week three homework - creative post

I have saved my precious Sunday to do my homework - my partner being  super fit and athletic has gone off to compete in the Manchester 10k run so he was up and out early, leaving me with a quiet house and some nice thinking space.

I love writing on my blog or should I say rambling on my blog but when it comes to homework time I seem to get a blog block............

                                                       
This week Holly has set us homework that involves writing 2 creative post ideas - we can choose from the list below:-

• Shop Around – Go to a shop, ask the manager if you can write about it and photograph it, post it on your blog
• Books + Magazines – Review a book or magazine on your blog showing photos of it that you have taken yourself, not scanned.
• Columns - Introduce a new column or a series on your blog.
• Surveys & Comments – Post a survey on your blog asking readers specific questions about your blog and content.
• Read Blogs - If you opt for this one as homework, then write a post introducing your readers to 5 blogs that you recently started reading and why.
• Lists - Write a blog post that lists ideas or tips on a particular topic.
• Giveaways – Host a giveaway; either give away something you’ve made or something sponsored by a favourite on-line shop. This may be hard to organise by Monday — so you may want to skip this one.
• Greatest Hits – Write a post dedicated to 5 posts (with links) that you wrote 6 months ago and encourage your readers to check them out and tell them why.
• Your Life – Document parts of your day in a creative way (photos, pod-cast, video, hand writing, etc.) and post it on your blog.
• Friend Spotlight – Dedicate a post to a blog reader, friend, family member or fellow blogger. Detail why and ask your readers to chime in with their own dedications.

For my first creative post I am going to review a magazine - I will decide on my second creative post later. 

When I was in London last week Kate had bought me a present  - it was a  magazine that I hadn't heard of before called Kinfolk - a guide for small gatherings.

The magazine is delightful it has been written by a group of artists who share an interest in small gatherings and entertaining -  Kinfolk  advocates a more natural approach to entertaining. 

Kinfolk ensures that each element of the magazine is consistent with the belief that entertaining should be uncomplicated, simple and  less contrived. The group have even drawn up a manifesto which I thought would be nice to share ....

Manifesto

Kinfolk is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. We recognise that there is something about a table shared by friends, not just a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energises us. We have come together to create Kinfolk as our collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love.

Every element of Kinfolk—the features, photography, and general aesthetics—are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived. Kinfolk is the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love for spending time with family and friends. 

Nathan Williams is the editor and he has included essays and personal stories in this edition. The writings collectively focus on welcoming food, community and simplicity into our lives. Sharing time and joy together not just because of an event like a wedding, a christening, a birthday party but just because .......
The accounts share fun experiences, alone or together - some are unassuming (but so important) like making  a commitment to have  breakfast together everyday. Thinking of my life how often do I sit down to breakfast with my partner or how often do we share our evening meals together. 
Reflecting back on my life some of the happiest moments have involved sharing a glass of wine or a bite to eat with family or close friends.
The photography is exquisite, I felt lost in the images, evoking memories, tastes, smells or just the desire to want more.......  

morning rituals

Max and me

the cook's atelier

One of the stories that resonates with me is Mama's soup - words by Agatha Khishchenko. 

Agatha shares with the reader her vivid childhood memories of her mother's soup, the ritual of shredding vegetables, stirring the pot, straining the broth - all of the special times she sat at the kitchen table eating her soup discussing her day. A story of how a simple recipe, that cost very little to prepare and stemmed from the families lack of money becomes not only a staple at the dinner table but a memoir of family gatherings.

                                                               Agatha Khishchenko

For me this evoked memories of my childhood and helping my mother make her version of a Lancashire hotpot which had little meat but lots of potatoes and a pastry crust - it was one of my favourite meals. Very hearty, very cheap and very filling for a growing family.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and it's tempted you to have a look at the magazine  - Kate bought me mine from Anthropologie but I'm sure it can be ordered from lots of other outlets.


Talk soon
Sue x