Another Place to Find Hendley!!

So now that you have marked you calender with the places and dates I'll be selling my goods this season, there is one more!

photo by the sweetest and greatest and best giver of advice Sara Sanger

I'm very excited to do a pop-up at the wonderful Foggy Notion

I'll be there December 20th & 21st for the folks who like to cut it close with really thoughtful, handmade gifts.

Come by, say hi, support some nice folks.

275 6th Ave #101

San Francisco, California 94118

a blog about a blog

As few of you may know I'm part of a womens business group with California Sister Floral Design Co. Cast Away + Folk Kate Nagle Photography and Dorothea Bridal Couture. It's amazing. In fact we dig it so much we want to share it with you! Follow along with Womens Order of Makers and Builders https://medium.com/@womensorder

Where To Find Hard Goods

Keeping my website updated has been a great struggle. There are currently only a few items even available on it. Not the best form for the first-year-of-business-holiday-shopping-season. That doesn't mean you can find beautiful boards for your beautiful friends and family.
I have boards for sale at Criminal Baking Co. in Santa Rosa and at Walrus in Oakland.
Find my work online at Straw & Gold.

from the Edition Local website

A new project, Edition Local, I am very proud to be apart of is also carrying special boards on their website.

I will have boards at the limited opening of the Grace & Gather shop in Petaluma, December 5th- 8th 10 am to 5 pm.

I am also going to be at the Temescal Alley Artisan Fair, December 7th from 11 am to 4 pm.

Lastly (certainly not least) Shop Party! December 14th at The Arlene Francis Center. 

So don't fret! You can also email me directly and let me know what you are looking for, I'll make it!

Ethel

At 1:00 am on November 2nd my grandma passed to the other side. It seems to be a consensus in my family that on Day of the Dead, when the veil was thin my grandfather slipped in and said "Ethel! Let's get the hell out of here! Christ! What's taking so long?" they had a laugh, and she went with him.

I don't feel terribly sad. I've felt sad for sometime, she was in poor health and in a lot of pain, I feel relief that she is done with that.

She had always seemed so powerful to me. When I was little I couldn't really wrap my head around how she could have possibly raised my father, or my aunts and uncles (truthfully I still cant, there are five of them, and they are big and opinionated). Not only that but her love and care for animals, her house was filled with dogs and cats, and there were horses and at times chickens and goats. None of these things seemed small to me. They are all big and strong, and had their own will, and she somehow managed them.

She was a painter and when we were at her house we would paint, or draw, or dance the hula because she also used to live in Hawaii and there was often slack key playing through the house.

Ethel on the right... THAT SMILE!

She taught me the joy of a fried egg (still one of my most loved thing) with a "Man on a Raft" (maybe you call it One Eyed Jack, or Egg in the Hole). Her apple tree was the best for climbing and for eating the apples and for the superior crisps it made. I knew where she kept her jewelry box and she let me play with her necklaces and bracelets and screw back earrings. I probably learned to swim in her backyard pool, I defiantly learned how to dive there (I remember it, there are few things that make you feel grown up like knowing how to dive). She wrote in short hand, and it was a thrilling mystery to look over her notes, part code, part hieroglyph, who knew what she was up to.
And more and more. All these little things, "insignificant" things are the things I keep thinking about. I feel really grateful for her, and to her, it's clear she absolutely shaped me, my ideas about being a woman, and my passion for dessert.

Until we meet again, I love YOU more.

Bee Love

One of the best moments in making my boards is The Reveal. When (I think) I've spent enough time with a piece I condition the wood with a magic blend of Taylor Mountain bees wax and oil.

This process is essential for protecting the wood and showing off just how damn beautiful the wood is.

I recommend oiling your board once a year to once a month, depending on use, or when it is feeling dry. Several pals have asked about what I use, or what they ought to use, so with the help of Bee Love Honey I am making jars available to you! They will be available at Renegade Craft Fair, and then online mid November.

Fire Cider

The is my favorite time of year. Late summer. Early Autumn. Tomatoes are at their sweetest, the sky is moody, the light is gold... I could wax poetic about Autumn all day. It's also the time of year I often get sick.

In preparation I am making Fire Cider. This is one of my favorite remedies and SO easy!

You put warming immune boosting ingredients into a jar, cover with apple cider vinegar, and let em chill out for a month (well shake em up every day or so), strain, add honey. Decide how much by taste. It should be warm, strong, spicy, and sweet.

I grate horseradish, ginger, and turmeric. Chop onions, garlic, and hot peppers. I threw in a cinnamon stick for good measure.

Take a spoonful everyday throughout the winter, or a shot as soon as you start to feel down. Add it to juice. Make it your own.

Watch how our sister witch makes hers.

Somethings Fishy

Growing up I was led to believe "a beautiful day was a gift from the sea". I was raised by all kinds of live off the land-ers and I floated in the ocean before I could walk or talk. What I mean to say is I've eaten a lot of fish in my day. My dad just got back from a day on the water with some fish he was willing to part with. I roasted them in a skillet with tomato and pesto. Simple and delicious.

I sliced some bread before bringing everything to the table, because you should always serve bread with fish. Right? My grandmother taught me that... or at least I picked it up from her. I was under the impression it has something to do with fish bones but doesn't it seem biblical? I love thinking about all the little superstitions and tricks I got from my mother or grandmother, those witches! 

So, have you heard this? Thoughts?

In other news I just signed up for the Renegade Craft Fair in November! 

Serpentine

I am so excited to be a part of Serpentine! This is a pop-up studio/ gallery/ shop by my friends Catherine Sieck and Rachel Blodgett (Serpent and Bow). The opening party is Saturday! Come on down, I'll have boards there!

557 Forest Street, Oakland!
See you there.

Buy It Once, Make Sure It's Beautiful

I do consider myself creative and I do consider what I make to be art. It is also important to me that I am making something useful. 

photo from j.peterman

I think romantically about each board. The one I use at home, I do fondly. I am making my breakfast, starting my day. I am cooking dinner for my family. I am covering it with olives and canned fish and bringing it to the backyard to share with my friends. I think when I make and send these pieces out into the world they are serving the same function in you house.

photo from pinterest

Aside from the wood I use, I feel most inspired by 19th century French cutting boards. They have been in use for over 100 years, that is part of what makes them so beautiful. 

What I'm trying to say is I'm not making disposable products. 

I want these things to stay with you and serve purpose. 

And be beautiful.

It's Happening

This week I'm building my website! So very grateful to Sara Sanger for beautiful photographs, always.

You can get a sneak peak before Shop Party, you can even pick out something you like and avoid shipping by picking it up at Shop Party! If you see something you cant live without contact me, we can work together to make it yours! http://www.hendleyhardgoods.com/

In the mean time you can still purchase from Straw & Gold.

I SHOULD be up and running by Monday!

oh YEA

Cake

I've been making cake boards. They are for clients, and not in preparation of my birthday, but that's happening soon too.

                   

It's no big deal, I think, but I am turning 30 so maybe I should freak out? Who knows, maybe I will. Right now I'm feeling pretty good. A little too busy, which is OK for cultivating my obsession with time management, not great for my garden while I'm working it out. There are lists, and piles, and things to do but there is also movement, and that feels great. I'm feeling positive and optimistic and connected. Though all of this could be in anticipation to cake. 

What were you doing when you were 30?

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Oh Geeze! It's summer! which means I promise I will not update regularly. I'm working more then ever (covering for my co-worker at the consignment shop, Representing Criminal Bakery at the West End Farmers Market, and filling orders for boards)

This is a HUGE board I made for Marla Bakery

 and I am trying not to miss the summer. Nick and I took off a few weeks ago up to Crater Lake, stopping along the way to camp, eat giant cinnamon rolls, jump in rivers, and hike with our dogs.

When I'm not working and playing, I'm starting crazy projects at the house, in the yard, and trying to finish those.

Cake board for Criminal Bakery

I'm alive, is what I'm trying to say. I'm aware I'm neglecting this space, and I'm ok with that. Check back when you think of it, you may just find I've posted. Have a beautiful Summer!

Dinner for One

Wednesday nights I usually have dinner solo. Though I think it is important to treat yourself, Wednesday nights I usually don't. I work Wednesdays so I want dinner to be easy and comforting. My go-to dinner for one is usually breakfast...

I love breakfast food. It's easy and satisfying and usually exactly what I want.
What do you cook when you are eating by yourself?

Staying Connected

Well, well, Nick and I just celebrated 5 years happy co-habitation. I'm not sure where the last five years went, but that's just the thing about magic. As a sweet treat to each other we went to Orr Hot Springs in Ukiah. We soaked in bathes and slept in a yurt. It was wonderful.

Then Nick went off to race bikes in Lake County and I retreated to the woods and the sea with a group of amazing women. I always feel lifted up by these smart, talented, creative and beautiful ladies. There is a kind of open compassion that happens when women get together.



Now I'm digging up our back yard for a new patio and stone path. It's hot out. I will get back to work before I get swept away in the summer fun and crazy projects. It is starting to pile up, but the last few weeks getting out of town with the folks I love most has been worth it. I feel refreshed and in love.

The Cosmos Got Me Down

Or that is the only explanation I can come up with. Nothing happened, the sun is shining (well today is raining, but that is a great thing too), I had a great weekend that included dinner with and out of town pal, lunch with my ladies, lots of dog walks with my dude, two shows (one of which I made food for and was the launch of an amazing new venue), I got time in the garden and time in the kitchen.

I guess it helps to write it out, now I'm at least feeling grateful, if not cheery. It's frustrating though to do everything right and still feel blue. I know it's passing, and I'm ok with that, I'm just going through it right now... and I've got nothing else on my mind so I'm sharing it because it's ok if something (or nothing) has got you down. We'll see how next week feels.

Bread

I'm a bread baker, and a bread lover, and a food lover, and a food grower, and a cook. Good food/ good life is very important to me, that means all of it; from germination to plate. Like all parts of my life I want a relationship with it, the way we have relationships with our mothers, our god, our job, our craft. Like all relationships we need to nourish, care, have patience and practice to be successful. Developing these relationships is necessary and never ending. I do the best I can, try to be responsible and gentle, and I try not not be judgmental about others' relationships (though I'm not always successful). The other day an image of some delicious bread popped up in my instagram feed from bakerhands aka Tara Jensen a baker and farmer, the caption really resonated with me:

"I do not think we will see the end of this gluten free hysteria until fundamental economic inequality and spiritual impoverishment are addressed. The target may change, but collective hatred and refusal will endure till we each posses the ability for self determination and expression. We have such little control of our lives and we are so unhappy it makes sense that we find pleasure in refusal. But we can not refuse our history as a civilization without great consequence."

I understand people have serious food allergies, my step-mom does, and so does Tara. She goes on to say:
"I am not implying that individuals that are going gluten free are crazy. I AM saying that economic systems like capitalism paralyze our ability to live a spiritually/ politically/ meaningful life and because of this we are experiencing illness in our bodies. We have industrialized our food to the point where the nourishment is gone and that is showing up in how we feel physically and emotionally. As a feminist I believe no one should be told how they feel, or should feel, in their bodies and I do not use the word hysteria lightly. There is a massive problem around bad information and bread right now"

 
I don't want this space to be political, but I did want to share these insightful ideas. This is a topic I feel strongly about, and has quite a lot to do with who I am (right now) and want to be. Let's think about our relationships and take care of them. Have a beautiful week!

Work/ Play

I have been working on commissioned boards, and it feels so good! AND my goal for April is to get my website up again, as it has been sitting neglected for sometime. I have several beauties rough cut in a more traditional French bread board style, and this week I'm shaping and sanding. I find it both lovely and difficult to work in the amazing spring time weather. Lovely because I often work outside, and difficult because this is garden and and play weather... which has me thinking a lot about small picnic boards... we shall see what's in store for Spring. Get your vitamin D!

I've been SO busy

I think I could probably start every post with "I've been so busy" and I wouldn't be lying. I have two jobs and I have my own business that I am intent on making a living from (some day). I am also trying to have a garden this year, and there are always long term, slow moving projects around the house ( I made our dining table... now where the hell are some chairs?). I also need and/or want to get out of town pretty regularly. Last week Nick and I went to Santa Cruz, and I keep thinking about Pie Ranch. A few days ago we went snowshoeing with my mom! I also want to bake bread, and lounge around the house (I do it, but it is part of my scheduling!)

Spring always makes me feel a little stressed. As soon as i start seeing things bloom I start to worry about all the things I have to do in order to reap a harvest literally and figuratively. 

I am equal part a creature who needs to keep moving and one who needs to stay in bed all day.

Here's to keeping a balance, making time, and worrying less. Good Luck y'all! 

Perfectly Imperfect

In the last couple of weeks I have been working with spalted maple and woodwormed walnut. They are so beautiful and so perfectly imperfect. Working with these woods has really made me reflective. I tend to be very self critical, and "imperfections" in my work fill me with anxiety.

 The wood I use in my work is salvaged or reclaimed, and that is incredibly important to me. That means before the wood comes to me it's been around the block, it's had a full life. It was a fallen tree, or maybe ripped out of a house. It has likely been around for 100 years, been exposed to ALL the elements and this is it's last chance at a (new) life. It's important to me that each piece is different and hopefully you can see a little bit of it's past.

So isn't it silly for me to get down on myself it my boards look a little (gasp) made by hand?! In fact like these perfectly imperfect pieces of spalted maple and woodwormed walnut the "imperfections" in my work are really part of it's beauty.

I guarantee my work will never be "perfect" no two pieces will ever be the same. I make each piece by hand. I fall in love with each piece. I get inspired by the wood.
I'm love learning (or remembering) the things that make us different, or imperfect, are so special and so beautiful.

Spring

Though the time change has really done a number on me (why am I so tired and yet cannot sleep?!). I am feeling so excited for our next phase. All kinds of life is emerging! I can ride my bike home from work before the sun goes down! I was shoveling shit all weekend! (the good kind, we just got a nice load of compost for the yard). I am trying to get my garden going after a year and a half of neglect. I cant wait to eat from my yard again!

                      

I am going to be quite busy until April getting boards ready for Straw and Gold. I just got some beautiful walnut rescued from Ohio, I'm so excited to cut into. I also need to slow down a little and enjoy the Sun and the waking up of the world! It's an optimistic time, and a time for finding balance. Enjoy yourself! 

Lately

Exciting news, and what I've been busy working on... I've been getting some cutting boards together for Straw & Gold. Straw and Gold is a carefully curated online shop featuring crafters from around the world. Each piece is made by hand and many are one-of-a-kind. The shop will launch in April! I couldn't be more excited and honored to be showcased with such a talented group of artists. Keep up with them and with me as this collaboration unfolds.

Photo by Sara Sanger

I've been so busy, and this blog is important to me. So posts might be short, but I'm going to keep em' comin.
Enjoy the week!

Topanga

I'm not intentionally neglecting this little blog. I'm busy packing for the Topanga Canyon Vintage Flea Market

                            

I will have lots of great vintage for sale. It should be lot's of fun, but it has me running around getting things packed, and preparing for the drive.  Though I did manage to make some raviolis this week... priorities. 

                               
Have a beautiful weekend where ever you are, and if where you are is the Los Angeles area stop by Sunday and say HI!

Happy Valentine's Day

It's cheesy, or can be, and a former version of myself certainly came at this holiday with angst and rebellion and loads of eye rolling. I've come around though. I still don't buy cards or teddy bears (or anything) but there is this day dedicated to celebrating love so why not?
Let's honor love and romance and all the different shapes and shades of love and romance. Some of our most romantic moments are not with lovers.
I think about napping in a hammock in my back yard, picking roadside flowers for myself, listening to classical music by the campfire with my girlfriends. Making the perfect poached egg. Holding the door for strangers. Drinking bad wine with a great friend in the park across the street from our house. Listening to the peacocks call as the sun sets at my moms house. 

first self portrait 

Of course I also think of my remarkable partner... I am blessed. He will meet me for picnic dinners in the park and he will pack my lunch for work and hold my hand as we fall asleep. He discards the dirt after I sweep the floor. He does things for me because he knows it will make me happy. He is easy on the eyes and makes the best pizza dough. 

It's those small romances though, that we should take the time to celebrate today, they can slip away, or seem muted because they might only be for you. Write yourself a love letter. Make yourself a fancy dinner. Go for a walk with a friend.
Have a beautiful day full of romance.

Adjust the View

This weekend was incredibly frustrating.  It seemed every project I started, I got stuck.  I was trying to make some headway on our dining table and my table saw was acting up, then I broke my belt sander (and spent the better part of a day taking it apart in attempts to "fix" it) then I broke a drill bit... I'm not making it up. Is it Mercury retrograde? Is it because I don't have a proper work bench? Did I have enough coffee?
I was feeling frustrated and deflated and sensitive. Nick suggested I make dinner. That was actually an incredibly selfless and powerful suggestion... believe it or not. Making dinner is a task I do well and he knew it would give me a sense of accomplishment. I made salad. I felt better.

The truth is I had an amazing weekend. I had coffee with my cooking partner and pal, we talked about the future, we talked about the present, we shared ideas. I met up with my newest collaborator (I cant wait to share more) Angelina. We shared ideas, we went treasure hunting, we touched base. Nick and I cozied by the fire, lied in bed listening to the much needed rain, went out to dinner. I went to the white elephant sale with my aunt, we found treasures, we enjoyed the East Bay, the day slipped away from us, we ate cake.
It would be such a shame to let all of my wonderfully inspiring, connecting, personal events and interactions dissolve into my frustration. Maybe I don't have to work all weekend. It's ok to let go of projects (for a few days) sometimes. 

Enjoy the rest of the week. If things aren't going your way adjust the view! Also make this cake, and eat if with tea with your aunt for her birthday. Or for breakfast.

Pecan Maple Cake
1 1/2 cups pecans toasted (or any nut would probably work)

4 large eggs, at room temperature, separated
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch cake pan with butter or oil or something like that.
Process pecans in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
Beat 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup maple syrup, vanilla, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Add the ground pecans and beat until combined.
Beat 4 egg whites in another large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until very foamy, white and doubled in volume, but not stiff enough to hold peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the nut mixture until just combined. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 28-30 minutes.

scenes from our weekend

This weekend Nick and I took a one day vacation in Vallejo of all places. Our pal was house-sitting a beautiful century old house overlooking the city and the Sonoma hills beyond. 

We went treasure hunting and East Bay exploring.  It was fun to get away.

I was able to work on some new cutting board shapes.  Of course my favorite parting is oiling the wood after sanding it down.  It's so exciting to reveal the beautiful grain.

Lastly I will leave you with a really easy, endlessly adaptable recipe for granola.  It fills your house with an intoxicating sweet nutty smell.  It's my breakfast along side a dollop of plain yogurt everyday until it's gone.

 

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, hulled 

1 cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled 

1 cup unsweetened coconut chips 

1 1/4 cup raw pecans, left whole or coarsely chopped 

1/2 cup raw almonds

1 cup pure maple syrup 

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar 

a teaspoon or two your favorte spices (I used cinnamon and cardamom)

Coarse salt

Heat oven to 300 degrees.

Throw everything and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Spread granola mixture in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until granola is toasted, about 45 minutes.

Remove granola from oven and season with a pinch more salt to taste. Let cool completely before serving or storing in an airtight container for up to 1 month. 

Enjoy. Have a beautiful week. Look up. Count your blessings. 

Re-nesting

For the last two and a half years we have shared our little house with our pal, ten foot tall musician rascal John Courage.  For the last six months we have shared our little home with my cosmic sister, the sweet songstress Ashley Allred.  It has been a cozy house, full of love, dogs, a cat, and four full grown humans. 
Our pals found their own little home 1.1 miles away and now half of our house is empty.  We are  feeling both the sad empty, excited about our alone time, and our new studio space?  Office?  Movie room?
For now the room is empty but some coats in the closet and a blanket on the floor, where we can have meals pic-nic style while I build our kitchen table (out of a 130 year old slab of fir!)
This change feels exciting and hopeful.  It's a re-nesting. Now off to start my busy (work)weekend... maybe refinish those floors!

scenes from our weekend

This weekend we said goodbye to the last three of our chickens.  We had a good run.  Lots of omelets, ice cream, and baked treats over the years.  Some horrific nights with raccoons.  Mostly a pleasure.  We are not done with chickens, we just need a break.  We also need to tare down the chicken area as the wood is totally rotten.  This is their chicken coop.  I built it out of wood scraps and painted it pink and called it the dream house.

We also got out of town for the night.  Headed to my families cabin on the coast (or on the ridge above the coast).  It's a blessing to be able to get out of town for the night.

And to have coffee with this view.

And to have your sweet make this delicious breakfast.  Polenta with tomato sauce, arugula, fried eggs, sausage, and avocado.

I try not to take it for granted.  I sit out on the deck, even if it is raining, to look at the ocean.

I'm back to the grind this week.  Working on an exciting new collaboration (details to come soon!), working on new strange shapes with some cutting boards.  Getting ready to start on our (dining)room table.  The drizzle outside has me feeling quite optimistic.