Slack

Today I got the opportunity to hike up in the Sandia mountains that border Albuquerque. The weather was o so warm, and even the wind didn't pick up too much. Climbing to the top of a little mound I passed two porky dogs walking their owners, a thrush, and a graffiti rock that read, "Diego and Anah, Yeah!" At the top I got to look out on all of Albuquerque and I realized how nice it is to be back. Its such a strange sight to see this city in the middle of the desert and its existence feels a little... impossible. Growing up here I never understood the spiritual draw that New Mexico had. Now, when I am staring at the burning purple of the Sandias at sunset, I start to get it, I start to feel it. It feels good.

This afternoon I spent some time at the park with Jess and Louis while they were slack lining. I got to tote around my brand new, and sublimely wonderful, Klean Kanteen and read Salt: A World History. I was really pleasantly surprised how many people came over to talk and find out what exactly we were doing. More than that, everyone seemed to know each other, dogs and kids ran around and we were all intoxicated with the outdoors. My neighborhood has a really great energy, and I'm settling in well.

Head Out

Once in a while the best thing to do is put on matching scarves and face the day.

Harry Had a Bad Feeling

I've been reading memoirs of two Russian noblewomen at the end of the 19th century, and their flair for drama has really seeped into me. When I sat down to write this entry, I noticed a definite lean towards exaggeration. The text read a lot of it was killing me and I couldn't stand to see it or it ruined my whole day. I'm referring to my room as seen here, and I have to say that any of those would be a bit of an overstatement. But, when I did post that picture, I noticed the blue of the picture frames I had up really looked awful. Then I noticed it without the help of the camera, and every time I entered my room I just turned away. Happily, my new and beautiful print, Harry Had a Bad Feeling, from Leah Duncan arrived and my wall has been saved.

The wind here in Albuquerque will really blow a person down. Riding a bike downhill can be more like uphill wearing weights with a gusts like this.

Check out Leah's lovely blog, and post about Harry here.

Plant Neighbors

There are probably 1,945,000 poems about spring. Today I feel like every one of them.

No more of you around here!

And, happy birthday Bethany. You always bring this type enthusiasm to the day.

Pattern, Please.

This two items are the best in my wardrobe right now. I love the color and pattern of the vest. I realize that you can't actually see the vest well, but, when I tried to take a decent far away shot, the pattern just made me dizzy. I'm still working on it. Its always nice to find a treasure thrifting, especially after a bit of a dry spell. Not to mention the woman behind me in the check out line, "Girl, I like crazy things too."

Last night I decided to tackle a new guacamole recipe for a friend's Sunday Night Dinner and was surprised to find it required Saffron. I am ashamed to tell you I knew next to nothing about it, price included. Then, I got a phone call from Louis asking, "Do we really need saffron...for guacamole?" Luckily, my housemate Brenna had some on hand, and is a real peach and let me use some. I pinched the tiniest of pinches and toasted, mashed, and mixed it into the madness. It was so powerful for being 1/8 tsp. and I could taste it in every bite. Wonderful. Which, led to the mad googling today to know a bit more. I found a connection between the flower and Greek Mythology:

Metamorphosis Krokos. A boy loved by the god Hermes. After his accidental death the god transformed him into the saffron flower. Its red stems were desribed as his spilt blood. According to others Krokos was metamorphosed into the flower following the death of his love, the Nymph Smilax.

Saffron has a 3,000 year+ history, and is the world's most expensive spice. 50,000-75,000 flowers are required to obtain a pound (454 grams) of saffron.

Saffron via Classic Cuisines Catering

Handmade Day

Met Sarah V. for breakfast this morning, and what a breakfast it was. I had poached eggs atop prosciutto, asparagus, and farm bread with parmesan shavings; Sarah got the Croque Madame and we ate it up! All these tastes paired with a rich roast medium blend coffee, and it all made sense.

After breakfast I got to see her studio full of all the art I would ever want to make or put on my walls. We devoted the afternoon to hand work and I got back to the art of fanny pack-making while Sarah created fabric balls to string at her sister's outdoor wedding. We ended out the day with 2 dozen eggs each from a man who had over active chickens, and now I'm off to make quiches... lots and lots of quiches.

Rest.

Sometimes. These are just about the best afternoons you can have. Kona came for a visit, or rather, a nap.

Then, I got to spend dinner across the table from this face.

Sweet Day

Today, I got the chance to slow down and be with some of the sweetest company I know. Hanna and Jesse let me take them on a very unsuccessful estate sale hunt, and then cooked up some green chile chicken noodle soup in their amazing new house. We spent the afternoon in antique stores, and quickly found out that the stores usually give a bit of candy, tootsie pops, peppermints, york peppermint patties, and we were suckers for it. It is so nice to go a bit slower today. With midterms just behind me I had been writing and reading more papers than I think is healthy. I noticed at about seven o'clock last night that my throat was a bit sore, and then I realized I had been sort of clenching my teeth and tensing my throat. Probably since Tuesday. The winter can be hard, and I'm finding this season is a bit more unwelcome since I came home from Ecuador. I think the adjustment may have been smoother had I returned in May.
Whatever the reason for all my sluggish/tired feelings/thoughts, today felt like the beginning of something beautiful-spring.

As I mentioned, Hanna and Jesse are spankin' new home owners, and I managed to snap a few shots:

Bake

I wish someone could have told me all that warm weather this past week was a trick. I felt it. Today the wind wove through my clothes and chilled me to the bone so fast I regretted leaving my bed before I even reached the sidewalk

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This morning I remembered to bring my camera with me, and the bright grey skies made it all a bit dreamy. Sadly, because I was so late to take it along, I didn't get a picture of the beautiful paint someone had used to decorate a usually dreary building I pass. I must have been close, because the wall was still wet, taking the building back to its boring brown self. The teapot is quickly becoming my favorite, essential, and most used item in the house. Now that I'm moved in, and am settling into my space I've been noticing the missing things that I would really use if I had them around. Number one of those being a good, big place to house my bread.

If this amazing bread box was not referred to as The Armadillo I don't know that I would want it as much.

Beautiful Poilâne bread box.

Lastly, the Bread Drum.

Estate sales are on the menu for this weekend, and maybe I'll find the perfect home for my loaves.

Tea

Who can say no to lemon ginger?

Space

The last nail is in, and my room is starting to take form- with the pictures, lights, blankets, and warmth pouring in. A housemate in the tub, the other baking sweet treats. Here is a little slice of the new bedroom:

Bread

I received a bread recipe from my friend Regis, via Carry and I want to make a big batch every week. It turned out so well, but I do think I would cook it for a bit longer than I did. Also, can't wait to try it with every type of flour I can imagine.

No Knead bread recipe:

3 cups flour

1 5/8 cups water

1/4 teaspoon yeast

1/ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

-Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Let sit 12-18 hours

-Wrap dough in saran wrap. Let sit 15 minutes.

-Wrap dough in well floured towel/cloth Let sit 2 hours.

-After 1 and 1/2 hours of sitting, preheat oven to 450. Put dutch oven or oven safe dish with lid in oven.

-After 1/2 hour, bread in cloth will be done sitting. Fold dough in half, drop into ovensafe dish. Bake covered for 1/2 hour.

- Remove lid, bake for another 15 minutes

- 1/2 hour or until crust is browned. Bread is done when it sounds hollow.

I got to eat it on my new porch, in our beautiful weather, looking at my roommate, Koby's beautiful wreath. Its nice having a base, a home, and I am settling in quite nicely. Although, I do believe I saw a spider in my room last night, and from browsing a large number of photos today, I've decided its a brown recluse, but maybe a baby. Or, a wolf spider. Whatever it was, I don't think it wanted me dead.

Sunshine

The strangest things are happening around here. It must be something in the air. Legs are creeping out after their annual hibernation, and jackets are becoming a real scarcity. Its a tiny bit jarring, as we New Mexicans are quite slow to peel off our sweaters. I know I'm not ready yet. I've seen toes, legs, arms, and backs. Even all, at times, on the same person. Every time I pass one of these, I ask myself, "Are you warm?" The answer is always no. I can't wrap my mind around it, but I do want to wrap a blanket around them. Maybe everyone is being a bit too optimistic about our weather. Maybe I am being too pessimistic.

I am in the process of moving, and elation would be the appropriate word.

If I had around 1000x more free sacks of money lying around than I do, I would have all these spaces, and things, be mine.

Interior via Homebug Peacocks via Gennine

Wallpaper from the Identity Collection at Harlequin

Via Leah Duncan

Via Kim Westad

Porcelain Heaven

Some really beautiful work I stumbled on by Laura De Bendetti

Is there a more perfect way to take tea?