Brown Paper Packages Tied....

For me, there is something wonderful about brown paper packages. Maybe it is a reaction to the overwhelming glitter of Christmas that makes me want to wrap my gifts in something that feels a bit more organic, simple and homey. When you're ready to start wrapping all those presents, here are a few
ideas that you might want to try. They are all relatively simple, but anything but boring-happy wrapping. 

Gyotaku

As you may know, Nantucket is one of my favorite places on the planet. I'm always inspired by the work of local artists, and recently had the pleasure of meeting Pete Van Dingsteen in his studio on Old South Wharf.  Pete makes fish prints in the traditional Japanese style called Gyotaku, which is creating prints of fish on rice paper.

This is one of Pete's prints. I love the way he printed on the dark blue paper. Another Gyotaku artist on the island is Chris Bonelli, whose work below has a much different feel from Pete's.

I decided that as soon as I returned home, I had to try my hand at fish printing. Well, the results were a bit disappointing, but we learned a lot and are anxious to try more prints, both on paper and fabric. Here is the first attempt.

I wish Pete were here to offer some guidance, but I guess like most things, it takes practice, practice.

Foodie Find

Where else can you have brunch, dinner, learn how to butcher a hog, grab some handcrafted chocolate and take home some steaks from local Texas ranches?
Salt and Time, a butcher shop and salumeria on East 7th, is among the top ten best charcuteries according to Bon Appetit. This is not your grandmother's butcher shop.

Ben Runckle and his partner Bryan sold their products at the local farmer's market before opening their brick and mortar store. It's a carnivore's heaven, but believe it or not, there are some items on the menu for vegetarians.

 The bar is a perfect spot to enjoy happy hour with a board of charcuterie and cheese.

The Cubano sandwich is a popular choice for lunch, or try their Coffee Lomo, a Spanish-style pork loin rubbed with wood-roasted coffee and chile that is cured for four months-yummy. Do you need any other reasons to try this place?

One Fish, Two Fish

We've had so much fun experimenting with dyes and paint on fabric. It's been a learning process with a lot of trial and error. I have some more designs in my head that I want try, but for now at least there are two finished pillows. 

After many attempts, here is one of the final pillows.

The possibilities seem endless, and I'm anxious to try another design. Painting on fabric is not as easy as it might look, but I think the results are worth it.

Hometown

It felt like time to get out of town for awhile and have a change of scenery. A day trip to my hometown  seemed like a good idea-back to my roots. Perhaps a visit to Houston is not on your list of places to go this summer, but the vibrant Museum District makes a great weekend experience. There are at least twenty museums and cultural institutions,surrounding art galleries and shopping in this tree-lined cultural oasis south of downtown.

I had forgotten how beautiful Hermann Park is with its statue of Sam Houston overlooking the reflecting pool, jogging trails and the Museum of Natural Science. It's an urban gem, and easy walking distance from the Museum District. 
The Houston Museum of Fine Arts is a good place to start and can easily take an entire day.

I was anxious to see the Soto exhibit, a kinetic installation of 24,000 hand-painted tubes suspended from two stories. This work by Venezuelan artist Jesus Rafael Soto, invites visitors to not only touch, but walk through and interact with his art.

I just wanted to include a few pictures from the museum's permanent collection and current exhibits.

It's an eclectic offering of ancient Islamic, Egyptian and African art. The Glassell School of Art which is part of the HMFA has a fascinating exhibit of African gold from Ghana.

Of course there are plenty of Old Masters paintings, but I am drawn to the contemporary abstracts.

 Next stop was the Museum of Natural Science. As you might imagine, dinosaurs and lots of fossils rule here.  Enough of art and culture, I was ready to head for one of my favorite Houston lunches-a James Coney Island hot dog! 

  

Redo

Here it is the end of May and I haven't written a word all month.  I remembered promising to post a photo of my den redo. Although it is not finished yet, I have made progress. It has turned out nothing like I had envisioned, but I am pleased with the results so far. Here are the "before and after" shots.

The before shot

Still need to find some end tables and art work for the tv wall (which doesn't show in this photo). As with most of life, it is a work in progress.

  

"Ashes and Snow"

I'm blogging today after watching videos of Gregory Colbert's photographs. His fine art photography is shown in his Nomadic Museum, an exhibit that has traveled the world. Entitled "Ashes and Snow", it includes at least 100 photos and several film segments amassed over a ten year period. 

Here are a few of his photographs in sepia and black and white. His work is amazing. His lens captures the interaction of animals and people in a way that is both magical and spiritual.

There is so much more to say about this filmmaker/photographer and his ethereal images. If you would like to see more, there are plenty of "Ashes and Snow" websites that will leave you awestruck. 

Easter on Orcas

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. While going through some old photos, I found these pictures I took while visiting Orcas Island.  It was early spring and the daffodils were in full bloom. It was a great time to be there, and although the weather was still chilly, there was no rain for ten whole days.

Stopped to take in this beautiful field of daffodils in Anacortes, where the ferry leaves from Seattle to the San Juan Islands.

Pike Place Market in Seattle was brimming with tulips in a rainbow of colors. Seeing these makes me wish that I had planted some bulbs. Oh well, maybe next year.  

 

"Luke"

I'm enjoying this spring weather, anxious to plant my annuals now that the chance of another freeze seems unlikely. The Japanese maple that I planted last year went from bare branches to full foliage in a matter of a few days.
Even the roses, that struggled through the summer heat and a severe pruning, are covered with buds.

For me, "Luke", a poem by Mary Oliver seems to capture the essence of spring.

I had a dog
who loved flowers.
Briskly she went
through the fields,

yet paused
for the honeysuckle
or the rose,
her dark head

and her wet nose
touching
the face 
of everyone

with its petals
of silk
with its fragrance
rising

into the air
where the bees,
their bodies
heavy with pollen

hovered-
and easily
she adored 
every blossom

not in the serious
careful way
that we choose
this blossom or that blossom

the way we praise or don't praise-
the way we love
or don't love-
but the way

we long to be-
that happy
in the heaven of earth-
that wild, that loving.

-from "Red Bird" by Mary Oliver

Making a Difference

Driving through my neighborhood this weekend, I spotted my first "Little Free Library." What a cool idea. The brainstorm of some people in Wisconsin who started the whole phenomenon a couple of years ago. No late fees, no membership- just take a book and leave a book.

This library is only blocks from my house and was started by the owners of this historic home, a middle school teacher and a librarian-perfect!  The designs run the gamut from very simple to more elaborate. It's amazing to see the creative ideas people have, and their desire to share their love of books with the community.  

Below are some examples that might inspire you to start your own little library.     

                                                 

                                            Looks like a fun project

A Taste for Thai

Lately it seems I have a taste for Asian food, and Thai tops the list. My favorite place to indulge my cravings is Sway on South First Street. Like most restaurants in Austin, it is noisy and crowded, but that said, the food makes up for it. 

                            The sleek and modern dining area is filled with large  

                            communal tables, and the outdoor patio is a nice option.

       

                          I like the energy of the open kitchen and watching the

                          organized chaos.

                          

           

   

Tiger Cry - grilled hangar steak with red chili nahm jim and fresh basil. The menu at Sway is part fusion with an Australian influence. That may sound a bit unusual, but it works.

          

Shu Mai - Crab, shrimp and cuttlefish with trout roe and cucumber vinegar

Pork tenderloin, Thai style with snow peas and almonds.
I'm getting hungry all over again.