Bavarian Bound

I'm super excited to report that today I'll be heading west to Seattle, then onto my hometown of Leavenworth, WA. I can't wait to soak up the fresh air and enjoy time with people I love over the weekend.  

I'll have a bit of time in Seattle, so I'm making a list of places to visit.  So far my old favorites of Vivace and Sonic Boom are at the top, but a nice meal might be up my sleeve, too. Any ideas?  

Signing off for the week, friends... take care and keep in touch! 

Very nice

Hand crafted and hand painted, what a pretty little thing this bike is.

Initials

I use my initials as my signature, and since I recently acquired an additional last name with getting married and all, I now sign all receipts and most correspondence as "stg".  All lowercase.  

I love this simple initial stamp made by our favorite French stamp maker.  Wouldn't it be fun to make homemade cards and stamp this on the back for a little personal touch?  So sweet. Plus, he makes face stamps, origami mobiles and his Etsy shop motto is "stuff made in France with love and patience".  How could you not shop from this guy?

Spring

Spring is my favorite season.  I find that most people name fall as their top choice for a season, but I'd have to say otherwise. I love butternut squash and wool sweaters just as much as the next person, but there's nothing like this time of year when life arises from the most unlikely places, almost as if from the ashes of the cold, dark oppression that is winter.

Springtime offers hope and life in its longer days, blooming trees and early flowers.  The faint pink of dogwood trees, bright yellow of the daffodil and the vibrant red of the tulip make me gasp with excitement inside-- knowing that life carries on, that the earth is living and breathing and that new days are ahead.  I'm so glad for that.

P.S. On my walk at lunchtime I put my favorite seasons in order: spring, summer, fall then winter.  So, according to this rather natural progression, things are about to move in fairly ideal direction.  How bout that!

BKFST

I submitted a photo from one of our many delicious breakfasts on our honeymoon in New Zealand to BKFST and it was published on the site over the weekend.

The breakfasts on this Tumblr page are so delectable that I find the only time to go look at this page is after a meal, otherwise it makes me starving.  Everything looks so damn yummy! The site is the ultimate source for brekkie/brunch inspiration, so if you find yourself in need of said inspiration, I highly recommend a stop over.

If you have a delicious breakfast photo, submit it here!

Have a super lunar weekend!

Look east tonight as the sun sets west, friends!  It's gonna be SUPER.  Have a good one!

P.S.  We're in the "Paris of PA" as Ryan calls it...aka Pittsburgh.  I love it!

Morning

This great print reminded me so much of home, old friends, cold mornings in the mountains and all things puffy.  I'm thrilled to be headed back to the mountains in just a mere two weeks.  I've been missing home.

Olo

Have you ever wondered what victory and lightning smell like?  What if the smell was combined with that of a wolf or a paw?  Here's your chance. 

Gone Dutch

This delicious savory bread pudding was last night's dinner; a great way to use up that big loaf of French bread we never got around to eating, and of course, a perfect occasion to use our new Dutch oven.  

Cooking out of cast iron is becoming a bit of an obsession for me lately.  I love how heavy and raw the pans feel, and that you're not to use soap, but hot water and a nice scrubby brush for cleaning. I've even heard great stories about making bread in a Dutch oven and also love the idea of taking it car camping once the weather is a bit nicer out.  I can't wait for spring.  

Have a good one.

It's been a rough week, but it's over now.  Between the tragic loss of a truly wonderful old friend from my hometown, combined with the unrest in the Middle East and the earthquake in Japan, I'm tired. But, tonight I'm celebrating the comfort of the weekend ahead and the fact that I am healthy, employed, loved and that I am alive. What a gift that I so often take for granted.

I hope you have a good weekend.  And don't forget to tell someone you love them! xo

Smaller and smaller

Friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. It's a smaller world than I thought, at least when considering all of my overlapping connections in South Africa.  There's such amazing craft and design there right now, it makes me want to go back in a heartbeat!  

Love

These little birds.  

Pure Magic

Potatoes, heavy cream, butter, salt and pepper.  Potato gratin.  There could not be simpler, more delightful dish out there.

Have you ever baked heavy cream before? Let's just ponder the pure magic of that thick, bubbly, golden-brown goodness that transforms in your oven over the course of an hour. When in need of a little comfort and a little magic, please- trust my gut and make this delicious potato gratin recipe. Serve with a filet of fish and a nice, big green salad; for brunch alongside poached eggs, or my recommendation- straight out of the pan while you watch girly movies.  Make it when all you have is potatoes and cream.  Just make it!

Did I mention this entire recipe calls for just potatoes, cream, butter, salt and pepper?  I digress....  Please, go make this for yourself and for someone you love.  Found here.

Have a Creamy, Brothy, Earthy, Hearty Weekend

My heart is mending.  And my taste buds rejoicing over these simple, perfect recipes.  Hope your weekend is cozy and filled with something warm and delicious. 

How many is too many?

I thought handmade this bag was just beautiful.  All the detail- multiple kinds of leather, chunky zippers, a thick, mahogany colored wooden handle and the use of asymmetrical lines...!   Love it.