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Road Trip Snacking 

1/27/2016

 

Better Cheddar

After a long day of looking and learning, we headed back to the bus for one of the most elegant mobile cocktail parties around.  Wine and wisdom flow.   Here's my contribution to the fun.  It's easy and travels well.
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1 Block of Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese - Shredded
1 Bunch Scallions  - Chopped - green ends only
1 cup of sliced almonds - some recipes call for walnuts - your choice
6 pieces of bacon - cooked, cooled and crumbled
​3/4 cup of mayonnaise -  or enough to bind
Optional - 1/4 Liquid Smoke

Combine  all ingredients - refrigerate until ready to serve  

John J. Audubon Birds of North America

1/27/2016

 
Another favorite at the Americana Auction last week were the works of naturalist J. J. Audubon. 
In an nutshell, John James Audubon (1785-1851) came to America from France as a young man. An ornithologist, naturalist and painter, he set out to illustrate the birds of the new world.  Most of his works were drawn from life during his travels through North America.  Noted for their scientific accuracy and their depictions of the birds in their natural surroundings, these images are both beautiful and powerful.

The man himself, is a fascinating story of frontier naturalist and audacious self promoter. ​
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Fish Hawk - Sotheby's sold for $47,500
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Golden Eagle - Sotheby's - Sold for $11,250
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Wild Turkey - Sotheby's - Sold for $10,650
Not quite in the decorating budget this week?   Check out these handsome fellows at FOUND.
Not first additions by any means, but a great look for the value and indeed 
with the exception of the original water colors, all Audubon prints are reproductions and the artist himself created them with mass production in mind.  
These prints are stunning, command attention and transcend the mere scientific representation of wildlife.  

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American Wild Turkey at FOUND
Nicely framed and matted - $350
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Glossy Ibis at FOUND
Or this sizable chap. 53"x42" - $650

Chinese Export Imari Porcelain

1/27/2016

 
Chinese export porcelain is a perennial favorite among collectors and designers alike and those pieces decorated in the Imari style are held in high regard.  Copying the popular Japanese model, this porcelain  emerged in the early 18th century and  is distinctive for its decoration in underglaze blue with overglaze iron red and gilt enameling. It differs from the Japanese in execution. It is more finely potted and is more naturalistic in decoration.   
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CHINESE EXPORT IMARI OCTAGONAL BASIN CIRCA 1725 Together with a Chinese Export Imari 'Dame au Parasol' pattern plate, circa 1740, decorated after a design by Cornelis Pronk. 2 pieces. estimate $4,00-$6,000 Sotheby's Americana Auction 2016
Although only the truly exceptional piece command such prices, there are many pieces available for the entry level collector or those recently smitten.

A wonderful collection of Chinese Imari at FOUND

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Imari collection at FOUND
We're very lucky to have acquired this lovely collection of period Chinese Imari in the shop. It contains a wide variety of forms and decorations and is priced from $30 to $900.
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Imari collection at FOUND
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Imari collection at FOUND
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Imari collection at FOUND
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Detail of set of four 9" plates at FOUND

Americana Week in New York

1/24/2016

 
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 Once again it is that wonderful week in New York when the two premiere auction houses present for auction the best of the best in American decorative arts and legendary dealers bring their treasures to the Winter Antique Shows at the Armory.  Featured is a wonderful selection of American fine and decorative arts including silver, carpets, Audubon prints, Chinese export porcelain, furniture and folk art.

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Road Trip!

I was lucky enough to join the guides from Winterthur Museum to preview the sales at Christies and Sotheby's.  The collective knowledge of American decorative arts on this busload of ladies is staggering and their love of sharing it is truly a gift.  Thank you ladies.
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First stop Christies

We were met by Andrew Holter, Vice President, Special Head of Department of American Furniture and Decorative Arts and given a most engaging tour of the the sale's highlights.


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A rare and important Queen Anne walnut compass-seat arm chair - Philadelphia, circa 1755 - Price Realized $545,000
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A Chippendale mahogany turret-top table - Boston, circa 1750-1760 - Price Realized $485,000
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Extraordinary joined oak and pine polychrome "Hadley" chest with drawers - Price Realized - $1,025,000
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Next stop Sotheby's

 Erik Gronning,  Head of the   American Furniture and Decorative Arts Department , showed us more wonderful pieces.  
 

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The Voodoo Clock - elaborately carved cottonwood tall case clock, probably New Orleans, LA -
​Circa 1928 - estimate - $150,000 — 250,000

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An American silver marine-theme soup tureen, Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, RI, 1883 - Estimate $15,000 — $25,000 - Realized Price - $27,500
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Rare pieced linsey-woolsey "Variable Star" Revolutionary quilt from the family of William Pennsylvania or Ohio Circa 1792 Estimate $30,000 —$ 50,000
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Bronze-painted cast zinc and cast iron American Elk, j.W. Fiske, New York Circa 1892-1920 Estimate $50,000 — 100,000 - Realized Price - $225,000
But more than the impressive price tags and their intrinsic beauty, I find the stories behind these pieces the most engaging.  A great example is the quilt.  It is made with the cloak of an English officer killed in the Revolution.  I find the more you know, the more you love these pieces.

The Incredible Egg

1/11/2016

 

Classics worthy of  mastering

These two  favorites of mine are perfect for quick dinners, especially for those of you embracing the "Meatless Monday" movement. 
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The key to these simple dinners is starting with good, fresh eggs. 
​Woodside Creamery in Hockessin now offers organic eggs Wednesday and Fridays .
They are well worth a little detour.  http://www.woodsidefarmcreamery.com

French Omletes

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These are not  the golden brown envelope versions jam packed  with everything under the sun.  
​Those are country omelets.  They are delicious, but not  what I'm in the mood for.  The classic French omelet is light yellow, silky soft inside and  simply out of this world. 

The ingredients are simple, the technique  takes a little practice.  
Eggs
Butter
Fine herbs (chive, parsley, thyme, tarragon)
Cheese ( gruyere, emmentaler, blue, or  black pepper Boursin) 
​Salt and pepper

The best way to understand the technique is to watch this very short video. Even if you don't want to ever make an omelette, it's fun to listen to this guy.  "With eggs, fresh from zee ass of zee chicken"
​ 

Cheese Souffle

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Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
4 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup hot milk
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Pinch nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
4 egg yolks
5 egg whites
1 cup coarsely grated Swiss cheese

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  1. Butter a 6-cup souffle or straight-sided baking dish with 11/2 tablespoons butter. Dust the interior of the dish with the Parmesan or bread crumbs and knock out the exces.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the remaining butter over medium high heat.
  3. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the butter and flour foam and froth.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and beat in the hot milk, then simmer over medium heat and stir slowly until thick, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the seasonings, then the egg yolks, 1 by 1.
  6. Whip the egg whites to stiff, shining peaks
  7. Whisk 1/4 of them into the sauce to lighten it.
  8. Delicately fold the remaining egg whites into the sauce, alternating with the grated Swiss cheese.
  9. Turn the souffle mixture into the prepared dish and set in the oven. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake until the souffle has puffed 1 or 2-inches above the rim and has browned on top, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  10. Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Julia Child, Julia's Kitchen Wisdom, Alfred A. Knopf, 2000

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cheese-souffle-recipe2.html?oc=linkback

 Short Cut Souffle
​

I'm not kidding.  See, it even says "Great for Cooking" on the can. Would the Campbell Soup Kids lie?
Once you know the proper technique and have your Martha Stewart Merit Badge, feel free to substitute the soup for the bechamel (white sauce).  I've used Cream of Broccoli before and it was pretty tastey.
​
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Easy Soufflé
adapted from Campbell’s Creative Cooking with Soup
Serves 6

Ingredients
1 can Campbell’s cheddar cheese soup
1 cup shredded Vermont sharp cheddar or Jarlsberg
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
6 eggs, separate
​
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  1. Combine soup, cheese and nutmeg in a saucepan and over medium heat and stir until melted. Do not boil.
  2. Remove from heat.
  3. In a large bowl, beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form, set aside.
  4. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until thick and lemon-colored.
  5. Gradually stir cheese mixture into egg yolks.
  6. Then, fold cheese mixture into egg whites.
  7. Pour into lightly greased individual ramekins.
  8. Fill ramekins about 2/3 of the way. Reduce heat to 375,  Bake for 30 minutes or until soufflé is lightly browned.
  9. Serve immediately.
​
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    Karen Helme

    Karen is an interior designer and the owner of FOUND. 

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Frederick Country Center
5716 Kennett Pike
Centreville, DE 19807


Hours

Wed - Sat 
10:00-5:00

Telephone

302-777-FIND

Email

foundcharmingobjects@gmail.com
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