nectar

When we got a call from Frank at Windham Wines telling us that he was holding a bottle of new season olive oil aside for us, we centered our Saturday meal plans around the news & headed in to town. Frank & Marty, store owners & wine enthusiasts who recently returned from a trip to Italy, had been regaling us with tales of their stay at a wonderful family-owned winery, vineyard & olive fattoria, Selvapiana, who supplies them with fantastic red wines. Owned by the Giuntini family since 1827, their Chianti Rufina has been a recent favorite of ours, so we were very eager to taste their olive oil, which Marty had tried fresh on-site & absolutely raved about. Well, we can see why. 

Armed with a fresh-baked loaf of Orchard Hill Breadworks bread from the Winter Farmer's Market, we prepared our little feast. It has been a while since I've had such a fruity, fresh olive oil, difficult to find in grocery or specialty stores without spending an arm & a leg; & while there are some Napa & Sonoma varieties I have enjoyed, Mediterranean olives have a depth of delicious buttery, bitter grassiness I have not experienced with American West Coast varieties. 

When we travel to Italy, the Mister & I plan on adding a stop at Fattoria Selvapiana as we wend our way through vineyards & orchards, eating & drinking our way through the countryside.

I think I could live on bread, olive oil & wine alone. Oh, & chocolate. & butter.

happy weekend

Alas, it's not always this obvious, but I feel I've been getting some signs that, with a few twists & turns, I'm headed in the right direction as of late, pretty loud & clear...

Anyone else feeling it?

the little things

We recently painted our small bath - outdated, moldy wallpaper finally sent us over the edge. What a difference the littlest details make!

The only before pic we have is quite murky & grainy, but besides the encroaching floral wallpaper, you can just make out some of the first things to go shortly after we moved in: the plastic knobs with screen-printed citrus fruits bedecking the lovely corner built-in, white plastic outlet covers, lucite green toilet seat with suspended dried flowers floating about inside, & the faded light-blocking paper window shade. Brushed nickel knobs, ceramic outlet covers, a plain white wood toilet seat & mattress- ticking blind stepped in to freshen things up. Left as-is was the gorgeous woodwork (maple that was handcrafted by local Estey Organ woodworkers, from what we've been told) & original fixtures from the 30s.

I love how clean & fresh & bright it feels now, & how the wood stands out with the lettuce-y green walls.

the difference a day makes

first day of spring:

second day of spring:

Oh, Vermont.

lit up

A simple & dramatic DIY project that requires glue, scrap paper cut into long strips, an old paper lantern, & nothing more. I love how in the topmost photo the lady in the small portrait appears to be gazing up at it with admiration.

from here

happy weekend

Spring is coming on strong, the biggest, brightest moon in almost 20 years is going to shine down upon us this weekend, & I'm embarking upon a few new projects... onward & upward! 

this is beautiful

Experimental Polish photographer Jerzy Lewczynski was inspired by avant-garde art & film as well as amateur photography & the found object. Working in the spirit of an archaeologist, his own photographs, as well as photo essays made from decaying found negatives & family photographs from his personal archives, created narratives that not only commented on the absurdity of Polish reality at that point in time, but perhaps explored how we create the story of our lives & histories as well.

I find his use of light & shadow astonishingly beautiful.

more here

Thanks, Rain!

got it covered II

more well-loved volumes from around our home

fiber optic

Dorie Millerson

Melanie Champagne

Stunning fiber art from talented Canadian artist has made me eager to check out Le Centre de Textiles Contemporains de Montréal next time we are sur l'îsle. I like the use of fine, delicate materials & techniques to create substantial-feeling, architectural pieces. 

The detailed needlepoint lace pieces by Dorie Millerson, a Toronto based artist, rarify when cast in shadow, like a ghostly memory of the object itself, & become the finished piece for me; the object itself, while beautiful, moreso a vehicle. 

This particular necklace by Mélanie Champagne, a Montréal based artist who creates wearable machine-knit pieces, feels like both an embellishment & a burden, a modern take on a traditional feminine theme.

happy weekend

Japan, Libya & all of Northern Africa are in my thoughts. Wishes for peace, safety, equanimity & aid. My heart goes out to you.

we've come a long way, baby

Here's to all of the strong, brave women who paved the way for us in our lives.

got it covered

a small sampling of some of the book covers we live with, some the worse for wear, but all quite the lookers in my estimation.

go for the gold

Graceful & tasteful execution. Beautiful.

from here via here

happy weekend

It's actually a new moon this weekend, but I found this full & bright pic to be good inspiration. In many cultures, a new moon signals a beginning, & is considered an auspicious time to start something new. Here's to brave new ventures!

photo by jhsinger

I could get lost here...

A fantastic collection of book covers spanning the decades, including classics by masters Ben Shahn & George Salter.

from here