park[ing] day

More than 70% of most cities’ outdoor space is dedicated to the private vehicle while only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space for people. (parkingingday.org)

today is international park[ing] day.

for one day, people are encouraged to transform parking spots into "pocket parks" to generate conversations about how more public park space would improve both the environment AND the civility of the city. the park[ers] bring chairs, tables, umbrellas, astroturf--and they feed the meters as they go.

and according to park[ing] day LA.:
...Populations whose income is over $40,000 have access to 102.9 acres per 1000 people within quarter mile buffer. (USC Sustainable Cities/GIS Study, 2002)
...Population whose income is under $20,000 have access to 1.6 acres per 1000 people within quarter mile buffer. (USC Sustainable Cities/GIS Study, 2002)
...[BUT] 33% of children in Los Angeles County live within one-quarter mile of a park. (Trust for Public Land Study, 2004)

for los angelenos, check the map and see if there is a park[ing] spot near you!!

and check out the how-to manual on the official website.


:: image from park[ing] day how-to manual

this week's clicks

some inspiration & ideas from the past week...

+ the selby. their house tours just keep getting better and better (image above)
+ candle displays á la anthropologie
+ lost & found - a book created of photobooth strips
+ the next little thing - nytimes on the small house movement. yay!
+ the art of display
+ shaker workshops - i love the simplicity
+ healthy eating while traveling - a collection of simply awesome suggestions

what's clicked with you?


:: image from theselby

first soup of the season

a sure sign of fall is a craving for soups. in my companion cookbook from last winter, i found a perfect recipe for the start of the season...

eliza's damn good butternut squash soup
1 butternut squash
3 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. broth
3/4 c. milk
1 med. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
salt & pepper
rosemary/sage
preheat the oven to 400F.
prep the squash. wash and peel your squash. cut into quarters, and scoop out seeds [save them for baking!]. pour water into a large baking dish, and place quartered squash in dish. cook for 1 hour, or until browned and very tender.
blend the squash. once baked, remove squash from pan, and mush it into a blender. slowly add 1 c. broth and 1/2 c. milk. work in batches to get all ingredients well blended.
prep the seasonings. heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. add garlic, then onions, and saute on medium heat for about 3 minutes.
combine it all. add the squash puree to the saucepan, along with the remaining broth and milk. garlic and onions add "savory chunks" to the soup--but you can put it all in the blender again. season with salt, pepper, and herbs to your taste.
serve hot with sour cream & freshly baked bread!


:: image from myflickr

baked butternut squash seeds

after making butternut squash soup tonight (more on that tomorrow), i scooped together the leftover seeds for a second tasty treat. like pumpkin seeds, squash seeds make a delicious snack.

tossed with a teaspoon of olive oil and some salt, i baked them at 250* for 20 minutes. they come out golden brown, light & crunchy, and a perfect combination of nutty/salty flavor. yum!

the coast

sometimes i forget how beautiful it is.


:: image from myflickr

exploring the rose bowl

we explored the rose bowl flea market today...

left || this cabinet locks shut with a big key, and each section folds up for excellent storage. [zoom]
right || i love that abstract orange/red/yellow landscape in back.

left || tulip chairs. sigh. (the purple cushions are questionable.)
right || another abstract print to inspire.


:: images from myflickr

labor day weekend -- a trip to maine

the summer was complete with long-weekend trip home, including a night with family (and friends!) at the cottage in maine.

if you ever find yourself in west newfield, maine, check out:
- barnswallow pottery (buy yourself a mug!)
- willowbrook (mostly for their sweet shop)
- bond mountain (where you can still get fresh & free spring water)
& boonie's country store (they still sell penny candy!)




orrrr just sit by the lake and relax.


:: photos from myflickr