My Eames La Chaise Chair- finally close enough to sit in

I can only think of what it must be like to be a vegetarian but love to eat meat.  This is the comparison I draw when after living in a giant minimal house for 9 years we have moved on to a small, cluttery, warm and cosy house.  I have been on a clutter free diet for 9 years, and missed my belongings.

We are in the process of downsizing from our enormous nearly 6000 square foot home to our temporary abode, the 1300 square foot  guest house of Ivarene Farms.

Our dinning room surrounded by The Hollywood Dell

Breakfast on the patio

Although space is compact inside I have the glorious gardens and Hollywood Dell surrounding me.

moving is exhausting

We are physically closer enjoying each other in new found ways
Our new space, which we resided in during our 2008 remodel is familiar and comfortable.
For the first time in so many years I living in close proximity to my belongings, which were spread throughout our enormous house.  The children were smaller and we hadn't aquired quite so many kitchen tools.

My things!!

Some of my treasures close enough to cherish

I think I prefer a bit of clutter over sparse minimalism.

The garden is on hold this summer due to circumstances beyond our control, which will be explained in detail in the coming months.

The peach tree seems quite happy and the avocado tree  provided about 30 small gems

One has to continue to eat.....

The cooking continues

 Our new house doesn't allow me the exercise of scaling stairs, instead we live intimately together, steps away from the kitchen are the bedrooms.  Sharing one lovely bathroom rather than 4.  We are practicing patience and respect for each other in a new way.

Happily we embark on a new chapter with older children, little or no albatross and great adventure ahead.



The lesson:  Smaller is better.  Smaller life= more freedom.






Stay tuned for more from the semi-dormant Crockery Chronicles...

Fresh Fabrics

Fresh Fabrics

Today I took a field trip to The Fabric Store.  Based in New Zealand this is the first of their US stores plunked down on La Brea and stocked with designer dress fabrics and curated like a candy shop.  

Signage outside the shop

satiny reds lined up like lollypops

Summer caftan fabric?

Trim

Candy floss.. or Thread?

Unique sequin fabrics by the yard

what do you think this says?  Conversation piece?

Laser cut Tory Birch leather

If you go to their blog The Fabric Store Blog  there are directions on making a fantastic  and super simple DIY handbag from this laser cut leather.

The ancient tile floor 

lovely tables to peruse magazines for inspiration

The lovely Kaitlin another New Zealand transplant

Inspiration by the bolt- I only wish I were better at following patterns.  I might just buy some fabric to drape around myself.  

Dead Ringers

They began as seeds, lovingly watered and thinned so they would have room to stretch.  As they grew in to their peculiar shapes they took on a mortal existence.

Storing them in bowls of water each root captivatingly sexy.  I began my strange Cronenberg like collection.

What should I do with them?  Sew them little costumes?  I can't possibly eat them now that they have taken on human like forms.


For now they have taken up residency in a bowl of water in my vegetable drawer, each day they grow a bit more limp while I ponder their outfits.

An Itsey Bitsey Teeney Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Lederhosen

Stockings and Garter Belts

Mankini

Sexy Beasts...

Diamond Choker

Some Lovely French Lingerie

These I have cast in a sci-fi film

Fu Manchu

The Walrus 

Giant Squid-Melon

Zombie Carrott

Shrimp Thing

Their Leader The Beautiful Phantom 

The Warty Octopus Monster

A Culture of Starters Part 1

It has been just a year since my life was changed by a little tiny jar of sourdough starter gifted to me by the legendary Andrea Crawford of Kentor Canyon Farms.

We spent the day in her kitchen with several other friends.  The space is enviable : Double high ceilings, double ovens, double dishwashers.  Her kitchen always smells delicious. Bowls of fresh farm produce abound and she generously fills bags of it for her guests to take with.

Giant bowls of dough framed by the gorgeous room

 I have taken home peppers, lemons, avocados and pommogranite not to mention the the odd gourds Andrea gave to my girls resembling giant green poison apples.  I was given two beautiful swanlike effigies  grown by her husband and partner Robert.

ingredients for things to come

Andrea Goddess of Domesticity

Bowls of local ingredients

The day began with Andrea's home roasted freshly milled strong coffee, followed by a lesson in levain, and bread making.   Pausing only to eat a perfect lunch in her garden of salad and butternut squash soup she effortlessly threw together.   

Gorgeous soup whipped up for luncheon

Kentor Canyon Greens, warm bread, homemade honey butter

learning the techniques 

no need- indeed

The day ended with perfect rounds of fresh warm bread to go.

Two rounds of bread perfectly baked

perfection

Gifting me her starter and sending me on my way with linen index cards perfectly inscribed with her master recipe from Tartine Cookbook my brain hurt from all the new information and a bit of doubt.

Ok, I know- I know.. is there anything this woman doesn't know how to do?  I'm going to find out!