Crunch Crunch

Some people like ketchup but not tomatoes, grapes but not raisins, margarine but not butter and on and on...I can sympathize because that's how I feel about ice. Typically, I don't care for it, but when it comes to Pellet Ice (also known as Sonic Ice), I'm crazy about it. It is such a pleasure to drink a beverage with mushy little ice cubes saturated in the flavor of whatever liquid you're drinking. Why don't more places use it? This picture is from Sonny's Pizza & Pasta in San Clemente where I recently enjoyed a hot afternoon lunch. Between the ice and the oil cloth tablecloth, it was bliss. I love the kitcshy look of oil cloth. (Speaking of kitcshy, you ain't seen nothin' 'til you seen this...okay, well maybe, but it's still a fun browse.) We recently got a few yards of oil cloth to cover our spare table from a local craft store. It's nice, because it can be a challenge to do something easy and cheap with a plastic 8' conference table, and this works for me. I found these napkins at Target that look so cute with it and am sad that I ran out of them already. I love this website for oil cloth craft ideas--check out their free downloads and zillions of patterns.

Something Pretty

I love this bowl that Summer found while visiting us last week. We went to this little antique store in Mission Viejo and she spotted this beautiful bowl to add to her collection of Sun Purple Glass. I can't wait to see how it looks full of something yummy!

La Rentrée

Back to School--the phrase has been relatively meaningless to me now for several years--little did I know it would again hold significance for me this school year!

It started a few weeks ago when I was reading Marta's blog and noticed she was hosting a swap with the Back2School theme. Having read about but never participated in a swap before, and being on the bored and frustrated side of searching for a job, it wasn't difficult to woo me into participating...especially when the swap theme evoked my great memories of stocking up for school supplies each Fall during our annual pilgrimage to the supply store.

When the news of my swap partner came, I was excited to find out that I had been paired with a super sweet Southern Belle who doubles as a professor at her local university. Her package arrived to me this week with too many goodies to photograph well! I am really thankful for her generosity and have been especially charmed with this internet journal to log websites and passwords in. I've never seen anything like it before. Thank you, Natasha!


I don't think my package has arrived to her yet, so I better not share pictures (although you can check them out later by visiting the swap's flickr group from the link above.)


Now, back to the school story...

By the time the package arrived, I had been offered an EA position with a private school group and decided to accept. The decision was actually very easy as I felt an immediate connection to the vision of the schools and also to those in the team that I met. I'm excited because I've always been passionate about education and was on the track to becoming an educator before getting sidetracked by my love for food and my last job. So, there we have it...Back to School again for me! I started last Thursday and am enjoying my first week immensely.

To celebrate I'm sharing with you my two favorite school and office supply stores...hope you enjoy!

Russell + Hazel:

See Jane Work:

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked

I spotted this book while browsing the other day at our local bookstore and had to get a copy for our niece's 5th birthday. It was just published this year, and although the illustrations look like they're from long ago, it is the illustrator's first book. Both the story and the pictures are darling.

I've also been enjoying the photographs over in Hilary's vintage book set on Flickr. Pretty cute!

Flower Power

It is really all Laurie's fault... Once she commented that she could picture flowers on the French Girl Hats, I couldn't get it out of my mind and HAD to have a flower. I got the idea from Heather Bailey, fabric designer for Free Spirit and one of my favorite craft bloggers. This specific flower, has wool felt petals, a yo-yo out of Amy Butler's Lotus Collection (which you already know about) and a aqua vintage button.

Other weekend fun? Nothing says fun like a Day Canoe Trip...

'Tiquing

My favorite Sunday afternoon pastime is napping, but some days the logisitics don't work out. That was that was the case today when we found ourselves killing time back in the antique shops of Old Town Orange with Summer, our weekend guest. (I'm not really complaining.) I've decided that The Boy is at once the most distracting and the most fun person to shop with. He seems to find the exact moments that I'm pleasurably lost in contemplation to point out his special finds and exclaim things like, Hey Court, check it out! An olive server!

We three had a great afternoon uncovering all kinds of finds. Since we didn't commit to purchasing anything, I took a few pictures of especially unusual things which you can view here...one of which is this great picnic basket complete with porcelain china and linen servillettes.

Mellow Yellow

Yesterday I met up with The Boy for lunch in Old Towne Orange and brought home this old Fiesta teacup. The missing saucer made it a steal, and I figured it would be a great addition to my growing yellow mug collection. Sometimes the best collections are the ones you don't start intentionally. That was the case here. Last month, I opened up our cupboard and thought, wow--what a lot of yellow! I better keep that going!

I think this Emile Henry mug really wants to be a part of the family too! I think she might need to be the next...

J'adore Fall

I've never really been that into Fall having always considered myself a Southern California girl where scarves and boots are just a stylish accessory and fall is something you do if wearing high heels... But having weathered 4 seasons in Bend (and sorry my SoCal coastal friends, "May Gray" and "June Gloom" don't count!) I think I'm prepared to say that fall is my favorite season.

What fueled this realization? The answer is simple: receiving the current Anthroplogie Catalog... I was sitting, sweating, in my 85+ degree living room , pouring over the gorgeous outfits and home accessories featured for their current season and simply LONGING for fall. Last year, I collected jackets--real ones, with powder skirts, hoods and down fill (and a few cute layering type ones as well). This year, my goal is to collect sweaters--and I'm hoping to start with one of these great Anthro creations (I really hope Brett isn't reading this). Do they not scream, "Wear Me and Love Fall?"

In fact, I've just gotten so excited for fall, it has sparked the creation of some fallish projects. No, not sweaters--I don't think I'll ever be that experienced, but rather some cozy beanies. The first time I tried this pattern (Violette) by French Girl, it looked like a skull cap because I'm such a tight knitter. I've altered the pattern by adding 6 rows so now it fits like I think it should. To mix things up, instead of adding the velvet ribbon, I've crocheted a little chain around the bottom to keep the brim from rolling up. Don't you just love the fabric in the background? Its from Amy Butler's new Lotus Collection.

"Making Things"

Yesterday I went to Mom & Dad's for the afternoon. In their unpacking they had found this photo (c. 1985) of Jamie and I embroidering. Although I have a vague recollection of seeing the plastic hoops around, I do not remember using them.

(Do you remember, Jamie? I can remember your jumper...and I'd love to have that couch again!)

Farmer's Market

One of my favorite summertime activities in Bend, OR is floating the Deschutes (something I personally have not done but enjoy watching everyone else float past my work each day during the 80-90 degree summer days). The other is the Farmer's Market.

I love the chaotic, alive feeling at the Farmer's Market and especially knowing that Bend is a community where "local" matters. Check out Sustainable Table and FoodRoutes for some cool info on why its smart to buy local. Plus, if you live in Bend, buying local can even mean having your own Maya Moon (my current bag of choice, made right here in Bend)!

I've been busy with my own little market as well... Perhaps my most favorite knitting project are these baby fruit hats (pattern by Ann Norling). I'm thinking that perhaps my next project should be figuring out how to make some matching fruit and veggie rattles!

Cupcake, You're Mine!

Many thanks to those who took interest in my post about Magnolia Bakery. I loved getting your emails--especially the ones who let me know about NBC's recent clip on Magnolia and its West Coast equal, Sprinkles...it was really fun to watch! (If you haven't seen it, you can watch it here.) I've heard about Sprinkles for a while now, but have never made it a point to take a special trip to LA to visit. I was much surprised last week, when my Madre took me to the location in Corona del Mar--I didn't know that OC had one! (I celebrated this new revelation by going three times in one week.) Each of the experiences was a delight. I was impressed on many levels--mainly by their use of biodegradable plates and silverware and by playing witness to cupcakes flying off the shelves and out the door as child after elderly man after nextdoor shop keeper came and bought and left and ate. Below is a menu which visually depicts the flavors that are available each day of the week. The graphics are really cute and fresh, and reflect the spirit of the shop well.

Some of my favorite cupcake sites--check out the photo galleries!

Babycakes
Vanilla Bake Shop
Sibby's Cupcakery
Frosted Cupcakery
Dots Cupcakes

And great cupcake blogs with recipes, pictures, etc...

Cupcake Blog
Cupcake Frenzy
Cupcakes Take the Cake

Simply Breakfast

Inspired by Simply Breakfast, I decided to put up a picture of our's this morning. Now...off to the Farmer's Market!

Paper or Plastic

How about neither? Bringing your own bags to the store has got to be one of the easiest ways to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Although I still find it frustrating to watch someone in the check out line purchase one or two items and insist on taking a bag, I've also been pleasantly surprised by how many people (from designers and businesses to everyday consumers) are starting to get it.

Ikea started a couple of programs, my favorite being the one where they charge customers a few cents per bag to encourage people not to use them. The revenue they generate from the charge is donated to a Save the Trees program.


The Japanese Minister of the Environment just released a wrap made from recycled PET bottles that can be used to protect most any type of product all the way home. Above is the published directions for 14 different folds. The philosophy of the wrap, called mottainai furoshiki, spawns from the Japanese definition of mottainai, which means "it's a shame for something to go to waste without having made use of its potential in full."


Most surprisingly this season has been the incredible support for Anya Hindmarch's creation. Her "I'm not a Plastic Bag" tote sold out with such speed that the company created a FAQ section of their website to deal with all the hype...and hype there has been! Accessories in her collection normally sell for hundreds of dollars--people snatched up this $15 offering and started hawking them on ebay for much more.


Honorary spokesperson of the WFP, Lauren Bush, is promoting sales for the World Feed Programme Bag which is available on Amazon and donates revenue to the program. "People don't see hunger in front of them so they are not directly affected," she says, "what I am doing is connecting young people to the issue." Way to go Lauren on the two birds with one stone thing...

Even Daily Candy has been pitching reusable alternatives. (They featured Baggu last week.)

Although the point is to reuse what you already have, I do find it exciting that others are bringing awareness to the issue in creating bags specifically designed for shopping.

To my fellow hard-core shoppers out there, make sure your grocery store is giving you the BYO bag discounts that most of them offer, and keep on opting for no bags on as many things as possilbe.

Santa Barbara

A brief photo gallery from our weekend away visiting Jeff and the rest of the Lee Family in Santa Barbara...It happened to be Fiesta, so we got in on a few of the Old Spanish Days events. Other than that, our weekend was food-centric thanks to a visit to the Farmer's Market and Glen's amazing talents.

Barbara of Windrose Farm

Farmer's Market Zinnias
(makes a great Summertime desktop background should you
feel like downloading the photo!)

Fiesta!

Confetti Egg Peddlers

My Handiwork on Jayna's Head

At the Market I spotted San Marcos Farm's honey stand and had to purchase a couple of jars for old time's sake. When I was a local, going to college at UCSB, I loved using their wildflower honey in teas and vinaigrettes. In anticipation of Fall/Winter cooking, I chose to try their Sage honey this time around, and also couldn't resist their Avocado Blossom honey...I think I'll use it first in this sherry vinaigrette which, at this time of year, is a great marinade on fresh tomatoes:

Sherry Vinaigrette

1 shallot (peeled, trimmed, minced)
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
kosher salt (to taste)
freshly ground pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine the shallot, vinegar and honey. Season well with salt and pepper. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then whisk in the olive oil. If it's too strong, add more olive oil (to total around 3/4 cup).

Summer Reading

There is something about Kate Spade--or should I say the KS Empire--that I find very inspiring. I'm not talking about shoes and handbags, but the organization's general sense of style and confidence in sharing it.

Take the newest section of their website, Behind the Curtain, for example, which gives you a peek into behind-the-scenes projects and highlights current points of inspiration for their staff.

Particularly I enjoyed viewing the short film she created for her husband's birthday (see Projects section) which features children reading and quoting authors or other famous artists. Also handy was a list of Summer Reading, a reminder of how to fold book covers, and three free book cover downloads (see Summer Reading section).

Thanks, Kate!

Happy Anniversary Jamie and Brett!

A little toast to one of the couples I love the most!

"May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhilll all the way to your door."

On your Paper Anniversary I'm giving you the paperless gift of visual pleasure via a tour of some favorite online paperies. There are an overwhelming amount of purveyors that offer online stores, so I've given up trying to narrow it down to the truly exceptional and am just going to list some current favorites...

Luxe Paperie
Sugar Paper
Carrot & Stick Press
Kate's Paperie
Hello Lucky
Snow & Graham
Egg Press
Dauphine Press
Paper Omelette

(click on the photo above for a full photographic tour of Dauphine's retail store)

Happy Day!
xo.

Brē'kō-läzh' and Bŭt'ər

So, what does bricolage mean, anyway? The word is French (ah, mais oui) and derived from bricole which means "to trifle." Ultimately, bricolage refers to something that has been tinkered with, and made or crafted from a variety of materials that are on hand. In the vernacular, bricolage means "a mix of this and that."


I'm thinking that you may already know what butter means, but maybe you didn't know that salted butter is really great on bread. Many finer restaurants salt their table butter by hand, but that's a lot of work for the home. My favorite salted butter to buy is Double Devon Cream Butter which you can get at Trader Joe's and sometimes even at grocers like Ralphs. If you really enjoy bread or even just toast, it's worth trying out!

Cupcakes Make People Happy

I'm feeling a little lacking after seeing Courtney's beautiful cake. Wow, my sistah's got skills! While she masters the Magnolia Bakery cookbook, I wear around this shirt my parents got me in New York... Sometimes I feel like we are twins, sometimes I feel like we are from different planets--our culinary interests are one of those light years apart moments...

Here are some cupcake pincushions that make me REALLY happy! They are from Betz White, one of my crafter heros. Something that makes me really admire Betz is that she invents gorgeous creations out of recycled yarn, sweaters, and other used products--it reminds me of our grandmothers who made quilted or crafted art out of using what was available to them: old shirts, feedsacks, dresses etc. No heading down to their favorite fabric shop for supplies and inspiration! I'm awaiting Betz' new book, Warm Fuzzies: 30 Sweet Felted Projects coming late 2007--and the suspense is killing me. I know you will all really enjoy her blog and website--plus, check out her etsy shop to get your own cupcake or other delightful item.

Here is my Mamacake, with on of Betz White's cupcake pincushions I got her for Mother's Day (she took this picture on her new Mac--I'm impressed). Notice her craft room behind her, which is simply divine. Just thinking about it ignites my creative soul!

Check out some other great cupcake resources that make me drool...

For cupcakeries: Dots Cupcakes

For cupcake funk: Johnny Cupcakes
For cupcake blogs: Cupcakes Take the Cake