Mailboxes, etc.

Mailboxes are like bellybuttons, everybody's got one.  And lately, I've had mailboxes on the brain.  I don't know why I'm so fascinated with mailboxes as most of them are pretty ordinary and boringly utilitarian.  Rarely will you find a mailbox that stands out and makes you think, "What a neat mailbox.  I'd really like to find a mailbox like that."  My father lives in a neighborhood where all the mailboxes are exactly the same.  He says that's why he likes it there.  My mom has no mailbox, but a door slot instead where the mailman drops catalogues and bills.  I have a mailbox that looks much like many of the others in my neighborhood. I once knew an artist who had met Mel Gibson and decided to paint Mel Gibson's various characters on a mailbox and send it to Gibson himself. 
There's really nothing mystical about mailboxes, but these artists make my latest fascination seem wondrous and whimsical.

Teal Mailbox by Etsy seller BucksCountyFrames

Empty Box by Etsy seller elephantdreams

Love Letters by Etsy seller skippydesigns

Holly's Mailbox by Etsy seller emmakisstina



Gratatouille

They say an object in motion stays in motion and lately I have been running on sheer momentum.  I've been so caught up in life that I've forgotten how to live.  And then suddenly, a bump in the road.  An occurrence that was at the time frustrating and inconvenient and even quite worrisome.  Nothing tragic, just annoying and without explanation.  It seemed to happen for no good reason, except in hindsight it wasn't just any bump in the road, but a speed bump placed strategically and deliberately to say, "Slow down, Bruce Lee, you're moving too fast."  And so in finding my way back from this small detour, I looked to some "places" I often go in situations like this and I was reminded of the importance of gratitude.  Simran Singh says, " Look for the opportunities within your obstacles NOT the obstacles within your opportunities."  I am so thankful for this speedbump, which was an opportunity disguised as an obstacle put in place to remind me that life is playful, delight in it.  Routines cause ruts and sometimes losing focus is a good thing.

Here is some artwork by artist Sebastiaan Bremer that I find playful, hopeful and just plain delightful.  Enjoy.

Artwork by Sebastiaan Bremer via bumbumbum.me

It's Friday! Orange-Almond Tart

My mind is moving faster than my fingers can type and I have so much to share, but I am of course running behind schedule and have to make it to a six o'clock hot yoga class (much needed).  So instead of going on about this or that, I am going to once again rave about Dorie Greenspan's cookbook Around My French Table.  I recently joined French Fridays with Dorie and have been cooking along with the weekly recipes.  If you are a food lover, a new cook, a veteran foodie or anywhere in between, I recommend joining- it's quite fun and the recipes are to die for.  This week's dish was the Orange-Almond Tart and it is my favorite thing I have made to date.  As per the FFWD rules, I am not allowed to share the recipes on my blog (oops) but this one is too good not to pass along, so if you're interested please send me a message or leave a comment and I'd be much obliged to help you out. (wink wink)  Don't be fooled by the crummy pictures I took, this tart is divine.  Happy weekend!

Step 1: Gather Inspiration

Tomorrow morning the "men" are coming to measure my mama's kitchen, which means this renovation is officially underway!  How exciting!!  We have been informally discussing plans and ideas for weeks now and I am looking forward to setting things in motion, but in the meantime, I need to get movin'!  I need to pull together samples, colors, fabrics, and assemble an idea board so that she can make additions and changes.  On Sunday, she brought over inspiration that she's been collecting for years.  I went through it and pulled out the images that I think best exemplify what she wants and what I envision for her space.  So, without wasting another minute...

Domino 

                                       Cottage Living

Cottage Living

                                     Cottage Living

                                     Cottage Living

Sable Breton with Berries that are Blue

Yet another recipe from Around My French Table that is absolutely fabulous.  Click here to visit Dorie Greenspan's blog and see this particular recipe.  I used 5-inch tart pans instead of the 9-inch pan called for in the recipe and reduced cooking time to 15-20 minutes.