Walkabout

Crocus already in bloom, and a cute cement snail.

It has been beautiful weather lately, and in keeping with my losing weight in a normal, natural way I've been attempting to have us walk to more places.  Unfortunately the days are still shorter, but when we do catch it right (particularly on the weekends), it's been great to walk the 10 blocks up to a favorite cafe or to the farmer's market.

Nora heartily enjoys it, because she gets worn in the sleepy wrap.  It's cozy, and she gets to nap curled up against her daddy.  It's a win-win. 

Painted ladies!

Two of the large art museums here in Charm City are not very far from my home and I'm looking forward to taking walks there later this spring.  It's nice to get out and stroll again like I did in England.  Walking is great both for taking in fresh air, and for exercise, as it provides great low impact exercise.

Alert but calm.

I encourage you to get out today and see what you can explore just walking about your own area!

A Mansion and An Abbey

Today I dragged G to a book sale at an estate.  Everything there (pretty much) was for sale.  It was held at an currently empty mansion (it went up for sale this summer, but no takers), a beautiful estate with the main sitting room area twice the size of my friend's apartment.  Huge rooms, beautiful stairway with the wood worn gently from hands gliding down it.  Honestly if we weren't already in this house, and if we by chance had a spare $1.5 million lying around, I'd be eager to buy it.  Ahem.  (perhaps we can play the lottery?)

We ended up with 11 books, which they were selling for a dollar a piece, including 3 Bobsey Twin novels from the 1930's and an old copy of A.A. Milne's "Now We Are Six."  I also picked up a lovely leather bound book about the French Revolution.

In one of the rooms I saw a huge tray, and immediately asked them how much it was.  They said they'd have to wait for the guy running the thing to determine, but finally later told me that the lowest they could go was $20.  Um, sold!  I brought it home, tightened the screws on the handles and used beeswax polish on it to protect it.  It's approx. 21x32 and has both inlaid wood in the center of the top (with the four pieces of the tray lying in a way where the wood grain forms a diamond), and design cut wood on the sides.

We're currently using it to drink tea as we watch Downton Abbey Season 2 on PBS, and the thing is as wide as our stairway so it caused G to laugh at me as I walked sideways up the stairs.  He joked that our future maid will need to be at least 6 feet tall to hold it above the railing, and I reminded him that the mansion's stairways are twice as wide so that would be unnecessary.

I think we're headed back in the morning to look at another piece of furniture that I was debating, but was unsure where to put it.  Now I've figured out where we want it, so it's just back to discuss and haggle.

Do you love antiques, or do you prefer a more modern look? 

P.S. Did I mention the mansion sits on over 8 acres that has walnut and apple trees along with an orchard?  I'm imagining pies and wine. 

P.P.S. This was written last night before we experienced a power outtage.  We went back.  We got the piece.  It's already in place and beautiful!  We've named it Hemingway.  Pics to come once the room is more finished.

Bonjour Jamie!

Last night I went to our local Enoch Pratt library to hear Jamie Cat Callan speak.  Author of French Women Don't Sleep Alone (which I still need to read) and Bonjour Happiness, she's spent a lot of time really interviewing French women to find out their secrets for relationships and life.

I was one of the youngest people at the event, as many were of the 'femme d'un certain age' category.  Not that I mind in the least as I've found that some of my favorite people whom I admire fit that category, and live lives full of passion.  However, I do wish more younger women had chosen to attend, as I find that the information is so helpful now.  And as I find the lifestyle choices she has written about (and which I extol) to be the path to a better life, I really want more people to hear about them and make the changes needed.

G attended with me, and smiled at me often as she spoke, because as he said later, I already do so much of the things that she spoke about.  In fact when she spoke about using your good china, I laughed a bit because I have a post in the queue that is about a friend commenting that I'm the only person she knows who uses their "wedding china" and my thoughts on that.

Jamie was vibrant, and discussed everything from scarves and lingerie (matching always, something on my to do list...matching nursing lingerie), to dinner parties, dating, and living a slower life.  As I've been reading more francophile books (I just finished up Madame Chic and my review is to come) and re-reading others, this came at a perfect time.  It seemed almost fate that I found out about this speaking engagement in the wee hours of yesterday morning.  It was a delightful evening, and for those who have not read either of her books, I urge you to pick one up soon (or check your local library!).  Good reminders on why a slower, more intentional life is the way to go.

A is for Apple

We went to the orchard yesterday. Picked up a small pumpkin (for a photo prop), over 60 lbs. of apples (4 different varieties), some horseradish mustard and a large mum for the front of our home.  We walked away for under $40.  For real.

Now we're home and working.  G is attacking the jungle of weeds in our backyard... hacking, then weedeating and then we'll be spraying weed killer like our lives depend on it.  I'm in picking up the living room which has been completely taken over by baby things.  We're hoping to have that remedied completely by Tuesday.  

While cleaning I have discovered that so far in the last week I've spent a pretty penny on candles that I hoard.  They're by Michel Design Works, they're a soy wax, and my favorite scent comes out this time of year.  Spiced Pumpkin.  And this year we found a new favorite: Toffee Almond, which is a delightful, coffee sort of scent and we plan to use it in our bedroom as the scent du jour (until I splurge on some beeswax pillars).  A single candle can make a whole room smell like heaven. They also make room sprays which smell delicious as well.  I literally buy every candle in the scents I like any time I see them...which while a bit insane keeps me happy every year.  My name is Kate and I'm a candle hoarder.

I've also begun shopping for Christmas items, such as ornaments and other decorations.  We know that as brand spanking new parents we're going to be exhausted this year, so I've gotten a head start. Purchased stockings (finally!), and I will be making beaded wire initials to mark them.  I also ordered a mercury glass style Big Ben ornament from Pottery Barn.  Some people are complaining that Christmas items are already out, but for myself, this year, I'm thrilled.  We have electric candles for the windows to procure, more ornaments to purchase for our insanely large tree (for those who are new, after we put it up on New Year's Eve last year we both sat in awe.  I said, "Um, it's a little big."  G responded like a little boy who finally saw Santa "Yeah, isn't it awesome?"). 

So, I'm getting a head start on all those things we need to buy/make/do.  Christmas cards will be filled out sometime in November, ready to be mailed the beginning of December.  The tree is apparently going up fairly early in November so we don't have to do it with a newborn.  And hopefully I'll figure out either how to make or where to buy an extra large tree skirt for this thing. 

Somehow this post went from picking apples to Christmas.  I left out Thanksgiving only because I highly doubt we'll be celebrating this year as we'll either have a newborn, be having a newborn, or be waiting on a newborn.  Which is sad because I do love turkey!  Hope everyone is having a delightful weekend!

Amish Countryside

This is the farm where we got our eggs!

Saturday my friend J and I took off to the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania.  It's about an hour and a half from Baltimore, so a quick trip. 

 We stopped at a market, bought some jams (I picked up raspberry jalapeno for G), ate lunch at a Victorian pub, and then headed over to Leola to visit her mama and look around for some local stands.

My reuben. I got the side of fruit which was scrumptious and they brought us extra pickles and pineapple!

We ended up getting a dozen brown, pastured eggs for $1.75 each.  Insanity!  Mine are awesome, with some larger, some much smaller.  Can't wait to make a quiche! 

J and I split this spiced whoopie pie we bought at the hardware store for $.90. Made by someone's daughter it was delicious!

The trip was awesome and I can't wait to go again in September when G is home!

Yes, G, fresh goat milk.  We'll bring a cooler.

A Visit In Pictures

Well, T was really only here for about a day in a half, with her flying out Sunday morning.  However, Saturday we packed in a lot of things.  The first night she was here we roasted a chicken with potatoes, carrots and onions and basically just spent time chatting and catching up from the week.  Then Saturday morning we got up and headed to the market, where at the CSA we picked up kale (I'm going to try and make kale chips), basil, mint, 3 bunches of spinach (I'm stalking up for Indian saag), and cabbage (to make Ethiopian cabbage).  We also walked a bit, found the olive oil guy T wanted to buy from, snagged some Eastern Shore tomatoes, some tiny ripe strawberries, and some black raspberries (most which are getting frozen for G).  Then we headed to breakfast and then up to get more groceries for dinner, and hit up Home Depot for a reel mower.  We attacked the backyard and all throughout this I forgot to take photos.  But alas, finally I remembered when we headed for coffee and some more fresh mozzarella cheese!

 

Little seating area below us.

Our mid-afternoon salad.

Moscato with nectarine and tiny strawberries.  It was delicious.

Homemade pizza with roasted chicken, soppresotta, red onion and spinach.

Dessert was strawberries, blueberries and black raspberries with fresh mint.

Breakfast before the airport... homemade banana bread with blueberries and coffee. Mmm.

Blueberries were eaten quite a bit as I got a case of organic ones from Whole Foods for $23!!!  They had them on a Friday special for $1.99 a package, so I picked up 12, and will be freezing them for later.

I miss T already, but I'll hopefully be seeing her in September when I head home for the baby shower!  It was a wonderful weekend, just the respite I needed with one of my favoritest people!

Day of Indulgence

I rolled out of bed this morning and threw some clothes on (skinny jeans, navy tank, grey cardi, silver chains and leopard kitten heels). I made a point to try and do a bit more eyeliner (my favorite make-up item) and some taupe shadow (NARS Corfu) with lots of mascara.  I've been watching youtube videos like crazy, trying to learn to do some of my favorite looks.  Then it was off to the land of happy (a.k.a. the salon).

*Now, before we continue I think it should be noted that I apparently have no shame.  I found the whole process highly amusing and at one point was trying to figure out if I should whip out an eye pencil and draw a big mole on the side of my face because I was pretty sure that for a half hour I looked like something from the powdered days of France... you'll see.*

I went in at 1 and left at 4 and that alone is insane.  My next appointment is for a cut and color and I'm thinking that I'm going to be there a while.  I rolled up to the gate, beeped in, and then as soon as I entered the salon got some ice water and stalked the coffee percolator, waiting for my caffeine fix.  Made some coffee and settled in while Oriel mixed up the colors.  I went for a glaze base, then highlights and lowlights.  It's subtle, it looks natural, but a little less "cute" and a little more "badass."

Midway through. At one point he said I was like Lady Gaga to which I responded "that b**ch ain't got nothing on me."  There were also plenty of jokes about trying to hide from aliens.

I made this super weird expression. We dyed my eyebrows too (which I love because it really defined them and I think I like them for the first time in my life!)... hence wanting a mole.  I looked super pale with super dark hair and eyebrows.  Wish I knew how to photoshop better...

View from my cafe at lunch.  Love the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

Toulouse sausages, spiced lentils and grilled baguette with a parsley puree. 

Delicious berry tart.

Wait, what?  You wanted to see my hair?  Oh, sorry...

As you can see, it's not really as dark as the pics make it look.  Though it does look dark in person, nothing too drastic.  

Super shiny and had very little body thanks to how sleek the whole process made it.  We also put moroccan oil in it, and I bought some (holy moley it's expensive!) to use at home.  My hair felt so much like silk I kept running my hands through it.  And my lovely stylist spent the time kind of instructing me on how to dry it to get my bangs trained and to get some more fluff.  I'm going to be trying to make some sexy waves in it this weekend to see how that goes.  It's still long enough for a chignon and a ponytail for the heat.  

I'm in love with the color.  I'm even more in love with my eyebrows.  This was exactly what I needed when I'm feeling so frumpy.  Next on the list is going through my wardrobe, switching seasons out and re-visiting my Planned Purchases Database.  I really feel the need to hunt down the motorcycle boots soon.  Because my hair finally looks like "me."

He Carries My Heart

I began my birthday being sung to by my husband.  Then I was able to drift off to sleep.  I awoke later and after getting all pretty, I got a skype call from G.  I settled in, ready to chat with him a bit when suddenly the screen changed and I could see him!  (for those who might be newer, my husband had an iPad, which doesn't have a camera nor can it have one attached.)  Long story short, he's now the owner of a computer with a cam, and has been patiently waiting for my birthday to show me himself.  He's not usually good at secrets, so I was shocked and teared up a bit.  It was so, so good to see his face. 

We had such a good talk because he could see me react, and I could see him.  I made him get really close so I could see his eye crinkles.  He would get close, puckered up for kisses.  And he got to be on the phone while I opened the kindle he got me for my birthday.   

My grandmama's vintage hat, new sunglasses, and Russian Red lipstick.  And before anyone thinks anything....I had on a strapless dress!

For my birthday my girlfriends took me out for Chinese.  I awoke this morning and texted them that I felt old and eccentric and would be wearing a dress and a hat.  So they too dressed up, and off we went.  The food was good, the company great, and the lovely guys there brought me out a big bowl of ice cream with a candle in it and they all sang to me.  I must say the only bad part of my day was discovering that the baby still is not a fan of Chinese.

Now I'm waiting to speak to G again.  I woke him up (he slept later than normal), and made him get on camera.  My eyes welled up, because that is my husband....all squinty and face scrunched up in the mornings.  He's growing his hair out, so it stuck up a little funny, and he's growing a beard so he had a shadow.  I miss waking up next to him, so this was my way of getting what I miss most as my own little gift. 

For being on my own in this big city I sure did have an amazing birthday.  And a big part of that was G.  Like I told him today, we're lucky because we both wake up each day feeling like we won the world's greatest lottery because of one another.  And that makes any day (birthday or unbirthday) very perfect indeed.

Insanity

Today, Sunday, was absolute insanity.  I woke up when I wanted to, but nothing seemed to go smoothly and I was running late.  I went to mass, where I was sad because I was alone and damnit for some reason being alone at church is where it really hits me.  Not the house, where I'm used to being alone.  But church, where G sits next to me, shares his songbook with me.  We do this thing when we're standing where our hands rest on the pew in front of us and our pinkies are interlocked.  And he always helps me into my coat (something I've actually become disgruntled at having to do myself). 

After mass I was off running errands, including picking up the old library chair that is currently in the back seat of my car.  Then I went racing to the store to pick up ingredients for tonight's dinner.  And then racing back to the church for the St. Patrick's Day dinner (which was scrumptious I must say!).  I spoke to so many people asking about G and telling me to let him know they were praying for him and I.  I offered to pray for some people for various things.  I love being with those people.

Then I came home and that was the beginning of the end.  I spoke to G for a bit, then got to prepping for dinner.  I filled grape tomatoes with boursin cheese (a canape that had been served at my wedding reception I decided to re-create).  I chopped veggies.  Then I went upstairs and sprayed cleaner on the tub, threw a tablecloth in the dryer to steam to de-wrinkle, and then headed down to let the dogs outside and deal with the recycling. 

Now, I never go outside without shoes on.  It's not smart in my backyard where there was broken pieces from construction left in the yard after they re-furbished the house.  But I had socks on and was just going down the steps.  Max was running around the house, so I closed the door to keep him out.  Let me preface this by saying we have nice locks that my dad swore were excellent (they are), but they can be opened even when locked from the inside.  Not the case from the outside.  I was locked out.  In my backyard.  Barefoot.  I seriously considered breaking a window of my own house and simply having it repaired the next day.  I then tried slamming into my door, thinking I might break the frame, but that could be fixed.  Nope, those locks are nice and strong.  That might have been when I began to cry.  So I very carefully went into the alley behind my house, walked around to the front and knocked on my next door neighbors' door who were gracious enough to let me in, let me use their cell, and then had me stay there until the locksmith came.  $230 later I was in my house.....5 minutes before my first guest arrived.

The pizza dough had not been made, the cleaning wasn't finished, I was a wreck.  I played it like a funny story, but that was the first time I was truly terrified of, "What happens if my neighbors weren't home?"  I felt extremely alone and very panicky, barefooted with no cell.  (One of my girlfriends will be getting a spare key.) 

The night ended up taking forever, we didn't eat until nearly 10.  However while chatting, drinking wine and waiting for the pizza dough to rise I decided to whip up a french chocolate cake (flourless).  I was standing there, beating egg whites, chocolate melting into butter on the stove, trying to salvage the evening.  Both things were a huge hit, and I sent each home with a large slice of cake to share with their significant others.  The pizza was literally the best I had ever made, the sauce perfection and the toppings an excellent combination (turkey kielbasa, paper thin onions, mushrooms, red peppers and spinach).  And when one girlfriend left to do some lesson planning before the school week, the other stayed to chat a bit and we drank coffee and discussed marriage and things we wish we knew ahead of time that we now honestly share with those who ask (biggest one:  marriages are hard, and take both people putting in the work). 

The night turned out awesome, we enjoyed ourselves, but cocktails and boardgames it was not.  But I have 1/4 of a pizza left, a little less than 1/2 a cake, and the freeing knowledge that tomorrow I have nothing to do but sleep in.

Flying High

Last night I attended the BlogLove event here in Charm City at Load of Fun Studio, put on by the lovely Kristin and Chris Ann from LoveFeast.  As you know, I was a bit nervous (and so very thankful for that glass of wine handed to me on arrival!).  But in the end I saw a few people I had met before and adore (like Miss Donna from Relevant), and even met a few people that I thought were absolutely fascinating.  I'm thinking I may be getting the hang of this meeting new people thing (well, except for the rambling I tend to do).

Moi, Donna, and Ashley

We watched Mara Neimanis (who owns In Flight Theater) perform some artistic and interpretive trapeze, as well as a couple of her students who worked together on a single swing.  It was really interesting to see someone so passionate about their art, how they feel sort of lost without it.  I am considering taking some aerial classes once my body is healed up.  

 These are the students, Mara didn't capture on film except as a blur because of my itsy bitsy little camera and trying to film quickly w/o flash!

Joe Squared (voted Baltimore's best pizza) provided pizzas and risottos.  So delicious I was in heaven.  And then as a sweet finish, Golden West Cafe provided to die for banana cupcakes (like a sweet banana bread really) with cream cheese frosting.  So good, I politely asked to grab one for G.  He was very appreciative!  

There were swag bags, with some local treats.  I am absolutely in LOVE with this necklace made by a local artist who uses vintage tins to make jewelry.  I am going to  have to check her out....her store Studio C is super close to Clementine's and Zeke's Coffee!  I was torn about her jewelry because I love old tins so much (I would probably hoard them to just hold stuff if I weren't terrified of hoarding), but I think it's an awesome way to preserve some beautiful pieces.  You can also check her out on etsy, here.  I'm wearing my necklace today actually (photos later). 

Unrelated to the swag, I had won my choice of item from Our Daily Chocolate (one of the girls I think is amazing, who I met at Relevant) from BowMania a while back.  I finally remembered to e-mail Ashley and say I would love a silk hair rosette, and if she could, would she bring it to BlogLove.  I then promptly forgot about e-mailing her until she showed up with it last night.  Needless to say it was love at first site.  Ashley also provided a pair of earrings to each attendee last night!  

Urban Halo provided each of us a gift card to purchase one of their headbands.  I'm torn on which one to get, I'm especially loving some of the bright and bold patterns.  With all the neutrals I wear I need something to pump it up!

And then I got super lucky and was drawn to win one of the new Gussy clutches that she collaborated with Kristen and Chris Ann on.  Super cute and will come in handy when I want a bag I can throw on my wrist with a few items and not worry about it.  I love clutches, but so many of mine are hard to hold when I'm mingling!

The whole night was amazing and about finding your passion and making it a bigger part of your life.  It has given me a push to really start creating more.  I have so many files on my computer of tutorials of things I want to make, from pillows to curtains to jewelry, etc.  And the silly part is that other than items that require sewing, all of them would be simple to do and extremely satisfying.  And on top of that I have my own list of things I want to do/make for our home.  I had bought a canvas way back in May for our anniversary to paint a poem on, but it never got made.  I finally shared another idea I had for it with G and he said he thought it was even better than the poem, that it would be perfect for our home (and it will be coming up soon on the blog, I want it done by the middle of next week).  I think with all the stresses of moving to a place that didn't feel like home and then having all my marital issues finally come to a head I just kind of let the part of me that loves to create kind of hide away.  I had too much on my plate, and felt incredibly inadequate in so much that I just sort of gave up. 

So my biggest goal for while G is gone is to really knock more and more off the things to make list.  Of course it's a never ending list as I'm always adding to it.  But it will be nice to really start feeling more me,  to get back in touch with my very artistic side.  The night was exactly what I needed and I am so happy I went!

Long Beautiful Day

So, I know, I know, I don't have any photos of me showing my new haircut.  Suffice to say I thought I cut about 6-7 but G is estimating a lil closer to 9.  But it looks great.  I just haven't taken any photos of myself at all.  We tried.  The camera died.  Go figure.

This is the only photo G got before the camera died.  Too much light, and my bangs aren't even visible!

But we did make it to the farmer's market, and even picked up some pea shoots that taste like English peas and are delish in this fall season.  Then we tried to get home.  Huge mistake.  The Baltimore Marathon (very poorly marked) held us up in traffic.  G spoke to an officer who said there was absolutely no way for us to get home.  For real.  Lovely.  So we headed to a wine store to kill time for over an hour.  Made it home just in time to print off the groupon for a men's place here in Charm City where G got a hot lather shave and his horrid low quarter military dress shoes got a nice shine without him having to do it! 

 Then it was up towards the shopping center and the grocery store.  Stopped into Sephora, picked up a Givenchy eye quad (more on that later), and also dropped into Burberry where G got to try on some suits.  We like the Brit cut, and he looked amazing.  And I have all the information on it for when I'm ready to get it as a gift for him.  Also spent some time at Nordstroms, including the Le Mer counter.  Picked up a very generous sample of the cream and their concentrated eye cream to try at home on a clean face. 

Stopped in at Barnes and Noble for the French Vogue's 90th Anniversary edition.  It's as thick as a novel, but I'm excited to begin trying to translate as I work my way through it.  The cover is a gorgeous photo I plan to frame for my closet.  A little risque, but I love the lace eye mask (their anniversary section has a thing about galas/soirees with a bunch of masked women). 

Planning to make a pumpkin black bean soup (Indian sorta flavour) tomorrow night for dinner with some grilled chicken breasts, a salad, and a cheese course (including an ash goat's cheese).  For now I'm just relaxing, getting a foot rub, and settling in to snuggle and watch a movie.