Earlier this month I took my first ceramics class. It’s a small outdoor class, and the first project was crafting a bowl with the help of a mold. But going forward, our instructor told us that we’d be able to kind of make whatever we wanted. And since I have literally never touched clay before, I plan on sticking to simple tasks. Maybe a cup or a vase, but I’m open to the possibility of doing something unique and fun, too.
So in a search for inspiration, I browsed Etsy (of course!), and came across a ceramic garlic keeper. This is not something I plan on making quite yet, but it definitely is something I would consider purchasing. I’ve never seen one of these before, but they really are adorable. I’m not totally convinced on the functionality of them, so I’m posing two questions to my subscribers: 1. Do you have a garlic keeper? And 2. If so, does it keep your garlic fresher for longer? What is the purpose?
Regardless, this is the handmade ceramic garlic keeper that I totally fell in love with this week.
Maybe you’ll fall in love with it, too.
A charming townhouse in Portland
The closer I get to owning a home (not really financially, but just, you know, in regard to time), I continue to consider the benefits of townhouse or condo living. Townhouses in particular are attractive because owners usually have some kind of outdoor space, whereas with a condo you might get a balcony at best. This Portland townhouse in particular really does a convincing job.
Found in a building that dates back to 1889 (yes, please!!!), this three-bedroom, two and a half-bath townhouse is a spacious 2,400 square feet in size. The home spans over three levels, the first of which is host to the living room, kitchen, dining room with a fireplace, and a family room with a generous pantry. All three bedrooms are located on the second level (including the master with an en-suite bath) and the third floor is occupied by a versatile recreation room that could easily work as a home office or yoga space. The backyard is a true drawing point for this residence — it’s small, but it’s the right size for an outdoor summer barbecue. This Lair Hill home was last on the market for $625,000 and is currently pending a sale. [Sotheby’s International Realty]