Conrad Hilton, wee Klee, Lemoncello crema, new creation, summer mornings on the porch, strawberry mint margaritas, an arrival.

1. Island Sandals handmade by Michael in Maui arrived!

 2. Strawberry mint margaritas.

3. Summer mornings on the porch- drawing on the porch, coffee.

4. A new, small creation.

5. Lemoncello crema and some other goodies for Rachel's birthday.

6. A wee Klee. Always a pleasure to see in person at the Met.

7. A stay at the Conrad Hilton (North End Avenue, NYC) featuring an enormous Sol Lewitt wall and some wacky string art.

7 bits of wonder from Hawaii last month: Westfalia, Island Sandals, Puupiha cemetery, espresso, Byodo- In Temple, Boston- Maui, beauty

1. A leaf inscribed with my word- beauty! Wailea, Maui.

 2. At the Martin Lawrence Gallery on Front Street, Lahaina, Maui. 

There is a  Martin Lawrence Gallery on Newbury Street in Boston as well. 

We spotted this from the street (just a few days after April 15th).

 3. At the Byodo-In Temple, Kahaluu, O'ahu.

 4. A delicious espresso on the drive up to Haleakala, Maui.

 5. A romantic picture at the Puupiha cemetery on the beach, across from the Jodo Mission, Lahaina, Maui.

 6. "Sandals while you wait" (3-6 months) by Michael at Island Sandals, Front Street, Lahaina, Maui. Michael is a kooky, loveable character. Can't wait to get my handmade sandals in the mail... someday.

7. Our home and transport in O'ahu. 1988 Volswagen Westfalia. J-bird was smitten.

Made us laugh, Yo La Tengo, espresso, Sonia, continuous line, JR + the High Line

1. JR on the High Line, NYC.

2. Continuous line drawing.

3. Reading: My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor.

4. Espresso with whipped cream at Cafe Fledermaus (Neue Galerie).

5. Sky, reflection of sky, texture.

6. Yo La Tengo at Town Hall.

7. Made us laugh: toddler bike with training wheels locked up with heavy duty chain.

An upcoming party, the gift table, beauty, gingerbread cake, space, to my sister, the mantle.

 1. Our simple holiday mantle. Featuring a cross eyed Mary. Every December that I unwrap this set that my mom gave to me when I was in high school, I laugh when I see the Mary statue.

 2. What I gave to my sister.

 3. Re-beginning. I am sharing a studio space once again with my fantastic friend, Sean. We shared this same space years ago. It's nice to have a  space away from home (a convenient 10 minute walk from here) for focused art making once again.

 4. The gingerbread cake that I made for New Year's Eve. You have to love a cake that includes a cup of stout.

 5. I chose the word "beauty" to guide me through 2013. I chose the word in honor of my friend, Karen, who passed away in the fall. She called many people- teenage students, fellow teachers, and friends, "Beauty." "How's my Beauty?"
Just a few days into the new year, this owl greeted me when I came home from work. A beauty.

 6. The Christmas gift table.

7. We are excited to be hosting a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Presidential Inauguration Day party this Monday.  Soup, oatmeal cookies, a fire in the wood stove.

Rudeness, embroidered, bees, the table, outdoing Mary Poppins, breakfast, watching

 1. Waiting for the apple cider to steam. I loved watching him watch his cider.

2. A big breakfast for A as he watched a movie on the laptop on a Saturday morning.


3. When I told a group of students that I was a nanny for a year in my early 20's, one replied, "Ms. K you would outdo Mary Poppins as a nanny any day!" What a compliment!

4. How the Thanksgiving table was dressed.


5. Just finished and loved: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.








6. The beautiful embroidered portraits created by Cacey Zavaglia (via Colossal).


7. Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. -Eric Hoffer

Kermit Oliver, yellow dining room, three books, Babel, a sister and her drink

1. My sweet sister at the tavern with her espresso martini.

2. Listening to and loving: Babel by Mumford & Sons.

 Books I am absorbing:

3. 101 things to Learn in Art School by Kit White.

4. A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver.

5. The Where, the Why and the How: 75 Artists Illustrate Wondrous Mysteries of Science.

 6. Our little, happy yellow dining room.

7. The amazing work and story of Kermit Oliver, who I learned about through NPR (where else?).
Listen to the story here. See more of Kermit's work here.

Domaine de Canton, Cloud Gate, an unbored soul, Notan, friends, baked beans, Thiebaud + Morandi

1. I loved watching this video of Wayne Thiebaud discussing his love for and learnings from Giorgio Morandi. Thiebaud via Morandi.

2. We recently made homemade Boston style baked beans in a crock that belonged to a beloved childhood neighbor who, in the 1970's, baked, canned, constructed, and brewed well before it was considered hip. They were simply necessary, familiar, more affordable, enjoyable activities that he loved doing and sharing with others. Thank you, Alphonse, for sharing your wares and your do-it-your sensibility with us kids.




3. We recently paid a very fun (though always too short visit) to some dear friends in Chicago. above: J-bird and Olive just before heading into town for the afternoon.

4. I spotted some colorful Japanese Notan inspired compositions at a Dick Blick store in Chicago.

5.  A very "unbored" soul delves into an advance copy of Unbored. The book is officially released tomorrow!

6. This sculpture, "Cloud Gate," by Anish Kapoor at Milennium Park in Chicago made me smile and filled me with awe and wonder. Amazing.

7.  Need to make your "Dark and Stormy" even stormier? Dark rum with this "ultra premium French ginger liqueur" will do the trick. Thank you, Rachel, for the wonderful treat!