Making Use...

The Week Begins

The blog has been a little quiet recently while I've been busy working on other projects.  Cooking, cleaning, album design, business planning...  On Friday evening my brother and sister came over for an impromptu taco feast by candlelight on the patio.  Selfishly, I would just like to thank Colorado and Maine for sending those two home to me.  Saturday there was a long walk for iced coffee and a dinner event at my husband's school, and on Sunday morning we went over to my parents' house for a pancake party.  Then I spent a few hours going through boxes in their basement, collecting books for me, childhood items for Flora, and tossing all kinds of lifetime mementos into piles for trash, recycling, and Goodwill.  

I am on a mission to purge and reorganize, which I know will feel great in the end but in the meantime turned me into a major grump for the afternoon.  Too much dust inhalation?  Or was it something about parting with all of those meticulous notebooks from college (and the strange sensation that I was, by extension, parting with my hard-earned--and expensive--education)?  In any case, I move forward.

My point, finally, is that all this desk time and spring cleaning seem to have kept me somewhat isolated from the news and general mindless wandering on the internet.  I haven't read a newspaper since our anniversary weekend and have only bookmarked two web stories since my last Monday post a couple of weeks ago.  So let's consider this week's offering to be "Monday Lite," since I am feeling a little... disconnected.  Lite like spring, okay?

-- I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about raising my daughter, which is actually a very different kind of thinking, going into her second year, than the keep-her-alive kind of thinking that consumes the first year of parenthood.  Suddenly I'm feeling a great deal of responsibilty in helping her become a little girl, in guiding her, teaching her, allowing her to blossom according to her nature, raising a citizen of the world.  Which is why this post on The Littlest blog really spoke to me.  I think it's time for a date with myself (plus a beverage, plus a notebook) in order to reflect on some of my intentions.  More to come about all of this mothering stuff on my other blog.

-- We recently acquired a new guest bed, trading our twin for a double, and I'm excited to have couples stay with us in comfort now!  This aquisition also means that we need new bedding.  I tend to be drawn towards ethnic-inspired textiles done in clean and simple ways, and to the colors blue and yellow.  The first look to catch my eye was this one, but I don't think I have any business spending that much money on a quilt for our guest bed.  Now I'm considering this option.  Any other ideas for me?  

-- I already have two of these.  Is three excessive?  It's just that dark peach sounds so summery.  And it's about the only lip treatment that meets my finicky standards (must feel about like Burt's Bees and be clean enough to eat).  

-- I have made a couple of dinners recently for my brother and sister-in-law since the arrival of their new baby.  I just remember how loved and nourished I felt when so many kind people in our community (school families, friends, photographers) brought us food in the weeks after Flora was born.  I'm trying to spread that love.  These chicken enchiladas were a big hit.  I sent them over with sides of brown rice and garlic/lime black beans, plus all kinds of heat-cutting garnishes (sour cream, avocado, chopped romaine, chopped tomatoes, scallions).  Yum.   

-- Just discovered this online magazine this evening (is there a hard copy out there, too?) and am working my way through it.  Is this new?  Am I late to the party?  I still prefer my magazines in my lap rather than on my monitor, but I'll take it.  

Also: you know one of the best things about warmer weather?  

Drinking coffee through a straw.

Self-portrait, Crozet, Virginia, March 23, 2012.  

Instagram.

Have a good week.  I'm prepping a big, beautiful wedding post.  Oh yeah.

3 Years In

Today I have been married for three years.  Todd and I high-fived in the kitchen this morning over that one.

Three years sounds to my ears like a long time, but if doesn't feel like it's been all that long.  

Except when I stop and think of all the things we've done since our wedding...  That's when it all adds up.  

We've bought an old house in town and a large piece of county land with a historic pool in the middle of it; we manage multiple businesses and properties; we've traveled many, many miles by planes, trains, and automobiles; we've made babies; we have grown separately together and together separately.  I've baked us so many countless trays of granola and Todd has made me watch shared with me a bazillion Washington Nationals' games.  In the past three years I have experienced my life's highest highs and lowest lows.  I am eternally grateful for the husband who has been right there with me.

Last year, for our second anniversary, we left our four-week old baby at home, sleeping soundly in the arms of her grandmother, and raced off to dinner at Bizou.  We sat side-by-side in a booth, just how we like it, and I probably had a glass of wine.  Because I was nursing full-time, we hurried back home after dinner only to find Flora still sound asleep and content.  That was the first time I'd left the baby.  I remember it was a strange thrill to sit with my husband in the restaurant, knowing that we had a kid back at home, feeling free and full and content with the richness of our life.  

This year we decided to go away for a night.  While we've both traveled away from home for at least a couple of nights throughout the year, this would be only the second time we've been away overnight together.  We thought about going to this city or that, researching inns and hotels, music venues and possible itineraries for a Saturday night without a child.  In the end we realized we'd have just as much fun staying in Charlottesville, going to dinner downtown, seeing a show at the Jefferson, and waking slowly in the morning.

I booked us a room at the South Street Inn and on late Saturday afternoon we caught the free trolley a block from our house and made the short commute to the Downtown Mall.  Within 20 minutes of our departure we were checked into our room, laying on the bed eating homemade cookies with a fire flickering in the fireplace.  "Thank God we finally made it," we teased.

We ate dinner at The Whiskey Jar and then went to see the Cowboy Junkies play at the Jefferson.  

His:

Hers:

Ten and a half years ago, when we were just on the cusp of relationship territory, Todd and I watched the Cowboy Junkies for about 45 seconds.  We had taken a group of Field Campers to Yellowstone National Park for a week of western adventure, and on our last night we went out for pizza in Bozeman, Montana.  The Junkies were playing at a venue down the street and we left the group out front and managed to poke our heads in the back of the dark theater just long enough to make a memory and a silent commitment to catch full concert someday in the future.  So there we were on Saturday night, sitting in the upper, upper balcony, being lulled to sleep (in the best possible way) by Margo Timmins' voice.  I took this picture during Sweet Jane:

We ducked out early (because I was ready to lay down on the floor and close my eyes while grooving--apparently it's been a while since I've been out to hear live music and I'm woefully out of practice) and split a nutella/banana crepe on our way back to the inn.  Why do crepes taste so good after 10 o'clock at night?

The next morning was sunny and warm-ish, so we loaded up trays full of Greek yogurt, granola, fat red strawberries, lemon poppyseed bread, some other kind of yummy bread, hard boiled eggs, cups of hot coffee--and then added fresh orange scones that had just come out of the oven--and took a newspaper to the front porch where we ate and read.  It was just like old times.  Those old times when you could read a whole paper in one sitting, drink two cups of coffee, and eat slowly and mindlessly.  When the wind made us too chilly we took the remainder of the paper back to bed, with more fresh chocolate chip cookies, where the fire was still going.  Finally I realized we had to checkout of all this luxury--and soon!

We walked to the transit station and caught another trolley back home, just in time to put Flora down for a mid-day nap.  

I kept saying to Todd, "this is so fun," and I really meant it.  We were tourists in our own town, sort of, and it felt kind of goofy and kind of amazing.  Our baby is the best thing ever (ever!) and she sleeps like a champ, but it was still nice to steal away for a night, to do a few things we used to do (like go see a live show and read the Sunday paper over breakfast), and especially to do it so locally and conveniently.  My favorite parts were the fireplace in our room, the slow breakfast, and the late-night crepe.  Todd's favorite parts were the drive time and something too delicate to mention here.  

In sum?

Staycation in your hometown?  I highly recommend it.

Marriage to your best partner?  I highly recommend it.  

Todd and Mere, Three Years In, Charlottesville, VA, March 2012

The Week Begins

Been quiet here on the blog for a couple of weeks as we had some major sickness run through our household plus other life and work obligations that kept me from my desk.  I'm happy to report that the vomiting has ceased, the baby is joyful, the mother can breathe from her nose again, the daffodils are poking through, and all is well in this tiny corner of the world.  

-- This weekend Todd and Flora celebrated their birthdays.  As I whisked up semi-sweet chocolate ganache frosting for their cake on Saturday morning, I realized I was so excited about the sweet little birthday party we had planned for the afternoon, and for the dinner date for me and my love that evening.  I have a new favorite day all year and it falls in early February.  I think I've been looking forward to baking Flora's birthday cake since she arrived last year, and it turned out beautifully.  It was a simple chocolate cake with choclate frosting, but I made it myself, infusing it with all my motherly and wifely love, and I was proud to serve it to my family and friends on Saturday.  The recipes I used for cake and icing were torn together from a Real Simple magazine sometime in the last 12 months.  Because we all know: if a recipe is not real simple, Meredith's not even going to bother!

-- On Facebook last month I saw a link to this letter that John Steinbeck wrote to his son in 1958.  His son was a young teenager who had written home to announce that he'd fallen in love at boarding school, and Steinbeck replies in the most thoughtful, respectful, and loving way that any adult could.  I appreciate how he honors his child's feelings and encourages him to "glory in it [...] and be very glad and grateful for it."  

-- Also on the subject of love, sort of.... I enjoyed this post from tulips & flight suits about being single.  I think Mary's advice is prudent not only for those who haven't yet started the life they hope to live, but also for those of us who have.  Whether you are single or married, content or searching, I feel it's always a good idea to embrace your life as it is, to surround yourself with beauty and good people, and to focus on what you have and what you can do with that.  Sounds trite, I know, but it is a scientific fact that a large part of being happy is making yourself happy.  (That's another post).

-- I watched this video recently and really enjoyed it.  Iceland looks so unbe-freakin-lievably stunning.  I think I must go there.  Interesting soundtrack, too.

-- Finally, returning to the subject of being happy, I started a new board on Pinterest last week.  I call it "MerryMakers" and it's just a collection of things that make me happy and lift my spirits, so that if I'm ever in need of a simple pick-me-up I can look at it and be made merry.  I can also use it as a reminder that going out for coffee, baking some cookies or granola, kissing a baby, etc... would probably be a wise move to improve a sour mood instantly.  I plan to continue adding to this board and ask that you consider making one also.  Share it here in the comments so that I (and others) can be made merry by the things you love, too!

I hope you have a heart-warming week.    

First Birthday Cake, Charlottesville, VA, February 4, 2012.  

Instagram.

The Week Begins

Just in the nick of time!  My Monday post for late Monday night.  

We had another wonderful, unscheduled weekend.  Long walks in the sunny cold for cups of coffee.  Mushroom barley soup simmering in my green soup pot.  A late night movie with my man.  And, unexpectedly, a long conversation about our future that involved a 9-year plan and a online search of dreamy properties!  It made me kind of excited in ways I did not anticipate.  

"Dinosaur Bones," Charlottesville, VA, January 15, 2012.

Instagram.

Here are a few other points of interest:

-- Last Monday night my sister came over to watch the Bachelor with me.  We don't watch much tv around here (except Downton Abbey, 60 Minutes, Jeopardy, and random episodes of whatever might be on HGTV or the Cooking Channel---but still, not a lot of regular programming, sitcoms, dramas, etc).  But I do have a habit of watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette series.  I find this television show to be so mindless and entertaining.  My husband is no fan, however, so when I say things like, "Oh my gosh, these woman need to stop saying, 'I'm actually more like  a guy than a girl...'" he doesn't even look up from his laptop to see what I'm fussing about.  Which is why it's really wonderful to have a sister in town who will come over and get sucked into mindless television with you.  Because watching these ridiculous shows (seriously, who would agree to share 1 man with 24 other woman???  It's sick.) is far more fun with a couchmate who cares.  Or kind of cares.  Anyway, all of this is to say that last week I made chicken and dumplings for our tv dinner, following this recipe, and I thought you might like it for cold nights in front of the tube.  Ellie and I agreed that next time we would add some veggies to the final pot in order to up the nutritional ante, but overall it was quite tasty and comforting.  

-- For Thanksgiving 2010 Todd and I drove to Austin, TX and back, which was perhaps one of my most memorable vacations ever (because I was blissfully pregnant and we ate good food and went somewhere new every day, not because of the food poisoning, which was also memorable).  We just happened to arrive in Dallas on the evening of the anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination, and that prompted a great study (mostly via the passenger's seat and a hand-held Blackberry) of historical evidence, conspiracy theories, and various Wikipedia entries.  On November 21st of this year we watched this short video on the New York Times website.  It made my heart pound at first.  Watch it to the end.

-- This past week I have seen quite a bit of Twitter discussion about proper crediting for photographers (and anyone who deserves credit for the creation of an image/scene).  Between blogs and Pinterest, there is an awful lot of un-credited imagery floating around out there on the web, and it certainly is a pet peeve of mine.  This handy diagram is a useful tool for anyone who thinks about posting images online that they did not actually create themselves.  You can do it, of course, but do it well!

-- Nothing But Bonfires published a comprehensive list of the books she read in 2011, complete with short reviews of each title, and her list has inspired me to get to the library and pick up some new books (or books on tape)!  I only read Bossypants of her picks from the last year (actually, I listened to it in my car at the end of the summer), though I've read and loved other books by several of the authors she lists, so I'm pretty sure I will enjoy most of her selection.  How about you?  What are you reading and recommending?

Okay, that's only four points of interest... but it's my bedtime.  

Tomorrow--a wedding on the blog!  Late summer loveliness.

The Week Begins

Happy Monday to you!  How was your weekend?  Mine was great.  The weather was balmy.  I know it makes me pretty unpopular to say this, because my Facebook friends seem to love the warmer temps, but I say: Charlottesville?  This winter is L-A-M-E!  I would like a snow storm, please.  Otherwise, we watched Midnight in Paris, installed a baby gate at the bottom of our staircase, took a couple of long walks, went out to breakfast, and yesterday I met with a bride and groom.  A nice, relaxed weekend.

Hot Chocolate and Cookies, Para Coffee, Charlottesville, VA.

Instagram.

Here's some Monday links for your lunch hour: 

- Remember when I said DVDs are a tried-and-true Christmas gift?  Well, this year I gave my sister season 1 of Downton Abbey, that Masterpiece Classic Drama about English aristocracy and their servants before World War 1.  I thought it would be a good series to watch together, and I happen to be something of a (self-described) scholar of the "English Country Estate" genre, as I like to call it.  Turns out half the family had already seen seaon 1 on PBS, but that didn't stop us from watching all seven episodes again!  Anyway, season 2 debuted last night.  This New York Times review of the coming season describes season 2 as I would expect.  It's just television; I enjoyed it!

- When I was a kid I was fairly obsessed with the Jill Krementz books A Very Young Gymnast and A Very Young Dancer.  The stories profile two ten-year old girl committed to gymnastics and ballet (respectively) and show, through black and white photographs and fairly short written descriptions, the hard work the girls invested and the opportunities that resulted over the course of a year in their lives.  I was a super disciplined young thing, and took ballet classes for over 10 years, so these stories really spoke to my childhood self.   Although a perfectly fine dancer, I was neither especially talented nor did I grow up in NYC, with the opprotunities for instruction and performance like these girls.  But that's probably why the books were so appealing to me.  It was like a 10-year old's wholesome fantasy about being a professional ballerina, or a marine biologist (Wouldn't that be a good book?!  A Very Young Whale Scientist?  Someone please do that story...).   Sometime around Thanksgiving I found myself thinking about those stories, wondering if my books were packed up somewhere in my parents' basement, wondering what those girls did today.  So I looked on Google and lo and behold, I was not alone in my wondering.  The New York Times had just published a follow-up story on Stephanie, the very young dancer.  Her story, to my surprise, is more about the fallout of childhood stardom (an apparent pitfall even for literary and art-world "stars"), and the search for identity and happiness.  Bravo to Stephanie for telling the full story now, and not hiding under the weight of her own shame and disappointment.  Honestly, how many of us actually live out our childhood dreams?  I mean, there can only be so many marine biologists in the world...  Torrance York, by the way, the young gymnast, is now a professional photographer.  Who knew?!

- Flora and I like to listen Acoustic Sunrise on 91.9 WNRN in the mornings while eating breakfast.  Sometimes we hear things that make her baby heart really mellow, and I know a morning nap is soon to follow her full belly.  Loney Dear, for example, is quite effective.  Also, this song, written and performed by Matraca Berg.  You may know the Kenny Chesney/Grace Potter version from mainstream radio.   We like this version better.

- I want to do a little recap of some of the things I've mentioned here on Monday blogs previous.  Remember these shoes?  Well, I decided against them.  I liked them, but they did wear a bit clunky, as one commenter pointed out, and I thought they felt like cowboys boots--which I already have.  So I returned them and bought these, instead, which I've been wearing all winter.  These little booties are more comfortable on the foot, a bit more streamlined in profile, and look! they're on sale now.  And remember when I wrote about pickles from Brooklyn?  I long-ago finished both my jars and I must say I preferred the McClure's over Brooklyn Brine.  McClure's Garlic Dill variety is super pickley flavorful and really crunchy and pretty much a perfect pickle to my tastebuds.  So if anyone wants to split a case with me (25 jars!) just let me know.  And finally, remember when I talked about listening to books on tape while editing at my desk?  I've been doing it.  Not all the time, but I've listened to three or four books since October, which is certainly more than I've read!  Some of them were fine but not particularly worth mentioning, but one book that I really, really enjoyed was Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson.  It's a true story about wreck divers off the coast of New Jersey in the early '90s who discover, and then spend years identifiying, a WWII German U-Boat, when no records in the world seem to indicate that a boat should be in that location.  A truly fascinating story, and one that really moved me.  Highly recommended.    

- Finally, my friend and regular second shooter, Maggie Stein, was interviewed in December by Andrea of Easily Amused and I found her whole concept of how to find friends, make friends, and be a friend really interesting and useful.  There is heavy mention of the phrase "socially aggressive," a quality which Maggie recommends adopting as an effective way to express your intentions to others and see immediate results.  When I told Maggie that I wanted to link to the interview in one of these posts, she seemed surprised and a little hesitant at first.  Apparently some people had a negative impression of  the idea of being socially aggressive.  On the contrary, I think the whole interview is insightful and eye-opening.  I would rarely describe myself as "aggressive" when it comes to social interraction (especially when new people are involved), but I can see how pushing oneself to be more assertive, intentional, or direct about wanting to spend more time with someone, or wanting a particular outcome, would be useful and productive when pursuing personal and professional relationships and goals.  And, frankly, isn't almost irresistble to be pursued in this way?  I know for a fact that both Todd and Maggie came after me with very clear-sighted and open communication about their intentions and belief in the strength and future or our relationships, and now one is my husband and the other works for me in the studio!  Success!  Check out the interview as there will probably be some nugget of inspirational gold to carry into your new year.

Have a great week! 

Christmas Eve Tried-And-True Gift Guide

I'm happy to say that I finished up all my Christmas shopping on Wednesday evening.  Now I just have a bit of wrapping to do this morning.  But if you are still in search of a gift or two, here are a few thoughts that have been swirling around my head this holiday season about what makes a great Christmas present. 

1.  Books - We always have lazy afternoons on Christmas Day, after opening presents and feasting on a big brunchy meal (with champagne).  So after the wrapping paper has been crunched into a trash bag, and your dad has stoked the fire, and you've made yourself a cup of tea, it's so nice to curl up on a soft leather sofa with a sleeping dog and a new book.  I try to always ask for at least one book, whether it's a cookbook, a photo book, or a novel, so that I'll be almost guaranteed have something interesting to flip through on Christmas.  But if it's not my own, someone in the house will have something new to read.  Note: this year I am giving at least one book on Christmas Day.

2.  DVDs - As the day turns to night, we usually find ourselves together in front of the fire.  And heaven help us that we don't have to watch football!  Sometimes we turn on an old movie, like Meet Me in St. Louis.  Last year my dad received the HBO series The Pacific and the whole family watched the first several episodes together in the dark.  I find war stories so hard to see, sometimes, but Todd and I ended up getting pretty hooked.  In fact, the final weeks of my pregnancy last winter are defined in my memory by late nights on our sofa, devouring every episode of The Pacific and Band of Brothers after my parents had finished with them.  A couple years ago I gave Todd Season 1 of Mad Men, just so that we could watch it at the cabin over the holidays.  Note: this year I am giving at least one series on DVD because I want to watch it on dark, Christmas nights.  Self-serving, maybe?  But I think it will go over well.

3.  Edibles - Food is always a great gift, especially homemade treats or specialty items that we wouldn't necessarily buy for ourselves.  Carter and Maggie have historically done this really well.  One year Maggie gave us her pancake mix and now that's all we eat (I've been mixing up her recipe ever since, I mean).  She also has given tall jars of granola (also my standard recipe these days).  And in the past Carter and Maggie used to make the most delightful gift baskets laden with homemade bread or pie, artisan bacon, grainy mustard, local honey, hand-mixed spice rub, etc.  Charlottesvillians, I like to buy specialty food items at Foods of All Nations or Feast.  Note: this year I have already gifted several jars of Jam According to Daniel.  And many bags of my favorite cookies.  

4.  Photographs - This one is kind of a no-brainer if you are a) a photographer or b) a parent.  This year I am both.  In the past I have given framed and matted prints of my photograpahs, though sometimes I find this gift to be tricky.  You have to be pretty certain that the recipient actually wants one of your photographs, or else you look like an ass cocky person.  If you give the gift of art and it's prepared to hang on the wall, you want to be sure that the person to whom you are giving your art actually wants to hang it on their wall.  Otherwise an awkward situation arises.  Either choose a really neutral, crowd-pleasing image, or give it to your parents because they'll love most anything.  And if it's a photograph of your child, the gift is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit with all family members and honorary aunties.  Note: I am giving at least one photograph of my child to at least one person this Christmas.  

5.  Unique Find - The gift of something unique and found is hard to come by at the last minute, except that sometimes your desperation to find a gift leads you to unusual places (like a thrift store, or even a jumbo discount shop) or opens your eyes to a different kind of gift.  This year Bean gave me a perfect example of a unique find:  A lobster tea cup.

Uniquely found at an antique store and perfect for me because sometimes I drink my tea from my collection of mis-matched china cups, and even more perfect because it has a big red lobster painted on one side and fisherman in his boat on the other and the whole thing screams of Maine, discovery, quirkiness, and being known and loved.  Well done, Bean!  She also pointed out that it has a slightly masculine feel so that when Todd has tea with me he can use the manly cup.  (Whatevs, I'm drinking from the lobstah).  Note: this year I did scrounge up a couple of unique finds, but none of them is quite as cool as the fine china lobster tea cup.  

Good luck you last-minute shoppers.  Remember, it really is the thought that counts.  So if you don't see an item that feels right for your recipient, just write a nice card to tell them how much you love them and wish that person well in the new year.  Hugs and kisses go a long way, too.  

Merry Christmas Eve and peace to you.  

The Week Begins

Oops.  I realized earlier this afternoon, while plowing through work on my desktop, that today is Monday and I had not prepared a quick post for your reading pleasures. 

First off, how was your weekend?  Mine was great.  Simple and great.  It involved a couple of good naps, a couple of long walks, and a big cheese burger and fries at Boylan Heights on Sunday afternoon.  I do love my little family.

Racing By Banana Groves, St. Lucia, March 2007

- A week or so ago my dad sent around a link to the New York Times Travel story about the Caribbean Island of Bequia.  Little Seal spent some time there in the mid-2000s and I spent about three days there at the start of my 2007 sailing sojourn.  The photographs conjur up all kinds of memories for me, not just of Bequia, which I hardly got to know, but of the Eastern Caribbean in general where the colors and textures are pretty consistent from island to island.  The accompanying article is interesting, too, though the author describes Bequia as an antidote to the usual Caribbean resort experience, which is not one that I know, having only ever visited the islands by sailboat.  

- Todd and I are big 60 Minutes fans and I found this recent piece about Vincent Van Gogh especially intruiging.  What do you think?  Are you convinced about the new death theory?  I read Irving Stone's Lust for Life the summer I was 14, wrote my college admissions essay about a visit to the Musee d'Orsay in search of Van Gogh, and studied more than a few semester's worth of 19th-Century French painting in college.  So you can see where my interest would be piqued.  Part 2 here.  

- Though not exactly a seasonal recipe, I've been making variations of Giada's Tuscan salad for a couple of weeks now, ever since catching an episode of Everyday Italian where she whipped it up so enticingly.  (Note: for Christmas I would like Giada's chopping knife and manicure).  These days I'm really into red leaf lettuce, which is firm and crisp, and have replaced the cannellini beans with dried cherries (cherries!  not cranberries!), eliminated the green beans and olives, and swapped an herby goat cheese for the parmesan.  So, basically, it's an entirely different salad.  But I'm swearing by the slivery-est slivers of red onion, the fresh-squeezed lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil!  The original version is really good, too. FYI.  

- Last month I sold a 30"x30" mounted fine art print to a local buyer.  Did you know that most of my work is available as fine art in limited editions?  Did you know that art is a wonderful (the best?!) holiday gift?  You still have ONE WEEK to get your holiday order in for an original photographic print by Meredith Montague.   And if Chrismahanukwanzakah is non-issue for you, you can place your order ANY TIME.  Just email me for details.  

- At the debut of this series I said something about wanting to share things I found interesting, yummy, pretty, etc.  And while I am about to describe a pair of Keen boots that are in no way "pretty" (at all), I am so attached to these hard-working shoes that I just have to give them a shout-out.  In 2006 I went to Maine Sport in Camden to buy a pair of Blundstones.  But I tried on the Blunnies and didn't love them.  They were just okay.  Then I saw these Keen boots and decided to give them a whirl.  Like the Blunnies, they also pulled on without laces.  Like the Blunnies, they were also brown.  Unlike the Blunnies, it turned out I loved them.  The fit is a bit strange--they are kind of boxy and loose around my foot--but they have never given me blisters and I have been wearing them devotedly three seasons out of the year for 5 years now.  My boots have white paint splattered on the toe from painting the Union Hall Gallery before a student show.  I've worn them on countless hikes and walks.  They're the easiest outdoorsy shoes ever.  And I think they are pretty much indestructible.  I should point out, however, that my exact pair is no longer available.  Mine are dark brown and don't have an insulating lining.  But if I ever have to replace them, I know what to get.   

Have a great week.  I've got some sweet-love engagement portraits to share.  

The Week Begins

Last week the regularly scheduled programming here was interrupted by a quick, 40-hour trip to New York City, which encompassed all of Monday and for which I granted myself a blogging vacation.  Because, obviously, I've been doing so much blogging in recent weeks months.  I needed to rest, people. 

Flat Iron Baby, New York, NY, October 31, 2011.

Last Saturday, which began with morning snow showers, I photographed a fun wedding at UVA and then on Sunday F. and I drove to DC, picked up Rose, and headed on to Manhattan.  On Monday we had breakfast at Eataly, lunch in Bushwick, and--our reason for the trip--a bon voyage dinner with our friend Pri before she moves abroad for the next 2 years (note: look forward to an upcoming family adventure in a tidy little Asian city-state)!  Then it was back to work for the rest of the week.

This weekend I photographed a wedding with Jen at King Family Vineyards and when I returned home afterwards my husband had whipped up some homemade butternut squash soup accompanied by ABC's Apple Cider Bread.  Yum.

Hope your weekends have been full of adventure and deliciousness.

- I once saw this show on the Food Network called "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."  It was the snacks episode and the whole show was chefs describing their favorite snack.  Ever.  One man--I don't know my chefs--talked about pickles.  I can't remember now if it was McClure's or Brooklyn Brine.  But it was pickles, made in Brooklyn, and it was the best snack he ever had and I thought, "YES!"  So last summer, when I was 8-weeks pregnant with my love child and photographing in Manhattan, I asked Yvonne to find me these pickles.  She bought me a jar of each kind and I hauled them home on the train.  This past Monday we were wandering around Brooklyn, the love child now strapped to and sleeping against my chest, and I bought more pickles.  So far I have three spears left in the McClure's jar and then it's onto Brooklyn Brine.  These things are go.oo.ood if you enjoy pickles.  

- In 2002, Ellie, Bean, and I spent a couple of days in a rented apartment in Vernazza, Italy, one of five hillside towns that makes up the scenic Cinque Terre.  This past week my beloved travel agent, Rochelle, posted a link on her Facebook page to Rick Steve's pictures of Vernazza following the recent flash floods.  Looks awful.  Hope they can dig out from the mud by next spring when the American college students will be en route!

- Two weeks ago, when the weather was turning colder and my nose was getting sniffly, I made a big pot of Nell Newman's chicken soup.  My mom used to make this recipe when I was in high school and there is something about this combination of ingredients, plus the exceptional stock, that feels so healthy and nutritious.  It's the freshest tasting chicken soup ever.  Possibly.  Try it this winter and let me know what you think.  (If you click on the link above it takes you to the book's listing on the Barnes & Noble website, but the recipe is listed there as a sample.)

- My friend Meredith McKee, who has a budding photography and design business here in Charlottesville, was quoted in a recent Washington Post article about student entrepreneurs.  My husband and I have three businesses and one non-profit between us so we clearly embrace the entrepreneurial model and  have been known to encourage one or two under-employed young people to start their own business in this economy.  The article is interesting and definitely worth a read, especially if you happen to be an under-employed young person.

- And, finally, speaking of young people making their own way, my cousin Meg's jewelry designs were highlighted last month in the Hook's fall wedding issue.  One of Meg's pearl bracelets dominated the cover photo and then several of her pieces, plus a little write-up, were included in a feature story about bridal accessories.  This special issue will be on newsstands throughout the season and you can also check out and buy Meg Hannan Designs at her etsy shop.  I have the turquoise wrap teardrop earrings in gold and LOVE them.  Simple yet striking and lightweight, too.  She does custom designs, as well.  

More this week.  I can almost promise it.  

The Week Begins

Thanks for all the nice feedback on my Monday series.  While some of my posts take a lot of time to prepare (lots of words... lots of images...) I find this collection of links to be pretty speedy to throw up here and am so far  impressed that I'm on week 3 already.  Go me.  Also, it sounds like a longer post about traveling in style and my tips for doing so might be of interest to some of you.  I'll try to make that happen.  

This weekend was busy busy.  I had two portrait sessions and second-shot a wedding with Jen Fariello and on Sunday morning Meg came over for brunch and a walk in the sunshine.  On Friday evening, Flora, Mom, and I attended the opening performance of the Crozet Spirit Walk just as the sky darkened to night.  We carried hot chocolates from Mud House and pushed a bundled baby in her stroller until she grunted loud enough to be carried.  At the end of the tour she became riveted by the "strolling yodeler" character and watched him, eyes transfixed and arms out-stretched, as he strummed and sang to the crowd in a voice she knows so well.  Girl loves her daddy.

- Have you heard this song by Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers?  It's downright catchy, for sure, but it also sounds unmistakably like a reworked version of Cecilia.  Melodic homage or appropriation?

- We cook with olive oil probably every day in our household, though I admit to being pretty ignorant about our oil's sources and standards.  This NYT article from the past week really piqued my interest in exploring California olive oils.  Tasting party, anyone?

- Miranda July is possibly a genius and this video (and her solution to the plight of the easily distracted) made me laugh out loud.  Imagine how EFFECTIVE!

- I am taking my love child to New York City in the near future.  It will be her first foray into deeply urban culture, and my first time taking an infant to a big city.  Any tips for NYC with a baby?  We'll be driving in so I plan to bring her travel crib (super lightweight and easy to fold and pack) and travel stroller (lives in the back of the car and is, again, super lightweight and folds, one-handed, in a second).  But would it be better to wear her?  Where do you change diapers in the city?  Are restaurants cool about babies?  Even the teeny four-tables-and-no-toilets kind of restaurants?  I guess I'm about to find out...

- A month or two ago I decided to get me some new spectacles.  I have been wearing the same eye glasses (when I wear my glasses...) since, I don't know, 2005 or something?  It was time for a new look.  I had read about Warby Parker on Design Mom and was totally sold by the fact that you can order 5 different frames, free of charge, and they will send them to your house for you try on for a week.  How fun?!  So I picked a range of styles and colors and when my frames arrived I gave Todd an eye glasses' fashion show of various looks around the theme of "sexy-librarian-meets-Revenge-of-the-Nerds".  A few days later we did it all again, just to be sure.  Turns out we agreed on the same pair.  "Preston" in Whiskey Tortoise.  Just $95 to put my prescription in these geek glasses and the company even gave a pair away to someone in need.  Pretty darn cool.  You can see my new look below.

Have a great week.

Morning in our chair, Charlottesville, VA, September 8, 2011.  

The Week Begins

I'm going to try something new.  Many of the blogs I read have Friday wrap-ups, where the blogger will post links to interesting things discovered on the web that week.  I suppose these links are to tide the readers over until regular posting resumes on Monday?  

What I have always noticed, however, is that my readership tends to fall off on the weekend and pick back up come Monday morning.  Do you know what this trend tells me?  It tells me that my readers have interesting, active lives that take them out into the world during the weekend.  But come Monday, when they are back at their desks, there is always some time to return to their favorite websites and blogs, even for a few mintues, for a workday distraction.

So here's what I would like to do: 

On Mondays I would like to begin a little series for my readers.  Some lite reading for the lunch hour.  Links to all things interesting, pretty, yummy, or worth-sharing that I have come upon in the last week.  Nothing profound.  But hopefully a bit of this-and-that to help make the Monday morning return to your desk just a smidge more bearable exciting! I want this series to be interactive, creating an exchange of ideas and discoveries.  I will pose questions and hope that you'll respond.  At least every once in a while...

We'll start with a weekend recap.  

On Saturday I drove to Lewisburg, West-by-God-Virginia* with Maggie, my multi-talented second shooter, to photograph a pretty spectacular farm wedding.  Yellow leaves on the trees, short dresses with cowboy boots, shotguns, home-grown flowers, a locally sourced menu, and a bride and groom in love love love.  Maggie and I had a blast.  After Saturday's late night drive back home, we in the pink house had a lazy Sunday morning.  In the afternoon we took Flora to the park and pushed her in a baby swing for the first time.  She squealed while I recorded the moment on the iPhone.  Such a 2011 mommy move!

What did you do?

--  On Sunday night I made this fall salad for dinner using butternut squash.  Paired with grilled Alaskan salmon it made for a fantastically tasty and nutritious meal.  I'm going to try it again with pumpkin.  Also, I tossed the arugula with some fresh lemon juice and olive oil before topping it with the other ingredients.  Yum!

--  Every spring and fall I like to think about a handful of items (no more than 5, ideally, and that includes accessories) that I can purchase to add to my wardrobe to make it fresh for the season.  So far this fall I bought a pair of high-waisted skinny cords that are surprisingly flattering and these boots.  Haven't worn them yet but I think they might be just right.  Except that they are suede.  I love suede, but it is not always the best material for winter weather, right?  Any ideas where I can find something similar but non-suede? 

--  Bread and Roses was a song we used to sing at Step Sings at Bryn Mawr.  This article about contemporary feminism really tickled my Mawrtyr bone.  "Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too."  Check it out.

--  I still can't get over this song.  The combination of melody and lyrics is just killer.  Achingly so.  Right up there with Hallelujah for the emotional punch it packs in one performance.   

--  Finally, I just started listening to books-on-cd while editing photographs.  I don't know why I didn't think to do this sooner.  I find that I stay so focused on my pictures while simulatenously "reading" a new book.  Genius!  Better than listening to music, I tell you!  Listening to podcasts is also a pretty effective way to engage more parts of my brain while working, but spending so many hours invested in a single story is especially effective, not to mention rewarding.  Last week I finished listening to this story.  Oh my goodness.  It was so excellent.  An unbelieveable testament to the strength of man in the face of mankind's very worst.  I highly recommend that you check it out.  I'm now going to the library every week or so to pick up new books-on-cd and have accumulated quite a list of titles.  What have you read recently that you recommend?

Okay, that's it for now.  Have a wonderful week!  Next up on the blog will be a beautiful, late spring wedding at King Family Vineyards!

*Todd, WV born and bred, uses this expression all the time and so I've adopted it.  Marital right.