molly irwin

nurture

 

My latest design/memory-keeping project in 'real time' is the documentation of our family garden; from seedlings to table. By 'real time' I mean I'm writing and creating the book as we progress, rather than after the fact.

At this point it is wide open. I'm considering each aspect of the book: desired shot lists, hand-written notes, type faces, all within the context of what the story is really about. Right now I'm collecting raw materials: photos, words, ideas ...

There are many reasons why we are planting a vegetable garden:

• primarily to feed ourselves, but also ...

• to engage our children in the physical realities from where food comes,

• to make our home's landscape productive and useful,

• to continue to strengthen a sense of community with our immediate neighbors,

• for beautification of our property,

• to improve personal resource management (ie. compost, rainwater collection, lower grocery budgets, etc.)

• for sentimental reasons; recalling childhood summers tasting snap peas in my Grandparents yard ...

I've got to be forthright: the composting aspect concerns me. I know it's a responsible thing to do, but we live in a city. In the past we have had a regional problem with rats. It gets hot here. I don't want smells coming from my yard. I'm squeamish. These are things I'll be working through and overcoming. 

Of course basic access to sunlight and water are important garden planning factors. However, the guiding principles we're using are from Christopher Alexander's book, A Pattern Language. His timeless writings resonate very soundly right now:

"In a healthy town every family can grow vegetables for itself. The time is past to think of this as a hobby for enthusiasts; it is a fundamental part of human life." -- pattern #177 vegetable garden

And also ...

"Children, so much more spontaneous and intuitive, give us a view in microcosm. .. how much more often they prefer side yards and gardens which have some privacy, yet also some exposure to the street...This balance can only be created in a situation where the garden is half in front and half in back -- in a word, at the side, protected by a wall from too great exposure ..." -- pattern # 111 The half-hidden garden.

This makes a lot of sense for our project being situated on a narrow city lot. We'll have squash, pumpkins and a cucumber trellis on one side by the gate; tomatoes, zuccini, peppers, beets and herbs in raised beds on the other side.

I'm keeping my eyes on the prize, remembering last year's small, but delicious bounty.

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That list of motivating rationale (above) is all about nurturing. Nurturing the plant life, ourselves, our property, and our community. That theme has been percolating with me for some time, since early fall when I started baking my own bread. It's the right word and the right theme for this new not-so-mini book on our family garden.

I'll share sections of the garden journal periodically (as it comes together) throughout the spring and summer here on the blog.

'tis a fine day to be Irish

 

[found this leprechaun on my porch last year]

You've got to dress them like that early on, because they will never go for it once they hit the age of four. However, I suspect he will be glad for the photos later on down the road. That's what I tell myself anyway.

I started out this morning early with a brisket in the pot and soda bread in the mixer. If you are trying your hand at soda bread today, you may be interested in this little piece I found on Epicurious, regarding traditions and controversy over traditional vs. non-traditional versions.

Today Erin is hosting Heather Ross, at House on Hill Road to discuss and feature her new book, Weekend Sewing. So I'll be heading over there later.

I raise my glass to you; even if it is only a coffee (not made Irish, thank you.) Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

In search of lost time

 

"Life is extraordinarily suave and sweet with certain natural, witty, affectionate people who have unusual distinction and are capable of every vice, but who make a display of none in public and about whom no one can affirm they have a single one. There is something supple and secret about them.  Besides, their perversity gives spice to their most innocent occupations. Such as taking a walk in the garden at night." -- Marcel Proust

All last week I was tempted. Tempted as I can be by powerful words and a friend who is an excellent writer and literary enabler. 'The book fairy' she has been called by many who know her, and to which I can happily testify is an accurate moniker. The challenge: to read In Search of Lost Time, beginning simply with the first volume, Swann's Way.

It was the excerpt above, at the end of her week long Proust-fest that tipped my decision to join this reading and discussion experience. 

It is often said -- and I know it to be true -- that the person we will become in the years ahead is directly related to the people with whom we associate and the books that we read. 

I've never been much for standing still.

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For info. on the Proust invitation read the week-long series at Nonsuch book.

working with gravity

"My whole theory about art is the disparity that exists between form, masses, and movement." -- Alexander Calder

Weeks ago I signed up to participate in Meg's Mobile swap. The challenge of working with gravity, and the idea of giving it away (putting something out there into the world) was the appeal. Well, my ideas have not come together as I envisioned, and I'm on to another path. Plan B. I have recieved the mobile from my swap partner in the mail and will share it soon when the light is better for good photos.

Meanwhile, I thought I would share this found video of one of my main attractions on regular visits to the National Gallery of Art.

Happy weekend!

spring fresh inspiration

 

Fabric egg tutorial by Retro Mama

I definately want to make some of these in shades of natural and white linen that I have on hand. This would serve me well as I could use LOTS of practice with the closure step, the slip stitch.

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Come Home! Magazine [Photo courtesy of Karyn, of The Workroom]

What I've seen of this Japanese publication (in limited bits here and there on flickr) looks fabulous; each image more romantic than the next. This miniature potted stick swing in particular is just TOO GOOD. In my imagination a tiny version of myself pumps forward stretching barefoot toes skyward, then hops free in a mid-air leap to the moss below.  See this page also. 

Copies of Come Home! may be available through Leslie, of Good-ness, who kindly offered to check pricing and availability by special request.

 

This photo of collected paper belly bands, by Chelsea, of Arugula Press

The delicious color, texture, lighting and pattern ... it's all so appealing, like modern quilling. Makes me want to play with my own textural patterns with paper and certainly has my imagination moving in new directions. Don't you love when that happens?

book binders

   

... not to be confused with the famous Philadelphia establishment.

Sometimes I just want to get my hands busy making something, (No, really Molly? You say) and these little covered journals are a super quick way to satisfy that urge between more focused projects.

The floral pattern is Helen's new nature journal, re-purposed from a thrift shop photo album (.75 cents!) covered in paper and a book cloth spine. You will just have to take my word on it that this is a big improvement over the pink, floral kitten with yarn print of its former life.  (paper by Iota. book cloth from Paper Source.) 

 

Mine is the blue-gray linen version, made of an old novel with the text block cut away and a ring-binder from another photo album. An idea I picked up from Monique. They both measure about 9" tall, so they're portable enough to toss in our field bags. 

We wanted something that would open flat for drawing and this way we can fill them with three types of paper: ruled, drawing, and watercolor. I love the flexibilty of being able to add and take away pages as needed.

 

Cheerful dots finish the inside covers. (multi by American Crafts, orange/pink by Scenic Route)

All of the paper and book cloth was adhered with heavy-duty 3M spray adhesive. 

on the street, family style

 

That headline is a little take-off on the beautiful blog, The Sartorialist. As if.

We had a city day yesterday: hunting down a good parking spot, a falafel lunch, our first visit to the National Aquarium in DC, and lots and lots of walking fueled by free hot chocolate courtesy of the McDonalds new-product sample van conveniently parked outside the Reagan building.  

The Aquarium is small and older, with waist-high tanks positioned just tall enough that my seven-year-old had to stretch on tipped-toes and the little guy needed a permanent lift. Two small aligators, a snapping turtle, and a large octopus were highlights. In a quiet moment it was kind of wonderful watching the subtle stirring of a large Angel fish before an urgent cry for my attention elsewhere.

A personal favorite was the coral reef tank with its other-worldly textures and colors.

 

And this green sphere.

 

On the way back to the car we lingered near the north lawn of the White House listening to a street musician's rendition of Dock of the Bay on Saxaphone. 

The girls decided they would like Paul to run for office next term so we can live there.

wearing the green

 

It is gorgeous here today. The kids are outside running between our house and the neighbors alternating between petting their dog and building an imaginary "cabin" that has been in the works off and on for a couple of years.

They are also making a 'Happy St. Patrick's Day' banner using the shamrock crayons we made with leftover bits of old crayons.  I was reminded of the idea when I saw Daria's photos from valentine's day, and wanted to put our shamrock cookie cutter to use. The process truly was as simple as Daria described: melt chopped crayons in muffin-tin foil, and cut into shapes and pierce holes while the wax is soft.

I strung them on hemp twine as crayon bracelets, and the kids have decided they want use one and wear the other to the parade tomorrow.  Though if the weather gets any warmer they might get too melty on the metro.

get out your colors

I love, love, love this. (via Courtney.)