Tennen Seikatsu, "Natural Life"

I just got the current issue of Tennen Seikatsu, "natural life" in literal translation.  This is one of the Japanese monthly magazines that focuses on natural, organic, slow life. It's been around for a while, and it is available here in the States at any Japanese bookstore. I don't subscribe to it, but when I go to Japan, I always pick it up. I just had to buy this copy because it features people's cupboards.  Don't you want to see what other people have in their cupboards?  :-) Anyway, I love their minimalist styling and concept to promote quality, not quantity.  (note: the photos are mixed of the current and past issues)

I love this cupboard...

The owner of this kitchen uses a retail display cabinet as a cupboard...

This kitchen is small like most Japanese kitchens, but it feels light and airily...

This one is owned by a ceramist...

The shopping guild for ceramics...

Food in this magazine is all about comfort food, both Japanese and non Japanese, and the styling is pretty rustic and modest, yet so beautiful...

Coffee in a Japanese antique tea cup and chocolate on a Urushi lacquer plate...

Japanese comfort food, the kind that grandma makes.  I love the textile on the background...

In traditional Japanese cuisine, each dish has designated plates or bowls.  This is why each household usually owns a variety of ceramics...

Seafood chowder and pasta...

Peasant style lunch wrapping...

The reason I love this magazine is because it values craftsmanship on many levels...

Nationally well-known blacksmith, Aritsugu in Kyoto.  Their knives show their pride and craftsmanship and also last a life time...

Again, its emphasis is quality, not quantity.  Even for a simple everyday thing, choose one in good quality so it will last longer. 

Handwoven chair covers...

This old issue featured bread making and bakers from all over Japan...

I have a thing for bakeries.  I just can't pass them up when I see them...

Of course, sewing/crafting is a big part of this magazine...

Hand embroidery to upcycle your old skirt...

Feedsack applique...

Pottery

What did you have for breakfast this morning?  Me?  Just my regular cereal.  But, it was not in my regular mass produced porcelin bowl.  It was in my own bowl.  I mean...I made this bowl!!!  Do you know how exciting this is?  It's okay if you don't understand, but I am over the moon.   I always wanted to take pottery classes since I was in college, but the classes were always full, and I never had a chance until now.  It's been a few weeks and finally my very first creations came out of kiln yesterday.

Can't stop smiling when looking at it...

Ah, what a lovely morning :-)

I also made this vase looking thing to hold my kitchen utensils, but I was worried that it might be too tall...

And I was right.  It's too tall for this spot under the cabinet...

I love my little birdie.  She looks pretty happy...

Happy Thrifted Friday

Just thrifted this morning.  I've been having no luck on thrifting lately.  But, with these?  Oh yeah, I'm happy!  Good finds!

Love Rocks

I guess you noticed the new cover for February. Yup, it's a lot of hearts... I've been a collector of heart-shaped rocks for years. I think the very first one was picked up on the Humboldt coast. Some came from a small river in Japan. Many of them came home with us from the Sierra. I dug up my old files to share the Sierra road trip that we took three years ago with you. Here you go...
the red one is not a rock, but glass...

some serve as "a frame stopper" on the bookshelf...