winter

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Start a New Tradition

Give scary books for Halloween.

Writes Neil Gaiman on his blog:

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You know, there aren't enough traditions that involve giving books.

I propose that, on Hallowe'en or during the week of Hallowe'en, we give each other scary books. Give children scary books they'll like and can handle. Give adults scary books they'll enjoy.

I propose that stories by authors like John Bellairs and Stephen King and Arthur Machen and Ramsey Campbell and M R James and Lisa Tuttle and Peter Straub and Daphne Du Maurier and Clive Barker and a hundred hundred others change hands -- new books or old or second-hand, beloved books or unknown. Give someone a scary book for Hallowe'en. Make their flesh creep...

Give a scary book.

***


I love this idea. I already ran out and bought the book I'm going to give. Pass it on.

**UPDATE** I received this book, and I gifted this.

I also like what Joe Hill had to say:

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I’m going to adopt this as a Halloween habit and I hope you will too. The only thing I’d add is that I think you should also take twenty minutes on Halloween evening to read a scary story to your kids, or with your friends, or your family. Everyone reads The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve, which is fine, but Halloween is really a time to share a good bone-shaking horror story that will keep your loved ones awake at night.

***

I couldn't agree more. As Alvin Schwartz pointed out, scary stories want to be told. So, what are some of your favorite scary books?

julia

in love with every image on this blog.
1,2

Hold the phone

#1. Apparently The Sartorialist was in the area recently. (Heh?)

#2. He did not realize that Drive-Ins "still exist" in the United States. Says Schuman:

I know I have been in the city for a while, but I had no idea that drive-ins were still out there across America. I was pleasantly shocked at how many I saw in upstate New York.


Dude. Like....really? How do you actually avoid this knowledge? There are four or five drive-in theaters within a 45-mile radius of my house alone. It seems "been in the city for a while" is a gross understatement. If you've gotten to this point in your life without knowing that this basic institution "still exists" and is a regular part of many people's lives - in your own state - what other realities of life outside the city are you completely ignorant of? Frightening. Open your damn eyes, man.

Vote Like Mad!

Hey! How about taking a second and casting your vote for this chica? The lovely Kaitlin is competing for a walk-on role on Mad Men. Believe me, if anyone deserves it, it's her!

Vote Here!

(You can vote once a day, if you so choose.)

Summer's Bounty

Last night I finally had the chance to use up some of the pounds and pounds of zucchini I just couldn't resist buying at a recent trip to the farmer's market. For dinner I made one of my favorite (light?) pizzas -- zucchini and kalamata olives with red onion and mozzarella cheese. While that was in the oven - and while I was still on my gin & tonic buzz around the kitchen, feeling super motivated - I finally decided to have a go at making the zucchini bread recipe that's been in my plans for a week. I'd heard that using a food processor for the zucchini works fine, and I still can't find my loaf pan from the move, so I opted for the bundt (I do love bundts so very much). An hour later, the fragrant, sweet bread emerged from the oven. Now there's the problem of what to do with the two-recipe's worth of zucchini bread (that it took to fill the bundt pan in the first place). I do recommend the recipe. Come on, you know you have some sqash to use up. ;)


Zucchini Bread Recipe from smitten kitchen

Yield: 2 loaves or approximately 24 muffins (or one bundt)

3 eggs
1 cup olive or vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 cup dried cranberries, raisins or chocolate chips or a combination thereof (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans, liberally. (See those pictures of the cakes inside their non-stick pans? Yup, they’re pretty much hanging out in there for the time being.) Alternately, line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Mix in oil and sugar, then zucchini and vanilla.

Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt, as well as nuts, chocolate chips and/or dried fruit, if using.

Stir this into the egg mixture. Divide the batter into prepared pans.

Bake loaves for 60 minutes, plus or minus ten, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Muffins will bake far more quickly, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

photo via smitten kitchen

Can I just tell you...

how much I love this blog? Her sweet confections, darling wooden bowls & spoons, beautiful photographs, and inspirational tidbits about everything and nothing in particular.

Treasured, by Ragamuffin Design

Thanks Jess for including my Roses print in your Etsy Treasury! It's so nice to be included among so many beautiful items. I'm definitely feeling the wintertime blues and looking to get to spring as fast as possible, too. Keep warm!

Dreaming of a White Christmas

The huge storm narrowly missed us this weekend, but I'm hoping for some of the white stuff to roll into town before Thursday and Friday. For me, Christmas just isn't the same without it.

{photos via fine little day}

Grey Weekend

This weekend I feel like staying in bed, possibly curled up in front of a movie with a never-ending mug of hot chocolate - or coffee.

What are you up to this weekend, dear readers?


{image one, Oliver Stalmans, seen here. image two seen here}

Black*Eiffel

Have you seen Rachel's amazing photos from Paris?

Governor's Island

I created this post a while ago and just forgot to post it. Doesn't this party on Governor's Island look like so much fun? I would love the chance to dress up and dance like this.

photos via sartorialist

Blogger: Sandra Juto

Sandra Juto talks about inspiration, photography, food, and having fun over here.