Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Lacuna



lacuna
definition: empty space, opening in a solid object, pause, interruption, break, breach, interval

I recently finished reading The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver(loved The Poisonwood Bible). With her biology background, she not only offers up great novels, but interesting bits about nature.

"Kingsolver's ambitious new novel, her first in nine years (after the The Poisonwood Bible), focuses on Harrison William Shepherd, the product of a divorced American father and a Mexican mother. After getting kicked out of his American military academy, Harrison spends his formative years in Mexico in the 1930s in the household of Diego Rivera; his wife, Frida Kahlo; and their houseguest, Leon Trotsky, who is hiding from Soviet assassins. After Trotsky is assassinated, Harrison returns to the U.S., settling down in Asheville, N.C., where he becomes an author of historical potboilers (e.g., Vassals of Majesty) and is later investigated as a possible subversive. Narrated in the form of letters, diary entries and newspaper clippings, the novel takes a while to get going, but once it does, it achieves a rare dramatic power that reaches its emotional peak when Harrison wittily and eloquently defends himself before the House Un-American Activities Committee (on the panel is a young Dick Nixon). Employed by the American imagination, is how one character describes Harrison, a term that could apply equally to Kingsolver as she masterfully resurrects a dark period in American history with the assured hand of a true literary artist." {via Amazon}

a weekend warrior



Saul decided that he's going to be a peace warrior for the next costume party.

the crows on days like this











On bitter cold days, as the sun is descending, flocks and flocks of crows can be seen and heard on their way to Loring Park. The trees are brimming with crows. Strolling through the park on days like this fills your ears with fierce music. It's quite a show.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

that's life




That's Life

a song that's keeping me company in the icy tundra I call home
love the finger wag at the beginning
I'm just getting into his music
he was quite the performer

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

bits of the weekend







Oh, the pleasure of spending my weekend surrounded by friends...

...dinner with family, key lime pie, a birthday party for our two year old(!) pal, Ethiopian at the Blue Nile, Catchphrase, Mexican Train, picture taking, music making, a Sunday afternoon brunch surprise party(ha!) and pitchers of mimosas with mint...

{Our friend found an old little polaroid camera. The film expired over two years ago, but we found it quirky and fun}

I swoon for this swing



I would LOVE to have a swing in my home. I grew up with a giant tree swing and I miss it. What fun!

{via Bloesem}

Friday, January 22, 2010

owl my love to you

Natural Salvage Note Cards at Midtown



Natural Salvage Note Cards are now on sale at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. Find them at Earth Vitality.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

days with my father


days with my father
by Phillip Toledano

Every once in awhile, I come back to this. So emotionally raw, endearing, honest, it makes me smile and cry in the same moment.

kitty cat klub


vintage photo booth + pool + pinball + jazz + french fries + a cozy nook + husband + a best friend = a good time at the kitty cat klub

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Matt Stuart Photography







Matt Stuart captures truly unique moments that many don't see. It's a good reminder to slow down and enjoy every moment.

Heart-shaped Box



mixed media
in collaboration with Craig Angell
9" x 9"

Monday, January 18, 2010

we are far away, but we can help



There are numerous ways to help Haiti in their great time of need:

Mercy Corps

Red Cross

Doctors Without Borders

You can also text 'Haiti' to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be made to the Red Cross and posted directly to your cell phone bill.

No matter how small or humble our donation, we can make a difference.

Albatross Chicks on Midway Atoll


Every year, tens of thousands of albatross chicks on Midway Atoll die of starvation, toxicity and choking because their mothers unknowingly feed them plastic, our human trash. What's more, Midway Atoll is more than 2,000 miles from the nearest continent. Photographs by Chris Jordan. Read more about it here.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Friday, January 15, 2010

bits of the week





















warm weather, the car wash, hot tea, nannying, creating, my constant companion, home cooked meals, a sore throat, sisters, yoga, bedlam, avatar, empanadas, clutter clearing, the horrible disaster in haiti, sewing, reading, browsing at Room + Board, sleepless nights, music, re-potting plants, reflecting during the daily dishes, love notes, beautiful piano music...

The Catorialist



If you have read The Sartorialist, you will surely be amused by The Catorialist.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

lightbulb chandelier





I created this lightbulb chandelier on a dimmer switch to hang over the buffet.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A sledding party






























Lady, who faithfully walks my nieces down the long driveway before school, waits with them for the bus and meets them when they return home.









Over the weekend, we went to a sledding party at my sister's house, who lives on my grandparent's old farm with her family. As children, we often went sledding there with our cousins. There's something special about returning to childhood destinations with so many memories.