Casserole Love

What do you do when a neighbor has a baby or breaks her leg? Well, in the first case, I made blueberry scones and a fruit bowl and in the other, a chicken casserole that my mother used to make on Sundays. Food truly conveys messages of support and comfort unlike anything else in times like these. What's funny is that it is an automatic response for me that seems triggered from deep within my genetic heritage.

In the case of the scones, the blueberries were colorful and fresh and the casserole was provided in a sunny yellow, ruffled baking dish. Check out fantastic cookware at Chef's Resource.

Can you remember a food item that was given to you during a an important life event that gave you that ounce of love that let you know that everything was OK?

I Like Paintings and I Like 'Em Big

The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. has a terrific exhibit of what is described as Color Field paintings produced primarily between 1950 and 1975 by American painters on both coasts. These are paintings by Rothko, Motherwell and others which are large in size with healthy saturation of a few colors. I have always loved large paintings, especially if they are abstract. This style of painting provides me with a sense of freedom and vastness that has always appealed to me. I noticed in a couple of paintings that the color almost undulates as it interacts with my rods and cones. Now, how often can you say that?

Miles Redd: King of the Jam Cram

photo taken at ABC Carpets and Home in NYC

I am one of those sorts who can feel cradled by layers of fabric, textile complexity, furnishings and images in small spaces. My creativity simply titters and sparkles with delight when confronted with visual stimulation to the max. Now, I don't want to live like this in my own home for fear that my nervous system might revolt.

But if you want to see what can be done with an enormous amount of decor in a small space check out Miles Redd.

"More Please, Sir"

There is a painful scene in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens when Oliver, in the orphanage, holds his empty soup bowl out and asks for a refill. Oliver asks for what he wants and gets snarled at by a toothless keeper. That is the problem. He asked for something from someone who was unlikely to deliver.

While I have had more than my share of moments of lack, I continue to be impressed by the fecundity of that which seems to arrive when I spend dedicated time pondering what I want and imagining how I'll feel when I have it in my life.

What have you wanted in your life that has been made manifest?

So Much Livin' in the Kitchen

I love this image of a kitchen. I think about cheese, olives, crusty bread and olive oil when I look at this space. I love funky, old spaces assembled gently in such a way as to become elevated to elegance. This image also makes me want to have a cup of coffee in a teacup and then truck right on off to the Marais in Paris for some flea market joy.

How does your kitchen speak to you?

Check out This is Glamorous, a gorgeous blog on all that is simply fabulous @ http://citified.blogspot.com

Small stuff: Big impact

Great chairs that are also bent objects

I told my husband recently about one summer I spent making farm animals out of notebook paper. Actually I think I made a barn and fencing for the whole lot. I can remember vividly that the paper twisting came out of sheer, unstructured summer boredom while visiting a family member. I also remember that within minutes I became fascinated with the whole endeavor and transported to another world full of tiny, white paper animals.

So, don't dismiss the mundane and tiny of life. Whole worlds can open up with the most rudimentary of objects and materials. If you don't believe me, check out the artist whose blog is entitled Bent Objects at http://bentobjects.blogspot.com. This guy has cornered the market and whoa, what an impact.

Lending and Traveling

It is a good thing to have friends in the know and on the scope out for good stuff. That is to say, good stuff that is loaded with good living.

First up, Kiva.org is only one of a number of micro-loan organizations that let you play the lender to businesses of your choice. The word on the street is that people get hooked on giving in this manner because it is rewarding to support others who are working to express themselves in the world through business. As my friend recently pointed out, your money could grow if invested in your own IRA or mutual fund but the growth of positive humanity far outweighs the personal financial growth of money in the bank. Whole families get involved as a way to serve one another at the grassroots all around the world.

And if you decide to go meet some of the folks your monies supported to grow their businesses, be sure to check out www.tombinh.com. Tom Binh in Seattle makes gear that is current to modern travel needs. Check out the site for laptop bags, shoulder bags, carry-ons and more. The bags are made in Seattle too. A friend of mine has purchased a Bihn bag and is taking it for a spin in Japan very soon. He reports that it has good design appeal and is well constructed.

Keep in mind that any intention to support the way we live put into action creates a literal chain reaction of that which is only Good.

Other People's Stuff

Ever noticed that we love to rummage through other people's stuff? There is an entire sub-culture dedicated to flea markets, swap meets, yard sales and consignments. Some families, like my own, have family members who would never show up to a family get together without the ubiquitous bag of items with the preface "I can't or don't want to wear these anymore, so you can have it". There are all kinds of reasons humans exchange stuff. Some of the newest and hippest designers take pleasure in re-fashioning found items or reconstructing used clothing.

Whatever the reason or the intent, it is simply good for us and good for the planet to get in the habit of 'moving it on' and sharing things we don't want with others.

March Winds: A breath of fresh air

The wind is blowing wildly today. Over the years, I have learned that while they blow our energy systems get a handy tousle, not unlike vigorously fluffing a pillow to arrange the contents for perfect comfort. For some the winds can be a bit disturbing or a little disorienting. All the same, when the winds settle, so does the energy. The air usually smells and feels fresh and sometimes, if we pay attention, we have new awarenesses or alternative perspectives on life themes. Gotta love how Mother Nature lends a helping hand.

End of Winter Change-o-Scenery

photo courtesy of Linda K. Long, caspari, inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia

Every year my family meets in Charlottesville, Virginia for a weekend visit that combines meals full of conversation and merriment and a chance to shop around this special town that is home to the University of Virginia. My Dad takes advantage of the bounty of used book stores, my sister and her fiancee cozied up in a local bar for an afternoon brew and my husband drifted into a coffee house for what he called the best cup of coffee ever. My Mom and I took advantage of end of season prices on haute boutique wear. Indeed, Mom scored a Parisian wool coat for a fraction of its original price at Chloe.

My family stumbled onto this gem of a meeting place due to proximity but what we have found is a way to be together and enjoy a change of scenery without too much effort or expense.