Blogger's Favorites -- Katie of Salt and Pine

In keeping with yesterday's topic of "happy makers", Katie's blog is a bit of a happy place for me…

It's peaceful and inspiring and lovely. Even the name, Salt + Pine, immediately conjures a world I want to be a part of . The whole effect is pretty much, well… Katie, but on the Internet.

I've been reading Salt + Pine for a while, so when I finally met Katie in person at Alt, I felt an immediate and strong connection. This merging of online and real-life has really been one of the greatest, most rewarding delights of this whole blogging endeavor. I'm so, so happy to have the lovely Katie here this week sharing some of her favorite things.

Without future ado, herewith Katie's list. Enjoy and have a splendid weekend friends!


My Town -- What can I say about Port Townsend? It is gorgeous. It is laid back. It is creative. It is opinionated. It is relaxing. It takes care of you without you even realizing it. (Photo by Al McCleese.)




Dan Amell's Art and Studio -- Dan Amell is a true artist. To the core. My friend Anna, who owns a fabulous gallery here called Artisans on Taylor, shows his work and introduced me to his art. She and I took a little trip to his amazing studio (a former church) where he lives surrounded by his art and found treasures. Dan can create vignettes like no other. He is a also a kind and funny guy who serves a great cup of tea and can go head to head with the best thrifters. I'm absolutely nuts about his large scale works and loved looking at his smaller illustrations, too. To tell you the truth, I'm totally fascinated with it all. (Images via Artisans on Taylor.)


My Secret Place in the Backyard -- There is a certain secret spot in my backyard that I sneak off to every so often. Life can get pretty loud in my house and in this spot the only thing you can hear is the wind blowing through the immense trees. It's my grounding place.


My Husband's Culinary Talent -- The boy has skills. Lucky for me, I married someone whose stress relief is cooking and baking. Joe can whip up recipes that would take me hours to make. (I'm really quite jealous of the guy.) Last month he attended a pie ninja class at Pantry at Delancey. We ate banana cream and coconut cream pies for weeks. I think I've gained about 10 lbs because of this newfound love for baking cream pies. Ooof. But let me tell you, it's worth every pound gained.


My Kids' Ability to Make Me Laugh -- I have some seriously funny kids. When my son's kindergarten teacher told me that she thought he'd be the next Conan O'Brien, I have to admit that I was proud. (I'm not sure what it meant to her, but in my book being compared to Conan is always a good thing.) I don't know how the kids keep shooting out the one liners, but they keep coming and I keep writing them down. I have a jar full of their quotes that is overflowing and whenever I have a rough mama day, I pull them out and I am in a good mood within minutes.


A Good Notebook -- I will always be someone who will reach to grab paper to hold an idea instead of reaching for my computer. A good notebook is a must. I got this one from Emily at sparrownestscript and I absolutely love it. The cover motivates me to put some good stuff in there...


Rugged Beaches -- Yes, I love the beautifully pristine ones, too. But the ones littered with driftwood, rocks and other remnants from the cold waves will forever have my heart. I can wander the beach for hours scouring the sand for sea glass and wishing rocks.


MCMC Hunter -- This has quickly become my favorite fragrance. It smells like life here, upscaled.


Music -- I always have music playing in the background. I'm not sure what my life would be like without it. (And I don't really want to find out!) Currently I have First Aid Kit's song, To a Poet, on replay. The whole album is wonderful, but this is the song for me.