Tiny Homes : Simple Shelter

Crystal River Treehouse, by Stephen A. Novy, AIA, and David Rasmussen, near Carbondale, Co., photo by Brent Moss

Have you heard of the book Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter? It's filled with photos and information about tiny homes and the people who love them.

World of Jaspers by Hans Gamma

In case you haven't heard, I love jasper. In fact, I wanted to name our cat Sebastian Jasper, but Sam vetoed the name. My love for this stone goes deep. Ranging in color and pattern, and resembling anything from abstract expressionist paintings to watercolor landscapes, jaspers are some of the most beautiful stones around.

When I came upon Hans Gamma's website documenting the beauty of jasper, I fell in love all over again.

Jeremy Miranda

Jeremy Miranda's paintings range from the tropics to the tundra, and while I usually hate winter, my favorites among his work are those set in bleak, cold and dark places.

Chocolate Editions by Mary & Matt

Chocolate Pie Chart

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I can't help having chocolate on the brain. Have you heard of Mary & Matt? While I have never tasted any of their Chocolate Editions, I have been sorely tempted both by the chocolate and the design.

Animal Illustration by Charley Harper

You might recognize Charley Harper's style, as I do, from old Golden Books. I most prefer his simplified illustrations when jumbled in a collage, how about you?

You can take the girl out of Texas...

This weekend, Sam and I went out with our host Chris and a few of his friends. Before we left the house, I got tired of my lank hair and put it up in my new favorite hairstyle, the sock bun. At the last minute, I decided to change out of the turtleneck I was wearing in case I got too hot. After a while at the pub, we headed to a club, but the first place we went wouldn't let us in because I forgot our passports and they wouldn't accept my Texas drivers license. So we went elsewhere.

For all these reasons, we met our first fellow American in New Zealand. He tapped me on the shoulder and said, "excuse me, are you from Texas?"

Score one for neck tattoos.

Photo by Mike Garten

Sam at work

In other news, we are back in Clarkville with Chris and Paula. We finished repainting the windows last time we were here, and now we're prepping the eaves for painting, as well as the exterior stucco. We're going to be working extra hours in the next two days so we can take some time off to spend with Harry when he arrives, so it seems we'll be missing the Superbowl. I'm okay with that, though. My favorite part of the Superbowl is free food at my parents' house.

Triangles

I've been seeing a lot of nice triangles lately.



14K Black Diamond Ring by KyleAnneMetals, Triangle Drinking Glasses from Dwell Studio

Triangle shelf by Sotiris Lazou of DeCode

Geodesic Chicken Coop by Anthony Liekens

Anthony Liekens brought a smile to my face when I saw his geodesic chicken dome. Not only has he created the world's coolest chicken dwelling, he has generously provided the rest of us with step by step instructions and photos.

New Zealand has shown me I need chickens at my dream home, and now I can give my chickens a dream home of their own.

Hello Hedgehog

I was collecting zucchini in the garden when Sam shouted my name at the top of his lungs. I thought he wanted a favor, but in fact, he wanted to show me the hedgehog he spotted in the chicken yard. I grabbed the camera from the house and the boys followed, Nico exclaiming, "I love hedgies!"

The Shiny World of Leah Giberson

Desert Camper 2

Leah Giberson's work has always fascinated me. Her distinct style is as memorable as her subject matter of vintage houses, caravans and objects. In her work, mundane suburban objects are painted in harsh light, with their surroundings pared down until they appear otherworldly.