Nani Iro 2015

Naomi Ito just posted the new 2015 fabrics.  I better start saving!

Here are my favorites:

 

 

Images from naniiro.jp

That Gray Area

I don't like to post about politics.  I don't like the way that people try to push their beliefs/values/principles on others.  I don't like how people are always trying to tell other people what is "right" or "wrong."  Right and wrong are the feelings in the pit of your stomach, a tightening in your chest...

But today after days of reading different people's posts about the Israeli/Gaza/Palestinian situation I feel prompted to speak up (or well write...).  There is a lot of information and a lot of media being put out by various entities.  One could spend all day reading about the conflict or looking at charts, graphs, timelines etc.  And it is easy to get caught up in the very well designed graphics or eloquent words; but I beg of you to remember that data can be presented and biased in almost any imaginable way and that articles almost never tell all sides to a story.

I feel the strong push to write today because of two experiences that happened to me just about two years ago that have forever changed my life.

1.  I made my first trip to Israel.

Israel was amazing.  Such an ancient place full of history.  Birthright trips are obviously designed to push visitors into a pro-Israel mind set, but even so my Oberlin education prevailed and I didn't forget to question, ponder and consider as many views as possible.  And in the end I do believe that I came out of this trip with a more well rounded understanding of Israel.

2.  I was the recipient of directed anti-semitism.

A person who I had spoken maybe a couple of sentences to and totally unprovoked screamed terrible, horrible words and accusations full of hate and hostility directly at me.  Why? Because I am Jewish.  In all honesty I don't even remember exactly what she said, but I sure as shit remember how I felt.  Those words, and the anger hate and hostility behind them shook me to the core. They made me feel sick and disturbed something deep inside my body.

People warn that hate is a strong word, because if you have been on the receiving end you will know exactly how terrifying hate is. Being on the receiving end of any kind of hate (homophobia, xenophobia, racism etc...) is not an experience or a feeling that anyone should ever experience. And for me it is an experience and feeling that I hope to never feel again.

I am not going to sit here and defend the killing of thousands of innocent lives.  And even as a Jewish person when I think long and hard about how the state of Israel came to be it leaves me with mixed feelings.  Before these two experiences I think my feelings about these conflicts would be more decided and sided.  But after my personal experience there is this small part of me that is slightly paranoid and can rest at night knowing that were there to be another Hitler my family would have a haven.

So, please continue to read, and look and listen, educate yourself. But educate your self with ALL the sides of the story. And before you post something and endorse it, as what you believe, consider the bigger picture.  Consider all sides of the story.

Red White and Blue

Why, hello there!  Happy 5th of July! Only one day late!  I got very messy in the kitchen yesterday making some fourth of July themed MOCHI! Needless to say my counters are covered in potato starch.

Inspired by the mochi master our friend Jenn, who makes fantastic baked goods at one of the local natural foods stores Kale's, I decided to try my hand at a different type of baked good.  And use up some of the six pounds of mochiko in my pantry.

I wanted to make this cake but the idea of all those layers and icing... Not to mention I was out of shortening and powdered sugar.

SOOOooOooOOOo I made this delightfully mild berry mochi.

///

Red White and Blue(berry) Mochi

makes one 9 x 13 inch pan, about one and a half inches thick

2 boxes mochiko

2 c water

2 c vanilla almond or soy milk

1 c sugar

1 c frozen strawberries

1 c frozen blueberries

6 t vegetable oil

1 t vanilla extract

red and blue food coloring, if desired

potato starch

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper and oil the pan/parchment. 

1.Combine about 11 oz of mochiko and 1/3 c sugar together in a bowl.  In a measuring glass combine the blueberries 1 cup of almond milk and 1 cup of water and 2 t of vegetable oil.  Using a immersion blender or a regular blender blend the berries and liquid (and food coloring if using).  Add to the dry mixture and stir until combined.  Pour into the baking pan and smooth into an even layer.  Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

2. Clean your bowl/blender/measuring glass/spatula etc.

3. Measure another 11 oz of mochiko add 1/3 c sugar, 1 c almond milk, 1 c sugar, 2 t vegetable oil and vanilla.  Mix throughly.

4. Remove pan from oven uncover and pour the white layer over smooth over evenly.  Cover with foil and return to the oven for 20 minutes.

5. Repeat Step 1. with strawberries instead of the blueberries.  Once the 20 minutes us up pour the red layer oven the white layer smooth, cover and bake for another 90 minutes.

6. Remove and let cool completely in the pan.

7. Cut using a plastic knife. Be sure to dust all surfaces with potato starch.  Roll each piece in potato starch to prevent from sticking.

Enjoy!

\\\

+++

Whoa... Giles Belley Organic Factory

Ok. So I know I tend to disappear and then promise to update and then never. But this stopped me in my tracks. Before I makes excuses I must share.

Giles Belley is a French designer making things to put in your home that are--get this-- made of agricultural waste.  Not only are they beautiful, but functional and such a creative way to recycle. Sleek modern planters and fragrance diffusers are among the pictured designs. And how beautiful are the accompanying drawings?

It's things like this that make me wish I had studied Industrial Design or Art.  It's true, I must start making some work before my soul begins to shrivel up.

Here

Yes.

It's been awhile.

A lot has happened in the past few months. Something like this:

I lov--lived on a farm for two and a half months. Met my match. Walked down the aisle as a maid of honor. Sorted, packed and boxed up almost all of my material possessions. Hugged my beloved parents good-bye and flew 6,000 miles across the Pacific to embark on this thing we call life.

And here I am. Gainfully employed full time, getting settled in our still empty house at the back of a valley.

Oh, did I forget to mention... I've moved to Hawai'i.

More soon.

xx

That's Clutch

Remember when people used to say that?

I do.

Good thing I've grown up so much since then.

Packing is proving more complicated than I anticipated. Why does everything always take longer than you want it to? Oh. Right.

Procrastination:

Top to bottom:

Collina Strada Nico

Madewell Camera Clutch

J. Crew Invitation Clutch

Top Shop Clean Zip Front Clutch

Images: Collina Strada, Madewell, JCrew, Top Shop

Doughnuts!

Check out cutie (& friend) Alex aka the Breakfast Bachelor and his adorable video!