Complete!

If only my photography skills were better...

This will live at my parent's until the day I drive from VA to CA to move into my future new house.  Who knows when that will be!

post holiday project

So Christmas came and went... and now back to all sorts of reality. 

I bought this dresser for $45 when I was living in New York.  I loved it, but had to store it when moving across the country.  Almost two and a half years later, the dresser has fallen apart.  It has traded hands a number of times, been forced in and out of cars, and the structure has given out.  My project for today is to clean it, reinforce the joints, and fix the top.  More pictures later when I've made progress. 

Rental Woes

Although living in a rental affords me the flexibility to move and try out new jobs and cities, renting does have its downsides.  Recently I've been visiting with friends who own their places and I have been reminded of my two main I-wish-I-didn't-have-a-landlord grievances. Number One:  I'm increasingly unhappy living with white walls.  I frequently consider how I would repaint my rooms and every so often take out a swatch and dream.  And sometimes I see outside inspiration I wish I could use.  Example: When watching Doubt the other day, I was completely taken with David Gropman's production design.  In particular I loved the green he used in the principal's office:It would look fabulous with my black/white/red color scheme in the den.  Sigh, I'll have to keep dreaming for now.  Even if I was allowed to paint, I'd really rather not deal with laboring over painting and repainting a temporary residence.  Second woe-is-me-I-can't-own-in-this-overpriced-city complaint:  I can't have pets!  Although I would much rather have a dog, I've been enjoying hanging out with my new friend Walter in Virginia: 

He was very interested in the computer cursor.  Now he is curled up asleep, and I might be able to knit without him attacking my yarn. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  I'm looking forward to meeting up with my brother, returning the rental car, and beginning the family festivities.  Hope you are too!

Preparing for New Years

Although champagne flutes are today's standard glassware for bubbly, I really prefer these gold rimmed antiques.  I gave a set to friends as an engagement gift:

Whether you are drinking brut or prosecco, wouldn't you love to sip out of these sophisticated glasses?  Added bonus: not only are they classy, but the wide mouth makes them easier to hand wash.  

The weather cleared up here today, but sadly I left the camera at home.  Sigh.  Perchance more farm pictures tomorrow.

Raining Cats...

Despite the drizzly, grey weather, I went for a long drive this morning to soak up rural Virginia. Lost myself on the country roads and saw this sweet dog playing King of the Mountain.  He even had a friend (just out of frame) looking up admiringly.The farms around Charlottesville are beautiful and varied: from horses to apples and everything in between.Grabbed lunch at a gourmet gas station (yes, I know that makes no sense but you just have to believe me) and returned to my sweet friend's house.  Came across her succulents enjoying the spritz in a pair of loved and repurposed boots.

AND Just the other week, I was reading about conserving water with rainwater reservoirs. Was so pleasantly surprised that my friend installed these water tanks under her gutters.  Although they aren't the most attractive addition to a house, they certainly would help save water and money.

Wish I had been able to take more photos of the countryside... but one really must be in the country to appreciate it.  Was glad I didn't let a little rain keep me inside today.  Off to watch "MILK" then have dinner with a wonderful old friend.    

Great Gifts

My sweet, sweet friend (and go-to garden guru) sent me a Christmas package containing adorable gardening tools: shears and a hand shovel!  Isn't this pattern pretty?  

Used the shears right away to harvest the rest of my basil's leaves.  Made a delicious pesto for dinner and wished my friend had been here to eat with me!

New Planter Project

When I moved from New York to San Francisco, some carpenters built this crate to fit my grandmother's lamp.  My landlords accepted the delivery and nicknamed the crate "the coffin." It sat idly outside my apartment for a year before finding a place on the porch below (upside down, serving as a bench).  I brought it back to my SoCal apartment and am going to turn it into a vegetable planter.  

Step 1- drill drainage holes in the bottom

Step 2- paint the outside (color suggestions welcome)

Step 3- place down a layer of gravel, then fill to the top with potting soil and chicken manure

Step 4- plant away!!  

I may not be able to attack the project until January, but I will post my progress.

Oh... and remember the dead parsley and cilantro I posted about?  One of the plants has come back!  I'm amazed.  It sprouted while I was away this weekend.  I'll have curly parsley before I know it.

Dreaming of a white Christmas

It is still raining near Stanford, so when I received a video greeting from UVa today, I was instantly envious.  

I feel it in my fingers... I feel it in my toes...

Nothing better to beat the chill than to spend time with good friends.  Got out of the rain and went to a lovely dinner party this evening.  The menu included a cheese plate, fresh veggie salad with lemon-garlic vinaigrette, fennel and onion encrusted pork loin, squash-arugula risotto, garlic green beans, multiple bottles of wine, and brownies.  All of the cooking and laughing steamed up the kitchen windows, and we couldn't resist drawing in the condensation:

The candle centerpiece:

Hotel Presidente outdid me with their Christmas tree:  

It was a great mid-December gathering, and now it is time to sleep off the meal!  

Ferry Market

As promised, here are photos from the San Francisco market.  Luckily the rain didn't really start until today.

Blue Bottle drip coffee: perfect to wake and warm you.

I neglected to snap a photo of the lavender booth, but I did buy a beautiful and fragrant dried bouquet.  Have the perfect vase for it back home.  Drooled over the fruit, but left with only a baguette and some cheese.  

We caught these Santas using public transpo (maybe the reindeer union is on strike).  I believe they were headed to the SF Santa Bar Crawl.  A few hours later, I'm sure some of them were missing their hats, coats, or pants... 

Friday into Saturday

Tis the season for holiday parties and last night we went to a great one in downtown San Francisco.  Instead of driving back home after imbibing, my friends and I stayed in the Hotel Kabuki.  The best perk might have been the Japanese room service: sashimi, breakfast bento boxes, tea... delicious.

Spent part of this morning at San Francisco's Ferry Terminal Farmer's Market.  The tastes and smells have no parallel.  (Took many photos that I will upload once I am back with my camera cable)  While at the market, I found this great book "Grow Organic" - extremely informative about dealing with pests, fortifying soil, container gardening, and just about everything involved with organic farming.  I'm going to spend a good portion of this afternoon wrapped in a sweater and reading up!

File Away!

Accomplished a lot today in preparation for my holiday travels.  Although it was imperative, I spent a portion of this evening organizing 2008 receipts and bills.  Now I'm all ready for tax time.  An attractive filing system always makes the job a little more bearable!

Making do...

I have been slowly cleaning out areas of my apartment - the closet, the craft room, the pile of magazines, etc.  The other day while trying to find an elusive ingredient (shifting cans and boxes around in my cupboards, cursing the disorganization), I realized that the kitchen was much neglected.  After inventorying the cupboards (a mini version of Trader Joe's), I decided to start cooking with the items I had at home.  To start, I made two loaves of pumpkin bread.  While they were in the oven, I started a nice slow cooker chili.  Even the UPS man commented on how great the house smelled.  I meant to take photos, but I was so efficient, I cleaned up before I had the chance!  You should see my cabinets though.  A little more spacious now... 

There's no place like home...

So obviously my blogging zeal has slowed down.  Having completed Deadline #1, I have started to procrastinate on my procrastination. (yes, you read that right) 

But onward my friends!  I'm overwhelmed with distaste for my current city and have a general yearning for rural Virginia.  Until you hear from me again, I'll be buried in this book:

Or drinking some sort of cocktail I suppose...

Bacon!

A few weeks ago, I went to a great restaurant in West Hollywood called Hedley's.  The bacon was too beautiful not to record.  Enjoy... and dream of bacon.

I'm off to watch Slumdog Millionaire.  A more substantial post tomorrow.

A Fine Saturday

Dinner at comme Ca last night was fantastic: oysters, cheese plate, amazing burger, and tasty cocktails!  After sleeping in, I spent today working on the garden.  This time, I planted marigolds and am hoping that the planters will soon be home to gorgeous flowers like these:

Also discovered the joys of bread pudding tonight.  I simply must try the recipe out for Christmas.

Home Improvements

Quick post.  Must dash off to pick up a dear one from the airport.  We're celebrating the anniversary of the end of prohibition tonight (I know, I know... I don't *really* need an excuse) so who knows when I'll get around to blogging tomorrow.

Made my deadline today AND made improvements to a piece of furniture.  What fun!  Bought this little cabinet months ago off Craigslist for $20.  The top was (and is) warped and the finish had eroded.  For a while I draped a piece of fabric on it to disguise the imperfections, but the dining room has started to become too "busy."  So I used glossy black paint to revitalize the surface.  Whenever I do get my country house, I'll invest in a real sideboard, but I'm fairly pleased with this for now.   

My next project might have to be finding a professional to fix the tiny lamp.

Growth

I am listening to Bonnie "Prince" Billy and working to make tomorrow's deadline.  Here are some shots of the container garden.  

Beets:  

Carrots:
Revived Chives (planted some seeds around the perimeter of this pot.  if you look closely, you can see tiny sprouts):
More tomorrow... 

Envying Rural Living

Today I am making some progress and found this gorgeous tailgate picture while doing online research.  I'd love to live in the country and have an old (but operable) truck.Gardening update:  I know you've been concerned...  Carrots and beets have sprouted; lettuce is overrunning the downstairs bed; and my chives and mint fully bounced back.  Planted coriander and parsley seeds in the graveyard of the mature plants and hopefully marigolds will grow in the pots that formerly contained lavender and basil.  Photos soon!

Hable & Editorial Comment

Organized my closet yesterday and was reminded how much I love these Hable Construction storage boxes.  

They are a nice alternative to plastic or cardboard storage containers.  If you sign up for Hable's emails, they apprise you of upcoming sales --- helps to take some of the bite out of the cost.

As a side note-- in writing about such trivialities, I'm not attempting to ignore the bigger issues in the world today (recession, Mumbai attacks, etc), but I am trying to point out things that can help me stay positive and to keep me moving forward in light of such events.  I fully acknowledge how inconsequential these posts may be and trust that my readers spend ample time consulting multiple and varied news sources.    

Man's Best Friend

Received a sad phone call today.  My sweet bird dog Patt is being put down this evening.  The old girl is close to seventeen years old and her body has given out.

She will be missed.

Thwarted by Thanksgiving

Sorry for the lack of posts.  Resuming my duties today!

Recent Procrastinations:

- finding and decorating a Christmas tree (see below)

- touring little brother around Los Angeles with pit stop at the Polo Lounge and Santa Monica pier

- trip to Coronado

- drinks at the Edison downtown

Future Procrastinations:

- booking holiday travel

- cleaning out closet

- organizing receipts

- mailing Christmas cards

- buying presents

Pushed my writing deadline to Friday.  Procrastinating will have to wait....  

A little goes a long way...

Besides the sky turning dark at 5pm, this wreath is one of the few indicators of the upcoming Holiday Season.   Living in Southern California, I sometimes need a reminder about what time of year it is! 

Hoping to convince my Thanksgiving guests to help decorate the apartment for Christmas.

A Productive Sunday?

Although I wish I could spend today like this sweet dog I saw at Porter Bass Winery, I have to get down to work.  More procrastination tomorrow!

   

Living Green?

Inspired by Alice Water's The Art of Simple Food and the current economic state, I decided to try my hand at some herb gardening.  Luckily my mother was visiting from Virginia, so I had her experienced green thumb working to my advantage.  We went to the local nursery and picked out chives, basil, mint, lavender, sage, parsley, cilantro, and a few packets of mixed lettuce seeds. Together we pruned the existing plants in my patio area and planted the newbies. Everything was growing great and seeming to acclimate until I left for three and a half weeks.  I came back to find that although the plants in the ground were thriving-- 

Including two maidenhair ferns that I swear were beyond all hope when when we transplanted them from their pot-- 

And my little random lettuce seeds have sprouted making them a successful experiment so far--

My potted herbs were dried out and seemingly dead.  I gave them all a healthy dose of water and cut back most of the dead stems.  Keeping my fingers crossed that they will spring back.  

My bromeliad is on its last legs as well.  No idea what to do for this guy.

But this blooming rose bush gives me gardening hope and is the reason I've made the plants today's amusement.

Gardening advice welcome and appreciated.  I want to save my little guys!!  

Is this Taboo?

Two blog posts in one day...

  

I spent the other morning driving around in search of gorgeous vistas (procrastinating of course) and wound around Skyline Blvd -35- to La Honda -84- and up the 1 to Half Moon Bay.  At one point I came across this red barn sitting peacefully in a clearing:  

Stopped, sat on the trunk of my car, and quickly painted this: 

Obviously I took artistic liberties.  And although I planned to continue working on it, I like the innocent "folk arty" nature of the piece right now.  Three cheers for amateur art and exploring the outdoors.