the ivy

there are no less than a dozen draft posts behind the scenes here on mpc. it's been like that lately. i sit down, start to write and get interrupted and don't come back for days on end. or when i come back, i can't get myself back into the mood i was in when i started the post and therefore can't finish it. so i thought i'd start at the simple end of the posts. with some beautiful food.

i ate this beautiful food (that's salmon sashimi in those top two photos) at the ivy a few weeks ago when i was in london. i'm not sure i realized the significance of lunch at the ivy at the time, tho' i knew it was a posh london club and i knew that a lovely two hour lunch on a friday was something special. and i fully appreciated the wonderful intriguing, interesting conversation that i had with my lunch companion, who is a person i met a few months ago at a conference.

the specialness started to dawn on me when i had to go in through a secret entrance through a flower shop. it was nice, a bit stiff upper lip in decor, but also comfortable. i probably didn't look around me enough to spot celebrities, as i didn't know that aspect of the place at the time. i was too absorbed in the food and the great conversation. but i suppose that's as it should be.

the food was just lovely and the perfect amount of chef-y. pretty presentation, delicate flavors, fresh flowers as garnishes and generally a delight to the senses. especially this delicate lemon dessert, a take on lemon meringue pie. it makes my mouth water all over again, just looking at this iPhone photo.

it was all rounded off by a lovely coffee with latte art. i'm a little bit glad i didn't realize the significance of being invited to lunch in the private club at the ivy at the time, as i might have been overawed and not enjoyed it nearly as much. as it was, it was a lovely, completely engaging experience. one of those where you're just fully in the moment, savoring it. every delicious bite.

and now there are only 11 more drafts to go...

looking at life through kittens' eyes

there's a lot to be learned from kittens. they live utterly and completely in the moment. they only do what they want to do. they thoroughly enjoy what they're doing, whether playing, sleeping or eating.

they're not afraid of conflict but they make up quickly afterwards. they cry out when they are hurt or just when they want attention. they let you you know if they are hungry or lonely. they consider everything a potential plaything. they purr when they're happy. when they're hungry, they eat. when they're thirsty, they drink. when they're tired, they sleep. when it's time to play, they play. when it's time to explore, they explore.

they make the most of every moment. they play hard. and sleep hard. they trade on being cute if it gets them what they want. they are fearless. they climb as high as they can and don't worry about falling. if they tumble down, they just get right back up and try again. they are full of boundless energy and when it runs out, they sleep. no matter where they are. they know that the cat on the bottom isn't necessarily losing. we could learn a lot from kittens.

make hay while the sun shines

the weather is absolutely glorious.
the sun doesn't set 'til after 10 p.m.
we're soaking up the light.
and time with the kittens.
it's good to spend time with kittens.
they live in the moment like nobody's business.

my writing is all going elsewhere at the moment (they pay me for it there).
but i'm bursting with thoughts.
and pieces of sanity madness things that i need to share.
but it feels like there's no time at the moment.
like the words are all gone when i sit down here in this space, where they usually flow so freely.
or maybe i'm just called outside by light like this.

and perhaps my extra words are going to an old friend who just got back in touch.
and it feels like they belong to her right now.
and i like that.

but it's also because business is finally taking off.
and i'm busy.
in a good way.
unexpected projects came our way (two in the past week).
and they're giving me energy.
the good kind.

and i've got plane tickets in hand.
which always feels good.
and it's been far too long.
sabin and i will go to the states this summer, for three weeks.
we'll visit friends and family and play with horses.
and buy converse and go to the gap and starbucks and get a new iPad.

there's so much to look forward to.
but there's also so much to love and enjoy about here and now.
(they promise sunshine 'til next tuesday.)

quilt progress and a moment of stillness

i started a whirlygig quilt january 1 and to keep myself on track, i wanted to share my progress. i now have a finished quilt top! since i lack quilt batting and i want to use what i've got, i'm thinking of backing it with a cuddly dark purple fleece that i do have on hand. i love the other fleece-backed quilts i've made - they're somehow so much friendlier and more cuddly for sitting around watching t.v.

these anna maria horner innocent crush fabrics are even more stunning sewed up than they were  stacked in my stash (must remember this). cutting into gorgeous fabric is sometimes the hardest part. i have to say that i really feel inspired by the projects in malka dubrawsky's new book - fresh quilting - and this will definitely not be the last project i make from it. the book really lives up to its name - fresh. and the colors and modern feel of the projects - just fabulous.

it was just breathtaking outside when i went out to take these photos. it's very still and very cold, but sunny and the world is covered in frost. there is the most marvelous hush, tho' sound is traveling far in the stillness...i heard a dog barking off in the distance and horses snuffling from the other direction. so nice to have had a moment to stand, breathe in and enjoy it.

happy monday.

observing right now

1. the day is grey.
   
2. burned hair smells really bad.
   
3. the smell of burned hair lingers on and on.
   
4. listening to röyksöpp.
   
5. i'm pondering a gocco print and it's going to come out of my head and onto the paper soon.
6. the room is warm.
7. flickering candlelight.
8. amazon.com sent my book from new zealand (who is doing the logistics on that?)
9. there are pictures to be hung.
10. cameras make me happy.

note to self: remember where the candles are when you are caught up in taking photos.