BLACKCREEK MERCANTILE + FRIENDS

The celebration of friends is one of life's great pleasures, isn't it? Today I'm doing just that.... celebrating the creations of some amazing friends I admire and whose work I think you'll enjoy.

First and foremost, I'm so excited to tell you that Josh Vogel from Blackcreek Mercantile has a book on the way! Any of you who has spent time here knows what a fan I am of Josh's work. His lovingly made wood cutting boards, kitchen tools, stool, bowls and butcher block are some of my most treasured (and used!) items in my home. I have no doubt that our Blackcreek pieces will become heirlooms that Otis and Lilah will haggle over one day.

In The Artful Wooden Spoon, Josh looks at the art, craft and history of the wooden spoon - one of mankind's oldest tools. For those of you who fancy the idea of doing your own carving (I must say - I'm quite tempted!) Josh walks us through the steps to make our own spoons. Makers aside, this book is really for anyone who appreciates handmade beauty, craft and design. (Seth and Kendra Smoot shot and styled the book and it's a stunner.)

Josh, and his wife Kelly, are coming to Northern California to two of my favorite shops - so if you want to meet them and get a signed copy of their book, now's your chance. I'm going to their launch party at March on November 5th. And they'll also be at Shed in Healdsburg on November 7th. For more info, check here.

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Since I haven't been able to be here regularly these days (A full schedule of photography work is keeping me extremely busy. Happily busy!) I wanted to take a moment to continue this theme of celebrating friends by sharing a few other wonderful new books...

• Emma Galloway's incredible first book, My Darling Lemon Thyme is finally coming to the US! Emma's cookbook is packed with amazing healthful recipes (and they're all GF by the way). I'm particularly fond of her Eggplant with Tomatoes, Feta and Pomegranate Dressing.
• Homemade Memories is by another fellow blogger friend, Kate Doran. Kate's gorgeous book is all about modern recipes for indulgent (and nostalgic) sweet treats. My kids are drooling over this one.
• Finding Yourself in the Kitchen, by my buddy Dana Velden, is a different sort of read. A former Zen priest, Dana writes with profound warmth, grace, and comfort about the pleasures (both mundane and sublime) to be experienced in the kitchen.
• This is Camino is from one of our favorite local restaurants. Russell Moore, the chef/owner is magic in the kitchen and Camino's new cookbook welcomes us all into Russ' delectable world.
• Heidi Swanson's latest book appeals to both the traveler and cook in me. Beautifully photographed as always, Near & Far takes us on a journey to some of Heidi's favorite places - India, Japan, Morocco, Italy, France - and luckily for us, we get to see and taste our way through her delicious pages. 

Disclosure: Some of the items in this post have been gifted to me but I wanted to assure you that all opinions and enthusiasm are my own!