Christmas Party Planning

I'm hosting a Christmas Party this weekend, something I've been wanting to do for years.  I can't wait to get the house clean, decorated, and full of good smells.  My parents are coming to town and bringing a home-made traditional English Christmas cake, soaked with lots of brandy, which also serves as a birthday cake for my dad.  I'll serve mulled wine, a sparkling punch, crostini, and most importantly, heaping bowls of red beans and rice with cornbread that we can eat while surrounded by sparkly lights or by the warm fire outside. 

Some of my inspiration for the party below...

Photos:

decorated hearth / garland wrapped doorway

mulled wine / orange, ginger, rosemary punch

ricotta and pear crostini / bacon and jam crostini

Gramercy Tavern ginger cake / traditional English Christmas cake

Arroyo Seco Walk

I've been horrible lately about posting here, and miss having the outlet for things I find lovely/fascinating.  It's so easy to get swept up in the rest of life and forget the little meditative things we do, which for me includes this blog.   And walking.  I did manage to go for a really nice walk with a good friend and fellow classmate of mine, Kate Osgood, this past weekend.  She took me to a park that was practically around the block from me, that I have never explored (embarrassing!), right along the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena.  It's an easy walk, sometimes shared with horses, and this weekend shared with art installations.  Oh, and an archery course (watch out for stray arrows)!  The concrete creek runs beside you, and large estates loom on either side of the small canyon.  It's a little gem that I can't wait to explore more.

They've done a nice job planting natives along the banks, and I snapped these pics of two of my new favorite plants: a blue Penstemon (whose Latin name I am still trying to find) and Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird sage). 

Time off

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I used to hate people who lamented that there's just not enough time in the day.  I thought, what are you doing that is so important it cannot wait until tomorrow?

Now I am that person.  Between school, work, and life, I cannot seem to keep on top of things.  Last night as I drove home from class at 10:30, stuck in downtown traffic, I was debating whether or not I should go to Kinkos then, or get up and go before work, to make scans of my projects.

I am applying for a small scholarship, but despite its size, it's the first time I've had to put together a portfolio, write an essay about why I want to be a landscape architect, and gather letters.  I thought, no big deal, but when I sat down to get it all together, I panicked.  I'd never put into words how important greenspace is to me, or how I want to build wildlife habitats for people who've never held a caterpillar.  The process has given me some clarity, and some confidence in my goals.  I'm still working on the time management side of things.

Then I remembered that I have the world's best husband, and put in a request for his assistance.   The sweet man that he is, S. agreed to drive it down to Torrance for me on Monday so I didn't have to rush to meet today's FedEx deadline.

Being busy is good, but I miss those days when I could come home from work and do nothing.  My version of doing nothing involves a snack, maybe a cocktail, a stack of catalogs, and a place outside to sit.  Any of the grand esacpes below will do.  
 

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RB n R

We had the best meal last week when a special visitor was in town.  Marjory brought with her some freshly ground New Mexico blue corn meal, and I had bought andouille sausage, a ham hock, and some fancy gin in preparation.  It all came together as a rosemary-gin cocktail, gluten-free blue corn bread, and bone fide red beans and rice feast. 

Mingling interchange

'There is no death in mortal things, and no end in ruinous death.  There is only mingling and interchange of parts, and it is this that we call 'Nature.'"  -- Empedocles

From Bernd Heinrich's The Trees in My Forest.  He then proceeds to describe the ancient trees that lose their limbs and slowly fall into disrepair and decay, only to provide more food and shelter to the other living things in the woods.  I find it to be a very comforting thought.

Also, I stumbled upon this preview of a documentary on Bernd Heinrich.  I think his sweater and theories on coffee bode well for the rest of the film.

Picture above from one of my many trips to Vermont.

Christmas Eve

It's early Christmas Eve, and my cat is resting her head on my arm as I type.  I got up at 7 to hear the live broadcast of Lessons and Carols from King's College, and it was accompanied by the patter of rain outside and the occasional scrub jay squawk.  While my teapot brewed, I lit some candles, turned on the tree, and checked the status of my paper white bulbs on the mantel (happily sprouting).

Later today, we will make some anise candy, prepare for tomorrow's feast, and then head out for some Chinese dumplings.  Tomorrow we celebrate with Grandma Cooper rolls, good coffee, presents, and a walk in the nearby hills before we sit down to Christmas Dinner.  

Wishing you a Christmas of quiet moments and full hearts.

2012 Gift Guide

Here are some items I've got on my Christmas list, to give and to receive.  I know so many smart, stylish, heartfelt women who I'd love to give one of everything to.  Until then, here's a round up of some of what I would give to them in my dream world.

A stylish monogrammed clutch from Clare Vivier, $193. 

Insanely useful sheers for the garden, flower arranging, or any quick snip.  Image on left from Organic Gardening, showing some Felco pruners, about $50. Sophie Conran pruners, $32, on right.

Another stylish clutch.  You can never have too many.  I love the cast brass details on these made in LA ones, by Samantha Grisdale. 

Although girlier than she might want to admit, these flowery pjs in a Liberty print will make Sunday mornings brighter.  $198 from Elizabeth Cotton (shown above), or J. Crew.

A charming carry-all trug for garden supplies, hand made in Sussex, $125. 

Soap made for queens' hands.  Soap stones by Pelle, $8-$32.

 Sewing lessons (just a refresher, really) at Sew L.A.  $85

Rodin Olio Lusso, $150, for glowing skin and a soft scent.  Available at Broome St. General Store or Clare Vivier.  Image via Editor.com.

A tin of tea, or sample box, for afternoons in the low winter light.  Bellocq Tea can be found at Broome St. General Store, prices vary.

A handmade bud vase that is reminiscent of her grandmother and Vermont in the 60s.Judy Jackson tiny bottle vases, $29, from Lake or Sumi's.

Fall Back

I was thankful to wake up to a sunny house this morning, especially when I saw how the light was catching my anniversary flowers. 

Flowers from Clementine, arranged by me.  There's nothing more beautiful than the gift of an armload of flowers wrapped in brown paper. 

Snails and other things

These past month has been very busy here in the wilds of LA.  We've had several wonderful visitors, with more to come.  Paired with our trip to the jungle, a job promotion, and getting back into design coursework, I have been swamped.  As part of a Trees class I am taking, I spent last weekend in Palm Springs and Idyllwild, and will post pictures soon (so many trees!). This past weekend we were in north Mississippi, celebrating a lovely marriage (pictures also forthcoming).  In these busy weeks, I have stumbled across several things worth sharing:

When I need to switch careers someday, I might begin farming snails.

If the world feels too big, wear it on your hand.

I'm thinking ahead to Christmas, and what I will get for all of the lovely women I know.

This planter is calling my name.

I'm also interested in this method for growing some baby lettuces, but am a little concerned about what that tarpaulin might leach into the soil.

The soft carvings by Chris Weaver, pictured above, which are tools made from New Zealand driftwood, have captured my imagination.  It might be time to bring out the carving tools I bought on a whim in college.  Found via Jen Causey's Pinterest.

Photo by Sally Mann.  Quote via Tomboy Style via Beautiful Nomad.

Getting swept up

I cleaned the porch this weekend, sweeping up months of Los Angeles particulate matter, oak leaves, cobwebs, and this beauty.  I'd been hearing the mourning doves lately, preening in the branches above, and am glad one decided to drop this small treasure. 

It's been a quiet and still summer, and I've enjoyed many moments of nada.  Moving into fall (although with no physical signs of it yet), I'm preparing myself to work hard with a heavier courseload and new job responsibilities, but hold on to these momentary breaks.  That means less talking, more walking, and focusing on each sweep of air that passes through me. 

Dreamin'

I've had cravings lately for very particular things.  Specifically, a truck and a dog.  And a 32 hour work week. 

In this dream, I would drive around LA in my vintage Toyota 22R (1983 and blue, preferably), with my hound sticking its nose out the window.  With my spare day off, I would tool around town planting native gardens at gas stations or lunching on friends' porches while talking about nothing.  Then I'd pick up my husband and we'd go out to dinner, valet parking the truck at a fancy restaurant to the dismayed looks of the other patrons.  I'd stare them down until they backed out of my way because, much like Hush Puppy "I'm the Man!"

Or something like that.

 

Dog snout via MADDIE THE COONHOUND.  

More truck/dog dreams -->

Giant Swallowtail

This elegant creature was slowly fluttering through the yard today, lingering near the water fountain.  The giant swallowtail, or Papilio cresphontes, is the largest butterfly in the US, with a wing span that can reach 5-6 inches.  It's hard to tell just how big this one is from this photo (and please disregard my landlord's affinity for bamboo), but it was a decent size. 

More info from the very interesting Lili Singer here. 

Giant swallowtails only started showing up in southern California 10-15 years ago, and much like myself, are native to the southeastern US.

I often think about what it means to be native to somewhere.  Having grown up in several very different places, I have a hard time feeling native to anywhere.  I began my slow progression to southern California about 15 years ago as well.  In that, the giant swallowtail and I are more kindred than I immediately thought.

Sunday Blues

Some Sundays I wake up with the heavy realization that my workweek begins again tomorrow.  The logic that I still have 24 free hours doesn't seem to make much of a difference -- I feel the weight of impending obligations pile up and up.  Sometimes it hits me half-way through Sunday; sometimes it hits me on Saturday.  

I'm working on becoming more mindful of moments as they occur, and not fretting so much about what's to come.  And my work weeks aren't that bad, to be honest.  They're just... work.  Just like everyone else has.

Today I made french toast with sauteed plums that with a cup of tea and my new magazine, made for a very enjoyable brunch - blues nearly obliterated by the time my plate was empty.  It's still Sunday now as I write this, procrastinating homework and contemplating a glass of wine, and I have managed to keep the present in mind and let tomorrow worry about itself.   We'll see how it goes next weekend.

This is how I feel sometimes.


Photo by Christoffer Relander, found via This is Colossal.

When life gives you limes...

...make a damn cocktail.

On a rough Saturday, that happened to be the first Saturday of summer, I bought a fresh bottle of Campari, and sat myself out on the porch for a few hours of nothing.  

One week ago

Bits of a birthday: new flowers, new friends (past and present), and, well, a strawberry cake.

Heading back to work tomorrow, after a lovely holiday.  I'm afraid I already feel a little frazzled by the thought of it.  On my last free day today, I am going to the museum.  A little visual stimulation before my brain returns to Excel charts and unopenable windows.

Time off work means trips to new corners of L.A.  Today we ventured south, where the beaches were foggy and cool, and the rocks were holey.  Tomorrow, we'll explore some downtown shops, and I get a new haircut.  Then comes the New Year, when I promise to be more diligent about documenting all things almost grown.