The Bright Studio is my one-woman creative studio that works with small businesses.
Last month my friend Jessica launched a collection of handprinted produce bags. Perfect for the farmer’s market or the grocery store, they feature her illustrations of some favorite veggies and other characters.
Jessica totally walks the talk of food and farm loving, works at farmers’ markets all around the Bay Area, and crafts like nobody’s business–so I was extra excited to see her creations online. Go say hello at Painted Apple Printworks!
Last month, I started commuting a few days each week to Fairfax, a small town about 20 miles north of San Francisco. I’m working with a sustainable new media agency, and I’m happy to spend some time at their office and in the town of Fairfax–but without a car (mine is for sale!), my commute is a bit of an adventure.
By public transportation, the trip involves a brisk one-mile walk and two well-timed buses–plus many books and podcasts en route. All together it’s about 90 minutes each way. And after walking in the rain and missing the bus recently, I’m well aware that public transit is not always the easiest choice. Maps look complicated, fares get confusing, and you aren’t in complete control of your travel. Sometimes the bus is late. Sometimes you get wet.
But then I sit back in my seat as we drive through the foggy morning–and I’m reminded of all the simple benefits of transit. A dose of fresh air to start and end my workday. A peaceful morning drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Saving money. No traffic or tolls or parking for me! Reducing our footprint. Plus small interactions with real people (riders and drivers alike!). And committing a piece of each day to reading, thinking, and watching the world go by. And all that is worth the extra effort.
What’s your favorite part of the ride?
Our second weekly produce box arrived at our doorstep today. Back in LA, I had joined a CSA earlier this year and was loving the variety (and surprise!) of each week’s box. So finding a CSA in San Francisco was at the top of the moving “To Do” list. Plus we really like veggies.
We decided to try out Farm Fresh To You, a local CSA based at Capay Organic Farm. They offer a range of box sizes and produce varieties (including a fruit-only and veggie-only option). Plus, to save on overall energy use, they deliver your produce to your front door–love that sustainable convenience!
Just today, we realized that some of their winter produce is sourced from out-of-state farms (Washington and Colorado?!). So we’re making a small switch to their “Valley Box,” which carries only local produce–and which means more greens this winter!
Have you thought about joining a CSA? To find one near your, visit Local Harvest.
listening to: Cold Hungry Blues by Po’ Girl (listen)
Love these vocals–this is my favorite song of the season.
two weeks ago, alice waters paid a visit to los angeles to have a conversation about food education. thanks to good food, one of my favorite local radio shows, i got to be in the audience!
alice is the mastermind behind daily food life at chez panisse, a huge advocate of local food, and the founder of the edible schoolyard program in berkeley. joining her was sam levin, a fellow school garden advocate and 15-year-old student from western massachusetts (my beloved college stomping grounds). two years ago, sam co-founded project sprout, a student-run garden planted in an abandoned soccer field across the street from the local high school.
both of their schoolyard gardens focus on giving students the experience of planting and harvesting food with their own hands–and then, enjoying the fruits and vegetables of their labor in fresh, yummy meals. in a world where some people don’t know that a potato grows underground, i think alice & sam are onto something with this kind of firsthand food education.
i ended the night feeling inspired–and hungry. and i was happy to know that alice waters and i agree on our favorite vegetable: garlic.
:: image from edible schoolyard
recently i went to a free composting workshop hosted by the city of Los Angeles (along with my food&craft&newmedia-loving friend alex of viva.le.mani). these workshops are offered once a month for LA residents and give a helpful overview of the art/science of urban composting. plus, they offer super deals on a variety of composters at city-subsidized prices. (i got an earth machine composter for $20!)
when i was growing up, my family always had a compost in our backyard, so the practice wasn’t foreign to me. but doing it in the city seemed a bit more intimidating, so i really appreciated the boost of confidence from this little workshop.
a few new-to-me tips that i took home…
for a healthy compost, be sure to keep a 50/50 balance of browns-to-greens. not enough browns? try adding some shredded newspaper. to keep away critters, never include anything that was cooked in oil/fat. and to keep away fruit flies, bury new fruits and veggies under the old compost in your bin. and if it starts to smell funky, you’re doing something wrong! i’m still getting started myself–so for more details, check out the LA city composting guide.
and let me know if you have any composting adventures or tips to share!
listening to: let it be me by ray lamontagne (listen)
:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr
My name is Lillie Dignan. I'm a designer and maker, living and working in the Bay Area.