feeling under the weather...

but is there anything
saltwater, rosemary and patchouli
can't remedy?


i don't think so.

poetry and coffee

gifted mukluks.
cold coffee.
woolgathering.
and poetry on vinyl.

**

the walls and doors.
rattle in the wind.
i'm thankful.
and warm.
inside my chamber.

**

this song is the soundtrack.

winter afternoon

jars of dried rosemary.
and midwifery study.

the smell of roasting olives.
& roasting beets.
in the air.

preparing for a big snow tonight.


a winter afternoon.

currents...

my days.
have been a revolving cycle.
of.

dylan records.
documentaries.
research.
marathon training.
nephew visits.
whole food runs.
bread baking.
AM yoga.
fried egg + avocado sandwiches.
and the possibility of becoming a midwife.


the current is fast.
but i feel calm behind my oar.

tartine.

after a year of reading this book.
and multiple viewings of this video.
i finally mustered up the gumption.
to attempt tartine bread.

first.
i mixed a starter.
and then i studied it.
fed it.
learned its pattern.
and its smell.

and when it was ready.
i made a leaven.

and then a dough.

and then.
this morning.
with snow gently falling outside.
i made a loaf of bread.

a good loaf.
with a thick, crunchy crust.

and i sliced into it.
still steamy and warm.
from the oven.

and i slathered it with cherry preserves.

and i wrapped a portion of it.
in brown paper.
for my sister.

and i went to sleep.
after a long night of working.
with the scent of fresh bread.
still hanging in the air.

little things.

so many little things.
just beneath the surface here.


freelance projects.
bread baking.
west coast trip planning.
first birthdays.
walnut wood.
sherlock holmes.


the quiet calm of life.
bubbling with content.

winter quiche

temperatures here have been mild.
balmy even.
and they've left me unsettled.

there's something about january.
that begs for the crunch of snow.
beneath your boots.
and
clouds of your own breath.
in the air.

i'm anxiously awaiting spring.
and my hands in the warm earth.
but i wouldn't mind a small flake.
or two.
in the meantime.

***

it did seem a bit cooler this morning.
my feet feeling chilled on the kitchen tile.
and so it was perfect.
that i had already planned on making brooke's quiche today.

i rolled the overnight dough out on the table.
and filled its shell with:
sauteed kale, mushrooms, and garlic.
herb-laced eggs.
and sliced peppers.

the warmth from the gas stove.
permeated the house.
and the smell that wafted from the kitchen.
was divine.

***

the sun hasn't really peeked from the behind the clouds.
so i plan on staying in awhile this morning.
big slice of quiche in hand.
while i curl up to enjoy the rest of this.

***

here's to a day that nearly feels like winter.

discovering skyr

on a whim.
i went to whole foods after work the other morning.

the aisles were uncharacteristically vacant.
the flowers fresh cut.
and the loaves of bread still warm.
and steamy.

as i was leisurely exploring.
i came across this yogurt.
and in keeping with the spirit of spontaneity.
i bought a few flavors.

i came home.
peeled one open.
drizzled a touch of honey on top.
and immediately fell in love.

far and away.
the thickest.
most delicious.
yogurt i've ever tasted.

spoonfuls of bliss.

***

also:

been watching this addictive british masterpiece.
reading this simple, beautiful book.
and melting into winter landscapes while listening to this.


***

simple cheese.

made cheese today.
with joni mitchell remakes and old bluegrass playing.
such an easy.
and utterly fulfilling process.

as i stretched and shaped the mozzarella.
i found myself asking:

why did i ever buy this from a store?


simple.
delicious.


will definitely do it again.
and soon.

goat cheese.
perhaps.

oats & outdoors

vanilla bean steel cut oats.
and more fresh grapefruit juice.
this morning.

followed by an afternoon.
in bean boots.
raking near-frozen leaves.
and collecting lovely pieces.
of found cherry wood.

my mind is overwhelmed with ideas.
for my next carving project.

the morning after.

the holiday was lovely.
all lights. and love.

i spent the morning.
packing up ornaments off the tree.
and sipping fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

the weather is so mild.
a warmish winter.

a mast brothers christmas

gifted myself some delicious
mast brothers chocolate.

perhaps i'll indulge in a corner.
tomorrow night.

flannel pajama-clad.
in the light of the christmas tree.

apple verbena jam + sharp cheddar grilled cheese.
fresh coffee.
the new issue of kinfolk.
and thick knit socks.

a combination culminating into wintery bliss.

rosemary wreath

made these last night.

so simple.
so festive.


the house still smells like fresh cut herb.

snow + brunch + twinkle lights

chicago was magical.

all awash with:

gently falling snow.
farm-fresh brunch.
and midnight twinkle lights.


christmas was palpable in the crisp air.

i feel thankful & refreshed.

***

ps: loving this christmas song.

a winter weekend.

there's something about the sparsity of winter.
that leaves me peaceful.
at rest.

it's as if the frozen air.
is the only kind that ever really gets all the way into my lungs.
i breathe.
and for a few months.
i can see every breath.

*

on my way to chicago again.
for the whole weekend-- this time.
no agenda.
no strategic plan.

just hot cider.
cold evening walks.
family-style dinners.
and christmas cheer.

happy weekend.

maple syrup and winter snow

snow fell today.
the perfect little winter dusting.
coating sidewalks.
and tree branches.
and porch railings.

i curled up in a fluffy flannel sheet.
and drizzled this yummy syrup.
over steel cut oats.

the perfect morning.


headed for chicago today.
bon iver in the windy city!

it's the stuff christmas dreams are made of.

ushering in winter

lately:

lemon + honey + ginger syrup tea on cool mornings.

l.l. bean boots on frosty evening treks to work.

christmas records & the tree rising.

:: saturday bliss.

(loving this!!)

my saturday:

oatmeal, milk & honey smoothie breakfast.

yoga.

5K training (week 3--woot woot!)

weekend grocery run.

"cook-luck" with friends.
(theme: "yo mama": cooking a favorite dish your mom makes)



deep breath. sigh.
its a beautiful weekend.

:: the distance

{via}

i've done something i never thought i'd do.

i signed up for a 5K.

as a young girl who hated to jog even 1 mile in gym class--
running in a marathon-type race was always
out of the question.

then last week--
while driving to work-
i passed a billboard for the detroit marathon.
and something clicked.

i wanted to do that.
i would do that.

and so it's begun.
daily doses of yoga and running.

i'm starting slow--
for i am nowhere near race-ready.
but its an invigorating challenge.
and i wanted to share it with all of you.

my dailymile counter is new on the sidebar.
follow my miles.
and, perhaps, start tracking your own.

here's to health.
to goals.

& to doing what you never thought you could do.