The New York Times did a great article the other day about growing vertical gardens, indoors and out. Wouldn’t you just love to be in a room that had a wall made up of solid, lush green-nees? It’s like a dream for me. Maybe one day.
To see the rest of the pictures and read the entire article, please click here.
I stumbled across this blog some time ago and I was instantly hooked. All of her pictures (in addition to being simply fantastic) are so full of joy and love. And I’m a little bit jealous of her life – cute kids, out in the country, growing and eating, generally having a good time. She was nice enough to be subjected to some of my questions – and here are her answers. Make sure to check out her blog, Kids + Other Pets to see what I’m talking about.
1. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Goat Cheese + Eggs
2. What do you find most inspiring about where you live?
The River! It’s part of our daily lives, we are constantly checking on it. Always comparing how it looks today as to from yesterday, is it high or low, is the color green or brown or glacier green.
3. What kind of music are you into lately?
I like all forms of quirky folk music.
4. Are you a professional photographer, or do you just take pictures for fun?
Just for fun! Although I do have a BFA so I’m sure that helps.
5. What is your favorite photography subject?
Kids, for sure. They are non self-conscious and will do (almost) anything you ask them to. And their skin is always amazing.
6. Was there someone in your life who was a creative inspiration for you?
My Mom. She’s the handiest person with a pair of scissors that you ever did see. She can craft anything. I remember when I was a kid she once made a Christmas card collage out of hundreds of torn bits of paper that was a montage of our family skiing. It was crazy.
7. What else do you make other than art that you’re great at?
I’m pretty handy in the garden and I love to cook. I guess I’m sort of a homebody!
8. What is your favorite thing about your kids?
Leif is insightful and Io is full of joy.
9. What is your creative process like?
It used to be more of a process (pre-kids) involving spontaneity. Now I just squeeze in some computer time after the kids are in bed and hope the mood strikes. I try to take pictures all the time, although I have found that sometimes I take little breaks and other times I’m glued to the camera.
10. What’s a cool thing that you think everyone should know about?
Eating locally has been huge for our family this summer. We’ve managed to eat about 90% of our fruits & veggies from our garden, but when we’ve ventured out I’ve used the website http://www.localharvest.org/ to help find sources for meat, dairy, and flour. It’s amazing!
11. What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you?
Arriving at a local meeting for a “spiritual group” only to find out it was a swingers club. A W K W A R D.
12. Where’s your dream vacation spot?
Right now I’m in perpetual fantasy about taking a winter trip to Vietnam for some beach time and noodles.
13. What’s the last thing you bought online?
A medlar tree. raintreenursery.com – hours of fun!
14. In a perfect world without the constraints of reality, what would you be doing?
I would have my midwifery practice down the street, I’d have time for yoga every day, farm dinner dates with my husband on Saturday night, and my kids would running around the neighborhood happy and busy.
15. Do you make a signature dish? What is it?
I like to make cloufouti with cherries and almond flour.
16. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I don’t remember.
17. What’s your most treasured possession?
My daughter Luna’s first and only dress. It is a smocked gown donated by a woman named Anne to the hospital. Luna only wore it for a brief time, but I’ll always treasure it. My Nana made a beautiful replica of it that she donated to our local hospital should someone else be in our same situation.
18. Do you have any other pets?
2 Singapura cats and 9 hens and a big, dumb rooster.
19. What’s your best garage sale find?
A set of mid-century bird sketches done by two local illustrators. I’m in the middle of getting them framed!
20. What are you most passionate about?
Birth. It’s the confluence of my favorite things: health, science, spirituality, feminism, and wonder.
