feb '25 favorites
Small things that made my February just a little bit better.
exciting
I was invited to show my art at West Seattle Grounds Coffee Shop for the February Art Walk. On the night of the opening, my sister-in-law Cornelia showed up first and she graciously agreed to a photo with me. Although it is intimidating to show my art, I simultaneously feel validated seeing the collection displayed. This is a rare event for me and I am grateful for the opportunity. For those of you who couldn’t make it (which is just about everyone reading this!) I’ve made a short, albeit clumsy video which you can watch here.
cooking
Whenever I make a recipe these days I typically write notes in the cookbook. Short, simple, and to the point: “okay”, “good”, or “very good”. I also include any variations or changes I’ve made. This has saved me many times before I plunge into a recipe only to remember that we really don’t like it. When browsing through Half Baked Harvest’s Super Simple Cookbook I didn’t need to second guess myself when I read “very good, everyone liked” written underneath the Sausage & Spinach with Stuffed Shells recipe.
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say, “He feels deeply. He feels tenderly.”
—Vincent Van Gogh
reading
It should come as no surprise that I read (or rather listened to) my beloved cooking mentor, Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. I actually did not know much about her past other than she had worked at the White House and stumbled into a cooking career looking for more creativity in her life. Like anyone who appears to have been an overnight success, she worked hard for many years before, at the age of 51, her first cookbook was published. Although most of her recipes can be found online, I personally own 12 of Ina’s 13 cookbooks. Because, besides being a fan, where else would I write “very good, everyone liked”?
snowing
Here in Seattle we don’t typically get much snow. And when we do the city comes to a standstill due to our hilly terrain and miniscule fleet of snow plows. Early this month, we did get a brief snowfall covering all the brown and gray with frosty white. In the early morning when I glanced out the window, I discovered this enchanting scene. Smiling to myself, I realized I half expected or imagined the White Witch from Chronicles of Narnia to come careening down the street on her sleigh.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different?
—CS Lewis
following
YouTube: Mystele’s folk art style is whimsical and distinctive. She is thoughtful and genuine when showing her process. I have enjoyed her art for years.
Pinterest: Laura Horn’s boards are art-related and beautifully curated. I have taken a few online art classes from her which I would recommend.
Instagram: Tina Jensen creates mixed media art using colors and shapes that I am particularly drawn to. Her style is one I find inspiring.
inspiring
In 2012, the pop-up Grandma Stand began in NYC, a sweet idea connecting a grandma to those in the community who needed a listening ear, attention, and maybe even some advice. Endearing as this may be, my mind, obviously riddled with stereotypes, wondered how this possibly originated in a place like NYC (that coming from a person living in a city whose friendliness level is described as the Seattle Freeze). As a grandma myself now though, I imagine the interaction to feel warm and caring like comfy sweats or a cup of cocoa. If you are interested, you can follow along here.
Kindness is like snow it beautifies everything it covers.
—Kahil Gibran
blooming
Aren’t these little guys adorable? This late February tiny burst of sunshine makes the Golden Yellow Crocus feel like a cheerful tonic. Zero maintenance, spreads slowly, and blooms annually. No gardening skills required. What’s not to like about that? They are fittingly described as a “dash of early color”.
wine tasting
A week ago we gathered with our wine group for a Cabernet Franc tasting (and competition). Although I tend to think I’m not overly discerning (AKA I can drink anything) even I noticed that there was a clear winner this time. The Tamarack Cellars was by far the best, with a never-before six out of eight of us voting it #1. All I can say is I probably won’t be ordering a Cab Franc anytime soon—it’s a bit too risky for my taste.
Nature gives to every season a beauty all its own.
—Charles Dickens
enjoying
My sister and niece came for a visit and my husband kindly procured free tickets to the light show next door. Yes, the Seattle Chinese Garden currently hosts Astra Lumina which sits mere steps (actually 142 but who’s counting) from our front door. The light show itself, in my opinion, is mediocre at best, but it does cast a mystical ambiance for those that like that kind of thing. Unfortunately, this attraction has become a bane to the eight adjacent houses that border it. It is not due to the people attending as you might imagine, but rather the nightly music and rambunctious lighting which wears thin over time. We are a cranky bunch.
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
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