bookstores of new york

pictured above: community bookstore, mcnally jackson (i heart this place!), and the strand
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on the topic of new york bookstores, i was excited to see this article: ten best indie bookstores of nyc
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i may have an exciting new book project in my future. have you heard about these bad boys?

a fine evening

one evening in new york, we were out in manhattan and found ourselves with nothing planned for dinner. we hopped the L train to williamsburgh and took a long walk out to marlow & sons. dinner and drinks were fabulous. of course, we wandered into spoonbill & sugartown booksellers on the way back to the train. i love that shop. full of art books and zines and little knick knacks to pick up.

specks of light

 

from where i sit in this part of the world, i have to look closely to realize the sun is setting later and later each day. everything is very dark and wintery around here, blistering cold and a wash of gray, but little specks of light at 5pm or 5:15 remind me that things do change and spring does come.

these shots are from a beautiful home i've spent a lot of time in. sometimes you take the places around you for granted. getting behind the camera helps me see my surroundings in a new light.
this week i look forward to the return of six rolls of film. six!
i also look forward to lighting candles when i get home in the evening, making a louisiana stew in my crock pot, tidying my room and playing more games of bananagrams (my new obsession).

i've been spending a lot of time on these things this month. what a crazy experience to pack tightly into an airplane and ascend above the clouds, landing in a completely different place. i get a little claustrophobic and anxious, but it's pretty amazing to get to faraway places so quickly.

i'm back on my home ground for awhile now.

days of snow, 2

wishing you a warm christmas.
i'll be working until this evening, putting words and ideas in people's hands. then, a cozy dinner with my best friend and her family and tomorrow, a day full of festivities.
xoxo

days of snow, 1

happy winter solstice

the sun came out for my birthday yesterday, which was just about the best gift i could receive. that, and being with my beloved family and friends. these days are always gray and overcast, with a small break of sun if we're lucky.
december has been full of festivities and they aren't over yet. i'm so grateful for being social, but i could use a little solitude amidst these parties. right now i'm looking forward to a trip to new york for january 1.

the end of the meal at kurtwood farms
i'm hoping for a lot of these warm scenes this weekend. it's my birthday on sunday!

this weekend i will:
make a list of important things i've done in my life
go out to a birthday brunch with my parents
bake and cook and clean
make cocktails
give and receive gifts
listen to a lot of good music
play pictionary
eat a big bowl of pho
sleep in
find some new boots
be with people i love

happy friday!

a few shots from kurtwood farms, while waiting for a scrumptious homestead meal that was fed to a table full of booksellers. more shots from the meal to come tomorrow.
in the meantime, i can't stop thinking about this paris map bag.

one hot night

pratt fine arts center hosted an open house called 'one hot night' and we went to see metal working, glass blowing, bronze casting and more. jon might take a blacksmith class from them.

did you catch this story about indie bookstores on npr today? it's important.
i'm really excited about pomegranate bistro's new cookbook, fried chicken and champagne. it is beautiful. (oh! and also only available through independent businesses. if you are out of state, you can order directly through the company).