I returned from vacation this week. It is such a funny word to roll around the tongue. I plan to use it more as a result of a promise I made to myself.
And while I was on said vacation I got to do a lot of reading, much more than I normally accomplish in my daily life. I discovered all sorts of cool things out there in the world as I browsed. They are a few of my favorite things being made by artisans in this fair country of ours.
So I thought I’d share them for you to enjoy and ogle.
These blankets from Nordt Family Farm complete me. She makes one blanket at a time on her loom from the merino sheep she keeps on her farm.
This fire pit art is going to be the first thing I buy when I build my home in Austin. I’ll invite you all over for some roasted meats. They are made of quarter-inch thick steel in Tennessee, in all shapes and sizes.
This handmade wooden rocking chair from Wood Studio will also be going into my new home. It has been made by the same family, The Cochrans, for 30 years in various shades of stretched saddle leather. Say that out loud… “stretched saddle leather.” Doesn’t it make you want one of those chairs?
This axe from Council Tool really aught to be a piece of art. Crafted by a family in North Carolina, the handle is made from Appalachian hickory. It’s perfect to bring camping or store under your car seat to fend off zombies.
Sideshow Sign Co. in Nashville, Tenneessee makes these amazing signs by hand, custom, over the course of several months. I really, really, want the one pictured above. For the front yard of my Austin home.
Also:
There is some inspiration to start off the week.
Happy Monday Friends!
4 Comments
Bill B
Nice finds!
Caroline Ragsdale
Georgia, I was just given your book, Food Heroes, for my birthday. I have read through the introduction. It left me anxious to read on, but first I decided just to flip through the pages, and low-and-behold there is Allan Benton.
Allan of Benton Hams and I of Caroline’s Cakes were on the very last Food Finds ever filmed for the Food Network, Southern Country Classics. I made a phone call to Allan within an hour of the first airing of the show. After skimming the chapter on Allan and reading about his phone, I have an adorable story I would love to share with you. It is short but will touch your heart. If you are interested my cell number is 410-991-9373.
I grew up in a rural town in South Carolina called Lake City – no lake and no city:) – but a real Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn and Mayberry all rolled into one. My working life has found me making a caramel cake from an old time-honored recipe. As I have learned to be a business woman we have added other traditional cakes to our line. This past September I traveled to Budapest and filmed a documentary that I had researched and become passionate about. The subject is the history of the creation of the first multi-layer cake, The Dobos Torte created by Jozsef Dobos in Budapest……..Sorry to go on, I really wanted just to share my phone conversation with Allan Benton with you, but thought a little background might give me a little more legitamacy.
Looking forward to reading on in your book and re-reading the chapter on Allan. Caroline of Caroline’s Cakes
Georgia
Hi Caroline, I’d love to visit your shop one day and post pictures on this website. Perhaps we can chat then in person next time I’m in Maryland! Your cakes look out of this world, I would love to try them soon!
Richard
If you aren’t married, will you marry me? I knew I liked you due to the bees and hunting aspect…but the fact that you mentioned a Council Tool axe stole my heart. Keep doin’ what you do! 😉