Mushroom Madness

There's a fever spreading rapidly throughout the otherwise sleepy northern coast of California. It's fueled by the desire to find the biggest, tastiest mushrooms this area has to offer--boletes (otherwise known as porcini), oysters, chanterelles and matsutakis. People who have the fever become very secretive about their whereabouts and they'll go to any length to keep their hunting grounds a secret. They spend their time traipsing through the forest, feverishly kicking over mounds of dirt to find the precious fungi. 

Michele and Ronnie have a bad case of the fever, as you can see in this picture. But look at the size of those porcini! They were delicious dry-sauteed and then doused in butter.

   

Glue-Up

I glued-up my cabinet today. I'm noticing that the way things work in the wood shop mirrors the way things work in my life. I spend a lot of time quietly fussing over the details and then am suddenly ready to take the next big step. So here it is, my cabinet is all glued-up. Next I'll start the back panel and the drawers that will house rings, earrings and watches. My goal is to be done with this project by December 15, but that date is drawing near at an alarming rate! 

Bold Seagull

This is one brash seagull, standing on the hood of my car while I'm in it. I took this photo at Pomo Bluffs Park. People go here during lunch to stare out at the ocean from the comfort of their cars while eating their noontime meal. 

Padauk Box and Swedish Meatballs

I apologize for the lack of posts over the last week. I've been without internet until just now, but to celebrate its return, I'm posting on my class' very first completed project. 

Niklas is an exchange student from Sweden. He's in his third year of studies at Capellagarden on the island of Vickleby. Each year a student from College of the Redwoods swaps places with a student from Capellagarden for four months. Niklas made a box out of padauk (an exotic African wood), which he plans to work for his masterpiece when he returns to Sweden. 

College of the Redwoods has a tradition that each student presents his or her work once it's finished. And because food is such a part of the culture here, that student also brings breakfast for the class. Niklas treated us to swedish meatballs. Yum! 

Niklas made the box for his girlfriend. He's been working on a Box Project for three years. In this time, he's made a box for each person that's close to him. He starts the box without a person or function in mind, but over time it becomes obvious to him who the box will be for. This particular box includes a removable tray with small boxes that can be arranged any way the user likes. He also built a small key box that has a spring clasp. Niklas likes to include a written note about the importance of craft and hand work in each gift box that he gives. What a great idea! I might start a Box Project of my own.