A few days ago I finished reading The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti and I can't get over how great it is. It's a coming-of-age, father-daughter epic; it's a page-turner and also beautifully written; lovely Whidbey Island makes an appearance; it's also just plain fun to read. I already want to read it again.
What have you been reading lately? I'd love to hear.
A couple new pieces of jewelry in the shop! Lily earrings, Aum necklace, Mira bracelet.
An abstract moment for today.
A tulip from the backyard. I couldn't not include such a long, perfect stem in the photo!
I'm having a sale in my etsy shop for the next week! Take 20% off your order with coupon code "SPRINGSALE" until May 2nd. A pair of Elephantine earrings or necklace makes a great Mother's Day gift :)
More spring beauties.
I have another short story to share with you!
This one is called "One Last Thing" and was just published in the spring issue of Crazyhorse. I was completely surprised and delighted when they accepted the story. "One Last Thing" is about a mother running an errand for her 10-year-old son's birthday. If you'd like to read it, you can find it in issue no. 91 of Crazyhorse, or you can download a pdf here. I hope you enjoy it.
Camellia season! The best time of year.
I've been wanting to make thumbprint cookies ever since I first tried one. Unsurprisingly, they're fun and easy to make! Here's the recipe I used...
Thumprint cookies
recipe from Food Network
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer, whip the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Carefully add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Scoop and roll the dough into small balls. (I made mine a little over 1" big.) Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each cookie. Using your thumb, make an indentation into the center of each ball. Fill with jam.
Bake cookies until the edges are golden, about 15-20 minutes. Cool, then serve. Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.
*I didn't actually measure out my jam – I just scooped it directly from the jar – but 1/3 cup is the amount the original recipe calls for. I used strawberry jam and fig preserves.
I recently started volunteering as a tutor for Reading Partners, a wonderful program for helping kids who are behind in their expected reading level. It's great because as a tutor you get to work with the same student every week and there's a structured curriculum to follow. In Seattle, there's a waiting list of kids who are in need of tutors, so if you're looking for a way to give back and have time during school hours, I'd definitely encourage you to consider becoming a tutor, too. You can read more about the program here.
(Also: the Seattle branch of Reading Partners has a wish list of books they'd like to add to their library!)
An abstract moment.
Some bright flowers for a rainy day.
Over a year ago, Grant had started noticing so many little yellow notes stuck up all over the house. That was not entirely new. Fiona had always written things down—the title of a book she’d heard mentioned on the radio or the jobs she wanted to make sure she got done that day. Even her morning schedule was written down. He found it mystifying and touching in its precision: “7 a.m. yoga. 7:30–7:45 teeth face hair. 7:45–8:15 walk. 8:15 Grant and breakfast.”
The new notes were different. Stuck onto the kitchen drawers—Cutlery, Dish-towels, Knives. Couldn’t she just open the drawers and see what was inside?
Rereading a beloved book, which contains probably my favorite short story of all time.
Happy Friday!
New earrings in the shop.
Leaf collecting.
It arrived! A very good mail day indeed.
I mentioned this last month, but in case you missed it: my short story, "Bliss," was just published in Carve's Winter 2017 issue. It's a story about a couple on their honeymoon. After 9 drafts and 7 rejections, I'm very happy that this story has finally found a home.
If you'd like to read "Bliss" online, it's over on Carve's website!
Currently reading & loving Commonwealth by Ann Patchett.
Snow day!
A day spent on tiny Guemes Island.
"It's only just turned the half hour, Madam," said Norah in a special voice, bright and cheerful like the nurse. I wondered if Maxim's grandmother realized that people spoke to her in this way. I wondered when they had done so for the first time, and if she had noticed then. Perhaps she had said to herself, "They think I'm getting old, how very ridiculous," and then little by little she had become accustomed to it, and now it was as though they had always done so, it was part of her background. But the young woman with the chestnut hair and the narrow waist who gave sugar to the horses, where was she?
Finally reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and am thoroughly enjoying it.
I have some writing news! My short story, "Bliss," is being published in the Winter 2017 issue of Carve.
I'm thrilled about my story finding a home, especially with a literary magazine I've long admired. If you'd like a copy of the printed issue (which includes, among other things, interviews with the fiction writers) you can preorder a copy here. Be sure to use the discount code "CARVEFRIEND" to receive 10% off!
My short story will also be available to read on Carve's website. I'll share a link when it's live.
I just started carrying Winterwoods Tea in the shop! Organic, loose leaf, and made in Spokane, WA.
Currently reading Stop-Time by Frank Conroy.
New newsprint wrap in the shop.
Currently enjoying Girls in the Moon by the lovely Janet McNally.
A new paper pyramid garland in the shop.
happy new year!
Currently reading/loving The Paper House by Anna Spargo-Ryan.
Merry Christmas!
Hi! I'm Rachel, and these are bits of my days and things I like. I run the online shops Elephantine and Mignon, am a fiction writer, and live in Seattle with my husband and two cats. Read more about this blog...
This blog is a mix of my own photos + images by others. Please link back if you share one of my photos on your blog. Email me if you'd like me to remove a post that features your images.
A small disclosure: I occasionally use affiliate links as a way to pay for my blog fees. In other words, I earn a tiny commission if you end up buying the item from my link. The posts are entirely curated on my own. I do not have sponsored posts.
This blog design and all original content ©2017 by Rachel Ball / Elephantine.
