-
Istanbul, Fall 2019 ~ Create
In full transparency, I made this project to go with my “Greek” corner at the front of the house, but the inspiration for flag design did come from “evil eye” amulets and jewelry that I saw everywhere in Turkey. And since these are both Mediterranean countries, I guess it is representative of the region. The three interconnected circles within each little flag in the bunting also represent trinity, reminding me of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which once functioned as a Christian church, and is filled with gorgeous mosaics depicting Christian saints.
-
New Mexico, Winter 2019 ~ Read
Written in a genre of magical realism, this book vividly illustrates both the New Mexico environment and way of life. With women at the center of both magic and storytelling, Bless, Me Ultima, is the ultimate story to infuse you with New Mexico magic, stories, smells and sounds. The story takes you through the seasons, introduces you to the tradition of curanderas, and describes the land, traditions and relationships through the eyes of a young boy. (When we stopped at a book store in Taos, and asked for recommendations on books to read about the area, this was the very first recommendation by the shopkeeper!) Paintings by New Mexico Native…
-
New Mexico, Winter 2019 ~ Travel
My friend Kelly and I picked an odd time to visit New Mexico, some might say, but we usually get restless right around February, when the grey skies and constant rain in Western Washington can be tolerated no more. New Mexico offered a wide variety of weather upon our arrival, with upper 60s and sunny skies on day one, and a snowstorm that gave us plenty of jitters on the way to the airport at the end of the trip. On our first day we enjoyed the old town in Albuquerque and spent some time guessing all sorts of nonsense when looking at the ancient rock carvings at the Petroglyph…
-
New Mexico, Winter 2019 ~ Create
I created several of these baskets, including one for myself, and one for my trip-mate, Kelly. I followed a really great tapestry crochet pattern for The Phoenix Basket from the MeganMakesDo blog, which I admire for the versatility and wide assortment of projects. This project challenged me, as one works with all the colors of yarn at once, crocheting with the “active” color over all the rest, which makes them tangle. But it was really worth it in the end, as the weave does turn out neatly, with the stitches creating a beautiful, uniform effect, and a sharp pattern. This inspired me to look more into the wayuu mochila bags,…
-
Tuscany, Fall 2018 ~ Read
The Italian Party by Christina Lynch is a great easy read ahead of traveling to Sienna. It describes both the city and its environment beautifully, details the famous Palio, Sienna’s horse race in late August, pokes fun at the CIA, and satisfies your run-of-the-mill craving for a textbook romance in Italian coutnryside. Wink, wink. I would say this book accomplishes quite well the task of giving its reader a sense of place. From the book jacket: Newly married, Scottie and Michael are seduced by Tuscany’s famous beauty. But the secrets they are keeping from each other force them beneath the splendid surface to a more complex view of Italy, America,…
-
Tuscany, Fall 2018 ~ Travel
Terracotta sunlight are the words that now come to mind when I think of warm-hued hills between the towns of Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni. We spent days bathing in the early fall sunlight, enjoying our homebase in the 12th century abbey, driving winding roads from wineries to olive groves to small towns perched on neighborhood hills. Historic downtowns revealed tall bell towers, thousand year old wine cellars, rustic gardens and lots of shops selling local linens, olive wood wares and WINE. We felt trapped in a fairy tale, and despite the long list of new places we still need to see, will probably return many,…
-
Tuscany, Fall 2018 ~ Create
Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese, from cafes in Sienna (recipe by Platings + Pairings). Russian girl meets beets in a whole new way. Swap goat chees for blue cheese for an authentic Sienna flavor. The same meal in Sienna introduced me to what many of you have known all along, Melon Wrapped in Prosciutto is divinely refreshing! (Recipe by Ina Garten).
-
Florence, Fall 2018 ~ Read
I highly recommend reading Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King before arriving in Florence. This national bestseller about the design and construction of Florence’s main jewel, cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, immerses the reader in 14th-15th century life in the city, its citizens, customs, and its brilliant, courageous, irreverent artists, architects and statesmen. My favorite passages in the book included a scene where cathedral construction workers sat high atop the scaffolding in the summer winds drinking wine for lunch; descriptions of the processes involved with casting of the bronze doors of the Baptistry; and scenes of daily life of the citizens of the Florentine Republic.
-
Florence, Fall 2018 ~ Travel
We traveled to Tuscany in September-October of 2018 to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. To be honest, we were both a little skeptical, as modern-day Italy seemed over-hyped and over-crowded. First, we spent four days in Florence, the art gallery of Italy. Ability to see world-renown treasures like David by Michelangelo, works of Rafael and collections of the Medici family, while traveling cobblestone streets to the riverbanks of the Arno river, and shops filled with Florentine paper, fragrant soaps, supple leather and beautiful ceramics made for days filled with wonder and beauty. Check out my Florence board on Pinterest!
-
Florence, Fall 2018 ~ Revel
My favorite ways to closely experience local culture is to get lucky enough (or to plan…) to partake in one of the local festivals, such as Carro Matto in Florence, or “crazy cart”. On the last Saturday in September, this buzy city is suddenly even more alive with the sound of drums, colors of medieval costumes, a cart full of over 2,000 round bottles of Chianti di Rufina, pulled by a pair of white oxen, and a fascinating flag throwing competition performed by Bandierai degli Uffizi. Watch the video below. It was windy, yet the flag throwers managed to keep their formations quite beautifully, and I don’t recall a single…
