Manatea

Last night my friend Laura joined us for dinner. I have known Laura for much of my life. She is one of those people with whom I am fortunate to have crossed paths at different points in our lives, childhood and adulthood.

She is more than a friend. She honestly feels like family. She is easy to be around, kind, honest, funny and generally wonderful.

Yesterday morning when I told the girls that Laura would be over they flipped! All day long Cordelia wanted a countdown to her arrival. Elise would just randomly call her name.

So, in short, Laura is totally radical and we are so fortunate to know her.

Which leads me to the point of this post. Last night she gifted me with the most amazing and thoughtful present! A manatee tea infuser, manatea!!! Something that, unbeknownset to her, I have long had my eye on. Even better she put little crowns on the manatees on the box as it was a gift for my show (called Kingdom which featured crowned animals). See, isn't she awesome?!?

Organizing and GIVEAWAY!

When we first moved into our house in April I did a quick set-up in my sewing/craft/art/guest room. I planned to get things in good order within the next few weeks, but one project or the next would get in the way. I was able to use the space, so it wasn't really a priority. Well, yesterday afternoon during the golden hour (nap time) I tore the place up with the intention of re-organizing and making the space more functional.

Right as I finished taking everything out to assess the situation Cordelia woke up early. So I have a little carry-over. I have to get this space organized today. I am kind of excited about it all. Plus, while I was cleaning out the closet I found a few unfinished projects that I started before our move and just lost track of. Last night I finished two hats and two scarves!


Please excuse the shaky quality of this photo, I took it while practicing gymnastics...

I thought that perhaps today, while I am organizing, you could have something to look forward to. I am talking to you, anywhere in the world.


Where in the world are you?

I am giving away one bag of my favorite tea, Evening in Missoula. While I was visiting Missoula this summer I picked up a bag for myself and one for a giveaway. The bag looks kind of small in this pic, but I assure you it is huge enough for hundreds of amazing cups of tea.

How to Enter up to 4 times:
1) Follow me (let me know in comments that you are following)
2) Blog, tweet, facebook update about it (let me know in the comments what you have done)

I will announce a winner on Saturday!
I will also post photos of my newly organized space.

Wabi Sabi: Perfectly Imperfect

Before I get rolling here, let me assure you that wabi sabi actually means something. I promise you that I did not invent the term. Wabi sabi is a pretty broad Japanese perspective which values asymmetry, imperfection and reflects a hand made quality. One incarnation of wabi sabi can be found in the Japanese tea ceremony where tea bowls are intentionally made with imperfections which are considered quite beautiful. Certainly I have simplified the ideals of wabi sabi, but for all intents and purposes my definition will get you through the rest of this blog.



A few years back when we were still in Missoula (ah, how I miss Missoula) I purchased this cup from an artist friend. He was showing me some of his refined and very beautiful pottery when I spotted this piece. He said he was experimenting with a different firing technique and this cup came out pretty messy. I fell in love with the imperfections, the weird textures and general lopsidedness of the cup.
Inside you can see that there is this blue patch and it is almost like glass, smooth and polished next to the chunky choppy texture of the rest of the cup. I love to drink out of this cup because it is such an experience. I drink my tea and explore the cup.

Years later when I learned about wabi sabi I instantly thought of this cup. The imperfections are exactly what make this cup so special to me. I think in general I have a pretty wabi sabi approach to life.

Here are some of the perfect imperfections in my life:

• Bumblebee, my wonky footed basset hound
• The fact that I have one slightly crooked tooth that sometimes catches my lip when I smile.
• My appendectomy scar.
• Ophelia's uneven cat mustache.
• Paint stains on my clothes.

Tea, husband and two letters

Last night we decided to spend the evening with the TV off. We don't have cable, but we have been known to get pulled into TV via Jeopardy. So, we spent the first part of the evening inventing a board game (more on that when we complete it).

Later we decided to have some tea, listen to music and chat with each other.

We drank our tea out of these beautiful vintage cups that my Grandma Carol gave me a few summers ago at a family reunion. Aren't they lovely? I asked Eric if he felt dainty drinking from them, because I did, he (sarcastically) said that he did indeed feel dainty.


The tea we were drinking is my all time favorite tea. I am making it official, Evening in Missoula is the best tea ever and it is decaf so I can have it in the evening!

Here is a photo of my handsome hubby. He sat on the opposite end of the couch and we talked.

Here are two letters he gave me when I returned home from work today. One was a sweet letter and the other was funny. Thanks to the hubby!