The Wylder West

  The Gunslinger by Frederic Remington I could browse western art for hours. Sometimes, I do.  Admiring period art gives a glimpse at how life in the wild west was actually lived. Oh sure, there are lots of glossy, showy art pieces romanticizing the era and they're often attractive...but they're not my favorite.   The kind of art I lean toward is the pieces that don't gild the lily —they show  life as it was. Raw, gritty, often deadly, these renderings make me feel as if I'm stepping back in time — and I love every minute of it! My favorite western artist is Frederic Remington . His talents for painting, writing, and sculpting brought substance to his offerings. Perusing them, I feel the pulse of those days in its sweaty, difficult, dusty glory...and I yearn to somehow transport myself back to that time to experience a closer look at it all.  I love this time in our history for a lot of reasons. One of the most is that those who decided to head west were s...

The Scout, by Frederic Remington This morning as I sit down to write, I'm thinking about those who rode into the wild west looking for places to settle and this painting by one of my favorite artists comes to mind.  Thought I'd share it with you. Want to learn more about the artist? Frederic Remington  is still wildly popular so a quick search will lead you to many fine paintings and sculptures. Happy "scouting"!  Hope you're having a great day!        

"The Hunters' Supper" by Frederic Remington When families, friends, and food gather there's sure to be laughter, conversation, and fun —whatever the time or place. Back in the days when settlers made their way out west there may have been a train robbery, cattle rustling, or dustup at the local saloon, but folks did settle around camp fires and kitchen tables to share the day-to-day news as well as spicier tidbits. A WylderChristmas , set in the Wyoming territory in December 1878, features a holiday celebration. Every family in town contributes to the festive food tables—the way many of us do potluck dinners now. Gertie, one of Wylder’s most helpful citizens, bakes one of her family’s treasured treats. Her pumpkin bread is praise-worthy and loved by all. I bake pumpkin bread a few times each year so I’m sharing my recipe with you. It may not be as great as Gertie’s, but I hope it adds some goodness to your table!   Pumpkin Bread   ½ cup vegetable oil 2 eggs ...