Spring Ice

I've been feeling a bit antsy online lately,hence my absence. I think it's just the season change. There's a restlessness in the air just waiting for things to begin. A couple of weeks ago we had a huge snow storm. We went visit my brother for his birthday and ended up snowed in for 3 days. It was fun to be snowed in with friends.I'd like to say we reconnected playing old-fashioned board games by candlelight, but actually we cable-less folks enjoyed some premium cable allowing us to catch up on some Project Runway and to see all of the most recent season of Weeds without waiting for the release on dvd.

I was lucky enough to get the most recent issue of Dwell at the library. It's a really great issue. There's a great slide show of the George Nakashima Compound. If you watched the PBS series American Craft, you may remember a segment with his daughter. I also really loved the house based on a historic barn featured on the cover. It's such a beautiful combination of the modern and historic. My own house is so full of color and pattern,which is one of my favorite things about it. I love the exact opposite in this interior.

I now have some pieces in brick and mortar stores. You can find coterie pieces at one of my favorite spots, Cosmic Collectibles in Lakewood. They can also be found at Stash Style in Chagrin Falls.

There's nothing like some new music to usher in the new season. We've been listening to the Chris Walla cd as well as really,really enjoying Thao.
How much does it date me to say that she reminds me of Edie Brickell?

Take that spring

I spent yesterday working in the studio. I've realized that my idea that I could use the same table for jewelry and craft projects as I use for sewing, was not very well thought out. I'm never really at an ending point to clean up all that accumulates there, and even if I was I'm not sure where it would all reside while I use the table for sewing. I need to keep my eye out for something else. A lot of people sew on the floor, but I can't quite imagine how this works.Then again, I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. I listened to The Reindeer Section the whole time. It's been a really long time since I've listened to them. Whenever I put it on,after a long time, I always think,"Oh where have you been?". If you visit the site, I recommend listening to Your Sweet Voice. A wonderfully cohesive collaboration before Gary Lightbody was "discovered" by Grey's Anatomy.

sunshine

I realized as I posted this picture here, that I posted a nearly identical picture last spring.But, then I thought, isn't that was awaiting spring is all about anyway? Knowing and looking forward to that green bud we know will come year after year. Forcing a little green is kind of irresistible in February.

My last post I think I mentioned trying to get through February. Funny that it is the shortest month and yet it always feels the longest. I guess my silence means it's been a but of struggle. It's amazing what a say or two of sunshine will do for you. Even knowing that there will still be snow (last year we were snowed in on Easter, for crying out loud.), it just feels so good. Ramona and I have been out for long,long walks this weekend. It's time to lose that winter layer.

Here's a little B&S sunshine for you.

Maybe four years ago I remember listening to the Promise Ring's Wood/Water a lot around this time of year. Because of that, I always think of these lyrics when things show signs of thawing:
Spring cleaning's coming as we lose the cold weather
Put away your long johns and all your thick sweaters
We'll cut off all our winter hair
Sit out on the lawn chairs
As the sun forgets that we're here
We forget our career
All the lukewarm weeks at sixty degrees
We're hoping it's humid show our summer knees
Once in a lifetime once in a while the sun will shine on me

Grey Days

Is there a name for those endless days this time of year? My head is so achy and heavy and that I cannot for the life of me think of one. I can think of names for other times of the year but not this one.So, needless to say the weeks have been a bit long. It always makes me think of the Shins lyric, "The years have been short but the days go slowly by". I was listening to the Shins on repeat while finishing up some things for a Cleveland Handmade show at Silverthorne Gallery. (If you are in the area it's up until the end of the month). Maybe it was all the time spent in a VERY cold attic, but I've been sick all weekend. I am so.tired.of.being.sick. This has been a truly rough January.

The picture above was taken through one of my favorite candlesticks.
I have had my eye on them for quite awhile. I imagined them looking lovely on the mantle, but the realities of very thin glass on a mantle above a ceramic tile hearth and two cats and at least one very clumsy owner, it was not to be. After I broke one just minutes after arranging them, it was clear they needed a new home. Luckily they fit on the window ledge of the very high leaded glass window in the dining room. It turned out to be good decision because looking at the way the light shines through them gives me a lot of pleasure.



I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It's been a bit difficult to throw myself into a new book, after enjoying that one so much. This always seems to happen to me. I did score this at the library, so I'm trying to make a sewing goal for the month. Also, the I'm Not There soundtrack has been playing a whole lot around here. It's so,so good. In the meantime, I'll be checking Leya's blog to see what other people's solutions are to these days.

To Market

I know I've shared some pictures from the West Side Market before, but going there just makes me so happy. Besides, we did get a new camera for Christmas so these are much better. Devin took these. I was too busy looking for the best grapefruit.







It's crazy cold outside. I keep feeling like I should be baking or doing something industrious, but I can't seem to move from this very warm spot.

Primary Colors

Yes, Devin chose that cheesy,if appropriate title. I was feeling so good about blogging in the new year. And then I got the flu again. This time is was a different kind of flu. And by different, I mean the kind that leaves you ten pounds lighter. Ahem. Well, on to more pleasant things. I wanted to share this great coat rack that I found on clearance at Anthropologie. We both have an insane number of coats and jackets,plus grocery bags,etc., so additional hanging space was really needed. Plus,it's more immediate than where we normally hang our coats,which (hopefully) will help us resist the urge to pile everything on a dining room chair.


As you can see, the kitchen is bright yellow and white. Recently, red has become a regular accent color. I hope to share some more of the red in my kitchen,including another great Anthro clearance item.



I also wanted to share some of the handmade that was given this Christmas. Outside of my jewelry Hannah was the recipient of the most. This is the collage I gave her for her new apartment:



One of her other requests was for coasters that "look like your stuff". I was a little pressed for time and experimentation,so I actually used these with my own images. Here is one of them:


We enjoyed a big day out today, mostly full of fun for Ramona. Getting lots of attention while we make a return to JCrew, running off leash, hiking,and the dog park. Needless to say she's pooped. We're a little pooped too. Nose to the grindstone tomorrow,though because I have some sweet items for Valentine's Day to show you.

New Year = Cinnamon Rolls

I've been wanting to make a New Years post for awhile, but, as usual, I just write them in my head and never actually type them. We didn't do anything too exciting. We did watch Once, though and that made me very happy. I was so sick over the holidays that I feel as if I'm just now getting back in the swing of things.So, thinking New Year's thoughts, I came across Hannah's New Year post. It just seemed so perfect and included so many of the little things that have been in my mind, that I'm going to cop out and say read it for yourself. Besides, her blog is lovely.



I've been out of cinnamon since Christmas, which is probably why I was craving it so much. Having finally replaced it in my pantry, I decided that cinnamon rolls were in order for Sunday morning. I've never actually made cinnamon rolls before. I think I avoided them because I thought that their rise time was much longer and frankly, I'm more of an immediate gratification kind of girl when it comes to eating breakfast. As it turn out it's not bad at all. I used Nigella's Norwegian Cinnamon Bun recipe and it turned out great. These will be made again.


Norwegian Cinnamon Buns


Dough:
4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/4-ounce packages of yeast
scant 1/2 cup butter
1 2/3 cup milk
2 eggs

Filling:
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg, beaten to glaze

Combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Melt butter and whisk it into the milk and eggs. Stir into the flour mixture. Mix until combined and then knead dough until smooth and springy. Let rise in oiled bowl (covered) for 25 minutes.

Roll one third of dough into a rectangle and place in bottom of pan. Roll remaining dough into a large rectangle and spread with the filling mixture. Roll up from the longest side and cut into 3/4" slices. Place them on top of the dough already in the pan and brush with egg wash. Let rise for 15 minutes.

Bake at 450 for 20 - 25 minutes.



I had some help in the kitchen:


Later in the afternoon, we went to see Juno. You know when they call something the "feel good movie of the year" and you're not really sure what that is supposed to really mean? Well, I think that Juno really lives up to that cliche. Seriously, I was in such a great mood leaving that movie.

We're off to enjoy some of this crazy weather. I do appreciate not needing a jacket in Cleveland in January and yet it creeps me out big time. It just makes me feel weird. The wind doesn't help. Hopefully I can get this scaredy cat of a golden retriever to brave the gusts for a much needed afternoon hike.