Summer list: the recap

Despite the triple digit heat wave hitting California, Fall is here and so it's to address the summer list and my undone ambitions. The list was amazingly motivating. There really is something to putting goals out into the world. It seems the accountability factor can make all the difference - at least for me. So, I have to thank my friends (from real life and blog life alike) for checking on my progress, requesting chocolate cake on a specific day and time and for leaving kind and encouraging comments. I read them over and over in times of great discouragement.

I got through six of my goals and learned quite a bit about myself in the process. And I'm not at all surprised with the items left undone. Here's what remains:

1. Wear something decorative on my head (I did make a fancy headband that I will share soon but have yet to muster the courage to wear outside the house): Progress has been made. Hope is not lost. 

2. Visit a county fair (you guys, I hate crowds and our county fair is gross and a little scary so I'm not entirely sure how that ended up on the list anyway): Happily abandoned.

3. Sell something I've made (have yet to make anything worth your money): When this changes, you will know.

4. Write and submit an essay for publication (the most important and easily procrastinated project of the lot): Someone want to throw out a deadline?

That last one will haunt me until it's done. And any encouragement, check-ins and aggressive nudging is welcome.

Will anyone be crafting a Fall list? I'd love to hear all about it and live vicariously through your accomplishments. Do share. I promise to be your loud-mouthed cheerleader.

Bit of housekeeping

I started this pillow-case dress back in March and simply could not bring myself to finish the hem. During Emerson's nap yesterday I finally relented. When I tried to show her what mommy had lovingly made, she replied with a wag of her finger and look of disgust and said "no mommy, I don't like that dress." So I am left my own sense of accomplishment to keep me warm at night.

That and these lounge pants that only took eight years to finish. I started them during my first sewing class. Again, with the hem. I knocked them off my list with the dress. Damn, if that wasn't satisfying.

And in completely unrelated news, will those of you with HBO be watching Teenage Paparazzo tonight? My husband and I were invited to a special screening back in May, where we meet Adrian Grenier and the producers behind the documentary. It was an interesting glimpse in to Hollywood and the crazy that is our celebrity-obsessed culture. Even crazier was watching the teenagers (and adults) in my hometown temporarily loose their minds as the actor exited the theatre that just screened his film all about celebrity obsession. Life imitating art, anyone?

When hoarding pays

I've been hoarding long before it became cool. Let's just say I learned from the best. And actually, what I mean by that is that I've been attempting to unlearn my mother's ways for a lifetime. But really, sometimes, the hoarder in me prevails. And then I think "Thanks, Mom. You're right. One never knows when the need for a newspaper from 1987 might pop up. But when it does, I know exactly where to go for it." And I wish that were an exaggeration.

But seriously, have you heard that camel is huge for fall? Check out my vintage Dooney and Bourke bag circa 1991. It's been my absolute pride and joy since high school. I wish I were lying when I admit that I used to visit her in the glass case at Nordstrom. Quietly reassuring her that we would someday be together. I have never before or since been so completely sure of a purchase. I saved my Speedy Photo paychecks for more than a year and then forked over an obscene amount of cash and never looked back.

She's sort of been out of favor for a while but damn if she isn't coming back in a big way starting today.

Next week, I may pull out my vintage white Guess jeans - complete with ankle zippers - which seem to have also made a comeback. And if that sounds good to you I've got a dusty blue and white Scott McClintock dress with a lace cutout at the chest that will positively knock your socks off. Just you wait, friends.

Modern day hero

Jim Henson is one of a handful of modern artistic heroes that shaped my life. This is a man to committed so fully to his artistic vision and he did it with kindness and an awesome sense of humor. I love that.

It's no secret I'm a big Sesame Street groupie. But I also really loved the Muppet Show and of course, the Muppet Movie. (The soundtrack was on regular rotation throughout my formative years). So it won't surprise you to know I cried real tears when he died, as did my mom. Side note: is there anything worse than seeing your mom cry?

Yesterday, she stopped by with a huge stack of my favorite childhood books, along with this treasure that spent some quality time on her coffee table long after I left home. It caught Emerson's eye immediately. She wanted to know all about Kermit the Frog. I did my best impression which really cracked her up and when she turned to the last page she stopped at this lovely profile of Burt, she pointed to Jim Henson and said "That his friend." Nearly broke my tiny heart into pieces. I said "yes, honey, that is Burt's friend." Then she asked "where is Ernie?" Oh, good lord, child. You are crushing me now with your innocence.

We agreed she could take mama's special book in for "show and share" next week for school. Wish I could be a fly on that wall.

Not a cheese cake

If you are looking for a way to get more goat cheese into your diet, I would highly recommend this method. Seriously, it's not just for salads anymore.

The ingredients and steps to this cake are fairly simple and if you don't beat the living daylights out of the egg whites and then forget the whole thing in the oven for an extra 10 minutes it will probably look even prettier than mine. And the taste is straight luxury.

It's sort of a light lemon custard and it's a perfect pairing with the berries. I would also recommend the book from where it came but I'm pretty sure it's out of print. After coveting hers, my stepmom found me a copy at a used bookstore a few years back. I cherish it. (Editor's note: looks like you can pick it up for $1.30 at Amazon)

Now check out what some other lovely ladies are cooking up today in the Studio Surface Recipe party.

Michelle from Studio Surface

Ana from Live & Enliven

Bianca from Bink and Boo

Damaris from Kitchen Corners

Suzie from Cupcake Monkey

Susan from House of Brinson

Recipe from Emily Luchetti's Four-Star Desserts below:


Goat Cheese Cake with Mixed Berries

11 ounces goat cheese
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly chopped lemon zest
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 large eggs, separated
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Assorted berries for garnish

A 9-inch round cake or tart pan, buttered and sugared

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the goat cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth and then add the egg yolks, two at a time. Stir in the flour.

Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the goat cheese mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the cake until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. (Editor's note: do not take this time to dress and groom a toddler. The walk upstairs will take 20 minutes alone. Don't even get me started on picking out socks.) Cool the cake and remove it from the pan by inverting it onto a serving platter or large plate.

Ahead of time notes:
The cake can be made a day ahead of serving. Store at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap. Do not add berries until just prior to serving. (I also like to add a heavy dusting of powdered sugar through a sieve as a final touch).

A moment

These babies and I are taking a wee break. We plan to be back next week - refreshed and better than ever. Transitions are afloat in and around my life and I'm not exactly "handling" it so much as I'm failing gloriously at most every turn. Good things are coming. I know that for sure. Do hang in there with me, friends and I'll share the minutia next week.

A grown up park

Rookie parenting move #464 for those of you keeping score at home. I told Emerson we were going to visit the oldest state park in California. And only 45 minutes into the mountain drive she started ranting about all the slides and swings she planned to play on at this great big PARK. I tried to explain to her that Big Basin was not exactly that kind of park. But there are certain subtleties that are lost on toddlers. You'd think I would have known better, right? Amateur. Go ahead and say it. I know you're thinking it.

She spent the better part of half an hour wandering through the redwood trees searching for the playground. Eventually she made due with a carpet of leaves and ancient fallen trees as her jungle gym.

It was an enormous relief to spend just an hour in the staggering quiet of a forest. But in the end I added hiking to the list of activities that are best enjoyed alone or in the company of adults. See also: art museums and shopping for expensive ceramics. Lesson (quite possibly) finally learned.

Making it work

I've been really working at not buying new fabric. After organizing my studio I was faced with just how much I had collected over the years and stashed in various bags and boxes. Now, the remnants live in one giant storage container but the collection has grown bit by bit as my mom has started organizing our family "archives". Every so often she arrives with a hand full of fabric from my great grandmother or my great aunt. It's all lovely and odd and not at all what I would chose for myself, but I'm happy to have this connection to their lives.

This gold stretch polyester captured my imagination from the start. I can't help but wonder what my granny had planned for this bit of flashy fabric. It's borderline "costume" but I love it. It was fun to work with and I especially like the way is drapes. And as a bonus, if you get up really close, it smells a lot like old lady/antique store. So, there's that.

Change is hard

Image via ban.do. Love those ladies.

I have a wee bit of transition happening in my professional life at the moment and the entire thing is leaving me relatively useless. Any tips on coping with major change in general would be greatly appreciated. I've already tried extended sleep and crying so you can keep those gems to yourself. It's all happening for the very best but try telling that to my pharmacist who is questioning why I used up a month's supply of migraine meds in one week.

Also, Emerson kissed a boy last night. Repeatedly. He couldn't get enough and kept asking her to "do it again." It was a brazen act in our driveway. This, after said three year-old politely asked me if my little precious could come up to "play in his room." I said no because I do have some boundaries.

Friday field trip

My mom and I planned an adventure with Emerson to San Francisco to take in the new Fisher Collection at SFMOMA. The Calder's and Warhol's were viewed at top speed as we managed a toddler's need to touch everything while moving at top speeds. It was more crowd management and not so much art appreciation.

I knew if we could just make it to the rooftop garden I could let the girl run free for a bit on a sugar high. We considered the Blue Bottle coffee, Heath mugs and Mondrian-inspired cakes to be small works of art and called it a day.

But no trip to the city is complete without a stop at Flora Grubb. It very much saved the day in my book. I managed to pick up a few little treats for myself. More on that later in the week. And speaking of art, wouldn't these flats of succulents make beautiful impressionist paintings?

Daily art

"Bird's Nest Girl" by Samantha Hahn.

Samantha Hahn's blog is a new favorite of mine. Maquette is endless inspiration for my eyes. Her illustrations have been featured in loads of fashion magazines but her daily drawings won me over.

I love seeing spontaneous creations that haven't necessarily been labored over. And I really admire those who fight the inner perfectionist, call something "done" and put it out there for the world to share. I'm quite sure there is a life lesson in there.

Show and tell: a quilt

I had all of 30 seconds this morning to snap a photo of Emerson's new quilt. Sure, it's obvious now that it would have benefited from a quick pressing, but I really wanted to share. The Purl Bee's Sunny Tied Quilt has been top of my list for sewing projects since February and little E's eventual transition to a toddler bed was my motivation for finally tackling it. Fabric choices were a real challenge for me and honestly, this number goes with precisely nothing in her room, but oh how I love the finished product.

No joke, I nearly cried last night after attaching the satin blanket binding. You see, I usually hate the stuff I make. And by hate, I mean I finish a project and I never want to see it again. Ever. It's not a terribly healthy practice for me, but I own it. This blanket, however, I adore. I can't get enough of the weird colors and the smooth binding and every little crooked fold and puckered seam. It's perfectly imperfect and so completely filled with magic. Just like my girl.

And since Emerson was fast asleep, I wrapped it around myself and snuggled on the couch. That's the kind of sacrifice we parents make, you know. Breaking in blankets for our wee ones...someone has got to do it.