Can you guess what it is?

I know I promised no more compost photos for a while, but I love the texture and weight of this. And besides, I found it—ahem—in my fridge like this. The compost bin is just where it happened to end up.

Golden

I vaguely remember taking this picture a few months ago and deciding not to post it. I don't know what that stuff is. Something caramelized—maybe broth that boiled over? I decided not to use it because I was ashamed of the surrounding mess. You know, that...stuff in the center of the burner, and ew....what is that?

But lately I've been coming across a lot of blogs that are just too lovely. You know, the perfect photos of perfectly decorated perfect topped with perfect. Mostly, I don't recognize my world in them. What are we doing here, women writing on the internet about domestic life? Are we revolutionizing how we think of ourselves and one another by communicating about the realities of our lives? Or are we clambering over one another to create the latest incarnation of the unreachable ideal?

Forget shame about stovetop crumbs. It's my duty as a woman of conviction, as a feminist, as a citizen, to give you this version of where the beauty lies.



Check out that color, people! The COLOR!

Luscious Compost

I know you never get tired of mediocre images of my household filth. (Right? Right!?). But if you start feeling like looking at photos taken by someone who knows how to use a camera, go and check out my friend Chris's new blog. He knows what he's doing, and don't worry: so far I have never known him to shoot compost.

Foaming Tomato

I guess another thing I learned about gardening this year was to harvest the green tomatoes a bit earlier. These came in after it had gotten way too cold, and I noticed last night that one had started to spew foam.

I would love to be able to post a photo of how beautiful this would be after another week on the kitchen counter, but A insisted we throw it in the compost last night. Sheesh. Some people and their neat freak tendencies...

Stovetop Palimpsest

I scalded some peaches this morning in order to peel them and add them to our pancakes. Who knew the mark left by their juice would be purplish blue? And shaped roughly like a map of Norway?

Tofu Chunk

It's time made this explicit: I do not even know how to operate our camera. Today I learned that that little red picture of a hand? Means the flash is not on. All this time I was thinking it was there to say, Hi! Welcome to your camera!

If I did know how to use a camera you would be able to see right away the solid, glistening dignity of this chunk of tofu. I mean, the thing is, like, six feet and at least three hours from the last time and place tofu was eaten in our home. I am asking it, "How in the hell did you get over there, little chunk of tofu?" And it is saying to me, "I don't give a damn if you do take my picture and put it on the Internet. I am going sit here with perfect posture and enjoy my reflection, thank you very much."

Coconut Milk

In preparation for my mom's visit, I cleaned out the fridge. And you know I wouldn't do that without bringing back a little something for you.

Easter Egg

Speaking of moving on, it might be time to clean out the fridge.

Mysterious Splatters

This almost looks like it could be blood. Or coffee, but we barely drink coffee. The unknown quality is an important part of the beauty here, I think.

So many of you have requested prints of these images that I have taken a page out of dooce's book and am looking into a professional fine-art photo printer.

Compost Bucket

I find that composting is such a beautiful way for our family to soar on the breath of the earth. It makes me feel so pure and fresh to know that the food remnants we discard will return to the soil to nourish a new generation of life.

Filthy Pictures

I want you to be comfortable here. I mean, don't perch on the edge of the perfectly upholstered sofa and place your teacup precisely in the center of that lovely designer coaster. Put your feet on the coffee table, already. And if you spill a little, would you mind picking up that sock over there and just doing your best to blot it up?

I don't want you to leave here thinking I could never have her over to my house. She'd think I was a total slob. No. I want you to walk out onto my front porch dusting cat hair off your clothes and thinking Well, Jesus, at least I vacuum occasionally. I don't get done as much as I'd like but at least I'm doing better than caro. And she's all right, so I must be all right too.

Many bloggers post photos revealing the details of wonderful domestic surroundings. And I don't know about you, but none of them ever looks quite like my house. So, as my contribution to that genre, I am beginning a series of photos, to be taken as the whim strikes me and posted as I get a chance, to share with you the real beauty of our home.

I call this first one "Hi Daddy."