handstamped cards

Thursday, September 2, 2010

I’ve been wanting to have more time for making this fall, ready to get my hands dirty and inkstained. In the past few weeks, that’s finally started taking shape… Here are a few outtakes from an afternoon spent with handcarved stamps, some colorful ink pads and a stack of stark white notecards.

The set on the left are fill-in-the-blank style cards for everyday notes, thank yous and all. I love these polka dots! The handmade quality of the stamps gives the prints an extra bit of texture, which I really like.

For handmade stampmaking tips, check out Gennenine’s Art blog for some great+simple tutorials on linoleum cutting and techniques.

More makings from here coming soon!

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graffeo coffee

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Wherever I live, finding the local coffee shop is always an important first step to settling into the neighborhood. Within a month of living in our new place in Marin, I stumbled on Graffeo Coffee—a small roastery located in our downtown San Rafael. Started in San Francisco, they have been a single-focus coffee roaster since the 1930s (in other words, no cups of coffee for sale here!). That’s commitment to the art+science of roasting! They roast in small batches and offer a simple menu of dark, light or mixed roasts.

In a pinch, I’ve bought a few other coffees from Whole Foods in the past few weeks–but they’re really no match for Graffeo. I love the strong strong, smooth, clean flavor of freshly roasted beans, and Graffeo Coffee hits the spot (plus perfectly ground, if you like). Tomorrow I’m picking up a long overdue half-pound of their dark roast, mmmmm.

Any local coffee spots that you know and love?

Graffeo Coffee
1314 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-5131

listening to: Burn One Down by Ben Harper (listen)

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riding the train

Friday, August 13, 2010

A big aspect of our cross-country adventure was the train ride itself–the many hours sitting and sleeping and living on the train. Every so often, the train would stop just long enough for folks to disembark for a ten-minute break–streeetch, run in circles, breathe in the outdoors. But the rest of the hours were spent onboard, jumping from car to car to keep things interesting.


afternoon in the observation car

Train travel is all about location. It’s the ongoing topic of conversation. Where you’re coming from, where’s the next stop, where you’re passing through, and where you’re headed to. But funny–while riding the train, it feels like all those locations are passing by you, rather than the reverse–as life onboard is like a little world of its own.


window seats

There’s still some magic about travelling by train. It’s not fast or always entirely timely–but something feels right about watching the changing landscape and feeling the long transition from one place to another. It’s a trip worth taking if you have the chance.

Any chance that you’ll ride the rails sometime soon?

listening to: Peace Train by Cat Stevens (listen)

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a quick trip to chicago

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Halfway through our cross-country trip, we were able to escape the train for a blissful (and melting hot) few hours in Chicago. Yes! The main train station is right in the center of the city, so we grabbed a deep dish pizza and a local beer – and then ran over to Millenium Park to see a few Chicago sites.

Art park, hurrah! The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was in the midst of a free performance at the main pavilion (which was beautifully designed by Frank Gehry). Perfect timing. A little music, and then we had a photo shoot with Cloud Gate and got our feet wet in the Crown Fountain.

Too soon after, it was back on the train… A short but sweet trip to the windy city.

Have you been to Chicago yet? Any favorite must-see spots to check out for my next visit?

listening to: Chicago by Sufjan Stevens (listen)

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harvest cake

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My birthday was last month, and as is my tradition, I insisted on baking my cake myself.

With cakes, I tend towards classics like chocolate-on-chocolate–or in the best instances, I get stuck on an offbeat option that seems to fit just right.

For this year’s birthday, it was Sara Kate’s Harvest Cake, which I bookmarked sometime last year. It has loads of vegetables quietly tucked inside–carrots, beets and zucchinis. All disguised under a cloak of cream cheese frosting (next time, I’ll try the goat cheese version!). For extra flavor and less refined ingredients, the recipe uses maple syrup in place of sugar. There are all kinds of healthy, hippy benefits here. Oh yes, and it’s delicious.


photo by sara kate

It was a hit with the family, veggies and all! And there was just enough leftover for a slice with coffee the next morning–that’s my ideal cake.

Want to try it? Find the recipe at thekitchn.com. Let me know how it goes!

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