of Lake Erie.

With a keen eye for design, she uses each piece to create marvelous home decor.

Art directly from nature - what could be better?

Perfect accents for a beach or lakeside home, or to add a splash of summer to any home!

Here's the DriftingConcepts Etsy shop!

Images used with direct permission from Naomi of DriftingConcepts.

Triple Bean Bake with Bacon

Our whole family is nuts about baked beans!

Especially in the summer, when they go so well with the classic 

potato salad, burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and so on.

When I want to do a bit more than just open a can of “pork & beans”,

this is a fantastic go-to recipe. Simple and quick to pull together.

And when my guys give something the thumbs-up, it’s a keeper.

Triple Bean Bake with Bacon

½ lb. bacon strips, cut into ½” pieces ( I've used turkey bacon, this time venison bacon.)

2/3 C chopped onion (I go heavy on the onions.)

1 can great northern beads, undrained

1 can butter beans, rinsed and drained

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

¾ C packed brown sugar (1/2 C. if you prefer it less sweet.)

1 T prepared horseradish (I do heaping.)

1 T yellow mustard

In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.

Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon, reserving 1T drippings.

Add onion to drippings; cook and stir over medium heat until tender.

Stir in the remaining ingredients; return bacon to pan.

Transfer to greased 2-qt. baking dish.

Cover and bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes until heated through.

Uncover and bake until desired consistency. (maybe 15 minutes more)

6 servings

This recipe is from Taste of Home.

The Art of … The Statue of Liberty

RetroPlanetUSA

New Colossus

by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

In celebration of Independence Day this July 4th,

I've gathered a collection of artistic renderings

of our very own Lady Liberty!

May God bless America, my home sweet home!

AJWFineArt

LiveLifeColorfully

JasonOliva

IslandArtStore

vladtixon

BloominLuvly

This one's made from recycled tin!

JonCraneTinArt

Zendrawing

Rosanna ~ Let’s Go Shopping!

Another shopping spree!
This time to a classy online shop called Rosanna,
which specializes in exceptional tableware, including compotes, pedestals, & domes.

Owner Rosanna Bowles says that the items they offer
"remind us of what's important: to infuse our lives with ritual, tradition,
and community, keeping home and family at the heart."

Above:
>>>Voyage New York Postcard Tray<<<
Great vintage design. 6.25 x 4.25. $12

I've chosen a few more of my favorites from Rosanna.
Let's go shopping!

>>>Dauphine Candlesticks<<<
12" of chic elegance! Made of dolomite! $76 for a pair.

>>>Chocolat Mug or Tray<<<

Ideal gift for that chocoholic you know! Porcelain. $18, $28.

>>>Farmhouse Pantry<<<

Inspired by vintage milk glass, these are charming tabletop additions.

>>>Voyage Peeled Tomato Tray<<<

A vintage label design. 12.5" x 6.5". $36.

>>>The Boho Collection<<<

Vibrant. Graphic. Earthy.

>>>Cartography NYC or USA Tray<<<

There's something about maps!

I'd love to serve some cheese & grapes on these! $30 & $46.

>>>Farm Belle Soap, Honey, Jams & Syrup<<<

Rosanna's own label, locally sourced in Oregon.

How about some Marionberry jam?

>>>Decor Bon Bon<<<

A perfect way to display decadent desserts!

>>>Alphabet Studio Tray<<<

How perfectly cute are these? 

Unlimited gift possibilities! Porcelain. $12.

Also, Rosanna is the author of this book, which you can find HERE.

Here's where to find Rosanna:
Website
Facebook
Blog