shop update

new breakfast card sets in my etsy shop. don't have time to update my new shop, so this is where they will live for now. more new things coming soon!

success

finally, a culinary success story. i made a delicious chunky lentil soup from super natural cooking. it is really hardy and delicious.
here's the recipe:

1 1/4 cups green french or black beluga lentils, rinsed
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cups diced butternut squash {1/4 inch dice}
1 {28-ounce} can crushed tomatoes
1 cup water or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
pinch of smoked paprika or chile powder {i used both}
torn fresh basil leaves, for garnish
freshly grated parmesan cheese, for garnish

bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan, add the lentils, and cook for 20 minutes, or until tender.

meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy soup pot over medium heat, then add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. stir in the squash, tomatoes, and water and continue cooking until the squash is tender, about 10 minutes. drain the lentils and stir them in, along with the salt and smoked paprika. let the soup return to a gentile dimmer, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

serve, topped with basil, parmesan, and a drizzle of oil oil.

serves 4 to 6.

*************

look at this beautiful look book {via innumerable goods}.

this looks like a fun book. see more here.

and check out these 2 new etsy shops...so exciting! here and here.

speaking of shops, i will be updating mine later this week. can't wait!

easy like sunday morning

have you ever had one of those days where you just want to stand in the shower forever? it has definately gotten cooler here and a hot shower felt amazing. i am slowly easing into this day. i was looking through the new saveur magazine and could not resist posting this great photo of chicken and dumplings. it is such a comforting food and really reminded me of my childhood. my mom always made the best chicken and dumplings.

what food reminds you of your childhood?

p.s. there is also a great article about the splendid table thanksgiving show in the issue.

fall beauty

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Untitled, 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled

black and white

time for a little snack and some light reading. the elle decoration uk is really great this month {november issue}. i love these black and white images from emma lee. the photos in her portfolio are so gorgeous.

i also love the glass pieces in the top photo. the carafe is from maiden and the tumbler is from thorsten van elten.

when i typed 'maiden' in google, this was the first link. i don't know why, but i found it so funny, i guess because it was so far from what i was looking for. ha!

i have heard good things about this movie. i can't wait to see it.

one more thing:

i am joining in the fun of the pay it forward exchange.

here's how it works: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. i first saw this on sandra's blog and i joined in through heather. how fun!

finally

above photo from tara sgroi.

it is finally starting to feel like fall here today. yay!

i am on the search for the perfect wide leg jean. not too high waisted, but not too low waisted either. let me know if anybody has any suggestions.

on my search today, i stopped in the gap and i kind of fell in love with this cute shirt. i really want the navy, but they did not have my size left. maybe i will have to investigate another location.

i have some more photo links to share today:

tara sgroi.

daniel jackson.

i wish i was the moon.

hello there.
just got back from a walk to the grocery store. it is such a nice night. i love walking home after the sun has set and looking at the moon. no matter what is going on inside my head, looking at that moon always brings me back to the present moment.

i had a relaxing weekend, doing only things i felt like doing. i bought some much needed supplies and am excited to start making some new things that have been whirling in my head. my goal is to have some new things in the shop around november 1st.

i had two failed baking attempts. i am really addicted to ginger cookies lately and i tried to make my own. they were made with 3 kinds of ginger: fresh minced, ginger spice, and crystallized. but, somehow they did not come out gingery enough.

i also tried to make a tart-like dessert with pears, walnuts and a polenta crust. not so good. i think it needed more of something...spices, honey, something. again, not tasty enough for me. i love trying new recipes, but i love it more when they taste good.

so, i will leave you today with lots of beauty, all in the same place:

judith miller inc. be sure to check out stylist christine rudolph and of course photographers mikkel vang and marcus nilsson.

it's all about circles.

i am loving circles lately. i'm seeing them everywhere.

especially in my flickr favorites:
repotting.

film:at the farm.

untitled.

moment.

happy saturday!

sorry, no photo today.

feeling a little out of sorts this week. trying to keep up. trying to be inspired. trying to make it to the weekend. here are some bits that are helping me:

:: the photos of the beautiful fall collection at mociun by kara healey.

:: these sweet prints.

:: this studio tour.

:: seeing my photos on the plait website.

:: this visually amazing movie.

:: these amazing photos by daniel augscholl.

until next time...

cookie time

did a little baking this weekend. i made some cookies using heather's recipe. they are so good. nice and hearty. i gave some to a friend and kept some for myself.

just time for some links today {some great food photographers}:

wolfgang schardt.
oliver schwarzwald.

hello friday...a little early

thought i would get an early start on my friday favorites since i missed last week.

oh, how i love to look at them all together. sigh. this one is all about the woods.



1. Drinking Soda, 2. Untitled, 3. .65, 4. my favourite shot of the day, 5. Untitled, 6. it's quiet in the woods

and this one is all about my favorite things: food from the farmer's market, sweet home-made gifts, flowers, and snacks with hot beverages. so cozy.

1. Untitled, 2. his & hers, 3. Untitled, 4. hello*

a few links:

:: i love these sweet little dress paintings {thanks, sarah}.

:: great portraits.

:: this is an amazing project and book{via hoping for happy accidents}. here is the idea behind it. i wonder if it is available to purchase anywhere in the us.

have a happy friday and weekend.

things i love

above images from live wire farm.

today, things i love:

: these beautifully hand-crafted items from live wire farm {via bluelines}. the photos and styling are gorgeous as well.

: these shoes.

: all this wonderful linen for sale.

: all the talk of the nordic bakery. see more images here and here.

: all things pumpkin {and gingerbread}. this is making me so hungry!

and thank you all for your very kind comments about my new site.

happy evening.

something new

i am excited to announce...i have finally finished my new simply photo site. i also have a new set of 4 photo prints available. it is called autumn harvest. see it here.

i hope to be adding more items soon. thanks for taking a look!

++++

meet up

i met up with some lovely ladies this weekend. it was so much fun. it is always good to put a face with people you feel like you already know. we laughed a lot and talked about travel, ideas, and

looked at lots of pretty things. renee suggested this store, an off-shoot of butter which is filled with beautiful things at reasonable prices {for designer duds} . you should check it out if you are in the area.

take a look at the beautiful photos meg has been shooting lately. really wonderful.

also check out the new work on janne peter's site. love the dark tones.

i have been working very hard on something new to show you. i hope to be finished very very soon. maybe i will show a sneak peak tomorrow.

have a nice evening.

i finally ordered my copy of glimpse. it is a magazine created by jordis anderson all about flickr. it is so fun and beautifully layed out. get yours here.

have a great weekend.

xo

lets travel to...

sydney, australia with deborah {blog : flickr}. click here to see a larger view and to read what deborah has to say about sydney. i would love to visit there one day!

photo love

love love love these photos from noele lusano. i really love her style and the richness of her colors and creamy whites.

i also love the illustration work of jenny bowers {via happy cavalier}.

stay tuned this week for another "lets travel to..." post.

have a good evening.

vintage inspiration

fall inspiration from my archives. these photos are from donna hay autumn 2005.

i love browsing the new arrivals in this seattle store via flickr. i love black tights with brown shoes.

and how cute is this {via shari}!

look at the wonderful alyson fox prints in the new shiny squirrel shop.

so much to see in early october! have a good day. more inspiration tomorrow.

fall update

hi everyone,

i have done a little autumn update to my inspiration wire. it's time for rich colors and warmth. you can see more here.

this week will be all about what is inspiring me for fall.

to start off, lets do a little baking. oh, and i know i want to try this.

i'm off to another early start, have a great day!