current work

It's no secret, I've been horrible about updating lately. Instead of re-running old posts, I thought I'd give everyone a little reading. Below is a recap of the work I've been up to in the past month or so. I may not be putting together a ton of content for Numie, but I promise, I've been making the magic happen somewhere. 

Lilah Nick & The House of the Setting Sun

Home tour with two talented artists and makers. They constructed a summer home with their own two hands, and it has an entire wall made from found windows so they can watch the sun set each night. This post also includes an interview with Lilah that - I hope - will fill you with as much inspiration as I felt meeting her and her beau in person.

Read It Here

Chilled Pea & Garlic Scape Soup

Adam & I constructed this refreshing recipe for our friends at Greensgrow. It's zesty, lemony, and perfect for hot weather.

Read It Here

Food & Ferments: The Kombucha & Beet Kvass Experts

I highlighted one of my favorite local Philadelphia vendors, Food & Ferments, for the Free People blog. Get a peek into their world + basic Kombucha and Beet Kvass how-to's.

Read It Here

DIY Fresh Flower Wreath

I let my hands get busy with some of nature's most beautiful objects, and wrote up a step-by-step for trying out the project yourself.

Read It Here

Recipe: Ginger Kohlrabi Slaw

This is a recipe that I got obsessed with making when kohlrabi was plentiful in the CSA. I brought it to a 4th of July party, and was later told by a friend that he had a, "coming to jesus moment," while eating it. Enough said?

Read It Here

DIY Sunglasses Case

I've been using this little bag like crazy - both for sunglasses and my cell phone. I love it. The bonus? It is a great use for scrap fabric. 

Read It Here

Blueberry, Peach, & Ginger Fruit Leather

Another recipe that Adam & I pulled together for the Greensgrow blog. This one is great for brining along on a summer hike. It's lightweight, won't squish, and tastes mighty great after a long day of walking through the woods.

Read It Here

Greensgrow Instagram

While I haven't been doing it as much as before, I've still been contributing to the Greensgrow Instagram from time to time. Be sure to follow along if you're interested in urban farming, gardening, farm-to-table, or artisinal foods. 

Follow Greensgrow Here

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Now, I'd love to see some of the work you all have been doing. I'm finding that most of you are pretty darn inspiring, and I'd love to get to know you better. Leave a comment below and tell me what you're up to!

the journey

I've been on the road a lot lately. As I write this, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's just me and a big fat bible. The bible came with the room, I'm just a person passing through.
The long hours have left me a lot with myself. I don't think I've ever spent so much time in my own head as I have this past month. For some, that might sound great - the wide open road, time alone - but for me its been a bit bumpy. You see, I've always liked a certain amount of time to do my own thing, but at the end of the day, I like to be around friends. I like the energy of people close by, and without it I get lonely.

But I haven't had much choice, so instead I sit with it and let it happen. I stop myself when I start feeling sorry because I know this is a significant turning point in my life. Right now, I'm chasing after my own, and I cannot expect others to chase with me. At the end of each long journey, I've found immense joy and meaning for the road ahead. These are experiences meant for me, and me alone. Along the way, I'm building a strong sense of self awareness that for the first time ever comes from within. I find a pillar of strength in that.
I've come to realize that I have a self identity outside of interactions with other people. It's easy to develop an outlook on yourself based off of the way others treat you, and what they tell you about yourself. But when you step away from that mirror, who are you? 

Me, I'm a thinker...and a nerd. I listen to way too much NPR, and today, I caught myself engulfed in CSPAN radio as I drove through Washington DC. Why? Because I find it interesting and informative...and the kind of knowledge I should be filling my head with. As I drove on and the station fizzled away, the channel changed to country. I'm embarrassed to even admit it. The last time I listened to the country music station was back in high school. In fact, back then I loved it! It was my radio of choice. Maybe I like it now because it brings me back there. It reminds me of when things were simple. When life really was pick-up trucks, beer, and boys. When I really did spend all day on a farm, and head down to the lake with my best friends. As I drove through the valleys of America's wide open spaces today, the music cradled me with the safety I needed out here all alone.

Needless to say, I'm in limbo. It's that awkward growing phase where you don't feel like who you were, and you don't feel like you are who you're going to be. I'm me, right now. This silly being figuring it all out. I dream all day long about what's next. I know I can't stay where I'm at, but I also know that I can't yet leave. So I'm stuck. And I'm growing. I'm grooming myself to be able to do what I want. One day it will come, and when it does, it will be so, so sweet.

weekly scenes

Spring is here, friends. There is no doubt about it. The weather is perfect. For some reason I feel surprised by how great it is. Like I thought that the winter was an incessant, never-ending thing. I had forgotten what sunshine was like past 5 o'clock, but I'm mighty grateful to have re-discovered the feeling. 

I am invigorated just being able to step out and enjoy myself. I make little excuses to NOT come inside. I walk with no purpose, and make everything into an outdoor activity.

My parents were in town and we made it back to my favorite hiking spot, Wissahickon. Marley and I haven't been since the fall. You can see just how happy she was from that shot of her jowls billowing in the wind. What, your jowls don't billow when you're content? Ahhh, I'm just messing with you guys - but - our return to Wissahickon made me very excited for the months to come. It solidified the inaugural initiation of spring. I can't wait to see what amazing memories get made this season. I feel like it's going to be a good one. ;)

instagramming for greensgrow

You all know how passionate I am about the planet and having a positive impact on its well being. Part of that is eating whole, local, and organic foods which is why for the past year I've been a member of Greensgrow Farm's CSA. Last summer I also began a garden of my own, and made it a point to get as many supplies as possible from Greensgrow in order to support a small local business that I believe in. 

Last month I was fortunate enough to take over the Greensgrow Instagram. I've had a blast with it. Not only have I increased my visits and time spent at the farm, but I've also grown a tie to the local community that I didn't previously have. It's been a delight for my lens, my creative eye, and also my spirit. 

Above are some of the pictures I've captured so far this month. I look forward to showing the farm's progression as the season moves on and the whole world changes. Please do follow along!

Check out the Greensgrow Instagram Here

weekly scenes

As you can see - good fun all around. Adam and I have some fun projects in the works. Can't wait to share soon! Until then. xx

thanksgiving, you were perfect

Dogs, fresh snow, lots of love...what else does one need to make a great Thanksgiving? Adam and I headed up to Syracuse where the air was ten degrees cooler and the ground covered in powder. It made for great snow shoeing weather, Adam and Marley's first time. Poor little Marley was very chilly towards the end, but she got over it quite quickly when we arrived back home where the fire was blazing and a cozy dog bed laid out in front. She, along with the rest of us, splayed out to relax in the living room before we got to work. Us humans enjoyed an amazing spread of fine cheeses. Finally, it was time to help my mother finish up the meal. All hands were on deck - chopping, peeling, setting plates. When we all at down a bottle of wine had already been finished. It was a great crew with interesting - enlightening - conversation.   I will speak for everyone and say that we all went to bed full of food and happiness that night. It was a great day. For the dogs, for the snow, for the immense love, I am beyond thankful. Here's to many more perfect Thanksgivings!