Pink of Perfection

image via retro renovation

Something tells me you dear readers share my deep and abiding love for Thanksgiving. On Sunday, window shopping in a fancy food shop with a friend, I suddenly got an anticipatory thrill so moving I hopped a little. Not up and down, but just up, once.

Thanksgiving wasn’t always my favorite holiday, but it became so when I was about 14. The day took on a hodgepodge element that made it more unpredictable party than overstuffed family function. My sister brought seemingly-glamorous (to a 14-year-old) college friends home, cousins in their 20’s would take the bus out to the country wearing black leather jackets, carrying cheese plates, and with a friend or two in tow, a fix-up could well be in the works, and a to-the-death game of Trivial Pursuit was a sure thing.

Things have settled down a bit over the years as attendees have grown up and coupled off. Sebastian makes a mean green bean casserole, my mom’s mashed potatoes are inspired, and there’s usually almost as much stuffing on my plate as I want. This year my sister is being held hostage in Montana. For the first time, I can’t count on her bloody marys and bold accessorizing. But two of my favorite eaters are driving up to sit at the long table, and I bring with me not a boyfriend but a husband. After the fast-paced flurry of a wedding, it will be good to sit down and have long chats with friends and family over a slice of pecan pie, a midnight bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy, and a glass of wine or five.

What’s Thanksgiving at your house like? Do you host? Is it friends, family, or both? A somber affair or an event where someone always dances on a table? Music for the table dancing after the jump…

Continue reading “Countdown to Turkey” »

Just a small post the Friday before Mother’s Day to say thank you to all of you for reading and leaving comments that are hilarious, sweet, and inspiring. I get such a kick out of what you have to say. Specifically, I have to thank Rebecca for her comment on the ribbon bookmark post. She suggested that the perfect life-affirming spring book was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and she couldn’t have been more right. Reading it, I felt exactly as she did: “I did not want it to end. I would live inside the book if it was possible.” There is such a wonderful sense of community and hope in this book; if you are in need of either of those things (to say nothing of characters so delightful you wish like hell they were real), pick it up. Because of other recommendations on that post from Lisa and Bernie, I also have Joseph Mitchell and The Blue Castle eagerly waiting on my bedside table. Thank you!

I am traveling out to my mom’s house this weekend to make a springy (yet still somewhat undetermined) Mother’s Day dinner. I’m thinking salmon with an herby Greek yogurt sauce, sugar snap peas, and possibly a big snowy coconut cake. But more on that soon, hopefully. Selfishly, I intend to raid my mom’s lilacs so I can delight you with yet more pictures of these fragrant harbingers of spring.

Lastly, I woke up with this song in my head this morning. It’s a little creepy, true, but it’s also sweet and, well, I just thought I’d share. (And just for the record, I do not think you belong to me, but I am continually delighted, amazed, and grateful that you swing by.) Happy Weekend!

this print by etui, which i finally framed as a birthday gift to myself

the launch party for colin hearts kay tonight!

photo via KatarzynaNowak
visiting a dear, old friend in an old country

this album, my soundtrack for spring

rereading persuasion after a facebook quiz said i am like anne elliot

blossoms everywhere

april showers

a world where Susan Boyle is a star.

you?

Les Couvent des Minimes Sugar Scrub with Honey and Shea;
AHAVA Multi-Vitamin Dry Oil in Mandarin - Cedarwood

How are your new year’s resolutions going? If one of your goals was to exercise more, or more consistently, allow me to help in the aerobic activity soundtrack department with some very awesome workout songs. This playlist is a collection of the songs that get me going again when I’m losing steam. If you like these songs and are always looking for new music, check out the very awesome Indie Soup Runner podcast.

Continue reading “January Mix Tape: Super Awesome Workout” »

If I confessed to not really being in the Christmas spirit this year, would you hold it against me? Perhaps with the economy the way it is (broke), some of you are feeling the same way. In times like this, the only way to perk up my spirits is with a little funkified carol action, as well as the Mariah Carey rendition of “All I Want For Christmas Is You“–a song so good, one of my friends listens to it year round, every morning, on her way to work. So my prescription to myself to get holiday is downloading this playlist and enjoying a bit of eggnog. Refill as necessary.

Continue reading “December Mix Tape: Christmas Cocktails” »

Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Continue reading “November Mix Tape: Turkey Style” »

How is it possible I forgot just how magical this time of year is? I am crushing so hard right now on the brisk mornings and the soft, bright light. The air makes me want to hop in my imaginary car wearing my new clogs and a soft sweater and just hightail it out of town, poking along country lanes and singing along with Aretha Franklin. I know I’m not the only one who has this urge. Following is an autumn road trip inspired playlist for journeys out of town both real and imagined, as well as all this month’s cooking (have you ever made farro risotto?) and craft (something pink) projects. I hope you have an inspired, restful, hilarious weekend!

Continue reading “Mix Tape for October: Music to Drive Out of Town To” »