A New Year

I don't tend to set specific resolutions for the new year. Though I've realized that I do have a specific year end ritual which involves deep cleaning at home and clearing from my mind "that which has outgrown its usefulness" to make space for the new. 

Simplicity. Own less, live more. These are not new ideas for me.  After all I wrote this on my about page... My mantra isn't really "less is more" but rather "get rid of the stuff that isn't all that useful or enjoyable and save room only for the things that really make you happy."

But I just got this life changing book two weeks ago that took it all to a new level.

After spending the past week going through my house, every room, closet, dresser and cabinet, I have realized that there has never been a truer title to a book.

“After all, what is the point in tidying? If it’s not so that our space and the things in it can bring us happiness, then I think there is no point at all. Therefore, the best criterion for choosing what to keep and what to discard is whether keeping it will make you happy, whether it will bring you joy.

Are you happy wearing clothes that don’t give you pleasure? Do you feel joy when surrounded by piles of unread books that don’t touch your heart? Do you think that owning accessories you know you’ll never use will ever bring you happiness? The answer to these questions should be no. Now imagine yourself living in a space that contains only things that spark joy. Isn’t this the lifestyle you dream of?

Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest.”

Happy tidying.

The Holidays

Unlike the usual expected craziness of the holiday season, this time of year is calm and peaceful in our house. Aaron's shooting schedule is quieter and he's home quite a lot which is wonderful. And I take more days off as my clients are traveling and involved with their own holiday celebrations. There has been lots of time for leisurely cooking, hosting friends and family and just enjoying our home life. 

With the many meals shared and gifts purchased over the last two weeks, I have a few favorite things to share...

photo from Food52

I made this pretty amazing kale gratin from Renee Erickson's beautiful new cookbook (which is just as perfect, thoughtful but seemingly effortless, as her restaurants). The gratin is a breeze to prepare and so delicious. I served it alongside a braised pork shoulder and polenta. (We also served this rather perfect punch which I think I could make a tradition.)

I love our local Theo Chocolate and I think these caramels would make a sweet hostess gift.

And my love affair with Uniqlo continues. I bought this great down jacket as a gift and a smaller one for my nephew. And while I was at it I added a sweater for myself. I ordered up a size so it would be a little bit looser fit which ended up being perfect.

Still my all time favorite candle. 

I could eat a whole jar of this amazing almond butter with a spoon if left to my own devices. Thankfully you can get a much larger 16oz jar at Thrive Market so that you might actually share with your family and not hide the jar for yourself.  If you don't know about Thrive, it's like Costco meets Whole Foods AND they ship directly to your house! 

While you're adding things to your cart pick up some of this Weleda Hand Cream.  It's the best I've ever found. It smells great, absorbs quickly and really does the trick especially during this season of constant hand washing. You can also find it at Pharmaca, PCC or Whole Foods.

I bought a gift subscription to Bean Box for my father-in-law and a few coffee loving friends. There are so many wonderful small independent coffee roasters in Seattle and Bean Box makes it easy to try them all, shipped free right to your door. And if you find something you really like you can order a pound directly from them. 

Lastly, I love listening to StoryCorps every Friday on NPR which honors and celebrates the stories and triumphs of our everyday lives. Without fail it always brings tears to my eyes. Being Christmas Eve, listen here how the Santa Tracker came to be in 1955.

Wishing you peace and joy through the holiday season.

Ahhh....Summer

It really is hard to beat summer in Seattle. The warm sunny usually not-too-hot days, the long evenings, Lake Washington and Puget Sound beaches. This year in particular, summer here seems especially good. A few summertime essentials that are contributing to the good life...

Salad greens from the garden. Last spring we got rid of our lawn and built three raised beds. It was the best decision we ever made. Not only is it fun to plant and watch things grow and enjoy in the bounty, it is incredibly low-maintenance. If you'd like to do the same, these are the guys to get you started. They make it so easy to figure it all out and get growing. 

Heirloom tomatoes with Maldon salt and olive oil. (By the way, California Olive Ranch is a fantastic basic everyday oil. Delicious, not too expensive and widely available at PCC, Whole Foods and even our local Thriftway.)

These killer American made classic lawn chairs are a new addition to the garden. Perfect for lounging...

and drinking chilled rose from the perfect tumbler.

And this small but powerful fan. Thanks Omar. You really should know about Omar. He knows about all the right things that you too should have in your life. Thoughtfully designed, well made things that make your everyday life better. My only caveat is that you will find yourself buying pretty much everything he tells you to. Consider yourself warned. 

Remembrance

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did… but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

In memory of Maya Angelou and our friend Ray, whose generosity, warmth and graciousness I will always carry with me.

Spring

It's interesting how life goes in cycles; sometimes we find extra time to read a new book, try a new recipe or watch an episode or two of House of Cards. Then all of a sudden it's like there isn't five minutes of extra time for anything.  We become busy with the tasks of daily living,  the days go by, the weeks go by and suddenly it's almost April. 

I've realized that writing a blog keeps you accountable. It documents the days, the time spent away. The silence. 

Over the last few weeks, this transitional time between winter and spring, I feel like I've been hibernating. Recharging with the last few weeks of winter. Taking time to sleep longer, rest up and eat well. 

I've been thinking about the sun and looking out at the bare dirt in my garden beds but not yet motivated to get out there and dig around getting things ready to plant.

But now, with restored energy it feels like time and I am back to making my usual to do lists. There are windows to clean, patio furniture to bring out, spring clothes to haul up from the basement, new recipes to try and dirt to dig in.

Okay Spring, ready when you are. 

For Everyone in Doubt

THE GAP by Ira Glass

Go Seahawks

Solitude and Resolutions

photo of my son D at Kerry Park

I am reading this amazing book - Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, it is a fantastic read.

You can listen to the author, Susan Cain give her Ted Talk here (which has been viewed more than five million times).

In the chapter "When Collaboration Kills Creativity" she writes on the now-famous study conducted by Anders Ericsson. Regarding the value of solitary practice among the elite in their fields (violinists, chess players and athletes):

What's so magical about solitude? In many fields, Ericsson told me, it’s only when you’re alone that you can engage in Deliberate Practice, which he identified as the key to exceptional achievement. When you practice deliberately, you identify the tasks or knowledge that are just out of your reach, strive to upgrade your performance, monitor your progress, and revise accordingly. Practice sessions that fall short of this standard are not only less useful--they’re counterproductive. They reinforce existing cognitive mechanisms instead of improving them.

Deliberate Practice is best conducted alone for several reasons. It takes intense concentration, and other people can be distracting. It requires deep motivation, often self-generated. But most important, it involves working on a task that’s most challenging to you personally. Only when you’re alone, Ericsson told me, can you “go directly to the part that’s challenging to you. If you want to improve what you’re doing, you have to the be the one who generates the move. Imagine a group class-you’re the one generating the move only a small percentage of the time.”

You can read a fantastic summary on the study's findings here.

Reading about this at the same moment I've been slowing down and thinking about my life and my goals for the new year feels very apropos. I've been cleaning house both literally and mindfully, and working to, in the words of my very wise mother-in-law, "clear out of your mind that which has outgrown its usefulness" to make space for the new. As life picks up speed next week as we settle in to 2014, I will continue to make time for the Quiet; to recharge, be inspired and appreciate all that is around me.

Meet Jack English

Such a beautiful video.