By saving bits of ribbon and string, I’m not just recycling them to use on other gifts; I’m collecting a beautiful materials to use for all sorts of applications…
Read MoreInstead of Resolutions, a Transformative Record of Surprise
While reflecting on the year gone by, I came across a unique way New Years can transform that is far more powerful than the usual resolutions.
Read MoreExperience Heightened Well-Being via the Primal Scent of Christmas Trees
Biologist David George Haskell’s explanation of what the primal scent from Christmas trees actually does to us will amplify your experience of this lovely free gift of the holidays.
Read MoreSecrets of a Divine Egg Salad Sandwich from Harlem’s Premiere Caterer
Although I cooked professionally for decades, I somehow never got how great an egg salad sandwich could be I tasted Amuse Bouche’s AND learned their secrets…
Read Morethe thrills and miracles of ‘mystery’ wine dinner parties
It’s exciting to open mystery wines that promised to be great once but have languished so long, it’s impossible to know if there’s something delicious inside. When one proves to be lovely, it’s like a little miracles has arrived.
Read MoreUpdate on My Recent Minor Disaster, with Thanks
The first grueling leg of the unexpected challenge that appeared in my life recently is over, and I am left with many gifts, and a lot of gratitude.
Read MoreHow Hermeto Pascoal Turned a Lagoon into a Musical Instrument
On a hot day, we can think of nothing more inspiring and refreshing than Pascoal’s astonishing Musica de Lagoa, made in a lagoon…inspiration for our own summer music.
Read MoreHow to See the Trees in Your House
52 Types of Wood and the Trees They Come From will make you see trees that the wood in your home come from. The Overstory will make you appreciate them more…
Read MoreHomemade Lemon-Scented Olive Oil For Bright, Summery Flavor Anytime
Casting about for foods that could sparkle things up and remind me of warm places and summer, I remembered my simple Lemon Olive Oil recipe. YES, that’s what I need, to use and give as gifts.
Read MoreWrite Guest’s Names On Their Glasses (And Save Your Sanity)
One of the simplest, hottest tips for holiday entertaining can be done with what you’ve got on hand and will cut down on busy work and stress.
Read MoreImprovised Life’s Not Shopping Holiday Gift Guide
Years ago, having burned out from years of overdrive in holiday giving, I devised a strategy for pleasurable, stress-free giving that avoids combing through “holiday gift guides” for cool things nobody needs.
Read MoreSummer in a Jar: Flower and Herb Teas and Seasonings
There are some kitchen processes I do so automatically that I hardly think about them, until I become suddenly conscious that it is a principle I am using, and not a recipe. For years I’ve used a simple method to transform summer herbs and flowers into teas and seasonings for use all year round.
Read MoreHow to Fight a Mall-Like Internet!
When long-time blogger Tina Bray described the looming probability of a mall-like internet, it hit home HARD. There’s a simple, inexpensive way to stem the tide….
Read MoreEtsy Studio for Hard-to-Find Project and Craft Supplies + Ideas
When we were searching for hardware for a bag we are prototyping, we scoured New York City’s garment district and the internet for sources. We were surprised to find the most complete offerings at Etsy. The digital marketplace of crafters and sellers has expanded…
Read MoreA Baby Elephant Shows What To Do When You’re Stuck
We watched this amazing video and thought, yeah, we’ve been there…
Read MoreMake Do and Mend: Gentle Inner and Outer Activism
Understanding that “waste is symptomatic of failed relationships” has changed our view about repairing/mending/fixing — from the inside out.
Read MoreHow to Rid Your Mind of Thoughts of Death and Doom
The great Joseph Mitchell reminded us that “thoughts of death and doom” are part of the human condition, and of ways to rid our mind of them.
Read MoreMatthew Sporzynski’s Expansive Money and Mindset
Paper artist Matthew Sporzynski has expanded our view for years with his mightily innovative thinking. His stretch money resonates particuarly strongly now.
Read MoreDon’t Know What You are Doing? You are Not Alone (Rumi + Chuang Tzu)
We’ve lost count of the times we’ve thought “We don’t know what we are doing!” as we work, pursue ideas, navigate crises, move through our day, week, year. We are heartened to see that we are not alone, and that it can yield great rewards.
Read MoreA Wondrous Dragon in A Single 2-Minute Stroke w Haiku
This truly astonishing tiny video is a perfect morning mediation with a inbuilt lesson: The ease of this miraculous single stroke-that-became-a-dragon is the result of intense practice and many failures.
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