Philip Stead Illustration | A Home for Bird, Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Bear Has a Story to Tell | Philip Stead Illustration | A Home for Bird, Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Bear Has a Story to Tell

Me and Frank

pcstead — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:40:23 +0000

Wondrous Whales!

pcstead — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:36:50 +0000

Today is Whale Day here at the ol’ blog. I’ve been pretty inconsistent with the postings lately, but today is a special occasion as Erin’s new book, if you want to see a whale, releases today. This is the second collaboration between Erin and our good friend Julie Fogliano. So hooray for Erin, hooray for Julie, and hooray for whales, wondrous whales!

Real Polaroid Friday

pcstead — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:03:22 +0000

NCAA Basketball Edition – Hail to the Victors Valient

People are often surprised to learn that Erin is a huge college basketball fan. Last Sunday U of M earned a trip to the Final Four for the first time in twenty years. It was an exciting enough occasion to warrant joining the flash mob (of the friendly variety) that convened at 11pm at Crisler Arena to greet the basketball team as they arrived home on the bus. I caught Coach Beilein as he was disembarking into a sea of fans.

Tuesday Bird Watching

pcstead — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:19:23 +0000

The Wallcreeper

Real Polaroid Friday

pcstead — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:53:52 +0000

The first day of spring in Northern Michigan—inches and inches of snow.

Tuesday Bird Watching

pcstead — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:44:54 +0000

Tuesday Bird Watching

pcstead — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:07:20 +0000

Real Polaroid Friday, Late, As Is So Often the Case

pcstead — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:34:10 +0000

University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Every now and then when the Michigan winter gloom is just too much to bear I go and work for a day from inside the conservatory. A few hours in the rain forest room always improves my mood, albeit temporarily.

Tuesday Bird Watching

pcstead — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:42:23 +0000

Pink Flamingos in the Republic of Congo

Real Polaroid Friday, Sort of…

pcstead — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:34:36 +0000

Wherein I Commemorate the One Year Anniversary of My Favorite Place in Ann Arbor, The Espresso Bar at Braun Ct. in Kerrytown

Well, today is the triumphant one year anniversary of my favorite place in town, The Espresso Bar. I’d hoped to commemorate The Espresso Bar’s special day with a real polaroid, but, as has often recently been the case, my camera was none too happy with Michigan’s grim February light. My Polaroid is a delicate little flower that requires exactly the right conditions in order to thrive. You may have noticed a slow down of late in my Real Polaroid Friday consistency. It is 100% the fault of this dismal weather. So today, rather than waste any more precious, expensive film I offer you this photo of me, taken by Erin, as I attempt (and fail) to take handsome photos of our perfectly crafted beverages. One of my favorite things about The Espresso Bar is this lone booth that sits in the front corner. It is almost an exact replica of the lunch booths that populated my high school cafeteria. Sitting across from me here is my friend Nicole, who I’ve known since she was 14 years old. She and I have spent a lot of time sitting in booths that look exactly like this one.

So, three cheers for sitting around wasting time with old friends.

And three cheers for The Espresso Bar. Stop in. If you love coffee you will not be disappointed.