Are We Done With Winter Yet?

old tennis shoes
magazines
jackets
belts
pots and pans
socks with holes
frames
t-shirts from high school and college
books
boxes
summer clothes
christmas decorations
craft supplies
more books

What do all these things have in common?

They're all in the trash.

I've been purging our closets, cupboards, shelves, and drawers the last few weeks. Man does it feel good to get rid of all of this stuff. How in the world does it accumulate so fast? We are in the deepest, coldest part of winter and I can't seem to thaw out. It also feels like I've been inside our apartment for months and I've finally started to just pull stuff out of places I have it shoved and throw it away. We've donated as much as we can--Laurel taught me how to purge and make thrift-store runs in high school--but honestly so much of it has just gone straight to the recycle bin.

On the upside the contents of our hall closet doesn't fall on top of me when I am looking for gloves anymore (those are in a basket by the front door). Our games are stacked nicely and I can actually find the sweater I'm looking for in our closet. I've also brought home a few plants in the last couple weeks hoping they'll help keep me sane until we finally see glimpses of life from under the dirty snow.

I'm hoping my spring cleaning will give spring a hint.

Or a swift kick.

Coconut Crepe Cake

My friend, and wedding photographer, Briana recently invited me over to make this delicious coconut creme crepe cake with her. On a snow day I rode the T over to her house where we drank cups and cups of tea while creating this masterpiece. Between every crepe is a layer of whipped cream and coconut jam, and every once and a while you sprinkle sugar over the whole thing. 

Yum doesn't do it justice. 

So she, being a photographer, took pictures while we were making it. Then she submitted it to be published by Emma Magazine (an online publication) and guess who's hands showed up in all the pictures!? 

Yup, mine. It makes me feel a little bit special. 

Congratulations on getting published again Bri!

To see the full post: www.emmamag.com

Good Morning Sunshine

Brown eggs--I love them. I also love breakfast. My sister can sleep in until ten and then not eat until noon, she's crazy. The moment I wake up I start thinking about eggs and toast, fruit and coffee. James is on winter break this week, which means we get to wake up late and eat together. This morning I made sun toast with a heart shaped cookie cutter my gram gave me. We love to rub a little fresh garlic on the bread to bring out the savory flavors. Breakfast in New York was chocolate chip pancakes with berry compote. Monday was cinnamon rolls. Though the default lately is usually soft boiled eggs and toast. 

There's always coffee. 

New York, New York

 Mikey and James

Sunday morning we got up at 5am and packed our snow-covered car with overnight bags and our coffee tumblers--New York bound. As I had never been to the city I was actually full of anticipation and wonder at the unknown. We arrived on Mikey and Kristin's doorstep just in time for breakfast before church. Their little New York apartment is tiny but feels completely like home. After church we wandered from Times Square down through The Plaza and Central Park, popping into shops along the way to warm up for a bit. It wasn't snowing but it could have been--it was freezing outside! But the lights, the people, the exploring, and conversation were worth it to endure the cold.

In the afternoon we met Am and Cliff and continued exploring with them (I think the Mulligans went home to take a nap). We got dinner, walked some more, chatted with and got to know Cliff, and then headed down to see our favorite band, Branches, play at Rockwood Music Hall. There we met our friends Sam and Jayde (who had stayed with us last week on their way back from South Africa). Branches put on an awesome show, as always, and after we loaded up their instruments and took a cab back up to 181st Street.

After unloading the equipment we finally fell into bed, and slept soundly until about 8. The best part about sleep-overs is your friends are still there in the morning--I would know, we woke up with friends all week! Coffee, breakfast, good conversation--it seems that happens a lot at the Mulligan's. We packed up (all Branches' stuff actually fit in our car!) and drove north, back to Boston. We quickly dropped off the instruments and James dropped me off at work. The end of our adventure.

It won't be the last time we take a whirlwind trip to New York--but next time I think we'll chose warmer weather.