We’re starting to hang more things on the walls. (Very, very slowly. I tend to prefer lean decoration and it takes me a long time to commit.) It would easier if gorgeous, large-scale photographs–like those ones above–weren’t so darned out of reach.
I’ve been noticing a trend toward natural wood frames these past few years; the fashion seems to have gone from black to white to, now, light wood. Have you noticed this, too?
I asked Victoria where she got hers (pictured on those amazing, custom shelves above) and of course Ikea has discontinued them. Anyone know a good source?
We’re planting some citrus trees in our yard, one of which will be a blood orange tree. Until we have access to our own, I’m happy to find them in local markets–and now is the season! We brought some home over the weekend and it made me want to repost one of my favorite, simple salads: bitter greens, sweet citrus, and a sharp (slightly salty) cheese. In this case, I’ve paired blood oranges with arugula, spinach, and Manchego.
Though I’ve left the peels on here, that’s for presentation only. For ease of eating, trim the rinds and bitter pith: slice the stem and blossom end of the orange and then follow the contour of the fruit and carve off the rind in segments, working top to bottom and rotating the fruit as you go. Then slice the remaining fruit thinly. Making these pinwheels is a messy affair, but the salad will be prettier than had you tossed in uncut wedges. Add the cheese–parmesan works well, but a sharp cheddar or a Manchego would also be delicious. Drizzle with olive or nut oil, and add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. So simple, so good–and so pretty.
We’re starting to work on some plans for our backyard–a few new plants arrived Tuesday (we planted peach and nectarine trees!) and I’m looking forward to seeing it begin to take shape.
I’ve been collecting some favorite tear-sheets from sources like Martha Stewart Living (above) and Sunset Magazine. I especially love how all of the drought-tolerant grasses glow in that afternoon light. I’ll be sure and share some before-and-afters in progress photos once I have some.
What is everyone doing this weekend? I can’t believe it’s March!
