nova.i.askyou

You Deserve a Gold Star (Card) - Letterpress Printed

2012-01-30T16:29:00.000-08:00

print specs:

Dimensions: 5 x 7 (folded)

100% cotton paper

5 colors gradiant from goldenrod yellow to red-orange

Hand-set lead rule

Printed on an Antique Platen Press

6 passes through the press

Signed Limited Edition of 70

(available for purchase on etsy)

2012-01-12T21:56:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, Canada in the january.

Happy 2012 !

2012-01-11T10:52:00.001-08:00

pcxchange: 12.2011

2011-12-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

knit: slippers

2011-12-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

hand-knit slippers for someone sweet.

now that christmas has come and gone, i can share one of my creations for gifting.

pictured above is one of 3 sets of slippers knit just in time for the holiday!

2011-11-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

Idyll Edulis: Menus - Letterpress Printed

2011-11-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Each one of these menus was designed and printed specifically for the Idyll Edulis dinners.

Idyll Edulis is a unique dining experience served communally in the Pacific Northwest.

Print Specs

Dimensions: 6 x 8

lead type & hand-carved linoleum block
Printed on Platen Press
Rives BVK 100% cotton paper
Signed Limited Editions

Available on Etsy!

pcxchange: 10.2011

2011-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Em Space

2011-10-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

It was quite a few months ago that I ventured down
to Em Space Book Arts Center.

The space is quite impressive and rather inspiring.

Can't wait to return.

2011-10-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

in progress: celebration cards

2011-10-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

here's a little preview on the current project i'm working on.
stay tuned.

smokey mountains in september

2011-09-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

a trip down south to the smokey mountains.

Idyll Edulis: lobster mushroom menus

2011-09-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

lobster mushroom linoleum block,
inked and ready to go

Finished menus (front & back) for Idyll Edulis .

pcxchange: 8.2011

2011-09-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

freshly inked postcards for the newly joined monthly pcxchange

in the garden: sunflower faces

2011-09-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

the friendliest of the san juan islands

2011-09-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

photos taken on lopez island, wa

Idyll Edulis: Invites - Letterpress Printed

2011-08-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

Invites printed for Idyll Edulis.

print specs:
Dimensions: 4 x 6
Legion Cosmos Blotting Paper 100% cotton paper
2 colors: forest green and olive green
Hand-set lead type and ornaments
Printed on an Antique Platen Press named "Franklin"

2011-08-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

2011-08-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

the utopia of the pacific northwest

2011-07-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

Finally ventured to Portland Oregon.

I loved it so much I now refer to is as the Utopia of the Pacific Northwest.

"better late than never" invite - Letterpress Printed

2011-07-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

print specs:
Dimensions: 4 x 6
Lenox 100% cotton paper
2 colors: melon and slate blue
Hand-set lead type
Printed on an Antique Platen Press named "Franklin"

elephants in the morning

2011-07-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

kam-ə-myl

2011-07-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

seafoam green + olive

2011-07-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

(D) stationery - Letterpress Printed

2011-06-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer!

2011-06-21T09:07:00.001-07:00

glad that you're my dad! - Letterpress Printed

2011-06-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

print specs:
Dimensions: 5 x 5 (folded)
Rives BFK 100% cotton paper
1 colors: lime
Hand-set lead type
Printed on an Antique Platen Press named "Franklin"
Edition of 4

summer....

2011-06-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

summer's on it's way,
i just know it.

**fingers crossed**

Spring Lace Square Card: Letterpress Printed

2011-06-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

print specs:
Dimensions: 5 x 5 (folded)
Lettra 100% cotton paper
3 colors: melon, plum, and olive
Hand-set lead type
Printed on an Antique Platen Press named "Petunia"
Edition of 37

my inspiration for the colors
came from these spring tulips

(Lockup #1: 30pt & 36pt type)

the print was made up of at least 6 different sizes of the letter O,
from the typeface Stymie
in both upper and lower cases

(available for purchase on etsy)

2011-04-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

2011-04-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here's to a better world.

2011-04-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

"We don't have to engage in grand,
heroic actions to participate
in the process of change.
Small acts,
when multiplied by millions of people,
can transform the world."
— Howard Zinn

my precious creation

2011-04-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

over-the-knee socks.

these bad boys took heaps of patience.
i hope to cherish them for years.

made with Malabrigio's Twist yarn,
(color: 805 Alcaucil)

100% merino wool.

personal stationery

2011-04-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

type all locked up and ready to go!

thank you notes and personal stationery

it seems as though i'm always searching for a simple,
straightforward thank you note.

i'm a firm believer in the importance of a thank you,
now i have plenty of thanks to go around.

likewise, it's nice to have a good go-to set of stationery.

•

thank you & •n•

print specs:
Dimensions: 3.5 x 5
Lenox 100% cotton paper
1 color each: cyan blue and bright yellow
Hand-set lead type
Printed on an Antique Platen Press named "Franklin"
Edition of 40

2011-04-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

new beginnings are all around us.
things are budding and sprouting.
we can't help but be hopeful.

warm, sunny, happy spring weather
has got to be just around the corner...

all wrapped up and ready to go!

2011-03-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

packaging for the 'A' in Bodoni print.

Now Available on ETSY - A in Bodoni

2011-03-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

This wonderful letterpress printed beauty,
'A' in Bodoni,
is now available for purchase.

Abstract letterpress print comprised out of only the letter A,
from the typeface Bodoni, in various sizes.
One line of hand-set type was printed in a pinwheel motion,
creating an interesting "kaleidoscope" shape.

A in Bodoni - Letterpress Printed

2011-03-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

'A in Bodini'

print specs:
Dimensions: 10 x 10
Lenox 100% cotton paper
2 color: warm red and bright yellow
Hand-set lead type
Printed on an Antique C&P Platen Press named "Petunia"
18 passes through the press
Signed Edition of 30

real ramen. real good.

2011-03-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

etsy shop: letterpress printed creations for sale!

2011-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

i have recently opened a virtual shop on etsy.com
there i will sell letterpress printed creations.
there's a few items currently for sale.

current letterpress printed creations
for sale:

Hourglass Print (5x7)

Dutch Baby Print (8x8)

the gears are turning so there's bound to be more soon.
please stop by often.

thank you for your interest,
na

spread the love

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

my favorite part about valentines has always been making cards.

this year my cards involved hand-stitching two red hearts on each card.

♥

now this you gotta see: knitted interfaces

2011-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Becky Stern knit a sweater to go from gadgets to your body. This is supposed to be a fun commentary on how attached and concentrated on technology we are, and to highlight the lack of movement that happens when we're engrossed in our laptops, keyboards, PDAs, etc. She plans on making many more, and would be curious what ideas fellow crafters might have for different iterations. The one pictured above is for privacy, warmth, and concentration in public spaces while using a laptop.

megadoily rug

2011-02-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

a friend and i decided to take on a challenge..
crocheting a 4 foot mega-doily rug.

here is my creation:

close-up of the completed megadoily rug.

after the first few rounds completed.

now look at that purrrty rug!

*pattern for the design courtesy Ladies & Gentlemen

a fog filled morning

2011-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

does anybody really know what time it is?

2011-01-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

hourglass print.

Print Specs:
dimensions: 5x7
letterpress printed on "Franklin" platen press,
using Crane Lettra 110# 100% cotton paper.
1 color. hand-set vintage lead type and rule.

things people don't talk about

2011-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

the beginning process of the project was previously posted

this print was part of a collaborative project
as part of the Continuing Letterpress class at the Pratt Arts Center.

the subject for the book was 'things people don't talk about'

•

The Elephant in the Room

print specs:
dimensions: 5x5
letterpress printed on "Franklin" platen press,
using Crane's Lettra 110# 100% cotton paper,
lead type, and a hand-carved linoleum cut.
3 color.

baby booties

2011-01-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

knit with love
for a dear friend who's a mother-to-be.

thank you

2011-01-19T19:01:00.000-08:00

thank you.

print specs:
folded card, dimensions: 5x7
letterpress printed on "Donald" the proof press,
using Daniel Smith's Lenox 100% cotton paper.
2 color. wood type.

Compliments of the Season

2011-01-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

winter holiday card.

print specs:
folded card, dimensions: 5x7
letterpress printed on 2 different platen presses,
(named Petunia & Franklin).
Daniel Smith's Lenox 100% cotton paper.
linoleum cut, vintage lead type and rule.
5 different passes through the press.

inside text

linocut.
printed first in yellow,
then the trunk and horizontal lines were carved away,
leaving what is shown above.
then printed in blueish green.

the back of this card was branded with my name.

•

Variations on the design:

4

2011-01-16T18:53:00.001-08:00

Seattle may be grey, but it's also green

2011-01-13T19:32:00.000-08:00

Seattle in the winter,
the skies may get grey and gloomy,
but with the rain, the grass turns bright bright green.

Woodland Park

winter wonderland

2011-01-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

Snoqualmie

escaping Seattle in the winter is a must,
even if it's to a winter wonderland.

treat yourself to sweet lovin'

2011-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

herbal love bath
made to pamper oneself when a little lovin' is needed.

mixture contains:
lavender, rosemary, rose petals, lovage,
lemongrass, lemon thyme, mint, marjoram, and orris root

relax.
feel loved.
be soothed
and feel refreshed.
♥

scarf: "mistake" stitch

2010-12-29T16:32:00.000-08:00

scarf for my pops.

knitted using the "mistake" stitch.
it makes a beautiful rib, but man is it a yarn hog!

cast on 39 stitches.
k2, p2, repeat to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.

made with Malabrigio's Twist yarn,
(color: 862 Piedras)
100% pure baby merino wool.

i ♥ snail mail

2010-12-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

honestly,
my favorite part of the holidays
is sending and receiving greeting cards.

this year's card involved 6 passes through the letterpress,
and one pass through my home printer.

as always,
it was a labor of love.

*this is merely a sneak peeeek at the cards,
i wouldn't want to ruin the surprise.
stay tuned for the real deal.

it's all about the curves

2010-12-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

it was love at first sight.

the color.
the small details.
the curves.
so smooth and easy on the eye.

♥

i can see the light at the end of the tunnel

2010-11-24T23:08:00.000-08:00

but once i reach the end...
i'll begin again.
on sock #2.

seattle got hit with a "snowpocalypse"

2010-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

there's snow on the ground in Seattle,
that means it's time to start skiing!
or rather, ski quick, before it melts!

gnocchi made with homemade ricotta

2010-11-17T15:17:00.001-08:00

First successful attempt at making gnocchi using my own homemade raw milk ricotta.
Final dish was accompanied by butternut squash, pears and sage.

Delicious!

•

Recipe thanks to

Chefs on the Farm:
Recipes and Inspiration from the Quillisascut Farm School of the Domestic Arts

Good use of construction fences!

2010-11-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Eight local emerging artists will provide images of original artwork for temporary panels for the fence surrounding the Civic Square construction site in downtown Seattle. The Civic Square site is located between Third and Fourth avenues and Cherry and James streets. The five-foot-high by 10-foot-wide panels will be on view beginning fall 2010 for approximately one year.

The artists are Laura Castellanos, Anna Mia Davidson, John Fleming, Mark LaFalce, Maria Meneses, Scott Schuldt, Kate Sweeney and Patrice Tullai. A panel selected two or more artworks by each artist, for a total of 24 pieces. The artworks will be photographed, produced on panels, and installed on the fence.

A panel of art professionals, including representatives from the Seattle City Council, the Fleets and Facilities Department, and Triad Development, selected the artists from a pool of 62 applicants. Funding for the Civic Square temporary artwork program is provided by Triad Development, Inc.

-CityofSeattle

Making Faces: Metal Type in the 21st Century

2010-11-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

Playing at the Northwest Film Forum this weekend.

reminder to ski this winter

2010-11-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

this photo was taken at a bus-stop waiting for the 358 on Aurora in Seattle

the beginning of something great

2010-11-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

(above: things people don't talk about)

hand-set vintage metal type (72 pt San Serif Title Gothic),
used for a collaborative project in the Continuing Letterpress class at the Pratt Arts Center.

i ♥ yellow + green

2010-11-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

2010-10-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

photos taken during my adventure to the art supply store/ paper store in SODO
(South Downtown Seattle)

10/10/10

2010-10-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

poster i designed for Sustainable Ballard

10/10/10 Global Work Party and Ballard Community Festival

October 10, 2010 • 10 am - 7 pm
Ballard Commons Park (corner of NW 57th & 22nd NW)

Sustainable Ballard joins 10:10 US and 350.org for Global Work Party Day!

2010-09-30T22:01:00.001-07:00

all photos were taken on at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill, in Seattle

finally, some action

2010-09-29T23:38:00.001-07:00

(Red Fig Cherry Tomatoes)

this past summer,
cherry tomatoes were the key to tomato success in seattle.
even though it's officially fall, i'm just now getting some tomato action.

talk about patience.

2010-09-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

bathroom break.

chelsea buns, second time around

2010-09-09T17:28:00.001-07:00

practice makes perfect!

this was round two of chelsea buns,
and i must say, the second time around was a delight.
sweet, sticky, currant-y, and gooey goodness.

chelsea buns are similar to cinnamon rolls, only better.
the chelsea bun dates back to the Victorian Age.
it was first created in the eighteenth century at the Bun House in Chelsea
(area of central London),
an establishment frequented by royalty.

•

fall is in the air, and i'm already getting the itch to bake, knit, and hibernate.
so long summer, and hello fall.
as much as i wish summer would have stuck around a little bit longer,
there are many things about fall that i'm looking forward to:

hot apple cider
chai
knitting
sweaters
scarfs
soups & stews
fresh baked bread
knee high socks
boots
mittens
pumpkins
crispy air
the sound of rain

summer, i'm over you.
fall, i welcome you with delight.

this weekend's shindig: harvest potluck & party

2010-09-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

the day began with chelsea buns right out of the oven

morning pastries:
mushroom & bacon tart, brown bread, and chelsea buns

party in the garden

potluck table with a few eats and treats
(before guests arrived)

rainbow trout before it hit the BBQ

smoked rainbow trout

and sangria spiked with cassis,
with blackberries, blueberries, strawberries (from our garden) and peaches!

what's a dutch baby?

2010-08-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

if you don't know what a dutch baby is,
you are missing out!

a dutch baby is a cross between a pancake and a popover.
it can be served as breakfast or dessert.

this is what a dutch baby looks like right out of the oven,
before it's been topped with fresh squeezed lemon juice,
fresh berries or jam, and powdered sugar sprinkled on top!

my sweet baby.

2010-08-26T21:46:00.001-07:00

first letterpress project.

a dutch baby recipe.

( click the above photos to see closer )

print specs:
dimensions: 8x8
letterpress printed on "Petunia" platen press,
lead type, and a hand-carved linoleum cut.
2 color.

involved 5 separate passes through the press.
paper was hand-fed into & out of the press by my own hands,
made using vintage type and a hand carved linoleum block,
and hand mixed ink.

after a handful of less than perfect artist proofs,
i ended up with:
an edition of 18 on Magnani Incisionai Italia paper, 310gsm
an edition of 8 on Rives BFK Heavyweight paper, 280gsm

•

not sure what a dutch baby is?
check the next post.

i've fallen in love...

2010-08-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

...with letterpress printing.

i recently finished up my first letterpress fundamentals class at Pratt Arts Center.
and for 5 entire weeks, i had sweet thoughts of letterpress 24/7.
it consumed every bit of my attention,
and now that i have completed the class, i yearn for more.

i love letterpress because...

...it takes time.
...it's captivating.
...it's like traveling back in time.

...it gets my hands dirty.
...it doesn't rely on electricity.
...it's authentic.

...it can be meticulous.
...it makes me think.
...it's creative.

and most of all,
i love letterpress because it makes me feel alive.

( stay tuned for the results of my first letterpress project )

2010-08-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

lemon curd thumbprints

2010-08-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

lemon curd thumbprint cookies.

lemon curd, oh how i love you.
i'll admit, i'm not usually a cookie fan,
but when it's like a little bit-sized lemon tart,
i'm there.

this recipe is fairly simple,
and it ought to be,
it comes from Alice Waters's The Art Simple of Food.

•

sweet tart dough
(Pâte Sucrée)

makes 11 ounces of dough, enough for one 9-inch tart,
six 4-inch tartlets, or 30 cookies

beat together until creamy:
8 T (1 stick) butter
1/3 C sugar

add and mix until competely combines:
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk

add:
1 1/4 C all purpose unbleached flour

mix well, sitrring and folding, until there are no dry patches.
chill for atleast 4 hours or overnight until firm.

•

to make thumbprint cookies,

roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
roll the balls in sugar and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
press your thumb into the top of each cookie to make a depression.
bake them in a preheated 350°F oven for 12 minutes, remove from the oven
and fill the depressions with lemon curd or jam.
bake for another 5 minutes, or until golden.
let cool before serving.

•

lemon curd

makes 2 cups

wash and dry:
4 lemons

grate the zest of one of the lemons on the small holes of a grater.
juice the lemons; there should be about 1/2 cup juice.

beat until just mixed:
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
2 tablespoons milk
1/3 C sugar
1/ 4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)

stir in the lemon juice and zest and add:
6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

cook the mixture in a small nonreactive heavy pan, stirring constantly,
over medium heat until it is thick enough to coat a spoon.
do not boil or the eggs will curdle.
when thick, pour into a bowl or glass jars to cool.
cover and refrigerate.

•

variations:

• to make a lemon curd tart, prebake a 9-inch Sweet Tart Dough shell
and fill with 2 cups lemon curd.

gold diggin'

2010-08-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

harvesting potatoes is like diggin' for gold,
you never know what you're gonna get!

this past weekend we dug up two beds of potatoes.

it was fun,
other than the fact that we picked the hottest day this summer to do so.

the varieties we had planted included:
purple viking,
desiree,
russian bananas.

(clockwise: russian bananas, desiree, and purple viking)

Odessa Tomatoes

2010-08-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Odessa Heirloom Tomato.

couldn't help myself.
it seems as though i've been waiting forever for my tomatoes to produce.
so i picked these little guys yesterday afternoon.
(from a plant kept separate from my prized 4)
they were just beggin' to be picked.

the Odessa is an heirloom determinate variety from Russian.
it is bears heavy fruit about 4-6 oz.

really, i should have let these little gems go a bit longer,
but.. i was impatient.

shopping carTree

2010-08-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

once again, Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill.

first red tomato

2010-08-10T19:46:00.001-07:00

the weather and my tomatoes are not on the same page this summer.

i have oooodles of green tomatoes, and finally a brave little lonely red one.

10 month investment

2010-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

we harvested the rest of our bed of garlic and shallots this past weekend.
that included one hard-neck and one soft-neck variety of garlic.
many home gardeners don't grow garlic, since it is such a hog.
this garlic was in the ground for 10 long months!
but we'll be set for quite a while.

i wonder how many others out there grow garlic in their garden?

bumble bumble, bumble bee

2010-08-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

thank you bumble bee for pollinating my tomatoes.

what is summer to you?

2010-07-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

yesterday NPR's The Conversation asked "What Is Summer To You?"

here in seattle we waited so very long for summer to arrive.
there were many things that i was looking forward.

this is summer to me:

sun tea
fresh fruit

flowers
sunshine
vitamin d
barbecue

garden's bounty
delicious tomatoes

blue skies
freckles
laying in the grass

performances in parks
ice cream/gelato
tan lines

bare feet
caprese

meals outside
complete bliss

i ♥ summer.

batch #0004 - black currant jam

2010-07-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

this batch was made last weekend,
but it's a good excuse to mention that this weekend is
Can-a-Rama!

if you haven't heard of it,
it's a simultaneous show of cans around the country.

can if you can!

love yourself.

2010-07-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

spotted this in Cal Anderson Park in Capitol hill.

green gooseberry jam

2010-07-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

new jam label.
made official with batch number
and exact date.

delicious.

2010-07-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

these are some of nick's recent creations.

veg tart.

fava beens, sugar snap peas, rainbow chard, fennel fronds,
and goat cheese from port madison farm

brown bread.
made with whole wheat from wheat, montana

artichoke salad.

lemon zest, garlic scapes, and shallots

first garlic harvest of the year

2010-07-20T22:21:00.001-07:00

lemon zest makes everything better

2010-07-18T13:46:00.001-07:00

blueberry-lemon muffins.

the combination of dark berries
and lemon zest always puts a smile on my face.

i used luscious organic blueberries from Billy's

•
mackinac is a jewel of an island in the straits of mackinac (pronounced mack-in-aw) in michigan, near the canadian border, and one of its treasures is the blueberry-lemon muffin that has been served for years at the lovely turn-of-the-century iroquois hotel on the beach.

the only way to reach these blueberry muffins is by ferry from the mainland, worth every nautical mile. of course, you can bake them yourself.
•

2 2/3 C all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
1 C milk
2/3 C cooking oil
1 1/2 C fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest

glaze
4 T butter
1/2 C sugar

•

muffin tins
2 medium (2 1/2") muffin tins for 18,
or 3 small (1 1/2") muffin tins for 36, greased or coated

preheat oven to 400°

•

into a mixing bowl sift the flour and add the other dry ingredients. in a small bowl crack the eggs and beat with a wire whisk for 10 seconds. add the milk and oil to the eggs and stir to blend. make a well in the flour and pour in the egg-milk mixture. stir as little as possible to moisten the flour. set the batter aside for a moment.

combine the blueberries with the lemon zest, and fold the berry mix into the muffin mix. again stir gently and as little as possible. spoon the batter into the tins to three-fourths full.

put the muffins into the oven and set the timer for 20 minutes. it may take them an additional 5 minutes, however to get golden brown. check at 15 minutes, and if they are browning too quickly, set on the bottom shelf of the oven.

in the meantime, melt the butter in a small saucepan. pour the sugar into a small bowl or pan into which the muffins will be dipped.

when the muffins are baked, cool for 5 minutes. run a knife around the edges of each. tilt the tray and gently life each muffin from its tin. dip the top of each lightly in the melted butter and then lightly in the sugar. the muffins can be held overnight and heated for eating the following day. they can also be frozen, but fresh baked are best.

this recipe comes from the giant book of bread recipes,
Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book of Breads

blue skies

2010-07-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

sometimes in seattle,
nothing's more appealing than
perfectly blue skies.

salmon and i need some time apart

2010-07-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

coho salmon with fresh garbanzo beans & carrots.

for this salmon preparation
i marinated the fillet in extra virgin olive oil,
fennel fronds, salt and preserved meyer lemon

once cooked i served it over fresh garbanzo beans & carrots,
and topped it off with sliced preserved meyer lemon.

it was delicious.

but i must say,
salmon and i have been spending way too much time together.

splitting a whole salmon between two people,
well let's just say that is a feat that should not be attempted.

half of it was smoked.
half of it was eaten for dinner, many many times.
some of it was given to a friend.
and a stock was made with the head and bones.

all was eaten except for a few scraps.

i've had my far share of salmon for quite a while.
i love you sweet salmon.

batch #0003 - strawberry jam

2010-07-16T14:55:00.001-07:00

we've experimented with many a jam recipe,
now we mean business.
thus an official jam batch numbering system has been enforced.

meet batch #0003 - strawberry jam
made with organic strawberries from Hayton Farms.

it's delicious.

words from the wise

2010-07-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

"Be a zealot 80 percent of the time by focusing on good clean
[organic/sustainable] foods; the other 20 percent of the time,
live in the real world and choose your poisons well."

-Jesse Ziff Cool, author of Simply Organic

they're growing up so fast

2010-07-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

i'm growing 4 varieties of tomatoes this summer:

1
valencia

This variety produces round, smooth brilliant orange tomatoes weighing around 8-10oz. Since this indeterminate tomato is a family heirloom from Maine it is said to grow especially well in cooler climates. Named "Valencia" due to it's visual similarities of a Valencia orange. The tomato has an excellent, full, complex tomato taste, with a great balance of acidic and sweet. It is meaty and rich with few seeds. Tasters describe the Valencia as bursting with flavor, rich and buttery as well as pineapple-like, sweet and refreshing.

One of the most important reasons to choose this seed variety is that it is considered by Slow Food USA to be endangered member of their "Ark of Taste."

2
red fig

Red Fig Tomato was named for it's sugary delicacy. This red 1 1/2 inch pear-shaped heirloom variety has been grown in America since the 18th century. Traditionally this variety was chosen for it's great ability to be dried and packed away for winter use in substitute of figs.

To prepare the "figs," the tomatoes were first blanched to remove the skins. Then the skinless tomatoes were placed in a stone jar with equal parts sugar to tomatoes. This resulted in a syrup that was then removed, boiled and skimmed. This process was repeated over two days, with intervals of cooling. To complete the preservation, the tomatoes were dried in the sun for about a week. Finally, they were packed in small wooden boxes, with fine white sugar between every layer. This method of preserving was said to keep for years.

One of the most important reasons to choose this seed variety is that it is considered by Slow Food USA to be endangered member of their "Ark of Taste."

3
san marzano

San Marzano might as well be called the "king tomato." It is one of the best tomatoes grown specifically for sauce-making. In Italy and elsewhere in Europe, they are a household name. This indeterminate variety produces rectangular pear shaped tomatoes with thick meaty flesh.

4
peacevine

The Peacevine is the newbie of the bunch, developed in the 1980's by Alan Kapuler. Peacevine has a very high vitamin C content compared to other cherries. This indeterminate variety produces generous tresses of small, delicious red tomatoes with an occasional yellow. Complex flavor begins tart and finishes sweet. Uniquely high in gamma-amino butyric acid, a body sedative that calms jitters.

my babies are growing extremely well so far.

green gooseberries

2010-07-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

gooseberries waiting to become jam.

nick made our first batch of green gooseberry jam.

i'm curious to try it.
not sure if i've ever had a gooseberry.
i think it'll be a tart one.

Coho Salmon with Peas & Carrots

2010-07-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

salmon makes my day.

we picked up a bag-o-fish
from the ballard farmer's market today.
Wilson Fish always has the best fish.

this was our first of many meals thanks to the bag-o-fish,
prepared deliciously by nick.

we'll be in salmon heaven for a while now....

good find: kitchen scale

2010-07-10T22:46:00.001-07:00

Pelouze Family Scale Deluxe
Pelouze Manufacturing Company Chicago, Illinois

i stopped by my favorite local thrift store.
it's run completely by volunteers,
all adorable old ladies.

there's always a gem to be found.
which they like to call a "good find".

i spotted this vintage kitchen scale.
both aesthetically and functionally,
this scale will be enjoyed.

the summer jammin' begins.

2010-07-09T20:48:00.001-07:00

the canning frenzy has begun,
in attempt to preserve every bit of glory of summer.
strawberry and rhubarb jam was our third jam made so far,
after raspberry and stewed strawberries that is.

to insure the most delicious final product,
the best local ingredients are used.
the strawberries came from Collins Family Orchard.
the rhubarb from Stoney Plains Organic Farm.

to make it official i designed the label.
this way we'll know what flavor we're using,
especially when topping ice cream, pancakes or toast.

you say clafouti, i say clatouti

2010-07-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

this is one of the easiest desserts i've ever made.

the recipe came from the River Cottage Cookbook,
although i've seen many variations near and wide.

cherry clafouti.

a little butter for greasing
3 C black or red cherries
1/3 C superfine sugar
1 C all-purpose flour
A pinch of salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 C milk
confectioners' sugar for dusting

lightly grease a 10-inch-diameter round ceramic or tin baking dish or a 10 by 8-inch rectangular one. (i used a glass pie dish) remove stems from the cherries but do not pit them (you don't want the juices to run until the moment you bite into a cherry). toss them with a third of the sugar and spread them out in a single layer in the dish.

sift the floud and salt into a bowl and stir in the remaining sugar. make a well in the middle and pour in the beaten eggs. mix well, drawing in the flour from the sides, then beat in the milk, a little at a time until you have a smooth batter (you can use a food processor to make the batter if you prefer). pour the batter over the cherries and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 35 minutes, until lightly browned and puffed up like a yorkshire pudding.

clafouti is at its best eaten lukewarm, but not bad cold either. dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving, and serve plain or with cream.

-River Cottage Cookbook

variations:
adding vanilla and/or lemon zest to the batter

the 4th.

2010-07-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

the 4th would not be complete without a juicy burger.
in this case it was a juicy lamb burger.
the meat came from Olsen Farms,
the tomato came from Billy's,
the arugula came from our veg patch,
and the bun was made by i.
boy was it tasty!