Kathryn Kolb - December 20th

K. Kolb and I have been pals since we met in 1988. Kathryn had been moving toward her passion for photography since graduating from Emory and I had just started working at Showcase. Even though we were on opposite sides of the counter (yes, I have always been a salesperson!) we still shared a very powerful force-passion. 

Kathryn started her career doing rock photography, at least that is how I remember it. Going to Indigo Girls concerts when they just released their first record, and going backstage with Kathryn. I was COOL! Kathryn was workin'. She always was on the crest of all music waves in Atlanta and I was one of the beneficiaries. Then Kathryn felt another current that needed her passion way more than anything she had yet put her energy behind. Trees and politics in her own town...Atlanta.  Thinking about in now, I realize it was K. Kolb who taught me that political awareness and energy starts grassroots in your own backyard. Kathryn and a handful of passionate and committed citizens crafted the Trees Atlanta Ordinance that is currently on the books. Linda and I went to a lot of those meetings and it was amazing and inspiring to see that wisp of a person (K.Kolb is tiny) in front of hundreds laying out the consequences of choices people were making. 

I was proud of her then and I am proud of her now. With the release of her new book of photographs Kathryn is ready to share her vision. Join us at Out of the Blue Saturday, December 20th from noon until four to visit with Kathryn, get your autographed copy of her new art book and be inspired by the passion.

Sustainability and OOTB

In this fast-paced world it helps to stay close to what works, to what is real and sustainable. One has to maintain, support and nourish in order to have sustenance. It is like having your feet firmly planted on the ground while keeping your knees bent-you can always shift your position and still have a center of gravity...a heart.

This is a picture of our winter garden. Linda has worked very hard making this garden come to life, but there was no way we could have done this alone, or even with books. It took the help of our dear friend and organic farmer, Cheryl Cahill to provide the insight, knowledge of the land and plants,and the laughter while double-digging the garden, to make it all come to life...even in 20 degree weather! Cheryl can grow food from concrete and provides produce for many in Fannin County from the Noontoola Valley Farm she shares with fellow farmer Richard Starke.

I love this picture of Cheryl. It just shines with her goodness and honor. A real farmer...a real friend.

Salut!

Nothing like a good knife...

(guest Blogger - Hans Rueffert - www.hanscooks.com)

 Every kitchen needs a good sharp knife.  I must admit, I'm some what of a cutlery nerd and when Sarah asked me what knife to bring into Out of the Blue, I got a little excited.  Being a good German boy, I initially felt obligated to recommend Wurstoff or Henkel, but the truth is, I haven't used those knives in years.  A friend gave me the much-hyped Ken Onion knife from Shun right after I returned from my extended hospital stay back in 2005, and as soon as I picked the knife up, I was in love.  A good knife becomes an extension of your hand, a delicate balance of weight, curve, and, of course, sharpness.  The Ken Onion knives are beautiful to look at and are a joy to work with, effortlessly slicing through anything you put them up against.  If you're looking for a good knife, look no further.  And if you happen to catch me in the store (which isn't hard to do), I'll give you a quick little class on how best to use your new kitchen tool.  It's an investment, but one that'll last a lifetime.

My new kitten Moxie took a liking to the Tin Woodsman hammered pewter measuring cups I was photographing for the OOTB website.  I'll have some Tin Woodsman items up for sale on the site soon.  

If you've ever seen my cooking show, you know I'm a sucker for herbs.  Sarah just got in a new line of organic herb kits from Eccosource.  These would make great stocking stuffers or house-warming gifts, and once they are growing and healthy, you can plant them outdoors and enjoy them again and again.  There are also some nice bulb kits in beautiful packaging: amaryllis and paperwhites.  The shopping section of the website is up and growing.  It's still a work in progress, but check it out and see what's new.

Lastly, Ken Galli will be in the shop November 14th and 15th with his new cookbook and his collection of olives, appetizers, and balsamics.  Check out the EVENTS section of the website for more details.

Much to do.  I'll see you at Out of the Blue!

Hans

Table Art

(Guest Blogger: Hans Rueffert - www.hanscooks.com)

Each time I visit Out of the Blue, I get the same anxious feeling I used to get when I'd ride my bicycle up to the Jasper Drug Store to look for new comic books.  I'd peddle there almost everyday, and somehow there'd always be a new issue on the racks waiting for me, fueling my excitement to return again and again.  I don't get up to Blue Ridge as often as I'd like, but when I do, I find that Sarah's loaded the store with more impossibly beautiful pieces, most of which are not only fun to look at, but functional as well.  She has an amazing collection of Table Art pieces by Michael Michaud that are just stunning.  You have to  hold these pieces in your hand to truly appreciate the level of detail and realism in each design.

I'm a sucker for anything fig-related, and the detail on this fig and fig leaf are just incredible.  Michaud is a jeweler by trade and you can instantly recognize that level of craftsmanship in each piece.  The little fig is extremely heavy for its size and look like it just fell from the tree.

I've never really used napkin rings, but these bay leaf rings make me want to start!  These would make a perfect gift for someone who's impossible to shop for.  There are a dozens of designs in the shop right now, and each one is amazing in its own right.  

The Out of the Blue website is growing to include a shopping feature.  It won't be as fun as walking into the shop, but it'll be perfect for those times when you need a unique gift but just can't make it up to Blue Ridge.

There are new treasures popping up the shop every day, and I can't wait to get up there to find out what Sarah's discovered.

Until the next...be well,

Hans

The Band, The Beach, The Buzz......

Oops ! I missed June and July updates on the Blog !!

Just because there were no entries doesn't mean nothing was happening - just the opposite !

Life has been crazy and business is booming at Out of the Blue.

June was filled with phone calls and organization centered around the July 4th Parade sponsored every year by the Business Association. This year marked the return of the Amazing Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band from Atlanta. The Seed & Feed is the oldest renegade street band of it's kind in the U.S. . It is a wild and crazy bunch of volunteer musicians and other talented characters that are guaranteed to spice up any event they attend...

and they did just that. The town of Blue Ridge loves them and they love us so we are on for next year already. Mark your calendars ! Save the date and join us for an amazing day of music, floats, fire engines, tractors, horses, antique cars and costumed cyclists along with all the traditional fun things that everyone enjoys on the 4th.

(just a few Band Friends visiting Out of the Blue..Linda and I are on the right)

After all that excitement we headed off to Atlanta to shop the Mart. We found some really cool products from environmentally friendly companies that sell "green glass" and garden pots made of rice that will decompose in three years...after they provide you with a season or more of organic herbs and spices. Then I stumbled on some handmade, hand painted French ceramics unlike anything I have ever seen. Exquisite pieces, one of a kind art our friends and customers have come to expect at Out of the Blue. Cool stuff - functional stuff - beautiful stuff. As far as any new culinary discoveries, well, we will get back to that...

Then it was off to the beach for a long overdue break with hometown friends I went to elementary and junior high school with. For the last three years Linda and I have enjoyed "Girl's Weekend" at Seagrove with these crazy women - only thing is, we turn it into a whole week ! Each year just gets better and better with more and more laughs, great dinners, stories and tough decisions like...pool or beach? Nap or a walk? If I ever get the blues, I just take a look at who my friends are and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. A heartfelt Thank You to Mary for hosting another wonderfully relaxing week.

With me, it is always back to food - so, after finding nothing at the Atlanta Show in the culinary world, I came home hungry, only to discover what I was looking for was right in my shop ! Created and delivered by my dear friend and Chef, Hans Rueffert. Last year Hansi concocted HONEY BUZZ - his amazing spice blend of smoked peppers, honey powder, (yes - powder) orange peel and sea salts. Well, Out of the Blue sold it like crazy and Poor Hans was making it in his kitchen with his 5 year old daughter, Ella. The next step for us was to find a "co-packer" and start going big time with Honey Buzz. The packaging is as fun as the flavor is versatile. Sprinkle on chicken, chops, seafood and veggies and dig in. We are going National with this readers ! Stay tuned for the almost immediate release of SUGAR BABY, CAJUN JOE and OUT of the BLUE Lavender Sea Salt.

Stop in for a taste of HONEY BUZZ and our other amazing new spice blends soon.

Salut !

closing...

We Did It !

This month marks the beginning of our fourth year in business at Out of the Blue. It is amazing how time flies when you are having so much fun. My life has always been filled with talented and unique people and fortunately that lucky streak held for me when it came to opening this shop. Please indulge me a moment while I thank a group of special people that made it all come together for us.

Denise Wright: Truly one of a kind. When I met Denise I asked if she could deliver architectural renderings of a complete kitchen in under 24 hours. She said,"sure." I should have asked for something harder, but I am sure she could have done that too, so I guess it didn't matter. Not only did Denise design the kitchen, she designed the entire look of the shop from the lighting to our red door counter. Thanks Denise- for all the laughs, wine notes, ideas, and even the Barry White records!

Tommye Sigerfoos: Yes, there really is a Tommye Sigerfoos...and guess what? She is married to Tom Sigerfoos! Now, you know I could not make this stuff up right? Anyway, our original web presence, our cool faux painting in the kitchen, and our history of hiring beautiful and talented people started right at the beginning. Tommye hasn't worked here in years, but I think she still has her keys!

Sheri Berry: Something else I will always be grateful to Denise for is introducing Sheri to Out of the Blue. Not one day has gone by that Sheri and I haven't cracked up laughing about something. Not only is Sheri so much fun to be around, she has the wonderful ability to make everyone feel welcome and such a part of what we are about.

Sarah Cole: Sarah stepped up to the plate the day she started, filing the holes that Tommye and Denise left when they moved on to other opportunities. It was a relief for me not to panic outwardly during that transition because that was when we began filming a TV show in the shop.

Enter Hans Rueffert: Food Network star and Food Guru of North Georgia. I met Hans and that was it. The Chef and the entire film crew of Cameraman Hiutt Rabel, Adam Chastain, Chad Crowe and the Studio Monkey became my little brothers. Every Monday we would crank up the Capresso Coffee Center and make lattes, laughter and a HUGE mess that I had to clean up! It wasn't long before Hans realized my favorite cooking shows had no cooking!! Sushi please.
It also wasn't long before Hans, ETC and Out of the Blue won three Telly Awards for Hans Cooks the World. A huge honor and an opportunity that sent Hans to the next level- a bigger kitchen, a live audience and his own television show on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Good work Hansi...thanks for the press.

Spinning off Hans cooking show brought local Chef Libby Stewart into our shop. Trained in France, and the East Coast of the U.S. Libby is the original Slow Food Movement of the region. Libby has made us a must stop shop for goats cheese and great cooking classes and her latest successful effort is the start-up of a Farmers Market right here in Blue Ridge. I am proud to know you Libby-way to go!

Dave Mason and Bill Slater: The two greatest wine reps in the Georgia market. Being a self taught oenophile, these two guys took me around the world in wine so I was able to bring obscure offerings from almost every country right to your table in Blue Ridge. It matters to us to deliver the extraordinary to share in your family via the celebration of wine and food. These two gentlemen have helped us do that.Here's to you both!

In a beautiful shop like Out of the Blue, you need an artist on staff that understands color, design and style. Enter Susan Van Veld-sweet and sophisticated (although not so much as the name implies) Susan keeps the shop at the peak of daily compliments as the most beautiful and unusual in the area. Always going the extra mile, her passion for life is reflected all around her.We are grateful to share the light.

Always last but never least, thank you Linda for everything you have encouraged me to do to accomplish what we have over the last 18 years. Because of all you do for me, I am able to enjoy every aspect of this opportunity we call Out of the Blue.

Thanks to you all.

Sarah

Spring Arrivals

As most of you know, every January Linda and I attend the International Fancy Food Show to stay current with all the new products and trends in the specialty food industry. It is always enlightening and interesting, plus it is the best opportunity to meet the actual creators of many of the unique products we stock.

Our focus has always been small companies with award winning products, made in small batches with the best ingredients available...our philosophy and way of living for over 20 years. That is why it was so puzzling for us to find the NEW trend in the industry is GREEN and ORGANIC!? Huh??

This serves as a reminder to us that Big Business is like a lumbering giant, and small business is fast moving and ever-changing to meet the needs of an interested and educated customer base.It is our constant commitments at Out of the Blue to always offer you the very best products we can find, as well as bet the first in our area to find them.

Having said that, it is with great pleasure we finally announce the arrival of some of our favorite picks of this winter's food show...two new wine confits from France as well as Spongata and Balsamic Creamas direct from Italy. These delicious products make wonderful parings with fruits, hard cheeses, sauces and desserts. Stop by on any Saturday and sample some with us.

Salut !