Happy Friday, friends! We had the motherlode of all thunderstorms rip thru here last night. Fortunately, no trees fell on the house, that always being my greatest fear when we have rough storms or high winds, what with living in a forested cove and all. We did get a beast of a deluge, though. The little creek that runs right beside the house, which normally emits a nice little trickle, audible from our entry porch, sounds like a raging river now. The ground of the chicken coop looks like it was given a bath, and the tiny frog pond is “full to bursting’”, as the old timers around here would say.

All of this is great! Everything needed a good washing, as pollen has begun clinging to every surface it can find. The ground was a bit dry, too, so a nice soaker has quenched the thirst all the way up from the tulip poplars towering around us to the moss, chickweed, and dandelions down below (I’ve got plans for those dandelions-alcoholic ones!-and for the violets popping up as well!).

In other non-weather and non-libation news, I’ve got a new profile up on Madesmith. This time its of Joshua Vogel’s Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co.. At first, I took my work for Madesmith as simply another freelance job (albeit an enjoyable one, espousing sustainably minded artisans). Now, though, I really enjoy hearing about the creative process behind each maker. I’m learning so much about production and manufacturing and just about reveling in the slowness and mindfulness and purposefulness of making useful, lovely items.

I’ve also got a Small Measures post up on Design Sponge. This week I’m offering a recipe for making your own Garden Hand Salve. I don’t know about you, but now that I’ve taken to toiling the soil again, my hands needed some TLC. This is the balm that’ll soothe them. Plus, it smells good. My mom put some on yesterday when she was over playing with Huxley while I worked and emitted a heavy “Hmm!” exclamation when she smelled it. Success!

And now, for my Friday round-up! Here’s a smattering of this and that’s that caught my attention this week:

*If ever I had a style icon, it would undoubtedly be this lady right here.
*My sister Devan bought Glenn an early birthday present when she was visiting. The gorgeous black-stained cutting board (the last photos in the link) from local woodworked Goldsplinter is almost too lovely to use!
*These wall panels from Ariele Alasko are stunning (via Door Sixteen).
*Have you heard of Tradesy? I’ve already scored a skirt and a pair of jeans. I’m smitten.
*Scents and sensibility.
*Both the rhubarb and strawberry plants in the garden are putting out new growth, meaning this will eventually absolutely happen.
*The Hygiene Hypothesis sits very well with me.
*Spinach and Smashed Egg Toast? Awwww, yaaya!!!
*So intrigued by Debra Prinzing and her Slow Flowers advocacy (and book!).
*At the suggestion of a number of friends, I’ll be making this for my mother on Monday for her birthday. Kisses to you, Ina!

Did you know that I used to manage a Bed & Breakfast? That’s right. About 7-8 years ago, I cooked and served guests things like homemade crepes and muffins, changed bed linens, and scrubbed claw foot bathtubs in a large Inn built in the late 1800′s. I loved the job and meeting new people, but, above all, I adored my bosses, Marg and Gail. They’re coming over for a cocktail this afternoon, and to meet Huxley for the first time. I’m so excited to see them. They’ve become sort of “honorary aunties” to me, supporting when me I graduated with a second bachelor’s degree from UNC-Asheville in ’06 (I have two bachelor’s degrees, one in Sociology and one in Nutrition), cheered me on at my wedding in ’07, and bought the organic mattress for Huxley’s Moses basket before he was born. They’ve always had my back and I can’t wait to give them both a tight squeeze!

As for Saturday, it’s all garden, all day. I’ve got massive plans for it, and with a sunny 66 degree day in the forecast, I intend to get my dirt on, big time.

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

*I always post a photo of Huxley here on Friday because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most! 

 

Happy Friday, friends! We’re on the tail end of some rain and overcast skies here. Yesterday was bananas-a high of 38 degrees F, in April! The daffodils and forsythia didn’t know what to make of it, and neither did I.

My sister, Devan, was visiting this past week. She flew in Saturday evening, just in time for our egg gathering (and to help me fill eggs with candy, prep silk scarves for dyeing, cut flowers for decorating, and so. much. more. Thank you!!!). We took her to the airport for her return flight home to Florida yesterday. It’s always bittersweet whenever my sisters visit. Sweet because their company is so very welcome, yet bitter because I always end up kind of bummed out and sulky for a few days after they leave. Sisters are wonderful creatures to have (at least mine are!); we’d both put on our “fat pants” (aka house pants) come sundown, have a little cocktail each night, play with Huxley, listen to music, catch each other up on family gossip and YouTube silliness, internet surf, take little treks into town, sip our coffee in the morning, and just enjoy the comfort that comes from being around someone you’ve known since before they were born. She’ll be back this summer, so, I’ll bide my time until then.

In other news, I’ve got a bit of writing up elsewhere you might enjoy. My monthly English Lessons column is up over on Verve. I’m chatting about what can be learned from enjoying spring’s ephemeral wild flowers. Also, I’ve started profiling artisans over on Madesmith, an online national resource of makers. My debut profile is of Brooklyn-based ceramicist Clair Catillaz, whose work is simply beautiful.

Where’s a smattering of this and that’s that caught my attention this week:

*Been enjoying getting to know Farm Made.
*The Asheville Wild Foods Market opens tomorrow!
*Definitely getting a copy of this.
*Natural pain relievers.
*Use hibiscus for red highlights!
*Great book for those who want to grow but have very limited space.
*I’m working on an entire Sow True Seed (a local company) garden this year. For every order now through Earth Day, the company is giving away a free packet of sunflower seeds!
*This set would so match my kitchen (and my love of enamelware!).
*So pretty.
*I can definitely get behind the idea of healing beers.

I’ll be working on some freelance bits this weekend, along with starting seeds, developing beverage recipes, stopping by the farmer’s market for opening day (and that wild foods market mentioned above!), possibly seeing friends from out of town, and otherwise enjoying life.

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

*I always post a photo of Huxley here each Friday because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most! 

Happy Friday, friends! I just read that it’s been a colder March for many southern U.S. cities than it was in January. That certainly feels the case here. Whew, man. It’s been chilly. I think we’re slated for a warmer weekend, though, and it couldn’t come any sooner! I’m seriously starting to get spring fever.

In other news, here’s a smattering of this and that’s that caught my attention this week:
*Ryan and I met when I was 14 and he was 15. We wrote each other letters for over a year (I still have them!). And now he’s serenading a loaf of bread in London’s Royal Albert Hall. What a trip life is!
*Love these little farmer Easter baskets and these flower seed pockets!
*The fattier the milk, the slimmer the child.
*Oh, yeah. I totally can fall into this, unfortunately.
*Been enjoying getting to know the Barefoot Crofter.
*Keri muses about spring.
*Now here’s a tribute album I can get behind!
*Time to sift the compost.
*Saw these at Amanda‘s. Love them!
*Ordered these for Huxley’s Easter basket. PVC-free and from iplay, an Asheville-based business.
*Nursing a bit of a crush on these (in black).
*Small measure reader Kelly is trying to launch a small-batch preserves business. Please check out her Kickstarter!

We’re hosting a massive Eggstavaganza (yes, I said it) here on Sunday, to be photographed for “Handmade Gatherings” (my book from Roost Books due out Spring 2014). Around 30 adults and just about as many kiddos should be coming over for eggy foods, egg crafts, egg games, egg hunts, and overall egg enthusiasm. If the 50% likelihood of rain swings towards the less likely side of things, we’ll be in good shape. Otherwise, we’ll all get quite cozy with one another indoors and under our covered porch!

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever  you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

*I always post a photo of Huxley here each Friday because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most! 

Happy Friday, friends, and happy spring! Although it’s in the 20′s here this morning, and there was the faintest dusting of snow yesterday, the shift in seasons is palpable. You can smell it, I swear, or at least I can, what with the nose of a hound I seem to possess.

In other news, I’ve got a Small Measures post up today on Design Sponge. Naturally colored eggs, folks! They’re where it’s AT!

I wasn’t on my computer too terribly much this week, with all the traveling and visiting and generally gadding about we were engaged in. So, this round-up will be short, but sweet. Here’s a smattering of this’s and that’s that caught my attention:

*Heard this playing while at Amanda‘s and can’t stop listening to ∆ (yes, that there triangle has a pronunciation, and it’s “Alt J”).

*You MUST get over to Mighty Nest and enter their huge Duralex giveaway. Sensational!

*Picked up a lovely pair of burgundy-colored tapers at the Brattleboro Co-op (which is seriously amazing).

*Excited about work I’ve been doing with these folks.

*Learned about Darn Tough Socks through Arnold during our time in Vermont.

*I think Joy’s pancakes need to happen in the cove.

*Elderflower + Hard Cider=two of my favorite things, married, in a holy union. Aaaahhhhhh.

We’ll be spending some quality time with family tomorrow, and otherwise settling back into the rhythm of being home. The daffodils are abundant, the tulips are starting to peek through, there are seeds to be started, and soil to be dug into. Goodness abounds!

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

*I always post a photo of Huxley here each Friday because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most. Here he is in our room at the Chesterfield Inn, contemplating exactly which crayon with which to craft his masterpiece (er, scribble with). 

Happy Friday, friends! I’m busy whipping up a batch of carrot halwa, to serve for dessert at an Indian-themed collaborative soup-making party I’m hosting tonight. It’s one of the winter events featured in my book, “Handmade Gatherings” (Roost Books, Spring 2014). I adore Indian food and culture and tonight will be packed with buddies, bindis, bhangra, and blissful eats!

In other news, I’ve got two articles up this month on Verve. In my “English Lessons” column, I’m talking about life lessons I’ve gleaned from the non-human, botanical inhabitants of our cove. I also wrote about my friend Farra and her daughter Bella, participants in this year’s Cupcakes vs. Cancer competition. Their entry is highly personal and deeply heartfelt and it was an absolute honor to be able to write their story.

There’s a Small Measures post up on today Design Sponge. We’re showing our pets love this month over there, so I’m offering tips for making DIY dog beds, dog biscuits, and dog odor-fighting spray.

Here’s a smattering of this’s and that’s that caught my attention this week:

*Letting kids tinker makes them more creative.
*Sweet lemon pudding.
*Eat Wild is a great resource (thanks to reader Maureen for tipping me off!).
*Great suggestions for museum excursions!
*Adorable blog (and book!) about chicken antics.
*Magic Custard Cake (yes, I know that’s two sweet recipes in this round-up, but they’re too amazing looking to pass up!).
*Such a creative birthday party concept.
*Locals, this is a great guide for spotting spring wildflowers (they’re ‘a comin’ !!!).
*Picked up some Eco Eggs yesterday, to use in Huxley’s Easter Basket.

It’s supposed to warm up considerably over the weekend. I’m hoping to get several varieties of potatoes we picked up last week from Sow True Seed in the ground. It’ll feel so good to dig in the dirt, and know the promise of spring it holds.

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand!

*I post a photo of Huxley here each Friday because, truly, he’s what his Papa and I dig the most. They popped into a photo booth a few days ago (Huxley calls it the “picture ride”) and brought me home this memento. THE. BEST!