Strawberry Ball assembly!

Seattle, Washington

Here's a video on how to assemble the 12-piece "strawberry ball." Enjoy!

Liberian lunch

Seattle, Washington

Today Frank and I set out on a bike ride to a new favorite taco bus across from Rainier Beach H.S. Alas, when we arrived, it was closed. Fortunately, Google provided us with a new option in its "food near me" search, and we dined on West African fare at Truuf Food: jollof and fried plaintains. The food was good, and the cook/waiter friendly. Give it a try!

Tomato palapalooza

Seattle, Washington

Yes, it's been a long, hot, dry summer in Seattle. Not good for us true Seattleites, BUT great for my tomatoes. Lots of lovely red fruit, but also some very strangely shaped ones!

Activities for passing time

Seattle, Washington

Lately I've had too much time on my hands while waiting for all kinds of stuff to happen. And then I finally happened upon the perfect combination of activities for passing some of these long hours: sewing napkins for a friend and listening to a new audio book. "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown is turning out to be a great listen and, while set on Mars, sounds all the world to me like an allegory of the history between the Irish and the English...

"Red Rising" by Pierce Brown--whoa, quite a book

McCall's M6959

Seattle, Washington

While in Japan in March/April, I bought a smattering of gorgeous Japanese fabrics. I was determined to try my hand at making a dress when I got home. A and I bought a "simple" McCall's pattern down at Pacific Fabrics, and I got to work. First, I managed to make Version B for myself, with different colors back and front. Armed with my new "expertise," I managed to do an even better job on the dress for A: she got Version A, complete with pockets that I added in. That was good fun!

"Death and the Gardener"

Seattle, Washington

"Death and the Gardener" by Georgi Gospodinov is a fantastic read. I saw a review in the New Yorker a few weeks ago and knew I must read it. 1) I LOVED his earlier book "Time Shelter," and 2) my mother passed away last summer. 

Wow. 

Although, this is barely a novel in the traditional sense, the writing and and storytelling are amazing. When Mom died, I was not interested in reading any kind of "grief book." But somehow THIS was the book that made me think deeply and clearly about my mother's passing. 

Read it.

tourISTANBUL

Istanbul, Turkey

On my way home from eight amazing days in Iraqi Kurdistan, and this morning I got to take advantage of a Turkish Airlines free bus tour. The weather was absolutely amazing (sunny, cold and windy) and just a few hours on the bus reminded me that I/we absolutely must get back to Turkey again. 

Though I am willing to wait until the mayor of Istanbul is not under lock and key.