Is it really February already??

I have been working on a project
that I am very excited about--
which I will share more about soon!--
and time has run away from me.

These are some of the things
that I have been enjoying lately:

Reading: The Song of Hartgrove Hall by Natasha Solomons
Watching: The Great British Baking Show (obsessed!!)
Listening: Heaven's Gate by Dawn Landes & Piers Faccini
Relishing: Pacific Northwest Ballet's Roméo et Juliette (goosebumps)

Marika Hackman - '81 (Joanna Newsom cover)

Enjoying lately:

This book
This song
this painting
& this one too,
this card
these seeds
(for an attempt at Fall sowing!)
this bread
this cider
& this dress
(so pretty in person!)

Lord Huron - La Belle Fleur Sauvage

I know I am late to the game,
but I recently read Gilead,
and then Home
by Marilynne Robinson,
and I have a copy of Lila
all set to read next.
I enjoyed the first two books
(and particularly Home)
in a way I have not enjoyed a novel
in quite a while.

I read for so many reasons--
for relaxation,
for education,
for escape,
and sometimes simply
to fill up a bit of time,
on a long commute
or while waiting for a friend.

It is such a joy
when I come across a book
that is so beautifully written
that I savor the experience of reading it,
not just for the effect it has on me,
or it's place in my life,
but for exactly what it is:
a spare, elegant and well-crafted piece of art.

Some sweet reads
for Springtime-lovers
of all ages
(old favorites that I re-read each year,
as well as a few new ones
that I've lately been enjoying):

The Secret Garden (with illustrations by Inga Moore)
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life
Outside Your Window
A Year in Brambly Hedge

It's feeling so Spring-like
here in Washington,
but I know that the East Coast
is still buried under snow!

Whatever your weather,
do you need something
subtly ferocious
and utterly captivating
to read during these in-between days?

Then check out
Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels
(I, II, and III;
the final book in the quartet
will be coming out
in September).

And after you do,
please come back
and discuss them with me,
because I cannot get them out of my head.

Instrumental Mix IV!
See I, II, and III.
I love making these mixes,
and listen to them all the time.
I hope you enjoy this new one.


Mulberry, Mauve, & Gold - February 2015

+Lover's Desire - Anaïs Mitchell
+Silo Song (Instrumental) - Laura Veirs
+Jump Up Jon - Black Prairie
+Tokka - Agnes Obel
+Skylark Herald's Dawn - James Blackshaw
+Breton An Dro - Maggie Sansone
+Cincinnati Traveler - Hem
+Kensington Blues - Jack Rose
+Sexfaldur - Amiina
+Tuireadh nan Hiortach - Alasdair Roberts & Robin Robertson
+Guitar 13 - Clogs
+Tip Toes - Essie Jain
+Alone In Kyoto - Air
+Sun Will Set - Zoë Keating
+Masollan - Balmorhea
+Bunkhouse Theme - Bob Dylan

On a day
that felt as warm as May
we took a walk through reeds
bleached shining white,
gleaming almost too brightly
in the sun
to look at straight on.

Waterways carved paths
based on directions and criteria
unknown to us.

----

First Aid Kit - Stay Gold

I don't know about you,
but for me,
October was a doozy of a month.
I normally love October,
but this year
I'm just glad it's over.

Onward,
into November,
we go.

----

I've recently become obsessed--
absolutely obsessed--
with the work of Anais Mitchell.
I cannot seem to listen to her music enough!

Young Man In America
Wedding Song (from 'Hadestown')
Geordie



.

I've been enjoying
lots of good music lately.
All of it sounds fresh,
and light,
and perfect for Springtime.

These two have been on
near-constant repeat.

Elephant Revival | These Changing Skies
Kathryn Claire | Shimmering Blue

And of course,
it's time for me
to pull this playlist
out again.
I must admit:
it has a special place
in my heart.

I cannot believe
it's almost been a year
since our wedding...
!

A Wintry mix
of all instrumentals
for pearl-grey days
and quiet hours.


Dove, Diamond, & Sky - February 2014

+ Edge of The World - Josh Ritter
+ Falling Catching - Agnes Obel
+ Disfarmer Theme - Bill Frisell
+ Sacred Shabbat - Loreena McKennitt
+ To Hugo - Clogs
+ Glamur - Amiina
+ - - Jonquil
+ Jynweythek Ylow - Aphex Twin
+ Songs My Friends Taught Me (Inst.) - Laura Veirs
+ Baby Bat - Jason Steel
+ La Valse A Huit Ans - Le Vent Du Nord
+ Sad Violin Thing - Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
+ Ninkon Lookps - Fredrik
+ Katniss Afoot - James Newton Howard
+ Blue Mottetto - Maggie Sansone
+ Tabarly - Yann Tiersen
+ Lit From Underneath - Andrew Bird
+ Pacific Siren - Zak Riles

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Some things I am enjoying:

-My memories of the Samuari exhibit at the PAM from a recent trip to Oregon
-The beautiful fern pieces by Moontree Letterpress
-Re-reading an old favorite
-This song
-Hot apple cider spiked with a dollop of whisky on cold evenings


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Loreena McKennitt - The Star of the Country Down


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Agnes Obel has a new album out!

I rediscover her Philharmonics every Autumn,
so I am so pleased to have a new one by her
to enjoy this year.

Her records are perfect for painting.


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This is a
Springtime mix of songs
that I have been listening to
almost without pause
for the past month or so.

I thought I'd share it here,
because to me
it seems
to perfectly suit
the season.

Blush, Cerulean, & Pearl - April 2013
+ Been So Long - Vetiver
+Starving Robins - Horse Feathers
+Springtime Can Kill You - Jolie Holland
+Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
+Spring Song - Laura Veirs
+April Comes She Will - Simon & Garfunkle
+Sunny Road - Emilíana Torrini
+Milk-Heavy, Pollen-Eyed - Laura Gibson
+A Heart Divided - Holly Throsby
+Towards The Sun - Alexi Murdoch
+Haze - Essie Jain
+Pretty Fair Damsel - Samamidon
+Love Is Not Like Roses- Cocos Lovers
+Snow Is Gone - Josh Ritter


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Enjoying lately:
This book
This album (this song in particular)
These notebooks (picked up at my favorite store) &
The drinks & desserts here.

Neil Young - Dreamin' Man

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes - Home

Reading this (it's that time again) and this (a new addition this year).

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