rachel ashwell is one of my big influences on the road to minimalism.  it might seem unlikely that the woman who is known for ruffles and roses could point me in this direction, but it's true.  moving to california in 1998 and seeing her store, buying every magazine with an article about her, reading her books…magic to me!  we had a little two bedroom apartment with beige carpet, cream walls, and an orange tree shading the kitchen and dining area.  we owned a smooshy denim couch and no kitchen table.  there was more space than decor, but rachel told me that was ok.  she said to wait until i found just the right thing- no fillers, just patience.

i stayed at home to be with jo, so we had said goodbye to my nursing salary 18 months prior.  mr. jane's non-profit work provided purpose and answered calling, but did not provide much in the way of money.  rachel's inspiration gave me specifics to look for at the amazing rose bowl flea market..one treasure at a time.  i would head out in the dark and arrive back home, in time to go to church on those exciting sunday mornings.  rachel was my guide and i was lit up with inspiration.

this week i read rachel ashwell's new book, the world of shabby chic, and the magic is still there.  along with the story of rachel's love affair with shabby chic are many inspiring photos of homes i'd love to explore.  i especially liked seeing her daughter's little house in venice, california furnished with an artistic, bohemian eye.  pamela anderson's modern home looks gorgeous filled with white and santa monica light.  

shabby chic, to me, is more than a style; it is a way of life.  it is beauty in imperfection, treasured age, and less allowing the chosen to shine.  to me, shabby chic is my california…white denim, chippy paint and sand between your toes.


love,
jane

while there were spring chores to be done, there was also this wander ending just before the storm...all green and overcast skies.  hope you had a glorious weekend as well!

j + j + j

these box tops are the best!  simple and breezy... like a t-shirt, but more durable in the wash…a bit cropped…and perfect when paired with these high waisted thrifted jeans.

i'd love for you to let me know what sort of posts you are most happy to find in our tiny neck of the woods.  more jo?  zero-waste?  simple wardrobe?  please let us know!  :)

love, 
jane

the war that saved my life  by kimberly brusker bradly:                                                                                                   this book takes place in london during world war 2.  ada, a girl born with a club foot, and her younger brother jamie live with their mom, who doesn't take good care of them. when jamie is sent to a country home far from the war, ada sneaks out to be with him and finds herself with opportunities she never could have imagined. i liked this book a lot and thought it was sweet.                                                                                                   

a tangle of knots  by lisa graff:                            
this book is about many characters and each has a few chapters told from his or her point of view.  the characters are cady, an orphan who loves cake baking...the family of ashers who either long for adventure or try to search for their special talent...mrs. v who can't speak...and toby and the owner, who both work at the emporium of lost items.   this was a cute story that kept me interested.


winnie, the true story of the bear that inspired winnie the pooh by sally m. walker:   
this story is about a soldier named harry colbourn, who cared for a bear called winnie.  it also tells of winnie's life at the zoo, where she spent much of her happy life.

love,
julia                                                                                

most of my outfits this week have been repeats in the handmade department, so this box top and black jeans are all that i recorded.  this is the first top i made with double gauze and it is the breeziest!  i also like its pop of color.  

love,
jane

the strawberries are here!  last night i spotted a bit of red sticking out from the strawberry plants.  this morning, while some (wisely) prefer to savor them alone, i had the most delicious bowl of yogurt, granola and fresh, red, sweet goodness i'll have all year!  

thinking of all the amazingness ripening on vines across the northern hemisphere right now reminds me of animal, vegetable, miracle: a year of food life by barbara kingsolver, camille and steven kingsolver.  i had read it before, but over the winter i listened to it on an audiobook from the library.  right now would be a great time to be inspired to eat locally…to watch for each new bit deliciousness to make its appearance at the farmer's market.

i saw watermelons last week at the grocery store, and i heard and ad for "local corn" on the radio yesterday.  to quote joel salatin, "folks, this ain't normal"…at least not in my neck of the woods.  a trip to the farmer's market gives a better idea of what is truly local at the moment.  (i do have to be on the look out to notice which booths are simply getting produce from suppliers who have trucked it in from who knows where.  look for booths from actual farmers.  talk to the people working the booths.  we love our farmers, and i say that because we are repeat customers to our favorites.  it's like knowing what aisle the greens are on…we know right where we want to go for them!)     

it's been raining a lot here.  this little oddity greeted me on my way out to the strawberries this morning.  i can't find a real likeness in our mushroom book or online, so i'm not sure what kind of mushroom it is.  let me know, if you have any ideas!

what are you enjoying eating right now?

love, 
jane

jo noticed this book at the library and brought it home to share.  on the way home, she noticed that it contains this drawing that we had previously both noticed and separately saved.  i love this book!  it has a sort of diary quality with lots of colorful drawings accompanying musings that had me knowingly laughing along.  i read myself into lots of those pages. this is a friendly take on a personal journey to conscious consumerism…no preachy tone in sight…no heavy statistics to whip you into submission.  get a taste here.  a bunch of pretty things i did not buy by sarah lazarovic… i think you'll like it too!  

love, 
jane

you are important.
you have a role to play in the world around you.
you can't live a day without impacting the world.
~jane goodall

the season for asparagus is here!  yum!  here is how we are eating it this week.  this meal was zero-waste except for a little wrap on the cheese (i really need to head to the cheese counter with my lunchbots so i can stop having to say that!).

lemon orzo + asparagus


bunch of asparagus
1 1/2 c. orzo (bulk)
3 cups water
lemon
spring onions (foraged), chopped
salt + pepper
parmesan cheese

put the water and orzo in a pot to boil for about 8 minutes.  chop woody ends off asparagus and discard...chop into about 1 inch pieces…set tips aside…boil stem pieces 5 minutes…add tips and boil 3 minutes more (i only put about an inch of water in the pot).  squeeze lemon into orzo, add onions and salt and pepper to taste.  top with cheese.  enjoy!

love, 
jane