angry chicken

summer soup

I made this summer soup this morning. It's based on a vegetable root stew that I made long ago from a copy of The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook which I got from the library after posting about my favorite cookbook. There are wonderful suggestions in the comments of this post, which is where I learned of this author.

I only made this soup once, and it was over a year ago—almost two actually, so I have no idea if it's very close, but I do remember I liked it a whole lot and this soup I like a whole lot—so there you go. It's an excellent cookbook. I should buy it. I actually am not a huge Italian food fan. I could never have pasta again in my life and be just fine, but this cookbook is about a different type of Italian cooking that is very exciting to me. Anyhoo, here's what is in this soup:

-1 fennel bulb sliced super thin
-1 onion sliced
-1 carrot diced
-2 leeks sliced
-3 new potatoes diced
-5 cloves garlic sliced
-3 radishes sliced
-a bunch of fresh herbs and a can of diced tomatoes (fresh tomatoes would be best, but they aren't ready here yet.)

I sauteed the fennel, onion, carrot, leeks, garlic, and radishes in olive oil and salt and pepper for about 15 minutes. Then I added the can of diced tomatoes in their juice, covered it all with water and simmered it for about an hour. Then added about 1 cup corn and chopped herbs from the pots outside-rosemary, basil, dill and oregano. I served it with little toasts from the homemade bread from Friday and a lot of grated Parmesan on top. It made a boatload, about 4 mason jars full. Really yummy.

We have a crazy week ahead of us. 3 b-days (including Grammie and Liddy!), 2 doctor appointments, father's day, summer solstice celebration—and I know I"m forgetting about 3 more things. More homemade bread, butter, and jam will be needed for sure.

Unrelated, I saw Hangover and laughed hard. It's no Anchorman, but really, what is?

Lunch on a very long friday

Here's a small hand about to eat (and destroy) a plate of homemade bread with homemade butter. The jam was not homemade, but is tasty nonetheless. I had heavy cream that was going to turn, so I made butter from it and now can freeze it, so I'm not wasting that crazy expensive organic heavy cream, which drives me crazy.

Unrelated:

• I got the Sugar City Quarterly and it is really wonderful. I highly recommended it—hand drawn and full of lovely crafting ideas with a fairy tale bent. Very pleasing.
• I just purchased this—as a summer handbag fix. Very excited.
• Had a really nice dinner at the Jade Teahouse. The grilled tofu salad is so good.
• I just have to say that dang—my girls are driving me up the flippin' wall today. Sigh. Is it saturday yet?

happy letterpress to me

 

I received this outstanding birthday gift from a dear friend and fellow lover of letterpress. It's personalized recipe cards by Petite Press and dang—they are just charming. They feel so good in my hand—super thick stock, so pretty and sturdy. I have to make myself actually use them, not just keep them blank all pretty in the plastic. I'm also going to steal this gift idea, because really, who wouldn't want these? Come, on.

 

The Official Tooth Fairy Kit also came, and while not technically for me (I hope), I will benefit greatly.

Sadie has has lost 3 teeth so far, the most recent being her front tooth. The other one next to it won't make it through the week—so the timing of this gift couldn't be more perfect. I'm such a sucker for anything "official", old time-y, and medical looking. This has a little envelope attached for the tooth, a place to write, and little tooth diagram for locating. It's too good. Again, a brilliant gift idea which I will steal. And again, they are so lovely it will be hard for me to use them. Maybe I should just let Sadie fill it out. That's what I will do.

what they were doing while I was sewing-

The flag of Pogo

I came upstairs after sewing the other night to this list that was being compiled. You can't make this stuff up. It's a game called Imaginary Country with simplified explanations of exports, government, terrain, etc. provided by my husband, so, you know—they know what's what.

Sadie (age 6 3/4)

Country: Pogo
Weather: Mostly cold, sometimes sunny.
Population: 100
Description: Dresses on.
Political System: Monarchy
Industry: Construction
Language: Phobo
Famous Citizen: Phoebe, she's performed many times in ballets.
Landscapes: Fairy enemies and silver dolls.
Capital City: Peetald
National Pastime: Painting wood.
Exports: Trash cans and hose.
Flag: Blue with an orange flower. (See illustration above.)

Delia (age 4 3/4)

Country: Sunbow
Weather: Really really hot. Desert with sand.
Population: 22
Description: Mostly heart skirts and cardigans and flower shirts and such. (Exact quote, I swear.)
Political System: Democracy
Industry: Steal money from piggy banks.
Language: French
Famous Citizen: Emma. She does tightropes really well and performs Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker.
Landscapes: Mountains
Capital City: Mexico
National Pastime: Plays with toys.
Exports: Question ignored.
Flag: She left the room.

Lydia (Almost 2. Information provided by her sisters, based on her favorite word.)

Country: Donut
Weather: Very rainy.
Population: 21
Description: Donut dresses.
Political System: Military Dictatorship. A leader wears a black hat, black pants, stripey tie, and a black bow on his hat. It's a donut outfit (Said Delia.)
Industry: Donut Shops
Language: Spanish
Famous Citizen: Molly. She's a really good donut maker.
Landscapes: Big donuts.
Capital City: Enmo
National Pastime: Eat donuts.
Exports: Donut cars and kitties
Flag: Question ignored.

Upon hearing all this I immediately suggested they design the flags and stamps for each country, and then got all excited about designing the currency, but a new game was started instead.

strawberries in a bowl with stuff added

I am a fiend for fruit, fruit desserts, and fruit paired with chocolate. I get a little hoard-y about chocolate dipped strawberries and was looking for a lighter (and quicker) version and found it. This is a bowl of sliced strawberries (no sugar added) with the tiniest amount of chocolate sauce drizzled on top. I added a sprinkle of fancy salt and one thinly sliced basil leaf. Pure heaven.

I would never serve this to friends because many many people I know would feel the salt and basil ruined a perfectly good bowl of strawberries. That's fair. A bit of brown sugar and a finely chopped mint leaf would be nice too. The chocolate sauce was not homemade but some hippie organic stuff I had on hand. I need to make some, though. Maybe something like this? There are so many recipes for chocolate sauce out there. I'd steer clear of the corn syrup ones. What say you? Any favorites? It would be rad if it didn't require heating to use. I'm thinking pourable—not a glop that needs to be heated. Many things to consider. I could put it in a squeeze bottle and get all 1980s with my dessert garnishing. Remember when every desert was plated with that chocolate sauce drizzle? Sometimes in two colors even, if it was extra cool. So what if I just wrote about food trends from 1986.

Unrelated but important to mention:

• Two wonderful zines out there—the newest Mixtape #9 is available, with a beautiful cover design by the ridiculously talented Lisa Soloman. And I always look forward to the newest Small. Very cool.

simple is hard. sometimes.

This is Simplicity 2922 and is wasn't so simple. I'm really happy with how it turned out and it's very wearable and comfortable (ignore the wrinkles, it's linen) but you know, simple is hard.

The pattern has a several variations, like many of the Project Runaway patterns that Simplicity is putting out. In theory, this design is easy to sew. The sleeves aren't set in, and the variations allow for both a gathered neckline/sleeves or without. I went with the option including gathers.

Here's what I changed and noted:

• The pleating on the sleeve top shoulder is a really nice detail. I copied it for the front instead of the gathers, because really—the gathering look terrible. It barely needed to be gathered, and with a solid fabric, it just looked like it was sewn wrong. It impossible to evenly distribute the gathers across the front.
• There are rows of top-stitching on the neck and arm bands which is nice looking close-up. I think attempting this in a contrasting thread (as it suggested) would be a very swear-y experience.
• The back has a slight gather as well, and again, it would be nicer with pleats instead. I used an invisible zipper, although I am going to try an exposed metal zipper really soon on something.
• This dress is not what I would call a beginner sewing project. At least not in a solid colored linen. I sure like it however, so that's good. It was fun to make but I found myself thinking that I would never let my beginning sewing buddies try this pattern without a serious talk. There are too many places where any mistake would be painfully obvious.
• The pockets are awesome. They look great and are so useful—I love them.
• Melissa has a great bit about sewing from commercial patterns. It's so full of goodness, please check it out.

I finished this about 2 weeks ago, so onto the Collette pattern next. I am excited.

kefir & quark

I got this wonderful book, The Home Creamery, last week and it's pretty awesome. It's very simple and clear. There are no photos inside, but I don't mind that in the least in cookbooks. At different times, I have made creme fraiche, yogurt, sour cream, butter, buttermilk, yogurt cheese, and paneer, all from recipes I found online and in various cookbooks, and loved them all. But it's so nice having them collected in one book. Also, the trouble-shooting guide is helpful, detailed, and offers alternate methods. I want to try the mascapone, farmer's cheese, kefir, cream cheese, goat cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella next. The bonus in this book comes after all the cheese-making recipes. You also get recipes, savory and sweet, using all these dairy items--and they look so flippin' good and there are over 70. Seriously, I counted.

Here's some sour cream sitting next to some buttermilk. Labeling is so important, as I discovered, 'cause all this stuff is white, man. (The labels are from here, and I love them dearly.)

I use either Noris or Strauss whole milk or cream, I haven't  tried any of this with raw milk. I don't have a source right now. I've heard making dairy products with raw milk is much less predictable, and the book confirms this--so of course I feel compelled to try it. I'd like to get a source for raw goat milk, too.

I love the idea of all these homemade dairy products, but in reality I find that we really eat only the homemade yogurt and butter on a regular basis. The rest is more for special occasions. The yogurt I make about every 5 days. I'm convinced my family is made of yogurt. There are worse things to be made of.

 

It's sort of a cookie.

I made these cookies this morning and they are really tasty. They do have that "this is a hippie cookie" taste, especially the first bite, but after that they are quite nice. Not too sweet, more like a muffin-top than a cookie. I used milk chocolate chips because that's what the girls like. They ended up liking them okay. I suspect they will like them more the second time around. These don't have the super-sweet zing that "normal" cookies have, you know? So, it takes awhile for the kids to get used to that. I'd add cinnamon next time. Actually, orange zest, nuts, dried fruit, and different spices would all be good mix-ins. The recipe is cobbled together from 3 different vegan/low-sugar recipes I have, except these aren't vegan and do have refined sugar, so go figure. Still, they are a nice sort-of-healthier version of a normal cookie.

Pretty Dang Good Cookies That Aren't Horribly Bad For You

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (or pastry flour, or white whole wheat)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch salt
• 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons oil (or melted butter)
• 1 egg (or ground flaxseed, about a tablespoon? Not sure, you might have to experiment.)

Pre-heat oven 350 degrees fahrenheit. Mix all this stuff in a bowl—it will be pretty sticky. Drop about a tablespoon of dough onto your cookie sheets (these are prone to stick, so grease or use a silpat) and bake 12-15 minutes. They are better over baked than under baked, because they are so cakey. I feel coffee or tea is a mandatory accompaniment. Makes about 22.

eMailorder #10 is available starting right now.

Okay, here it is! This fun-filled eMailorder #10 is all about papercutting. It's a bit more of a challenge than my first group of papercutting patterns (which you can try in eMailorder #8.)

In this issue you will find 4 original papercuts designed by your humble secretary, all of which will frame up beautifully in a standard 8” x 10” format. Of course, the Official eMailorder Recipe card is included and boy—it's a good one. Get your x-actos out and put on some good tunes.

This a PDF that you print at home, so don't go to the mailbox for this one—you can get it within seconds of buying it! (although have a little patience when printing, it's a big PDF)

It's $8. Please hit the Return to Kingpod button (on the paypal page after you pay) to get the download. If you forget in a crazy freak-out, just e-mail me, we will set you up.

Your faithful secretary,
Amy Karol

a truly awesome birthday

Amazing weather this weekend made a trip to oxbow park the perfect birthday gift.

The party dresses were worn—and got very wet and very sandy.

Our own hooch—a root beer float.

Seriously. How amazing!

Eating root beer float waiting for cake.

And the family came through in spades. I got my uke! (And the hairbrush from Grammie.) And thank you all for all the yoga book tips. I saw both Glee (loved it) and the new Star Trek movie (really, really loved it) yesterday, too. Good times, man. Good times.

10 (or so) random things

I try (try being the key word here) to limit my blog posts to only one or two subjects/links, etc. Simple to write about, simple to digest, simple to link to — but sometimes I have too much running in my head at once and it's just easier to have a big ol' post of random-soup. So, here's a manic-y style brain dump for you.

1. My mom, Grammie, is my main go-to for pop culture. And Mariko. I'm serious. (We have no TV and I can only glean so much from spotty Hulu/netflix viewing on the laptop.) Anyhoo, they both have mentioned Glee in the last 24 hours to me. So, I guess I need to check it out. Right?

2. I am really digging my once a week yoga class and am starting to practice at home more as well. Can any of you seasoned yoga people out there recommend a good book for at-home practice? I realize this is like asking about your favorite cookbook — the sky is the limit. I don't even know what type of yoga I am doing, but I know it's not hot yoga. I wonder why I don't ask my teacher what type we are doing and if she has book recommendations? But she is not here right now and you are.

3. I have a birthday coming up this weekend (37!) and have been doing some window shopping. I actually have asked for only one thing from my family (I will report back on the success/failure of this item), so any other items will probably go on the backlist — but I want a Mason Pearson hairbrush. A hair brush? Yup. And one that is over $75? Well, I will have it forever and I have saved money not buying shampoo or conditioner for a year—and this brush is so old-school-apothecary-wonderful, I really want one.

4. I really, really love this bag.

5. I am feeling the urge to try making homemade ketchup again. Not like I have made it before, I mean I have felt the urge before. And ketchsup or ketchup? What say you? My Grandmother said ketchsup.

6. I know I am going to make produce bags very very soon, I can feel it.

7. I am getting this (shut-the-box) or something similar for fun times and math learning in the house. Excited.

8.  I love this desk calendar.

9. Here's my perfect dinner for the warm-weather weekend we are about to have.

10. I am eagerly awaiting the newest zine by Gracia Haby. It's making it's way over the seas as I write this. 

11. The above image will be available as a paper-cut pattern (eMailorder#10) that is coming next week.

12. Please eat cake/buckle/pie/cobbler in honor of my birthday this weekend, okay? We all have jobs to do — this is yours.

on the boards (revised)

_{photo by Collette Patterns}

The men's floral shirt is taking the backseat for awhile. I just got my hands on this pattern from Collette Patterns, and it's freakishly cute and must be started immediately. I have a linen dress I am finishing up now, and then this little number will come next. I'm thinking I will skip the buttons and make the straps non-opening (there is a side zipper) and use possibly 3 different prints/solids for the dress. Daring, I know, but I think it will look very stylish if I can find the right prints in the right weight. Or, I might not do 3 prints at all, but a gingham. Sigh. I will let the fabric gods guide me next time I go out to the fabric shops. Sometimes I feel like a fabric dowser.

_{photo by Collette Patterns}

I will report back soon. I am super excited to start this project, especially these tiny pockets. Please take a look at all of Sarai's patterns, they are swell—that skirt might be next.

summer skirt

Okay, this sassy skirt was made using the standard skirt pattern in Sew U. I forget about this basic pattern often, but it's a great one to alter and customize. (I used it here, too.) I shortened it and ditched the waistband facing using a pre-made white bias trim instead for the waist band. It has an invisible back zipper. The white buttons are set just inside the dart lines, mimicking a sailor pant-bib type button-up-thing. I really dig the buttons on the front of pants/skirts right now. I'm all about the nautical-cuteness.

I used a soft navy linen and am slightly cursing myself for not lining it. I sewed a few silk tap pants that make for an easy slip for this type of thing, so it's all good—but next time I will line it, mostly because the linen is soft, I think a lining would help keep it in shape.

I finally had to stop fussing with the button placement. It was a little crazy making. Everytime I shifted they looked crooked. But then I figured I'd usually be moving around in this skirt, not standing still like I am now (?) so, what the heck. They look straight enough to me.

And the blouse is super old—from the Gap about 7 years ago.

My eldest child is learning the poses.

possibly my favorite type of food.

I bought a signed copy of Rustic Fruit Desserts: Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies, and More, by Cory Schreiber and Julie Richardson over at Sweet Wares here in Portland last week (they sell it for 20% off the cover price) and have been reading it like it was a summer novel. I have so many recipes like these already, but not in one book and not with the utter perfection of these combination of flavors. I am basing this on the fact that I frequent Baker & Spice quite often and have tried just about every dessert they have and they are all outstanding—and quite a few of them are in this book. The desserts are organized by season, which is brilliant, and there are so many good tips in here for this style of down-to-earth, homey baking. The authors suggest freezing a lot. Both before you bake and after—which is key for me when I want to make something but don't want to eat the entire dessert in 2 days. Better to bake and freeze half, or make 2 smaller ones and only bake one—freezing the other for later. For that unexpected brunch party I am known for throwing together. (heh.)

Here's the Rhubarb Buckle with Ginger Crumb Pete made for Mother's Day. Good lord.

Some other desserts in this book: Fresh Strawberry Ricotta Tart, Rhubarb and Bing Cherry Brown Betty, Double Crusted Plucot Crisp, Stone Fruit Slump, Quince and Apple Brown Butter Tart, Pear Cobbler with Shingled Hazelnut Biscuits, Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding, and an Apple Pandowdy.

Better than a birthday cake! (Which I should be receive in about 2 weeks). Can I ask for a birthday pandowdy instead?

random items.

We got to actually sit in on the ballet classes 2 weeks ago. We only get to once a term, so it was big stuff. Usually there is a ton of creative interpretation regarding ballet attire in the class—today was pretty much by the book. I love the little shoes.

Items I have been meaning to mention-

• I have been getting a few e-mails wanting a homemade deodorant/ baking soda, apple cider vinegar hair washing update. It's all good. I have been using my homemade deodorant (the same recipe I wrote for Bust magazine) for about a year now. No rash, still works great. I still sweat buckets, but no smell. And the hair washing with no shampoo is going well, too. The little grey hairs coming in are not so cool, but that's unrelated—obviously. If you have questions about how to do this no shampoo thing, check out my post here with the amazing informative link about it
• There is a FOE group on flickr! Sweet! Drop in your photos, you all. (What is FOE, you ask?)
• I have updated my links on the right here and have a new Spring banner. I need to be archiving these links, and I have not. I am a bad blogger. But I am making a vow from now on to archive these links somehow—so they don't disappear forever when I rotate them.
• New papercut patterns (I think it will be eMailorder #10) are coming out soon!
• Lionel, our orange cat who thinks he is a dog, is still missing. It's been almost a month now. We are so sad. The girls think he is in France, Pete and I think he is in Mexico. It could happen.

I ♥ fat quarters!

Okay, this was so fun. I was ridiculously excited I was asked to create a fat quarter pack for the lovely online fabric shop, Sew Mama Sew. I named it Summer Picnic—to bring on the sun in rainy Portland.

You can buy the pack and read more about it here. I love fat quarter packs so much. I unexpectedly received a pack as a gift years ago and it was one of the best gifts ever. It had so many fabrics I wouldn't have necessarily chosen on their own. Something about the small cuts of fabric all tucked together make it a kind of happy crazy bundle of fun. Hope you all dig it!

I'm sure you all already know how wonderful the Sew Mama Sew is. Please check them out. Kristen and her staff do such a wonderful job of creating a friendly place to buy fabric in the shop, get sewing help in the forum, and find inspiration on the blog. Thanks ladies!

Okay, I just got confirmation from Sew Mama Sew and it's sold out—but the individual fabrics will be in stock again soon. Thanks all!

on the boards-men's dress shirt

I have been wanting to try a men's dress shirt for Pete for a while now and after a recent jaunt to a fancy-schmancy clothing shop—I have decided the time is now. Or, sort of now. When I get around to it, anyway. Some of the floral ones I saw there reminded me of Liberty fabrics. I adore men in florals. The mix of the masculine cut of a shirt paired with a preppy/classic floral is just too good. I'm not really thinking something as formal as this image here, but I liked it anyway. I'm looking at Kwik Sew 3422, probably the short sleeve version, mostly because dang—that Liberty fabric is so expensive.

 some contenders, all Liberty of London-

This is a favorite of mine.

I haven't even looked here in town or even online much for Liberty fabrics—these are all directly from the Liberty of London site. With shipping, it would be crazy expensive. But the fancy shirts I am looking at in the shops are around the $250 range. Still, there is no way I'm going to get this project done for less than $70. Maybe I should try it in a linen first, but then I have to try it in a Liberty print. See, here's my rationalizations. First— it's flippin' Liberty fabric, so there's a good reason right there. Secondly—the weight. It's so perfect, so thin and so crisp at the same time. But having said that, I do need to try this pattern in something else first. Just a simple men's shirting. See how I talk myself off the ledge? But I will revisit the ledge soon, I can feel it. I also have a shirt making book coming from the library, ready to tackle collar stands with gusto!

Liberty must be in the air! I just got this update from A.P.C.—lest I think I am clever. ha!

 

books I am reading and a link—

Hall of Best Knowledge, by Ray Fenwick is amazing. Not really a comic, but not fiction either. It's hard to describe. It's all hand lettered prose and opinions that has a formal absurdity that makes me so happy I could do cartwheels. Here's a bit more about him and what he is up to right now.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel, by Susanna Clarke is on my nightstand. All 800 pages of it. I love it so far (I'm on page 279.) I went to this after realizing I just couldn't finish the Outlander series. I will give that another shot sometime. I bought the first two, so they are waiting when the time is right. I need some real summer trash soon, though.

Unrelated:
I am so excited by these dresses and wonderful flower collar tutorial over on Katie Did. Very cool.

very very excited by this top

This top is deceiving. It looks pretty sophisticated (to me anyway) but is really simple. It's Simplicity 2593 and it's a new design by Cynthia Rowley. It's got no darts, just a front and a back. Very easy. I made a little alteration by using a pre-made bias tape in white to finish the armholes (the pattern instructs you to make your own to match) and I didn't bother binding the inside on the neck edge, I just serged it, because I knew the twisted neck band would cover it. The twisted neck band is on the bias, so this pattern requires more yardage than you'd think. It's just a big tube you twist, pin on, and hand tack down when you are done. I love it so much—so sculptural and simple. I'm thinking a linen or a silk charmeuse version would be outstanding.

This is made up in a seersucker purchased for crazy cheap at Joann's. I belted it here (orange belt from target) but a self-tie would be nice. It looks good unbelted as well.

The newest Tie One On gallery is up! Please check out the outstanding submissions. I have decided to give away a new craft book with every new theme (randomly chosen from the apron submissions.) I will be posting the chosen book for the next new theme, Pie Makin' Apron, very soon. I went back through the old galleries today and counted—over 975 aprons have been made for Tie One On since it started. That is frikken amazing! Thank you all so much for your total radness.

 

happy may day!

 

May Day was always one of my favorite holidays when I was little. I really did gather posies and leave them on our neighbor's steps and ring the bell—and run off, just like I read about in old timey story books. I am remembering now I always picked the flowers from not my garden, but from theirs. Oops. They were nice enough not to mention that to me later.

The girls are pretty into flowers right now, too. They love going to nurseries and picking out flowers and planting them at home in little pots. Then we read the care cards and memorize the names of the flowers and learn more. It's really sweet. Sadie loves marigolds, Delia likes impatiens, and Liddy likes the dirt (and she's partial to tulips.)

I was telling them about floriography, the meaning of flowers, and got all excited about researching this more. I found a few books online and then, after trying to find a copy of this book here locally I— had a copy already, tucked away, given to me from a friend over 12 years ago. I love that kind of stuff. Also, I didn't realize there are flowers associated with one's actual birthday, not just a flower for a birth month. Very cool.

So, now we are all into flower crafts around here. Perfect timing for May Day. And I was super excited to learn that there will be a may pole at the fairy festival which is tomorrow and boy are we excited! I'm wondering if I should also dress up. I may, not sure. I mean, I think I should just embrace my inner costume nerd and go for it. But then, do I have to make adult sized wings? Oh—so much to consider and so little time.

Sort of related-Sweet Wares, (the excellent bakery supply shop from the owners of Baker and Spice) is having an opening event this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. They sure are nice and they have a great selection of fancy decorations (in bulk!) perfect for fairy sized cupcakes which beg to be adorned in colored sugar sprinkles.

And, since it's May 1st, a new theme is set over at Tie One On.

a new dress

This is a dress made from Vogue 8232 and I am pretty happy with it. I got the pattern with Frenchie (she made up a stellar dress which is next on my list) and she also alerted me to this flippin' awesome print. I got this at the sale at Bolt (it's Alexander Henry, My Secret Garden—Wine and is available all over online, and in your local fabric shop) It reminds me of Vera in the best way, even if it looks a little like I am wearing a tablecloth.

I changed/added a few details. I altered the neck to make more of a boat neck shape, used an invisible zipper (the only kind I use when I can because they are so easy and are invisible!) added a contrasting red waistband-type detail, which is just sewn over the top on the dress, and then some little covered buttons for some sassy love.

 

And here's the real life version 20 minutes later after freezing my hiney off. Yeah. Well, at least I can garden now.

homemade cards

 

These cards were made for 2 reasons. Documentation and blank card requirements.

We have been writing down our kids comments on a master list the last few months because they have been getting more and more amazing. I know this is the case with all kids, but dang. So, I wanted to document these quotes and was originally thinking flash cards, but wasn't sure what to do with them. Then I was thinking small business sized cards—I could tuck in cards and gifts, but again, wasn't sure how they might be kept, save putting them in a scrapbook/photo album. We needed a blank card recently to give to a family member and I realized putting these quotes on cards would be perfect.

I love making homemade cards so much. It also fulfills my creative urges to combine stark simple design with crazy child brain. (Apologies to certain design talent who are totally over Helvetica, you know who you are.)

the minutiae of jersey

Here's a new underwear set, this time from Pete's old t-shirt. The undies are from the sleeve (I made two pairs) and the long camisole/short nightie is from the shirt part. A few things-

• Although I love stretch lace, I think it's a bit stretchy for the straps. I am going to try narrow lingerie elastic next time.
• Tissue t-shirts kind of make me mad. They wear out so fast, are usually kind of see through and are too soft and stretchy for undies, in my opinion. These stay up fine, but I think a thicker t-shirt makes for a nicer set.
• Using the existing hem of the t-shirt as the hem of the camisole/nightie top makes this so very easy and makes me feel clever, and I love feeling clever.
• I used the same t-shirt fabric for the gusset, eliminating the contrasting fabric gusset, which although one doesn't see all the time (presumably), is nice and understated.
• I also finally encased both seams on the gusset piece, which is easy, but kind of a weird moebius strip-type thing to do. This made for a much nicer finish and looks much more professional. On the other hand not matching my thread on the inside was a little less professional looking (me = lazy) so let's just call it a deconstructed/raw look and pretend that's exactly I was going for.

Unrelated—

• I am really digging this new comment platform Typepad has. I can reply much easier now to questions and am really having fun with it. I also like the new feature which allows you all to reply to each other. So cool.
• I am having a book giveaway over on Tie One On, so check it out! (There's a catch.)

paper flowers

All 3 bonnets were sewn in time for Easter this year. It wasn't that bad, but I will say sewing the same thing for three girls gets a bit tedious. Also, they either need to be pretty much identical or totally different— otherwise there is much comparing and discussion. These were all the same, pink linen with a lovely fabric lining, the only detail that made them unique was the color of ribbon and flowers. I knew I wanted to use flowers to trim them, but was stumped. I looked at the craft store and the silk ones were pretty awful. They were not silk, too huge, and expensive. I wished I had a secret stash of vintage millinery trims, but I do not. I was getting pretty discouraged and then found a gold mine in the paper/scrapbook section.

Okay, there is a huge paper flower selection out there that I didn't know about and they were perfect for the bonnets. I actually am not sure how you would use them in a scrapbook, they are 3D, so I'm not sure how the book would close, but they are great as little embellishments for craft/sewing projects.

I glued these on with E6000, which is very stinky but sure works well. I also glued them to tiny terra cotta pots that had chocolate eggs tucked in them for the girls' baskets. Next I need to make some brooches with paper flowers for my spring/summer cardigans. I have the compulsion to gussy up unadorned cardigans, but realize it's not always best to make the embellishments permanent—hence the brooch idea. And i've been seeing some very stylish hair clips with flowers too, so I will try that next.

outdoor rooms

 



I'm late night window shopping at Ikea. When we moved we left all of our outdoor furniture/potting bench/pots at our old house. The buyers wanted it all and we were so stoked to be selling we were happy to leave all that stuff—but now we have nothing to sit on and the weather is starting to get nice. I love these items, but what's up with Ikea pots never having drain holes? I know we can get a a special drill bit to make these holes but come on, man. Just put a stinkin' hole in the pots so I don't have to. I just wrote stinkin' hole. Heh.

cobbler.

hey, thanks so much for the new book props!!

I got the first rhubarb of the season and was all set to make hand pies, and then thought, no—a regular pie, and then changed my mind to a crisp and then, at the very last minute, switched to making this outstanding cobbler. I just think this recipe is perfect. I followed it exactly and am now ready to add a cobbler topping to every fruit imaginable. I would suspect that you could use arrowroot powder instead of the corn starch, if that's your preference. I'm going to try that next time. Look out fruit—you all will be wearing biscuit hats soon.

it's coming soon! (sorta)

I am jumping-up-and-down excited to let you all know that my second book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More (Potter Craft Summer 2009) is now available for pre-order!

Here's a sneak peek inside. I was able to work with the same ridiculously talented team on this book as my first (photography by Alexandra Grablewski and design by Amy Sly) which means this book looks amazing, is clearly organized, and puts a big smile on my face.

This book is all about altering fabric—and not all the projects require a sewing machine, so it's great for sewers, and non-sewers alike. Woot! Here's a painted toile artwork project shown with an inexplicably creepy mask.

Here's how to make t-shirts for your family band. These say It's not my bedtime. You will freak out when you try this technique—it's silk screening without photo emulsion or drawing fluid or Gocco. Life changing, I tell you.

And the Uncle Pete and Aunt Sarah dolls make an appearance, of course.

There are plenty of sewing projects with patterns as well, and they all come with ideas, techniques, and tips on altering fabric to make it your own. I really think you guys will dig it (I hope so!) Please pre-order it, how's that for a hard sell?

It's available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local book shop (I didn't see it yet at Powell's) and it will be out in the world, for real, the end of August. I already have a book signing/party set up at Powell's here in Portland the end of September (and I will have one at Bolt, too) and I just want to say two words. Cake walk. I'm serious.

 

vintage/new quilt

Following the calico patchwork theme from the last post, here's an outstanding quilt Grammie just finished. The top is vintage, found by Grammie in Indiana a couple years go (right, mom?) She took the top, added a batting and a backing and then machine quilted a wonderful design on it. I love it so much— the borders and sashing are so randomly wonderful. Were are both kind of freaking out about how cattywampus it is.

 

Like the fabric in the last post this uses a cheater cloth—the block patterns are not pieced, but printed. Although we both think the border colors are very 1930s, we have decided that the top is probably from the 1970s-the calico seems to be leaning that way. As I write this, I am remembering that long ago in blog time I posted about quilt related items every Monday. So, here's a very long overdue Quilt Monday.

I'm not sure what I'm going to start for a new quilt project, but I sure am having fun over at All People Quilt looking at all the patterns, especially this one here (which isn't actually from All People Quilt, but from Better Homes and Gardens, which owns All People Quilt, confusing, but you know what I mean. I never know where I end up after all the clicking.)

Unrelated, I read this really interesting article about Facebook yesterday. I signed up on Facebook, but we just never hit it off.

sewing for kids is a good thing

Happy Friday! Here's Miss Delia playing in clothes that Grammie (we call my mom Grammie) made for me circa 1976, as if you couldn't tell. Oh the patchwork. It's a cheater cloth, but still. The colors, so very Holly Hobby cool.

Grammie has this huge box full of clothes that she sewed for me when I was little. There is a lot in there—I had no idea she made that much. There is often a ballet/dress-up freak out party when they go over there involving characters like Snappy Tomato and Bella Blue. It's so sweet and makes me remember why I want to sew for my girls when I am swearing at my fabric/machine/elastic and getting a neck cramp or some such thing. So, I better have some grandchildren—and some better be girls at that. Ha! No pressure, or anything.

baked eggs

Here's a very tasty dinner made from the April 2009 Everyday Food. I love it when they post the recipes from the current issue. Here it is and if you like eggs, it's just crazy good. But crazy hot! I burnt my tongue really bad, which almost ruined the dinner for me. I didn't technically make it, husband did. Everyday Food is his go-to for cooking. Clear, easy, one page, and pretty dang solid. We have had very few misses. It would be a nice dish for an Easter brunch I think, a bit different, but still egg-y. Speaking of Easter brunch, I need to make the yummy dough from the bread book (I have been using this book all year, I pretty much have it memorized) for the hot crossed buns for this weekend. Or maybe a braided bread. Can't decide. Both?

I forgot to mention that the children thought this was the stinkiest dinner ever and they almost started crying because it smelled so bad (it didn't). At one point Sadie said it smelled like Liddy's dirty diaper and Delia said it smelled like her vomit. Wow. Tough crowd. Needless to say, they didn't try it.

I need to start a new quilt project

Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots, by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke, is on the table right now and I am so happy looking through it. The quilt projects are really unexpected in a very cool way, with refreshing color combinations which bridge the gap between modern/simple and vintage/complicated. I made some horrible scans of the inside pages (what's my problem?) that aren't worthy to show, but here's some nice interior shots and a much more thorough review of this book at CraftyPod.

friday cake

I made this cake last Friday and am tempted to make it today. It is incredibly light. It has no butter, just eggs, a little flour, sugar, and almond paste—which is where I got the recipe.

It's just heavenly with a strong cup of coffee at about 2:30 pm, right before the back-to-back ballet classes. The thing is—it's so light and airy it's not filing in the least, so eating half the cake seems like a reasonable thing to do. I used restraint and it was wonderful for breakfast the next morning with berries on top. I should try to make my own almond paste. I usually buy it, but I'm sure a little internet research will yield some homemade options. And I know someone out there has made it, right? It's basically almond butter with sugar added? I have no clue, but plan to find out.

easter thoughts

                                                    _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

In thinking about Easter/Spring baskets for the girls I found myself on Etsy and was struck by the simple loveliness of the items for sale over at Dream Child Studio.

                                                    _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

                                                  _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

I'm really digging the use of wood here in this photo. And of course the crown is just perfect. These would be so sweet in their baskets. I also plan to sew up some bunnies (cute insanity!) from this Wee Wonderful's pattern and print some Shiny Happy Printables from The Small Object as well. A little homemade and a little purchased—that's my speed right now. Add some unpainted wooden eggs and paint for them to decorate and we are done. Oh, and chocolate lambs and chocolate nests, can't forget those. And bonnets. Okay, the list is getting longer now.

matchy

 

I couldn't stop looking at the belt on this dress and had to copy it. I see these referred to as corset belts sometimes. I'd like to make another with smaller grommets, and more of them, so it really looks fairy tale/hobbity. It would be nice a little wider too, and laced up in back. Then I would need help getting dressed—which is always fun, however impractical. This wonderful print is vintage and hand silk-screened. I have been saving it for something special—like a belt, match handbag and

earrings. In a fit of insane matchiness, I also made earrings. I love matching accessories more than anything. Even though I don't normally wear them all at once, I like knowing I could.

The belt is 3 layers—the floral print, an interfacing in the middle (iron-on, I dislike the stuff, but this had to be stabilized) and then a light blue lining fabric on the back. I used a pre-made bias tape and sewed it on with the method shown in my "no swearing" video tutorial, and finished with the grommets which come with a little fastening tool, making them very easy to apply. (I get a huge thrill putting grommets in anything. Not sure why.) A little leather lace is threaded though the grommets to tie it up.

The handbag pattern I designed. I originally wanted to make an over-sized clutch, but I just couldn't get that 1980s, so the ladylike 1960s style won out. I used grommets and the leather tie on it as well, but these details are non-functional—the closure is actually a little magnetic thing-y on the inside. The white strap and the trim is the same bias tape I used on the belt.

The earrings are covered buttons with the shanks removed (easy to do with pliers) and glued to earring backs.

I feel more belts coming on. I have this notion of making a few lightweight linen dresses that are baggy and loose, (maybe they are nightgowns) and then I could just cinch them up with a belt like this, grab a matching handbag, and boom—dressed for the day! Okay, maybe I wouldn't really sleep in the dress, but I like the idea of a nightgown/dress fake-out with a belt/handbag as the secret transformer.

smallish pies

We got back from the coast last week and the re-entry was hard. A short week always feels long, you know? It was pretty nice weather considering it was the Oregon coast in March, but there were a few rainy episodes, so I found myself baking. These small apple pies were made with Sadie, whose New Year's resolution was to learn how to make pies. For real. So, we did. We used 3 apples and these sweet Pyrex bowls I found in the kitchen, which were so perfect I was tempted to take them home. Different than hand pies, but equally life altering.

We seem to have brought back a flu-barfing thing. I thought it was some funky clam chowder, and am still not convinced it wasn't, but now that 3 out of 5 of us have been ill in the last 4 days, I wonder if it was also a bug. Sorry to mention barf and pie in the same post.

Unrelated—I am sewing belts. More soon on this development, but I am very excited. I also just found this site, Goop, by Gwyneth Paltrow, which I can't stop reading. It's new to me (did everyone know this was out there?) and I especially am fascinated by this post about her clothes. Slightly unrelated but still about clothes—I really want these shorts. There's a sentence I really never thought I'd write—shorts?? But really, these are so vintage-y cute. I have already had trusted friends completely veto these, but they are so good in the 1940s/80s way.

easter bonnet

Easter is approaching and the girls' heads continue to grow, which is a good thing, I know. So, new Easter bonnets are in order. I am using my handy bonnet pattern (conveniently displayed above) which is also for sale. This pattern comes with 3 sizes—baby, child, and adult. Last year I also made a variation without the brim, as shown here, and was thrilled with the storybook cuteness of it. You can see more bonnets made up from this pattern in the flickr mailorder group.

I think for Easter this year a neutral linen would be lovely for the bonnets, with a sweet calico lining. Then we can wear them when we make our butter. Okay, really, no one in the house digs the butter making as much as I do, but they sure eat it up with no complaints. I think I need to try the jar method, so they can actually get into it more.

new (old) bag

me: okay, today we are going to take pictures of mama, 'cause getting out the tripod never works with the baby out and running around. so, who's first?
sadie: me!
delia: no me!
me: alright, delia look through this hole. hold this thing tight, it's very expensive. no, this hole. no the screen won't show you—look through the view finder. awesome. now press the button. open your eyes. now press that button. awesome! aim it at this red bag. see this? right here.
sadie: why are we taking photos of your new purse?
me: um, well, kind of the same reason I take photos of our breakfast. it's my new bag. it's preppy.
delia: what's preppy?
me: um—delia, put the baby down.
me: delia, put the baby down.
me: put the baby down.
sadie: mom, I can't see the photos on the screen. Is this good? I like your belt. where did you get your bag?
me: thank you. It's a Coach bag I found used online. I had to have it because it reminds me of being 16, when I got my first one, which I can't find right now. we need to go through boxes at Grammie's to see if she has it.
sadie: the bag matches your tights.
me: yes, I'm not sure if it's too much, but oh well.
sadie: like wearing too much pink at the same time.
me: exactly.
delia: can I take more? one of my sisters?
me: yes, but let's put the strap on first.

let it be noted that baby shattered the french press that she was playing with during this photo session. I was wondering why she was so quiet.

another papercut

This was cut for a birthday girl a bit back. She finally received it, so I feel safe showing it now. I'm pretty happy with it and thrilled with the frame, which is over the top, but in the best way.

The papercut was drawn by me, but is so derivative of papercuts in this amazing scherenschnitte book, I can hardly take credit for it. It was crazy fun to cut. There were some details that were just too small and got accidentally loped off, but oh well, not a leg or anything like that. This is a 8" x 10" frame, to give you a sense of scale.

I am planning to design another set of papercut patterns to cut (similar to mailorder #8) pretty soon. I'm thinking of 4-5 designs in the set, a few easy and a few sort of hard—because it's not fun unless there's a little blood, right?

random window (screen) shopping-

On the wanty list:

These are so awesome. I saw these in person in a different color at Footwise here in Portland. I don't know if they are getting the red pair or not. They are made by Indigo, who also makes Clarks, which I find very comfortable.

 
 Cute attack!

Oh this blouse. It's silk. I have seen it in person in Portland at Hot Box Betty and here it is at Nordstrom it's by Diane Von Furstenburg—it's got rope there on the collar. Real rope. Real cool, I say.

green

Why I didn't think to post these on the 17th, I have no idea. They would have been perfect St. Patty's Day fodder, so let's pretend I did. Happy St. Patty's Day!

These are made from an old t-shirt are are so comfy and soft they might just be my favorite pair yet. I can make 2 pairs from one t-shirt, so I am thinking of making another, or a matching not-very-functional bralette, can't decide. The pair I copied these from were a high waisted vintagey style. I really dig the Wonder Woman look. These would be stellar in a stretch silk. It's so nice to have a fuller cut. I get so sick of the lack of coverage with the sassy boy short cut, you know? Nothing like flashing friends and neighbors every time I bend over to pick up a kid.

So, this is just like the first pair I made. No serger needed, just a t-shirt, some stretch lace and a little extra cotton for the gusset.

button-y

Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects for Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, Housewares & More, by Susan Beal is out and I am thrilled to have a project in this lovely book.

You all know Susan from Super Crafty and Bead Simple fame—she is a crafting star and a wonderful person as well. This  book is full of clever projects and ideas for how to use your button stash, making me want to collect even more. Come see Susan at one of her upcoming events, all of which are listed her on her cool button it up blog, along with PDF's, extra projects, and other fun stuff. She's going to have a button-y gathering this Friday, March 20th at 7:30 at Powell's. Congrats, Susan!

new art print for sale

I have a new print for sale. I drew this a bit back and am super excited to see it printed all fancy on this wonderful heavy watercolor stock I am using. It's almost like a board, it's so thick and the colors are rendered so nicely. I feel a comic coming on very strongly. This piece is called Nurture.

butter was made and eaten

Thanks so much for all of your tips about making butter! You all rock. So, I made this fabulous butter today and have since whipped about half of it with honey, which tastes amazing—especially when the butter is lightly salted. Here it is all made (I was a fancy-pants and gave it an extra whipping after washing it which is why it looks nice and fluffy) along with the buttermilk which I saved.

I went with the food processor method. I wanted to be all prairie-cool and do the mason jar thing, but was impatient and to be honest, wanted to try it first fast-style, just to see what it was all about and know when it was really done, etc. before I set the kids to shaking a jar—which I fully intend to do. For the cream, I used Strauss, one 16 oz jar, and left it on the counter to warm for about 2 hours before I started. It must have made a huge difference, because instead of 15-20 minutes, this butter was made in about 2 minutes, seriously. I am really glad I went with this method, because the kitchen-aid thing seems a bit messy, and this wasn't at all.

Here it is after washing. Okay, seriously yummy.

I need to research more about the buttermilk left over. Is this buttermilk, like the kind you buy? I am curious, because I have made my own buttermilk by adding buttermilk to scalded milk and letting it sit, but I have only done this using purchased cultured buttermilk, which I am assuming is different than what I have here left over from the butter making process. Clearly, I need a dairy making book or need to befriend a cow owner.

And the husband got the wrong size of weck jars, but they will be exchanged, and the butter willl be housed in the smaller size soon, don't you worry.

who has done this?

Terribly excited to make butter. I know you all have done this. Tips? It looks too good to be true. And I just got a tip that Weck jars are in Portland at Canoe! Oh, it's a good day, can't wait to put some homemade butter in a Weck jar!

occultus in a libri

Revisiting my old bookbinding interests, I have become preoccupied with making these hollowed-out books. After I made this one I did a quick search online and found that these are all over etsy. I especially like these French vintage ones made from childrens books here. Not quite a hollowed-out book, more like a book-box. Very cool, and the prices seem crazy low. (Um, okay, everything in this etsy shop, lilimandrill is pretty outstanding. Please take a moment to look at all her items. A hand-carved eraser of Amy Winehouse's, head? come on!)

I also found some handy how-tos for making hollowed-out books here and here. It would have been helpful to read before I started this one, but it was pretty easy nonetheless. 

So, that freaky baby in there is porcelain. Her name is Porcelie and she is very very important in the house. She has been repaired with glue 4 times now—the last being for a fatal head injury that has left her with a hole in the back of her crown. If its small, creepy, and old, you know my middle child will be obsessed with it, which is what has happened, even though it was the eldest who insisted on bringing her home with us months ago from the antique mall. Now she is tucked away in this book, on our bookshelf, probably to be forgotten about for a few weeks. Losing her and then finding her again is the most fun, right?

when you have these, why leave the house?

I made these macaroons last week with the girls. I had never made them before, or macaroons of any kind really. It's was the easiest recipe ever. A little coconut, sugar, egg whites and chocolate chips. They were really really good.

I would have never even thought to make these 2 years ago. I never liked coconut when I was little. I always thought it tasted like I was eating sun tan lotion. I loved the smell, but didn't identify it with food at all. And then after a few attempts at trying to eat almond joys from the bottom of my halloween bag (way too sweet) I was done. But a few years ago, I started to dabble in coconut. Just barely—mostly with the unsweetened flaked variety. And coconut milk, for curries. It's been a slow attraction, but it has grown steadily.

As it turns out, the girls won't eat these, so it was just Pete the baby and I eating these all week, which was sort of crazy, but yummy anyway. I saw this Martha recipe today which I might have to try, they almost look too good. Almond orange and coconut, is that too good? I must test and find out.

Grammie, I found out, loves coconut. I never knew that. Isnt that weird? When you find out a type of food your parents love, but you had no clue about it? We never had coconut anything in the house. I also just found out she always hated fig newtons, which we always had in the house. Hmmm. I know what kind of cake she is getting this year for her birthday. (And it's not fig newton.)

a bit more sassy-

Still sewing underwear. Here's a little set I made about 2 weeks ago. It's dark brown stretch lace (sounds scary but it's actually very soft) with some super cool light blue stretch lace trim. I found both of these items here locally at Mill Ends. They actually have quite a bit of this type of stuff, and I have learned the hard way that you really need to feel and stretch potential fabrics before buying. It's just too risky taking a chance of what you will wear on your bum. The stretch lace trim I have great success with buying online, but not the stretch lace fabric.

This was copied from a DKNY set I had bought years ago and loved. It was dumb expensive when I bought it and once again, I am in shock at what is charged for these types of items. There is a cotton gusset sewn in the knickers in dark brown. I have a few dark t-shirts I use for the cotton lining gusset material. 

I did make it to Molly's book-signing and it was so wonderful to hear and see her in person. Then I found myself chatting later with people and talking about making underwear. So, it was a good evening.

Thanks for the spoon print love. The week was made even worse by the disappearance of our beloved 12-year old orange cat, Lionel. He has been gone 6 days now and I fear the worst. You all know how pet loss is and how it makes you cry in public and all that, so add the death of Gramps in there, and I am a soup of emotional craziness. But, we are moving forward and I am trying to stay positive while knowing that he is probably really gone. The girls are all ready for kittens or possibly a tree frog, they say. I am trying to borrow their enthusiasm and their kid-way they deal with stuff.

One more thing, I'm trying to write down more rhymes, you never know when you will need to bust out some rap (um, I don't think the kids say rap anymore, huh?) and Pete just rhymed frittata with gymkata.

spoons for sale (well, drawings of spoons.)

 

 

I'm having a pretty hard week, so I thought I put up something nice to look at— to make myself feel better. You know, just something nice and uncomplicated and non-emotional. That's the ticket.

I have some new art prints for sale. I've been drawing a lot of items lately. Items of the mundane kind. Like spoons. Who knew there was a special spoon for bone marrow? Or absinthe? The things you learn.

They are available here and they are printed on super fancy-pants thick watercolor paper with the best archival pigment inks around. When you hold one of these prints in your hands, you won't be disappointed. They feel good and look pretty. Can I say that about my own work? Well, I just did.

Okay, I do feel better now.

a big thank you and a few items-

I am moving slow this week. We are all so tired—but it's that tired that makes it hard to actually sleep, you know? It's like I am too tired to rest. Hopefully I can soon.

I am really stunned and deeply touched by the comments about Gramps passing away. Condolences are hard to express—as is writing about a family member leaving this world. Thank you all so much for your heart-felt sympathies and your warmth. It means the world to me and to my family. BIG hugs. Seriously, big. Thank you.

A few items I want to mention:

This book, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, by Molly Wizenburg is out and is not in my hands yet—but will be soon, hopefully to give to Miss Orangette herself, to sign. She will be at Powell's this Friday, March 6th at 7:30 and I can't wait to stalk her. Hopefully I get some rest because I'd be really bummed to miss seeing her in person.

I am interviewed by Jean Van't Hul in the newest issue of Mothering Magazine and was so happy to be included with the fine company of the mothers she talked to. It's a great piece— thanks, Jean. And yes, the shirt I am wearing in one of the photos of the magazine was recently made into underwear. I never thought I'd type that sentence.

Gramps.

My grandpa passed away last night. He was at home, which was so special for him, I know. My mom (who I always call grammie, just to confuse everyone) was there and she was amazing. He'd been ill on and off for about 6 months and she was patient, resourceful, diligent and loving the whole time—it truly was incredible to see her in action. She made the decision to have hospice care at home, and she was to be the primary provider. He was moved home yesterday, settled in, and passed away—I think because he could finally relax to be honest. My brother and I were there all evening and I feel honored to have been there so close to him in his final stages.

Grandpa at the hospital with his twin boys (my uncles).

Grandpa was a real character, many many things can be said about him. He was an avid cook, made movies, was an accomplished photographer, painted, loved different cultures, adored music, and just cherished life in general. He loved learning and never ceased to have a new passion. I will miss him— but I am happy he's with Grandma now.