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A Year Between Friends: 3191 Miles Apart: Crafts, Recipes, Letters, and Stories
An exploration of 365 days of shared experiences between two friends on opposite sides of the country, inspired by their blog, 3191 Miles Apart .
Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes share a love of art and design, handmade pleasures, and a well-lived domestic life. Almost a decade ago, they began their first year-long project together, posting a photo from each of their mornings on their blog, 3191 Miles Apart , named for the distance between their homes in Portland, Maine, and Portland, Oregon. 3191 Miles Apart quickly acquired a worldwide following of readers drawn in by the delicate intimacy of their shared experiences.
A Year Between Friends celebrates their most recent project together—a visual representation of 2015, month-by-month, side-by-side, but miles apart. In addition to 400 photographs recording their daily inspirations and creative undertakings and a foreword from New York Times bestselling author Molly Wizenberg, this unique collaboration expands on their prior work with over 25 handmade crafts and seasonal recipes, notes on simple living, and personal stories that follow the tide of a year filled with new life, change, and loss. It is an intimate joint portrait revealed through photographic snippets—mending a sweater, making a mobile from a cherished collection, creating fabric dyes from natural materials, baking scones—that defies distance through the celebration of shared moments of calmness, warmth, and family.
Both aspirational and down-to-earth, A Year Between Friends is an inspiring visual love letter to friendship and creativity, a timeless reminder to appreciate life one day at a time, to slow down, to cherish simplicity, and to make the extra effort to do things with care and with the people we love.
Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes share a love of art and design, handmade pleasures, and a well-lived domestic life. Almost a decade ago, they began their first year-long project together, posting a photo from each of their mornings on their blog, 3191 Miles Apart , named for the distance between their homes in Portland, Maine, and Portland, Oregon. 3191 Miles Apart quickly acquired a worldwide following of readers drawn in by the delicate intimacy of their shared experiences.
A Year Between Friends celebrates their most recent project together—a visual representation of 2015, month-by-month, side-by-side, but miles apart. In addition to 400 photographs recording their daily inspirations and creative undertakings and a foreword from New York Times bestselling author Molly Wizenberg, this unique collaboration expands on their prior work with over 25 handmade crafts and seasonal recipes, notes on simple living, and personal stories that follow the tide of a year filled with new life, change, and loss. It is an intimate joint portrait revealed through photographic snippets—mending a sweater, making a mobile from a cherished collection, creating fabric dyes from natural materials, baking scones—that defies distance through the celebration of shared moments of calmness, warmth, and family.
Both aspirational and down-to-earth, A Year Between Friends is an inspiring visual love letter to friendship and creativity, a timeless reminder to appreciate life one day at a time, to slow down, to cherish simplicity, and to make the extra effort to do things with care and with the people we love.
208 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2016
9 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Maria Alexandra Vettese
6 books4 followersMaria Alexandra Vettese is a Portland, Maine-based freelance art director who also works in the mediums of photography and design. She is a creative, collaborative thinker who arrives at her best ideas intuitively when she is completely in the moment or under the gun. She owns and curates the shop More & Co. and lives in a flat that was built in 1891 with her sweetheart, her baby girl and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 6, 2017
I really enjoyed this book on so many levels. I found myself thinking about it and picturing the beautiful, spare photographs even when I wasn't reading it. I love that these two women met through the global village of Flickr out of a mutual admiration for each other's work and became such dear friends in the process.. most of all, I love that they have chosen to share their beautiful, very human experiences with us, their readers. The book is filled with beautiful light,sweet crafts and delicious recipes, and of course, the lovely letters they wrote to each other each month. I will definitely be reading this again and am going directly to my bookstore to purchase their other books today!
February 15, 2022
Very beautiful and enjoyable. I liked the different projects and ideas explored within, and I love how it was organized seasonally.
November 3, 2018
I love the idea of this book and the photographs are beautiful, but I couldn't relate to either woman. They're artists. They work from home, which makes day trips and hikes midweek a reality. One makes a special oil for her wooden spoons and dyes tea towels. The other forces herself to go for walks in the dead of winter. It certainly makes for a more interesting year of correspondence than something similar between me and my friends.
"I binged Season 3 of The 100 today."
"I made popcorn for dinner."
"Sounds good."
"It was!"
Still, that being said, it's always great to read about strong and supportive friendships.
"I binged Season 3 of The 100 today."
"I made popcorn for dinner."
"Sounds good."
"It was!"
Still, that being said, it's always great to read about strong and supportive friendships.
June 2, 2017
Was so excited to find this on Hoopla, though I'm sure it's best viewed on paper. Love the photos weaved with letters and crafts and recipes. Especially loved the pregnancy and newborn takeaways. Craft: dying with black bean water, and homemade cleaning solutions. Recipes: raspberry ripple yogurt popsicles, granola, chai, peanut crispy rice bars, root vegetable and apple hash.
April 19, 2017
I think I enjoyed this book mainly because I have cross continent friendship just like this. It *kind of* makes me wish my friend and I had thought to monetize our friendship and photos into a book! But not really, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling a glimpse into soemthing personal.
December 16, 2016
Maria and Stephanie both live in Portland, but are 3191 miles apart. That's because Maria lives in Portland, Maine and Stephanie lives in Portland, Oregon. Over the years these friends have shared their lives with each other through letters and photographs. They have managed to forge and maintain a deep bond across the distance, exchanging recipes and practical life tips and sharing the ups and downs of life. They are small town neighbors in the new world of technology.
Collaborating since 2007, Maria and Stephanie continue to document their lives in their blog, 3191. Twice a week they post a diptych, a picture from both of them showing what's going on in their separate lives right now. The focus is on the small and ordinary - flowers, children at play, bounty from the garden, the outdoors and sleeping cats. Recipes and crafts are shared and advice requested and given. A Year Between Friends follows the same format, beginning in January and running through December, with an emphasis on the small pleasures of a life well lived. There are big events too - Maria loses her Mother unexpectedly early in the year, and gives birth to a baby girl in late July. And they aren't always apart - Stephanie makes the trip cross country after the birth of baby Luna to spend time with Maria and her family.
The photography is exquisite - you can learn a lot about perspective, cropping and lighting by studying these pictures. The real value, of course, is the stories they tell, of how different and yet how similar these lives are, their mutual appreciation of the beauty around them and the love and support they bring to each other.
Besides the photos and letters, A Year Between Friends includes several crafts, most of which are lovely and practical and simple to make (although I'm not sure about the pinecone ornament - no mater how charming, that's a lot of sewing!) There are also recipes; I'm not a cook, but I'd be happy to eat just about anything shown here!
This is a lovely, quiet book, an excellent choice to end or begin the year (or anytime really), inviting you to step back and take a look at your life and what is really important. What is it you want to remember when you look back? A child's smile? A walk through a summer-green forest? Cookies fresh from the oven? A friend's laughter? A Year Between Friends shows just how special the ordinary can be.
Collaborating since 2007, Maria and Stephanie continue to document their lives in their blog, 3191. Twice a week they post a diptych, a picture from both of them showing what's going on in their separate lives right now. The focus is on the small and ordinary - flowers, children at play, bounty from the garden, the outdoors and sleeping cats. Recipes and crafts are shared and advice requested and given. A Year Between Friends follows the same format, beginning in January and running through December, with an emphasis on the small pleasures of a life well lived. There are big events too - Maria loses her Mother unexpectedly early in the year, and gives birth to a baby girl in late July. And they aren't always apart - Stephanie makes the trip cross country after the birth of baby Luna to spend time with Maria and her family.
The photography is exquisite - you can learn a lot about perspective, cropping and lighting by studying these pictures. The real value, of course, is the stories they tell, of how different and yet how similar these lives are, their mutual appreciation of the beauty around them and the love and support they bring to each other.
Besides the photos and letters, A Year Between Friends includes several crafts, most of which are lovely and practical and simple to make (although I'm not sure about the pinecone ornament - no mater how charming, that's a lot of sewing!) There are also recipes; I'm not a cook, but I'd be happy to eat just about anything shown here!
This is a lovely, quiet book, an excellent choice to end or begin the year (or anytime really), inviting you to step back and take a look at your life and what is really important. What is it you want to remember when you look back? A child's smile? A walk through a summer-green forest? Cookies fresh from the oven? A friend's laughter? A Year Between Friends shows just how special the ordinary can be.
December 3, 2020
I love documenting and the art of it. I'd heard of 3191 but hadn't seen anything in a while. I was so excited last December to find this at the bookstore and decided to go through it over the whole year. I read each month's section on the 1st (or close to) of each month. I love simple, important photography of the everyday. I enjoyed the idea of doing some of the recipes and tutorials but none of them made it into my actual life. I think I will hold on to it with the hope of doing one someday, but would also not hesitate to sell the book back. The letters were interesting and certainly not inauthentic, but they did feel a bit staged. I hate to leave (what is to me) a low rating, especially without any concrete ways I think it could improve, but I'm also going to embrace the fact that I'm not anyone fancy in the publishing world and just go with my gut at the moment. :)
December 21, 2017
Made me homesick for a dear friend and a loving family in the best kind of way.
June 4, 2017
This book contains photos, letters, recipes, and projects exchanged between friends who live across the country from each other (both in Portland - one in Oregon & one in Maine). They share an aesthetic and an interest in enjoying the simple things - walks, classic recipes, a handmade gift, daily life with their children.
The photos are lovely and full of light! The letters are sweet, but feel a bit over-edited to me. I want to try a lot of the recipes - standby granola, sweet potato biscuits with cranberry butter, raspberry ripple yogurt popsicles. I'd also love to do some projects involving natural dyes!! And make reusable waxed cloth & natural cleaners.
The photos are lovely and full of light! The letters are sweet, but feel a bit over-edited to me. I want to try a lot of the recipes - standby granola, sweet potato biscuits with cranberry butter, raspberry ripple yogurt popsicles. I'd also love to do some projects involving natural dyes!! And make reusable waxed cloth & natural cleaners.
November 23, 2016
I have been a reader of the blog 3191 Miles Apart for a few years and I was really looking forward to this book. The only disappointment for me was that I wanted it to be twice (or three times) as long.
Stephanie lives in Portland, OR and Maria lives in Portland, ME. Their friendship has a basis in each sharing a photos on their blog. They also share recipes, craft projects, stories, and inspiration. This book is a compilation of all of those things, and it works really well.
Stephanie lives in Portland, OR and Maria lives in Portland, ME. Their friendship has a basis in each sharing a photos on their blog. They also share recipes, craft projects, stories, and inspiration. This book is a compilation of all of those things, and it works really well.
August 14, 2017
This is a bit different for what I normally go for ... but I saw it somewhere on the internet and thought it sounded lovely.
And it was! It was lovely and sweet and really moving, with gorgeous photos all the way through. I absolutely loved it and found it so beautiful to read and look through. The friendship between MAV and SCB is precious.
This will be a book that I go back to over and over again. Beautiful.
And it was! It was lovely and sweet and really moving, with gorgeous photos all the way through. I absolutely loved it and found it so beautiful to read and look through. The friendship between MAV and SCB is precious.
This will be a book that I go back to over and over again. Beautiful.
April 28, 2019
You know that tumblr post making fun of recipe blogs that's three rolling lyrical paragraphs about "when I was young every fall we would go walking through the field with the crisp leaves crunching beneath our feet and the sharp woodsy smells of earth floating up our noses...MASHED POTATOES: GET A POTATO. NOT A RAW! BOIL, STAMP."
This is like an entire book of that first part of that post. Too try-hard.
This is like an entire book of that first part of that post. Too try-hard.
December 12, 2017
Beautifully written, sweet, slow (in a good way, a comforting and savoring way), and sad (also in a good way, in a life is a collection of good moments and hard moments way). The Griffin & Sabine lover in me is always a fool for letters, and the craft ideas were unique and accessible. I feel grateful that the authors invited us along on their year's journey.
November 30, 2020
I loved the coziness of the different seasons and how they effect our lives. It was nice to read about the lives of each friend, to see their photos, and to get some recipes and DIY along with it. I think I will re-read this book many times. I will grab it when the seasons change and I want to really appreciate it, let it sink in.
January 9, 2023
I followed these two friends when they had a blog in the early 2000s. They would both share a photo from their day. Somehow the photos magically connected into beautiful art. This book resulted from the blog. I love that it has recipes, photography, and simple DIY ideas. But the best part is reading about the sweet connection of friendship.
January 12, 2023
Endearing journal of friendship
This is a lovely journal-of-sorts that documents a year in the friendship of two women. I love the celebration of female friendships and how they share, love, and care. The recipes and crafts are clever and beautiful. The stories are endearing and thoughtful.
This is a lovely journal-of-sorts that documents a year in the friendship of two women. I love the celebration of female friendships and how they share, love, and care. The recipes and crafts are clever and beautiful. The stories are endearing and thoughtful.
November 24, 2016
I loved this book. I follow their blog also which I love. These women make me see the joy in everyday life. When I see their photos and read their words it allows me to also slow down and appreciate my own simple life. I thank them for that.
September 19, 2017
A refreshing conversation between two women of disparate ages living in Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon. Daily life, life changes, happiness, sadness and daily coping with what life brings. I enjoyed reading over their shoulders !!
February 7, 2018
What a soothing book! This book is full of beautiful pictures of ordinary things, letters, how tos and recipes. It is divided by month and almost needed to be read each month to be fully enjoyed. I hope their friendship continues and I am now one of their follower.
January 20, 2019
A charming cookbook/crafting lesson/conversation between friends, plus their gorgeous photos and a side of grief and joy. Very charming and after I paged through and checked out the recipes and tutorials, I bought a copy. Thank you, MAV and SCB
January 14, 2020
MAV and SCB live in opposite Portlands, east coast and west coast, respectively. They met through photoblogging when it was in its infancy and have shared many photos. This book shares photos, recipes, letters, and crafts that the two exchanged over a year.
September 21, 2021
Letters, photographs, recipes and crafts sent from one friend to another over the course of a year.
Quick read. Not especially noteworthy, but a nice, quiet book. I made the scone recipe...it was so so.
Quick read. Not especially noteworthy, but a nice, quiet book. I made the scone recipe...it was so so.
January 16, 2018
Quickly one of my new & most comforting favorites.
October 1, 2018
A beautiful collection of photos and crafts. Definitely worth a look for photography and crafting friends.
October 17, 2020
Made me feel cozy and inspired. I want to do all the crafts and recipes. Also have several friends who NEED this book. Light on content, heavy on cozy.
January 25, 2021
I enjoyed this book of shared friendship and correspondence. I also loved the crafts and the sharing of life with another person - even if at a distance.
April 27, 2021
Beautiful collection of photos and recipes and letters between Internet Friends.
Would I do some of these things?
No
But can I enjoy reading about two women who do?
Yes
Would I do some of these things?
No
But can I enjoy reading about two women who do?
Yes
July 13, 2021
A really relaxing read, inspiring to do something similar with a friend. Some great recipes and tutorials too.
March 18, 2025
So nice to revisit. Takes me back to a good period in life.
December 11, 2016
Very sweet, with craft ideas and recipes for each season!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews