366 Objects

A leap year of objects because we are all keepers of meaningful things.

[366objects]

161: Flour & Sugar Canisters

As I stood in the kitchen aisle looking for absolutely nothing, I spotted a green plastic bin that reminded me of the orange ones my mom had when I was a kid, but they were better. They had a clear flip top that made scooping the contents so much easier, and they were made to stack on top of one another. I bought two that day, and went back a month later to buy two more as gifts, but they were gone and I haven't seen them again since.

Since 2008 - Purchased at Target

[366objects]

160: Coffee Service

After the festivities of our wedding calmed down, my sister and brother-in-law pulled Nik and I to the side with smiles from ear to ear. They gave us their gifts to us, and they included a beautiful vintage coffee thermos and bills from our top three travel destinations.

Since 2011 - Gift from Keisha & Chris

[366objects]

159: Water Bottle

Nik and I were walking with friends up the path towards the trailhead that would take us to the top of Yosemite Falls when Nik's water bottle hit the ground and spilled its contents. We laughed at the time, but two hours later in the 80 degree heat after climbing 2700+ feet in elevation, we were thirsty.

Since 2010 - Gift from Mom

[366objects]

158: Starbucks Thermos

I worked at Starbucks one summer in college before I had a taste for coffee. In fact, drinking coffee gave me a headache. Now, not drinking coffee gives me a headache.

Regardless, coffee shops were still a new phenomenon in suburban Tennessee, and I worked there with the artsy kids before the cool kids knew it was cool. We had a blast making up our own drinks and serving everyone in our little town the Seattle caffeine they craved.

Since Summer 2002 - Hendersonville, TN

[366objects]

157: Mario Batali Utensils

I do not know why, but when I saw these at Sur la Table on my walk home from work one day, I could not resist taking them home.

Since 2006 - Portland, Oregon

[366objects]

156: Seasons of my Heart Hot Cocoa Spinner

This is our souvenir from the cooking class we took in Oaxaca on our honeymoon.

Since 2011 - Oaxaca, Mexico

[366objects]

155: Grammi's Wooden Spoon

I picked up a few kitchen utensils at Granddad's estate sale because I imagined my grandmother cooking with them. I never knew Grammi, but I knew she was a great cook and this spoon reminds me of that every time I open my drawer.

Since 1999 for me, Since the 1970s for my family

[366objects]

154: Mexico City Spoons

Purchased along side my blue enamel pot in Mexico City, these two spoons used to have another little sister, but a good friend saw them while staying with us and loved them, so I gave her one to take home.

Since 2012 - Mexico City

[366objects]

153: White Mixing Bowls

As I carried three large white mixing bowls through the aisles of TJ Maxx, I remember thinking, "this is the first time I'm buying kitchen essentials that I might actually have 20 years from now." Twelve years later, I still have them and love them.

Since 2001 - Knoxville, TN

[366objects]

151: Cuisinart Smart Stick

My thoughtful sister gave me this as a Christmas gift because she knew that my tiny apartment couldn't handle a full sized blender or food processor!! It sat in my cupboard for a few years before I finally started using it to puree soups, make smoothies and chop vegetables. Now I don't know how I would cook without it.

Since 2005 Gift from Keisha

[366objects]

150: Blue Dragon Tail Bowls

Alex brought these back from Shanghai.

Since 2006 Gift from Alex

[366objects]

149: Metal Bowl with Lid

When I used to walk to work in Portland, I would pack breakfast to eat at the office. This bowl usually had yogurt on the bottom with frozen blueberries and granola on top. The frozen blueberries kept the yogurt fresh and provided a barrier between the yogurt and granola so that nothing was soggy!

Since 2005 Gift from Mom

[366objects]

148: Seed Stitch Sample

I made this sample from yarn Nik's mom gave me, and it is the softest piece of textured wool ever. I don't use it for anything, but I love it.

Since 2008ish - Made by me

[366objects]

147: Finger Spatula

I found a finger in my christmas stocking one year, and now it is my absolute favorite peanut butter spreader.

Since 2009 - Gift from Nik's Parents

[366objects]

146: New York Handkerchief

I went to a clothing swap a few years ago to get rid of a bag full of clothes I didn't wear anymore. I swore to myself that I wouldn't come home with anything, but I couldn't resist this New York handkerchief. I have sewn button holes into the top two corners, and now the kerchief serves as a curtain on our kitchen window.

Since 2011

[366objects]

145: Ceramic Coffee Cup

Each sponsored party at the Salt Lake City conference had a swag table. I ignored most of them because I didn't need or want to take home the little trinkets they offered. But one had nice ceramic coffee mugs with lids, so I took one home. I have no idea who the sponsor was, so whenever I use the cup, I cover the logo with my hand-made coffee cozy.

Since January 2012 - Salt Lake City, Utah

[366objects]

144: Seed Packets

As favors at our wedding, we gave out packets of seeds so that everyone could take home something useful. Since then, the seed packets have brought tomatoes to my Aunt & Uncle and fresh herbs to my parents.

Since 2011 - San Francisco