trouvée: the farm

An old farm, an unidenitfied and undated photograph, found in Maine. I am not exactly sure why it caught my eye, but I do love the softness of it. It has an ethereal quality.

So, to end the week on a beautiful note, a few links:

* Laura Letinsky
* É by Masao Yamamoto
* an amazing discovery
* and this great interview with Uta Barth

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ~ I'll be drinking a little champagne and making a few dozen pink cupcakes. Hmmm...and we'll see what other trouble I can get up to. Cheers!

wild fennel and dandelion seeds

I don't know why, but I am taking delight in little bits of nature right now. Maybe it's spring fever. If the rain drives you inside this weekend, spend some time here (where you can see the above photograph).

I'll be back tomorrow with a few more links and a round up of photo inspiration week. Until then, be well. Oh, and cherry blossom fever is spreading in Washington ~ here's the bloom prediction.

(images courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Henry Fox Talbot, Wild Fennel, 1841-1842, salted paper print, 2005.100.260; and Dandelion Seeds, 1858 or later, photogravure, 2004.111)

untitled, undated

I have been fascinated by the work of Miroslav Tichý since his photographs were first discovered and exhibited in Zürich in 2005. His haunting, almost voyeuristic images, all captured on a homemade camera, reveal just how beautiful and eternally vulnerable women are (for more, see here). A new book about his life and work is due to be published any day.

(image courtesy Kunsthaus Zürich and Tichý oceán foundation)

nature studies

Several years ago The Drawing Center had an exhibition titled Ocean Flowers: Impressions from Nature, which examined the connection between botany and early photography ~ all in all a gorgeous show (for more see here). I have been searching for a copy of the catalogue for a while, but since it was a small run and sold out quickly, used copies generally run into the hundreds of dollars! eeek! Well, last week I (finally!) found an affordable copy on eBay ~ I'll try to share some of it when it arrives. In the meantime, here is a little nature inspiration:

* Anna Atkin's British Algae
* Shari's Red (and her beautiful blog)
* Small Worlds (click on the image gallery)

Happy tuesday all...enjoy!

(images via The Drawing Center)

black and white

A little bit more of the Lanvin book for you, which I meant to post last week. I have so many exciting things to share...where to begin? Well, first, I had the most amazing brunch on sunday with a group of Baltimore-Washington area bloggers, hosted by the lovely Julie of Kitchenography. Many thanks to Julie and Meg for organizing ~ it was so much fun! I would say more, but Meg has already done a great job of summarizing. And second, I have been saving all sorts of gorgeous photography links for you which I will share throughout the week. Here are some monday favorites:

* Gaylen Morgan (these make me yearn for soft summer breezes)
* Nanna Büchert (the "Ironscapes" series caught my eye)

Enjoy these longer evenings!

trouvée: alfresco

I couldn't resist ending food week with this photograph (click to view larger). It is probably one of the funniest snapshots I have found in a long time ~ I can't believe that NO ONE bid against me for it on eBay! Three women dining alfresco in the 1930s. It is hard to see in this scan, but there is a jar of pickles, some rolls, a plate of sliced bananas, and a can of walnuts. And, well, there's that cake!

Oh, and here's a great new publication for you found photo devotées ~ Now is Then: Snapshots from the Maresca Collection. I have lots more photo inspiration to share with you next week. Until then, enjoy your weekend ~ cheers and happy eating.

P.S. This is my kind of grocery list.

grab a spoon

Last night I went out to dinner and so I have no inspired cooking to show you (sorry!). But, how could I leave you without dessert? A friend made this layer cake recipe a couple summers ago, and I thought it was one of the prettiest, yummiest desserts I have ever tried. It is labor intensive, but worth the effort I think!

And the spoons? Well, last week Nicole posted some of her gorgeous flatware and asked the rest of us about our own collections. So, here is a little bit of mine. I love the simple patterns and lovely old monograms. My favorite spoon ~ the one I always seem to grab when I have my tea ~ is on the far left. It is so old that the handle is paper thin and the engraving is almost worn off, but if you look closely it reads "T.J. 1844."

tomato soup

One of the things I miss most at this time of the year is fresh tomatoes. Yes, I know, there are hydroponics ~ but let's face it, they are just not the same. So when I tasted this tomato soup recipe at a friend's party recently I was inspired ~ it's a little different and packed full of tomato flavor. And because it uses rice as a thickener rather than flour, it is gluten-free. Enjoy!

Curried Tomato Soup

1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup rice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp curry powder (to taste, sweet or hot)
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 – 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in rice and spices, cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Cool and puree in blender in small batches (note: I used a hand-held blender ~ much easier!).

oh honey...

I don't think I have ever met a cheese I didn't like. And living in DC, I am pretty lucky to have a good selection ~ in fact, I have a "cheese history" at Cheesetique. And there's Cowgirl Creamery. And of course Blue Ridge Dairy at the farmers' market. Their mozzarella and feta is divine (I am even a convert to their smoked mozzarella). So, on sunday I picked up a chunk of the feta with the intention of trying this recipe. Now, before you think I have lost my mind, I must say it is one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. The honey cuts the saltiness of the feta, and gives it sort of a crispy crust. I dispensed with the pita bread and decided to have it as a meal with fresh greens (sort of like a warm goat cheese salad). Wow! I kept imagining my friend Christine making her yummy noises, and saying "holy mother, this is good!"

P.S. A word on the honey...you don't have to use fancy Greek thyme honey. Mine is from some good friends in Connecticut who keep bees.

Yummmm...happy wednesday!

wild mushrooms

When I was in Munich several weeks ago, I was so amazed by the produce at the town market. Beautiful cheeses, sausages, simple winter root vegetables ~ and of course those wild mushrooms and truffles. I wish I could have bottled up the smell of all that goodness. I admit that I am a little timid about cooking with things like mushrooms and truffles (though certainly not about eating them!). But this risotto recipe looks divine ~ and how can you go wrong with this pasta dish? My farmers' market does have a rather amazing selection of things, including mushrooms, so I have no excuses. I resolve to back away from the portabella, and be more adventurous when it comes to fungi.

More late winter cooking inspiration tomorrow. Until then, cheers!

welcome march!

Ahhhh...it was a gorgeous weekend in Washington. And the farmers' market was in full swing. There still isn't too much in the way of produce, but a few spring greens are beginning to make an appearance. And there were the fresh Maryland crab cakes, and the Blue Ridge Dairy feta cheese. It was enough to inspire me to cook again. I don't know about you, but I get into a rut after the holidays ~ I think partly because most of the produce is rather tasteless and unappealing. So, starting tomorrow I thought I would share a receipe a day for the next week. Something to get those creative culinary juices flowing. For today, a few links inspiring me for spring:

* Orie Ichihasi (found via ah-yi)
* this photograph by Yann Orhan
* Orla Kiely spring/summer 2008

And ~ I just got the new J. Crew catalogue and was thrilled to see the Kaufmann House featured! Wishing you all a good beginning to the week...

collective project

As promised on friday...the rest of my goodies from Michelle. In addition to the fabulous photographs, Michelle sent some note cards by Julianna Swaney, and the most delightful book by Lilli Carré, a Chicago artist. She also sent a wonderful CD, which is not pictured because it has been playing on repeat since it arrived! Such a fun, clever package ~ I loved it! You can see what I sent her here.

trouvée: par michelle

A few lovely things from Michelle, sent to me as part of Montmartre's Collective Project. I was so overwhelmed when I open my package to find such bounty! One of the things I enjoy the most is how these old photographs were presented ~ in such fantastic embossed folders. Why don't we pay attention to such details anymore? Michelle found all of these in her hometown of Chicago. Like me, she loves old photographs ~ and this is such a treat. Thank you!

But, the bounty doesn't end here...there is more! You'll just have to check back monday to see what else she sent. Until then, wishing you a weekend full of lovely details. Happy leap day!

(click to view larger)

spring green

Just a quick post today ~ I am swamped! A little more spring green inspiration for you ~ a page spread from the Lanvin catalogue. And a link ~ Seton Smith is having an exhibition! There's also a great interview with her here. Enjoy! I'll be back with more tomorrow...

signs of spring

It's funny how at this time of the year we become so focused on the tiniest bits of green ~ the littlest signs of spring. Anything that promises respite from the cold and grey. Like all the wonderful new art work popping up out there. Here are some of my favorites:

* Irving Penn's Vessels
* Candida Höfer's Recent Work
* Lines & Shapes

And speaking of spring, I loved this article. Oh, and doesn't this look like fun? I'd love to hear what sorts of things you are enjoying right now. Happy wednesday all! xo.

northern light

After a week of grey, the sun finally came out the day I went to Skansen. That beautiful northern light with its long golden rays! And Skansen...well, for those of us interested in historic buildings, it is like a religious experience. It also made me realize how badly I would love to get beyond Stockholm and drive through that gorgeous countryside, seeing some of those buildings in situ. Oh, and I want this book!

Have you ever visited somewhere and even though you have never been there before, it just feels familiar? That is the way it is with Scandinavia for me. Maybe it is the northern-ness of it, or maybe my Norwegian heritage is showing itself. Whatever it is, I know that some day I will have to go back. There are so many more photos, but I am feeling the need to move on and share other bits of inspiration. So, while I am closing the book on this trip, I am sure that little bits of it will find their way into my future posts. For now, happy tuesday....

in stockholm

It was so hard to leave Edith and Christian and my cozy little room in Copenhagen. But Sweden beckoned, and soon I was on a train speeding through some of the most gorgeous, pristine landscapes I have ever seen. I have always wanted to visit Stockholm, and it did not disappoint ~ so full of wonderful things to explore. Here are some of my favorites:

* Clas på Hörnet (my little hotel "on the corner")
* Nordiska Museet (gorgeous art and crafts)
* Oleana (to splurge a little)
* The Sweden Bookshop (more books!)
* Svenskt Tenn (ahhh...sigh)

But, most of all, I just loved wandering. Of course, I was the only one crazy enough to be out in the cold.

a winter garden

It is winter in Edith and Christian's garden. It is quiet, and mostly brown. The trees are bare and the shrubs are covered with evergreen branches. But there are little green things popping up ~ winter jasmine and snowdrops. And there are baskets and baskets of apples.

"Edith, what do you do with all the apples?"

"Well, you throw them away when they get rotten."

P.S. I happen to know that a lot of them are made into apple butter before they get that way.

edith

I wasn't sure how I would know her when I got off the plane in Copenhagen. She had insisted on meeting me there at the airport, and that I stay with her. She's 93, I thought, and she hasn't seen me since I was a baby. But there she was, her sparkling blue eyes ~ my grandfather's eyes ~ looking right at me. Of course, I knew her, you always know family. "It's an old house," she said apologetically as we climbed into the car, "full of old things and old people." Well, I knew right then that I would love it.

(photo: early morning view from the guest room window)

in denmark

Ah, how to sum up Denmark in just a few photographs, just a few words? Well, I can say I fell in love with Copenhagen. It was cold and grey, but the city welcomed me with open arms and a warm smile. As the sun goes down, candles appear in every window, beckoning one inside to savor the delights of a good meal and a glass of wine. And the fashion ~ that Scandinavian winter chic ~ well, I splurged a little here and here. Danish art? I loved with that too ~ especially the Louisiana Museum for Moderne Kunst and the Statens Museum for Kunst. Oh, and the flowers...pots full of bulbs, always white, wishing the cold away.

But most of all, I fell in love with two special people in a little yellow house, who didn't know me at all, but welcomed me into their home and introduced me to my Scandinavian roots. But...more on that tomorrow. For now, stay warm.

peeking in windows

I love to peek in windows ~ a terrible habit, I know. Anyway, I did a lot of it in Scandinavia. It gets dark so early, and it's just such a temptation to look in on the warm glow of a candle-lit interior. This was taken at Skansen, through the window of one of the workshops there.

So for today, just a little peek at my trip...I am still swamped, and feeling rather under the weather I am afraid. On the bright side, we have snow here in Washington!

back home

Hello all! I am back home. I loved, loved Scandinavia, but am so happy to be sleeping in my own bed. I spent two weeks in Denmark and Sweden (with a quick trip to Munich thrown in!). While I was working most of the time, I did have time to explore museums, see a few sights, and meet some wonderful relatives! Can't wait to share all of this with you, but have not had any time to work on my own photographs (and there are hundreds). So, I will instead leave you with one of my favorite finds ~ the work of Susanne Wellm, a Danish photographer. For more of her photographs, see here ~ and for more wonderful Danish photography, see here.

See you tomorrow...!

(images: Susanne Wellm)

roses...for you

A bouquet from Copenhagen to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!

And...drum roll please...the winner of the Floral House book is...my mom! There was no peeking I swear! Anyway, mom, I'll get it in the mail to you next week. Many thanks to all of you who commented and emailed last week. As always, I love, love hearing from you. I'll be back home soon, with tales from Scandinavia. xo.

turning one

It's hard to believe, but February 6th marks the one-year anniversary of this blog! To be honest, I never really thought I could keep it going this long. But, I have had so much fun along the way, found so much inspiration and ~ best of all ~ met some truly amazing people. So, I thought I would celebrate with a little give away. I have an extra copy of one of my favorite books ~ Floral House ~ and if you are interested, please leave me a comment between now and February 6th. I will put everyone's name in a hat and pick the lucky recipient (no peeking I promise). Make sure you include your email (if I don't have it) so I can get in touch with you. I am leaving monday for a business trip, so will announce the winner on Valentine's Day. Until then...cheers!

Oh, and happy Groundhog Day! Alas, poor old Phil saw his shadow...

trouvée: trees

This is one of my favorite photographs, found on ebay several years ago for $1! Other than the number "4 E 1220" inscribed into the negative (see upper right), there are no inscriptions. It's old though, probably 1890s. I adore cyanotypes ~ and the blues in this print are particularly rich and beautiful.

There is so much gorgeous photography out there right now (both old and new) ~ here are a couple things I am particularly enjoying:

* Ipswich Days (Arthur Wesley Dow's cyanotypes are a love letter to his home town)
* Seton Smith (see her architecture photographs ~ lovely!)

Oh, and I am excited for this (finally, finally!). Wishing you all a wonderful weekend...I'll be back tomorrow with a little announcement and a birthday celebration!