New Furniture

When we moved into this apartment we discovered someone had left a table saw in the basement. We didn't think much of it, because honestly, who needs a table saw? But surprisingly, it has come in handy. The first week we moved in James made shelves to go under our kitchen cupboards for extra storage. Yesterday we were hanging out in the living room and he said,

Okay, I'll be back.

An hour later I woke up from a nap on the couch to him carrying in a desk for his new computer.

There was a piece of plywood on the bottom of the table downstairs and I cut it so it would fit, and then did the legs. When I stood it up it was still wobbly, so I put the boards between them and fixed it. 

Genius.

We're both pretty proud of the table. He's pretty resourceful my husband. The thought of going out to purchase a desk or look forever and a day to find a small one online seemed daunting, at least to me. Leave it to James to come up with a perfect solution, a perfect free solution.

Currently he's building his computer in the living room next to me. It looks super complicated--wires, pieces, screws, and plugs everywhere. Do you know how blessed I am by him? He takes care of our finances and our car, and many times I have come home to all the dishes and laundry done. He works hard for our family and we have so much fun together. He loves those around him in big ways, he's generous, patient, caring, strong.

I'm proud of his impromptu table, and of him.

Day to Day

Come on Spring, get your act together.

It was snowing again yesterday, and quite honestly I am so tired of it. I can hardly wait to shed feather down coats, boots, scarves, gloves, and the lot for flats, jeans, and a cute top. I feel like I have 20lbs of extra junk to haul around with me these lingering winter days.


Work takes a lot of my energy lately. I often leave exhausted mentally. But my last big grad school assignment for the semester is due on Tuesday, hooray! Today I'm at home in our chilly apartment, writing. Thankfully the sun is pouring in through the windows and I have these cozy little things to get me through the afternoon.

Coffee Shop Silhouette

                            

We spent time in coffee shops this weekend. If you walked into this one today you would have found us with journals on the table, chatting away for an hour or two. These girls made us the best lattes I've had in a long time. The cafe is a combination bike shop and coffee shop. Perfect.

Friendship.

Love this lady. We've been exploring Boston, drinking coffee, laughing, cooking, sharing. We went to church and rode some trains, met interesting people in the city, looked at paintings, soaked up a little sunshine, and drank more coffee.

Happy Birthday Sam.

We're leaving soon to get her from Logan airport and I'm about to burst with excitement.


Chocolate cake is her favorite.

The Day Off

Spring is the only thing that inspires me lately.

The colors of it, the thought of it, the warmth it brings, and the sweet smells that mean spring. I'm waiting, not very patiently for it.

Usually I work Fridays, but not this week. This week I'm working on a research paper, making lasagna for dinner, baking, putting flowers in vases, spending too much money at Trader Joe's (man it really helps to have James there, that guy knows how to stick to a list!) and laundry, while watching the sunshine move around the living room.

We're picking up Sam May from the airport tonight. I am completely thrilled she is stopping to see us before her move to South Africa. She is that friend who randomly calls me while driving across the country and talks for an hour. She's the friend I love to make coffee for in the morning, someone who calls me out on my crap, and inspires my creativity. Her photography hangs in my home, her laughing snorts make my heart happy, and I am so excited to share Boston with her this weekend.

Yaay Sam!

Miss You Already

I love this lady. It was so great to get to know her more this weekend, to see how much she adores her dad, the hugs and kisses she spontaneously gives Laurel, to listen to her talk and tell stories in a one-year-old language she's sure everyone understands--for the most part they do. The bed-head, the giggles, the adorable shoes, how she discovers new things, the way she thinks knocking over towers of legos is hilarious, her kindness, her independence, facial expressions, and how much she loves to share with everyone around her.

Melt.

More here: laureldandelions.wordpress.com

California Sunset

Warm glowing light, giggle-laughter, otters to play with, kisses and hugs, a sandy baby, a new one on the way, and a lovely weekend. I miss you already.

Quilting Again

 

The moment I realized I was able to attend Laurel's baby shower this weekend I started this quilt. From Pinterest I learned how to do the chevron stripes and each Wednesday, usually my day off, I'd piece together a little bit more. This pattern was pretty simple and it was nice to try something new. I love watching the squares come together to form the larger pattern and sew thinking about the new baby who will soon use it.

In California this weekend, words hardly describe how good the sunshine and fresh coastal air is for my heart. The Powells are stationed just below Oxnard, CA and I get to spend time with them just before their second baby, Margaux is born. The quilt is for her. Its been almost a year since I've seen Niahmaya. At my wedding she was a three month old tiny baby. Today she's a year old and still as sweet as honey.

Brain, Child

When I signed up for my magazine overview class this semester I dismissed its validity in the back of my mind, to me it was simply a hoop through which to jump in order to get my degree. Magazines were the shallow, ad filled books you see, full of gossip and celebrities, while waiting to purchase groceries. The only legitimate book I could think of was National Geographic. Even Real Simple has its moments, sometimes I read it and wonder if the editorial is actually an ad for product as well.

Then I discovered Brain, Child.

Now don’t get excited. We’re definitely not pregnant, but yes, this is a magazine targeted at mothers. To this I reply, more than covering the topic of motherhood this magazine gets at what femininity, womanhood, caretaking are. It discusses issues that all the children in my life face, mine or not. It’s a place for intelligent, thinking women to discuss and learn about other opinions and experiences.

Some call Brain, Child the New Yorker for mothers. The personal essays, short stories, and discussions have a literary, real quality to them. The book is wonderfully almost void of advertisement and touches on issues like child obesity, adoption, values, and teenagers.

"Brain, Child treats motherhood as a subject worthy of literature. And in the best tradition of literature, it celebrates the diversity of mothers and their styles. Brain, Child cuts past a lot of the bull to get to the voices that are truest — not experts, but women who are or have been there."

Marcelle Soviero, editor-in-chief and owner of the magazine, came to visit my class this last week. With five children of her own and a teaching career in New York, she bought Brain, Child last summer. She’s incredible.

This class has opened my magazine worldview. I’m seriously considering a subscription to this quarterly, because I’ve spent much of the day reading the two issues she gave out, cover to cover.