Art work for the new cafe.
These pictures were some of the first things that I picked out for the new space. I didn’t really think about it when I was picking them out, but I guess that in an abstract way they describe my cooking style: Midwestern roots mixed with California Fun… and a bit of a quirky sense of humor.
“Papaw on the Farm”
This is my Grandpa Ping (Papaw) on one of the farms that he managed. My Dad grew up in Milan, IN on a cattle farm. My Dad’s bragging right is that he went to the high school that the movie “Hoosiers” was based on. We have passed by this farm many times on the way to visit my Grandparents, but I’m told that the old pictures do it the most justice.
My Grandma (Mamaw) was the cook, and known for her biscuits. This was the fried chicken, bacon fat on the stove, loaf of white bread at every meal kind of cooking to sustain the farm crew at lunch every day.
“Peterson’s in Palm Springs”
This is my Mom’s family on a trip to Palm Springs in the 1960′s. My Mom grew up a few miles from the beach in Southern California. A pool in the backyard and avocado orchards close enough to pick and mash on your toast in the morning.
My Grandparents (Grammy & Grandad) were always entertaining. My Mom & Aunt would help Grammy cook for days before big parties. My favorite story is when my Grandfather placed a bottle of champagne at the bottom of the pool… whoever gets it out keeps it. I can’t remember all of the details, but it ends with a guy in a full suit diving in the pool for his prize. I can just imagine a scene out of Mad Men, a guy in a black suit & skinny tie taking a dive.
“Muggs”
This is our dog Muggins. This picture just makes me laugh. For those who think that this is a mean looking mutt, know that he is more of a Ferdinand The Bull in true life.
“Pigs on a Roof”
This is a picture of one of the houses on the way to the beach from my Grandma’s house in La Jolla. These pigs have been perched on the roof of this bungalow for two generations of walks to the beach. Everyone in our family has some form of “pig on a roof” in their home.
“Chicken Wire Napa”
This is from a trip to Napa that Em & I went on last summer. After a few days of eating great food and drinking great wine we were ready to pack up and move there. We took a couple hundred pictures of scenery, food, etc. but this was one of our favorite photos from the trip. This is the chicken coup at Frog’s Leap Vineyard.
