giving thanks -- and eating tofurkey

the family's thanksgiving feast was enjoyed by omnivores & vegetarians alike.

and the tofurkey was the talk of the day.

the face of a hungry vegetarian

[photo via myflickr]

[backdated]

holiday season

with thanksgiving around the corner, my brain flashes forward to the full-fledged holiday season. christmas carols start to ring in my ears (they are already playing them in the streets). red becomes the color of the moment. i am thinking about family, friends, buffets of food, egg nog, and gift giving galore...

i am already working on my recipe book project for all the 20(and30)-somethings on my list...but there are so many more projects that i'd like to work on. cards to create, projects to brainstorm, crafts to make.

and there are so many more places that i'd like to explore to find Just The Right Thing for so-and-so. here are a few online shops that i want to take advantage of:
- the curiosity shop with it's quirky mix of fun & useful
- uncommon goods for the more-than-ordinary
- elseware to support awesomely independent design
- kiosk, the eclectic seasonal mix of imported goodies
- threepotatofour, one of many little online shops to scour
- reform school and other local LA shops
- and all of etsy for surprising finds

for ideas:
- thisnext, maybe a little super consumerism, but it's got spark
- mighty goods, a daily dose of interesting online finds


[photo of xmas06 from myflickr]

hollywood

above is the view from our living room window. yes it's true! the ultimate symbol of beauty, power, and entertainment is visible from our own home!! well...visible when the smog clears up, that is.

after a chilly week, LA has warmed up and the sun was shining again today. i took an afternoon walk downtown, picked up the house a bit, did some reading. a lowkey day.

back to work tomorrow. the last push before holiday season begins..

sunday farmer's market

we finally got the hollywood farmer's market today, where we bagged lots of delicious veggies. heirloom tomatoes (red, yellow, green), avocados, hot! peppers, onions, limes, herbs... all fresh and ohsogood. especially those yummy late summer tomatoes. we had a had big bowls of guacamole & fresh salsa and a heaping tray of nachos.

and on the side, perfectly tangy caipirinha (brazilian rum + limes + sugar).


[photo from emdot]

a favorite blog

over a year ago, i came across five and a half. i fell in love with judy's journals and bought one of the original choose-your-own color varieties. since then, five and a half has exploded in the craftster world, growing into retail stores and expanding their line of pretty paper products every season.

recently, i started following judy's blog and i am totally captivated. she posts the most lovely pictures, often with simple insights & musings & information. it's a beautifully balanced blog experience.

i've especially appreciated the detailed info & advice she offers about working with paper, generating a quality product, and growing into a small business. with my own little paper project underway for the holidays, her tutorials (especially photojojo's awesome video!) have been my foundation and inspiration!


[photo from myflickr]

coffee shops

here, there, and travelling, i'm on the lookout for good coffee shops. not just good coffee (although that's the first step), but an excellent overal coffee experience, the ideal coffee situation.

dark wood, roasting beans. smiling staff. fair trade & independent. ceramic mugs and crisp white paper cups. a glowing pastry case, a simple menu. comfy seats, worn-in couches. books, magazines, art. wanting to hole up there all afternoon.

yea, so i miss college town coffee shops. they're not so easy to find in a big city! starbucks and coffee beans crowd out the little guys. but with a little digging, the good ones shine through...

coffee shops that i miss:
3. lady killigrew cafe @ the book mill (montague, ma) - [bottom photo]
2. the haymarket (northampton, ma)
1. rao's coffee (amherst, ma)

local cafes that we visit:
3. cafe balcony (12431 rochester ave)
2. the spot / synergy (4455 overland ave)
1. the coffee conservatory (10117 washington blvd) - [top photo]


[photos from myflickr]

a time to bake

autumn is a season for baking. the weather is cool this week, and i want the house to feel warm and smell delicious.

a bunch of super ripe bananas in my freezer begged to be breaded. so following the joy of cookingrecipe, i stirred up a yummy batch with a handful of oatmeal and a dash of cinnamon.

joyful banana bread
whisk:
1 1/3 c flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
beat:
1 1/3 c sugar
5 1/3 tbsp butter
combine dry into wet.
then add:
2 eggs, slightly beaten
then fold in:
2 ripe bananas
+ walnuts/chocolate chips/oatmeal?

i love toasted banana bread with a cup of coffee.


[photo from myflickr]

beautiful

i had a wonderful, long walking afternoon (celebrating car-free monday!).

while i was out, i finally posted a few beautiful stickers.

i came across the you-are-beautiful website last spring. such a simple, but awesome idea. i sent away for the stickers---and then they've sat in my wallet for months.

today i finally stuck the message to the streets of LA.


[photos from myflickr]

charting time

my 2008 calendar from Pentagram is waiting patiently for january 1st.

other time keeper's to love:
- nikki mcclure
- papersource
- snow & graham
- sebastian wrong
- tokyo bay

[photo of my workspace from myflickr]

saving daylight

happy daylight savings time ~ enjoy your extra hour in bed!


[photo via myflickr]

books invite all, they constrain none

i finished reading the fountainhead this week. it's the sort of book that stole every open moment of my day.

browsing through our bookshelves, i came across a book that i've never read... i thought now was a good time to try the book.

share books with friends: shelfari and goodreads

share books with the world: bookcrossing


[photo from myflickr]

mulled cider for november

In the autumn spirit, i attempted some hot mulled cider last night.
mmmm, the smell of cinnamon & nutmeg & cloves.

lots of variations of hot cider recipes. here's one...

mulled cider
8 c apple cider
1/2 c packed brown sugar
6 inches cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon?)
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cloves

all the sugar was a bit sweet for me... and i might try adding in a few orange slices next time to add some zest.

check out mulled wine bags @ kiosk.

unfortunately, we had 0 trick or treaters for halloween.
but we do have a big plastic pumpkin full of candy!