Heather Bullard

On Being Domestic

On Monday I'll be flying to Washington state to style and photograph a house for the magazine. My frequent flyer miles are adding up. For now, I'm thoroughly enjoying all the joys domesticity brings. Like having meals at the breakfast table. We never use the formal dining room. I like the comfort and simplicity of a kitchen table, don't you?

A trip to the market was needed to stock up on fresh fruit and ingredients for dinner and baking. Lemon bars were on the menu.

I've tried dozens of utensils to juice lemons and always go back to my favorite wooden reamer. It's the best at getting every last drop.  

With baking season right around the corner I found a couple of great cannisters with brushed aluminum lids. They have seals on them to keep my flour and sugar fresh. You can find them at Target and here. I used an old tin scoop for the sugar and a teacup for the flour. I saw this idea in Country Living about 4 years ago and never forgot that teacup flour scoop. Do any of you remember it?

Have you read this book? It's packed with gorgeous photos and delicious recipes and is texturally beautiful. The book cover and paper quality are incredible. When his Jamie at Home series first appeared on  Food TV, I recorded all the episodes and poured over the details of his garden, cooking shed, outdoor grill, each and every little bit was studied. I love the lifestyle of cooking with seasonal ingredients from your own garden. I think I should probably buy the series on dvd so I can watch it anytime.

Well, I'm going to get back to preparing dinner. Grilled Chicken Terriyaki bowls with sauteed broccoli and toasted almonds. And of course, lemon bars. What are you having for dinner?

Please Join Us

We will be heading to the Remnants of the Past show in just a few short weeks to set up our wares as vendors. The central coast location seems so idyllic with it's rustic wood barn and surrounding orange groves.

The Man and I have been gathering up plenty of goods to bring to the show. There will be a mix of everything from ironstone, wicker wine jugs and antique shells to buttons, bags and ephemera.

The show date is Saturday, October 10th from 9am to 4pm. Admission is $6 and the location is 535 Mehlschau, Nipomo, CA. For directions click here. For a list of the fantastic vendor line up click here. We hope to see you there!

Would You Like To See Some...

Here are a few highlights of the Junk Bonanza. I hope it gives you a feel for what the vendors had to offer. Really, there was so much great stuff. I saw lots of towering displays, big furniture pieces, galvanized everything, letters and more letters, really awesome clocks, jewelry galore and row upon row of fantastic finds.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour. If you ever have the chance to shop the Junk Bonanza you won't be disappointed or come home empty handed. Everyone of us were loaded down with treasures to bring home. Here's Nancy Soriano in her killer vintage dress wrapping her goods to be shipped home.

I can't wait to tell you the funniest story about how we all wanted the exact same item. It can get dicey when you're shopping with folks that love the same things. Guess I better edit those images next!

Back from the Bonanza

It's been a whirlwind this past week and I have SO much to share but don't know where to begin. I think I need a day or so to gather my thoughts and go through a thousand images on my computer. Right now it's running at glacial pace because of photo overload. I'm hoping it doesn't crash and burn anytime soon.

I have to say that being away from home is much easier when you get to spend it surrounded by the most amazing people. Ki did an outstanding job bringing spectacular vendors to her show and giving shoppers an experience they'll never forget.

Matthew Mead is incredibly funny which only adds to his charming character and stellar talent. His wife Jenny was delightful and full of quick wit herself. They make an adorable couple. It's so great to be working with them and I'm looking forward to a shoot next week with Jenny. Did you know she's an incredible photographer?

And to top it all off were Nancy Soriano, former editor of Country Living and Jo Packham of Where Women Create. Spending time with them and sharing ideas, stories, goals and news of their upcoming projects was very inspiring. The three of us also had the chance to do some serious shopping. Let's just say there were boxes shipped home, stuffed on airplanes and hauled away in freight trucks. Black belts in shopping. 

I'll have more stories to tell after I go through all my photos. While I was in Minnesota, I did some work for Jo, another project for Ki and worked on some things for the Flea Market Style Magazine which creates a traffic jam of images. In the meantime you can check out the FMS blog because I'm going to share some fun behind the scenes stories over there. I'm going to get back to work and check out what a few of you have been up to. Time for some blog hopping!

Farewell to Summer

    Summer comes early and stays late in southern California. But this morning I noticed something different. It was that slight coolness to the morning air and the familiar smell of autumn slowly strolling in around the corner.

   And when I stop long enough to notice I can see the earth making changes right before my eyes. Flowers are slowly fading and dying off. Reseeding the ground for the next season.

    What autumn brings us makes me almost giddy. It is without a doubt my favorite time of year. Fall harvests of apples, pumpkins, and gourds take center stage along with turning leaves and the promise of hot cider and simmering soups. What could be better? Nature in all it's glory, inspiring us all to feel renewed and refreshed. Isn't it amazing?

My Trips to Powells (a.k.a. How I Drive My Husband Crazy)

Wanna to hear a funny story? It's a glimpse into my slightly neurotic personality. One of our hotels was located about 2 miles from the largest new and used bookstore in the world. The famous Powell"s Books which fills an entire city block. Needless to say there was no way I was going to miss this place. I mean come on...the largest in the world? So The Man and I strapped on our tennies and hit the pavement. When we arrived he said, "This place doesn't look that big". Are you kidding me? 

   After we entered and noticed all the rooms (the Orange room, the Purple room, the Rose room) with a corresponding map he was beginning to get the picture. Because it was so overwhelming I said, "Where are the Interior Design and Cookbooks?" The Orange Room. And that's where we stayed the entire time.

Now for the funny part which goes something like this:

See that beautiful book in the photo above with the title Rustic Fruit Desserts? When I saw it I knew instantly that I wanted to buy it for a special person who was making all the baked goods for one of my photo shoots. I knew she would love and appreciate it and the authors are from Portland, perfect. So I bought her one.

We go back to the hotel that night and I say to The Man..."Gee, I wish I bought one of those books for myself."
The next day, back to Powells.

Got to my photo shoot and she loved the book. So did the homeowner. So I gave him mine.
Back at the hotel that night I say to The Man..."Gee, I really need to buy myself another book".
The next day, back to Powells.

Later that evening as I'm thinking about bringing home gifts to my mom, I say to The Man..."Gee, I should have bought my Mom one of those books she would really love it".
The next day, back to Powells.

   Yep, that's right. I'm probably the only woman on earth who would drag her poor hubby to the bookstore 4 times for the exact same book. In the end, this is the stack I came home with. I bought extras just to make sure I didn't forget anyone else on my list.

Sometimes I'm surprised at how patient he is with my antics. But then again..right now my house smells like dead elk or deer or some sort of game animal being cooked in a cast iron pot. And then I think to myself....it all evens out in the long run.

Junk Bonanza Blog Party

Well in a few weeks thousands will be flocking to the biggest junk round-up in the midwest and I for one can't wait to get there. From September 17-19th, the famous Junk Bonanza will feature many of the best dealers in the country along with book signings with The Farm Chicks, Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer the founder of Junk Bonanza.

To add to the excitement there will be plenty of activities during the show including a Happy Trails Blog Party filled with prizes, drawings and treats on Thursday, Sept 17th from 1-2pm. We hope you can come by our meet and greet to say hello and if you're lucky...win some great prizes!