Turkeycookies

Random Acts of Birthday Love

2011-11-14T20:06:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is my 27th birthday. It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating my 24th birthday in this space. I have to say that in my life I am extremely blessed with wonderful friends, loving family, a warm home, and a wonderful job.

Tomorrow I've asked my friends and family to celebrate by sharing one random act of kindness. I'm imagining the joy that twenty seven acts of kindness will have on the world.

On to the celebrating!

November, as of late

2011-11-06T12:36:00.000-05:00

As of late we have been

sitting next to spectacular bonfires, soaking of warmth on chilly evenings
celebrating and preparing to celebrate more
knitting up a test knit (such fun to work through)
baking favorite cookies
simmering delicious soup on the stove all afternoon
cracking open windows as often as we can, knowing each time might just be the last time
savoring the last bits of autumn colors
finding woolens and folding them carefully into drawers for use this winter
and working, yes working lots

These days have been busy, yes, but full of goodness all around.

Friday: The Art of Community

2011-10-21T07:55:00.001-04:00

Joining my friend Kyrie today chatting about the beauty of the ordinary arts.

When I left the town I had lived in for all of my life to go to college (a mere 45 minutes away) the thing I missed the most was driving down the road to see someone I knew driving down the other side. Seeing a friend, family member, or a familiar community member on the other side of the road was so comforting to me.

It is no secret that I love the community that I live in these days. Unlike many of the classmates I grew up with, I still live here. In fact, I live in the home I dreamed I would live in- my great-grandma's school house. Beyond living in the middle of the village, across from my old school, down the street from my family, I work in this community as well. I love this.

I love living less than a half a mile from my two closest friends, down the street from my family, and walking distance from work. I love running into families I work with in the grocery store, walking to the cafe, and turning the corner for the farmer's market. Driving down the road waving to friends and familiar faces brings me so much joy.

It is no secret that I am a homebody and familiarity brings me comfort. However, this community means so much more. It is support, kindness, and love.

unplugged in the woods

2011-10-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

This past weekend we went back into the woods (just as we did last year). It was the perfect weekend to sneak away into a world that is abundantly autumn-like at that very moment. Without the pulls of technology, we hiked, cooked, laughed, and biked.

Although we weren't too far away from home, we were far enough south to enjoy the leaves at peak along with slightly warmer weather. We spent our days completely outside under the sun, breathing the fresh forest air. Coming home from an unplugged trip is always hard. Life seems so much more simple when the phone does not have service and the electricity is limited.

Upon returning home, I kept the computer turned off for the rest of the day and enjoyed the quiet of being home, cooking dinner, and folding laundry. It's the simple things that make a get-away last just a tad longer.

Happy autumn, friends!

it's autumn again

2011-10-02T12:35:00.000-04:00

It's autumn again. Really, I wasn't quite ready for it this year. I still had summer on my mind. My windows were open, my woolens were stored away, and my sandals were by the door. Then the leaves started turning and I ordered a new down comforter. I found the corduroys. Then I pulled out the knitting. But I wasn't ready.

It wasn't until I took a hike through the woods that I welcomed autumn. Suddenly everything felt right. The lower sun in the sky. The cooler nights. The flannel sheets.

So here I sit with wool on the needles, comforters on the bed, chili on the stove. Autumn is back and I'm soaking these days right up.

summer was good (and an invitation)

2011-09-18T07:30:00.000-04:00

The last time I gathered here summer had just begun. From the few pictures I took this summer, the theme appears to be water. We spent time driving along water, eating next to the water, floating over the water, and jumping into the water. I could hardly find a photograph without water in it one way or another. I do love living near water (and I do feel the same exact way about it exactly one year later). The truth is, when I wasn't on the water I didn't quite take that many pictures. Looking back, I have only these few pictures to reflect on the past summer.

What I can say is this, I spent my time living deeply and truly in summer as opposed to photographing, editing, and writing about it. That felt wonderful. There were many times I thought out about writing, but ultimately I wanted to keep those thoughts and memories right where they belonged amongst those who experienced the day.

Now autumn is coming fast and furiously, the leaves are changing ever-so-slightly, I am itching to pull out my wool yarn and start stitching, and I ordered a new down comforter to keep warm. With the arrival of autumn, I started to feel the urging to be here, in this space again. Perhaps not as regularly as ever before, but here. Sharing pictures and sometimes thoughts. I hope you will join for the ride.

it is summer

2011-06-21T15:44:00.000-04:00

After the rainiest of rainy springs summer has finally arrived. It has been sunny and warm and generally perfect every day which really is delightful. I cherish these days like gold, each and every one of them. Since it is summer and the weather is wonderful I've been spending as much time as possible outside enjoying the beautiful area where we live. I've said it before and I'll say it again, even given the snowy-rainy-cold-yucky weather I love it here.

So on Saturday night when we were about to sit down inside I decided a evening drive was not just a good idea but essential. We deliberately drove down the lake and watched it from high in the hills, through hairpin turns, and alongside the docks. We turned up the music, took down the top on the jeep, and drove to...nowhere.

Eventually we stopped for dinner--ice cream at a little ice cream shop. Perfect for a warm Saturday night in June! After, we drove back home along the lake again enjoying the warm air and the breeze
from the lake.

Happiest first day of summer. May your days be filled with ice cream for dinner, long drives, and warm lake breezes!

papa's day

2011-06-19T09:57:00.000-04:00

It's papa's day and we are celebrating.

Happy Special Daddy Day!

weekending

2011-06-06T07:37:00.000-04:00

Hello there-

Just a few scenes from the last few super-busy exponentially-fast weeks. We've been biking, enjoying festivals and concerts, time at the water, and especially time with friends. There's been graduations, parties, and holidays. With weddings and summer activities coming up fast and furiously these last few weeks have been a blur. Thankfully, my photo stream has been there to mark some of these magical memories.

Be well!

what's for dinner (weeknight version)

2011-04-21T18:45:00.001-04:00

My work schedule this year is wonderfully flexible. I have my short days and my long days and that really works out well for me. On my longer day I come home from starving already past my regular dinner hour (I'd be happiest to eat dinner at 4 in the afternoon!) and I am ready to eat.

These are the nights that I love a quick, easy to throw together meal but one that is also healthy and tastes good. Lately this shrimp dish has been showing up on the table quite regularly. We can't really get enough of it and from start to end the meal takes about 20 minutes. I normally serve this up with a fresh loaf of bread, salad with olive oil and balsamic, and a glass of red wine. That's what I call dinner!

Shrimp & Gnocchis

1 pound of gnoccis

1/2 pound of shrimp, detailed

(or whatever it's called...I never do it so I don't know!)

2 cloves of garlic

butter

olive oil

salt

pepper

1/4 cup of white wine

4 cups of baby spinach

3 tablespoons of sundried tomato pesto

feta cheese

Start a pot of water to boil. In a frying pan, saute the garlic with olive oil and butter until it starts to turn golden brown. Add the white wine and shrimp and saute. Throw the gnocchis into the boiling water. Add the spinach in with the shrimp and garlic (the white wine should be reduced at this point). Saute spinach until slightly wilted. Drain the gnocchi, put in a bowl, and toss with pesto. Add the shrimp and spinach. Toss again and add crumbled feta to the top. Enjoy!

spring has sprung

2011-04-14T17:34:00.000-04:00

Spring has definitely sprung. The other day I packed away all the winter woolens and then wished I wasn't jinxing myself into one of those (late storms). The windows have been open as much as possible thanks to the solar heat that 10 foot windows give off on nice sunny days. The fresh air seems so refreshing and energizing. Lately evening walks have made their appearance in my days again. It is so nice to take a long walk before heading to bed. I definitely sleep sounder and wake up much more rested.

This year I am forcing cherry blossoms inside. Each day the buds are growing bigger and bigger. Today there is a hint of pink on them. The daffodils are in full bloom and I caught them on camera unlike those crocuses I missed. Soon I'll be cutting forsythia and bringing it inside to enjoy. Can you believe that last year now the forsythia was in full bloom while this year the buds are still quite small? Soon, soon they will bloom-just in the right time.

tap tap tap

2011-04-05T21:16:00.001-04:00

Last night I discovered I hadn't taken a picture in one whole entire complete month which then made me think back to the last time I wrote and I realized I couldn't remember which basically means in the last month I have completely lost my writing inspiration. Yikes. That can't be!

Wintry months are hard here and March is especially challenging. I wish I loved cold blustery days with a side of gray clouds but the honest truth is they make me feel a bit less than 'me.' But now it is April and the tulips and daffodils are sprouting. The crocuses have shown their lovely purple and yellow blossoms (and yes, I didn't even take a picture).

Right now it is outage season and I am up to my eyes in projects I've put aside for this time of year. I'm organizing the basement, sorting through closets, and finishing that quilt I started a little while ago years ago. I'm packing away down comforters and flannel sheets. I am steaming the carpets and washing windows. A pantry clean out might even be in the future. Obviously, I've fallen into the depths of Spring cleaning! But there is also party planning, coffee drinking, book reading, walking, biking, and celebrating. All of this leads me to photographing more and perhaps (hopefully, because it's outage season for heaven's sake and I'm doing nothing else) writing more. How does that sound?

we walked yesterday

2011-02-21T17:35:00.001-05:00

We walked yesterday with the purpose of photographing life at this moment. I was hankering to finish off the roll of film that had been in the camera for about a week and the blue skies after a winter storm seemed so welcoming. We walked down streets I had never walked before and with the warm sun on my back I spent a good amount of time just walking here and there.

This time of year is so funny. It can be sunny and warm one day and stormy and blustery the next. I have a hard time these few weeks of the year enjoying the moment instead of wishing away the time until gardening, boats, and open windows. There is something delightful about the change of seasons and I am glad I spent half a day relishing in it.

Schoolhouse Style

2011-02-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

Schoolhouse living is quirky at best. Having a home in a converted 1890 schoolhouse is delightful but old home living often leaves me in all sorts of conundrums. How do I keep my old, large windows from being so drafty in below freezing temperatures? How do I define rooms and spaces in an open floor plan? How do I decorate honoring my style (simple, reserved, homemade) with the history of this space? How do I deal with 20 foot ceilings?

As my time here continues I have found the perfect space for vintage Pyrex, books, and yarn. But the tops of my kitchen cabinets left me wondering. I wanted to define that space and give height to my kitchen but I didn't know how. I came up with the idea of stacking vintage frames that I had collected from thrift shops and from a few great thrifty friends up above. I happen to love the end result. My kitchen frames might even be my favorite decorated space of all the house. Now onto new pillow covers and more photo frames for the stairway!

that valentines day

2011-02-14T21:17:00.000-05:00

Admittedly I am much more of a celebrate the every day than a holiday girl but a day for love is right up there with a day of thankfulness and gratitude. Red construction paper hearts, doilies, and chocolates-how could one go wrong?

I spent the day today taking a walk in the somewhat balmy weather playing with my new Valentine toy. I even snapped a lens onto my Nikon (though I cannot wait to get the rolls of film developed). It was so fun to slow down and enjoy being outside for the first time in what seems like so many weeks. The difference between bitter and plain cold is huge this time of year. Days like this make me think that Spring is close by even though it feels like months away.

I have so many handmades to share (I just need to get photographing!) and hopefully I'll be back here a bit more regularly.

Be well!

a winter pick-me-up

2011-02-02T20:59:00.001-05:00

A recipe for winter storms:

one cup of hot tea

one half hour in the morning to sit and watch the snow fall

wool socks

layers

the knowledge that winter only happens one time a year

so I might as well enjoy every bit of it (even the *storms*)

Of course, warm thoughts of beaches and sunrises are encouraged

hi there

2011-01-30T08:20:00.000-05:00

Hi there.

Snowy January is almost over. Isn't that a good feeling? Around this time of year I feel like winter will never quite end. I do love seasons and all that comes with them here in NY but after two cold and very snowy months I suddenly become drawn to the hope that spring will come sooner rather than later. It will, friends. Just a few ~~weeks~~ months. Until then I'll stay home, hibernating and knitting.

::So here is how January has run it's course::

- It has been warm--in the 60's with snow melting
- Only to snow again
- We went to Florida to celebrate a wedding
- And enjoy some sun and warm weather
- But right before that I was sick, sick, sick
- For a day I did not think I would make it
- (to the wedding, that is!)
- But seriously, it was not fun
- (I couldn't even look at magazines on the couch)
- The wedding was lovely and the beach was amazing
- I held my spot next to the pool with a bag of yarn and a good book (recovering)

- Then we headed off to Miami
- Where it is always lovely
- And very, very rainy
- And I ate fish tacos for the first time (yum!)
- Finally we returned home
- To snow
- To manage I've been reading this and watching this
- And thinking about decorating, re-decorating, and pillow making

Life is full- even in cold, snowy January.

Be well!

this is home

2011-01-09T17:25:00.000-05:00

This space has been my home for about a year now. One year ago now I was desperately trying to make my twenty foot ceilings and lofted spaces feel like home. For a while it felt a bit empty, cold, and just not like home. Creating my own space just for me was overwhelming as much as I loved carving out corners for sewing, reading, and writing.

In the end this space has become my own. And the memories created here in the home I always dreamed of living in will last a lifetime.

To be honest not much has changed from the original bits of decorating. My photo wall destined to be changed up as the seasons came and went has had the same pictures for a year. My pillow covers remain that soft lavender and teal that I saw glimpses of spring in when sewing them last winter. But now those photographs and pillows and pyrex bowls feel like home.

It's a funny thing how four walls can come to have so much meaning-so many memories. I do love this space. And home it shall stay.

new years light

2011-01-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

Today I was chatting with someone and she asked me if I made any New Years resolutions.

"I hadn't," I responded. I have made resolutions in the past and have met them after months and years of hard work and failed miserably at them by a few days into the new year. This year I made no resolutions. It's not that do not want to change things in my life- I do. It is certainly not that I am not setting new and challenging goals for myself- I am constantly doing this. Rather, I am choosing to look at what I am doing now well, how I can cherish these moments, and how I can life joyfully without constantly thinking about how I am not meeting my current resolution by not losing those ten pounds, advancing my education, skydiving, et cetera.

Instead I am looking at how the New Years light shines in the morning for just a bit longer every day. I'm sipping tea for a few more minutes. I'm staying up playing games with those I love since time together is really what matters.

Maybe I have made a resolution this year.

A year: 2010

2011-01-01T08:49:00.000-05:00

The places 2010 took me I couldn't have even imagined. Here's the journey of the past year, one photo at a time. Each representing a memory, special moment, or feeling of the month. Today begins 2011's (photographic) jouney.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

I go too fast

2010-12-29T14:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday after a morning trip to the museum with my sister, a lunch and yarn shop date with a friend, and grocery shopping but before going out to dinner for sushi and turning on our current evening show I had tea with my neighbor. I'm sure she has been sent to me for many, many reasons. She has a way of showing up in the most wonderful, necessary times and giving loving advice. See, when I have work decisions to make or questions about friendships or just how to be she can give me the words I need to hear. They aren't always the most easy words to hear but they are the ones I need quietly whispered in my ear or shouted from the next room over.

"I go, go, go, constantly," I said. "I'm so blessed to have such wonderful deep friendships and close family bonds and life-giving relationships that I never seem to sit and be."

"I used to be that way and sometimes it tears me up to not be that way anymore," my neighbor said. "But, Jessica, life is too imporant to rush through it."

There, just like that I exhaled. I committed to slowing down. Until today when I decided to make cookies for work friends 45 minutes before I was supposed to leave. Then, passing a car I got a ticket. Suddenly Grace's words came to mind. She wrote so perfectly about the same exact situation.

Now, really, I am slowing down. Enjoying the moments as they pass. Knitting more, running around less. Laughing, living, and learning. Slowly.

the stockings are ready :: Christmas is here

2010-12-22T07:40:00.001-05:00

There truly is no way to get in the holiday spirit than to whip up a few holiday home-mades. This year I didn't think it would happen. I was not inspired to make and the weeks (months!) before have been rather busy. But there was time to make a few stockings. I searched for some inspiration and found it here. Then I spent some chilly evenings with tea and embroidery floss. In the end I am quite pleased with how they turned out.

Now the stockings have been delivered, the presents are wrapped under the tree, and I made one batch of Christmas cookies last night. Today is my last day of work until the new year so it is time to exhale and enjoy!

Have a wonderful holiday!

the arrival of snow

2010-12-10T18:11:00.000-05:00

December first arrived and snow, like clockwork, came too. It is been a week and a half of snow plowing, shoveling, scraping, salting, and general hunkering-down. To be honest, after the first flurries and excitement it takes me a while to get used to this new reality. My mind still drifts frequently to summer and days like these.

There is a time and a season I remind myself.

This is the season of snuggling, cozying in for the night with milky chai, the tree lights on, and a good novel in my hands. And knitting. Knitted hats and gloves seem essential now that the days are short and the air is bitter. A sweater is in the works and stockings are being made.

I'm enjoying these quiet winter days and the reminder to slow down they bring.

To make my winter days a bit easier :

this on my needles
these on my feet
listening to the folk holiday station on pandora
the thought of these baking in the oven
drinking this chai at night

How are you cozying into winter?

Month of Gratitude :: Day 16

2010-11-25T08:54:00.002-05:00

Day 16:

I am grateful for taking a little time each day this month to think about what I am thankful for--an exercise that has grounded me and opened my heart.

I am greatful for a day dedicated to thankfulness.

May each day forward be full of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Jessica

Month of Gratitude :: Day 15

2010-11-22T18:54:00.002-05:00

Day 15:

I'm grateful for time. Time to get away. Time to laugh. Time to enjoy company. Time to relax and breathe. I am nourished and ready. Time, I am not thankful enough.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 14

2010-11-19T05:38:00.000-05:00

Day 14:

I'm grateful for palm trees and warm weather even in the midst of the first "real" snow fall. We're off to see the palm trees and soak up some sun for the weekend. Be back soon!

Month of Gratitude :: Day 13

2010-11-17T17:47:00.000-05:00

Day 13:

I'm grateful for my sister and sisters everywhere- for the bond that only sisters can share. On her birthday, I wish her the best of years and many more!

Month of Gratitude :: Day 12

2010-11-16T19:35:00.000-05:00

Day 12:

I am grateful for the small bit of time each day I set aside to nourish myself.

P.S. You can catch me writing about my thoughts on nourishing at are so happy today.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 12

2010-11-15T19:21:00.002-05:00

Day 12:

I am grateful for 26 years of wonderful memories, good health, and laughter. I am forever thankful for the family and friends who walk along this path with me. Let's not forget the Mama who birthed me on a cold night in November.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 11

2010-11-14T20:41:00.000-05:00

Day 11:

I am grateful for family and weekly rituals like family dinner on Sunday nights.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 10

2010-11-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

Day 10:

I'm so grateful for days without plans to walk and be. Silence and time are sometimes the best gifts.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 9

2010-11-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

Day 9:

I am grateful for mornings and the fresh beginning they give- each and every day.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 8

2010-11-09T18:13:00.000-05:00

Day 8:

This day I am grateful for all those who cross my path from day to day. From the little ones I spend my day with to those who smile at me in the isles of the grocery store. Each one is appears in my day for a special reason, I am sure of that.

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 7

2010-11-08T19:21:00.000-05:00

Day 7:

These autumn hikes in the woods bring rhythm to my year. As I walk along the soft fallen-leaf floor below the oak trees that have seen hundreds of years I am reminded to quiet my busy mind and just be. These morning hikes with my Papa fill me with delight and reverence for the world we live in. Today I am thankful for those quiet moments.

Month of Gratitude :: Day 6

2010-11-06T11:57:00.000-04:00

Day 6:

It is Saturday morning. Thankful for warm breakfasts after the first sighting of snow.

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 5

2010-11-05T16:08:00.000-04:00

Day 5:

Today I'm grateful for even rainy days. To greet this day I chose sweaters of wool, corduroy, tights, and scarves. Oh November, I do like you.

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 4

2010-11-04T21:26:00.001-04:00

Day 4:

For living in such a beautiful, amazing area full of color and familiarity.

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 3

2010-11-03T19:35:00.000-04:00

Day 3:

My home, its morning light, and the times spent here.

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 2

2010-11-02T18:34:00.000-04:00

Day 2:

A kitchen full of food and friends and laughter

A Month of Gratitude :: Day 1

2010-11-01T16:20:00.000-04:00

Happy November!

November happens to be my most favorite month of the year for a bunch of reasons but mostly because a month dedicated to gratitude seems like a fine idea in the world these days. I try my best to live an intentional life full of gratitude and joy but so many times it is a challenge. So this month I'll be sharing what I am grateful for each day (fingers crossed!).

Day 1:

Autumn nights dark enough for candle light and slower meals

Flashback

2010-10-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

::1998: Mrs.S's eighth grade history class::

I sat looking out the window during class (perhaps about Genghis Khan) to the oak tree across the street that was a brilliant shade of orange. I thought, "How lucky I am to sit here and look out the window to see such a lovely tree. It must be the most beautiful tree in all the town."

::2010: My living room::

I sit looking out the window of my living room one morning with a pumpkin latte in my hands. Now I look out the window to the same tree which now sits in my side yard. I think about how it is the most lovely tree I have seen all season. Suddenly I remember this is the same tree I saw twelve years ago. Only now it is my tree.

Obligatory Apple Post

2010-10-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

Since college a trip to the apple orchard has become the cornerstone of my autumn traditions. Every year we head out to the farm to pick apples and make pies, applesauce, and crisp. Nothing is more autumn than apples and pumpkins and living where we do, apples are plentiful right all season long.

This year we did not go to our normal farm, but to a friend's family farm near by. We had the whole orchard to ourselves and we picked and laughed away. A short while later we ended up with three bushels of apples.

At home I pulled out the canner, jars, and my food mill (I cannot do without it in the kitchen!), began chopping up apples, and got moving. By the end of the day I had whittled down the piles of apples in my kitchen and ended up with jars and jars of the most delightful pink applesauce.

To make the pink applesauce I cored and quartered the apples and put them in the stock pot with water, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I stirred the apples every few minute and when they were soft and breaking down, I put the apples through the food mill on the finest setting. This pureed the apples along with the skin into a fine applesauce in a bright pink hue. I processed the applesauce in the canner for twenty minutes and then stored away the jars to enjoy mid-winter.

Be well!

at camp

2010-10-12T18:53:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend camping where, at every turn, this scene surrounded me. I spent most of the time with the camera around my neck hiking, biking, and rock climbing. No cell phones, no internet, no technology period. I keep thinking I should do a 'no tech' weekend more often. I felt so refreshed and calm. Of course, watching the leaves change colors before my eyes really helped as well.

Now I'm back home with laundry, pictures to edit, and work to do. I'm going to hang onto this feeling of freedom that autumn in the woods brings just a little bit longer.

Suddenly It's Autumn

2010-09-30T18:20:00.001-04:00

Suddenly it is autumn.  How did this happen?  I know the season arrived last week, but it was greeted with 90 degree weather and somehow in the span of a few days full autumn weather with changing leaves and rain has arrived. 

The other day on the way to get some grape pie (oh my heavens it is tasty) and  celebrate a bit we drove the back roads through the countryside and I found myself exclaiming how lovely the leaves were at every turn.  There was plenty of 'Slow down, I need a picture of that tree' and 'Isn't that the most colorful tree we've seen yet?'.  

There was also hiking though the woods. From the top the scene was breath-taking and I think I shot about 600 versions of this exact shot. I couldn't help it. It is suddenly autumn and I am reminded how swift these distinct seasons are here. I'm deep in autumn and loving each moment.

Be well!

Some Fiber for the Fall

2010-09-23T17:05:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we headed down to my favorite hamlet for the fiber festival. Ever since I began knitting seriously I have wanted to attend but one thing or another always came in the way of my trip to the festival. This year I wrote it on the calendar months ahead of time and kept my fingers crossed.

I discovered I have been missing some serious fiber goodness for the last few years. I spent a good amount of time just walking from booth to booth feeling yarn and imagining which project it would complete. Of course, when surrounded by that much fiber I could hardly make a decision but I did end up with a few skeins that will head my way this holiday season plus a few to give as gifts.

As autumn has arrived, the daylight is changing, and the days are cooler I feel a strong pull towards hand crafts. My sewing machine might collect dust until I cannot wait any longer to finish holiday gifts but my knitting basket is full of sweaters in various stages, socks, and the first scarf of the season just waiting to have the ends woven in. As long as there is fiber I can handle these shorter days...and those changing leaves help, too.

A state of mind

2010-09-18T13:48:00.002-04:00

Around this time of year I start to think I am not worthy of living in such a lovely place. Really, lots of the time I am down on how (cold and snowy) NY can be throughout the winter. I don't really appreciate as much as I should the pure beauty of my surroundings. Because, honestly, I do live in a pretty beautiful area. I can drive to a handful of lakes and bays, climb mountains, hike in forests, and hit the beach or falls without needing to spend more than an hour or two traveling. That is pretty lucky.

I spent my childhood (and now my adulthood) living close to the water. It shook me to think of my cousins who didn't live down the street from a lake. Spending time at the water was, and is today, such a big part of my outdoor time that not having one within a few minutes amazed and even scared me. I often think back to those days, of being afraid of not being near water, when I start to get down on my locale. Now if I thought about living far from (cold and snow) I feel a bit uneasy. There is something about the seasons and this land and how rooted (and routed!) I am to this town, those little side roads, and these quaint shops. I do love it here and all the sun, clouds, snowflakes, colorful leaves, and warm breezes that come with living right exactly where I want to be.

A Sweet Delight at the Market

2010-09-11T10:09:00.000-04:00

As long as I can remember there has been a piano man at the market. Living down the street from the market I have found myself loving the piano man even more. On Saturday mornings I can hear through my open windows the piano man playing his tunes--carousel-like songs that just *sound* like the market on an autumn morning to me. I cannot help but smile as I walk down the street and hear the clatter of people collecting their produce for the week, chatting with one another, and the sound of the piano. This is just one reason I love living where I do these days.

Today while purchasing blackberries I turned around to see this couple set down the apples the just bought to start dancing. It was only for a few seconds, but they looked full of joy. I snapped a picture then turned around to pay. By the time I looked to see if they were still dancing they were gone.

I walked all the way home with my bag of tomatoes, nectarines, blackberries, and other treats with a smile wide on my face. That couple and their dance made my day.

Here's to you finding your own couple dancing to carousel piano music in the midst of potatoes, corn, and apples--or finding joy in the most wonderful places.

Happy day, friends.

Hi there...

2010-09-07T17:48:00.000-04:00

Hi there...

How are you all? I stepped away a couple of weeks ago for what I though would be a few days and it turned into a few weeks. I never really intended to be away that long but late August has a way of making time fly and stand still all at the same time.

Life has been very good and busy. Sometimes I wonder about the lines of personal verses public and what and how much I should share here in this intimate, yet public venue. Sometimes I wonder if another post about how much I love autumn is worth writing. I always come back to the same thought which is this space is special to me and I love sharing here.

So moving forward...

Lately I've been spending as much time outside as possible. It seems like the days are getting dramatically shorter. Last night I lit candles and read sipping tea and it felt like mid-autumn not late summer. There has been lots of popcorn for dinner at the lake and knitting. I've spent lots of time in the kitchen preparing this summer's bounty for the winter. I have lots of zucchini shredded and frozen waiting to be made into zucchini bread all winter long. There is plenty of jam and I am just waiting to make large batches of applesauce to freeze. I started drafting holiday gift ideas and am excited to start working on them (calendars and postcards, yes!). Autumn is arriving and I am full of inspiration. So, a few more posts about how much I love this season are definitely in the works!

How have you all been?

Morning::Night

2010-08-14T12:15:00.000-04:00

::Morning::

::Night::

On this day I loved:

This song

And this one, too

This recipe

The cool, refreshing evening breeze

Quiet afternoons to write

See, every day is beautiful.

What tuesday looks like

2010-08-10T21:31:00.001-04:00

I do love how there is a certain beauty of each and every day. So many times Monday blends into Tuesday and Tuesday and suddenly it is Friday. But lately I have been really trying to see the everyday beauty in life. I wish I could go through more days with my camera in my hand snapping away at the lovely moments I am lucky enough to experience.

Today was no different than really any other Tuesday really. It started with coffee, breakfast, and knitting down the street with my sister and off to work. Tonight there was dinner of lemon garlic chicken, roasted rosemary potatoes, caramelized beets on a salad of fresh greens and heirloom tomatoes with feta, and brownie sundaes for dessert. Every once in a while a fancy dessert since everyday is a holiday and celebration in my eyes. The day was topped off with some yarn shopping and more knitting. Tonight there will be more knitting and reading still.

What do your Tuesdays look like?

A Night at George's House

2010-08-06T07:14:00.001-04:00

I spent some time last night at George's House which is also the International Museum of Photography and Film. Bliss I tell you. We photographers can really thank George (Eastman) for making photography as accessible as it is now though I like to thank him for his genius gardens in the middle of the summer. They are stunning. As breath-taking as the mansion and the museum are the gardens are just as lovely. There was music, custard, and friends which made the night quite perfect. To top it off by the time of the night we were there the heat and humidity had left a place for cool breezes. Perfection.

Weekending

2010-08-01T14:43:00.002-04:00

Just a few images from my weekend as the month of July slipped away. The other week I was sick and on the couch and ended up watching my "how to use your camera" DVD. Oh how I wish I watched it about 8 months ago. Now I feel like I have so much more control over my photos. I spent the weekend with my camera at my side taking plenty of photos and ending up with some good ones.

This weekend I spent picking raspberries and making raspberry, blackberry, and triple berry jam, baking cobbler, sitting dock-side and fire-side, and breathing through yoga class. Sometimes the weekends end and it seems like 48 hours flew by at such a rate. I also watched this movie which I thought was great so now I can't wait to crack the pages of this book. I'm also casting on my Thanksgiving sweater (another garter yoke cardigan). Is it too early to think about that?

My heart swells at the sight of dishes

2010-07-25T11:46:00.006-04:00

Originally published in Habit

with this statement:

Some days this is the only sight I need to remember how lucky I am

I take pictures of my dishes drying. I do not really think it is all that crazy, but my family does. They don't quite get it. "Why not take pictures of people?" they say. Let me tell you why I take pictures of my dishes:

The dishes are clean which is a feat within itself for me.
I have made a meal which fills me with such joy. Making food for others is one of my favorite things to do. Nourishing the body is one of the ways I nurture others. When I prepare food for others my soul feels happy.
I had food to prepare. Never a day goes by that I am not thankful for the roof over my head or the ability to go to the grocery and buy nutritious ingredients to prepare. I know not everyone is able to do this and I have spent plenty of time with those who are unable to feed themselves or their families. It rocks my everything to know that there are people going to bed hungry tonight.
I spent time with loved ones. On this particular night my sister came over and we opened the windows of my Schoolhouse to hear the jazz festival going on in the village. We ate stove-top popcorn (the only way in my book) and listened to music and laughed.

These reasons, friends, are why I take pictures of my dishes. It is not really about the dishes but everything else. Sometimes I think I see the world a bit differently that other people and I consider it a gift. I see joy in clean dishes laying there on the counter drying away. I feel truly blessed to share popcorn over jazz music late at night.

I am Jessica and I take pictures of dishes and I don't think I will be stopping anytime soon.

The Goings On

2010-07-18T18:43:00.001-04:00

Gosh. I've found myself knee-deep in summer and some days I wonder how I ended up here. Wasn't it just early spring a few days ago? All the signs of summer are showing up. My fridge is full of berries, sandals wait by the door, and I feel like the days are flying. The beach is still awaiting my arrival and I am starting to think my first trip might be like last year's trip. As lazy as I feel and as much as I am enjoying slow crafting I feel a bit like I am lacking in this space. The truth is there is lots going on and I'm finding myself busier than when I was working full-time, going to school part-time and completing internships. Really-how does this happen? Generally it is all good and plain wonderful stuff. So there you have it. I am hoping that time opens up again and I find a bit of balance to share more of my days with you all as they are delightful and I do enjoy writing and capturing them in this dear space. Until then let me share some "goings on"

- Lia and I have teamed up to create a blog called Binding Interests where we will share photographs and thoughts about our days and lives. It is a true treat to collaborate with her and the project has been lots of fun so far.

- I hiked up this waterfall yesterday. Such fun.

- I am teaching my sister to quilt.

- I made blueberry boy bait. Yum.

- I am thinking of making blueberry jam or freezing the berries for a winter treat. I'm not sure yet what I'll do.

- I've gone to parades, taken walks, listened to jazz music outside of my window, chatted with friends, watched the sunset, and celebrated summer.

And with all of this goodness the only picture I have is of my feet. Outside. Pre-waterfall. Maybe I should take my camera out more often?

You all make this space worth writing in. I know I don't say it enough. Thank you for spending a bit of your time here.

In the studio:: Slow Crafting

2010-07-12T18:28:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I feel like there is a lot of creating going on and not much to show for it. In reality, there has been a lot of starting but not a lot of finishing. Oh, how I used to hate it when I had a half-finished project hanging out. Lately it seems like the sewing pile is growing and the knitting basket is staying in its full state and I am happily enjoying the process of making as opposed to rushing to the final product to share.

The process of creating is so dear to me. Looking for inspiration high and low. Designing in my head (and sometimes on paper, too), and then spending minutes and hours of my life pouring love and warmth into projects is just so dear to me. In the midst of life and all of its craziness in graduate school I was so focused on creating that I did not enjoy the process nearly as much as I do now. I also didn't end up with half of the projects I used to complete. However, what I do finish now I love, love, love. No bags completed to live life in the closet. No shirts to pack into a box. Everything is loved and used and loved some more. I guess I am all about slow crafting these days.

So yes, I don't make as many quilts. No, I haven't sewn a shirt for myself in a year. Yes, my Easter skirt still needs a waist band. Yes, my summer clapotis is exactly where I left it when I returned home from Florida (ahem, in March). No, I don't know if any of my holiday gifts started will actually be finished for this year. But...I am loving each and every moment creating and that is what it is all about.

Out on the road and in the water

2010-07-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

Just a few scenes from my little impromptu holiday. I love how plans have a way of falling in your lap in just the right way and at the perfect time. It has been toasty hot here even near our big lake so I headed south to another lake for some cool breezes, water, and laughter. Such a good time. Now there's bathing suits and towels to dry, bags to unpack, and life to live again. Before reality hits again I'm going to soak up my remaining few hours of vacation.

Have a delightful day!

Making Neighbors & Zucchini Patties

2010-07-02T08:13:00.000-04:00

I have strong feelings about neighbors. I like them. A lot. Life is much sweeter when you have good neighbors and I've always had ones who will deliver extra cookies and deliver extra garden veggies. Moving was hard because I was leaving behind wonderful neighbors who saw me through a good ten years of my life (important to note: I moved 2 miles down the street...they are still my neighbors just not right there).

Living in an old schoolhouse divided into apartments has its pros and cons. Less yard space meets village living. Village living equals more noise but also more walking. Sharing walls equals either making friends or making enemies. I happen to share a loft wall with a pretty awesome neighbor who is just like me. She has a love of fabric just like me. My loft is a bedroom, hers is a crafting studio. She loves to cook delicious things that make me hungry as I walk up the stairs. The best is when she comes over to deliver zucchini patties she made just because she thinks I'll like them. Not only that, she offered to come over and teach me how to make them saying "It's not really a recipe, it's more of an idea." (Exactly what I say...see, we are the same).

Last night I bought the ingredients and tempted her to come over with Ella Fitzgerald playing in the kitchen and the promise I would teach her to make marshmallows. We sliced and sauteed and I found my new favorite summer recipe of all time and you know how I feel about zucchini. I learned so much about cooking techniques in just a few hours. She gave me hints on buying knives and where to find the best cheese. I think sharing walls really isn't all that bad...

Linda's Zucchini Patties

2 zucchinis, shredded and squeezed through cheese cloth

4 carrots, shreadded

1 sweet onion, diced

2 eggs

1/2 cup Swiss cheese, diced into small squares

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

salt

pepper

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. garlic powder

about 1 cup of bread crumbs

(or enough to make the zucchini/carrots come together)

Form small palm sized patties, place in a heated pan with olive oil and butter. Warm until golden brown and flip. We also made a batch with ricotta cheese in the middle. That is a true treat!

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Some Nights

2010-06-25T17:27:00.000-04:00

Life is right when I am at the beach. Some nights here are just a little bit more magical than others. This was one of those nights.

Wishing you many magical nights.

Have a lovely weekend.

J

It's that time

2010-06-24T07:11:00.000-04:00

Summer really arrives with the commencement of jam-making here.As the jars dwindle down in the pantry I know that summer is about to arrive. When timed perfectly I use of the last bit of strawberry jam the day before jam day (oh, that happened this year. Such perfect timing!). Like all years, jam day falls on the hottest day of the month. Seriously. That is not planned but it happens every single year. It is one of those things we just chuckle about and then turn on the fans.

This year we sat down to do some jam math. How much sugar do we need? How many jars do we have? How many quarts of berries do we need to pick? Somehow in that mix we ended up with 15 pounds of sugar too little and 3 quarts of berries too many. An emergency trip to the store for chocolate and sugar and 76 jars of jam later we called it a day.

It's days like these, the ones that come every year, that form a life rhythm for me. Being in tune with the seasons and having these little rituals help me feel a deep sense of appreciation for each time of the year...and having freshly made jam as a result isn't all that bad either.

Midweek Hike

2010-06-17T17:51:00.000-04:00

I might be a bit partial but I do think I live in the most beautiful area. Right now it is prime outdoor weather and I am enjoying every moment of it. Shanna wrote about it and L headed to the fields as well (don't I have great local folks?) Go out must be the song the winds are singing because we are all hiking these trails. There is something life giving about going into the woods. The silence really allows me to listen to those whisperings of my mind.

I love how the trials are so different throughout the year. The last time I hiked in the Big Woods it was winter and a few feet of snow had just been dropped on us in a late-winter storm. Before that it was autumn and the leaves had just fallen. Living here it seems like I hike a different trail every time I come here in a different season. While I seem to fall into a weekly hiking routine in autumn summer hikes are becoming a fast favorite. Yesterday a mid-week, before dinner hike seemed almost necessary. Perfect for quiet, listening, and observing. I think I might have a new week night tradition on my hands (yet another reason why I just don't have time to watch television).

A Few Things I'd Tell a 15 Year-Old Me

2010-06-11T08:05:00.000-04:00

Just a few things I would tell my 15 year-old self--

:: Tough times don't last forever.
:: Trust the direction your life is moving in
:: A few deep and loyal friendships are far better than many
:: Be true to who you are, no matter how unpopular that may feel to you
:: Value family
:: Be honest to yourself
:: Those things you are worrying about now really won't matter in the future
:: Listen to the whispers guiding you
:: Work hard but leave plenty of time for play
:: Don't over think
:: Allow yourself to take risks no matter how scary or 'outside of the box' they are- that is how you grow
:: Embrace what you love to do
:: Know that this day 10 years from now will be delightful and more wonderful than you can even imagine

I often think of how tumultuous those teenage years are for young girls. Gosh, what I would give to go back in time and release some of that anguish I felt. I do think that the world is far too tough on people in general. I could pick blame but that would just be naming names and really I'd rather see a community that comes together and raises above that. I've always wanted to start a group for young girls to come together and talk. In my mind there are chocolate chip cookies, yogurt covered pretzels, iced tea and inviting arms. A place where they could come together and be honest and also hear that life isn't all about who has what and how much it cost and where the next big party is located. It's about connections, laughter, honesty, and inner peace. If only I could tell my 15 year-old self that...

What would you tell your 15 year-old self?

Enjoying

2010-06-09T07:38:00.001-04:00

Well that absence was a bit unintentional. I planned to get right back into writing after my Gift of the Ordinary series and life just carried on. My only excuse is that the first strawberries of the season have made their appearance. I do love this time of year filled with fresh berries, late sunsets, and warm weather. That time of year when shoes are not required but a lazy pace to the day is completely necessary. These June days remind me to slow down and enjoy, soak up the sun and inhale the sweet air.

So those strawberries. I practically jumped when I saw them at the market. Summer is really right around the corner when I see strawberries. Now as I drive around I see the 'u-pick' signs at every corner. A serious batch of strawberry jam is in the future. But right now I am enjoying these sweet, sun-ripened berries like they are gold. A celebration was necessary when I bought my first quart (I mean, life is just too short to not celebrate the first bit of berries). A very impromptu fondue party was in order. There was angel food cake, marshmallows, pretzels, chocolate, and of course those red berries. The perfect night.

What small thing are you celebrating these days?

Check it out

2010-06-01T18:25:00.000-04:00

Check out the latest edition of Rhythm of the Home. I think it is the best one yet and full of wonderful articles and creative inspiration. I wrote a bit about my childhood of creative play and how it influenced me as a creative adult. You can read about it here!

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 8

2010-05-31T22:49:00.001-04:00

::Sometimes the trails we should follow in life leave us little hints--like cottonwood along the path. It's those things I'm noticing more.::

Thanks for joining me on this ordinary journey. I'm thinking it might become a more regular journey here. Life is just too lovely.

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 7

2010-05-30T11:52:00.000-04:00

:: Ordinary nights this week. Getting ready to stitch and drafting patterns- someday I'll master this art. Until then there's driving out to dinner with friends. I'll settle for that any night.::

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 6

2010-05-27T18:41:00.001-04:00

::Tea with friends. Lots of knitting which is suiting me well these days. Laughter although the quiet moments were the best in my mind. Life is better when I go along it with these ones by my side.::

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 5

2010-05-26T07:40:00.001-04:00

::Some days all that is needed is a night at the lake with knitting and dinner in hand. All is right to the sound of waves.::

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 4

2010-05-25T07:27:00.002-04:00

::An impromptu trip last night. First to the co-op for boysenberry and tangerine sodas and yogurt covered raisins then to the indie theater to see Babies. I never lose sight of how lucky I am to have people in my life who love the same things as me--like boysenberry soda and independent films.::

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 3

2010-05-23T20:38:00.001-04:00

::I love the day the helicopters start falling. We walked to the village for to celebrate her 4.0 and made rhubarb crisp. Spring is Bliss.::

How are your ordinary days going?

Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 2

2010-05-22T10:24:00.000-04:00

::Some days I do my best thinking when stopped at red lights with a basket of goodness besides me for spare moments. The rain didn't stop the feeling of being on a bike again along the canal::

A Gift of the Ordinary :: Day 1

2010-05-20T20:15:00.000-04:00

Care to take a journey to the ordinary with me?

:: There is something about the scent of lilacs that fills my spirit with calm. I appreciate everything more that way.::

These dizzy days have a way of filling right on up. The sun is shining, the air is warm, and Spring is in full swing. Most days are flying by and I am feeling the need to record the ordinary a bit in this space.

For the next week I'll be sharing photographs and some words about my days. Hopefully I'll be able to document them in their true, honest form. It might also get me in the spirit of writing more frequently as well.

A Manifesto

2010-05-18T06:53:00.000-04:00

The other day I found myself with fifteen minutes and the desire to write my thoughts truly, deeply, and honestly. Pen and paper writing always seems to pull that out of me in a good way. What came of that time was a manifesto of sorts.

Have a lovely day!

Holy Moly :: Two Years

2010-05-16T15:06:00.000-04:00

The other day I realized that something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly was going on until I realized I had not written here in days. Life got busy and dizzy and time flew. Two years of writing in a space can do that to you. Writing here is such a part of my days and weeks that when more than a few days go by without writing things start to seem amok.

Holy moly. Two years of Turkey Cookies. It started here when, in the middle of graduate school, I started to feel a longing to write and create and share. (Eek, those early posts leave a bit to be desired, don't they?) A world of its own opened up and I am so glad it has. The community of this space is something I hold so dear. A bunch of like-minded folk who come together and share triumphs and discovers, joys and troubles.

Here are a few of my favorite posts from this past year:
On Food and Eating
An Exchange
2009
The Process: Inspiration
A Confession
Freezing Time

Thank you for spending a bit of time here and being a part of my days. You all are best part of this space.
--Jessica

Dear Farmer

2010-05-11T07:25:00.002-04:00

Dear Farmer,
The other day it was overcast and humid and I took a drive across country roads. I do that often. Seeing fields and orchards makes me feel at peace. As I drove down the road I gasped at the sight of your fields of dandelions and blooming apple trees! Oh, the sight. I was forever grateful that this was the day I chose to put my camera in the passenger seat.

Farmer, I trespassed (sounds a bit rogue, doesn't it?) on your land. I'm sorry. Well, not really. All I could hear was the humming of the honey bees as they floated from tree to tree and the soft steps of my feet on the ground. The fragrance of apple blossoms and sweet grass filled the air. I happily snapped pictures and kicked some dandelions seeds so they would blow in the air and spread more golden blooms. Your land is breath-taking and breath-giving.

I understand your farm is for sale. Maybe you have done your time tending to the land. Perhaps this farm has been in your family for years and you are tired. Travel and grandbabies might be in your future. Your children may have found other jobs outside of this land. I am sure it is wholesome and hard work to care for these acres and you have done a beautiful job. Your land has brought me an hour of bliss.

Thank you-
Jessica

Meet Joyce and Joan

2010-05-08T17:19:00.003-04:00

I'd like to introduce to you to a couple of mothers in my life in honor of Mother's Day. Joyce is also known as Grammie here when she makes her appearances and Joan is my mother. Both women have had their hands in raising me into the person I am today and that road has been an adventure. The other day I took a couple of portraits to share in the spirit of Amy's Celebrating Mothers project. It was a treat to take their portraits and I think these photos really capture who they are to me.

Meet Joyce

Here's Grammie. She taught me to cook, sew, and knit. She's the baker of the infamous Turkey Cookies. Neat facts about her include she rarely smiles in photos unless they are candids (got one--a treasure!) and her step-sister is her best friend from age two. She still talks to all her elementary school friends and is always there for a knitting lesson or two. She makes a mean tuna salad and always encourages me to eat plenty of chocolate.

Meet Joan

That's the Mama. Neat facts about her include she was born in Texas and she is a professional quilter. Here's a little known fact-I got her into quilting. She doesn't like a fuss but recently has been converted to cloth napkins and hardly watches TV. Her laundry is always done and folded (jealous!). She's always there for a good phone call and believes ice cream makes everything better.

Oh, and this video sums up my thoughts to them on Mother's day. It's lovely and is filled with the words I wish I said myself first. Happy Mother's Day Grammie and Mama!

Banana bread gone healthy

2010-05-06T07:11:00.000-04:00

The other night I found myself with some bananas waiting on the counter ready for a new life in bread. Banana bread is one of those comfort foods for me. Nothing compares to the first slice of warm bread straight from the oven. I pulled out my favorite banana bread recipe (from back in the early days of writing here) and started pulling out ingredients. I realized I've come a long way in the kitchen since those days and I really wanted to change up the recipe to make it a bit healthier.

When I sit down to alter a recipe I grab a pencil and re-write out all the ingredients and the measurements. Then I start to substitute in some simple changes such as half whole wheat flour for white flour. I often replace one egg with ground flax meal. Often the butter can be reduced a bit, especially if there is a fruit being added (for this recipe I reduced the butter but added an extra banana). I also cut the sugar amount. This hardly needs a replacement sweetener since so many baked goods have so much sugar in them. I try to not change too much, just simple little substitutions. Most of the time this process works out well for me but there are disasters.

This banana bread was a substitution success story. I do think I like it just as much as the original recipe and next time I think I would add half cup of oatmeal to the mix.

Banana Bread Gone Healthy

1/2 stick of butter, melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

3 tbsp ground flax seed

3 mashed bananas

1/2 cup of Greek yogurt

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp warm water or milk

3/4 cup white flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

pinch of salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

In a stand mixer, mix together the butter, brown sugar, egg, flax, water/milk, and vanilla until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl mash the bananas, add the Greek yogurt, and combine. Add the banana mixture to the sugar mixture and combine. In another bowl whisk together the flours, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Put in a greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or when light and golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

This bread tastes extra delicious with some buckwheat honey drizzled on top.

And since the weather has been so May-like and thundery lately banana bread and a good knitting project are the perfect combination. I'm thinking it is the time of year when a good simple garter knit scarf is necessary, don't you?

Have a lovely day!

Want to come to a party?

2010-05-03T17:56:00.000-04:00

This past weekend a friend and I threw a little wine and cheese party. A perfect occasion for those we loved to come together, chat about life, and generally laugh. It was a good time. There was wine and cheese, fruit, olives, and other munchies served in bowls from my friend's lovely vintage Pyrex collection. We made graham crackers and marshmallows and paired them off with Green and Black chocolate bars for 'smores at the end of the night. Everyone left with a bag of our favorite chocolate chip cookies to eat the next day.

Instead of wine charms we tied ric rac and other vintage ribbons onto the glasses and set out the vintage plates to use. I whipped up some napkins out of vintage sheets for the occasion. I cut 20 inch squares out of sheets I used for the picnic quilt and the sewed a rolled hem. Simple, easy, and it added such an element of charm.Oh, and this is what the paper garland was for!

I am all about celebrating the everyday and, most of the time, would rather throw a celebration for no reason than for a reason all together. There is just something about saying, "happy day" to a friend randomly than "happy birthday" when they are expecting it (though I do celebrate birthdays in a big way!). So many times I think people get caught up in holidays and forget to really enjoy the day and the time. That is what this party was all about-time together and a wonderful day. I feel the same way about giving gifts. I love to make for those when the least expect it because, you know, every day is really special. Nothing is more special that a small little homemade just to say, "I'm thinking of you."

At the end of the night I think we accomplished what we wanted- creating a time for some wonderful ladies who touch lives to come together and enjoy a good time. Of course, there didn't need to be garland or cheese or even cookies for that matter (chocolate-yes!) just friends and the space and time to gather.

Now, here is your space and time-- what are you celebrating today?

Five Words: April

2010-05-01T07:32:00.003-04:00

::sit::move::health::new::together::

Happy May, friends. April was great. I feel in my bones that May will be spectacular. I woke up to warm sunshine, green leaves, and a fresh slate. That is good.

A question for you- Starting out this month of May, what is one word you would give it at the beginning of the month? Acknowledge it and write it down. It could be 'quiet' or 'hopeful' or 'calm.' I think laying the groundwork for a good month is important. This month my word is accomplish.

Today I'm listening to this song and knitting this. I'm thinking of making this with my ever-growing rhubarb. It is also Sushi Saturday.

Vintage Picnics

2010-04-29T07:03:00.001-04:00

We're moving into my favorite time of year-the time of year when all meals can be eaten outside. There is something simple and wonderful about taking a meal to the ground. It's almost full circle to enjoy a meal on the ground in which it was grown. For the most part, the preparation of picnic meals involves gathering fresh bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Sometimes a bit more thought goes into it, but really my picnics are simple. They are all about sun and sharing with others.

The other day I made a picnic quilt out of some vintage sheets I had used for various other projects. I have a hard time parting with vintage sheets since they are so hard to come by for me but a picnic quilt seemed like the perfect way to enjoy them. My beach/picnic quilt from last year is just too small to really use for more than two people so a larger quilt became essential for this year. I cut 20 18 inch squares of sheeting and sewed them together. I actually quilted this on my machine at home which would have been moons easier if I could have found my walking foot. I do love the 'looser' look of a only slightly quilted quilt at times. Loops and stipples have their place, but the look of simple line quilting was just right for this project. (Excuse the wrinkly look--it was so windy yesterday that the quilt kept flying across the schoolhouse lawn).

Now picnic season can begin. The farmer's market will open soon and I'm hoping to add a bolga basket from the co-op to carry the food. I'm thinking my craft lull is a thing of the past. Thank you all for your encouragement--it was just what I needed.

Oh, garland!

2010-04-26T20:24:00.001-04:00

Worry not, I spent time this weekend by the lake. It was so refreshing to sit outside, drink some coffee, and just be. Oh, I need to do that more. I started the week with a true rested feeling and that is just what I needed to get through the day.

Lately, I've felt generally uninspired to finish up projects so there they sit. Maybe it is the constant busy-ness of the days or just a creative slump. I have a few so close to finishing including a couple quilts and skirts but alas the time for finishing them is not right now. My plan these days is to wait for that fury inside of me to rise up and fill me with creative energy. Surely this lull won't last long.

I did spend a good amount of Sunday night paper punching and sewing up paper garland inspired by this garland that made me swoon. It was so simple and really pleasing to make. I think the future of paper garland is good here especially since I haven't gotten around to sewing up a bunting yet. I found a paper punch at the craft store and some pretty paper, add a crafty friend and some Kate Nash on the pandora and I was set.

I also whipped up a snack to send out in the mail this week. I think they will be perfect for late nights studying, reading, or knitting. Really though, I think they are perfect to say 'I'm thinking of you right now' and that is always a good thing.

Breakfast Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tbsp ground flax seed + 3 tbsp boiling water (whisked together to form a thick liquid)

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

6 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed into a meal

2 cups whole oats

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, flax seed and vanilla together. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and graham crackers together. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and then add the oats. You can also add a handful of nuts (I like adding walnuts) or seeds if you want. I'm sure raisins or other dried fruit would taste good as well. I'm a fan of chocolate so I added a handful of a chopped chocolate bar and gently mixed. The dough should come together well when rolled into a ball. If it doesn't, add a slash of milk. I added chocolate soy milk--yum! Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

2010-04-24T07:23:00.000-04:00

I have lofty goals for this weekend. Finishing and starting. Cleaning. Writing. Organizing and sorting. Generally, getting things in order.

It's supposed to be beautiful out today so I might just sit at the lake with a book or a knitting project. No, I think I'll sit there and just be.

Have a lovely weekend, friends.

I Dye Yarn

2010-04-22T07:24:00.002-04:00

Last week all that was on my mind was dyeing yarn. Every once in a while a new creative outlet will come my way and I am filled with excitement. Dyeing yarn had that exact effect on me. I could not get dyeing off my mind. I started researching online, I ordered books from the library, I read and re-read Heather's posts on natural dyeing. Then on Saturday, I dyed.

I chose to go a very natural, organic route for my first dyeing experience. Not knowing how I would take to the process I used what I had around the house and made a minimal investment. I pulled out my canner, strainer, and spoons then bought some natural yarn, tumeric, and beets. I figured using natural plant dyes was the perfect route for me. I loosely used this article as my guide for dyeing along with other information I gathered through the week. Dyeing the yarn was delightfully easy and so much fun.

I am so pleased with the results of the yarn. The bright dandelion colored yarn was dyed with tumeric and the lighter yellow was dyed with beets (the bright red color is not colorfast but the soft yellow is perfect!). I couldn't help myself from taking pictures of the yarn everywhere but I do think it looks most perfect in the knitting basket. My plan for this yarn is to knit up one of these and one of these, too.

Next up is making a little bit of an investment and trying some more colors, some natural dyes like Heather uses, and even some natural yarn from friendly sheep farmers (oh, yes there's a sheep shearing festival this weekend!). I am quite sure that my dyeing adventures have just begun and dare I say---it will be the summer of dyeing!

On Nourishment

2010-04-20T07:09:00.000-04:00

(the first part of this post is On Food and Eating)

It really is nice to know there are so many people on the same page in regards to food and eating. If you get a chance read the comments from the original post there is lots of goodness there. The idea of food and eating is much more about Nourishment than just putting food in my body because it is a "meal time." It is the whole picture from gathering, preparing, eating, and sharing in the meal. I grew up thinking and eating this way and knowing the farmer that put the food on my table and where that food came from has been a really good thing.

My tip for getting whole grains into meals is to keep a variety on hand and keep them prepared. Most of the time prepared grains (as well as prepared dried beans) freeze well. Batch cook and then freeze meal-sized portions in the freezer. Being able to pull out a half cup portion of quinoa or brown rice has been a life-saver many, many times. Heather's post on grain salads has been an a great resource. Most often I cook up a batch of a grain and then add a combination of vegetables, herbs, and a light vinaigrette.

Here's a couple of my favorite quinoa recipes for you!

Breakfast Quinoa

Bring one cup of milk to a low boil and add a half cup of quinoa. Reduce to a simmer and add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of ginger, and a tablespoon of sweetener (brown sugar, brown rice syrup, honey, molasses, or maple syrup are all tasty!) and stir. Cover the quinoa and let it cook for 10 minutes while stirring halfway through. Take the top off and stir while letting remaining milk evaporate. Stir in a covered container for breakfast. This is very tasty with fresh berries mixed in.

Dinner Quinoa

Bring one cup of water to a boil and add a half cup of quinoa. Reduce to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes, stirring about half way through. Take top off and let remaining water evaporate. Add a dash of kosher salt, fresh ground pepper and olive oil. Fluff the quinoa and chill in the fridge for about an hour. For the meal, lay a bed of spinach and put a quarter cup of quinoa on top. Dice half an avocado and a cup of tomatoes. Drizzle the juice of one lime on top and enjoy.

A Verse

2010-04-18T08:47:00.001-04:00


(These words are the last stanza in the poem Summer Morning by Simic - the entire poem is lovely)

Just a few words that spoke to me deeply this week. May you find quiet and simplicity in this day.

2010-04-16T07:21:00.000-04:00

Wow. This week has gone fast. It's a busy time of year at work and in life. All good things but suddenly it is Friday. How does that happen? I meant to write about some of my favorite meals as a follow up on my last post--it will happen! What is so great about this community is that there are so many like-minded folks who are such an encouragement.

Here's some Friday thoughts:
- I've been listening to She and Him pretty much constantly. This song is great. Well, everything one of their songs is great.
- I'm dyeing my own yarn this weekend. Heather's been writing about it this week and it sent me directly to the yarn shop.
- The thrifting season begins tomorrow. I have a vision that involves more vintage sheets.
- I've been spending my evenings outside running. It feels so good and I'm just listening to my body (and She and Him) and going. I like the challenge and the solitude.

Have a great Friday!

On Food and Eating

2010-04-12T22:06:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been spending a good amount of time thinking about food and eating and nourishment. Surely it is the Spring fever and the ever (im)patient waiting until the farmer's market opens. Over the years my feelings and attitudes towards food have been a bit tumultuous. I'm sure there are many who have followed this path right along with me to find a healthy relationship with food while struggling with their self image.

My journey hasn't been easy. At this point in my life I feel as though I have found some clarity and feel pretty pleased with were I am for the most part (there are rough days/weeks, but that is life and I meet them as level headed as I can). I have spent a lot of time thinking and reading about how to healthfully feed myself generally love the body I have. What I have learned is if I feel good about what I am putting into my body I feel really good about who I am.

To do that I've developed some general food guidelines for my kitchen:
- I buy unprocessed foods and prepare them into meals that I can eat for lunches and dinners
- Meals are focused around fruits and vegetables (preferably raw)
- I try my best to avoid artificial food colorings, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners
- I keep fruits and vegetables washed and ready to eat in the fridge. I find if they are 'ready-to-go' I am much more likely to grab them
- I buy local and in season produce as much as possible and consider organic for these items
- I use a variety of whole grains in my meals (quinoa, bulgar wheat, and brown rice are my favorites)
- I generally feel as though I would rather buy good food than cheap food and allocate my budget that way
- I keep a running folder of new recipes I want to try. New meals keeps eating interesting and preparing a new recipe is exciting. When food gets boring or uninspiring I'm more likely to reach something less desirable.
- Along that line, I am always open to trying new foods. As an adult I have discovered I love asparagus, brussel sprouts, spinach, fennel, avocado, and parsnips.
- I bake my own desserts as opposed to buying. This way I can bake cookies a bit healthier if a want and if I want a cookie there is much more work involved than just opening a bag.

Most importantly I try to listen to my body and how it feels (as well as my mind). If my body is craving a certain item, I eat it. I haven't found that restricting certain foods works well for me. If it is a dessert or something less healthy I try to eat a smaller portion and really savor the treat. Right now my body is craving green smoothies so I've been making them for breakfasts and after workout snacks.

Next up- what I keep in my fridge and pantry for go-to meals during the busy week.

If you have any thoughts on nourishment or guidelines for your kitchen feel free to share!

A Hope Bag

2010-04-11T08:06:00.000-04:00

I'm officially back in the swing of handmades for gifts and it feels great. For a while I really had to cut myself some slack and accept that there was just too much on my plate and a handmade for everyone all the time just wasn't going to happen. Now I'm in business so away I go into the world of craft. I have very strong feelings about giving handmades for gifts coming from a long line of creators. My whole life I've received handknit sweaters, stained glass, aprons, quilts, or toys for holidays and those are my favorite, most cherished gifts (side note: wouldn't that be fun to head to the archive and find pictures of the handmades through the years?!?)

For my friend's birthday (Hey Christina!) I made up a Hope Bag. Oh my. This bag was such fun to make. I love making, but really this bag was a fun time. As soon as I saw the pattern I knew it would be the perfect gift and I got working. Sewing the letters looked a bit boggling. There were so many paper pieces and it looked like the quarter inch seam might be very important and I'm not big on true quarter inch seams. If the letters look intimidating to you, don't let that hold you back from this bag. The end result is great and for me, it was a one night project.

I did change the construction of the bag a bit. I added a three inch border of canvas around the entire "Hope Square" to make the bag a bit larger (16X17 inches total). I also added lining and attached the handles to between the canvas and lining. I am so pleased the the end result and really glad that I bought the remnant of canvas bolt so I can make one for myself and maybe another gift, too.

Now my eyes are set on the Proverbial Quilt. That quilt would be such a fun long-term project to sew on and such an amazing finished product. It might also require lots and lots of tea!

My Friends are Awesome

2010-04-09T07:11:00.000-04:00

My friends are awesome. That's a fact. I have come a long way from Jessica-of-15 who felt all out of sorts in the world. Not really knowing who I was or how I was to fit into my little niche or really much of anything. Feeling generally out of place in the comings and goings of the average teenage day. Yikes, I don't think I really want to relive those days but then again there are so many things I would want to tell myself of then. Oh well.

What did get me through was a few tight knit friends. The friends that make life sweet. The friends that know when your having a bad day just by feeling it. The ones who will agree to silly escapades to walk in the rain--because it is not snowing. The ones who can make a five minute phone call feel like we have just talked for an hour. The ones who (at least pretend to) appreciate going into a yarn shop to touch fiber or a fabric shop 'just to see.' The friends who smile when I feed them vegan cookies and wash them down with soy milk although they would really love a 'real' cookie and milk. They wear my hand-knits with pride. They generally make my days.

The other day I was on the phone with a friend going on and on about the forsythia. I have a thing for it these days. I'm sure my intermittent "Oh, there is some more forsythia" and "Isn't forsythia just the best right now" comments that were peppered throughout got in the way of our real conversation. But-- my friends are awesome. This friend found my car (not an easy thing to do--I travel for work) and put a bunch of forsythia on the windshield just to brighten my day. It did.

You see, my friends are awesome.

You, my friends, are awesome, too.

A knitting bag

2010-04-07T07:01:00.000-04:00

Thanks to a three day weekend I really felt relaxed and 'caught up' enough to spend some serious time crafting. I miss that feeling a lot and am looking for ways find more of that creative time in my days and weeks. Surely it is there, I just haven't found it. There was lots of open windows, Alison Krauss on the radio, and a fabric explosion which really meant I was feeling creative. When unannounced visitors arrived they got a real glimpse of what the schoolhouse looks like in it's 'studio' form.

One project I had been meaning to make myself were some drawstring knitting bags to keep each project together. I was inspired by these bags that were used to organize scraps. I have a bad/wonderful habit of casting on projects and always seem to misplace a pattern, the other skein of yarn or something essential for the project. How handy it would be to just reach down and grab just one knitting project-- you know--for those rare moments when I am out and about and I find myself with knitting time.

I ended up making a bag, not for me, but for that new knitter who told me it was ok the internet went down in college "because I had my knitting to do." I pulled out the embroidery thread and made the bag especially for her and then pulled out some scraps and made up a little log cabin to applique on the front. I have to say that this simple, little knitting bag is one of my most favorite projects of all time. Something about embroidery, meets quilting, meets knitting makes me happy. Of course, knowing that this bag will get lots of good use thrills me as well. Now I should whip up one or two for myself!

Have a great Wednesday!

I don't know much

2010-04-05T07:23:00.000-04:00

The more and more I live my days I realize that there is so much I don't really know. I am comfortable with that. It gives me places to grow and learn. What I do know is that right now, outside my window Spring has arrived.

At this point, that is all the knowledge I need-Spring is indeed here. Most of my hours are spent outside walking and admiring the blossoms, the flowers, and greenery. There is nothing like these first few real days of Spring to make me wonderfully present in each moment enjoying the sweet air, the warm breezes, and the forsythia. Oh, the forsythia!

Easter Morn

2010-04-04T09:48:00.000-04:00

A happiest Easter to you and yours

Today we are celebrating with waffles, fruit, egg hunts, and our annual holiday hike. It is spring (summer!!) like here -perfect for a day of outdoor sitting. The trees are bursting and the daffodils popped in celebration. Now it is time for a cup of coffee and brunch!

Five Words: March

2010-04-01T20:00:00.003-04:00

::Light:: Movement:: Peace:: Moment:: Rhythm::

Five words for March

Here I am letting out a deep exhale that this month is over. It is always my toughest and I persevered through long, cold days thanks to the small buds slowly growing, crocuses blooming and green reappearing. There have many quiet moments this month-so many I realized I did not share here. There's just a couple I snapped here and there in my days. I think they might be my favorite since they really capture that special moment. There was no purpose for taking them other than a moment I wanted to remember, no fancy composition, and really no words to go with them. These pictures are the story of my days, my everyday, and I love their ordinary-ness. Thank you for sharing in my days, friends.

Care to join in sharing five pictures and words? You can also leave thoughts and questions over at formspring, I'd love to answer them.

Maple syruping

2010-03-30T17:43:00.000-04:00

I spent some time this past weekend maple syruping. Or at least wandering around the maple syrup farm listening to the quiet drip, drip, drip of sugary delicousness and tasting the ambery goodness. It was the perfect day for sugaring, or at least I was told, freezing temperatures the night before and warmer afternoons. I could tell, as there was a steady drip the entire time I was walking around.

This property was amazingly beautiful, full of woods and the maze of syrup tubing going from tree to tree for what seemed like miles. I could have spent hours walking around. You all know how I get from time to time when I just crave quiet nature. This farm was just the cure.

I've really been trying to enjoy the rhythm of the seasons and the transition (as brown as it may be) from winter to spring. Mud, the first sight of robins, small crocuses, the return of green all signal the start of something new. Maple syruping seemed so perfect spring to me

Here's just a few of my favorite ways to enjoy maple syrup
- in my morning oatmeal
- on my french toast
- pancake muffins!
- more muffins
- these muffins, too
- maple syrup scones
- maple pecan cookies

My most favorite way includes a jar of syrup and a spoon because just one teaspoon of fresh syrup can be day-altering. I'm thinking that one of those muffin recipes will show up on the Easter brunch table, along with spanikopita, belgium waffles, fresh fruit, and syrup (of course!)

Some mornings

2010-03-27T08:22:00.000-04:00

...it is good to be lazy. A cup of milky coffee, new lounge pants from thirfted sheets, and my Francis for the morning. So many days I don't sit down to enjoy the fresh slate right there in front of me. I am determined to appreciate these moments more.

A couple of other things:
- This quilt set is so inspiring to me. I have a hard time letting any vintage sheet bit go to waste so I think a modern vintage quilt is on the docket.
- I picked up this book from the library to read this week. A girl can dream about going to Paris, right?
- My favorite author has a new book out. I'm not sure how I missed that but it was the sweetest surprise.
- I am feeling the need to journal paper and pencil style with drawings and thoughts. I have never really been a journal person and I am not sure where this will take me but it feels right.
- About 10 people have told me this show is great.
- I think I'm making these this weekend.
- I just love these words. Love them, love them, love them.
- These later nights are perfect for walking. The other day I took my camera and went down the street for an iced coffee. Someone there asked me if I was a photographer. I answered, "yes" and felt a little flip flop in my stomach.
- I made this cake the other night. Delish! Thanks for the inspiration, Heather. Moosewood recipes can never go wrong.
- This is the perfect guide for a little spring cleaning. I love a fresh, clean slate.

Alright, have a wonderful weekend!

Love-ly bag and getting sewing

2010-03-25T07:16:00.000-04:00

Lately my sewing projects have taken back burner to redecorating and knitting and life in general. I may or may not still be working on my wonky scrapy log cabins, but that is another day. However dusty the sewing machine gets, I can always muster enough excitement to make a bag. Sewing up a bag is quick satisfaction for me and (you know what they say) you can always use another bag.

Armed with some Love fabric (gosh I love that line) and a pattern I promised the perfect beach bag for our trip to the beach. Then I cut out the fabric and there it sat, and sat, and sat in the studio. Surely you all have weeks or times like that, right?? I'm glad I got my act together the day before the plane left and got sewing. This bag is perfect for the beach--enough room for towels, sunscreen, books, and the essentials like knitting projects. I have my priorities straight.

I am ready to get sewing again, that is for sure. Something about the weather turning, the sun shining, and warmer weather coming this way makes me think that a few skirts and shirts are essential. Spring top week might be what I need to get shirt making--there is lots of inspiration. I also picked up this book months ago and I think the world of pattern making and sewing for this body of mine is opening up. Maybe, just maybe, I'll finish up those log cabins too.

What are your clothes-making secrets?

there's a new knitter in town

2010-03-22T18:30:00.001-04:00

Ten years ago on a trip to Florida I learned to knit. Each time I go there I get the knitting bug so this year I came prepared with a sweater plus a couple of skeins of malabrigo for fingerless mitts if I felt so inclined. Right now I am feeling very knitty so a week with wool was just up my alley (though I can't get through a sweater in two weeks like ms friend to knit with ).

I did have a grandmaster plan which was to sneakily get my sister knitting. She has always lovingly accepted my hand knits and worn them with great pride. She loves knitting when it is a hat or scarf or mitts for her but never felt the slightest desire to learn until one day when she mentioned it- wanting to learn. I figured a couple of hours on a plane right would be just right so I waited until we were preparing for takeoff and handed a ball of malabrigo and some bamboo needles to her. Who wouldn't want to learn to knit with some of that buttery malabrigo in their hands?

I do love sharing in the craft and I have taught many people how to knit. There is something special about sharing the knitting secret with others. It is just like magic how a ball of yarn turns into a warm, woolly scarf through a series of loops. My sister got that magic and quickly was knitting away. We had to hit the yarn shop for some yarn and needles of her own on day two of her knitting adventure. She was able to get a knitting lesson from Grammie as well as I sat to the side snapping a few photos. For a while I thought she might just be humoring me and learning to knit just to appease my knitty soul but then late at night she would ask me how to purl and increase and decrease. It was real.

I think we've got a new knitter in town, friends. A warm welcome to the world of wool and the quiet tapping of needles. She'll be on sweaters before I know it. Project number two has been decided-socks. I'm thinking a basic sock pattern is a good place to start.

For me, nothing was better and I started a new project to celebrate. A clapotis out of a light linen-y yarn for summer. Just the right project for beach sitting and knit teaching.

the beach

2010-03-21T09:02:00.001-04:00

I'm back and feeling a bit like I can still hear the waves behind me and feel the salty air. I'm still laughing and knitting. Things are just right. I'm slowly re-entering the real world although the vacation world is so nice. Soon you'll hear about my adventures (including someone new with knitting needles).

Passing the Meantime

2010-03-14T08:16:00.002-04:00

I am heading out, up, and to the beach. My sister and I are heading on a trip to visit Grammie where I'll read and persuade her to learn to knit, spend quiet mornings on the beach and eat a healthy amount of dark chocolate.

Be back soon!

The Meantime

2010-03-12T06:31:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here on the cusp of winter and spring. Oh spring, it will arrive in just a few short days. Living near water and also in the north I am quite aware that true spring for us will not arrive for a little while but these 50ish degree days full of sunshine surely make me think that it might have just arrived. The sights of forsythia from others is making me yearn for those early bursting days of spring.

Traditionally, I am a forward thinker. Always looking ahead to see the next task, goal, job, and so on. This process has served me well but now I need to be in the present. Enjoying each moment and cherishing these meantime moments. These moments when the crocuses aren't quite up yet and there is still snow on the ground (such a metaphor for life right now!!). These moments right now can easily get swept under the 'ugly landscape days' of March. Melting snow looks a bit icky and the grass is matted down from the weight of snow and ice. But if I look closely the snow is melting and green grass is popping up. Beauty!

Being right now is a challenge. A challenge of quieting my mind and being present. Having a camera in hand really helps me see these moments. I added a new lens the other day and have enjoyed catching the meantime with it. Spring is just about here but right now I am in the meantime and enjoying every moment.

Have a lovely day!

wrapping up in my shawl

2010-03-09T07:41:00.001-05:00

I finished up a little knitting project for myself not long ago (there was a little peek here) using yarn gifted to me for my birthday. The minute I received the yarn I thought it would make a perfect wrap (ahem) shawl. It took me a little while to cast on, but once I got going this wrap (ahem) shawl was done in about a week. Such perfect, rhythmic knitting!

I used the simple yet effective shawl pattern and just kept knitting until there was no more yarn. Literally, I cast off with about two inches to spare. That was a bummer since I loved working with this yarn so much. It is a homespun, hand-dyed worsted weight score. The end result was a cosy, warm wrap (ahem) shawl. It is perfect for putzing around the schoolhouse when the windows get drafty or for wearing as a scarf on a night out. I am particularly fond of wearing it in open snowy fields on warm sunny late-winter, early-spring days.

When I started work on this wrap (ahem) shawl I was describing it in many words, but not a shawl- "I'm making, like, a triangular wrap." I would describe it to friends as I sat knitting and they talking. "Like a shawl grandma's wear, right?" they would say. "No," I would respond, "Like a wrap we all wear." Then I really thought about it. Grammie doesn't wear shawls and other Grammie-aged folks I know don't wear them either. But Heather makes shawls.Here's another one. Rebekah made one. Amanda has a few I just love. Yes, it's a shawl that I knit for myself and I love this shawl. Fair warning-there is more where this came from.