tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33678853980793693802024-03-13T10:47:28.181-06:00BoneflowersBoneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-60455612294299978362014-10-26T19:25:00.001-06:002014-10-26T19:25:35.144-06:00French Yogurt Cake (by request)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my go-to cake for all occasions these days. I have made this cake at least five times in the last three months. It's proportional, so you can scale the recipe up or down as needed (more or less, except for the eggs, but I'm sure you can figure that out if you really have your heart set on making a 1 3/8 recipe or whatever).<br />
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I have filled it with jam, stuffed it with fruit, dumped spices into it, swapped out regular flour for a variety of gluten-free baking mixes, and still it comes out great. Shamelessly pulled from Orangette, brutally modified and occasionally frosted, I give you ...<i>French Yogurt Cake. </i><br />
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1/2 cup yogurt<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
1 1/2 cups flour or gluten-free baking mix (try Bob's Mill Fava and Garbanzo Bean one, it's great)<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 cup oil or melted butter (I like coconut oil)<br />
zest of 1/4 lemon (get out your microplane, I know you have one)<br />
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Optional stuff for the cake pictured above:<br />
3 ripe pears, cubed<br />
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger<br />
1/2 tsp nutmeg<br />
1/4 cup pecan pieces<br />
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Mix the yogurt, sugar and eggs well in a large bowl. Then add the flour and baking powder -- making sure you sprinkle on the baking powder so it mixes well. Mix again, then add oil and lemon zest . . . yeah, keep stirring. Add in any optional ingredients at this point. Make sure it's all blended really well. Don't overdo it, but make sure there are no lumps. Blob it (evenly) into a well-buttered spring form pan or 9" cake tin, and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. That's it. You now have cake :)<br />
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You can also make the batter and put the fruit in the middle -- fill the tin with half the batter, layer the fruit bits, then top with more batter and bake it that way.<br />
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The basic cake is a bit plain (Orangette douses hers with a sugar syrup glaze that I probably need to try someday), so I will often split it after it cools and fill it with a tart fruit compote. I've done raspberry and a homemade apricot/red huckleberry that came out great. <br />
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If you have a tart filling and want frosting or if you just, you know, <i>like</i> frosting on your cakes, here is my favorite recipe:<br />
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1 block cream cheese, softened<br />
1 stick butter, softened<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1/2 tsp cardamom or cinnamon if you like<br />
16 oz powdered sugar<br />
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In a stand mixer (or in a bowl if you have a hand mixer) whip the cream cheese and butter with the vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in the sugar, until you get a consistency you like. You may not use all the sugar. If your kitchen is hot, put it in the fridge to firm it up before you frost the cake. And wait until the cake is COOL to frost it. Don't get impatient, you will regret it. Although you will have many people offering to help you clean up the sliding-off and melting frosting if you try it. (Ask me how I know...)<br />
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<br />Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-67018794372152111332014-04-30T14:24:00.000-06:002014-04-30T14:25:01.000-06:00Why I (don't) Suck at YogaI hate yoga. I really do. I had taken so many yoga classes. I spent hours, days, months, practicing. But it was never enough. My body, my joints, they get to a point of flexibility and no further. Even as a child, I was never very flexible, no matter how many gymnastics classes I took. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I SUCK AT YOGA. So I stopped doing it.<br />
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Last year I was staying at an artist retreat where a couple people would do yoga every morning at dawn, and I would cook breakfast and, well, not do yoga. One of the guys asked me why I never did yoga with them.</div>
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"Oh," I said. "I suck at yoga."</div>
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He laughed. "How can you suck at yoga? That's not even possible."</div>
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"Believe me, it totally is."</div>
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"No," he replied. "Yoga is for YOU. You're as good as you are. It doesn't matter whether you can stick the poses, or if you can't get into some of them at all. Yoga is YOUR practice. Not what someone else thinks it should be."</div>
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I was stunned. He was right, of course. Hearing my instructors say that my lack of flexibility was a sign that I didn't care enough about my body to take care of it was their issue, not mine. Listening to someone tell me that my inability to get into a pose was a sign of emotional blockages (as opposed to the spinal injury -- that I told her about -- that I sustained at the age of 15) was irrelevant to my ability to at least try it.</div>
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So I did it. I did yoga every morning, with a small group of people. We didn't talk, no one instructed, no one commented on anyone's abilities or lack thereof. And it was great. I improved. Freed from the critical commentary, I started to enjoy the process of testing my limits and pushing past them. I didn't suck. It was great. </div>
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I'm still no yoga master. I struggle with poses that even beginners find easy. But it no longer matters. This was put to the test last week, when I took an actual yoga class again for the first time in years. As we moved through the poses, I heard the instructor start with, "Now really sink into your pelvis, feel your sit-bones firmly on the ground and arch you lower back. If you can't arch your lower back, that's because you are giving in to old age! If you had taken care of your body, you would be able to do this just like me." </div>
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I tuned him out. Because I don't suck at yoga. I'm just as good as I am. And that's fine with me.</div>
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PS - Yes, I know that not all yoga instructors are like that. Most of mine were. I treasure the ones that weren't. </div>
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Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-7634224513324947262009-12-10T15:29:00.013-07:002009-12-10T15:54:59.762-07:00Claimed by the vortex . . .that is Facebook. Sorry chums and chumettes! I've put the links to my other sites (you know, the ones I, uh, actually update) on my blogroll so you can drool over my pretty pictures and see what I'm up to Every. Single. Minute. Or so. (Thanks, Twitter. Oversharing is so IN right now.)<br /><br />I've also linked to some other blogs that I've been reading lately that have really excellent posts and update all frequently-like, in the manner which your truly cannot seem to accustom herself. I am planning to update with a few more blogs that have consistently wonderful photos that I check when I'm feeling blah and uninspired and yet really REALLY need to get some work done.<br /><br />In other news, my SHOP! (Boneflowers is at 1747 Polk St in San Francisco, for those of you who have just gotten into the theater and are even now settling in with your popcorn and fizzy drink. I think you may have just spilled some on the lady sitting in front of you. Hopefully she won't notice.) Where was I? Oh yes, the SHOP! is having a holiday special -- spend $250 and get a free $50 gift certificate. It's like two presents in one! Or one for someone on your list and one for you. Or both for you -- come on, we all know how gift shopping works.<br /><br />I have many MANY pretty dresses and coats and hats and suits and fiddly handmade necklaces for your purchasing pleasure. Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BoneflowersShop#/album.php?aid=178997&id=119750361674&ref=mf">here</a> for the whole shebang.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF7PRrOCUI/AAAAAAAAAuk/qsQVfD73O-Q/s1600-h/frog+necklace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF7PRrOCUI/AAAAAAAAAuk/qsQVfD73O-Q/s320/frog+necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413743729448978754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF6lwzyx4I/AAAAAAAAAuc/7VS9C1DP6FY/s1600-h/retouched+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF6lwzyx4I/AAAAAAAAAuc/7VS9C1DP6FY/s320/retouched+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413743016251934594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF5cDgXkrI/AAAAAAAAAuE/yu0a3Y3VjDw/s1600-h/retouched+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SyF5cDgXkrI/AAAAAAAAAuE/yu0a3Y3VjDw/s320/retouched+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413741749960413874" border="0" /></a>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-52772911816627150942009-08-17T13:35:00.004-06:002009-08-17T13:59:47.428-06:00Long time no see!Hallo, friends. It's been a while, no? Well, I've been a busy, busy bee with my new shop (also called <a href="http://facebook.com/boneflowersshop">Boneflowers</a> -- I'm all about branding) at 1747 Polk Street at Washington. I don't know if you guessed, but setting up shop is a fair load of work! It was giving me the droop for a bit there, but my naturally springy disposition has reasserted itself at last. The big hurdles are out of the way, and you can pop by anytime you feel like sipping some champagne and trying on some fabulous vintage clothing. Luxury at low prices, that's my motto. Well, actually it's 'If you can't have morals, you can at least have standards,' but that's not the point.<br /><br />So, anyway, as a conciliatory nugget, here is my version of the top secret recipe for Vietnamese garlic noodles as prepared by the loving hands at Thanh Long and Crustacean.<br /><br />Ingredients:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/Som2LaDHKcI/AAAAAAAAAtM/mt0L6xkIxKs/s1600-h/MercuryGarlicNoodles.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/Som2LaDHKcI/AAAAAAAAAtM/mt0L6xkIxKs/s320/MercuryGarlicNoodles.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371024337703217602" border="0" /></a><br />4 oz. thick egg noodles, chow mien style (try Auntie Chungs)<br />4 cups chicken stock<br />4 tbsp butter<br />4 cloves garlic, minced<br />2 tbsp brown sugar<br />1 tbsp nam pla (fish sauce)<br />salt<br />fresh grated Parmesan<br /><br /> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Image from gogonoodles</span></span><br />Boil the chicken stock, then add noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside. While the noodles are boiling, melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium-low heat. After it melts, keep cooking and shaking the pan from time to time until the butter is foamy with golden brown flecks at the bottom. Remove from heat immediately and add the garlic. Let the garlic sizzle in the hot butter for a minute, then add the sugar and nam pla. Toss in the drained noodles and taste. Add salt and/or sugar to taste. Top with Parmesan and serve warm.<br /><br />Do not eat the entire thing, though I am sure you will be tempted. This is a good dish to serve with a light salad and grilled seafood, to people you wish to impress.<br /><br />Have fun, dahlings!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-82924254764699310842009-02-11T15:59:00.006-07:002009-02-11T16:23:52.686-07:00Through the Magic of Technology. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SZNaRVYT4GI/AAAAAAAAAr4/xFX2U5_MTK4/s1600-h/biscuitspread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 291px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SZNaRVYT4GI/AAAAAAAAAr4/xFX2U5_MTK4/s320/biscuitspread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301680440188592226" border="0" /></a>We all know that science never rests in its pursuit of excellence, innovation, and (most importantly) life-altering consumer goods. Thus, my dear friends, we come to today's topic: the spreadable biscuit. Known as cookies to Americans, lab techs have been working tirelessly to create a substance retaining all flavor properties of said comestible whilst translating the texture to something not unadjacent to pate. Impossible you say? Not so! In fact, a<a href="http://www.lotusbakeries.com/FrontOffice/HomePage.aspx"> team in Belgium</a> has already <a href="http://www.lotusbakeries.com/FrontOffice/BasePage.aspx?Control=CorporateStrategy">slung to market</a> gallons of this exact product! See the leading experts discuss this phenomenal discovery <a href="http://nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/">here</a>. I am positive that with this landmark achievement, curing cancer can only be moments away.<br /><br /><br />NABISCO! You lazy slackers! What's wrong with you? Surely spreadable Oreos is not too much of a stretch for a massive conglommerate such as yourself. You have obviously lost touch with your target market. Your adoring public has been waiting patiently for jugs of that white goop, and they have been spurned for their continued patronage! You have been scooped by a European bakery that doesn't even DO focus groups in America. For shame. Watch yourself, R&D. Your executive shareholders are circling like sharks around chum.<br /><br />For those of you who wish to distance yourself from this disgraceful spectacle, a recipe for making your own Oreos can be found<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/"> here</a>.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-63094331325354672502009-01-05T20:46:00.005-07:002009-01-05T21:01:16.853-07:00Rolling It Old-School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWLWAJOtO2I/AAAAAAAAArc/r96v2n8syiA/s1600-h/rose+beads.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWLWAJOtO2I/AAAAAAAAArc/r96v2n8syiA/s320/rose+beads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288024210452331362" border="0" /></a>Have you seen those knobby brown beads used as prayer beads or on rosaries? Those are imitation rose petal beads. Hence ROSArie -- get it? Yeah, well, you didn't need much of a sense of humor in the Middle Ages, ok? So if you are feeling at a loose end, or just want to fulfill your New Year's Day resolution of being more crafty or spiritual or something, here is a very simple recipe for making these beads. They smell lovely, and look fabulous. Much nicer than the imitations. These will be black, because we are using a cast iron pot and the magic of ferrous oxide. Aren't you glad you didn't skip chemistry now?<br /><br />Remove outer petals from a dozen roses, and put the rest of the petals into a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle. Add some water and grind into a paste You should end up with grains about the size of couscous.<br /><br />Put the paste and add water to cover in a cast iron pot over low heat. Don't let it boil or the scent will evaporate. If you use another type of pot, like steel or enamel, the beads will be brownish instead of black.<br /><br />Simmer for about 3 1/2 hours, adding water as necessary so it doesn't get dry. Dump the petal mush into a wire mesh sieve over a bowl and press down on the mush with a spatula to squeeze as much water out as possible. It will take on the consistency of clay.<br /><br />Put on some latex gloves. Then hold a paper towel in one hand and squish a pinch of the petal mush into it, and form into a ball. The more water the towel absorbs, the easier it is to shape the bead. Beads will shrink by half when fully dry, so make the bead twice as large as you want.<br /><br />Thread the bead onto a hat pin or wire and hang in a 200 degree oven until they are as hard as a dried bean. Twist the beads on the wire every half hour so they don't stick. Store dried beads in a soft cloth scented with rose oil.Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-27588976846397464312009-01-04T18:28:00.004-07:002009-01-04T18:35:52.598-07:00The Power of GreyskullMan, I feel like I've been sick for ages. Two months is a long time. BUT. I have not been idle lo these many empty weeks. I have been designing (and modeling for) some trading cards for my art group, WAM. That's the Women's Art Movement for the uninitiated. Behold the wonders of my new project!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWFjOyDegoI/AAAAAAAAArE/tBGhqYvoCTM/s1600-h/shiro+flat+card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWFjOyDegoI/AAAAAAAAArE/tBGhqYvoCTM/s320/shiro+flat+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287616543115346562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWFjqvP1p8I/AAAAAAAAArU/3wOUdBRSd2Y/s1600-h/kuro+flat+card.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SWFjqvP1p8I/AAAAAAAAArU/3wOUdBRSd2Y/s320/kuro+flat+card.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287617023398225858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Arrrrrr!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-67247610908157882182008-11-18T10:38:00.007-07:002008-11-18T11:16:16.115-07:00Peace and Quiet. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMF5z5E2BI/AAAAAAAAAqs/OaD0D1KK_Xs/s1600-h/cemetery1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMF5z5E2BI/AAAAAAAAAqs/OaD0D1KK_Xs/s320/cemetery1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270062479693895698" border="0" /></a>I live about two miles away from a really beautiful cemetery. I like to go for walks there -- it's quiet, there are no other people to bug you when you're lost in thought, and it has really nice landscaping and architecture. All of this may sound a bit disingenuous, but I am serious. There is no better place to collect your thoughts if you live in a city.<br /><br />I was lucky enough to live near one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country while I was in college, the <a href="http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/">Hollywood Cemetery</a> in Richmond, VA. You can take a virtual tour and read about the local legends <a href="http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/virtual-tour.html">here</a>. It's just a few blocks away from the campus, and a lot of art students would go there to sketch the stone angels.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMF_gLW4yI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Gax-MjB_Rkc/s1600-h/cemetery2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMF_gLW4yI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Gax-MjB_Rkc/s320/cemetery2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270062577481081634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It really sparked my interest, and every city I visit, I try to find a beautiful or famous cemetery. I didn't even know about the one near my house until I had been here a month, but I'm very glad I've found it now!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMGKA58__I/AAAAAAAAAq8/ai6ObxNOtvQ/s1600-h/cemetery3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SSMGKA58__I/AAAAAAAAAq8/ai6ObxNOtvQ/s320/cemetery3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270062758065143794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-42493606484565893982008-11-15T14:38:00.008-07:002008-11-15T14:47:03.436-07:00Ahhhh! Cute Monsters!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SR9C0Lc24_I/AAAAAAAAAqk/nG2uVgdKBhU/s1600-h/mr+marlow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SR9C0Lc24_I/AAAAAAAAAqk/nG2uVgdKBhU/s320/mr+marlow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269003553241228274" border="0" /></a>That's right, folk! The long-awaited time is here: I have unveiled the first in my series "Cute Monsters" to thunderous applause. (OK, so it's mostly mine, but applause is applause). Please step right up and grab yourself a few!<a href="http://%20www.boneflowersprints.etsy.com/"><br /></a><a href="http://boneflowersprints.etsy.com">www.boneflowersprints.etsy.com</a><br /><br />Haven't started your Christmas shopping yet, have you? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SR9CN1YZqaI/AAAAAAAAAqc/7hsSgC6Di4g/s1600-h/miss+molli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SR9CN1YZqaI/AAAAAAAAAqc/7hsSgC6Di4g/s320/miss+molli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269002894481926562" border="0" /></a>Well, let me be your good fairy and provide you with a flurry of $15 prints to give the adorable weirdos in your life.<br /><br />I will be adding several prints a week to this shop, so be sure to check back often! I will be posting the newest additions here, so you can preview the menagerie. Enjoy!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-63869094979474413802008-10-27T11:57:00.002-06:002008-10-27T13:00:00.675-06:00A Better Mousetrap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SQYPOtNTUAI/AAAAAAAAAp0/TZeJu32s6wU/s1600-h/housewife.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SQYPOtNTUAI/AAAAAAAAAp0/TZeJu32s6wU/s320/housewife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261909959956975618" border="0" /></a>As you might have guessed by now if you have been taking notes, I like to cook. I always make a huge Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner for my friends, and I have had several people ask me "How do you do it so fast?!" I have developed a routine to make a large holiday meal for up to 8 people (more if guests bring additional sides) in just a couple of hours. The trick is to know what you can make the day before, plus a little secret to get really good, juicy turkey in just a few hours. I end up redrawing this schedule every year, and have been wanting to keep a record of it somewhere. so this post is as much for me as it is for you. So I won't be posting recipes right now, just timing. If there is a particular recipe you want, though, please email me!<br /><br />Day before:<br />Make pie<br />Make cucumber salad<br />Make rolls<br />Brine and prep turkey<br />Make giblet gravy<br />Make cranberry sauce<br />Prep veggies for stuffing<br /><br />Day of:<br />2:00 - Preheat oven to 425<br />2:15 -Prep green bean casserole (yes, I am an unrepentant canned soup user. Don't hate.)<br />2:30 - Put turkey in oven, left side up<br />3:00 - Flip turkey to right side<br />3:30 - Flip turkey to left side, peel potatoes<br />4:00 - Flip turkey to right side, boil potatoes<br />4:30 - Flip turkey breast up, mash potatoes, make stuffing<br />5:00 - Remove turkey, turn oven down to 350, put green bean casserole and rolls in oven, make pan gravy<br />5:15 - Remove rolls<br />5:30 - Remove casserole, carve turkey, EAT<br /><br />See? Not so hard. Everything I do on the day before takes 1 to 2 hours, tops. That's actually the most labor intensive part. On the day of your party, you have minimal work to do. Everything is ready to go, and just requires a little maintenance from time to time. It sure beats slaving for 8 hours and being so exhausted by the time it's done that you don't enjoy yourself.<br /><br />If you are persuasive, or have friends who like to cook, they can take care of a lot of the "day before" things. Assign people to bring a salad or dessert or bread, which cuts your time down even more. Hurray for planning!<br /><br />PS - My mashed potatoes are usually gone in seconds, and people rave about them. Here's why: I put in a whole block of melted cream cheese and whip the crap out of them. So good! Diets are for the the New year anyway.Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-44092863603248182742008-10-23T11:00:00.001-06:002008-10-23T12:28:03.205-06:00How To Win Friends and Influence PeopleAh, you might think, this is where she talks about the importance of a firm handshake and attention to body language. And you would be so sadly wrong.<br /><br />The best way to win friends is with baklava. Why baklava? It's ridiculously simple to make, yet looks very complicated and impressive. And it tastes so incredible that you will have people following you around looking for more. They will probably not ask for the recipe, because it looks so hard. See? Your illusion stays intact. This is potluck season, people. <span style="font-style: italic;">Be prepared</span>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SQDBXVZnRvI/AAAAAAAAApE/tbAmRQF72lY/s1600-h/bakalava.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SQDBXVZnRvI/AAAAAAAAApE/tbAmRQF72lY/s320/bakalava.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260416971394467570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The secret to this is that you don't have to mess with individual paper thin sheets of phyllo. You do them in stacks, and it actually works better because the sheets don't turn into glue from all the butter between the layers. This little trick turns a one hour prep into something under 10 minutes. (I know, I know, you can send fan mail to me if you must.) The other trick is keeping it crisp. You do that by making sure your honey syrup is really, really hot before you pour. That way it will caramelize and make a nice moisture shield so your phyllo doesn't get soggy.<br /><br />So, off we go.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Armenian Baklava</span><br />16 oz walnuts, chopped fine<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />1 tsp cinnamon<br />1 pound of phyllo dough<br />2 sticks of butter, melted<br />16 oz honey<br />1/4 tsp ground cardamom<br />1cinnamon stick<br /><br />Preheat oven to 300 and grease a 13" x 9" baking dish very well with butter. Make sure your phyllo is thawed according to the package directions. Cut all the layers at once into 13" x 9" rectangles and cover lightly with plastic wrap, then put a damp dishcloth on top. Dump the diced walnuts in a bowl and mix in the cinnamon and sugar. (If you can't find diced walnuts, you can chop them in a food processor, just don't overdo it.)<br /><br />Now for the simple-yet-impressive part. Take 5 sheets of phyllo and place into the baking dish. Brush well with butter (don't skip the corners). Sprinkle 1 cup of the walnut mixture on this. Now repeat that twice more, using all the walnut mixture. Now place the remaining phyllo sheets on top and brush with the last of the butter. Cut halfway through the layers with a sharp knife into 12 sections, then split each square into 2 triangles (don't skip the cutting). See, that wasn't so bad, was it?<br /><br />Bake it for 1 hr and 25 minutes. The last 5 minutes, heat the honey, cardamom and cinnamon stick in a small pot over med-high heat. Keep it at a simmer, but don't let it boil.<br /><br />Now when you take out the baklava from the oven, pour the simmering honey (minus the cinnamon stick) over the whole thing right away, making sure it gets down the sides of all the pieces. It will boil furiously for a minute, then subside. Cool for 1 hour, then finish the cuts all the way through. Do not refrigerate this or the caramel will break down and it will get mushy. If kept covered at room temperature it will last a week. (Yeah, right. It will all get eaten before then, trust me.)<br /><br />Take it to your next potluck and watch the influencing begin.<br /><br />Variations: Greek and Turkish versions use pistachios and almonds instead of just walnuts. You can flavor the nut mixture with cardamom or other masala spices. Also, you can flavor the honey with a few drops of rose, jasmine, or orangeflower water.Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-64386778652197743482008-10-07T16:33:00.004-06:002008-10-07T17:03:51.409-06:00Restructuring of Priorities. . .(a.k.a. more work for the Boy.)<br />After having a bash at working in a tiny, cramped space I decided to do a little modification to my original room layouts. Since I moved all the way out here at semi-great expense and trouble to focus on my career as an artist, I thought my space should reflect that mindset.<br /><br />So I rotated the rooms counter-clockwise. (That's where the grunt work came in for the Boy.) The studio is now our sleeping alcove, the living room is now my studio, and the bedroom is now the office/living room.<br /><br />Ah, moving all that furniture around our cramped space was a joy, let me tell you. But we're done now, and I am very pleased with the results. Lots of room to work, no knocking over my sewing machine when I get out of my chair at the drawing table, plus I can open all the file drawers <span style="font-style: italic;">all the way</span>. Pretty snazzy, eh? I also moved the cat tree next to my table, because what's the point of having a cat in a studio if it can't dash through your palette and track paint all over the house from time to time?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1IN-BzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/CThuUN0EdC4/s1600-h/new+DR.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1IN-BzI/AAAAAAAAAcU/CThuUN0EdC4/s320/new+DR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254548290182973234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn0k5H9SI/AAAAAAAAAcM/oE8m2fYCpEU/s1600-h/new+studio.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn0k5H9SI/AAAAAAAAAcM/oE8m2fYCpEU/s320/new+studio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254548280700302626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1StgqcI/AAAAAAAAAcc/0PntDfp9Ycs/s1600-h/new+LR.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1StgqcI/AAAAAAAAAcc/0PntDfp9Ycs/s320/new+LR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254548292999621058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1kEjIbI/AAAAAAAAAck/eL73hNptt9I/s1600-h/new+LR+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOvn1kEjIbI/AAAAAAAAAck/eL73hNptt9I/s320/new+LR+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254548297659654578" border="0" /></a><br />Hurrah, let joy be unconfined, etc.Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-82926577555458445792008-10-02T13:41:00.007-06:002008-10-02T14:20:01.863-06:00Tea for Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUlx5r7VUI/AAAAAAAAAbs/i_uTMSy23wQ/s1600-h/sheridan+palace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUlx5r7VUI/AAAAAAAAAbs/i_uTMSy23wQ/s320/sheridan+palace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252646079626433858" border="0" /></a>So, yesterday I went out to afternoon tea with a friend. We tried to go to the <a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/">Sheri</a><a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/">dan Palace</a> at first, but the <a href="http://www.sallys-place.com/travel/san_francisco/n_tea.htm">website</a> I found their hours on was off a bit. Saturday only (sigh). It has a beautiful lobby, though, don't you think?<br /><br /><br />So, troopers that we are, we regrouped and headed over to <a href="http://www.samovartea.com/">Samovar</a>, which is lovely if you want Japanese style Russian tea. Or Russian style Japanese tea, I wasn't quite clear. The English Tea Service was a bizarre combination of Asian and British styling that didn't quite make it all the way to endearing. Not quite in the spirit of Her Maj, in my opinion. The quiche was good, though. So, to prevent future mishaps I sat down and made a <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?cid=37761254,-122430737,8338266176317872873&li=lmd&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106337799132439487790.00045849e8e008ceba828&ll=37.785097,-122.430611&spn=0.053588,0.110378&z=13">Google map</a> of all the tea shops I found in San Francisco so far, with (correct) hours. Good job, Jenna.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUrpLuHLGI/AAAAAAAAAb8/anZ9yhAEsj0/s1600-h/low+tea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUrpLuHLGI/AAAAAAAAAb8/anZ9yhAEsj0/s320/low+tea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252652526918380642" border="0" /></a>I would also like to clear up a misconception about low tea and high tea. All these places are serving low tea, not high tea. "High" does not refer to the fanciness of the occasion, but to the height of the table it is traditionally served on. Low tea, or afternoon tea, features little cakes and fiddly things on toast. It was developed in the 1800s as a way for the wealthy classes to pass the time with friends. The lady of the house poured, and the servants were sent away so that guests could talk without being overheard. It is traditionally served on low tables in a parlor, hence the name "low" tea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUsBp480fI/AAAAAAAAAcE/otZKOOe9Sk0/s1600-h/high+tea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SOUsBp480fI/AAAAAAAAAcE/otZKOOe9Sk0/s320/high+tea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252652947333763570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />High tea was the working classes' dinner, and was usually served around 5 in the evening. It consists of meat pies, treacle tarts and other knife-and-fork dishes and was served at the family dining table, hence "high" tea.<br /><br />Are we quite clear? Good. Moving on.<br /><br />Afterwards I went to <a href="http://www.britexfabrics.com/">Britex Fabrics</a>. I can't believe I have waited this long to go, because it's four floors of awesome. The prices can't touch the fabric districts of New York or LA, but who can? It's less expensive than some places I've been to, and the selection of gorgeous fabrics is staggering. Ah. Drool. Can't wait to make some new clothes!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-1357570277008949332008-09-04T15:06:00.009-06:002008-09-17T15:19:34.851-06:00Why I Need More Closet Space<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SNFzM21fB4I/AAAAAAAAAbk/kLD8vaCDCxk/s1600-h/haight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SNFzM21fB4I/AAAAAAAAAbk/kLD8vaCDCxk/s320/haight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247101705578809218" border="0" /></a>Ok, you wanted to know about all the amazing shops in San Francisco, so here you go. These are more area guides than shop guides, but I will point out a few of my favorites along the way.<br /><br />The Haight:<br />Most of the best shops (a.k.a. the ones I like) are in the Upper Haight. <span style="font-style: italic;">Be warned: The window displays on Haight are all done by an outside agency and none of the displayed items are for sale. They are a ruse to get you to come into the store. Fortunately, most of the stores actually have nice things on offer, just don't be annoyed when you can't buy the fur-lined spats or the baroque jackets in the window.<br /><br /></span>The Lower Haight is mostly restaurants and studios. Except for <a href="http://www.doe-sf.com/">Doe</a>, a very cute shop with boutique label clothes and independent artists' work.<br /><br />So, if you start up by Golden Gate park and work your way down, there are several excellent record shops (although I prefer to buy music directly from the artist if I can). Then there are several lovely consignment shops, including <a href="http://www.thewasteland.com/">Wasteland</a>, the best kind of vintage/consignment shop, where it smells decent and the clothes are skillfully curated. This is also in the midst of a number of other vintage shops in the Haight area, so if your shopping list includes an orange pillbox hat or a heavily beaded vintage gown you will not go away disappointed. Also stop in at <a href="http://www.dollhousebettie.com/">Dollhouse Bettie</a>, and check out their beautiful boutique lingerie. After you have had your fill, stop in at <a href="http://www.indianovensf.com/">Indian Oven</a> for dinner -- they have the most amazing curries!<br /><br />Also nearby is Hayes Street, which has some lovely little boutiques and some really expensive shoe shops, like <a href="http://www.buloshoes.com/index.cfm">Bulo</a> and Paolo. They are mostly between Octavia and Franklin. At Gough St. is the <a href="http://www.absinthe.com/">Absinthe Bar & Grill</a>. Not to be missed. Seriously.<br /><br />Want more? Go <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/08/san-francisco-design-guide-2.html">here</a>. You should go there anyway, because <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/">Grace's blog</a> is awesome.<br /><br />Next time: mission The Mission. Have fun!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-87872213346823399742008-08-20T13:06:00.008-06:002008-08-20T13:29:55.675-06:00. . .And Now for Something Completely DifferentI bet you are all wondering if I have found any fantastic treasures so far in this city that is packed so full of treasures you have to stamp them down to close the lid. Well, I have. Many. So many, in fact, that I have a whole post that I am still working on. For now, let me introduce you to the newest staples of my wardrobe: <a href="http://www.helloboutique.com/showroom/?des=82">Luna Luz</a> skirts (no, that is not me, and I would not wear this skirt with sandals):<img src="file:///Users/boneflowers/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxuTxzW6oI/AAAAAAAAAbM/nhx4L_KIKDs/s1600-h/luna+luz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxuTxzW6oI/AAAAAAAAAbM/nhx4L_KIKDs/s320/luna+luz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236681752790362754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />They are so floaty and comfortable. The perfect balance of bohemian and victorian. It's all in the accessories, really. I have one in brown, and I just ordered a short charcoal and a long olive. I am also considering getting one in white and antiquing it with tea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And my new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Palladium-Womens-Evasion-Zip-Boot/dp/B000IYYIUQ">Palladium</a> boots:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxts3H5LhI/AAAAAAAAAbE/7V52vLuue3Y/s1600-h/palladium+evasion_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxts3H5LhI/AAAAAAAAAbE/7V52vLuue3Y/s320/palladium+evasion_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236681084203773458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, I thought nothing could top my <a href="http://www.dkode.com/">dKodes</a>, (warning, their site has weirdly looping music) and truthfully, these don't <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> do it. But they are really, really close. I am still waiting with baited credit card for dKode's fall/winter line to come out.<br /><br /><br />And the best part? They both go perfectly with the new Camp corsets I got on eBay (yay fan lacing!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxwj-ZLaBI/AAAAAAAAAbc/y_T3UAbKM6s/s1600-h/corset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxwj-ZLaBI/AAAAAAAAAbc/y_T3UAbKM6s/s320/corset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236684230071379986" border="0" /></a>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-11231748181683276342008-08-20T13:00:00.003-06:002008-08-20T13:05:50.030-06:00How the Other Half LivesI thought I would post a few quick pictures that the Boy took from his office window. Ah, almost a view of the Bay. You can see a teeny bit between the buildings. San Francisco has such a pretty downtown!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxqtmsbviI/AAAAAAAAAa0/Oc3Xms3MBtY/s1600-h/IMG_0103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxqtmsbviI/AAAAAAAAAa0/Oc3Xms3MBtY/s320/IMG_0103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236677798438616610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxqtMqnhGI/AAAAAAAAAas/tGRHnqDBcsM/s1600-h/IMG_0102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKxqtMqnhGI/AAAAAAAAAas/tGRHnqDBcsM/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236677791451677794" border="0" /></a>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-31092783618293796812008-08-19T11:25:00.005-06:002008-08-19T11:39:07.211-06:00The Rest of the Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsEsYAYu-I/AAAAAAAAAac/3XO79wcHx98/s1600-h/DSCN1317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsEsYAYu-I/AAAAAAAAAac/3XO79wcHx98/s320/DSCN1317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236284152153160674" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some shots of the living room, looking towards the kitchen, and looking away from the kitchen. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsCzFMo3-I/AAAAAAAAAaE/bWmNaDQJaWA/s1600-h/DSCN1316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsCzFMo3-I/AAAAAAAAAaE/bWmNaDQJaWA/s320/DSCN1316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236282068340105186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsE8F1ZMUI/AAAAAAAAAak/yhbETSrjAkY/s1600-h/DSCN1322.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKsE8F1ZMUI/AAAAAAAAAak/yhbETSrjAkY/s320/DSCN1322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236284422153122114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And from in the kitchen itself. Not too bad, eh?Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-77020904280158653902008-08-18T10:26:00.011-06:002008-08-18T10:54:27.808-06:00And Everything In It's Place. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmkroCx-SI/AAAAAAAAAZc/ZkDfrQ2aT_Y/s1600-h/DSCN1319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmkroCx-SI/AAAAAAAAAZc/ZkDfrQ2aT_Y/s320/DSCN1319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235897111185324322" border="0" /></a>So I finally managed to squeeze all my things into my new apartment. I will not even tell you what I spent at Ikea on storage furniture to supplement my two tiny closets, because I am in denial. ANYWAY. Here are some photos:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmokVffOwI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/9P2CYTX0Qcg/s1600-h/DSCN1318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmokVffOwI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/9P2CYTX0Qcg/s320/DSCN1318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235901383992883970" border="0" /></a>There are three windows in the bedroom, which is nice. Except when the granite shop across the road starts cutting their new shipment with a wet saw at 7 in the morning. The three ceramic hands on my dresser are antique glove molds I picked up at the <a href="http://www.antiquesbythebay.net/">Alameda Flea Market</a>, which is the coolest flea market I have ever been to.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And this is my way-too-cramped studio that I managed to be surprisingly productive in:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmmbMBvS6I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/MffGfJE6bp0/s1600-h/DSCN1320.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SKmmbMBvS6I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/MffGfJE6bp0/s320/DSCN1320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235899027810110370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As you can see, it's tight, but not unbearably so, although I suspect that by the time my lease is up I will be more than ready to get into a larger space, possibly with more than 10 square feet of closet space. I'll be back with more pictures soon!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-77095317888187580472008-07-16T15:09:00.002-06:002008-07-16T15:24:12.396-06:00A Farewell to Concrete<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SH5mv1TXhzI/AAAAAAAAAZU/evPVYQ1oLLY/s1600-h/DSCN1298.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SH5mv1TXhzI/AAAAAAAAAZU/evPVYQ1oLLY/s320/DSCN1298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223725589744551730" /></a><br />You know, it's not as easy as I hoped to find a converted warehouse in San Francisco, or even Oakland. We found a place in a old electroplating shop that has been completely gutted and redone. The unit has a huge, amazing window, which makes up for the Berber carpet and weird room layout. Sort of. <div><br /></div><div>I'm on the hunt for something more industrial for next year so I can hack open clocks and spread metal shavings and sawdust with impunity. Performing vivisection on a gear box is not something I like doing on carpet, if only because cog shafts and gear teeth are not something you want embedded in your flooring.</div><div><br /></div><div>But anyway, here is a shot of my new, gorgeous view of the Berkeley hills, with the Boy in for scale. Not bad. eh?</div>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-44182452865261800862008-07-10T09:37:00.003-06:002008-07-10T09:47:13.621-06:00Is This a Marathon?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SHYuzanYWVI/AAAAAAAAAZM/MU45rxjU9hs/s1600-h/kiss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/SHYuzanYWVI/AAAAAAAAAZM/MU45rxjU9hs/s320/kiss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221412278835370322" border="0" /></a>Jeez, I turn my back for one minute and whole months have gone by. Well, the Boy and I spent the whole of May jouncing between coasts like a rubber ball, and ended up in Wyoming to photograph my friend's wedding. Aren't they cute?<br /><br />Then we went back to San Francisco. And rented an apartment. So we're moving in two weeks. Hah!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-37005154737317293332008-03-26T21:53:00.001-06:002008-03-26T21:55:23.635-06:00Ah, the Sweet Scent of PublicityGood news! My new Fairy Lights were spotted on <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/lighting/etsy-scavenger-light-fixtures-046434">Apartment Therapy</a> for their Etsy Scavenger today. This is the best birthday present ever. Yay!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-72024939876531533962008-03-19T18:44:00.005-06:002008-03-19T18:51:39.315-06:00Fairy Lights Available on Etsy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-G0MuBwgOI/AAAAAAAAAY8/QFVdJuce8mg/s1600-h/mini+fairy+light.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-G0MuBwgOI/AAAAAAAAAY8/QFVdJuce8mg/s320/mini+fairy+light.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179619177059614946" border="0" /></a>After working out some kinks, <a href="http://boneflowers.blogspot.com/2008/02/fairy-light.html">Fairy Lights</a> are now for sale at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5378797">my Etsy shop</a>! I have many colors to choose from, in two sizes. The large version is 22" x 12", and the mini is 14" x 12".<br /><br />I am also considering a table top version, a cylindar luminary. I would need to order some lamp parts, so please let me know if you would like one and I will add it to my Etsy shop as an exclusive. Thanks everyone!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-G0SOBwgPI/AAAAAAAAAZE/l4jQLBsOQSM/s1600-h/lamp+colors+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-G0SOBwgPI/AAAAAAAAAZE/l4jQLBsOQSM/s320/lamp+colors+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179619271548895474" border="0" /></a>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-90162781194782369102008-03-17T23:17:00.003-06:002008-03-18T23:20:14.152-06:00Back in the Dawn of the Intarweb. . .Do you remember <a href="http://members.cox.net/jecoulter/flasheteria/skeledance.html">this</a>? I love the Skeleton Hootenanny. I wish I knew what the song was, though. First person to post the correct answer gets free Steampunk jewelry!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CiTdCTVgI/AAAAAAAAAY0/RbziNRrMCkE/s1600-h/skeleton+hootenanny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CiTdCTVgI/AAAAAAAAAY0/RbziNRrMCkE/s320/skeleton+hootenanny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179318026571568642" border="0" /></a>Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-73753294225883892242008-03-14T22:48:00.002-06:002008-03-18T23:26:38.512-06:00Mortar CombatI admit it. I am an avid cook, but I do not own a pepper mill. I've bought several over the years, and they were each as flimsy a piece of equipment as I have ever seen. Most broke within a month, the most memorable being my last purchase, which cracked on the third use. Needless to say, I have grown rather disenchanted with pepper mills and have lately resorted to grinding pepper in my massive granite mortar and pestle. I have yet to meet the spice that could stand up to that. I swear I could grind quartz into a fine powder in this thing. Not that I would, but you know what I mean. Anyway, this is not an ideal situation. I have been seeking a solution.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CedNCTVeI/AAAAAAAAAYk/8p31m--I1-U/s1600-h/Two-Hands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CedNCTVeI/AAAAAAAAAYk/8p31m--I1-U/s320/Two-Hands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179313796028782050" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday, I was bouncing back and forth between the <a href="http://www.blisshome.co.uk/default.asp">Bliss UK</a> and <a href="http://www.blisshome.us/default.asp">Bliss US</a> sites, wondering why America deserved only Nigella's cookware line (lovely and orbular though it is. <a href="http://www.blisshome.us/product.asp?product=35">Salt Pig</a> - mmm.) yet the British have things like this:<br /><br />I saw the ceramic hand on a design site a few days ago (<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a>? I can't remember. It was in a bathroom, for holding bracelets), and was trying to source it, though I'm not sure that the $60+ it would cost to get it here is ready to leap from my wallet <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> yet. But I did <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CeoNCTVfI/AAAAAAAAAYs/PrBDEZfHT58/s1600-h/spice-boy-group.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R-CeoNCTVfI/AAAAAAAAAYs/PrBDEZfHT58/s320/spice-boy-group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179313985007343090" border="0" /></a>find this: Oliver Hemming's Spice Boy. And, as it happens, <a href="http://www.unicahome.com/p37798/oliver-hemming/spiceboy-spice-grinder-by-oliver-hemming.html">Unica Home</a> has sweetly provided an American distribution point, so that I can ignore the dollar's pathetic slouch next to the British pound. And they have it in blue!Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367885398079369380.post-75404556330952519642008-03-12T14:26:00.004-06:002008-03-13T14:33:57.245-06:00A Quick Brown Fox. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R9mPKNCTVdI/AAAAAAAAAYc/yMjjG4ULaqM/s1600-h/fox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GjhZf0oJ6aU/R9mPKNCTVdI/AAAAAAAAAYc/yMjjG4ULaqM/s320/fox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177326652099876306" border="0" /></a>I was looking out my window the other day and was more than a little surprised to see a huge fox sitting near the sidewalk. I've seen both grey and red foxes south of here, closer to the Cherry Creek canal, but never this far north. We don't exactly back up to a wooded area, unless you count the fenced construction lot or the small adjoining park that has, I think, eight trees. I grabbed my camera, and got a few shots before it trotted off. They came out fairly fuzzy, due in large part to the screens in my windows, but I am glad I was able to record the moment.Boneflowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16281822951629147217noreply@blogger.com1