Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) painted more than two thousand portraits in various styles. Many are very much like The Strawberry Girl, with strong dark and light contrasts, and, almost, awkward figures. Phillips managed a steady income as a portrait artist, often…
Oysters – A Poem
Human consumption of oysters dates back to prehistoric times. The oyster then moves through a period of delicacy in Ancient Rome, back to being poor people’s food in Medieval Europe, a boom period during the 19th century, and back to…
Two Bunches of Grapes for Wine Lovers – A Poem
For those who like a glass of wine, becoming a vigneron is a rose-tinted-glasses dream. I don’t know if that’s what Andrew John Henry Way was thinking when he painted Two Bunches of Grapes. But it’s certainly what I thought…
Gooseberries – A Poem
The gooseberries in this still life seem to leap off the canvas. It’s no wonder the artist, George Forster, was credited with making the gooseberry a popular still life subject. I was interested in Forster’s particular choice of fruit, too….
Celebrating Herbs
Where would we be without herbs? For thousands of years herbs have been food, drink, and medicine. International Herb Day 2026 is May 2, with a week of celebrating herbs to follow.
Ideas for Freeze-Ahead Food
These freeze-ahead food ideas are my absolute go-tos when I want to stock up. Healthy and delicious, I feel like I’m doing myself and my family a great service when I have a freezer full of these ready meals. After…
A Peach, Seville – A Poem
George Henry Hall decided to become an artist at the age of 16, and eight years later, proceeds from the sales of his paintings enabled him to go on the first of many trips to Europe. While he loved the…
The Baker’s Cart – A Poem
This painting was unusual for its time for several reasons. The painter, Jean Michelin, was most certainly not commissioned to paint this, as he would have been were the family wealthy, nor were there any guarantees he could sell a…
Distelfink – A Poem
The translation for “distelfink” is literally thistle finch. This stylized bird of Pennysylvania folk art is a symbol of good luck and happiness. The Public Domain Review has a good article here about Fraktur folk art and the distelfink’s role…
Pear Tart
This puff pastry pear tart is a gloriously simple dessert. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry right now. I’ve never been a huge baker, and prefer fruit-based desserts over super-sweet options, so this pear tart is pear-fect. And…
15 Minute Meal Ideas for One, With Shortcuts!
Whether you live alone, or you don’t, there will be times when you absolutely cannot be bothered cooking. Fine, get the takeaway. Eat cereal. Or… … with a tiny amount of forward planning, you can have a nice meal in…
Vegetable & Couscous Salad with Yoghurt Mint Dressing
It’s the yoghurt mint dressing that makes this roast vegetable and couscous salad a thing of beauty. With softened roasted sweet potato or pumpkin, a crunchy green, and a creamy dressing, you have yourself a salad for all seasons. One…
