And with a blink of an eye, there goes January
The weekly Looby-list of good things: the best ways to have cheese, granny squares, zombies, and pet rocks.
Hello friends, and welcome to new subscribers,
On Wednesday, I wrote about decorating my house with lush murals and eclectic furnishings. It’s a bit of a dream life that I was describing, but I wanted to share four old books I have pulled out for further inspiration.
Left to Right. A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of a Misspent Life by Mary Randolf Carter, Artists’ Houses by Gérard-Georges Lemaire, Spaces by Frankie Magazine (I have Volume 4, but Volume 6 looks good), and The Selby is in Your Place by Todd Selby. In exciting news, I am on the waiting list for a ceramic lamp-making workshop coming in the next couple of months with one of my ceramics heroes, so my first artistic/decorating plan is hanging lamps for the dining room. Ooh, maybe sconces for the bathroom! Anyway… let’s get to this week’s list of delights:
Say Cheese
Since buying a little toaster oven when our old wall oven broke last Summer, I have been making perfectly cooked grilled cheese sandwiches. This week I’m taking it up a notch and adding miso, caramelised onions, and mustard as per this recipe from the book Umami Bomb. I also like the sound of this Grilled Pepper Jack, and Avocado Sandwich with bacon. “Keeping things meat-free? Replace the crispy bacon with a layer of crunchy barbecue-flavored potato chips. (Trust us.)” I must be hungry as I write this because my stomach is growling. And still on a cheese kick, these bacon, cheddar and chive biscuits look good!
Say French Cheese
How to Eat and Enjoy French Cheese on David Lebovitz’s podcast. I’m dying at the descriptions of cream and butter and beautiful Normandy cheeses. I enjoyed listening to these cheese snobs telling us how to do it right (chacuterie boards were seriously poo-pooed). Shall we start eating cheese as its own course between main course and dessert? Why not? Honestly, any excuse will do. I think I’d better go and make a snack, or this whole newsletter will be about cheese.
Getting my hooks in
This week I picked up a new crochet hook and a few balls of yarn to return to a crochet granny square blanket project which has been on ice for maybe ten years. When one of my kids asked if they could have a crochet blanket from Etsy for Christmas, I saw the price and rather hastily said, “Forget that; I can make you one.” So now I am obligated. Hopefully, I will get it done before they become unfashionable again.
I was excited to check out the work of Birgitta Bjerk, a 1960s crochet artist to the stars. It was her granny square jacket for Eric Clapton (below left) that put her on the map. Bjerk’s biography is super inspiring. Following her heart with crochet, working in film (she chose that pink sweater for Nastassja Kinski in Paris, Texas, which I coveted for most of the 90s), her life in New Mexico, San Francisco, Ibiza, and London… I will try to channel some of her spirit as I slowly work on the required 225 granny squares.
Zombification
We started watching The Last of Us a couple of weeks ago. With new episodes every Sunday, it’s a slow reveal about fast zombies with epic fungal infections. I find zombie media (movies, tv, games) incredibly stressful viewing - full-body tension ensues. When I first saw 28 Days Later, back sometime in the early 2000s, I put my neck out for days. It didn’t matter because it was worth the all-encompassing terror. The Last of Us is not too much different. While it’s less gritty and bleak, it is still compelling, if exhausting, viewing. Based on the video game of the same name, with showrunner Craig Maizin of Chernobyl fame at the helm, it feels relentless but absorbing. The fact that we have to wait a week between each episode means it has time to sink in rather than whip by in a weekend binge session, which I think just makes it all the better.
“Whaaa??”
Apparently, 50% of people now watch tv with subtitles on. I was pleased to see this explanation on Vox, Why We All Need Subtitles Now. Now I have a better understanding of why I seem to be always cranking up the volume or turning on the subtitles. It’s nice to know I’m not alone, and it’s not just old people.
Rocky (in two parts)
1) Just leave the rocks:
When hiking to the top of a hill, it seems fun to pick up a big chunk of rock and add it to the always-growing cairn of rocks. Humans love to leave their mark on the landscape. But, stop! Don’t do it! And don’t kick a cairn over, either! Here’s why.
2) Just be a rock:
By now, I assume you have seen Everything Everywhere All at Once. Some fun A24 merchandise for the movie includes hot dog finger gloves and a googley-eyed pet rock. I enjoyed watching the directors, the Daniels, read the Letterboxd reviews for their film.
This week I read the epic graphic novel The City of Belgium by Brecht Evens (Published by Drawn & Quarterly). I loved it. The story weaves together three narratives, all twisting and turning through one long, hedonistic night in Belgium. I had to keep putting down the book because the artwork is so overwhelmingly amazing.
Sweet sounds
I’ve been listening to this sweet new little pop track from German pianist Niklas Paschburg and Lùisa. Also, this dreamy new single from Daughter, their first in seven years. And new songs from Boygenius. Fun. Here’s a list of books Boygenius thinks you should read, in case you were wondering.
Tiny Desk Mega Star
Speaking of good music, are you in an unsigned band? And are you a resident of the United States? (sorry to all the Canadians and Australians I know). Check out the Tiny Desk competition. You could have your own Tiny Desk Concert and headline the Tiny Desk Tour.100 Days
The next round of the #The100DaysProject starts on February 22. Last year I made 100 little things for my miniature kitchen (see below, and see the full tour here). This year I think I will commit to drawing in my sketchbook every day for 100 days. I have been slacking off a bit, so that will be a good butt-kick. Will you be taking part?
That’s it for now, see you next time!
xo,
Claire
p.s. Don’t forget that February 1st is Hourly Comic Day, which seems to be the one remaining legacy of the mysterious Simone Veil.
What’s coming up on Loobylu (aka The Subscriber Pitch):
The next paid-subscriber-only edition will look at my recent creative pilgrimage, accompanied by medieval illuminated manuscript style illustrations. I report on creative relics, and have some musings about an artist’s Valhalla.
What came before:
In recent paid-subscriber-only issues, I wrote about such things as eccentric but beautifully decorated interiors, book-making, and oil painting.
Loobylu is a reader-supported publication and entirely free of affiliates, partners and sponsors. For access to past and future subscriber-only posts, support Loobylu with a paid subscription.
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I miss seeing all the completely insanely cool stuff you made for the dollhouse! Show us some reruns! ☕️🫖😀