made in America

AMERICAN MUSIC is probably one of this country's most enduring exports. I'm not checking facts here, but I know for sure that New Orleans jazz, rock and roll, gospel, bluegrass and many other types of music originated in this country. The American South, in particular can lay claim to the birth of many of these forms which continues adding to the list with rap and hip hop music, much of which originated right here in Atlanta, Georgia. You have to wonder what brought forth the circumstances to create such a rich musical heritage. Is it the freedom to express ourselves? A unique "melting pot" of people in one place? A big new interest in folk music seems to be taking hold with bands from all over the world importing it back to the U.S. (like the Swedish folk singer duo, who are sisters, named First Aid Kit who I'm going to see in concert soon).

GOOGLE DOODLE | Today's banner logo art for Google's home page uses some nostalgic yankee doodle dandy typography forming the word "Google." The lyric "this Land was made for you and me" is from Woody Guthrie's folk song titled "This Land is Your Land," which has become one of America's favorite (and inclusive) patriotic songs since it was first recorded in 1944.

I HAVE TO think it is the independent spirit that first formed this country back in 1776 with the origin of the 13 colonies that gave birth to such an exuberant musical heritage. I pay homage to that spirit with this tree hung with 13 striped lanterns.

FIREWORKS and picnics are also represented with this tree. The hot July 4th holiday is a great time for grilling outdoors, making homemade ice cream and watching fireworks explode across the sky. That's exactly what I'm about to do with a group of friends, but I'll leave you with my mother's homemade ice cream recipe which I recently started making again. Today, Devin and I are serving it with fresh blueberries, fresh "strawberry" cherries and lemon cookies after grilling some of Devin's turkey burgers. Happy 4th!

MAMMA MOLAND'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM 

2 12 oz. cans of evaporated milk (such as Pet Evaporated Milk)

2 cans sweetened condensed milk (such as Eagle Brand)
1 cup sugar
6 eggs beaten (since they're used raw, it's best to buy the pasteurized kind for safety)
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract (or more if you like, but make sure it's the best you can buy—DO NOT buy imitation vanilla flavoring)
1 quart whole milk (or enough to fill the freezer's canister to the fill line)
4 quart hand-cranked or electric ice cream freezer
1 large or 2 small bags of ice
1 box of ice cream rock salt 

In a large mixing bowl combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, sugar eggs and vanilla with a wire whisk one at a time. Pour into the ice cream freezer's inner canister (4 quart-size). Pour in enough whole milk to fill to the level of the freezer canister's fill line and stir with a long spoon to combine with the sweet mixture.

Place top on securely and freeze submerged in the freezer's bucket according to manufacturer's instructions packed with layers of ice and ice cream rock salt. Cover with a towel. Hand crank or freeze until your arm gives out or the motor stops.

The ice cream (very milky instead of too creamy) will be a soft consistency. Let canister cure in the ice mixture covered with a towel for at least 30 minutes). Scoop and serve with whatever toppings you might want. It melts fast in the July heat, but you'll want to eat it fast because it is so good! 

PATRIOT GAME | Count the lanterns on this tree in the photos above and you'll see that there are thirteen, representing the independent spirit of America's original 13 colonies. The lanterns were originally bought from Bayberry Cove and were designed for the Bruce Elsass Collection for Bethany Lowe Designs, Inc. The lanterns are just large enough to hold a flickering LED votive inside (no live flames with these) to carry the tree's festive look into the night.The red, white and blue mylar sparklers attached to the ends of some of the branches of this wire tree represent the holiday's fireworks—purchased last year at Target (I snapped off the wooden sticks they were attached to). Below the tree is a plaid tin picnic basket found this year at Cost Plus World Market along with a starry napkin purchased at Pottery Barn. The wire tree was originally purchased from the now defunct Martha by Mail catalog as an Easter tree, but I thought its spiky look would be evocative of the sparks produced by fireworks.

©2012 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

collecting, photography and styling by Darryl Moland

a labor of love

The Decorated Tree in book form available here.

MY FIRST BOOK, the collected best from what you've seen in this blog is available NOW here!

IN THE SPIRIT of Indie publishers and bloggers everywhere, I decided to self publish my book exactly the way I wanted it to be. This blog served as the catalyst. I wish I could have stacks of them to give away and sign for those that have requested that already, but if you order it, I will sign it for you. If you're not in Atlanta, we can figure out the details of how I can do that by contacting me through The Decorated Tree Facebook page or here. Being the perfectionist I am, this book is as professionally-produced as any you might see at a bookstore. Using my huge collection of ornaments and decorations, having an art director's eye for photography and developing a knack for writing has led me to realizing my dream of publishing a book. I'm hoping this book will be the tipping point for something big! Although this coffee table-worthy book is no small feat—it is a large 12" x 12" in size and 144 pages, with 186 sumptuous full-color photos. The finished product is a high-end digital hardbound book with a dust jacket (preview it below)

The Decorated Tree by Darryl Moland

SINCE THE BOOK is printed within a publish-on-demand scenario, the price is a higher than a mass-produced book. But that is how publishers afford to bring books to the general market. I'm only profiting nine dollars for each book sold with the rest going for print and production costs. Blurb.com, who is publishing it makes high quality books, so I don't think you'll be disappointed. I even surprised myself with what I have created! Within the book, there are some new photos shot especially for the book that aren't in this blog. So if you like what you've seen in this blog, the book has a more complete feel. I'm an old-fashioned print guy, and I worked to design it within the realm of my expertise for a printed product. There are only a few more days left to order to get this extra-special, from-the-heart first-edition in time for Christmas. Even if you don't order now, order it for after Christmas. The book carries you on a trip through a whole year's-worth of every major holiday and more.

DIVIDED INTO four sections—one for each season, the book takes you on a journey through the most celebrated holidays of the year. Starting with Valentine's Day, the book ends with a toast and a New Year's tree. Old and new acquaintances I've made through this blog won't soon be forgotten. So here's a toast to all those who have encouraged and supported me throughout this effort—from my blog followers, my Facebook friends (both my personal page and The Decorated Tree page)—to friends in my daily life who have embraced my ideas. "Here's a toast to many more friends, creative ideas and decorated trees to come." Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement in helping me make a dream into a reality. It's has truly been a labor of love!

 

©2011 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Decorated Tree book by Darryl Moland,
book cover photo by Harold Daniels
 

strike up the band

JULY FOURTH celebrations across the United States invariably involve a band. What parade would be complete without that unmistakeably loud brassy sound? More often than not, modern bands are patterned after a particular Drum and Bugle Corps style. If you weren't in a band at some point in your life, like I was in high school (playing trumpet), you might not realize that drum corps long history is steeped in military tradition. And that the modern creativity of the artform evolved into integrating music, a marching drill, and a color guard replete with various forms of dance and equipment. All this is staged on the large scale of a football field. It is one of the most creative group endeavors for young people, especially if they have a love for music and art. In fact a lot of corps members end up being music teachers, band directors, and even professional musicians.

MY FIRST BAND director in high school in the late 1970's introduced our band to the exciting "modern corps style" by showing us a shaky Super Eight film of the Santa Clara Vanguard from California. The color guard's signature bottle dance to the music from Fiddler on the Roof was something we would incorporate in one of our shows. I remember the night at band camp when we all watched this film. The excitement rippled across the room. Here we were, a small high school band, delving into a new and more expressionistic way to present a marching show. It felt like we were starting something new—and we were. I think we all knew then that our lives would become more focused on being in the band after seeing this level of professionalism from our not-too-distant peers. To achieve the high standards that the corps set, we would have to practice hours every day after school—and we did. And to make the old "back in high school" joke—we honestly loved it. Except it was no joke. My fellow band members and I were about to see what could happen when we put our talent and minds to the challenge.

THE EXPERIENCE of being a part of such a band has served me well throughout life. It made me realize early on what could be accomplished when a like-minded group of people came together to create something so technically difficult. We reached a level of perfection where we could score well and win contests—quite a sense of acheivement for a bunch of high school kids. We traveled to contests and parades from Florida to Pennsylvania. All-the-while we were having amazing fun in perfecting a show that would entertain entire stadiums full of people. And the friends we made in the process were life-long—we can still get together and fondly recall those heady times. I just went to a band reunion last summer and we did just that.

SOME OF MY friends in the band went on to be in a professional drum and bugle corps and travel their summer circuit. Drum and bugle corps were dedicated to achieving a higher standard of the artform. I always say that you have to experience a corps show in person to really appreciate it. There's nothing like hearing and seeing a technically difficult piece of music (a lot of times from classical composers) being played and marched well with a color guard interpreting the music with a certain visual flair. This was, of course, done along with an incredibly complex cadence provided by the drum line. With names steeped in tradition like the Cadets, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Blue Devils, Phantom Regiment, and such, "striking up the band" is taken to a whole new level. And it is a truly American form of music and performance that has caught on in other parts of the world. I plan to make it to the DCI Atlanta Southeastern Championship this year in Atlanta.

THE TRADITION of music in this country has been always been one that pushes boundaries. A lot of musical styles were invented here and continue to be a quintessential part of our expression and culture. I know that having been a part of the band gave me a certain edge-up on a lot of things. It was the first challenge I had in which the creative skills of many—with a lot of practice and dedication—could coalesce into—well, a band. Even so, we were all marching to a different drummer and playing our individual hearts out.

TOP BRASS | (Four photos from top) These mercury glass ornaments are from last season at Pottery Barn. Finding them on clearance after the season sparked the idea for using a large number of them for a July 4th tree as realized here. The wire tree is from my personal collection, the tablecloth is from a past season at Old Navy. The Cadets offer an audio download to get you in the patriotic spirit with their arrangement of "Strike Up the Band." 

STARS FELL | (Above, bottom) One of the best memories from my years in the Hokes Bluff High School "Green Machine" was when were invited to be a part of the nation's Bicentennial parade in Philadelphia, PA. While in  staging for the main route on a back street in the city, the college band counterparts invited from Alabama (The Marching Southerners from Jacksonville State University) set up in concert formation and literally blew everyone away with their own arrangement of "Stars Fell on Alabama." I still get goose bumps thinking about that moment! These glittered star ornaments were purchased from Bayberry Cove and are by Dee Foust Collectibles for Bethany Lowe Designs.

AMERICAN COMPOSITION | (Above) This video snippet from a show performed by the 1987 DCI World Champion (Garfield) Cadets (from New Jersey). They fielded American composer Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring in a way I had never seen before. They had such a cool sophistication—I was awestruck—and I was lucky enough to see this show in person a few times. Put your earphones on to hear the wall of sound created by G bugles. Regretfully, only the first and second movements are shown in this video. 

Make sure you link to the many hyperlinks throughout this post for fun corps-style music and other surprises. For more information about Drum Corps International, please visit their website and find a show this summer near you—the season ends mid-August with the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 13th. You can see the preliminaries live from Indiana in a movie theater if you can't be there, but I can't stress enough that this is a musical experience you must see in person if you can.

©2011 DARRYL MOLAND | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

photography and styling by Darryl Moland