What I'm Reading.

As usual, I'm well behind the curve, but I'm currently (finally!) reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It took me quite a while to get into it, but now I can't put it down.  In fact, I'm not even really going to finish this review, because I have to go finish this book.

It's really a fantastic book, and I am really in love with the characters.  I know next to nothing about Sweden, but the place isn't really a character, as in other books.  I sometimes find the translation a little...interesting, but overall it's really enjoyable and quite engaging.  It's also one of the most violent books I've read in recent memory, but it's not gratuitous.  Just necessary for this kind of plot, I suppose.  I'm sure once I'm done with this one, I'll be picking up the next two, and reading them in quick succession.  I've heard rumors of hidden forth and fifth books, and am quite hopeful that they exist.  In the meantime, back to my book.

Blueberry Grunt.

It’s kind of like a cobbler, but not.  It definitely isn’t a pie either.  It’s a berry-filled, biscuit-topped glorious, easy-as-can-be summertime dessert. 

It looks beautiful and is easy to share.  It’s also a good way to use up berries that are just past their prime.  I’ve made it with just blueberries, but it’s also nice to add strawberries, raspberries or blackberries.

Perfect for potlucks this summer, since it can be served at room temperature and travels well (in the same dish in which it cooks).  I should also mention that it is eye-poppingly delicious served hot with ice cream.  I got the recipe from Vegan Yum Yum (so it’s even better, since I can share it with my vegan buddies).

I made this last weekend for my sweetie, and the results were unanimously satisfactory.  But I kind of forgot to take pictures until we'd eaten the whole thing.  Next time, I promise.

Red Canna.

A birthday gift from my dad years and years ago, which recently and finally found it’s way to my home after years of storage.  I really, really love it (I've seen the original in real life a couple of times).  And it matches the red motif in my apartment really beautifully.

Georgia O'Keefe is one of my favorites of all time, and I was extremely lucky about ten years ago to go to the museum dedicated to her in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I highly recommend going if you're ever in the area.  I also recently saw her work at the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas.

The Daily Coyote.

Check out this adorable blog, The Daily Coyote, if you haven't already. I really, really love it.  I've been following for years, and it's an incredible story.  I recently gave the book version of the blog to my mom for her birthday.  She loves animals and is such a friend to all the animals that live in her backyard and around her house, so I knew she’d relate.  She makes sure that all the creatures in her little eco-system are well-fed and tracks their well-being like a mother-hen.  I could absolutely see her taking a similar path, if such a situation presented itself.

Smart Wool.

I really don’t want this blog to just be about buying “stuff” and capitalism and shopping and acquiring more things we all probably could do without if we were really honest with ourselves.  Insert a big however here, because I’m obsessed-in-love with this shirt from Smart Wool. 

It’s amazingly perfect for layering (a crucial skill in San Francisco) and as a coverup for yoga.  I've been wearing it constantly since I bought it at the member's coupon weekend for every occasion: work, yoga, going out, sleeping.  It is so soft yet really sturdy.  It comes in gorgeous colors (I have the purple) and goes beautifully with anything.  I’m already plotting getting it in another color or two.

Yum!

Louise Bourgeois.

I’m not sure if I have anything more to add to what the Guardian had to say, but great celebration and gratitude is in order for the extraordinary Louise Bourgeois.  She lived such an amazing life and created some of my favorite sculpture of all time.  Her work engaged with some of the great themes of women’s lives and reveals an emotional vulnerability of which I am in awe.

I am deeply fortunate to have some of her pieces in my city-- on the roof garden of SFMoMA.  If you're in San Francisco, I strongly recommend going to see her piece, right in front of the Blue Bottle Coffee kiosk.

I was also lucky to see her work in Tokyo at Ropponggi Hills.

Farewell, beautiful woman.  And so many thanks for the incredible body of work you leave behind; I treasure so dearly the experience of witnessing your work.

What I'm Reading.

The Year of The Flood, by Margaret Atwood.

It is, as anticipated, outstanding.  I’ve loved her since I read Lady Oracle by senior year of high school (it changed my life!).  I’ve read Cat’s Eye (one of my top ten favorite novels of all time!) and Surfacing twice, and I loved Oryx and Crake.  I've also devoured several of her other novels, all of which I've adored, to varying degrees.  I'm slowly working my way through all of her poetry and short fiction as well.  She’s so smart and her books are so brilliantly written, and her books have shone such a bright light into my life as a reader. 

It’s been a slow journey through the book so far, but I feel that no one does speculative fiction and magical realism quite like Ms. Atwood.  She imbues the story, setting and characters with her particular brand of politics in a clever and humorous way.  For those of us who share her views, Atwood offers a little wink-wink, nudge-nudge.  Which I happen to love.  I also love all varieties of speculation on potential utopianist leftist societies.  And post-apocalyptic anything.  So this is right up my alley.  I’m only about halfway through, but I’m enjoying the ride.

What are you reading?  What should I read next?

Apple Tart.

One of my favorite recipies is apple tart, from Barefoot Contessa (this one can be found in Back to Basics, my copy of which is sticky and spattered from repeated use).  It is beyond easy, especially if you use the pre-made puff pastry.  Everyone will be impressed.  Sometime Sunday morning calls for staying in.  Some coffee and a few buttery slices of this, and it’s breakfast.

Just out of the oven.

With the apricot glaze.

My tart never comes out as pretty as the photographs in her book, but even when I make the full recipe, two of us usually polish the whole thing off.  I’ve never seen it last twenty-four hours.

Alexi Murdoch.

I’ve listened to Time Without Consequence (Murdoch’s 2006 album) many hundreds of times, and have waited not-so-patiently, I’ll admit, for his follow-up.  For those of you who don’t know him by name, you’ve heard his songs if you’ve seen the movies Garden State and/or Away We Go.

Towards the Sun is his new album, which is set to release sometime in 2010.  In the meantime, I have procured a copy of the numbered limited edition release of the album, only available through his website (www.AlexiMurdoch.com).  It arrived yesterday, and I already have on repeat.  His words are like poetry and meditation, and so lovely.  And now I have something new to play in my yoga classes, finally.

My Etsy.

I have an etsy store here called Little Feets.

I make and sell Buddhist malas (prayer beads), which are used for meditation.  They are a part of many meditation traditions and a beautiful way to wear your practice.  I use wood, seed, and stone beads (as well as silver, shell, and other various components) to create unique and beautiful pieces that reflect the beauty and individuality of those whose practice they serve.

Here is a selection of some of my malas.

Salwag Seed, Iolite, Rose Quartz and Garnet Mala

Tiger Ebony and Red Adventurine Mala

Moss Agate and Salwag Seed Mala

Stay tuned in the future for new designs!

Zucchini.

Northern California always has fantastic produce, but summertime is by far my favorite season for farmer's market-ing and trying new recipes with unusual or new finds from the market.  These globe zucchini from the Ferry Building market are delicious, a little sweet, and were delicious both roasted with balsamic vinegar and in zucchini pancakes (you can find a good recipe for that in Barefoot Contessa at Home).

 

Look how cute it is!

Polaroid.

Dan, my partner, gave this to my a couple of months after we started dating, in my Valentine’s Day card (2008).  It’s one of my most prized and treasured mementos.  Every time I look at it, it catches my heart.  He is so the cutest.

(Taken at the SFNLG office.  Learn about the work the San Francisco Chapter of the National Lawyers' Guild does here.)

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

 

I've been meaning to read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao for quite a while, and it was as good as everyone raved about it being.  Even with high expectations (and more than its fair share of violence), I enjoyed the story immensely.  I was terrifically sad when it ended-- not just because of the ending itself, but because the book was that good.  Everything about it is lush and well-drawn. The characters are nuanced and troubled and, ultimately, there are no tidy solutions.  But as a work, with interwoven and inter-generational story lines, it is so gratifying and well-executed.  It makes me want to visit the Dominican Republic and see where these stories took place, how these characters lived.  I thoroughly loved reading it.

So much so that ever since, it’s been tough to get into another novel.  Everything else is paling in comparison.  Of course, given the title, a sequel would have been impossible, but that doesn't keep me from wanting so much more.

I can’t wait to read Junot Diaz’s book of short stories, Drown.

Four Barrel Coffee.

If you're going to San Francisco... go to Four Barrel Coffee.  It's my very favorite coffee in the Bay Area (maybe the world), they have exceptionally nice and talented baristas, and a really lovely, low-key atmosphere.  It's one of Dan's and my favorite places in our neighborhood and one of the first places we look forward to going when we return from a trip.

I bring Four Barrel coffee to friends and family who aren’t lucky enough to have coffee this amazing two blocks from them. Plus, Four Barrel has Dynamo Donuts (a local donut shop that has flavors like lemon pistachio and vegan chocolate spice).

It's one of the things I would miss most if I ever move out of the neighborhood.

About Me.

Hi! My name is Christy Tennery. Here is my blog. Welcome!

I live in San Francisco, in the lovely Mission District, where I like to eat, explore, find, salvage, create, repurpose, ponder, teach and learn. I've lived here nine years.  I came here for college when I was eighteen and simply never left.  I also spent a few months in Ontario, Canada, some time in Lima, Peru, and I travel frequently.

I am a human rights and environmental activist, a yoga teacher and Reiki practitioner, a poet, baker, and forever student. I dabble in all kinds of homemade projects and currently make malas (Buddhist prayer beads) and have an etsy store (littlefeets.etsy.com).

Photos of my adventures can be found here: flickr.com/littlefeets

This blog will evolve over time, I'm sure, but will certainly focus on the beautiful things I find, like, do, see and make. As a yoga teacher, I have a strong habit of practicing gratitude, and this is just another way of being grateful. Because why have something amazing if you can't share it?

So much love,
Christy