something blue...

by juli

i photographed a wedding last weekend and this is probably my favorite photo from the day because it unfolds a sweet story.  the bride's grandmother, who couldn't travel the long distance to her wedding, sent her a bluebird's feather for her "something blue."

etsy south

paloma's nest, a shop based in austin, texas, makes the sweetest hand-made, customizable goods.

i love this sentimental tiny text bowl and heart token

how about custom cufflinks for your special gentleman?

custom wooden book plates

all photos courtesy paloma's nest

addicted to these cookies...

photo by juli

i just returned from a trip out to southern california, and i am so happy to be home and back to the blog!  sorry, juli, for leaving you alone with the blog all week!  i tried to bring a little socal sunny warmth home with me.

i am so excited to share this simple carrot oatmeal cookie recipe from 101cookbooks.  i made these for a brunch with friends, and they were a hit!  i loved them so much i made another batch the following week and ate them for breakfast every day.  maple syrup = appropriate breakfast food, right?

oh, and they are vegan too!

there's a lot of room for improvisation with these.  zucchini, coconut, various nuts...chocolate???  

spring is almost here...

i am looking down my street in morning light with pinks and new greens and birds singing and it is just perfect. 

by juli

we are on the countdown at our house.  we love picnics, bike riding, quarry swimming and tree swings and we don't want to wear shoes any longer.  so spring, please come right now!

kid art, so great

cat toes, by tula mirth, age 4

i have always loved children's art, even before i became a mama.

over the years i have worked with children in urban and rural schools for a little photo project i once did in conjunction with the publication i work for and it was such joy.  all of the children were so delighted to see their photos in print and online.  it was exciting and i miss working with seven-year-olds and seeing the beautiful eyes they have for the world.  as adults we "train" ourselves to learn the process, the perfect lighting and staying up on the latest gear but we sometimes lose a lot when it actually comes to capturing the feeling of life that is so natural in children's work.  when i hear many adults talk about their work it is about the technical and my eyes sag, children say "this is my dog.  i love her.  look at her pink lips."  and i think, yes children!

coffee house by tula mirth, age 4

i recently bought my daughter a digital camera and i love to see what interests her.  it gives me a little doorway into her thoughts and how she views life at the moment.  truthfully, i also enjoy having a partner-in-crime when we take a walk with our cameras and i see that my daughter is a natural street photographer moving among people and photographing them with such ease.  what confidence!  i love street photography but it took me a couple of years in the profession as a twenty-something to command the confidence that my daughter holds.

my daughter may not become a career artist but i like to provide her with the opportunity to express herself, to make messes, to visit museums and to own beautiful books because i think these things help form the whole creative person.  i encourage her to see the quality of light coming through a tree branch or notice the beautiful stitches in a dress because sometimes noticing beauty, helps get you through the day.

here are some books that have helped us along the way or are on our current wish list.

first art: art experiences for toddlers and twos                                 
i started with this one and it was a lovely thing to watch a 9-month-old finger paint. 

discovering great artists: hands-on art for children in the styles of the great masters (bright ideas for learning) 
some really lovely art projects are included in this book which simplify art techniques such as creating egg paint,  yes really!

the art book for children, book two                                               
lovely visual encyclopedia of artists. 

frida                                                                                                                                                                                          beautifully illustrated book about frida kahlo when she was a little girl.

henri matisse: drawing with scissors (smart about art)               
my daughter currently loves any project that involves scissors.

courtesy of marthastewart.com

don't you love this gallery wall from martha   stewart?  i am looking at beautiful ways to display my daughter's art so if any of you have any great ideas please send them my way!  i plan on making a future post about displaying children's art.

                                         

print love via society6

i am loving this print from my pal and colleague, tim lee, who has such an excellent style.  tim is an illustrator and a painter and he moves between the two mediums with such grace. 

"dear hunter" by tim lee

and as if a print is not enough, 
what about an iphone skin!

happy birthday dr. seuss!

the engaging seussville website, i would strongly suggest a visit if you have never been.

awesome converse seuss kicks.

narragansett beer ads created by seuss in the 1940s.

thing one + two diy cupcakes!

dr. seuss taxidermy, i'd like the semi-normal green-lidded fawn please.

and the "secret art" of dr. seuss ("fooling nobody" is my favorite.)

lovin' this organic cat in the hat plush.

did you know there is a green eggs and ham cookbook?

and of course, you might want to make the hat from cat in the hat.