Here we are again. Bright and fresh--delicious coffee in hand and the fan blowing. It is a lovely spring morning with my peonies at the lake in bloom and the primordial Tulip poplar shedding it's remarkable blooms. So amazing and unexpected.  The sun was shining and it was misty drizzling--a delicious little surprise that the grass has  delighted in. Unfortunately, the vermin deer have gobbled down all the day lily blossoms, so another year of no day lilies. I am not pleased that despite the "kill" in the village to shave our herd from over 100 dear per square mile to 8, they somehow still are devouring MY plants. Not happy.

In the cadence of the rap poet, and hate monger, Donald Trump, how would he convey these thoughts. I think Trump is a scream albeit a nightmare scream given his content--but the way he speaks and delivers a lack of idea is remarkable and worth studying. Great approach for something, I cannot figure out what--but time to put some thought into that.

It is also CSA time of the year (CSA is Community Supported Agriculture). To those not familiar, this is an opportunity to buy a share of the crops from a local farm, Sweetland Farm from early June through to November. One buys a share, goes to the farm once a week and can pick from all the veggies they have (and herbs) and fill a bag. As things roll on, there is the second bag "take as much as you want" with greens etc. along with you pick deliciousness. Flowers are part of the share, so handfuls of zinnias, cosmos etc. go home too. It is Tuesdays or Fridays--and I find the time spent at the farm, in the field so amazing and centering that I am happy its started up again. Through Sweetland, I have learned and cooked many veggies that might not have hit my basket--from kale to all sorts of little japanese turnips, kohlrabi and chard. I love the fresh seasonality and crazy stuff like you pick tomatillos that I have cooked down and turned into lovely slow cooked dinners. I have become a quick pick nut (pickles) and will pickle onions, shaved cukes, red cabbage or beets at a moments notice...and surprisingly, they are eaten very quickly and happily. Another thrill.

Here's a homerun recipe that I make every week during the summer though the limes are not "local" I look the other way as this pickle is served breakfast lunch and dinner. I am sure you can figure out what it would taste good with:

Onion and Cilantro Chutney

Tomorrow is day 2 of the CSA..and I wait impatiently.

Onward to work...but we will talk soon.

Logo refresh for Ithaca Reuse

Hi: Ithaca ReUse has a logo that has been very recognized but the director felt they needed a refresh as they are growing their organization, their offerings, and their programs. The logo shown to the left is the original version. The image above is the revision--keeping the arrow element, keeping the circle. Simplifying the text..and straightening out the copy so its a bit more direct, a little less fun.

Saturday afternoon.

the sketchbook project #2 10/22/2010, Q. Cassetti, sharpieI havent been slacking off entirely. This sketchbook project has been a shot in the arm. No requirements other than making pictures, limiited size, a who cares attitude and limited palette reserved to sharpies (new marigold color and new dirty, victorian mauve the favorites) along with limited prismas for punch. I scanned in most of the work today (see in The Atelier) just for kicks. Another self imposed rule, no tear outs allowed…work on top or else. So, its random stuff, but the pen is moving and that is the beginning and end of it. Frankly, that is the key to all of this. If the pen moves, I fall in love with the paper, its absorption, the spread of the ink, the color of the ink, the color of the paper, the detail upon detail and my loonie self imposed games to make it more fun. The pages just fill up…and new ideas beget new ideas…and I am back on the creative Catherine’s wheel again. I have been not psyched carrying the big sketchbook around (love you, love it..but a change was in order…I will be back)….and this little self imposed deadline of the sketchbook project has definitely kicked me back in the game. I am looking at the lubki with happiness again.

What a week. Thats all I can say. What a week. The end of the week was one gumdrop (entering the Society of Illustrators Show (NYC) and starting the same for LA. Three Xmas cards put to bed, doing design dlligence on other consultants work, and jumping on a few grenades. Alex had friends over last night and I baked for them (all of them in the Peter Pan mode…needing a mom or a Wendy to make nice for them). So, I made a mess of bagels and a mess of biscotti. Rob and I hung out. It was early up this morning to get Alex to the school so he and the crosscountry team and the outdoors club could go to the Montezuma Wildlife Sanctuary to plant trees and eat lunch. 

I had an amazing meeting with Michael Welch and Zoe Becker from Edible Finger Lakes who came to ask me if I would do the inside back cover …illustration and maybe writing!! My call on the whole thing. I showed them this goofy sketchbook and they liked it…Its a quarterly so its no biggie…and the exposure will be wonderful. I am beyond flattered… This is a lovely publication…really the only significant regional magazine with great taste, good reach and good design. This is the right place to be. So, more personal brand building…and more opportunities to work with cool people. We had a great talk about local food, food packaging, food distribution, their insights and observations which I found refreshingly honest and matched mine. What a treat!

Rob is working today and tomorrow. Alex has a party tonight. I might take a blue or grape pen and see what comes off the tip of it…You never know what is stored in the barrels of these beauties….and then, there is black I can get back to…ooooh.