Bird and Daisy Magnets

I like these; they remind me of some prints we had in our house when I was little. Newly listed in the shop.

Friday Finds: Byron Print by Amber Alexander

I stumbled upon Amber Alexander's Etsy shop the other day and I am just charmed. The "Byron" bear print, above, is a particular favorite, as is this one.

A Little Garden Update and Recipe Call

I haven't given any updates about the garden since we first started seedlings back in February! Above are pictures of the Swiss chard and spinach. The broccoli and herbs are coming along too, but the peppers that looked so promising are struggling a little bit since transplanting them.

I've been on a bit of an anti-veg kick lately, which is very unlike me, and my usual go-to recipes for spinach and chard seem boring. If anyone has some favorite recipes for greens, I'd love to see them! I can't grow these little plants and then not eat them.

I did make this recipe again, with chard from our CSA box, and it is delightful!

Green Space Travel Case

Given my love of paint-by-number (see here and here), I am enamored with this DIY project on Design*Sponge. Such a fun idea for city dwellers.

I've Missed You!

If you're a regular reader I'm sure you noticed that I've taken a bit of a blog and Etsy break lately. Things in my work and personal life have really sped up, and something had to give.

The good news is that I am now on summer vacation, so I am hoping to finally organize my work space and get back down to business. Even if it is not technically business per se, there are a lot of projects that I've been playing around with in my head, and I'm looking forward to having the time to try them out. I'm hoping to take on some personal sewing and knitting projects and to do some things just for fun--- I feel like that always re-inspires me.

The Etsy shop, though, will be slowly brought back to life, too. I listed some new magnets today. I think the ones above are my favorites. More updates--- here and in the shop--- soon!

Flickr Favorites 23

1. flowering trees, 2. familyONbeach

(Belated) Friday Find: Tote by Pouch

When I was growing up, my grandmother the notorious pack rat had the biggest stash of fabric I had (and have ever) seen. Much of it was from the 60s and 70s, and this purse reminds me of digging through her pile to make a sundress or some doll clothes. I bet I can even predict what this tote would feel like.

Made from vintage textiles, it's bright, cheery, and even has a cell phone pocket on the inside. By Pouch.

Flickr Favorites 22

1. Pina Colada Celebration Cupcakes, 2. Flowering Dogwood

Friday Finds: Milk Glass Luncheon Sets

I have actually had these vintage luncheon sets hearted on Etsy for quite awhile, but I've been keeping them to myself with the intention of buying them. Sure, it might look like pastel marijuana leaves . . . but I love the shape and style. From Peacock Modern.

Five Senses Friday

Unfortunately I have no photo to go with the things I saw this week, and I wish I did:

• fuzzy Canada goslings huddled with their parents

• that albino peacock again (one day I must get a picture!)

• a red and white pinto mare and her leggy colt

• chubby faced burros pacing in their pen

It is definitely spring with all these baby animals. I love the fact that even though we are still in a city, I see animals like these on a weekly basis.

I've also been listening to this album a lot. It is wonderful.

Flickr Favorites 21

1. 小鉛投手 Pitcher On The Mound, 2. Blue grass

Five Senses Friday

I'm actually not going to post much for Five Senses Friday this week because if nauseous was a sense, it's the main thing I'd be feeling. It's the final push for the last two weeks of school, and everyone in the building seems to be getting sick.

So . . . just a picture of one thing I saw. Isn't this cactus bloom the most intense pink ever?

Friday Finds: Labradorite Ring

I'm not a huge wearer of jewelry (pretty much my wedding band, engagement ring, and these earrings), but I am in love with this ring and its simplicity. Labradorite is one of my favorite stones, and it's so pretty in this setting. By Bloom Studios.

MadeByJulene

You simply must check out the amazing blog of papercutter Julene Harrison. Above are two of my favorites. How crafty-sweet is that proposal?

Twilight and Skyline.

New magnets in the shop today. These remind me of These remind me of New York at dusk, street lamps through fog, and old-time photos of city scenes.

Flickr Favorites 20

1. Pickled Melon Ingredients, 2. Kew

Out of Time and Place

{Taken almost a year ago in Vermont}

I've really been enjoying this blog lately, and when I read it today I was overwhelmed with homesickness. I remember foraging for fiddleheads in Vermont with my aunt, who has a degree in botany, along the banks of the creek near my grandmother's house. I think May and June will always make me sentimental, with the season of graduations, and Mother's Day, and Father's Day and all. But I also think my body has just felt out of place here the past few weeks--- as beautiful as New Mexico is, I feel intensely like I am physically missing something. Perhaps rainstorms, or humidity, or more green, or more water, or cloudy days, or misty mornings, or a combination of all of those.

I remember this time last year I was wandering around Boston and Vermont, taking solitary walks with my camera and preparing to say a goodbye of sorts to the land itself. Sometimes I think it was harder to do that than to say goodbye to friends. I can only communicate with the land physically; people I can reach out to across the miles. I still look at those pictures sometimes, and with more frequency lately. It makes me incredibly melancholy.

I'm hoping to journey "back East" this summer, but part of me is almost afraid to tease myself, that I'll give in to nostalgia and turn my visit into a resettling.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this self-indulgent post, exactly, beyond speaking to the importance of other blogs, and how much I enjoy them--- even if they make me wallow in a good bout of selective memory-making.

Happy Kentucky Derby-Day

The former equestrienne of my girlhood loves these. Made from vintage books, listed in honor of the Kentucky Derby today, and available in the shop.

Five Senses Friday

This week has been such a blur that I am not even certain what I should post for Five Senses Friday. How is it May already?!

The last few weeks of school and some personal projects are keeping me super busy, but this post is a good reminder to slow down and notice what else is around me--- as was our visit from friends Amy and Scott, who were driving cross-country for the Unique LA show. If you are in Southern California this weekend, definitely go check out their work. Both are such talented artists!

Taste

• Avocados and grapefruit from the CSA box.
• Lots and lots of spring greens: collard greens, red leaf lettuce, baby spinach.
  

See

• The sagebrush along the highway becoming a more intense, iridescent shade of blue-green
• Ristras and Christmas lights hanging from the archways of the Mexican restaurant we went to this week.
• And even though I am no longer a resident or a recent graduate, these photos about Boston made me long for New England.
  

Touch

• My favorite pair of summer cotton pajamas.
• The breeze while dining on an outdoor porch at said Mexican restaurant.
  

Smell

• The herbs are thriving, and the basil scent is more intense every day.
  

Hear

• Pete Seegeron our local NPR, in observance of International Worker's Day . It reminded me how much I love his voice (and message) and how much his songs remind me of family.
• Listening to David Sedaris in anticipation of the reading we are going to this weekend!
  

Friday Finds: Vintage Evening Primrose Print

I am super into yellow lately and tempted not to share this find, since it's vintage and I want it for myself. But at the rate I am tempted by prints and paintings these days, we won't have any room left on our walls.

By surrenderdorothy.