Dear Best Friend,

Thanks for the ear muffs.  They're swell.

A Tree in Minnesota.

Take A Listen.

I found this song the other day when I tried to google Bella's Lullaby (sorry about the Twilight reference).  I hadn't seen the movie yet, but just finished the book, and was curious to see what the lullaby sounds like.  Turns out this video isn't the actual lullaby, but there seem to be many many people who made videos on Youtube with Twilight clips accompanying the song.  It's such a lovely tune, and I am actually glad it is not from the movie, so I can have it played in my wedding someday.

"River Flows In You" by Yiruma.

"Although there may be 

nothing new under the sun, 

what is old is new to us 

and so rich and astonishing 

that we never tire of it.

If we do tire of it, 

if we lose our curiosity, 

we have lost something 

of infinite value, 

because to a high degree 

it is curiosity that gives 

meaning and savour to life."
 
-- Robertson Davies

Chicago Snapshot

This guy is so precious to me.

KEVIN!!

Yesterday we drove around to some areas outside of Chicago.  We ended up near the neighborhood where Home Alone took place so decided to track down the actual house.  It was fun seeing it, and isn't it pretty?

To Chicago

I am off to Chicago for the weekend, so I figure a little Sufjan is appropriate. 
I am so ready to be on that plane right now.

"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens

Stellar Tee.

 

Astronomy Tee. 

As a child I wrote a letter to Hale-Bopp when it left.  

I also dreamt with total seriousness that I would be
the first woman to be married on the moon.

This tee is stellar.
(Pun intended.)

Faces of Coney Island

 

(Photos taken September 2010.  I love Coney Island.)

Work Today

My next statement may make some of you love me and some of you hate me.  Last week I began reading Twilight.  I know, I know.  I have not understood the hype of it, rolled my eyes when my dearest friends obsess over it, and changed the channel when the movie previews come on.  And then my co-worker insisted I give it a try and brought the book in for me.  

So here I am on page 192.  I admit it is an interesting read, and I find myself thinking about the plotline throughout the day more than I care to admit.  However, I may not be a huge Edward fan.  It's not necessarily the vampire part that turns me off; I'm all for a good sci-fi.  He just doesn't seem my type I guess - vampire or not.  He seems more like the needy, obsessive, has-to-have-his-way kind of boyfriend.  But I can't make my opinion official until I have at least finished book #1, so that's all I will say for now.  But let me just ask if there are any readers out there who are not Team Edward?  (I can't believe I just said that.)  Okay, enough about that.

Oh, and also that we just got this in at work to give away on our web site.  The girls went wild.

Tumbling Towers

When was the last time you played Jenga?  Welp, it was Saturday for me.

Okay, so we didn't actually play the game.  

We just played with the blocks.  It was fun.

december

My sister showed up in my inbox this morning with this:

So I responded with this:

Writing notes on a notepad, taking a picture, and e-mailing it is so much better than a text message, although it's a bit of a pain to write backwards.  I don't know how her's turned out so well.  Mine obviously needs some work.

Whatever your beliefs, 'tis the season to be jolly.  

Happy December everyone!!

J'ai Deux Amours

Isn't this song oh-so-pretty?  

I have never been to Paris, but this makes me miss it.

Madeleine Peyroux - "J'ai Deux Amours"

busted.

The photo up above is what our kitchen table normally looks like when we see it.  Then last Saturday we had all the blinds open, and the sun was hitting it just right, bringing out all that nasty dust you see in photo two.  I hadn't realized I need to dust the kitchen table, but I suppose that makes sense since we rarely sit on that side.  Not only did I see the dust, but also paw prints from our 45+ pound dog.  I couldn't help but laugh; he is too big to be walking on a table.  Plus there usually isn't anything but fruit up there during the day, so I'm not sure what would entice him to pounce on up there.  Perhaps he likes apples?  Perhaps he thinks he is a cat?  Ohh, I wish I had a doggy-cam.  (And please pardon the dust.) 

Thanks

To my main man, best friend, roommate, and love of my life, thanks for being.
To my sweet mom for dedicating 25+ years to raising my sisters and me.

To my sisters for being such lovely girls to look up to, to count on, to confide in, and to grow up with.

To my bestest friend for being there through it all, for the giggles and the tears, for all the adventures thus far, and all the adventures yet to come.

To my super cool dog for being super cool and making us so happy to have you.

To the new friends I have made and the old friends I have kept.

To my workplace for giving me paychecks and having full benefits.

To my work friends for keeping it interesting.

To the soldiers for fighting.

To the leaders for leading.

To the farmers for farming.

To the workers for working.

To the musicians for playing.

To the bloggers for blogging.

I know I am forgetting some, but these are 

some of the ones I would like to say thanks to.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

(Also good to know I have an acceptance speech ready, 

should I ever win a Grammy.  Cue the music. . .)

It's Here ! !

I am so excited that Thanksgiving Week is here!! We are kicking things off tonight with a Thanksgiving meal at friends' house, complete with turkey, stuffing, wine, and desserts.  I got up early this morning and baked a pumpkin pie (the first of three for the week :).  I didn't taste it yet, but it looked like it turned out pretty scrumptious.  I took my Thanksgiving spirit a little further and added a splash of egg nog to my pumpkin-flavored coffee.  It's like my own little latte.  Mmm.  Then to make things even better, I heard my favorite Christmas song on the way to work. You know, this one.  (To top that, I just watched the accompanying video (included in the link) and have a whole new respect for the song. Holy '80s!)   

Best friend gets in town from New York tomorrow, and I'm doing some night shopping with my sissy too.  Bryant and I are running a 5K Thursday morning (I think/hope), with two turkey meals scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening, followed by a favorite tradition of mine, The Plaza Lighting Ceremony.  Friday we are heading way up north for the rest of the weekend to eat, drink, and be thankful with Bryant's (super fun) family.  

Happy Thanksgiving Week to all!

Fall is Falling

right into our yard.  Those huge trees that have been glaring down at us since we moved in have finally given in to the cooler, windier weather conditions.

 Just in time for Thanksgiving.

We Are, Indeed, Dog People.

 

Hooray for Fab Art Events

My friend Emilie and I had the privelage of attending Turn On The Heat last weekend, and it was so so much fun. With three levels of local art, chili-tasting tables, live musicians, a freight elevator, sweet souvenirs to take home, and a splendid selection of people, I am already looking forward to next year's event.  Hooray for art (and freight elevators).

 

 

  

Lanvin for H & M

How much fun is this?!  Très.

What I Learned Today

Cinnamon Stick Tea is a disappointment.

I must make reading the books on my shelves a priority.

Sometimes Facebook is creepy.

I need to buy laundry detergent.

Apple pie is His favorite.

I will never give up on spending a summer in Spain.

Attitudes, indeed, are contagious.

I am going to run a 5K on Thanksgiving morning!
This may be the most magical holiday season yet.

Our Little Lap Dog

( + Handsome. )

Take a Listen.

I heard this song on the way to work this morning and think it is so lovely.  

This one has permission to be stuck in my head all day.

The Band Perry - "If I Die Young"

Weee, it's Friday!

[Coney Island, September 2010]

 

                       

"This nation will remain 

the land of the free 

only so long as it is the 

home of the brave." 

-Elmer Davis

Joy.

If it weren't 70 degrees today, I would be tempted to go ahead and watch a favorite holiday movie tonight.  But it is 70 degrees, so they will have to wait.

 

 I feel that hosting a holiday movie marathon is in my near future.  Oh, joy!

I Died. Thrice.

Saturday morning brought regular weekend activities with my favorite guy + dog.  After a trip to the store, the dog park, and the breakfast spot, we were ready to get home.  That is until we saw the sign for 50% off Estate Sale.  It had been going on since Thursday, so my hopes really weren't up.  And then!  There they were!  Two delightfully yellow accent chairs at least forty years old and in prime condition.  I died.

The sign above them said CHAIRS $20.  I died again, and then I tore the sign down so no one could take them from me.  I checked my wallet for $40 cash.  Yippy.  I dashed up the stairs to claim them, holding my breath they weren't on hold already.  When I told the man at the table I wanted them, he said that was fine and we could load them into the car through the garage.  Then he did the math: "$20 for the pair, and everything is 1/2 off today, so that will be $10."  HUH?  I died.  Eventually I forced a breath.  $10?  That's it?  My mind did a heel-click.  I gave the man his money and rushed to tell Bryant the news.

So we grabbed our $5 chairs, loaded them on top of the car, and drove away with a big smile on my face.

A Gray Day, A Grey Day

  

                   

I do love a good grey/gray.

F, as in

Everyone have a splendiferous Friday + Halloween weekend!