The nicest notes came last week from a group of gals from North Carolina who came to Rancho La Zaca to visit and to paint. I had long wanted to organize a workshop here for my awesome Aunt Gray and her painting buddies. And by dern we finally got around to it. Had a wonderful time,… Continue reading Lessons From House Party of Painters
Author: Frances
Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé
Can I brag on my friend Nina Griscom? Thank you. She’s got a brand new website and blog, and they are beautiful. Like her. Do stop by. Meanwhile here’s a sample. This elegantly simple fall lunch for 2 would make just as good a light supper. And there’s something about a soufflé that says “occasion.” I’m… Continue reading Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé
Yayoi Kusama at the Whitney
I have been meaning to write about this for weeks, though I confess to a certain reluctance about people and things I cannot pronounce. But I have been practicing: Yayoi Kusama. Just like it’s spelled really. I don’t know why I go so worked up about it. I was walking down 5th Avenue minding my… Continue reading Yayoi Kusama at the Whitney
A Memoir-Cookbook You Must Have
Well I felt like a proud big sister all weekend about my buddy Alex Hitz making a big splash in The Wall by Golly Street Journal. Many of you probably fall upon the the paper’s Saturday Off Duty section like a teenager would Elvis’s room key–I do anyway–now that poor Elvis has left the building.… Continue reading A Memoir-Cookbook You Must Have
Sliders: The Easiest Way to Re-arrange a Room
Do you know about Sliders? Ooooh, girl you are going to love me for this one. Doing a bit of fall freshening-up are we? Moving things around some? Making room for that new end table? Just like it says on the package, Sliders, excuse me Magic Sliders, SLIDE EVERYTHING AS IF IT HAD WHEELS. It… Continue reading Sliders: The Easiest Way to Re-arrange a Room
No Man is Crushed by Misfortune,Unless…
Why this quote spoke to me, I’m not quite sure. Maybe it’s all the political campaign talk and meanness. But wouldn’t this statement make for good dinner conversation? With your children or your friends. What does “deceived by prosperity” mean? That money equals happiness? It does not, of course, but it does calm the nerves.… Continue reading No Man is Crushed by Misfortune,Unless…
A Pretty Fall Bouquet
It could not have been prettier in Long Island this weekend, and Saturday could not have been a more spectacular day for a wedding. It took place at a club on a grassy knoll overlooking the water. It was wow. And very happy. The ceremony was beautiful and so were the flowers at the reception.… Continue reading A Pretty Fall Bouquet
Armillary Love
I love an armillary. Sculptural, strong, graceful, ancient, and a little mysterious. What did they do with them? I would collect them if I had somewhere to put them. I can’t believe I just said that because that does not necessarily stop me. Thankfully it seems the world is not awash with armillaries, which perhaps… Continue reading Armillary Love
East Meets West With Designer Dede Wood in the Santa Ynez Valley
Here, as promised, is the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley home of designer and friend Dede Wood appearing in this fall’s edition of Santa Barbara Magazine, photos by Jeremy Samuelson. Dede and her husband Steve live just a few miles down the road from us out here in the wilds of Santa Barbara County, so we consider… Continue reading East Meets West With Designer Dede Wood in the Santa Ynez Valley
Coming Soon: Designer Dede Wood
How brilliant is it to have your entrance double as the dining room. Think about it. It’s a pass-through space but otherwise un-used, and yet you want it to be pretty because you’re in it at least several times a day. So if you have the luxury of determining its dimensions, make it a little… Continue reading Coming Soon: Designer Dede Wood
Supper in a Blue Moon
You know how you do something and think, why don’t we do this all the time instead of once in a blue moon? (ha-ha-get-it?) We do have dinner on the little dock occasionally, but it really would be a great idea to do it every full moon as long as we don’t freeze to death.… Continue reading Supper in a Blue Moon
The Divine Tomato Sandwich With “Homemade” Mayonnaise (shhh… they’ll never know)
It’s summer’s end and if we’re lucky our farm stands and gardens are full of tomatoes so ripe and full you can slit them with your fingernail. I defy you to tell me what’s better than one of those tomatoes sliced warm from the garden on two pieces of white bread with homemade mayonnaise and… Continue reading The Divine Tomato Sandwich With “Homemade” Mayonnaise (shhh… they’ll never know)