Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Love red beet eggs, especially as a side to a Christmas/Easter leftover ham sandwich (with Pilsudski mustard). Most people around here make their own red beet eggs. They’re easy to make – place hard boiled eggs in a bath of canned red beets, white vinegar, and some sugar. There are a bunch of good red beet egg brands, for those who don’t want to go through the trouble of making them, and many supermarkets in my area have their own eggs at the deli counter. I chose to highlight this brand because it’s the “Dutchiest.” I usually find this brand at Shady Maple – a PA Dutch smorgasbord and supermarket near Lancaster, PA. Some of the small, local bars have red beet eggs available as a bar snack. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Didn’t realize that cho-chos – malt-flavored ice cream cups on a stick – are a regional item until I moved away from the area in the early 90’s. Shell’s Dairy Swirl, the ice cream shop, mini-golf, and fast food restaurant in Temple, PA has the best. Love cho-chos and their cousin, dusty road sundaes – a vanilla ice cream sundae topped with chocolate syrup, malt powder, and whipped cream. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Di Bruno Bros. Sexy Olives is an olive mix sold by Di Bruno’s cheese and deli shop in South Philly’s Italian Market area. Their cheese spreads, cheeses, pepperoni, and olives have worked their way into our local supermarkets. This olive mix is perfect for cheese boards. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

This painting features foods and food brands from my home area – Reading/Berks County/the greater Philadelphia area/Pennsylvania Dutch country. Love that these foods are easily recognizable to people from my home area but may need to be explained to someone outside the area.

This painting features foods and food brands from my home area – Reading/Berks County/the greater Philadelphia area/Pennsylvania Dutch country. Love that these foods are easily recognizable to people from my home area but may need to be explained to someone outside the area. The original painting is 48” X 48” – this print is smaller than the original.

Had the privilege to spend some time with my Dad before his passing. A little over a week before he passed – February 2022 – we were chatting – I pulled out my sketch book, and he let me sketch him. He normally wouldn’t let me sketch him, but this time, he did – he understood. Will treasure that time.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna is another local product that’s ubiquitous in Pennsylvania Dutch country but relatively unknown outside the area. Lebanon is a city about an hour Southwest of where I live. Pronounce the city with a PA Dutch accent – sounds more like ”Lep’nin”. This sweet and smoky deli meat, created in and around Lebanon, is great on a sandwich with mustard and cheese. Some in my family like to spread cream cheese on a slice and create roll ups. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Cope’s dried corn is a necessity at many Pennsylvania Dutch Thanksgiving tables. Can be boiled and served with salt and butter. Or, it an be used to make a custard-like savory pudding like the one pictured on the package. My mom makes a Cope’s corn pudding that’s out of this world. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. Yuengling Beer, “America’s Oldest Brewery”, is based in Pottstown, PA, a little north of my hometown. The beer used to be unknown outside the area, but it has gained popularity. Their lager is a staple. Their Black and Tan is also a must. Taylor”. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.

In May of 2021, when the U.S. was getting vaccinated and beginning to open back up from COVID-related restrictions, my family took a week’s vacation to Bar Harbor, Maine. Rented a great place on the water, overlooking Acadia Park, Bar Harbor, and Cadillac Mountain. House was nestled into a beautiful pine and oak tree forrest. Had a nice bench on a walkway to the front door. Loved sitting on that bench and sketching. Couldn’t bring my full kit as we didn’t have room in the car. So, settled for sketching using the program Procreate on my IPad. All the trees were just beginning to pop – the new leaves were all colors of green. And, some new growth on trees was tinged red/maroon – nice contrast with the greens. Loved the play of light and shadow on the branches, leaves, and tree trunks. Tried to capture the morning sunlight in this sketch.