redcruiser

awesome

2012-01-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

free cabin porn
dont worry - not dirty - a beautiful collection of dreamy cabins
Stockholm, Sweden-based architecture firm WRB designed this summer cabin on the archipelago of Trosa.
Abandoned cabin in Straumsvík, Iceland.
Mt. Brown Hut in the Westland foothills of New Zealand, was constructed by 35 volunteers from the remnants of an earlier alpine hut, with supplies brought in by helicopter.
all photos from freecabinporn - need to spend more time here daydreaming - thanks to my mother in law for telling me about this!

church

2012-01-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

I would go every week for sure

Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, designed by E. Fay Jones and constructed in 1980.

beautiful

via freecabinporn

when its 50

2012-01-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

in JANUARY in MN...

run outside! for the next few days! with the little ladies too!

make dirty little snowmen - without hats OR mittens followed with homemade ice-cream cones of course

ruby red margaritas recipe here agreat way to use up the rest of our grapefruits form our citrus box!

birthdays

2012-01-07T20:56:00.001-08:00

for r bday next week - found this poem I want to remember to say to her the night before

“when i have said my evening prayer,
and my clothes are folded on my chair,
mama and papa switch off the light,
i'll still be four years old tonight.

but from the very break of day,
before the children rise and play,
before the darkness turns to gold,
tomorrow i'll be five years old…
five kisses when i wake,
five candles on my cake.

a goodnight kiss for the four year old
to send her to sleep and to dreaming.
and blessings to the five year old
who'll climb out of bed in the morning.”

from the birthday book.
found on the littlest - cute blog

photo form rachel hanson photography

so good

2012-01-03T11:40:00.001-08:00

have been listening over and over
the little willies - for the good times - on npr right now - norah jones band all country covers
photo from npr

sunshine!

2011-12-28T20:57:00.001-08:00

everywhere
organic oranges and grapefruit!

merry

2011-12-28T20:49:00.000-08:00

it was a good one - took some time off to enjoy...

love how excited r&a were about christmas and santa this year
loved our activity advent calendar - they really got into it
love that we all made cookies together
love that we went iceskating/sledding before it all melted
love watching those cute sisters playing together

made

2011-12-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

hmmm... I remember this summer declaring this year the year of handmade... well technically my calendars are which I gave as gifts. and I made mermaid pjs for r & a - no picture though, and also these olive oil pourers - drank sofia coppola's rose this summer to get the beautiful bottles. I sterilized and dried the bottles completely added a cork pourer and funnel so they can refill. I was going to make rosemary olive oil but too risky with the bacteria that can grow - decided on plain old olive oil instead! and sewed up some little wine bags...ok but not considering this the year of handmade...next year I think

lettering

2011-12-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

love my 4 year olds fancy lettering for her teachers (calendars - of course!)

gifts

2011-12-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

for my nephews - seriously I can find a million uses for those muslin bags - best buy ever - use 23 - personalized bags to hold old hockey cards. R drew them both pictures for cards too.

baking

2011-12-28T20:25:00.000-08:00

cookies
and cinnamon rolls
these are so good and so great because you make 3 batches at once (that freeze)
Ive made bread - but only the fake bread (no knead - which I love) but I really loved kneading the dough - totally felt like ceramics and rolling out the clay

enchanted toy store practice

2011-12-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

at the landmark center with a

60!

2011-12-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

my mom turned 60 the other weekend - we all wore stickers of photos of her from different ages. and we (my dad, her sis and my bro, sisinlaw, sis, broinlaw, daughters and husband) gathered up 60 gifts for her that were all her faves or thoughtful/handmade etc - it was a fun day to spend all together. were all so lucky to have her in our lives!

roasting

2011-12-20T10:59:00.000-08:00

a chicken always makes me feel like Ive really grown up. Which I need after my weekend of acting like a 20 year old. beer bongs? really? yes and never again. ever. So weird I know to turn down shots - one would think I would know to turn down beer bongs too - maybe it was the loud AC/DC we were listening to (and I was enjoying?) Anyways time to roast a chicken and be responsible.

elfing

2011-12-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

I LOVE packaging up christmas presents

I dislike going to the post office to mail them...really people are very rude to the post office employees. I try very hard to have everything done correctly, be pretty quiet and smile. Another group of orders out tomorrow!

My stamp wore out...that means a good season right?

mysteries solved

2011-12-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

perfect - so helpful!
via natalie

purple!

2011-12-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

purple everywhere for little a
we painted her room purple (one wall) and found cute bedding at land of nod - quick simple way to make her room hers
and for her birthday (which was awhile ago...) purple balloons and a purple cake made by mama.
sweet and simple - though I think it will be hard to maintain sweet and simple - all of their friends have raised the bar quite high for birthday party expectations....

holiday plans

2011-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

macys 8th floor - a day in the life of an elf
children's museum - done and fun - cute storybook exhibit there.
DEC 10 - santa (is it weird that my girls haven't seen santa yet? well we get to have brunch with him this year!)
DEC 11 - kids craft time at anthropologie arbor lakes 11 am
DEC 13 - landmark center - bring a lunch and watch the st paul ballet practice "the enchanted toy shop"
cut down our own christmas tree? here?
make a tree skirt - linen and song lyrics around the edge - inspired by this beautiful skirt from palomasnest - sadly its sold out - but all the more inspiration to make one!
some new activities in the activity advent this year
make homemade marshmallows
put on a christmas ballet
watch the real nutcracker
make paper garlands
make a christmas book
play christmas charades
make a sugar snowscape
paint pinecones a snowy color
make salted caramels

dinner with friends - without kids at saffron - and a drink...or two in a fancy french champagne glass for sure

image from st paul ballet

day planner

2011-12-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

I want this
I need this
personalized photo planner from pinhole press
I tried to go the year without a planner - the result - loose notes all over the place - decided - I need one to keep everything in one place - and I would like this one.

no coast

2011-12-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

was great!
thank you to everyone who visited my store - thanks to all my friends and family too for all your help and support!
My set up worked great - simple but still able to display everything I wanted to. I sold out of a lot of things the first day so was up late making new things ... and sold out mostly saturday. so next time make more stuff! and make it much earlier. I think Ill try to get in again next year - was a very fun environment to sell my things. There were a lot of other great shops too.

some of my favorites:
sweet pea cute handmade kids/baby clothes
cayenne peppy - great bags and jewlery
bodylish yummy smelling bath stuff - like no fakey perfumey smell at all!
the medium control (design inspired modern posters, t-shirts etc)
i like you (thanks to the girls for stopping by too!)
there were lots more too - really a good show
ok off to catch up on etsy ... freelance ... and life!

getting ready

2011-11-30T23:30:00.000-08:00

for no coast!

getting excited too!

Friday, December 2 from 3 pm to 8 pm and Saturday, December 3 from 9 am to 5 pm
at the Midtown Global Market (the old Sears building) on Lake Street.
I am at space E11

and thank you to wherethelovelythingsare and pinkshirtsandcarwrecks too for posting my calendar the other week

fire starters

2011-11-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

a little hippie but a little great too. r & a helped me wrap some lavender fire starters. cute and smell great too.

for real

2011-11-29T21:50:00.000-08:00

I was working in the basement and looked out of the office egress window...and saw that squirrel.

Im disappointed I didn't quite capture it - that squirrel was holding in his hands (hands? but thats what it looked like!) a mini hamburger - like a little white castle hamburger at 9 am. Really I looked around to see if someone was playing a joke on me and placed him them there - nope it was natural (what? natural? the squirrels dig in our neighbors garbage...is that weird that they probably throw away mini hamburgers?) YES the whole thing was weird AND hilarious!

oh how I love thee

2011-11-29T08:06:00.001-08:00

anthropologie
kids time ... so I can shop ... yes please!
craft and story times

Arbor Lake
12/11/2011
Craft Hour - 11am

Edina
12/10/2011
Reading Hour - 10am-11am

The Shops at West End
12/09/2011
Reading Hour - 10am-11am

so good

2011-11-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

and so putting me in the christmas mood
she & him christmas album

cabin fever

2011-11-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

great book I found at my mother in laws beautiful "cabin" I'm pretty sure you cant call it a cabin - mountain home?
cabin fever
need to look up this mn architect, david samela who built jim branderberg - (ely of course - my fave) photographers cabin (top twp photos)

thankful for...

2011-11-26T17:50:00.001-08:00

clear skies, sunshiny mountain days, and clear roads!
a wonderful family - immediate - the one I grew up with - and the one I married in to
sweetest little girls
funny little girls with such great smiles
owl eyes ( get real close - noses and faces touching with your eyes closed ... open them the other person looks like an owl - we do this a lot!)
sweet little boy nephews who love their cousins
cool snowboarding nephews
skiing with our little girls
my husband - oh love his night head massages and watching him with our little sweeties
a no jacket weekend - in the 50s in the mountains
shopping in breckenridge with with my sister in law, and her great friend and my mother in law...and no kids!
surrounded by piles of projects
getting the projects completed!
art time
cozy scarves but woah want this one too now and caramel brulee lattes
new christmas music and time to get ready for it (Im almost done shopping - yep for real)

time for

2011-11-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

S L E D D I N G
I hope
on a mountain
we'll see if theres enough snow....
not actually on this sled as this was found in my friend amys barn...

great truck

2011-11-21T21:06:00.000-08:00

and hand painted type - need to take more photos and make some fonts

winter love

2011-11-20T06:53:00.000-08:00

a few new cards in my etsy store

katherines basement

2011-11-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

favorite new bags and print from my friend katherine - she is doing such great work - katherines basement!
You can see katherine (she makes great dog beds too) and a bunch of other artists at snap crafted pop

Sat dec 3 (4-9pm)
Sunday Dec 4 (10 - 5 pm)

My friend Jen Knoch of radar has put together this show

A two-day event of distinctive holiday shopping, celebrating some of the most unique Twin Cities' local artisans and crafters, many exhibiting for the first time. "This intimate shopping event has all the trappings of an in-home holiday party," says Jen. "A stress-free, intimate experience that’s designed for gals, guys—and even their four-legged friends."

I think it will be a really unique place to find some great gifts - the space looks so great. Katherine is going to have some of my calendars and journals at her little shop - I was bummed because this overlaps with No Coast .... which a I feverishly working on getting all my things together for right NOW! I just knew pulling two shows together would be too much for this mama...hopefully next year!

warming

2011-11-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

up and loving this perfect scarf

municipal prints company

2011-11-17T08:09:00.001-08:00

Love these

I "met" Sheldon Yeager through etsy - and really love this project he has started

Large format star chart in homage to the vintage maps of the '30s, Constellation Explorer: Compass to the Northern Sky, is to be followed by Constellation Explorer: Compass to the Southern Sky scheduled for late September 2011. AND The Municipal Prints Company donates five percent of its profits to historic preservation causes.

a good one

2011-11-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

and I'm still using stuff from the garden!
inspired by a pretty empty refrigerator...

big bunch of swiss chard
2 cloves garlic - minced and chopped
basil pesto (I used 4 ice cube sized so probably about 1/4 a cup - I freeze pesto in ice-cube trays so I can pop little bursts of basil all winter)
the last of my tomatoes (ripened in a brown bag - about 2 cups chopped
1/4 cup kalamata olives
feta cheese
Parmesan
spaghetti noodles

Cook pasta as directed

Trim the stalks from the swiss chard chop
saute garlic and swiss chard stalks in olive oil - about 3-5 minutes
add frozen pesto, coarsely chopped swiss chard leaves, tomatoes
simmer on low until swiss chard is wilted
remove from heat but let sit for 5 -10 minutes to thicken
salt and pepper to taste

mix with pasta
add feta and Parmesan

wall calendar

2011-11-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

I created a single poster wall calendar this year too - in my etsy store!

november

2011-11-07T18:46:00.000-08:00

mix here
its a good to work to mix.

one last

2011-11-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

teeny harvest - grabbed the rest of the green tomatoes and peppers and spag squash and some sage - still lots of swiss chard yay! and one new illustration in my etsy store
got a little distracted tonight by this beautiful blog The life and Times of the Plume makes me want to pack up and move west - right now. She makes beautiful jewelry too.

duets

2011-11-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

2012 calendar is on my etsy shop!
Each month features a different illustrated duo of seasonal fruits / vegetables
seriously cant believe its calendar time again...
need to s l o w time down a bit

it can now snow

2011-11-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Im ready
and in love
cant wait for warm DRY feet this year
boots here

modest mermaid

2011-11-02T12:00:00.001-07:00

LOVE this by krisatomic
she is such a great illustrator - her photos on her blog are fantastic too - need to spend more time here later

fall squash

2011-11-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

loving it.

will definitely make this again
smoked pheasant brussels sprout apple skillet with roasted rosemary spaghetti squash
saute halved brussels sprouts and minced in Tbsp bacon drippings or olive oil until beginning to brown
add sliced peeled apples and herbs (I used thyme and a tiny bit of rosemary)
covered in chicken broth cover let simmer until broth almost evaporates - add shredded smoked pheasant

roast spaghetti squash drizzled with olive oil salt and pepper and few rosemary sprigs

another great one was quinoa pistachio stuffed acorn squash - from the november whole living issue

apples

2011-11-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago
applesauce
apple chips recipe here
apple pie
were taking an apple break now
so excited for this citrus box this february

book list

2011-10-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

design sponge
decorate
donna hay seasons

girls night

2011-10-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

so nice to spend a night with this group of girls who have been such a great part of my life for the past 15-20 years. yikes did I really say 20 years.

kirsten made a great white chili I must make again

White Bean Chicken Chili
Cook 5 min: 1 tbs. olive oil
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
Add and cook 1 min : 3 cloves chopped garlic
2 tbs. dried oregano
salt/pepper
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can of mild chilies
1/2 tsp ginger
Add and cook 5 min: 1 1/2 c chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 c white wine
Add and cook 10 min: 3 cups chicken - cooked and cubed
2 cans navy beans, drained (white beans)
1 1/2 c Monterey jack cheese
Serve: Garnish w/ more cheese and sour cream (optional)

I made mexi squash from sprouted kitchen
and fava bean crostini from dinner a love story
and there were some great pies made too...waiting for the recipes
photo via angela sendzik

roasted tomatoes

2011-10-21T20:43:00.001-07:00

best way to use up the end of the tomatoes - perfect to pull out this winter and top a pizza with!
oven 350 degrees
slice tomatos in half (works best with cherry tomatoes and small tomatoes like juane flamme)
drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper
roast for 45 min to an hour
makes your house smell lovely
and its decided I need a new phone WITH a better camera (these photos stink)
fine yes I NEED an ipad and laptop too
someday...
soon?

october 18

2011-10-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

little minnesota midget cantaloupes - fresh from the garden IN MN ON OCT 18 - LOVE IT!

these little guys were trapped under my fava beans so got kinda a late start but must grow these next year. fava beans probably not. they take up too much room and I just bought two big containers from whole foods for $3

OH and finding a huge zucchini also OCT18 was awesome - have a new zucchini banana bread recipe to try - perfect

Some random garden notes:
Next year try edamame and some pole beans - make another garden for squash, melons, and corn

I really liked the lemon cucumber - small cute little cucumbers.

TRUST my tomato plants - I got really nervous at the start of the season that they were too small so I ripped a bunch out that I had lovingly started from seed inside and replaced with store bought starters. Those store bought plants produced like 10 tomatoes total - my plants that I did leave is where I got almost all of my tomatoes this year! I think they still need more space too.

Peppers need more space too - really I just need another garden.

Ripped all the mint out before it takes over - plant some next year in the back flower garden instead.

More lavender.

Plant more garlic (did this already) and onions - lots more onions and carrots

and figure out where to plant more potatoes - tried in containers this year - not nearly enough. It was fun for the girls to dump the containers and dig through the dirt though so maybe still do that just for them.

perfect amount of swiss chard and kale

listen

2011-10-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

concert by laura marling on npr
(image from npr)

new to me

2011-10-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

la petite magazine
the adultish kids magazines are weird I think - but there are some great whimsical photography (also the weird serious moody shots) but great interiors too)

love this blog too frufly have to spend more time here soon

top photo via frufly
lower photos from la petite

love the suitcase stack big purple bin and those great radish monsters and a snowy purple print
another new to me odessa may (via youaremyfave)
oh and this new to me food blog a cozy kitchen (via simplesong)

WISH list

2011-10-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

brandon grotesque
reina
ando
guadalupe
cheap pine

No Coast!

2011-10-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

I got in! Dec 3-4 at midtown market

"The No Coast Craft-o-rama is a craft event that began in December 2005 as a way to feature a variety of designers, artists, crafters and other talented creators of unique handmade goods. It’s coming up in 2011 on Friday, December 2 (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, December 3 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Midtown Global Exchange building. Be sure to come by and see some of the finest artisans and crafters around."

time to start making! well need to finish a few freelance projects first but then....
AND a patina is opening a mile from my house YES!

Loving all the new music lately too - bjork- biophilia, wilco - love this song whole love, feist, civil wars, beirut the rip tide

lotta fabric!

2011-10-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

need some soon

cold feet

2011-09-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

winter boots, inside boots,rainboots, or the real rainboot.... or too cool to garden in? cheap brown boots for now or these

ran the lakes

2011-09-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

9.5 miles around lake calhoun, harriet and lake of the isles
time for the TC10 mile this weekend!

LOVE this lake branding project from nicole meyer - such a great idea - cant wait to see her logos for the minneapolis chain of lakes. originally saw this on randominspiration

haus

2011-09-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

these colors soon
LOVE michelle de la vegas mini house - she converted a garage into a house.
shes a seattle based welder/artist - love her steel geometrical sculptures too
photos: michelle de la vega

end of summer

2011-09-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

striped swimsuits, digging potatoes, planting lettuce, collecting worms, swimming, jumping off the diving board, secret parks, swinging, sliding, picnics, playing tag, watercolor outside, tomatoes more tomatoes, best tomato soup recipe ever...it was a good last couple weeks of summer. Now need some cool air to keep me motivated at my computer....

stepping stones

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

make our own? here
via pinterest
photo charlotte bladh

new cutting board

2011-09-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

now
from redonion works

flea

2011-09-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

we went to the ornoco flea market the other weekend
some good finds - but really just had fun looking
cool ideas - old tomato boxes - add a handle
chalkboard paint on bottles - really on anything. I am buying a can - watch out
I loved these old pieces of wood as a candelabra
home by novogratz just did a cool natural candelabra in their country home with a painted branch and nails - candles stuck on the nails.
great old matchbook collection
our finds:
mirrors will be painted and put in girls rooms I think as a little vanity desk? maybe
red container for art supplies
mermaid for r
love my vintage bottle olive oil pourer

bark at art

2011-08-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

my friend april put together this great poster show - bark at art - to benefit the pet project - 100% of door donations, and 80% of poster sales will benefit The Pet Project

The Pet Project helps people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling. The Pet Project also provides connections to basic veterinary care and information on finding pet-friendly housing.

Gallery 122 and The Barkery are teaming up to host a benefit for The Pet Project. “Bark at Art” will feature limited edition, signed and numbered prints by local and national artists that are inspired by our furry, four-legged companions. “BARK at ART” will run from August 19 through September 10, 2011, with a pet friendly** opening reception held on August 19, from 7-10 PM. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public. Guests are asked to help The Pet Project by bringing unopened bags of pet food, new/gently used supplies, or a suggested donation of $5.

This is my contribution inspired by my dog lulu. I used iron-on transfer on paper the ink melted a little which gave it the look I wanted and then hand-painted the word love in ink. Looking froward to this friday night - excited to take lulu for a night out!

beautiful

2011-08-16T13:20:00.001-07:00

a new to me area to explore - lake pepin in Wisconsin. I am doing some work for a client out there - which I will share soon. It is such a beautiful drive along the st croix river and 22 mile lake pepin - its a scenic byway so theres no advertising and the little towns along the way are so cute and felt european. Loved Stockholm and the little public blue cruiser bikes all over the "village". I see a fall camping trip in our future if we can schedule in some time seriously this summer needs to slow down.

a few of their favorite things

2011-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

finished my little colorado nephews list of their favorite things. They saw some of my lettering on my website and thought it was cool so of course I had to write a little poster for them. One of my nephews Sam even included me in his list of favorite things....I didnt actually put it in the poster - it was so sweet but for some reason I just didn't fit in with all the snowboarding and mountain favorites...

tattoos

2011-08-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

fun designy tattoos
swiss miss and her studio mates - top two designed by julia rothman

best birthday

2011-08-08T13:44:00.001-07:00

all day in the lake with my little ladies
waterskiing
late night dance party in the woods with my bro, sis, broinlaw, sisinlaw and hub
and a real late night dip in the lake
so fun
loving summer

we got in

2011-08-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

I think we all panicked a little bit - but it feels great to be running
feeling a little - very overextended these days - running is a good break as long as I can find time!
books for inspiration
born to run
unbroken
and a new running playlist -- to come soon
Ive been using mapmyrun for distance but would really love a garmin (I tried my sisinlaws and loved it.)

photo found on pinterest

signed up

2011-07-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

TC 10 mile
really hope we get in - team "in our 30s" we need it! My friend andrea and my husband...not sure he realizes I signed him up though... planning to run up north on our vacation to start training - though just checked the weather and its going to be a "scorcher"...hmmm at least my sisters strip and go nakeds will taste really good?

Garden & cupcakes

2011-07-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

Strawberries, garlic scapes, onions, lavender and herbs
I made this great pasta from honest fare last night - with all the peas and fava beans (I didnt plant enough - more this fall) used garlic scapes instead of garlic and my red onions instead of shallots. and some sprinkles cupcakes - its worth buying the mix for those cute candy tops and love the packaging - great for the play kitchen

this weekend

2011-06-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

mill city market
more peas (R&A eat all the peas before we even get out of the garden)
make strawberry jam - I really have that many this year!
tangletown for a tarragon plant
wise acre eatery for lunch? (pictures above from wise eaterys facebook page)
and try a fulton brewery blonde ale!
wash the windows (we have a huge cottonwood nearby so you cant even see out of our screens right now...)
make popsicles
make pizzas with a new crust
S W I M!
read
draw
picnic
play
not touch the computer?
make this dinner it really looks awesome!
and make these drinks...since finally summer heat has arrived!
oh yes listen to the fireworks all weekend from the backyard neighbors who have been lighting them off every night for the last TWO WEEKS.

oh yeah and weed the garden
but with a glass of rose right?

pinkish red jewels

2011-06-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

strawberries!
yummmmm!
seriously WHAT they selling in the grocery store...organic or not - you could eat a whole carton of those fake strawberries and not even get half the taste of one of our garden grown strawberries

good

2011-06-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

great article in good - 25 female designers/illustrators we love - lots from mpls too

illustration from lotta niemen
one of the artists featured
anne ulku - mpls designer's blog - need to check out more later

put a bird on it

2011-06-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

I cant use a bird on anything anymore without thinking of this from portlandia -

I made these little bird bags with homemade bird feeders (via xsaltwater kids) inside for our goodbye/thank you/happy summer gifts for the girls preschool and daycare teachers.

Also made fathers day presents with a more manly bird - both my dad and fatherinlaw love birds.

And really why stop there - its also the perfect baby gift bag!

seriously just put a bird on it!

house numbers

2011-06-14T18:41:00.001-07:00

these numbers would be great. I think a little california style for our MN ranch house is needed - once its painted out of its current country style later this summer!

Im inspired

2011-06-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

and I am so jealous katie kirk and nathan strandberg of eight hour day (husband wife designers) took a year off to travel and be inspired - they are keeping this blog of their trip and inspirations. I love that they split their inspirations as her and him. There's so many cool things about this project/adventure - wish we could do this! someday... anyways I think our next trip is austin and love these photos of public school's workspace in austin.....
Their stop in miami is reinspiring a trip again too - love all that old signage and great pattern...and need to see the raleigh and that pool soon.

AND need to check out creative caravan house swap sublet for creatives only

all photos from eighthourday blog

peekaboo

2011-06-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

forrest - the sequel to peekaboo barn - and its charley harpers! yes! by night and day studios
via eighthourday.com

our first salad

2011-06-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

yay! - little gem baby lettuce, baby arugula, french breakfast radishes, and flowering chives with an easy olive oil white vinegar s+p dressing
and my favorite first herb pasta
so easy and so good! gather all herbs that are ready
this combination was great - chives, oregano, basil, parsley, thyme and a little tarragon ( my new fave!)
cook pasta mix all chopped herbs with a little olive oil and parmesan - and a fresh salad - spring!

thank you!

2011-06-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

so fun to read sfgirlbythebay today - love this blog! and see my garden print featured in a guest post by stephanie of n.e.e.t magazine - also featured in the june issue - a great online magazine!

2011-06-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

I made a couple new games for the week - a color hunt - they pick a color out of an envelope and go hunt for it - it was a hit and to my surprise they made a new game of taking turns hiding the circles and finding them - love when a game becomes more than intended! The second is my scavenger hunt originally inspired by curly birds scavenger hunt. We havent played this yet may be a bit complicated but they will adapt it right? I drew pictures of things outside and will give them crayons to color the things the color they are and then they match to the color sheet....

great garden

2011-06-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

from my sisters trip to europe - not sure whos garden it is yet but Im pretty sure I need that glass house by my garden... and some pretty clean hedges - ok and Ill take that chicken coop and a few chickens

little girls

2011-06-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

great book series - rainbow fairies I bought the first book because of the title "Rubys the Red Fairy" - and didnt even realize it was a series...a great series. A little mystery, fantasy, color and imagination and small pictures on each page - a perfect engaging chapter book for a 4 year old (and sometimes a 2 year old) girls. Whats so exciting is there are more series with these sweet little fairies!

spring garden

2011-05-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

excited about my garden this year - seems to be so much more organized - probably because of my garden journal - it has been really helpful for planning. I put movable rabbit fences up and finally have pea sprouts, and fava and green bean sprouts! Ive never been able to grow those because of the stinking rabbits - so excited for that. Sadly, my tomatoes (that I grew from seed) are not looking that great - its been so cold here that I wasn't able to get them in the ground when I was thinking I would. Next year maybe I will build a true cold frame....or maybe not since really I can find any heirloom variety at the mill city market so I'm not sure its worth - we'll see what I think next winter when I am needing a little glimpse of spring and dirt...

We've been baking lots of rhubarb -
made these rhubarb streusel muffins (from smitten kitchen) that were really great
and this strawberry rhubarb crisp from honest fare - a new to me great food blog

more greats

2011-05-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

love these too - from pure green magazine

garden aprons- made from coffee sacks - inklore
cork ipad cases - ryan frank
bags and chairs made from old canvas paintings - swarm

house/cabin inspiration

2011-05-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

pure green magazine
so inspiring - I am in love!
found on poppytalk

some of my favorites -house inspiration
1. morgan satterfields california house
2. chairs from ecobilt
3. bash residence ranch remodel (in the first issue)
4. outdoor shower at stone creek camp in Montana (in current issue)
5. lagacio - wood entrance - wonder if that could be an exterior to cover out chimney?

photos from pure green magazine

fancy gloves

2011-05-25T09:17:00.001-07:00

for gardening at foxglove

thank you

2011-05-23T19:44:00.001-07:00

to kristina of lovely morning - a favorite blog of mine
she posted some of my garden prints - thanks
have to remember to check out this cookbook she has been loving too

new projects

2011-05-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

mike made this great table
we got an old piece of barnwood from the reuse center that mike sanded down (it wasnt painted so I think its ok...lead paint wise)
and a great poster from debbie carlos
and a table lamp from anthropologie
and finally finished our living room.
love it!

rainy morning

2011-05-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

the last for awhile I think
it was still kind of nice - we made baked oatmeal (from super natural cooking - but this link to the recipe is to another great food blog lottie +doof)
though I changed it a bit - used strawberries and blueberries and pecans instead of walnuts - and substituted 1/2 cup of the milk with cream - topped with a little cream and syrup when serving too - it was a rainy weekend day - you need a little more on days like that I think. We also made butter - I had never done that - just shake a jar of cream for 20 minutes. It was fun - I think I had more fun than the girls though - we baked some bread to put our freshly made butter on...I felt a little pioneerish

lets go!

2011-05-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

one of my favorite minneapolis garden shops tangletown is opening a farm to table resturant wise acre eatery
5401 nicollet ave s - in may...looking forward to it!

veggie burgers

2011-05-13T12:23:00.001-07:00

I made ultimate veggie burgers the other night - I hadn't made them in awhile - garbanzo beans, cilantro and broccoli sprouts all mushed together - then pan fried (the photo is before the pan fried part) - they are so good - so is heidi swansons super natural cooking everyday. Simple recipes but some new to me combinations to try . This cookbook came out at a great time for me - I was getting pretty bored with the end of the lingering winter/beginning of spring/longing for summer cooking phase Ive been in.

garden journals

2011-05-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

are finally printed and in my etsy shop!

I've wanted to make this journal for awhile now - it seems every spring I look back at my cryptic garden sketches and notes from the year before and wish I would get more organized about collecting my thoughts, designs, crop selections, specific and overall gardening information. I created this journal for that purpose. There are recommended headers throughout, but also lots of space to doodle and scribble garden notes and sketches in a more organized way!

love these

2011-05-10T12:59:00.001-07:00

aprons

save your seeds!

2011-05-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

seed saver envelopes (set of 6) in my etsy store
for gardeners to fill with their collected seeds from their garden at the end of the season and store for next year!

new books

2011-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

I really want!

oliver + s little things to sew, pattern - orla kiely, super natural everyday - heidi swanson tart and sweet - kelly geary and jessie knadler

first transfer

2011-05-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

last week - got 50 tomato plants transplanted to small pots - I was hoping to only have to do this once but they are already getting big and it is not warm enough out there in the garden for them yet. I had a couple helpers...I wish I would have had them do some mud paintings - next time.

rain rain go away

2011-05-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

unless....
new rain boots?
Ive decided green hunters - soon - love this photo from stephanie

but really need a rain break. please.
Though all this time inside has been helpful to finish up some of winter projects that were still lingering. Ive been listening to the tiny desk concert series on npr while while doing so which has been quite nice. (found via designsponge)

outstanding

2011-05-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

love their bus
and really like some of Jim Denevan's art - founder of outstanding in the field - that's why this event is put together so beautifully - I didn't realize he is an artist as well.
art from jim denevan's website - untitled (single line spirals)

easter

2011-04-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

it was a rough week - lots of flu in our house - including me. not fun.
R and I had to miss easter with our bigger families - but we did all dye eggs on the deck in the sunshine that afternoon and had a few egg hunts of course.
I am loving this huge tray from ikea - I have a feeling it will get a lot of use this summer!

great color

2011-04-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

so summery
love these colors - screen shot from anthropologies site a few weeks...months ago?

gardening

2011-04-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

had to be postponed today / but am getting excited to get some seeds in the garden - we got it cleaned up last week and woke all the worms up (with my little digging helpers). need to fence in a few of the beds this weekend (to keep the rabbits out) my tomato plants are doing well - a little leggy but I will just replant in a week or so - the first real leaves sprouted the other day.

taste test

2011-04-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

I am really liking the new etsy taste test - Its a little quiz - 6 etsy items are shown and you choose your favorite and this repeats about 8 times and based on your choices etsy compiles a list of items you may like and yes I do!
I made a treasury out of some of my favorite finds

kitchen necessities

2011-04-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

we decided to move back to the "necessities only budget"...yes this butter tray is essential and in my refrigerator - I think the milk bottle measuring cups are too....but I guess Ill wait on that one...

play

2011-04-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

new play dress - attached the bottom of an old scalloped tank top of mine to the top of a too small tank top of hers and sewed a little fabric belt around - the perfect cheap play dress...I kind of felt like Fraulein maria in sound of music making play clothes out of drapes.

and felt boards finally - stretched some white felt over a few wood frames I had for painting - hung them at little girl level - they love them.