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i miss spain today. 

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new in the shop: an embroidery hoop.

with my walk stitched.

it is part of a series i made earlier this year as a mapping project. i walked different circles around peterborough. from my house to my house. up hills and around corners. taking a short cult through a park and over the river. but all you see is the shape of my walk. a simple line apart from anything i saw. you see me from the sky. the dotted line. 

all it needs is an X and it could be a treasure map.

i think to make some more of them, ive been reinspired from digging through my collection of scrap maps and odd papers. and the hoops i found.

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bought this book from etsy yesterday. im feeling like making dresses lately. or at least my own clothes since the street stores havent completely inspired me lately. i think this book is a good place to start. next to choose some fabric. and catch a day off when i can actually sew something. with pockets. i love pockets in dresses. front or side or back or front. i always need a place for my lip balm  and pencil.

i am discovering what is the world of communication through skype. i sent my first text message to hungary today, knowing that david is travelling again who knows when he will be online next. 

its impressive how easy it is to call someone across an ocean. really.

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the public library comes in again with kosinski's the devil tree. i am slowly making my way through reading all of his books. strange and strange novels that reaffirm myself that i am at least somewhat normal. a book and a coffee and a summer dress. 

the perfect combination? 

no. thats dinner and jazz. wine and cheese and jazz.

being inspired by julie delpy's little songs. wish i had strings for my old guitar. feeling like i want to be productive, but not really making it at all. sometimes summer is just summer. 

a new item in the shop: a set of two watercolour paintings of tea cups // 25$

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october i am going to budapest. 

to find a place in the art scene there, the craft scene. if it exists. 

helping david's dad make his wine and escaping canadian winters again.

lovely lovely. another christmas away.

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new totes coming soon for the shop. in new amy butler fabrics. 

late night thought, it might be nice to own a goldfish. i never had a fish before and really they are beautiful. i need a big glass jar though and some plants first.

also some notebooks i made previously will be going up in the shop tomorrow.

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over caffeinated on a thursday night. perfect

triple espresso and no ones home. quiet house 

in the mail arrived some beautiful fabrics from fabricfarm on etsy. vibrant, soft and ready for a sewing afternoon tomorrow in order to escape the humidity of the city. lately i am finding myself inspired by heather ross' patterns in weekend sewing, a book i recently picked up. lovely photographs and not too difficult for someone with short standing patience.

k_

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lentils and tomato recipe

a recipe i found recently at sprouted kitchen (image source). absolutely lovely for a picnic or just out on the back patio. definitely outside food with a nice bottle of chileed rosé. 

SUMMER TOMATO LENTILS // Serves 2 as entrée, 4 as a side

1 Cup Lentils
1 Lemon, zest and juice
1/3 Cup Goat Cheese
2 Large Shallots, peeled and sliced thin
3 Cups Baby Tomatoes
1 tbsp. Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Chives, Finely Chopped
1/3 Cup Basil, Chopped
1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tsp. Garlic Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

Oven to 325′

Note: I cook my lentils in unsalted water, as salt is said to toughen the beans- they will taste most fresh if the seasoning is added at the end.

1. Cut tomatoes in half. On the baking pan, toss with 1/2 tbsp. of the olive oil and garlic salt. Turn the tomatoes so they are cut side up, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse and drain the lentils, pick out any scrappy pieces. In a medium pot bring 1½ cups water to a boil, add the lentils, turn down the heat to medium and simmer for about 20 minutes. Test the beans for doneness; the liquid should be absorbed, add more if they are not soft to your taste. Put them in a large bowl and crumble in the goat cheese so it melts in the warmth. Add the lemon zest and juice, and gently fold to coat.
3. While lentils are cooling, make the crispy shallots. In a small saucepan, heat up the remaining 1/2 tbsp. olive oil on medium. Add the sliced shallots and cook about 15 minutes, until they are golden brown on both sides.
4. Gently fold the dijon mustard and fresh black pepper into the goat cheesey lentils. Add the basil and mint, roasted tomatoes and crispy shallots. Add salt to your preference.

Serve in a pita or butter lettuce wraps, its absolutely delicious. with a glass of cabernet franc rose or even a chambourcin, lightly chilled! oh to be a sommelier and have pairing foods with wine as a day job, unbelievable.

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coffee grinder // jade plant // cycle

taking advantage of sunny afternoons means a cycle to the grocery shop. picking up on the way an overduely needed coffee bean grinder. that wooden one with the little drawer from a spanish/chinese shop just doesnt do it right anymore. but completely worth the 5 euros i spent on it last year. this one is electric. an upgrade to say the least. 

david gifted me a jade plant today. ive always wanted one but just never made it  a priority to buy myself one. it just doesnt seem right sometimes to buy yourself a plant. seems that it is supposed to be a house warming thing. maybe i dont move enough to accumulate plants? now i have one to remind me of him while he is away. very nice. 

we spent the afternoon together building a bird feeder out of scrap wood from the basement. its, lets say rustic? sanded but splintery. we'll see how the birds like it after its painted!

waiting in the mail for some new fabrics for new totes. lovely lovely.

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