There is something special about quilts that live on through generations. (Do you know the children’s book The Quilt Story? It shares that story perfectly.) This one is one of my best-loved gifts from this year’s holidays – a revived Dresden Plate quilt from the 1930s.

Bought at a thrift shop by my mom in the 1990s, the quilt was nearly falling apart by the time I brought it with me to California. But no matter, I loved it! The patterns, the colors, the softly worn fabric….

Luckily, my Nana is a bit of a quilting pro. So last year, she agreed to nurse this quilt back to life as a very special gift. Now many stitches and patches later and with the loving touch of several of her quilter friends, it is as beautiful as new!

I love thinking of the original quilter who, as Nana points out, likely made these Dresden Plates using scraps from her family’s clothing. On the back, Nana tells the story of this particular quilter (such the modern quilter!), so its history will live on with it.

special thanks + love to nana and mom for bringing this quilt to keep me warm!

listening to: Blackbird by the Beatles (listen)

The living room floor is bare for now, waiting for a replacement of my old Ikea rug that’s been retired to Goodwill. Now the search is on for a new rug to warm up these wood floors – sustainably made, easy on the eyes, and hopefully affordable. Is that too much to ask? It seems to be a challenge to be sustainable and lovely and economical. But the rug will be found!

Here are a few of my recently bookmarked finds from my internet searches…

+ How to Shop for an Environmentally-Friendly Rug from re-nest
+ FLOR makes sustainable, modular tile rugs with great designs
+ One of many DIY ideas to create larger area rugs
+ Hemp or sisal rugs for a super hippy home
+ And always love all sizes of “prairie” rugs

Any tips from you for favorite eco-friendly rugs or rug makers online or in the Bay Area? These January days make the bare-floored room a bit chilly, so the rug must be found and soon!

In the dark days of mid-winter, a little candlelight really brightens up my nights. I’ve come to love love the glow and smell of beeswax candles and nowadays try to keep as many around as we can. They’re a bit pricier than traditional wax candles, but they burn cleaner without any sooty paraffin burnoff and last longer with their slight honey scent.

One of the big-small makers of beeswax candles on the West Coast is Big Dipper Wax Works (I do especially love their name and bright bee logo). Plus there seem to be lots of local makers, wherever your are – including, I found over the holidays, in my little hometown in Massachusetts! You can also find lots of beautiful beeswax candles on Etsy, handcrafted by indie makers. I think it’s just the thing to add a little brightness to winter days – or anyday.

listening to: Sea of Love by Cat Power (listen)

Our apartment has a small shared porch, which was unused until we moved in last summer and filled it with plant pots and boxes. Now even in the wet cold winter, it’s still growing and full of color!

Growing greens is one of the easiest ways to be backyard (or balcony!) gardener. Rosemary (it grows like wild in California), parsley and thyme are tasty + easy starter herbs. Some baby tomato and hot pepper plants were happy here in the summer sunshine.

And of course, kale + lettuce! Those happy greens push up right on through the winter. Mischa has some kale and lettuce starts sprouting on the side porch now.

It’s always fun to snip some herbs or “harvest” some of the tomatoes or kale or lettuce. The fruits of growing green!

When I’m working from home these days, I’m most often found at my desk by the windows. My workspace is slowly evolving, including functional additions like this and this. I’ve downsized my calendar from the enormous Typography Calendar by Pentagram to the wholesome illustrated calendar by Nikki McClure. It’s a good change for the new year.

My inspiration board changes with the seasons (remember it back in November?). The month of February is all about bringing love into the middle of winter–so I’m warming up and smiling with thoughts of sweet peaches and hearts and glowing suns, lots of reds and oranges. Spring will be here soon enough!