The joy of the creative process, minute by minute, hour after hour, day by day, is the sublime path to true happiness. –George Lois
This blog went live three years ago today! I launched Creative Sanctuary well after peak blog craze with no desire to become an influencer and no intention to monetize this space. I had recently published my book and felt an intense need to step away from academic writing. It was time to channel some of my creative energy into brief, accessible passages about travel, tea culture, and cuisine. I admittedly post much less than I initially anticipated. In my ideal blog world, I would write every week. But given life’s pace, I am lucky to post once a month.
Blogging has been immensely satisfying. It allows me to continue practicing the craft of writing, my photography has improved, and I’ve done a tiny bit of coding. I seem to be finding my niche blogging on France as well as on personal, yet universal topics such as extreme rest.
Even when I don’t have time to blog, I’m always generating ideas. I’d love to write about my collection of vintage fashion prints, about ethereal Korean green teas, and I have so much more to share about Versailles! As I hoped, Creative Sanctuary has become one of my “creative sanctuaries.” Working on this blog is consistently joyful.
Creative Sanctuary has featured the work of young creatives, including the lettering of the fabulous Olivia Murrell. Over the next month, I will publish the work of fourteen students from my spring 2020 course Unlocking Paris. Their bright pieces will bring Paris to us at a time when the City of Lights remains largely inaccessible. Moving forward, my blog will continue to explore creative life in its many forms.
We often said that Grandma Mary Ellen was a “cookie grandma” rather than a “pie grandma.” She always sent us home from her house with a bag or two of cookies from the big freezer in the basement—chocolate chip, starburst, or cut-out cookies… We each had our favorites. One of the stars in her cookie repertoire was her ginger snap cookies. These crispy molasses cookies seem to please everyone—the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are warming and serve to balance the molasses.
For the most part, I am maintaining the format and wording of this “vintage” recipe. I like how simply it reads and how easy it is to prepare. If you prefer a more “snappy” cookie, substitute vegetable shortening for the butter.
My ten days in Australia were magical. I had never imagined I would travel there, so apart from the Sydney Opera House and kangaroos, I didn’t hold any fixed images of what Australia might be or mean to me. Arriving without expectations left me open to experiencing each day’s offerings—beach walks, fish markets, Aboriginal art. At each turn there was a friendly face ready to welcome me to Australia and perhaps point me to my next adventure.
Inspired by Vladia Cobrodova’s Creamy Mint Pesto, this spread freezes well, so consider making a double batch when mint is abundant.
I’ve been making versions of Daniel Boulud’s gazpacho for almost 20 years. Over time I’ve streamlined the steps, but I still blanch the bell peppers to lessen their sharp bite. This recipe makes a creamy red soup, flecked with basil. Adapted from Café Boulud Cookbook
Outdoor markets and picnics. Quintessential French experiences that join food, fellowship, and nature. Versailles is lucky to have some of the best farmers’ markets in the greater Paris area. So why not take advantage of the abundance and pair a morning market visit with a picnic lunch?
During a recent visit to a Central Kentucky flea market, I overheard a mother instructing her children: “These are antiques, so they are three times as expensive. Don’t touch anything.” Her words have been rolling around in my mind for a few days, and I must admit that I find antique and vintage pieces to be very reasonably priced. Why? For most people, “old” things are not desirable.
