The Bluebird Patch

Can art save a city? Yes it can!!! Talk about putting your bucket list out in the open. I recently stumbled across a very unique story about an interactive art project that transforms abandoned houses  into a giant chalkboard. Residents are allowed to stop and write down their hopes and dreams and what's important them for everyone to see.  The blackboard, known as the “Before I Die” wall was originally created by Candy Chang, an artist, designer, and urban planner who likes to make cities more comfortable for people. She's a TED Fellow, Urban Innovation Fellow, and co-founder of Civic Center and Neighborland.  By combining street art with urban planning and social activism, she has opened up civic engagement in public space and provided people with easy and innovative ways to have a voice.  " It’s also about turning a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us"...

PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (12/16/11) –  Calling all birders!  Every Christmas season Callaway Gardens ® participates in The National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count Program. Volunteer birders are needed to assist with the Callaway Gardens count on Friday, December 30, 2011.  Some participants simply watch feeders from the comfort of their home, while others walk and drive through different portions of the count area to census the bird populations.  Last year between December 14 and January 5, Audubon’s official “count period,” over 61 million birds were reported on 2,215 counts. Apart from its attraction as a social, sporting and competitive event, the Christmas Bird Count reveals key scientific information about the Winter distribution of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere. Each count has a designated circle measuring 15 miles in diameter.  All the birds seen or heard during the 24-hour (midnight to midnig...

1. Scrambled Eggs with Creme Fraiche and Caviar in Eggshell Cups: Prepare this special egg dish for an elegant and delicious breakfast .   2. Silver-Dollar Pear Pancakes:   I love this Martha Stewart recipe.   The maple syrup keeps the pears from browning before cooking; it also adds flavor and creates a light glaze. This recipe can easily be halved.  3. Slow Cooker Pecan Bread Pudding :   Who knew that you could make bread pudding in a slow cooker? Cinnamon bread covered with vanilla custard and topped with pecans. Serve with whipped cream. Perfect for breakfast or dessert. 4.  Holiday Breakfast Wreath :    Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan of The Kitchn shares her story of making a  Christmas breakfast wreath , an ongoing tradition in her family. 5.  Æbleskiver :   ( Danish   meaning  pple slices   (singular:  æbleskive )) are traditional  Danish   pancakes in a dis...

I am very excited to be able to attend the Georgia Boy Choir Christmas Concert this year. I've been a fan ever since I saw them perform at the Fernbank Museum several years ago. I remember vividly how the room turned silent once they began singing. These kids are amazing and they sing like angels. I had such a strong emotional reaction back then that I had to wipe away a tear or two. I swear I never felt more close to God than in that moment. That is how  outstandingly good these kids are.  This weekend, the internationally renowned Georgia Boy Choir will kick off the holiday season with the very popular Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir production on December 16 and 17 in the beautiful sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church where they are currently serving as the Ensemble-In-Residence. This fantastic concert will feature not only the seasoned Concert Choir, but all five choirs of the Georgia Boy Choir including the Apprentice Choir comprise...

When it comes to Christmas most people like to stay off from using non-traditional colors such as blue, pink, or purple. Besides Santa's suit is red and white? So why mess up with tradition?  The reality is that the original St Nicholas wore a blue suit. The standardization of Santa's image was probably due to Coca-Cola artist  Haddon Sundblom  who (in 1931) depicted Santa as a portly, jolly grandfatherly figure with a ruddy complexion and white-fur-trimmed red coat & cap — replacing the pipe with a bottle of Coke. Thirty-five years of annual advertising by the Coca-Cola company using Sundblom's Santa solidified the contemporary image of Santa Claus (but without the Coke). It was a fortunate coincidence that the red & white colors matched those used by Coca-Cola. So if you really want to stick with "tradition" think outside the box and decorate your home this Christmas in white and blue. Besides making your home look unique and super chic telling the...

Chef Hugh Acheson stopped by the Nate Berkus show to promote his latest book  “A New Turn in the South: Southern Flavors Reinvented for Your Kitchen,”.  He shared with the audience one of the recipes from his new book and it seemed so effortless that I decided to make it at home. The field pea and ham hock soup is perfect for a cold winter night. Is super easy to do, and best of all is dirt cheap. For the cornbread croutons I kind of cheated and bought a cornbread mix. I added just a hint of honey and cayenne pepper just because I like my cornbread to be a little bit sweet and spicy at the same time.  Chef Hugh Acheson was named “Best New Chef” by Food and Wine Magazine and has received  five consecutive James Beard nominations so rest assured this recipe is something not to be missed.  Kiddos really like it and hubby ate two bowls, so thank you so much Hugh for sharing this with us. This field peas and ham...