Dizzy Swallows

What Does English Sound Like?

October 31st, 2011

Hello my darlings! Happy Halloween! I can’t believe it’s here already. The weeks have been flying by and I have so much to tell you! Sadly, much of that will have to wait as I seem to be in an eternal state of rushing out the door. Sigh. I do have a quick moment to share this amazing short film with you.

I’ve been hanging on to this one for a while but with our trip to Southeast Asia looming closer on the horizon, I felt it would be appropriate to share. Like me, I’m sure there have been times in travel or here at home when you’ve heard a foreign language and come away with a general sense of the sound rather than the words. Yes? Well I’ve always wondered what English sounds like in the same kind of situation. This short film, titled “Skwerl”, was directed by Brian … Continue reading

Birdy

October 18th, 2011

I’ve been thinking a lot about beauty lately, not the least because I am engaged in it’s production every day (in one way or another) at Gage. Last night I watched an interesting TED Talk on a Darwinian theory of beauty. The discussion revolves around beauty as how we recognize something done well, our reaction to a virtuoso. Interesting no? Well this morning I wanted to share a video with you from the young British musician known as Birdy. All of 15, I think we can agree that her voice is beautiful, imperfect and unique certainly, but beautiful. I am excited to see how she matures.

She has also done a cover of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love, with a similarly vampiric video. But hey, she’s 15, we can forgive her that.

Have a lovely week!… Continue reading

Summer Harvest & Chocolate Blackberry Financiers

October 11th, 2011

The dying throes of summer have lingered in the occasional crisp autumnal sunshine, but that fairer season will soon be buried by blustery winds and the omnipresent Seattle rain. However,
I take comfort in the knowledge of the lustrous little morsels of summer tucked away in our freezer. Like good Northwesterners, we managed a last blackberry harvest before the Fall weather came rolling in. I wanted to share a few photos from that expedition as well as a delightful recipe for gluten-free, blackberry and chocolate financiers!

Our chosen spot is a coveted family secret, but I can tell you it is on Whidbey.

It offers a perfection of rolling bramble thickets, accessible from both sides, with a view and sweet little meadow that can’t be beat.

My fellow harvesters also happen to be two of my favorite men in the world, my dearest Jacob and my cousin Brad.

Industrious gentlemen … Continue reading

The New Gypsies

October 3rd, 2011 1 Comment

This morning I would like to share the amazing photography of Iain McKell, and his series on the current generation of migrant peoples known as gypsies. Has the wandering spirit ever taken you so strongly, it’s all you can do not to pack your life up into a brightly colored caravan? Me too.

Enjoy and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

… Continue reading