Elizabeth Schuppe.

The artwork by Elizabethe Schuppe makes my chest hurt. I like every single piece I have seen on her website and flickr pages. It reminds me of me. Inside. I don't know if looking at a painting has ever quite made me feel like this before.





I learned about Elizabeth Schuppe through Katy Elliot. She recently reminded me of her again.

Thanks for sharing.

Spring Sprang.

Eames® Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Herman Miller®

This is the chair I want for the living room. Room & Board makes this one. It's not cheap.

Then there's this one. It's a mid-range copy.


Or, even this one. This is a pretty decent looking fake, right?


Personally I think the cheap one looks better than the mid-range, but check out how much better the Room & Board one looks. I'd like to use a word like Lush, but that reminds me of Dave and I feel guilty for even thinking that. I wish I didn't have such a materialistic tendency toward the authentic, the true designer-backed reproduction of the original, but I sense I'd feel the other one looking at me saying, I'm an impostor, every time I walked by it. Ah, is that worth $2,000? It's crazy, but to me it sort of is?

This is the argument then I present myself with. The classic, authentic, is a chair that will work in any home you have for the rest of your life. It will never go out of style, and if it's the "real" thing, made by a quality company that stands behind its products, you can trust that it will last. It has integrity, beauty and endurance. Plus it's made in Michigan!*

Then there's the cheap one. It's less than half the cost of the high-end. I wouldn't have a heart attack too bad if someone spilled on it, or Fatty and Blackie decide they need a scratching post. Once it was in the house and not sitting next to the other one, would you even notice? (I'd know). At least when the arm fell off or it lost a button, I could comfort myself with, Well it was never the real thing anyway.

For the record, I don't even have the cash to buy the cheap one. I just like to think about these things a lot. I like to think about dining room chairs a lot too. These kill me. They're almost $650 a piece.


In this case, I would sacrifice the integrity and the dream, though, for these. About 10% the cost of the chairs that would be perfect. So that would mean the good lounge chair would be worth it, right? I just saved about $2400 on dining room chairs.

This is what's on my mind. I want that $3600 chair and ottoman. I can hear my Mom in the background, whispering, Just get it, you know you'll never be happy with the others.

* I've noticed that just about every piece I look at at Room & Board is made in USA. There's a little map with the location highlighted and, Made in Michigan or whatever. It makes me feel better about spending too much money on trendy, over-priced furniture. Or rather, it makes me feel good that rich people are spending it, on stuff that's keeping Americans working.

Drink More Tea.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if this activity is the axis
on which the whole earth revolves.
Live the moment.
Only this actual moment is life.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Image by Jen at Simply Photo.

I'd like this bag.

Wouldn't this be perfect if it ever got warm and the sun came out? Doesn't it look like it just wants to carry magazines and sunscreen to the pool? It's from India Rose and just because I won't stop reminding you until it's over... ah... my birthday's coming up. Even closer than it was before, or even before that.

The Coop.

I was just looking through old emails to see if anything inspired me. So happy to come across these. Ever since that book showed up, I am kind of obsessed with the whole chicken thing all over again.

Three things are troubling me:

1. The life span. That means this is looking to be about a __ year commitment. Not so bad, if they are laying eggs all the time. But –

2. They supposedly have a rapid decline in egg production after the first 18 months*. What does this mean? Before that if you're getting, like, 80 eggs a week, it tapers down to 4? Or, are you getting a dozen a week and tapering to 1-2 every four months? I'm going to need to figure this out, and how I feel about the answers.

3. What's the deal with health care? I need to find out if any of my local vets care for these animals, and also how often they will need to visit. Well, and I guess I also need to find out if it's even an option keep them in my town, but I just have this strange feeling it is. Or could be.

Regardless of the answers, why do I still think having them would be so much fun? I can't even imagine the level of excitement I'd experience the day I brought them home. Joy. Glee. Delight.

Image from The Habit of Being.

These guys just got two chickens. They named them Ira and Clementine. How fun would it be to pick the breeds? And name them!? Get this: If you want to start with chicks, you can order them and they show up through the mail, just 2 days old, in a box cut with air holes, chirping away. Can you imagine? Then you have to teach them how to drink and lead them to their food. And keep them inside and under a heat lamp for about 8 weeks. You're thinking, What a pain in the ass, right? Me too kinda. But kinda not and maybe worth it?

I mean, get a load of this coop. Could it be any cuter? This one was from a Craig's List ad Kyle sent me months ago (he likes to torture me). How awesome is this!? It would fit in my backyard perfectly! (I'd make the run quite a bit larger).

What if... ?

*I read this in the last issue of Conscious Choice magazine, an article called "Yes, We Chicken".

Good Floor.

Floors like this make me happy. I have some pretty great floors that happened to come along with my new place, but if I had the means and/or the need to replace them, this kind of authentic broad plank thing would be my "go-to". I don't even know how you replicate it, but I beg anyone who has them to please restore, rather than replace. Thanks.

Image via somebody's, sorry I can't remember, Deco files ala Domino.

Rare Breeds.

Dark Indian Game

Yesterday I had a nice surprise. Someone had left a book between the screen and back door of my house, titled Rare Breeds – Endangered Farm Animals in Photographs. No clues, no note.

Wensleydale

I have been ever so slowly noticing my developing love for barnyard animals over the past, say, five years. I not-quite-secretly dream about living on a farm one day, or even having a couple chickens, right here in my suburban backyard. I wouldn't even say I'm particularly an "animal lover", and espeically not a "bird lover", but chickens and their diversities of color and pattern just make me crazy, and swoon with this strange need to have some.

Girgentana

I say not-quite-secret, because I have admitted this love to a handful of people. My brother has even gotten me the book Keep Chickens, and an old boyfriend once surprised me with Barnyard in Your Backyard, that describes the basics of caring for cattle, chickens, pigs, goats and sheep. But when this book showed up, I was truly baffled. The only people I could think that might come across it and think of me were either instantly ruled out (Katy and Steve), or live out of state, thus eliminating the option to hand deliver it.

Gloucestershire Old Spots

It's like a coffee table book, with large images and short descriptions, and all of the pictures and animals are great. Some even have what appears to be the owners standing proudly with them, letting you know that most are surprisingly are huge. I just love looking at them! The feet on the chickens, the hair over the eyes, the way the pigs look like they are smiling... So very great, and yet a complete mystery.

Aren't they wonderful? I'd love to show them all but so many were spreads and they wouldn't scan well.

Belted Galloway

What's really great is, as it turns out, I think the giver thought I would like this book, but probably had no idea I would love it. I can almost guarantee she has no clue that I daydream about putting a chicken coop in my backyard, an idea that would almost assuredly mortify her. But she did think I might use it as inspiration to paint or draw from, which I am sure I will. These pigs, chickens and cows are practically begging for it!

So thank you to Carolyn, my sweet friend, fill-in Mom, and a thoughtful artist herself.

Rare Breeds is introduced by Roger A. Caras, written by Lawrence Alderson, and photographed by Robert Dowling.

Rays.

Seems like everyone is anxious for evidence of springtime. Got this shot with the message, "6:24 and we still have 2 inches of sun above the horizon from the roof."

Snapped on a cell phone by my brother, just as the sun was about to set behind the mountain, the view from his rooftop deck.

Out of Africa.

A while ago, my weekend "to do" list included watching Out of Africa. This movie is from 1985, and it was nominated for and won a bunch of Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Music. I vaguely remember all the hype of it from back then, but since I was only in Junior High at the time, it passed way above my radar as a "must see".

My recent watch was maybe my second start to finish viewing. I did see it a couple of years ago, and then also stopped on it clicking through channels to catch a little bit here and there. It is a very long movie, so it's somewhat of a commitment if you decide to take it all in, but I highly recommend it. After seeing it again all the way through, I think it's one of my favorites. Without giving it too much thought, I might even put it on my list of Top 5, and definitely Top 10.

It is so beautiful to look at. The colors of the landscapes really get me, the expanses of space and movement of herds. There is a scene when Merle is combing through coffee beans on her farm that I just want to step into. The home and farm are amazing. I love all the details.


I love the bravery and strength of Merle Streep's character. The time period. The clothing. And while it is a love story, it's almost more a love story with Africa. I know I place a lot of emphasis on the look of a movie, so that has a lot to do with my appreciation of this one. Also, the movie's pace is slow, and I like how it grabs me and eases me through the story – a true story and an adventure.

Anyway, if you're looking for a lovely film to fill about 3 hours of a weekend or evening, I recommend it. Then tell me what you think.

Ready.

Haven't felt very verbal this week, I'm realizing, since all I seem to be doing is posting images. Back from a good dinner catching up with Tony. Now all I want to do is lay here under warm covers and think until I fall asleep. It's still so cold here, and I'm ready for Spring. Really, already.

This image by One Blue Wren on Flickr. It says to me, happy warm rain (not cold, sleeting snow).

Olivia Bee. Part 2.

This girl continues to amaze me. This photograph, taken with a disposable underwater camera, is so beautiful. I know I have a thing for underwater and pools, but really. I have added Olivia Bee to my Flickr list on the side because every time I go there, something moves me.

Good Morning.

I was doing a little browsing with my morning coffee and came across this capture. Nice. I love the greys and yellows.

Photo by Anpamuca on Flickr.

Um?

Image by me. In my front lawn. Tonight.

David Best.

*click to enlarge these photos if you want, because the details are wonderful*

Back in 2005, I took a trip from Orange County up the California coast, stopping along the way and ending in San Francisco for about a week. My friend David showed me all around the city. This was an outdoor sculpture by artist David Best for the Black Rock Arts Foundation.


Isn't it cool? It's made mostly out of recycled materials and took about a month to make. David Best is well-known for the temples he builds for the Burning Man festivals, and then, well, burns down. Incredible.

Dear Troy.

I did something I've never done before last night: I IM'd a complete stranger. Blah, Blah Blahg is a blog I only recently started browsing. I like it. Take a look. But I was instantly impressed with a new blog she linked to in one of her posts, Dear Troy's blog Empty Spaces.


It's image heavy, with short text notes of quotes or thoughts. The images killed me. I haven't seen a lot like this browsing. I wanted to learn about Troy and you know what? Seems like some other people do to because while there's not much in the way of a profile, he says in a post something like, If you want to know more about me, IM me, and he left his chat address.


I simply could not resist and added him to my contact list. I needed to know where he finds these pictures. When he came on last night, I threw all common sense about crazy interweb stalkers out the window and said Hi. Turns out he finds most of the images, like the rest of us, but some are also by friends, etc.


He also posts MP3s, which is how I just listened to Great Lake Swimmers for the first time. I clicked on it because of the name not even realizing it would play for me, and now I HAVE to get this music. So anyway, I'm a huge fan of Troy, and will make Empty Spaces, which is so not empty, a regular stop.

Sorta speaking of swimming, do you want know what I also did last night? Swam a set with paddles.

For those of you (Ruth) who don't know what that means, imagine thin flat plastic rectangular boards you attach to each hand using rubber tubing. They have some holes for relief, but they provide an additional resistance against the water so when you pull through, you get an enhanced version of each stroke. It's more difficult but it also propels you further, "distance per stroke".

Normally when I do a new exercise or mix up the routine in any way, it takes about 24 hours to suffer the results. It hasn't been 12 and I can feel this one already, which is a little scary. I think I can even feel it in my abs?!

Enoteca Roma.

Had another great dinner last night with Jacki and Elizabeth, something we've decided to start doing monthly. I had been to Enoteca Roma once before with Dinner Club, and I was curious if the restaurant was great, or if I was influenced by my company. The answer is Yes. The food was great, the conversation greater. In both cases.

This restaurant is no scene. It's so neighborhood, with the good food and good wine and good atmosphere, that it would be hard for me to have a bad time there. After we'd totally finished eating, there was no rush put on us to get out of there, which to me is the best feeling when I am out to eat, and so authentic to the way Italians do dining, that based on my two experiences there, bring me to the conclusion that indeed, I love this restaurant.

It is small, with tiny tables pushed and scrunched together. But they do expand into the bakery next door, so we never felt too packed in. They also have a large outdoor patio, and while it was way too cold to eat outside that night, they provide individual warm blankets if you opt to do so. The two guys next to us got their meals (whole wheat gnocchi) before we did and the scent of it made me weak with anticipation of our first course. The Polenta.

I would go back and make the polenta my main course if the circumstances allowed (i.e. I went with someone just to get the polenta). I think there were five combinations with one "special" of this dish. They bring it out all soupy in this ceramic crock and pour it onto this marble slab right at your table, then top it with the ingredients you choose. Ours was a white bean (I forget the name), tomato, prosciutto (chunks, not sliced) and fresh garlic and basil combination, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.

It "sets up" while you wait, watching the cheese melt on top, and then you use a spatula to bring pieces of it to your plate. I don't have a thing for polenta in general, but this polenta is to die for. Then we split our entrees on little plates. I got the risotto pescatora, since I can't for the life of me pass up an opportunity to eat scallops. Jacki ordered the pear stuffed ravioli with a Gorgonzola and walnut cream sauce, and Elizabeth got the skewered grilled prawns and tomatoes, over a bed of spinach in a light lemon "sauce". What a taste sensation of flavors, and what a way to have them all with a glass of wine (or 3).

I'd be crazy not to mention that the people I had both meals with at this restaurant MADE the meal. Our conversations were interesting, illuminating, insightful, thoughtful and just overall special, which never hurts when you're out to eat in my opinion. But to top it off, the establishment itself allowed us to do it. When we were sitting there with an empty table except for 3 ice waters for the last twenty minutes, I never once felt that I was imposing. The website describes the intention to fulfill a "desire to have a place like the ones I grew up with in Roma, Italy. A comfortable place, where you can have a great meal, and drink a glass of wine and relax". They succeeded. It was exactly what we did.

The conversation wasn't bad either. Yum.

I got SO distracted by the chatting that I completely forgot to snap pics of the rest of it, although, the polenta was the best, so maybe that's for the best too.

I Like Grass. (Me too).

Stumbled upon this Flickr pool, "I like grass". I too, like grass. I love watching it move in the breeze. Or large fields of it swaying in different directions. On one of the woods hikes I like to take, almost my favorite part is the open field stretch, any time of year. The dried and dying is as beautiful to me as the green and thriving. I love the colors and I love the movement and symphonic rhythm it creates.

Pictures of it aren't bad either, huh?

I think this is a great set to visit when you need to take a break. Well anyway, it's a great set for me to visit when I need a break, so I'm recommending it. These last two are a little more gratuitous. Sun spots and glare have become appealing to me recently, and I'm always drawn to a good barn scene. Can't you feel the dampness of that grass?

This last one depicts one of my favorite color combinations in nature. I noticed this first as a lifeguard, and now consider it a treat when it happens: Bright sunny day with a thick storm rolling in. The contrast between the deep dark grey against a sunlit green. I normally see it in tree leaves, but this field (with the maize as an added bonus) is so lovely too.


All images from Flicker pool "I like grass" by (top to bottom) Julius the Cat, Jason Benjamin, hn, Avarie Riot and Dingbat 2005.