Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I Heart Novella Carpenter



I got the book Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter out of the library a couple of weeks ago and inhaled most of it during a 7 hour rideshare and bus trip to visit family and celebrate my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary recently.

The book was an enjoyable and delightful read, not to mention very inspiring. As much as I tend to fantasize about retreating into the solitude and quiet of some small holding in the country, it's still pretty rocking to learn about what's possible in an urban environment. As long as I remain a city girl you can bet that I'll take my cues from the likes of Ms. Carpenter!

You can also read about her adventures in urban farming on her blog.

Incidentally, Novella is the sister of the author of These Days In French Life, who no longer blogs publicly, but maintains a gorgeous and equally inspiring Flickr photostream. I heart her too!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Desire


Image Source

"I never had any other desire so strong, and so like covetousness, as that.... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life to the culture of them and the study of nature." ~Abraham Cowley

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Cherokee Trail of Tears Bean

"One can never forget the sadness and solemnity of that morning. Chief John Ross led in prayer and when the bugle sounded and the wagons started rolling many of the children rose to their feet and waved their little hands good-by to their mountain homes, knowing they were leaving them forever." ~John Burnett's Story of the Trail of Tears


In 1838 the Cherokee were driven out of their homelands in the state of Georgia by the US government to make room for more European settlers , a forced march known as the 'Trail of Tears'. This bean is one of their heirlooms they managed to keep with them and has been passed on from generation to generation ever since.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

I heart Nikki McClure




I can't tear my eyes away from Nikki McClure's beautiful artwork.

I love the way she elevates the everyday into something sublime and celebratory. Like this, and and this, and oh my this.

So beautiful. I want them all.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010