Chilly yet Charming

I'm in love with the rubblestone home of Janet Smith, an engineer and landscape designer living in Ridgway, Colorado. What makes this incredible character filled home even more amazing, is that she lives completely without heat. Piper turned me onto this article from the New York Times, titled Chilled by Choice, about people around the country who choose to live without central heat. There stories are pretty incredible. Ms. Smith, who lives at an altitude of 7,000 feet endures 5 months of solid winter, and typically leaves her doors and windows open all year round.

Its funny, I thought we were living rugged, leaving the thermostat set to somewhere between 55-60 degrees, but these folks are truly inspiring. I must say I do enjoy a $60 gas bill. Plus, it lets me save that extra money on nice wooly sweaters!

Read the story here.

long winter

its been a while... a cold while since i've posted anything. the melting snow and sunny days have got me excited for spring. a late afternoon's journey to spatulachia was productive preparation for the sugaring season.

An Illustrated Life

I was delighted to come across this book at a bookstore in Pittsburgh. Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life" is the collaborative effort of designer Todd Oldham and the late Charley Harper. The book features over 400 pages of Harper's charming illustrations, and now in its second printing, has a more affordable price tag of only $32. (The 2007 edition retailed at around $200)

Harper is known for his bold, colorful illustrations, a style he called "minimal realism". One of his better known and more sought after books The Golden Book of Biology has fetched upwards of $400 on ebay.

Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Here's to trying to capture the last bit of fall... Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Green With Envy

Love these calming shades of greens and teals. On the hunt for a vintage style fridge... and off to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving!

Beet Martinis, my new weakness

Ever since visiting the Yakuza Lounge in Portland a few weeks ago I have been craving the incredible Beet Martinis we indulged in. I knew we could recreate this incredible drink, and we decided to make them for the progressive Thanksgiving dinner our friends organized last night. 

The first stop of the night was our house for appetizers and cocktails, where we debuted our own version. We infused Svedka for three days with three medium fresh greated beets, combined with homemade simple syrup and a splash of lemon juice, garnished with a lemon slice, these are just as beautiful as they are delicious. 

Also on the menu for the hour were Spicy Rosemary Peanuts, Aged Goat Gouda and Smoked Chevre from Integration Acres, Bacon Wrapped Beets and Wasabi and Soy Roasted Pumpkin and Squash Seeds.

The rest of the evening included sweet and savory salads at the House of Rage, a tasty lentil soup at Mary and Laura's, a delectable array of autumnal entrees at the Savage Pony and incredible mini vegan pies at Sarah's for dessert. I'm loving living in a neighborhood where we're fortunate to be so close to close friends. The first progressive dinner was so fun and successful, I'm sure it won't be the last. Below are a few photos of the night.

Kitchen Styles, Pick Your Flavor

Putting the aggravation of drawing up the perfect house plans on the back burner to dream up the perfect kitchen. Between the two of us, we put out some delicious and amazing looking dishes, so the same care and thought needs to go into the design of the room. Which of these is your favorite style? I think i'm drawn to the rustic charm of the third set. Antique whites, galvanized steel and reclaimed barn wood and glass would make me a happy chef!

Elegant Spook

Oh Martha, how I heart your elegant take on Halloween, getting inspiration for my Halloween Party that I've spontaneously decided to throw this Friday

color by numbers

hat box, florals and shades of blue

Well, Polaroid, it's about time..

If you've not heard of the Impossible Project, be sure to check out there website, I've been following this project since the beginning. Heard this BIG news tonight:

"Already holding the first working hand-coated samples in our trembling hands, we are pleased to herewith announce an epoch making cooperation between Polaroid (who can no longer resist the stir we are making) and The Impossible Project:

The new licensee of the Polaroid Brand – The Summit Global Group – will re-launch the legendary Polaroid One Step Camera and is therefore commissioning The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid branded Instant Films in the middle of 2010."

I'm still hording a pack of Polaroid Time Zero and Spectra film... and eagerly awaiting the purchase of my first pack of new instant film!!

Market Day

mmmm Asian long beans and concord grapes... beautiful fall day for the market.. apple cider, chicken of the woods, smoked chevre, and butternut squash... i think athens has the best farmers market ever.

On the Farm

This lovely collection of images was shot by own of my co workers, Susi Rankis at her home down in Vinton Co. They made me smile and I wanted to share them with others.

A lovely night for a stroll

I guess Fall's here. Looks like he snuck in the back door and made himself comfortable while no one was looking. Took a walk with Piper tonight over to the lot where we will build our first home. We ran along the wooded hill, counting pawpaw trees, and trying to see of the squirrels had left us any chestnuts. But they were good squirrels and not a one could be found. We met a turtle and imagined where we will plant the fruit trees. A truly lovely evening. Here's a few photos I took tonight.

Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch...

Crafting had yet again kept me captive for the month of September. My parents came down a few weekends ago to keep me company at the Pawpaw Festival. My mom and I sold crafts together for the first time and it was wonderful. I wish we had longer together but the visit was nice and a lot of people came through our booth. I sold all of my elephants. Auguste, Eduard, Marie, Jolie and Sabine have new happy homes and I must get on top of making more. My Pawpaw Plushies didn't sell as well as I'd hoped they would- I sold out in a few hours last year!! Oh well, save making them again next year I suppose. Check out www.playingelegant.com for custom orders.