These two looks are a pretty good representation of my current not-at-work war​drobe.

Naming + appreciation of the gifts that surround us
creates a sense of satisfaction, 
a feeling of "enoughness" that is the antidote 
to the societal messages that drill into our spirits,
telling us we must have more. 
Practicing contentment is a radical act
in a consumption-driven society.
​Robin Wall Kimmerer

"Gone to seed" is an expression that often takes on a negative connotation. I always sort of wondered about that, because...wouldn't we like a least a little seed for next year? But also I get it. The first time I grew broccoli, I totally missed the chance to pick + eat it...the florets flowered + it didn't really seem like food anymore. But there was still beauty to be found in those tiny, little, yellow flowers I didn't know broccoli turned into.  :)

We had a very rainy spring, and didn't end up getting out there to pick all of our plantings before they turned into things less edible...things I would have never experienced otherwise. The bok choy flowered + I decided to leave some of it for beauty's sake rather than pulling it all in shame. 

The rain had me hesitant to plant our tomato starts in the waterlogged ground. Time passed + volunteer tomatoes grew from last year's dropped tomatoes without planning or permission. They are bigger + so much more robust than the starts that waited out the weather indoors. None of the pepper plants that we started from seed indoors flourished. But there are pepper plants growing in our garden too. We found parsley last week...fragrant + tasty. I don't think I've ever planted it before. 

I may not have been the most tentative gardener this spring + early summer, but nature has always been the best gardener anyway. Flowers and recognizable plants have developed from what may have been deemed weeds as smaller sprouts. Seeds of past flowers + fruit have planted themselves. We will be eating their fruit soon...I have no doubt. I've decided to take pleasure in the surprises instead of dwelling on missed opportunities. Sometimes I just need the eyes to see it that way.

Love,
​Jane

Writing in my journal this morning, my thoughts turned to cherries. A lot of things haven't been great here lately...but also...

"I can still see fireflies + bats swooping over the garden. I can still taste cherries- searching for the pits with my tongue. I can spit out the pits...while still tasting the cherries. I can do it. The good + the bad come as one- but I still joyfully take it in. I can hold it all at once. The goodness of the cherry is worth dealing with the pits. Dear God, as painful as it is. This is it. Cherries. Harmony. It sucks. It hurts. I hate it. Please, please, no more pits, dear God. No more pits. Oh- but the cherry.

Hope your weekend is all cherry + no pits.  

​Love,
Jane

We recently saw this car + just had to learn more about it. Luckily Ken was as excited to tell us about the solar car he is building(!) as I was to hear about it! That smile says it all. It totally made my week to meet a real life eco-warrior in person! Cheering you on so hard, Ken!

Power to the people.
​The kitchen of craft pursuits.
​The options are endless.
Tell me I'm not dreaming alone.
​Pure joy.

What an incredible day...finally bringing Juneteenth to a place of recognition. Sobering. Celebration. So much work still to do.

We're eating cherries this weekend (yum!). Sitting here watching the fireflies glowing + the bats swooping over the garden. Hoping you are enjoying your weekend too, friends!

Much love,
Jane

Change has been a theme around here lately. I've tried three jobs in the past three months (yikes), and have been settling into a good one for a few weeks now. I've settled into a sort of uniform too. These jeans from Madewell are fair-trade certified (yay, Madewell!), and I love them. I'm also really into these tees from It is well LA. They are designed + made in California from cotton + modal...and they work well under my apron. My Vejas are good for being on my feet for a big chunk of the day.

It's nice to not have to waste any of my limited decision making abilities getting dressed each day. I simply pick the next tee in the stack. I can wash my jeans + apron once per week + the tees (+ socks) along with the other laundry throughout the week. I like knowing that everything I have is getting worn + earning its place in my wardrobe. 

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

It's gotten hot + stayed hot this week. ​Breezy shorts that fit were on my mind. A thrifted rayon skirt found in Jo's donation bag seemed like it might be up for a transformation into a cute pair of shorts. Just enough fabric!  :)

I took the picture on the left to show the elastic I used...cut off the top of a pair of shorts that were beyond repair. When I unpicked the stitching to expose the elastic, I had to smile at the already pieced together elastic that it was. Just another layer of zero-waste.  :)

Sewing pattern :: Common Stitch Bellbird shorts 
Fabric :: thrifted rayon skirt, well worn + ready to be passed on by Jo  :)

Modifications :: Cut one size smaller than size chart recommendation. Added waist band to the top rather than folding the top down for the elastic casing. I wanted a higher waist + this also allows them to feel a bit longer too.

Notes for next time :: Size down two sizes instead of one + add an inch to the top of each pattern pieces (for one inch wide elastic).

Feels good to have so little waste at the end of a project. This will be added to our fabric scrap bag that goes to Goodwill to be made into things like rags, insulation + carpet padding. Thank you, Goodwill for getting materials where they can be reused!

Love,
​Jane

Do not let this thing you got go to waste
Do not let your heart be dismayed
It's here by some random disclosure of grace
From some vascular, great thing
​
Get out of your head if it says
"Stay cold and be deathly afraid"
Do not let your spirit wane
Do not let your spirit wane
~Gang of Youths

I've been revisiting some of these images for years + instead of letting that make me feel boring...I'm finding contentment + comfort there. It's perfectly fine for tastes to change over the years...to meander...to vacillate...to wander. But it's also lovely to find myself coming back to the same things again + again.

White tees...white shorts...black tanks...breezy pants...brown shoulders...a shady hat...messy hair...soft, pale denim...bare feet...these are my simple summer staples. There's no reason to complicate "enough".

All lovely images via links.

Love,
​Jane

Keiko Hirosue has been making shoes for almost twenty years. When she realized the shoe-making tools she'd collected could be put to even more use, she started sharing both the tools + her knowledge with others. 

Today, those lucky to be near enough can take classes in Keiko's studio, Brooklyn Shoe Space. The rest of us can join her for an online class + can shop her supply shop for items as varied as sneaker soles (wow!) + stiletto heels.

Keiko's interesting interviews with shoemakers like Isobel Schofield of Bryr Clogs can be found on the Brooklyn Shoe Space instagram page.

These lovely photos via Brooklyn Shoe Space.

Love,
Jane