fall in the midst of summer

I's a beautiful mood here, a cool summer. For a (fact 12) fall addict like me, it is perfect. I can't remember when I last had a summer as this - rainy, easy, little bit lazy and relaxing. I'm literally enjoying every minute of it.

Watched this film today. Didn't know it is graphic novel adaptation actually. It was surprisingly good, almost like most dramas based on Japanese manga novels.

I went mainstream and made this necklace and pendants organizer the other day. Jack cut a branch for me and hammered a couple of nails. I covered the branch with water based varnish and hanged it from jute threads. Looks like woodland comes into my life ^__^

Love these hand sculpted cups and these speckled dishes.
Plan to make another home update and make a dream-catcher like this.

Woman in the Kitchen

Some friends of my hate housework. I can't say I love it. Sometimes cleaning or washing clothes it's a great pain in the ass waste of time for me, especially when I have a bunch of orders underway. Usually I have real mess around my working space, and since my working space is all over the house, it's total disorder everywhere my foot may tread.

But if I have some spare time, I'd rather spend it in the kitchen, because (Fact 67.) I love cooking. It's, you know, like a mystery - you are standing over the pot and making something and feel like a witch or a magician ^__^ . It's a creative process too, by the way ;) For example, I have several proved recipes which I know for sure to be perfect - they are always perfect and always a little different, with some new hint of flavor. One of my professors at high school once said the if you give same products to 5 different women and ask them to cook, say, guacamole, they will make 5 different pots of mole for you. "Because it's your inner energy!" he said.

I'm not a vegetarian, though I prefer to have some vegetables to fatty animal food. I adore baking, it's like a big beautiful world for me and when/if(?) I have my own kitchen with good oven I will do as much baking as possible ;)

May be it will sound strange, but I cook mostly for my husband and usually do not eat the food I prepared. I drink coffee and tea, eat fruits and salads, sometimes, cereals and boiled eggs.

These are wonderful vegan cookies I really love to make. Hopefully, I will share the recipe soon ^__^

Japanese obsession

Fact 7. I'm highly influenced by Japanese culture.
Speaking of inspiration and where it comes from I cannot omit my obsession with Japanese culture. And I do not mean by this the traditional Japanese culture, which though I respect a lot and love. But no, I love modern Japan and Japanese people, the way they adopt foreign tendencies and realia of the world. There is so much to say, that I'm afraid to get lost in words.  

My nick name - akatombo - means "red dragonfly" in Japanese. Now I can hardly remember why it caught my eye, but I really loved the image of this strong and eye-catching creature. And the way it called in Japanese.

So yes, I'm a fan of old-school anime, modern Japanese artists, movies, music, literature and lifestyles. And also I admire their inborn sense of style and the way to wear strange clothes in this elaborate irresistible way.

As a linguist I also try learn Japanese, but it is oh so hard and I'm oh so lazy ;)

100 and 1 Facts About Kate

Let's do it again. I really don't know how to tell about myself. Let it be a list of facts, which I will occasionally update.

So...

Fact 48. I'm in love with ceramics and pottery. I love all kinds of housewares made of clay and porcelain and some day will flood my house with amazing pieces of this craft.

Fact 11. I am terrible procrastinator and crazy workaholic.

Fact 76. I am an "owl". Usually I fail when I have to create something during daylight. But between 1 am and 6 am I may be fantastically productive.

Fact 15. I love flapper culture madly.

Fact 21. I smoked once in my life. I was 10 and didn't like it. I never smoked since that time.

Fact 44. I was hit by a car.

Fact 56. I do yoga. Very occasionally.

Fact 18. I'm a homebody and misanthropist.

Fact 87. I love stitching and making dolls.

Traditional Russian doll Radosteya, or the One-Who-Brings-Joy, and two-headed baby dragon. Both handmade, both give me joy ^__^