What happens when you don't see Avatar...

When Avatar first came out in the theaters the hype surrounding it was overwhelming.  Friends told me I had to see it, the news media said I had to see it, complete strangers told me I had to see it and did I see it?  NOPE!  Now I am a total Science Fiction nut, so you would think I would join the rush wait in line and blow my mind 3D style.    It came out and stranger than strange, I had no interest.  As a result months of jokes, parodies and cultural references went over my head. Finally stuck in a hospital room on bed rest, I  decided I could sit through the movie (being literally tied to a bed  with an IV).  I really liked it, although did not see why it deserved all the the attention.  Granted I did not see it in 3D, but it was good , but not the mind trip I had been led to believe.  (If you want a SciFi mind trip, see Moon )  At any rate, now that I have seen it, all the parodies and jokes make sense.  Below is my current favorite, although a little offensive. 

House Lust

I love this unit in the Hamptons, especially the light and color. I love to see old motels converted into funtional and cute little apartments. There is one near me with views of the lighthouse and beach.  I often thought an apartment like this would make a great summer place.  The apartments are often tiny, but really how much room do you need when you will be spending most of your time outside. 

Loving these links....

• It's a small world after all | Engaged couple cross paths as toddlers
• I absolutely do not need this set, but it sure is cute.
• I am totally infatuated with View Masters, did you know you can actually make your own.
• Just got birth announcements we ordered from Tiny Prints.  I will definitely be doing custom cards again..  VERY FUN!
• Trying to improve my knitting skills, I really want to make these for my daughter.

House Lust

I have a thing for real estate and fall in and out of loves with homes.  I frequently search the MLS listing for my dream house and it is not uncommon for me to have a new favorite each week.  This week I am lusting after this house. I mean really 1.6 million is a bargain for this beauty.

Addicted to Books

I find the tactile experience of a reading a book, just as enjoyable as the book contents. Caress the cover, crack open the spine, leave through the pages, feel the weight of the paper, smell the ink, admire the font and lovingly trace the pictures. After years of loving books, I do this unconsciously whenever I look at a book. (Much to the shock of book store clerks who can find it quite pervy). Stories and content are lovely, but I have been known to buy a book based solely on the weight of the paper, or quality of the pictures. If the content is even vaguely interesting and I have money to spare, I will most likely buy it. I used to justify such purchases as saving independent bookstores, supporting the economy, or as far as addictions go, I could be buying cigarettes. Of course now the beauty of being in your 40's is that if I want something, I don't need a justification, I just do it... (that should be a motto... Are you in your 40's? Then JUST DO IT!)

All of this leads me to my current bookshelves, laden with gorgeous books in desperate need of my attentions. Revisiting your bookshelf, is like getting to know yourself again. I love food fiction, superheroes, decorating coffee table picture books, software manuals, Oprah style self improvement books, marketing and branding bestsellers, children's stories, crafting books of any sort, gardening books with great photography, any cookbook, coming of age memoirs and any good story that will make me cry, laugh or sigh. I find myself quite impressed by my tastes but more often than not wondering how a woman with so many books on organization can still be such a slob. In looking at my book case, I wonder...

• Which 10 books I would take with me a on desert island
• Which books I could not live without..
• My top 10 stories of all times
• What are my classics
• What would I put on my summer reading list
• What books would I recommend to my daughter
• Why don't I have a copy of To Kill a Mocking Bird and I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings?
• When was the last time I actually cooked something from Julia Child's book. 
• And why someone with a librarian degree does not even bother to shelf books by title or subject

I suspect my revisiting my bookshelves will lead to purchasing more books, but really there are so many worse things I could be addicted to...

The New Little Brown Girl in My Life

Our daughter Haven Lark entered the world two months early and left me speechless, in love and totally spell bound.  Of course I new the final result would be a baby, but I had suspended all expectations and was just waiting to meet her.   Feeling so blessed to be a part of her life.  She was a wish for so long, one I was not sure would ever be fulfilled and now that she is here, I know that anything and everything is possible.

Free Blog Workshop

I found this great free blog workshop listed on Kirtsy. One of my goals this year is to become a better blogger. In all things, consistency is my weakness. Perhaps this workshop will be the kick in the pants I need. At any rate... very cool of Martha Writes, to offer this free workshop.

2010 and I are Becoming Fast Friends

I am not very superstitious, but I am feeling REALLY good about 2010. I love the way it rolls off the tongue. I pronounce it 2010 (twenty-ten), which just sounds so "Science Fiction living in the Utopian future" ...

We kicked off the New Year in December by spending a week in New York taking in the Holiday sights. I have always wanted to be in New York at Christmastime and wow, it did not disappoint. Museums, Shops, Restaurants, Central Park and some of the most amazing architecture I have seen... New York was incredible.

Last year we took mini vacations to Hawaii and San Francisco... we are continuing the tradition this month, with a quick trip to Portland, Or. I have this major crush on Portland. In fact, if there was an ocean near the city, I would have packed up and moved years ago. My current Portland fantasies include an affordable but really awesome house in some quirky Portland neighborhood and a great place on the Oregon coast.. A cottage in some quiet seaside town. I would probably work at a college again, and spend weekends and summers at the cottage and the school year in the city. Today's fantasies are tomorrow's goals, so I indulge then wholeheartedly.

"Hi Ho, Kermit the Frog here"

Happy childhood memories are a blessing, so I cherish the good ones and try not to dwell on the bad. One of my favorite childhood memories is turning 40 today, Sesame Street. They taught me to count in English and Spanish. I learned about sharing, good manners, patience and compassion. I laughed often and watched daily. Even today, I hum the songs, know all the original characters and come to attention when I hear their familiar voices. My first crush was Kermit the Frog and all these years later, I am still smitten.

Proof of Higher Powers?

Why does the sky above church steeples always look so amazing? { Bainbridge Island, WA Halloween 2009 }

Happy Halloween or is it Merry Christmas

This may seem strange, but I consider Halloween the official start of Christmas. I am sure it started as a child, but really it was owning a store that cemented it for me.

At the store Christmas merchandise would start arriving in September. By October 1st, everything was priced and the theme for the holiday was selected. ( A theme is a must!) On Halloween night we would close early and while everyone else was getting sick on candy or scared out of their wits, we transformed our store into a winter wonderland (or whatever the theme was that year).

This year I am particularly anxious to "get festive". Nothing like a heaping serving of hope all wrapped in ribbon and glitter... to make you feel light and happy.

Fall, you are my muse!

Feeling energized, awakened and creative, longing for button up cardigans, long walks, and yarn, enjoying crisp apples, sleeping in and early sunsets... Fall, my favorite season is back.

What does 3 days in Hawaii look like?

20 years ago, I spent two semesters at the University of Hawaii on Oahu. I have always wanted to go back, but excuses kept getting in the way. My biggest excuse, I just don't have the time and it is not cost effective to go for anything less than 10 days. But really, what is so cost effective about vacation, the point is to have fun... It is not the quantity, but the quality, so throwing caution to the wind and perhaps, good judgment, my partner and I went to Hawaii last week for the long weekend. And... IT WAS AWESOME!

I LOVE my friends...

A few weeks ago, I had a setback, a rough patch... a loss and found myself wondering why the universe personally wanted me to suffer. I was wrong.. the universe does not want me to suffer and I have finally heard its message... I am loved.

I have seen this message in many places but I have heard it strongest in the words, warm thoughts and hugs of my friends. Tonight a little after 9:00 a dear friend left her newborn son at home to deliver a still warm apple crisp (the first she had ever made) and a card. The card, contained a beautifully crafted message so poignant and healing that I am 100% certain that the words will comfort me the rest of my life no matter what happens. Her words made me realize that grief is a door you can linger in the doorway, or "come out the other side".

With Weekends Like This, Who Needs a Vacation

My weekend started with fresh strawberries from my garden and just kept getting better. Saturday, I found the most amazing fabric (a faux fur that is to die for... picture and project details to come). From there I went to PFI, a Mediterranean market (bought PG Tips tea, Raspberry licorice and Spanish smoked Paprika). Lunch at the Macrina Cafe in SODO (below).


The evening spent at the documentary Objectify with a friend and my partner. Dinner at Boom Noodles and for dessert, Cupcake love.

Sunday back to the Macrina cafe with friends, the garden store for oregano and orange honeysuckle (this is the only picture that does it justice) and gardening with the puppies all afternoon long. And finally dinner, where my salmon with a panko crust and lemon butter sauce came out so perfect, I almost cried.....

My New Pyramid

I think it is particularly telling to follow up a post about procrastination, with an 11 day absence. Honestly I meant to post but… (thinking here) … ah yes, I meant to post, but life interceded. Life in this case, was filled with 3 (8-hour) gardening sessions, 5 brilliant ideas, 2 (45+) work weeks, 2 meltdowns and an epiphany.

The epiphany, it is hard to achieve success of any type, with negative thoughts. Thoughts = Words, Words= Action and Action=Destiny. It is like a lovely little pyramid, mess up the bottom and you are not getting to the top. So this month, I am all about the pyramid… excited to see where positive thoughts will take me.

Take Five: Procrastination

Work deadlines, thousands of ideas, a mound of laundry and seeds to plant... But why actually accomplish anything when you can procrastinate on the web... My five favorites this week...

1. http://www.halfpricebooks.com/
   Their 20% sale is this weekend, need (okay, WANT) some new cookbooks, a style guide(maybe Chicago) and some really trashy sci fi (yes I have a problem)
   
   
2. http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/18/100-amazing-free-wordpress-themes-for-2009/
   Just found out that one of my sites does not display properly on IE (no comment) so, I am taking the opportunity to redesign the site... Wordpress is my drug of choice, so this list is putting me over the edge.
   
   
3. http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2009/05/printing-my-blog.html
   Speaking of blogs, I am thinking I need to make a pdf copy of my blog.. just for peace of mind.
   
   
4. http://foldingtrees.com/2008/10/paper-cake-card-box/
   I don't need it, can't think of any use for it, but I am dying to make one.
   
   
5. http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/29/julie-and-julia-gets-a-trailer/
   Just reread the book (for the 5th time) and am planning to try some new recipes from my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol 1... which I bought at Half Price books last month (and the circle is complete)

Commuter Survival: Week 5:18:2009

Sometime ago, while searching for extra time in my schedule, I realized my commute was potentially a gold mine of unused hours. Normally, I spent the time swearing at other drivers and gesturing like a mad woman, but with my IPOD and a never ending supply of Podcasts, my commute is now, all about uninterrupted listening pleasure.

This week's journey is centered around food, including two new books with historical food perspectives.


Watching What We Eat: The Evolution of Television Cooking Shows (from NPR)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104195001

Food of a Younger Land (interview on KUOW)
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=17567

Isaac Mizrahi on Splendid Table (5/16/2009)
http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/

Guess where I will be this weekend... the International Food Blogger Conference

In an effort to expand my horizons, seek out joy and find a new career and life that I love, I have begun taking classes, registering for events and seeking out new opportunities.

So far, I have been to book talks, taken a magazine class and attended a sewing workshop. This weekend, I have hit the jackpot, the International Food Blogger Conference in Seattle. I stumbled across this on Brown Paper Tickets and could not believe my luck, that is was in Seattle. I didn't think I just signed up and last week when I looked at the agenda, OMG, every event seems better than the last.

The event is sold out, but you can see the agenda and learn more about the event at http://ifbc.foodista.com/. Even more amazing, there will be Live Video Web Cast of the event.

I am just looking forward to absorbing all the info I can, there are going to be some amazing bloggers and writers, all in love with food.

The Master of Time, I am not.

When asked by a college professor, why I did not wear a watch, I told her that I thought time was a man-made construct created for the sake of keeping me down. She stared at me and not missing a beat, told me to get over myself. Harsh, but years later (many, many years later) as I continue to struggle with time and all its rules, I am finally ready to get over myself.

My constant struggle with time has made me weary while my many experiences with time have made me wise. All leading to the inevitable conclusion, that when it comes to time, you can either be its master, or its bitch. Harsh, but the fact is that the truth often sounds harsh when you have been in denial for years.

Over the years time has taught me the following lessons and now I am ready to put them into practice:

1. There is a reason; there is not enough time to do everything. Because if you are trying to do everything, you need to stop…now!
2. If you do not make time for the things that are important to you, than whose fault is that?
3. If you have time to worry about something, you have time to do something about it.
4. When it feels like time is fighting against you, consistency can be your greatest ally.
5. Watches and calendars are just tools, their usefulness or lack there of, are totally the responsibility of the user.
6. Lying about your age does not make you younger, it makes you a liar.
7. Your time is extremely valuable, so assign it a $ amount and spend it accordingly.
8. When it comes to navigating your time, let your priorities and goals be your guide.
9. Everyone has a 24 hour day, it is not the amount of time, but how you use it that matters.
10. Children and animals know more about the proper usage of time than just about every adult on the planet.