4/52 Found This Week

I have been finding so many wonderful things lately! All that I have found and gathered has inspired a whole mess of new blog posts which I will be rolling out soon. In the mean time, here is a small (small) sampling of what I found this week, and last. Enjoy! Oh Martha Stewart you crazy beautiful b*%#h. Why is everything you make and do so perfect? I can always trust that if I follow one of your recipes it will turn out just perfectly. As I am so very sure that you are a perfectionist, I pray that you also have some fun! I sure did while making and enjoying your recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies and Vanilla Tea Cake from Martha Stewart Living.

My dear friend Sonja and her wonderful husband Todd have been doing to awesome personal work. I love it when we dive deeper into our own selves! She sent me a values questionnaire which I will be answering soon.

Brendan is now 2 years and 7 month old, what!? He is so full of Coyote energy, always getting into trouble and being very creative in his play. Nate found this article on messy play. We are going to get messy, on purpose, soon.

Ayurveda is clear in its care for breast feeding mamas. I have been doing my best to incorporate these suggestions into the mix.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xap-K_N7OoQ&w=560&h=315]

Intuos creative stylus. I really want one!

A Daily Something blog so lovely and kinfolk-esque. Rebecca's blog is becoming one of my favorites - I have definitely added it to my collection. Thanks Rebecca!

European design blogs like Fantastic Frank (how cool is that name?). Some are out of my league style wise, but I love. Some favorite theme findings I am seeing: soft greys, white, the ocean, natural light, splashes of color, natural elements and of course, Kinfolk.

Lattes. I've been having a really strong craving for lattes. Nate's new coffee making geek-ery tools. New bowls from anthropologie, a desire for a vacation in France?

Madwell brand clothing specifically the oversized shirt look. Oh comfortable clothing, I swoon for you.

Words of Wisdom

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here are some words of wisdom from John O'Donohue. “What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach.  Many of the ancient cultures practiced careful rituals of approach.  An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation.

When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and arrogant mind lack the gentleness and patience to enter that embrace.” 

― John O’Donohue, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace

Homemade Granola

I love granola. I always want to buy it. I eat it really quickly. Then I am sad. So I finally decided to make some at home. This is what I did. It's good.

Ingredients 3 cups organic oats 1/2 cup each raw cashews, almonds and coconut flakes 3 tbs brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp turmeric a big 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup honey 2 tbs maple syrup 2 tbs coconut oil

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 300. Prep a big cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix oats, cashews, almonds, coconut, sugar, cinnamon, turmeric, and salt.

In a small saucepan, heat honey, maple syrup, and coconut oil slowly over medium heat. Mix. Let cool a little. Pour over and mix into oat mixture. Spread it all out on the cookie sheet.

Put in the oven for 40min, stirring it every 10min or so. When it's all golden brown and beautiful take it out. Let it cool. Mix in cranberries. Serve however you like it. We like it with yogurt and honey from our bees. Store in a big mason jar for future a breakfast or afternoon snack.

Portland: Our Adventure to Kelly Butte Nature Area

We finally had some sun here in Portland so we went to the woods to celebrate, breathe deeply, and feed the fire by getting our hearts pounding. The result rosy cheeks and smiling faces + tired babies. It was so nice to explore, just us and Coco. Kelly Butte is kinda our secret spot in the woods. Here is a little article that came up after a google search, interesting, mysterious.

An Interview with Shanan Kelley

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtr_5OLxOsc&w=560&h=315]

Shanan Kelley is the creator of The Night Light Show with Shanan Kelley and Magnificent Guests that she produces with a team of awesome, creative, dedicated and very funny people. Shanan is a dear friend of mine and I am honored to share an email interview I had with her. Shanan is incredible!  Read about some of her favorite things and how she conceived The Night Light Show. I'm also super stoked that she has an Indiegogo campaign so that we can support her courageous creative efforts. Because we all need more of this in our lives, yes?

KS: Hi Shanan! I love you, you are one of my favorite people ever! We've been friends since you walked up the stairs to MYC with your big black sun glasses on - like a movie star, or someone from rain-drenched Seattle unaccustomed to sunny central OR.

KS: What do you love most right now? SK: This is a tough question for me because I love so much...but I guess top of the list is my sweet doggie, being outside, and my friends. And my show...yes, of course the show! It's very lovable.

KS: What excites you? SK: The thought of knowing what my dreams are and then putting all effort towards achieving them.

KS: What is your favorite movie? SK: This is tough too...lots of good movies out there. The Fountain, anything funny, it's too hard to pick just one.

KS: What is your favorite book? SK: Whichever one I'm reading at the moment. Ok, that isn't true. Tina Fey's Bossypants is my favorite and should be required reading for all American citizens.

KS: What music do you love? SK: I am loving Phantagrams right now. I love the Santogold Pandora station. Mos Def, Jay Z, The Roots. I love Feist and always will.

KS: Where do you find inspiration? SK: Outside, on my yoga mat, and when I'm with my friends. Reading, laughing, and when coming out of a "dark spell..."

KS: How and where did you conceive the Night Light Show? SK: Hmmmm, the idea had been rattling around inside me for a while. But, it really came together during October art walk. We were at a party celebrating Micah and Esme's love the night before their wedding at Tin Pan Theater, and I just got super inspired. In the 48 hours that followed the show became very clear to me so Micah and I picked a date and that was that. :)

KS: What is really really really important for you? SK: That I take care of myself.

KS: Are you in love? SK: Yes, with my life.

KS: How does your yoga practice play out in your life? What do you love about yoga? SK: Every moment it plays out! When I need breath, in letting go, in finding another perspective. It is the thing that makes me the best at being me. I love that it enhances my health. I love that it has made me a better friend and lover and student. I love how many people it helps. I love the conversations I have about it. And I love that I get to play a role in how it develops as an industry and legitimate profession in the states.

The Night Light Show with Shanan Kelley and Magnificent guests happens live tonight at Tin Pan Theatre in Bend.