FINALLY!!! After all these years, Red Canary now has an Official Logo!

Finally, after all these years...Red Canary officially has a logo! We are most definitely proudly making this announcement. It all began back in August with the acquisition of a new paint truck...

...The truck's colors just so happened to be the perfect backdrop for creating a truly professional looking company vehicle.

So, Shena Blomgren (Red Canary) drew up a quick sketch on the computer--a simple geometric red canary--and shipped it off to Dean Endres at Hellenbrand Signs where he added his creative input and then created the fabulous decals for the rear windows of the Suburban...

...and so the Red Canary Official Logo (the red bird floating alongside this post) was born! (Perhaps I should say, "hatched.")

...Now, off to the printers to get the new business cards designed and printed.

Gallery Nights at Red Canary

We're doing it again--evolving and growing here at Red Canary. Settling into our shop location has opened many doors (a big thanks Marc @ Gutter Helmet and Curt @ Window Depot for encouraging the move and sharing the space).

Most recently, an opportunity arose to showcase the works of local artists. With a new paint job here in the shop happening we needed something to adorn the walls...and on the weekend of the Madison Area Open Art Studios (MaOas) tour, Red Canary featured the work of 4 artists: William Smith, Tiffany York, Nate Dorn and Shena Blomgren (Shena's charcoal drawing "Tree" was on display at the MaOas exhibit at The Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI from September 27th through October 16th).

Click here to see an album of select works currently on display during October 2010.

So, come on in, take a look around...our gallery hours are 6-9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays...maybe you'll find a piece of artwork to take home with you! Maybe a Halloween decoration...'tis the season! Check out the Halloween maracas sitting on the front desk in person...$35.00 is a deal for these festive Halloween treats! We hope to see you soon!

Red Canary is located at 800 S Division Street, Suite C, Waunakee, WI 53597.

Madison Open Art Studios

The fall tour is here once again! Red Canary will be open for the studio tour. Come check out our shop, see what's happening in there with the painting and see some work from some other local artists. We're located at 800 S. Division Street, Suite C, Waunakee, WI 53597.

On display at The Overture Center is a chalk and charcoal piece, "Tree," by Red Canary's owner, Shena Blomgren. Shena's artwork can be located on the first floor of The Overture. The MaOas exhibition at The Overture runs from September 27th-October 16th. (Please see note below.)

Shena's artwork was framed by Eye Levely Framing. It's a really great frame!!! Definitely suited for a charcoal and chalk drawing of a fall tree. Thanks so much to Crystal and Scott for all of their help!

Note: Shena's piece was first tagged incorrectly with another artist's name at the MaOas exhibition at Overture...this was discovered by Shena and her accompanying family at the opening event on October 1, 2010. If the piece has been viewed/sought out between September 27th and now, Red Canary apologizes for any confusion. MaOas affiliates have been notified and will hopefully remedy this soon! The printed MaOas Directory and on-line directory has the photograph of the piece properly credited to Shena.

Shena's Infamous Bread Recipe

To be on a different note tonight, and to take a break from all the home decorating and painting news, I was (and am still going to) post my favorite bread recipe that I have been making for several years now. However, when I signed into Blogger tonight from my computer, I was alarmed that the posts I had used the email option for blog posting from my Blackberry were not on my blog! That is several months worth of blogging...many minutes spent typing...and no posts! OMG! I need to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, enjoy the bread! -Shena Blomgren, owner Red Canary

Amish White Bread

Ingredients:

2 C warm water (110F/45C)

2/3 C white sugar

1-1/2 T active dry yeast

1-1/2 t salt

1/4 C vegetable oil

6 C bread flour

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well-oiled bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to ruse until doubled in bulk: about 1 hour
3. Punch dough down, knead for a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two well-oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 C) for 30 minutes.

Source: allrecipes.com

My favorite variations:
I like to mix cinnamon and sugar together and roll this into the bread before the second rise. After dividing the dough in half, I stretch the dough (like a pizza crust) and then "roll-up" the dough, sprinkling the cinnamon and sugar mix into each roll. Let rise and bake. This version is a family favorite.

I also like to add a bit extra sugar. Sometimes a splash of vanilla. My next experiment is going to be the addition of raisins. Tonight, I rolled in strawberry jam. Will let you know how that turned out!

Instead of using loaf pans, I often just shape the dough into loave and then place to rise freely on a well-oiled cookie sheet (I usually line the cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up). This bread is great to eat plain...and makes great toast!

French Toast made with this bread could quite possibly be divine. Enjoy!