McHuston Booksellers

Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise

Tag: Coweta (Page 36 of 108)

Full hearts. Fine days.

February 15, 2015 /

Might have been love in bloom in the Rose District, Valentine’s Day 2015. Plenty of traffic, tables full of diners, restaurants full of hustling waiters and waitresses. Great things on Main, and such a change from just a couple of years ago!

And it wasn’t just the food establishments: while walking down the sidewalk toward Fiesta Mambo, I was passed by a quickly jogging young man who trotted around the corner, up the block and into the front door of Arrow Flowers. Earlier in the day, I spotted their delivery van making Valentine’s Day deliveries. Lighted hearts brightened the windows at Star Jewelers where a steady stream of folks made their way in and out.

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The changes continue, as progress is made on the building renovations and new construction. The lighting isn’t perfect for photography this evening, but I put on the coat and gloves and wandered the block to snap a few update shots.

Atop the bank spire, the newly-installed clock is set to chime in the new day, or the next era in downtown banking for AVB, the long-standing institution formerly known as Arkansas Valley Bank. Although the footprint of the structure appears smaller than the current facility, its height makes it an impressive addition to the Rose District. Even on Sunday, crews were out in hardhats getting things done.

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Just north of Dallas Street, the building that will feature Andolini’s Pizzaria is taking shape. The upper two floors will feature upscale loft apartments and it appears that the interior work appears well on its way.

As I approached the mid-block crosswalk (which Broken Arrow drivers are still trying to understand – use caution as a pedestrian!), I spotted plenty of blank canvas waiting to become artwork at Pinot’s Pallette. It must be a popular activity, since I regularly see folks carrying their finished works toward their parked cars.

Although we’re back to cold weather (the norm for February except for Oklahoma, where we always get a few spring-like afternoons), it was a fine day Saturday and the Rose District was busy all day with folks strolling the sidewalks. A number of those who came through the bookstore admitted it was their first time to visit since the renovation.

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It still surprises me.

There is so much being offered in the Rose District, I would have thought everyone would have turned onto Main Street by now. But it’s only getting better!

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers and Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Schooled in the arts.

February 7, 2015 /

The things I learn afresh everyday…

There are plenty of oddities and what-nots decorating the bookshelves, but they are not to be confused with the fine art near the front counter. Our little bookshop is featuring a bronze sculpture that any museum would be pleased to have on display.

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I’m always surprised at the degree of talent that surrounds us. Before opening the bookshop, I had no idea that there were so many local authors with published works. It has been a pleasure to meet many of the writers and have their books displayed on the shelves here.

And it isn’t just the writing. Many of the authors are involved in designing the artwork that graces the book covers and the eye-pleasing quality is amazing.

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Maybe because I spent a lot of years asking questions and interviewing folks, I am reluctant to pry into the lives of the guests who stop by. Some people will readily share their interests and activities. Others become known over the course of time.

Some of my research projects have involved sculptures, including one that I have been unable to locate. (I tracked it from circa 1850 New York to France – outside Paris – but the trail went cold.) There was a time when I thought I would like to try my hand at making art. Bought some materials. Dabbled at it. Ruined some perfectly good art supplies.

Then, I discover that one of our lunchtime guests has bronze sculptures mounted all around the US. It turns out, the Rose District is home to the working studio of J. David Nunneley, whose works have been displayed from Canada to Mexico and points in between, including some life-size bronze sculptures that will be around long after I’m gone. The quiet park on Main at Broadway features a larger-than-life bronze by Mr. Nunneley.

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I don’t recall how I found out he worked as an artist, but once the discovery was made I couldn’t help but ask about the creative process. Turning an idea into a bronze statue – to me – is simply an amazing accomplishment. When they are of such quality, I am thrilled to be able to have one on display.

He popped in one afternoon, carrying a weighty bronze of a ballerina posed in a manner that suggested she might simply leap into the air from her pedestal. He said he would leave it for a while, if I thought it okay.

I did.

Regrettably, my intended story about the ballerina did not get written in time, and she has returned back stage. In her place, Mr. Nunneley delivered another bronze, entitled Freedman School. Certainly, my phone-camera does no justice to the piece, but it is enough to be able to share it here. The detail is fantastic, from the schoolhouse hardwood floor base, to the alphabet-assignment in his young hands.

Mr. Nunneley’s subject matter ranges greatly, and I hope he doesn’t mind that I’m including a link to his website so that you might click over and see for yourself the wonderful artwork being completed here in the Rose District.

What a nice opportunity for us here in the bookstore, to be able to share the work of a nationally-known artist! I hope you’ll stop by and give it a look during the upcoming spring-like weather.

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Glad to hear it!

January 25, 2015 /

When guests visit at lunchtime, I want them to be treated like family. And I don’t mean having to rummage through the fridge for leftovers or arguing at the table. I’m thinking more of my grandmother’s at Thanksgiving or Easter, when we all knew the menu had been prepared with love and care, and was set before us with her own flair.

I’m missing her homemade egg noodles just thinking about it.

If there was something she made that wasn’t a favorite (like that gelatinous quivering purple stuff – cranberries maybe?), she would never push it on you. Help yourself if you want it. Take more if you like it. There was never anything to complain about, really. She was experienced in the kitchen and knew well how to please.

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It’s a little different world these days. Particularly for those of us who invite folks into our places. We want people to come more than once a year, so we have to continually find new offerings. Chef Dustin is good at that.

Unlike our grandmother’s table, where we could always rely on her turkey and dressing, or glazed ham, we regularly have guests trying a menu item for the first time. When I ask at the table if everything is pleasing, I’m not just making small talk. I really want to make sure that each guest is enjoying their meal.

That’s why I was especially pleased to get an email today. Even with social networking and internet reviews, it is a pretty rare event when someone takes the time to pass along a compliment. Studies show that people are much more likely to make a complaint than to offer a compliment. Making a special effort to make good feelings known – well, it is just special.

On Friday the 23rd of January, I was in your Bistro for lunch…

I had the special of the day and it was wonderful!!!

The potato soup was especially delicious, and I was wondering if you would tell me what spices you used.

I make a very good potato soup, but it was nothing compared to yours.

So glad [we came] to your place, and I will pass this place on to others.

Satisfied customer

I’ve protected her privacy, but she signed her name, and from her description I remember serving her party on Friday. Recipe questions like hers are frequent, and establishments and their chefs and cooks have varying degrees of secrecy. Sometimes it isn’t a matter of keeping things under wraps like the KFC fried chicken spices or the Coca-Cola formula. Often it has to do with the quantities prepared and the serving situation.

Early on, I learned there is a world of difference cooking for a single party, the way my grandmother prepared our holiday feasts. She knew the approximate number of guests and time to serve it up? – well, that was when everything was ready.

Dustin plans diligently, but some things are unpredictable and the items have to be ready when required. Even though we make each plate to order, various prep and cooking methods have to allow for a slightly longer holding time before serving cooked items.

Even knowing a list of ingredients doesn’t insure that a particular recipe can be duplicated. For example, I used to place my hamburger patties in the freezer for several minutes before grilling at home, to keep them from sticking to the grate or falling through. That trick wouldn’t appear among the ingredients, but had a bearing on the final product.

And, our recipes are prepared the same way – every day. We want folks to have it the next time just the way they remembered it. Consistency. Hopefully, pleasing. Emailing a compliment? Well, that’s above and beyond.

I’m just so tickled to get those extra-mile-taken complements that I can’t help occasionally sharing.

We’re serving lunch tomorrow, so –

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

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