I'm blogging from...
Is it an airport? An office building? An art museum? A convention center? A hospital? Nope! It's the Westin Fort Lauderdale. Without a doubt, this is a pretty swank hotel. However, I have to chuckle to myself when I consider what exactly gives this place an expensive and austere atmosphere. The funny thing is that what gives it that expensive feel is a sense of absence, a coldness and minimalism of any place of business. This is not the Florida I grew up in.
It's a far cry from the misty mountains of North Carolina. I feel almost as though I'm out of place here. In my mind, the idea of comfort is one of warmth and character... not so much hard lines and sparse over-designed furniture.
As I mentioned, we're in Florida now for the Bead Merchantile show in Fort Lauderdale. Everyone should come out to the show and say hello! We've got lots of new goodies to check out and it'd be good to see some of my friends from the Miami show. In preparation for the show, I made some travel snacks. One of them was caramelized bacon. Yep, I was thinking of you Nina. (Cynthia and I have been saying, "I want that." A LOT lately.)
Last night we spent the night at my parents' house in Oviedo. After the Fort Lauderdale show, I'll be there for a week... so it'll be interesting to spend a little bit of time in a town I grew up in, but haven't spent much time in since. I'm really interested in seeing old friends and of course to indulge in the yummy food that my mom makes. She made her world famous flattened fried chicken, rice, sweet Zellwood corn, green beans with onions, and sweet tea. Azalea polished off two ears of corn and was still hungry for more!
We didn't really get to spend much time there last night, but one of the things I found was an award-winning drawing that I did in the first grade. It's strange that I drew the mountains like that. I don't think I ever saw mountains like that until much later in life – mountains like the mountains in Asheville. Ones that seem unreal in their coloring, an umbra of lavenders, forget-me-not blues and pale blue-grays.
10 comments:
Love your early artwork! Hope you have a good show and enjoy your visit.
Hi Andrew I am new to your blog..:) I just saw your necklace Timeless Romance on the Use the Muse website although it's probably old news to you I had to tell you how delicious I think it is, your so talented and I'm so envious! Kind regards,
Suzanne
I always love your food photos - that bacon looks awesome. I also love your drawing - I love childrens art - so creative and free - have a great time in Oviedo.
From one adopted North Carolinian to another...I know how you feel, I grew up in Alabama, but now live on the East Coast of North Carolina, and I love the geographic diversity of this state. I can drive 4 hours and see the Appalachians rising high above the trees, or drive 15 min. and listen to the Atlantic Ocean scratching at me feet. It's a beautiful state. Enjoy Miami though, they've got the best Cuban food this side of Cuba!
ohhhhhhhh YUMMMMMMM!!!! that is so not fair!
lovely artwork - especially the felled tree. when are you moving down here, my friend? sending love - xoxoxox
Have fun at home...its nice to eat food cooked by mum.
PS:love the corelle plates from the seventies/eighties...they were kinda neat!
That bacon looks so good! Could you please share that recipe :)
Thanks Melissa! I liked my early work too!
Hey Suzanne! Thanks for all your kind words! You're truly sweet. Though don't be envious, I promise I'll share all my secrets. It's easy once you give into your Muse.
Hey Jean! I'm glad you like the pictures. I have fun making and eating the food. I had a pretty cool time down in Florida, though it was absolutely surreal.
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