A low-tech carpet sweeper, a great dress, and a summer must-have: mosquito dunks
Plus, a replacement for Peanut Butter Twix bars, at long last!
I'm writing in my favorite chair, the one I had slipcovered in denim, which has, over the years, worn to a perfect softness. Six months ago, I sat in this chair and wrote my first newsletter to you: there was snow on the ground then, and summer felt very far away. Now, the light outside is soft and luminous despite the low grey clouds; the wheel of the seasons continues to turn. Given all the hard news in the world this week, that fact is one small thing that has steadied me in the chaos.
No Daily Dose of Green or subscriber-only links this week. I developed a large bullseye rash on Monday - it’s been a very bad tick season so far - and I'm currently on doxycycline and prednisone. It's never a dull moment around here, but I’m on the mend and I remain, as ever, so grateful for modern medicine.
A, B, C: I've got cake parties on my mind.
D. These garden clogs both winked at me; you know I ordered the neon. The Liberty print ones are on sale!
The pretty image of an outdoor garden is from 'How to Create a Secret Garden in Your Own Backyard ' from The New York Times.
E. I have long searched for a Peanut Butter Twix replacement (RIP!), and tonight, after a delicious dinner at Cinnamon in Rhinebeck with Tim (a date!!), we wandered into Samuel's Sweet Shop and discovered these Jimmie Stix. These are a delight for any peanut butter and chocolate lover.
F. This Johnny Was dress is a keeper! I'm looking forward to wearing it to a party soon.
G. Holy moly, I wish I'd discovered these Mosquito Dunks earlier. Last year was my first year using them, and they've been effective.
H. I love this low-tech carpet sweeper - I remember my grandmother using one just like this.
When I first envisioned the Design Scouting Circle membership (for subscribers who pay $100 per year), I couldn't have imagined the incredible support and generosity I would receive from these founding members. If I'm completely honest, I didn't expect anyone to subscribe at that level, and once some of you did - I didn't expect to get so much pleasure out of scouting for these IRL objects to send off to you! I've been getting texts from recipients this week and your joy is my joy.
I thought I'd share what I sent in this package. If you're interested in receiving the next mailing, sign up for the Design Scouting Circle here! And, as always, no pressure. I appreciate everyone who reads this newsletter, paid or free.
A. The cyanometer was invented by Swiss physicist Horace-Bénédict de Saussure in 1789 to measure the blueness of the sky and predict water content in the atmosphere. Artist Macarena Ruiz-Tagle has created a new version of the cyanometer in the form of a postcard, allowing users to capture the current sky conditions and connect with others under the same sky. I can't imagine a more "Abbey Goes Design Scouting" object, can you? ✨
B. These Metropolitan Museum Band-Aids need no introduction!
C. This acorn, found on Etsy, charmed me. Open it up for a moment of delight. Also, I couldn't resist the metaphor of the acorn that grows into a mighty oak. This support enables me to continue to grow the newsletter.
D. I had these letterpress "Design Scouting" notecards made in 2013 as part of an impulse that would eventually, 12 years later, become this newsletter. Proof that some dreams take a long time to come to light.
E. This dandelion LEGO set just made me laugh. How whimsical and how subversive to create a LEGO set of a weed - this is my favorite kind of "found" object.
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Oh my gosh I can’t handle the LEGO dandelion set!!! My botanist heart swoons.
We used dunks in the dry well at Fairview; I just saw a video about building mosquito traps using them in buckets with some grass/leaves and water. I’ll try to find it and send it to you!