Bird by bird.

Reading Bird by Bird, by the ever brilliant, ever hysterical Anne Lamott. 

"I heard a preacher say recently that hope is a revolutionary patience; let me add that so is being a writer.  Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.  You wait and watch and work: you don't give up"

Anne Lamott. 

baked peach french toast

A baby shower for Elena Joy. Recipe found here.

A remedy for those bad apple days

It was an apple pie kinda night. 6" pie from Madison Park Bakery. One of the many new perks of my newly adopted neighborhood. 

“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness” 

Jane Austen.

Wisdom words: Miss Julia

You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.


Julia Child.

Peanut butter: timeless

My ultimate comfort/courage food. exactly what I'll be packing in my lunch for my first day of nannydom.

polk-a-dot.

On the bright side

things about me [that I sometimes wish weren't true]


1. I live in organized chaos [while I appreciate organization, when it comes to my own belongings, it just doesn't pan out that way]
2. I'm shy [often misconstrued as anti-social]
3. I'm anti-social [who are we kidding]
4. I hate running [or any exercise for that matter. minus dancing]
5. Drinking alcohol just makes me extremely sleepy [Night night Elisa]
6. When I have a moment of free time I over-book myself [in a brief moment of relaxation my most grandiose plans emerge]
7. I don't have the patience to journal
8. I'm overly critical/worrisome [if you ask me, the worst case scenario is always a very real and present possibility]
9. I can't stomach scary movies
10. I have no idea what I want to do with my life [the little fact that started this reflection]

On the bright side... there's always bakeries, travel, and friends. 

You are what you eat

Currently reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, purchased from the overstock table at Barnes and Noble.  I have to admit it's quite intriguing, and tremendously enlightening.  If you're interested in nutrition to any extent, I'd say give it a shot. 

It has me thinking about food. Whole food[s]. Not the high-end grocery store. But real food, no preservatives, locally grown, rich in nutrients, and flavorful in their rightful seasons.

My thoughts went immediately to three things: farmer's markets, gardens, and more specifically 'victory' gardens (in all their thoughtful propaganda). 

Maybe I'll take a look at Apartment Gardening by Amy Pennington.

Ms. Poppins. Soon to be Mrs.

New title: Nanny.

Today I accepted a job as a nanny for a family in Madison Park... five minutes from my new quaint apartment.  Coincidence? I like to think there's a higher source of intervention.  Not the typical career track for a college grad you may say, but for now it is a perfect fit, and as many college grads will understand, I am grateful for employment.  I don't boast a resume like that of Mary Poppins ["practically perfect in every way"], but I think I'm up to the challenge.

Oh and did I mention they have two dogs? Lucky me... 

"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun."

Mary Poppins.



Black and white.

If only life choices were so defined. Post graduating from college, it appears that the ample opportunities before me are anything but. The one exception that does rear its head with such clarity, is that awkward phone call in which the door of a recent employment endeavor is latched shut. Not slammed persay, but quite clearly not open for me to walk through.  I'm waiting for open doors. Or at least a glimpse through the window. Yes, a glimpse would be much appreciated. For now, I patiently, or rather not so patiently, wait eagerly and apprehensively on the other side.

Bouquets of sharpened pencils

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address"

Joe Fox. 

And of course... Fall fashion, New York. 

A stout cup.

Scottish + breakfast.  My favorite tea.

Torture/bliss.

The newly arrived J.Crew fall line.  Meant to inspire a sense of hope or defeat? We may never know. "Back to school" shopping? Oh if only...

Moving day.

OUR apartment. Today was filled with errands galore. fighting with a box-spring. and moving Brad into OUR first apartment.  I'm beyond excited to move in in three months... though I'm dreading my own moving process.

Cure for anything

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." 

Isak Dinesen.

'Take a sad song and make it better'

On the drive home from Seattle this evening I found myself listening to the soundtrack from Across the Universe - a playlist I vividly remember clinging to for comfort the day I moved out from under my parent's roof and into my new house at the University of Washington. I couldn't help being washed over with a sense of nostalgia.  That day four years ago, I listened to said Beatles covers as I mourned the loss of my childhood and the comfort of a home I had known since I was six.  I was terrified beyond belief of being on my own, fighting back tears with every breath. Ironically today, as those familiar songs filled my car, I grieved the very thing I had so dreaded: college, life in Seattle, roommates, even homework. Life goes by like that [insert finger snap]. 


I anticipate this coming season of life with indescribable joy and eagerness... mixed with a pinch of anxiety. I like to ignore and resist change as long as possible. It does not suit me well. But, as the song goes... "I get by with a little help from my friends". 

in a kitchen of my own.

This morning I am dreaming of the culinary events to take place in my soon-to-be charming (code: small) 1930's kitchen. Here are a few recipes that I am eager to attempt. I also have big dreams for small fabulous dinner parties. Oh how fun it will be.

"The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude."

Julia Child.

Recipes compliments of Joy the Baker blog. 

Breakfast:

Lavender and toasted walnut scones.

OR.

Gluten-free toasted coconut waffles with maple cream.

Lunch:

Fancy grilled cheese sandwiches.

Dinner:


Spicy vegetarian chili. 

 

Dessert/Drinks:

Peanut butter pecan biscotti.

Sweet tea bourbon cocktails.