Ranunculus, Part II

My cat loves sticking his nose in my business.

I love the light that comes through my bedroom window in the early evening.  I took these photos at the same time as the instant ones I posted earlier.  These are much lighter because I was working with 400 speed film and a 1.8F lens with my Nikon SLR, versus 100 speed film and a 2.8F lens with my Mamiya medium format (although I can handhold my Mamiya at 1/30, versus 1/60 for my Nikon, so that helps).

{photos: nikon fm2 and kodak portra 400 film}

Roast Chicken with FRESH Herbs

Organic rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano.  

Straight from my balcony garden to my roasting pan.  (Crispy sage is the best.)

{photos: nikon fm2 and kodak ektar 100 film}

Knitting

Much of my enjoyment in life comes from experiencing and appreciating what others put into the world.  I voraciously consume books, music, films, and blogs.  I am happy in this role, because all great art deserves an audience.  At the same time,  in this age of consumption and digital existence, I have a tugging desire to create something tangible of my own - to be not only a consumer, but a creator.  

I spent much of my earlier youth too intimidated to attempt creation.  Now I understand the value in small creations that enrich my personal experience without the pressure of being anything terribly unique or accomplished.  For example, this year I began knitting, after acquiring yarn and needles from This Is Knit while visiting Dublin.   This simple act brings me satisfaction; I am accomplishing no great feats, but even a basic scarf that I've been working on for months is special to me.  

And as important as the result is the process.  While knitting, I can converse with a friend, listen to an NPR radio show, jam to music, or simply lose myself in my thoughts.  I cannot watch television or browse the internet.  

Here is a vignette of a perfect Saturday morning, relaxing on my balcony with my favorite magazine, new camera, and knitting.  

Other hobbies that allow me to create are photography (especially developing my own film) and tending my little urban garden.  Blogging also helps fill my need to create and contribute, although the intangibility makes for a less satisfying result.  Whatever activity I'm engaging in, the important thing is that I am engaging - with life, with the small environment around me, with my thoughts.

{photos: nikon fm2 and fuji superia 400 film}

Ranunculus

End of the week ranunculus bouquet, evening window light, instant film.

These flowers are so gawky and delicate - love them.

{photos: mamiya 645 pro, polaroid back, fuji fp 100c instant film}

Cozy Bed

After a lifetime of cheap mattresses and bedding, I rejoice in my adult bed that I absolutely love.  The quilt was a handmade wedding gift from my husband's aunt; the duvet and shams are from Anthropologie, on extreme clearance; the mattress is tempurpedic.  

I rarely make my bed, but there's really no need.  Messy = cosy.  

Another one of the simple things in life that makes me happy.

{photos: nikon fm2 and kodak ektar 100 film}

only flowers

As I've discussed before, I find special beauty in aging flowers.  I photographed these tulips at the height of their blossoming glory and again, as shown here, at the end of their lives.  These aged tulips have poetry.  They fling themselves open with grace, crumple with dignity.  Their color, texture, and posture all intrigue.  They kind of break my heart, which is probably a sign that I am too sensitive because they are, after all, only flowers.   

{photos: nikon fm2 and fuji superia 400 film}

Fresh Herbs

Last weekend, I planted a potted garden on my small Chicago balcony, complete with an array of herbs. The simple process of planting, the soil in my hands and the sun in my face, was a great pleasure and took me back to the long days of childhood. 

An even greater pleasure was snipping my fresh herbs to prepare scratch-made pasta sauce.       

Oregano, thyme, sage, basil, rosemary - I threw it all in there with some tomatoes, onions, garlic and red wine.  Then I dined with a bouquet of freshly-snipped roses on the table.  The gluten free pasta I tried was a disappointment, but my sauce and meatballs carried the meal.  :)

I am totally in love with this gardening stuff and I cannot imagine why I waited so long to begin.

{photos: mamiya 645, polaroid back, fuji fp 100c film}

A Late Night, A Quiet Morning

I awoke this morning to the remnants of a small dinner party with excellent company that I hosted last night: tablecloth, partially burned candle, roses cut from my balcony garden.  Luckily, my husband and I had the presence of mind to clean up at 1 a.m. before bed.  Few things are better than waking up after a late night well-spent to a fresh home, the day set to unfurl slowly and quietly.  Despite a considerable amount of gin and Campari, I feel refreshed, sipping coffee and listening to Kate Bush on vinyl with a stack of periodicals by my side, ready to be enjoyed.  Any to-do's I have can wait until tomorrow - the beauty of a holiday weekend.

I captured the images above this morning with my brand new (very old) Polaroid Land Camera 250 and Fuji pack film.  The gorgeous photographs of the sweet light inspired me to hunt down this beauty on eBay.  I can already tell that Ms. 250 and I will have a lot of fun together. 

Cat Naps

Both cats and naps are major parts of my life. I have three cats and I would nap daily, if practical.  Napping with my cats is the pinnacle of contentment.  So when I saw this cat nap print by Yelena Bryksenkova on Design Sponge, I decided to bring the illustration into my home.  

My cats are even more hardcore nappers than I am.  Direct sunlight, sitting up, no problem! 

Upon receiving the print in the mail, I was very pleased with the high quality and immediately walked to the art supply store for a frame.  Now the print is hanging in my living room and I may add another of Yelena's illustrations soon, perhaps the kitchen print.

Making my condo a personal home, one small step at a time.

{photos: nikon fm2 and kodak ektar 100 film}

Al fresco balcony dinner

I am so happy that the weather in Chicago is finally consistently warm enough to dine outside.  Grilled food enjoyed outdoors is always satisfying, especially with some champagne and good friends.

{Photos with Nikon FM2 and Kodak Ektar film}

Sunday Morning Polaroids

A quiet Sunday morning, filled with tulips, cats, and instant film.  :)

Chloe the Cat is always up in my business.

I captured these images with my Mamiya 645 Pro medium format camera, using a Polaroid back and Fuji FP 100C instant film.  Can I call these Polaroids or...Fujis?  :)  I scanned the mini photos, not the negatives, otherwise the results would be sharper.

Now I'm going to enjoy some time outside, bike to the neighborhood garden center, and begin planting my balcony garden!

French Cocktail Party

Last month, I hosted a French-themed cocktail party at my home for 30 friends.  I was busy welcoming guests, tending bar, and by the end of the night dancing, but I took some time to snap quick photos with high-speed black and white film (Ilford Delta 3200).  My living room was extremely dark and I did not use a flash.  Today I developed the roll in my bathroom.  I probably pushed the film a bit too much, but the photographs successfully convey a certain je ne sais quo about the night, non?  The perfect imperfection of film.