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LAPL At Home | Making Spaces

i have 25 books out on loan.  this is just a little of what’s at home.

I adore my apartment.  Without qualification.  But, with the new year, I’ve made a few changes.  Trashed the herbs and plants on the windowsill.  The, uh, natural elements are a bit much when it’s too cold to keep the window open. (♥: Bugs, eek!) Replaced them with jars of beads and other “girl, make something!” things.

Looking for a bit of inspiration and reference, I picked up a few books from the library.  Normally, Haven: Cozy Hideaways and Dream Retreats wouldn’t have made it home, but I was running behind and just grabbed the book from the hold shelf.  I know what I’m looking for and this book really wasn’t it.  The Beach Retreat had an image or two that I kinda found interesting.  This would have so been a quick flip through at the library if I had time.  If you have the opportunity, check it out.  Maybe it’s your speed.  Amazon has it used for freakishly cheap.

While I’m not sure I’d buy Penny Saving Household Helper, I am most definitely committing things to memory.  It might actually be cute in a hostess gift basket or new grad housewarming gift-bundle.  Because, really, it’s not an only gift thing, more like one of many.  I’m actually having problems finishing this because I can’t put it down.  No, really.  I stop typing and my left hand goes in.

I’m so glad I’m getting over myself.  While I noticed how “not my aesthetic” the artwork in  Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art is, I’m allowing the information to be my guide.  Um, and Ricë Freeman-Zachery’s author photo is kinda badass.  Trying to judge less, so I can learn more.

The last year has been all about process and my obsession with it.  I didn’t know how to take pleasure in the doing part.  Loved starting.  Always knew how things would end.  Never really contemplated the work.  I think it was seeing Gorky at MOCA when I realized how intrigued I’d become with process, even more than outcome.  It was in the MOCA store that I first saw Inside The Painter’s Studio.  And this is my second time taking it out.  Joe Fig, you had me at the paint splattered on the cover and artist questionnaire.

I love that this takes longer to write because I keep stealing moments to read.  I really do want to just dive in.

N♥

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LAPL At Home | But I Don’t Even Make Bread…

i’ve got 26 books and one french film out on loan.  this is just some of what’s at home…


Aesthetics & Intuition…

Why didn’t anyone tell me about The Well-Dressed Home?  I know I probably wasn’t listening or was taking a blogosphere timeout.  But, really, couldn’t you have hit me over the head or something?  It’s on the wishlist (♥: Mommy!) and this will be the second time it’s come home with me for an extended stay.  I spotted Life’s Too Short To Fold Fitted Sheets during a Chronicle Books search of the LAPL catalog.  I don’t like to fold much, so this might be the “Do Less” manifesto I haven’t been looking for.

Winter’s Got Me Thinking About The Hog And Hearty Cooking…

I have a confession to make: I have pork fat in the freezer.  No meat, just fat.  I got kinda excited when I saw it in the store.  I cut up some and threw it in the pot with onions, garlic, bay leaves and dried black beans.  Hello, Ecstasy.  Glad you could join me. So, I’m thinking about the pork.  No, beef or chicken or other critters.  (♥:Eeeek!)  And what did I get from the library?  Um, Pork & Sons, The Country Cooking of Ireland and River Cottage Cookbook.

It’s going to be a bit River Cottage-y around here for a while.  The Bread Handbook looks to be an interesting read.  Reading, yes.  Doing, I don’t know.  I haven’t even made biscuit bread in ages.  So love the simple beauty of Gavin Kingcome’s photographs.  The Meat book and Preserves handbook are in the Holds Queue.

Return Engagements and Explorations…

All too frequently, time passes too quickly and I don’t have enough of it to go in deep on books that at first glance seem right up my alley.  Will definitely be spending some quality time with Tamasin Day-Lewis’ Supper for a Song.

I thought I’d revisit Baked while I wait in the queue for the new book.

I live in LA, yet most of my Latin American influenced cooking is based on flavors from the Caribbean.  To be completely honest, I’m not all that adventurous when it comes to real Mexican food.  I know I’m starting small with Antojitos, but I gotta start somewhere.

Ummm…

Another Confession: I got a little squeamish cutting up the pork fat.  I think the tide is too easily turned.  The pictures of all the meat in different states of being isn’t really helping.  Where my beets at?

N♥