I introduced my son to the library last week. He walked around in a state of awe, making his way down the stacks, running his finger over the spines. We each chose three books, and, as we were leaving, he said, "Can we go to the library tomorrow too?"
This is the way I want my son to know books. The way I know books. In book form. No need to turn anything on in order to immerse yourself in a story. No fear of a low battery at an inopportune moment. A break from reality. A break from screens.
I want to read my books in book form. I want to love them up and crease their spines and fold the corners of their pages. You will know which ones are my favorites by sight; they have been loved to shreds. I want that new book smell from a hot-off-the-presses novel by a first time author. I want a quickened pulse as I hear the UPS guy drop a package from Amazon on to my porch. I want the deliciousness of having three new books to choose from on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I want that musty, moldy aroma from a classic that hasn't been checked out of the library in years. I want to tuck that same classic under my arm as I look for a seat at coffee shop. I want to feel the weight of Alice Munro or Wally Lamb or Margaret Atwood in my carry-on as I board a plane. I want to see row after row lined up on our many bookshelves and stacked in piles next to our bed. I want to have the luxury of reading three books at a time just because I can't decide which one I want to read first. I want to read and reread my favorites so many times their characters become family members. I want to write dedications on the first page of books given as gifts to solidify memories that may otherwise fade away. I want to read - and share - my books in book form.
My son will inherit beat-up copies of The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon, and, later, The Hardy Boys and Harry Potter. We will run our fingers over the yellowed pages of the final The Ends. And then we'll read them again.
Showing posts with label my favorite things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my favorite things. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Thursday, June 12, 2014
It Was 20 Years Ago Today (Here's to the Class of 1994)
June 12, 1994
With butterflies in my stomach & pink cheeks, I delivered Plymouth-Salem High School's graduation speech to the Class of 1994. In the middle of it, I did the one thing that I had been
cautioned against doing. The one thing that could ruin the whole operation. You guessed it.
I cried.
I cried because, thus far, 1994 had been the best year of my life, and I couldn't imagine how it could ever get better than that. I cried because my speech spoke of living in the moment & experiencing real & true & raw emotions as you feel them. I cried because I saw my Mom crying from the third row. I cried because my Best Friend and I were going to different schools. I cried because I was an idealist, a poet, a lover of words & emotions, someone who felt everything deeply & personally. I cried because I was a 17-year old girl. I cried because I had realized that happiness & sadness are so often two sides of the same coin. I cried because I just couldn't stop myself.
And now, here we are, 20 years later.
I am no longer an idealist. Years of education, both personal & academic, have made me into a realist. And sometimes even a cynicist. I don't write poetry anymore. Instead I am a (sometime) blogger who takes her baby to bars. My Best Friend did go to a different school, and she now lives in a different city. And she's still my Best Friend. (Yay, Katie!) I still consider 1994 one of the best years of my life....along with 1995, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. It did get better. And better. And even better after that. Living in the moment is a challenge for me. It doesn't come naturally like it did when I was 17. But I strive to be present, to be where I am when I'm there & drink in all the moments, both good & bad. I will always be a lover of words & emotions. But I don't wear my heart on my sleeve any longer. I have become guarded, someone that holds my cards pretty close. I prefer to ask questions & learn about others rather than share my own story. (Although, with a few glasses of wine, I can usually be persuaded to spill.) I still cry when I see my Mom crying. But instead of embracing it, I usually try to convince her to stop.
And I still know that happiness & sadness are often two sides of the same coin. And I think that's why I am crying now.
Hugs & love to the Class of '94. Twenty years ago, I wished you lives that were experienced through joyful & wondrous eyes. Today, I wish you another 20 years that just keep getting better. And better. And even better after that.
P.S. Crying never ruins anything. Except maybe your makeup.
With butterflies in my stomach & pink cheeks, I delivered Plymouth-Salem High School's graduation speech to the Class of 1994. In the middle of it, I did the one thing that I had been
I cried.
I cried because, thus far, 1994 had been the best year of my life, and I couldn't imagine how it could ever get better than that. I cried because my speech spoke of living in the moment & experiencing real & true & raw emotions as you feel them. I cried because I saw my Mom crying from the third row. I cried because my Best Friend and I were going to different schools. I cried because I was an idealist, a poet, a lover of words & emotions, someone who felt everything deeply & personally. I cried because I was a 17-year old girl. I cried because I had realized that happiness & sadness are so often two sides of the same coin. I cried because I just couldn't stop myself.
And now, here we are, 20 years later.
I am no longer an idealist. Years of education, both personal & academic, have made me into a realist. And sometimes even a cynicist. I don't write poetry anymore. Instead I am a (sometime) blogger who takes her baby to bars. My Best Friend did go to a different school, and she now lives in a different city. And she's still my Best Friend. (Yay, Katie!) I still consider 1994 one of the best years of my life....along with 1995, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. It did get better. And better. And even better after that. Living in the moment is a challenge for me. It doesn't come naturally like it did when I was 17. But I strive to be present, to be where I am when I'm there & drink in all the moments, both good & bad. I will always be a lover of words & emotions. But I don't wear my heart on my sleeve any longer. I have become guarded, someone that holds my cards pretty close. I prefer to ask questions & learn about others rather than share my own story. (Although, with a few glasses of wine, I can usually be persuaded to spill.) I still cry when I see my Mom crying. But instead of embracing it, I usually try to convince her to stop.
And I still know that happiness & sadness are often two sides of the same coin. And I think that's why I am crying now.
Hugs & love to the Class of '94. Twenty years ago, I wished you lives that were experienced through joyful & wondrous eyes. Today, I wish you another 20 years that just keep getting better. And better. And even better after that.
P.S. Crying never ruins anything. Except maybe your makeup.
Monday, April 7, 2014
I Can Tell That We Are Gonna Be Friends
Sometimes we have the good fortune of crossing paths with someone we just vibe with. You know what I'm talking about, right? We meet someone, and it's just easy. Conversation flows so naturally right from the start that it feels like we're old friends. We're clicking. We're connecting. We're vibing. It's incredible when this happens, right? How lucky are we? How fortuitous is it that out of all the people in the world, we have stumbled across each other? We have found a kindred spirit, someone who just seems to inherently "get" us. When this happens, it's one of my favorite things ever.
Sometimes when we meet one of these kindred spirits, we become close friends. We keep vibing through the years, we will never, ever run out of things to talk about, not ever. We will open another bottle of wine, and then another, just because we don't want the moment to end. We can go weeks, months, even years without seeing each other, but when we are finally in the same room again, it feels like balance has been restored in our worlds. We just make sense.
And sometimes when we are very lucky, we marry our kindred spirits.
Other times, we only have the opportunity to vibe with each other for a night or maybe a weekend. We somehow know that our connection has an expiration, so we must soak up every second. We stay out too late, we talk all night, we must fit in every conversation we would ever have throughout our lifetimes into hours. Later on, the moment will have passed, our connection will have changed. But we'll always have Paris.
Sometimes we just have a sense about someone, a sense that given the right opportunity, the chance to talk, to share a moment, that we would be kindred spirits. And sometimes it takes us by complete surprise. We are blindsided by our new friendships. But no matter how they happen, how they hit us, or for how long they last, these are the connections, the people, the moments, that make this life so delicious. Drink them in.
And if you're reading this post, and you think I might be talking about you, you should know that I absolutely am.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
It's Your Day - A Woman's Day.
Today is International Women's Day. Nasdarovje*!
I first became aware of International Women's Day, oh, maybe 5 years ago. Our close friends, Maura & Gabe, having been in the Peace Corp in Ukraine where Women's Day is an actual national holiday, brought the celebration back to us here in Seattle. They would host a party, they said. We were to arrive at 3pm. We were instructed to bring a bottle (or two) of vodka, and we were given specific Ukrainian dishes to make & bring to share. (Aside: I was, until this party, a beet virgin. Beets stain things, friends. They stain everything. End of aside.)
When one arrives at an International Women's Day party, one notices that all of the regular furniture that belongs in the host's living room is absent. Instead, it is replaced with long family-style tables and chairs. The tables are lined with bottles of vodka and overflowing bowls of food wherein potatoes and pickled vegetables are in abundance. Everyone is smiling and laughing and hugging and talking. Find your seat, friends, because the celebration is about to begin! Nasdarovje!
It's International Women's Day**, and it's a day to celebrate the women in our lives, the women we love, the women who have changed us, the women who have made us who we are, the women we can't imagine our lives without, the women who inspire us, the women who give us hope, the women who have sacrificed for us. It is a day for all women: mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, wives, and girlfriends.
We all take our seats at the table, and there is a buzz in the air. Someone stands, raises his glass, and proposes a toast to the beauty & loveliness of all of the women in the room. Definitely a toast I can get behind. Nasdarovje! We all clink, drink, and the celebration is officially underway.
This Women's Day party is truly a Thanksgiving. Strangers are now family, bonded over our common love of women. And vodka. The food is never-ending. "Just keep eating," Maura encourages us. We all take turns standing & offering our toasts to all of the world's wonderful women. The celebration continues into the night. We're dancing and laughing and the toasts begin to get a little blurry.
The next morning I wake up with beet-stained fingers, glitter in my bed, and a deep gratitude for all of the strong, courageous, wise, patient, generous, beautiful women in my life, both near & far.
Today is International Women's Day. I think a celebration is in order.
Here's to you, ladies. Nasdarovje.
*I do not know if this is the correct spelling. The internet offers many options.
**Please note, International Women's Day has a long history, and I am not trying to discount that by leaving it out of this post. This is simply how Women's Day was introduced to me, and this is what it means to me.
***Maura's original caption to this picture was, "Tim, it's Women's Day! Give her that beer! And for that matter, give her your hat too!"
I first became aware of International Women's Day, oh, maybe 5 years ago. Our close friends, Maura & Gabe, having been in the Peace Corp in Ukraine where Women's Day is an actual national holiday, brought the celebration back to us here in Seattle. They would host a party, they said. We were to arrive at 3pm. We were instructed to bring a bottle (or two) of vodka, and we were given specific Ukrainian dishes to make & bring to share. (Aside: I was, until this party, a beet virgin. Beets stain things, friends. They stain everything. End of aside.)
When one arrives at an International Women's Day party, one notices that all of the regular furniture that belongs in the host's living room is absent. Instead, it is replaced with long family-style tables and chairs. The tables are lined with bottles of vodka and overflowing bowls of food wherein potatoes and pickled vegetables are in abundance. Everyone is smiling and laughing and hugging and talking. Find your seat, friends, because the celebration is about to begin! Nasdarovje!
It's International Women's Day**, and it's a day to celebrate the women in our lives, the women we love, the women who have changed us, the women who have made us who we are, the women we can't imagine our lives without, the women who inspire us, the women who give us hope, the women who have sacrificed for us. It is a day for all women: mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, wives, and girlfriends.
We all take our seats at the table, and there is a buzz in the air. Someone stands, raises his glass, and proposes a toast to the beauty & loveliness of all of the women in the room. Definitely a toast I can get behind. Nasdarovje! We all clink, drink, and the celebration is officially underway.
This Women's Day party is truly a Thanksgiving. Strangers are now family, bonded over our common love of women. And vodka. The food is never-ending. "Just keep eating," Maura encourages us. We all take turns standing & offering our toasts to all of the world's wonderful women. The celebration continues into the night. We're dancing and laughing and the toasts begin to get a little blurry.
The next morning I wake up with beet-stained fingers, glitter in my bed, and a deep gratitude for all of the strong, courageous, wise, patient, generous, beautiful women in my life, both near & far.
Today is International Women's Day. I think a celebration is in order.
Here's to you, ladies. Nasdarovje.
*I do not know if this is the correct spelling. The internet offers many options.
**Please note, International Women's Day has a long history, and I am not trying to discount that by leaving it out of this post. This is simply how Women's Day was introduced to me, and this is what it means to me.
***Maura's original caption to this picture was, "Tim, it's Women's Day! Give her that beer! And for that matter, give her your hat too!"
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Get Glowing!
Confession time: I gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months of 2013. True story. Wow, it's, like, even more shocking now that I see it in writing. Now before you think I was unhappy or using chocolate & cheese to soothe myself during another Seattle rainy day, I want to make something clear. I totally loved every minute that I was making myself fat.
I know. Gasp, right?
Here's the thing - 2013 was a great freaking year. I celebrated early & often with amazing meals which included lots of wine, bread & dessert. I also work from home which means getting from my bed to my workspace is a minimal commute, and I'm not spending the hours on my feet that I used to. And while I embraced running in the early part of the year, later it just didn't seem as important as work, playing blocks with Boo, or binge-watching Friday Night Lights. Basically, any kind of balance flew out the window, and my health & well-being became my lowest priorities. Sound familiar?
And then came mid-December. Holy shit, friends. I could, quite literally, only fit into 2 pairs of my pants - not including yoga pants. Yoga pants, I might add, for which I was clearly not wearing to do yoga. Dude. That sucks. That sucks so bad.
Something had to give.
I am a person that both puts weight on & takes it off pretty easily. But I didn't need a crash diet or a quick fix. I needed a lifestyle change. A new way of thinking. A mindset reboot. I needed a new balance.
And then I found Jenn Jordan, the Resolution Challenge, and For The Glow.
Long story short - the Resolution Challenge is a 6-week program for women only that includes personal coaching from the amazing Jenn, a detox diet, meal plans, webinars, tons of recipes, participation in a private Facebook community, daily online workout videos plus loads of additional workout options including in-person here in Seattle. At this point, I am only 4 1/2 weeks in, and I swear to God, my life has changed. And because I could not imagine not being a Glow Girl anymore after my 6 weeks is up, I am now a Lifetime For The Glow Member.
Aside: I am not usually the type of person that schills things via my blog, right? You've got to know how much I love this program if I'm writing about it. In addition, I'm really not the type of person that talks about eating healthy & working out either so that also speaks to my passion. End of aside.
And this is why I'm writing this blog post. While I'm not going to give you my results just yet - hey, I still have a week and a half to go - I will tell you, a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in 7 months, fit again. My super skinny-haven't-been-able-to-wear-them-since-2008-jeans are thisclose to looking amazing. (Although stylish may be a different story.) But it's not about the weight loss anymore. It's about the complete & total lifestyle change. It's about feeling, looking, and actually being strong. It's about positivity & mindfulness & inner beauty. It's about making the best choices for myself. It's about balance. It's about community. It's about realizing that I'm stronger that I think I am. It's about kicking ass.
"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it."
I wanted to blog about For The Glow right now because I know there are a lot of ladies out there that feel the same as me. You want a change. You need a change. You're seeking balance. You're ready to kick some ass. If that sounds like you, I highly, highly recommend joining me as a Glow Girl right now.
Cause here's the thing - from now through Feb 11, you can become a Lifetime Member for $189. That means you'll get tons of meal plans, diets, workouts, connection to an amazing community of women, and coaching from Jenn. Oh, and when you do those workouts, first you'll get your ass kicked. But before you know it, you'll be kicking ass. And no, you don't have to be in Seattle. You can totally have your ass kicked virtually. You'll also automatically be enrolled in each year's Resolution Challenge (Jan/Feb) plus Bikini Boot Camp (Apr/May). But if you decide to do this after Feb 11, the price goes up to $799. Rightfully so. I seriously feel incredibly lucky to have met Jenn, discovered For The Glow and become a Lifetime Member for such a great value.
Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. (Fortunately, these days said soapbox does not buckle under the pressure of my person.) I'm just so unbelievably excited at how I look & feel right now that I just want you all to come Glow with me.
Note: The For The Glow website is under construction right now so while this link will work for you to learn more about Jenn & the program as well as sign up, you won't be able to poke around the rest of it right now. But that will all change when the new site goes live on 2/11!
Additional note: I'm not, like, getting paid by Jenn for telling you guys about her program or for anyone who signs up. I really & truly just wanted to share my experience with you. That, and my newfound love of green smoothies, Amazing Grass and chia seeds.
I know. Gasp, right?
Here's the thing - 2013 was a great freaking year. I celebrated early & often with amazing meals which included lots of wine, bread & dessert. I also work from home which means getting from my bed to my workspace is a minimal commute, and I'm not spending the hours on my feet that I used to. And while I embraced running in the early part of the year, later it just didn't seem as important as work, playing blocks with Boo, or binge-watching Friday Night Lights. Basically, any kind of balance flew out the window, and my health & well-being became my lowest priorities. Sound familiar?
And then came mid-December. Holy shit, friends. I could, quite literally, only fit into 2 pairs of my pants - not including yoga pants. Yoga pants, I might add, for which I was clearly not wearing to do yoga. Dude. That sucks. That sucks so bad.
Something had to give.
I am a person that both puts weight on & takes it off pretty easily. But I didn't need a crash diet or a quick fix. I needed a lifestyle change. A new way of thinking. A mindset reboot. I needed a new balance.
And then I found Jenn Jordan, the Resolution Challenge, and For The Glow.
Long story short - the Resolution Challenge is a 6-week program for women only that includes personal coaching from the amazing Jenn, a detox diet, meal plans, webinars, tons of recipes, participation in a private Facebook community, daily online workout videos plus loads of additional workout options including in-person here in Seattle. At this point, I am only 4 1/2 weeks in, and I swear to God, my life has changed. And because I could not imagine not being a Glow Girl anymore after my 6 weeks is up, I am now a Lifetime For The Glow Member.
Aside: I am not usually the type of person that schills things via my blog, right? You've got to know how much I love this program if I'm writing about it. In addition, I'm really not the type of person that talks about eating healthy & working out either so that also speaks to my passion. End of aside.
And this is why I'm writing this blog post. While I'm not going to give you my results just yet - hey, I still have a week and a half to go - I will tell you, a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in 7 months, fit again. My super skinny-haven't-been-able-to-wear-them-since-2008-jeans are thisclose to looking amazing. (Although stylish may be a different story.) But it's not about the weight loss anymore. It's about the complete & total lifestyle change. It's about feeling, looking, and actually being strong. It's about positivity & mindfulness & inner beauty. It's about making the best choices for myself. It's about balance. It's about community. It's about realizing that I'm stronger that I think I am. It's about kicking ass.
"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it."
I wanted to blog about For The Glow right now because I know there are a lot of ladies out there that feel the same as me. You want a change. You need a change. You're seeking balance. You're ready to kick some ass. If that sounds like you, I highly, highly recommend joining me as a Glow Girl right now.
Cause here's the thing - from now through Feb 11, you can become a Lifetime Member for $189. That means you'll get tons of meal plans, diets, workouts, connection to an amazing community of women, and coaching from Jenn. Oh, and when you do those workouts, first you'll get your ass kicked. But before you know it, you'll be kicking ass. And no, you don't have to be in Seattle. You can totally have your ass kicked virtually. You'll also automatically be enrolled in each year's Resolution Challenge (Jan/Feb) plus Bikini Boot Camp (Apr/May). But if you decide to do this after Feb 11, the price goes up to $799. Rightfully so. I seriously feel incredibly lucky to have met Jenn, discovered For The Glow and become a Lifetime Member for such a great value.
Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. (Fortunately, these days said soapbox does not buckle under the pressure of my person.) I'm just so unbelievably excited at how I look & feel right now that I just want you all to come Glow with me.
Note: The For The Glow website is under construction right now so while this link will work for you to learn more about Jenn & the program as well as sign up, you won't be able to poke around the rest of it right now. But that will all change when the new site goes live on 2/11!
Additional note: I'm not, like, getting paid by Jenn for telling you guys about her program or for anyone who signs up. I really & truly just wanted to share my experience with you. That, and my newfound love of green smoothies, Amazing Grass and chia seeds.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Socially Inclined Gratitude
Something I truly love about the holiday season is the outpouring of love and appreciation that comes along with it. I love that, as we deck the halls & trim the trees & jingle the bells, we also reflect on all of the things that make us thankful. 'Tis the season for gratitude.
With that in mind, I am about just going to go ahead and say it. I am thankful for social media.
Go ahead, laugh. Provide me with links to all of the articles condemning social for being a time suck or for offering us a distorted view of our "friends'" lives or how a woman, so distracted by Facebook, fell into the ocean.* Tell me I'm trivial. Go ahead. But I stand by my social praise.
Of course, there's the obvious reason for my devotion: social puts food on my table & clothes on my back (thanks, Microsoft!). But my benediction does not stop there.
Thank you, social media, for reconnecting me with old friends & distanced relationships. Without you, it's very unlikely that we would have mended those fences, cleared up those misunderstandings, and received friendships do-overs.
Thank you for the visual showcase of my friends' and family member's lives. My heart is full when I see my feeds full of photos of weddings and births, of smiling children going back to school and sitting on Santa's lap. My twinge of jealousy is more nice than naughty as I read their travel blogs and peek in on their far-away adventures. Their gratuitous food porn not only makes my stomach rumble, but also makes me a better cook and more well-versed in Seattle-area restaurants. The bikini pics & Nike running apps inspire me to put down my bagel & get my ass to yoga - an ass, I might mention, made by said improved cooking & dining. And when my entire Facebook feed of profile pics turns red in support of equal rights, I am moved to tears.
Thank you, social, for connecting me with family members, those separated from me in age & distance, and giving us a place to get to know each other - and their spouses and children too.
Thank you for providing me with a home for this blog. Because of the readership and positive feedback I have garnered through social, I am inspired to continue to write.
Thank you for being a place where we can find new jobs, solicit parenthood advice from a network of experts, share music, books and culture, celebrate births, grieve deaths, engage with colleagues, re-meet long lost friends, stay in touch with far away loved ones, receive support and champion others, and share inspiration and gratitude.
And thank you, my friends, my communities, my networks, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. It's a privilege for which I'm deeply grateful.
*Public Service Announcement: This is a true story. Please don't Facebook near ledges.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
My Favorite Things 2013
Another holiday season is upon us which means it must be time for another edition of My Favorite Things!
Again, I should remind you, Gentle Reader, that while you won't be gifted withmany any of these things this year for being a loyal follower of this blog, you WILL receive riches and wishes beyond your wildest dreams when I, along with Baby In A Bar, become revered across the land. I expect this to happen just as soon as I find time to write regular bi-weekly blog posts. You do the math.
My Favorite Things 2013
1. Pomegranate Seeds
I was first introduced to these little beauties by my friend Nicole of Savory Pear Catering, early in the year, and I had had no idea what I was missing. Not only are they delightful little pops of yumminess in your mouth, they are also incredibly good for you. I love them mixed into Green yogurt, tossed in a salad along with oranges & beets, or thrown into a morning smoothie. Don't be scared of seeding a pomegranate - it's really not hard. But if you'd prefer the lazy convenient way as I often do, you can buy the seeds prepackaged.
Again, I should remind you, Gentle Reader, that while you won't be gifted with
My Favorite Things 2013
1. Pomegranate Seeds
I was first introduced to these little beauties by my friend Nicole of Savory Pear Catering, early in the year, and I had had no idea what I was missing. Not only are they delightful little pops of yumminess in your mouth, they are also incredibly good for you. I love them mixed into Green yogurt, tossed in a salad along with oranges & beets, or thrown into a morning smoothie. Don't be scared of seeding a pomegranate - it's really not hard. But if you'd prefer the
Full disclosure: I would not have purchased these sheets if I didn't have a gift card that needed to be used up. Not generally a Bean Girl, I had a dig deep into the website to find something to spend it on when lo & behold, I came across the bedding. The weather had started to change, and a new pair of flannels sounded mighty fine. I would not normally pay this much for sheets, but again, the gift card! Gentle Reader, these sheets are like sleeping in a hug. So soft, so warm, so inviting. Plan on spending more time in bed - never a bad thing. (Winky smiley.)
3. Parenthood (TV series, streaming on Netflix)
Ah, yes, I realize that I am officially acknowledging that I am old when I tell you that one of My Favorite Things of the year is a television show about being a parent. But this show is so good, I don't care. If you're like me and binge-watching is usually reserved for shows that involve drug production or vampire-slaying, a family dramedy is probably not in your Netflix queue. Watch an episode. Suddenly it will be 3am, and you'll be wondering how you can get the Bravermans to adopt you.
My friend Davia preached to me about this BB Cream for a good hour, and I will preach the same - although slightly abridged version - to you. Girls, go out and yourself some of this SPF 35 miracle cream. Your face will look smooth, even & glowing. I expect to see a lot of selfies in the near future.
I am completely & totally in love with New Roots Organics, our CSA delivery. My favorite day of the week is produce delivery day. Yes, I'm a total veggie whore. You can customize the size of your bin, the frequency of your deliveries, as well as what you receive. I love that I can sub out kale for yucky fennel. I love that I can add additional items. I love that it comes directly to my door just like a yummy bi-weekly present. I love their customer service. Oh, and if you sign up, use me as a referral, okay? I'll make you some kale chips in return.
6. Books
I want to read my books in book form. I want to love them up and crease their spines and fold corners of their pages. I want to tuck them under my arm while I look for a seat at my coffee shop. I want to feel the weight of them in my carry-on. I want that new book smell from a hot-off-the-presses novel from a first time author. I want that musty, moldy aroma from a classic that hasn't been checked out of the library in years. I want to see row after row lined up on our many bookshelves and stacked in piles next to our bed. My son will inherit beat-up copies of The Runaway Bunny and Good Night Moon, and, later, The Hardy Boys and Harry Potter. We will run our fingers over the yellowed pages of the final The Ends. And then we'll read them again.
7. BevMo!
Oh, BevMov!, where have you been all my life? BOGO wine deals, incredible coupons. both cheap & spendy options, craft beer & hard A, you are my kind of party store. Let's stay together.
I received a tube of this hand cream in one of my Birch Boxes this year, and I was completely hooked. It's literally the best hand cream I've ever used. And it smells delicious. Oh, and a what a lovely stocking-stuffer too!
If you know me at all, you know that I love me some popcorn. My favorite bachelorette dinner is a giant bowl of popcorn and an equally giant glass of wine. Although I usually bust out my own trusty airpopper, sometimes I really don't want need that much popcorn. This is where the SkinnyPop comes into play. First, it's effing delicious. Second, it only has 39 calories per cup. Third, it's effing delicious. And if your child has inherited your incredible love of popcorn as mine has, you might want to start buying in bulk.
10. My Girls
And last, but certainly not least, My Favorite Things of 2013 are My Girls. My gang, my club, my confidantes, my strength, my mirror, my sounding board, my champions, my fellow Mommies in the Bar, my BFFs, my girls. Distance may separate us. Our busy schedules may keep us from each other. Miscommunications may create some challenges. Disagreements may occur. But after everything is said & done, you are my heart.
Happy Holidays! May Santa bring you all of YOUR favorite things this & every year.
xo
Saturday, October 12, 2013
A Saturday Morning Haiku - for Boo
Sleep still in my eyes
Him and me, close and cozy
Early morning joy
Him and me, close and cozy
Early morning joy
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
An Autumn Love Story
October is here which means fall is here which means I long for Michigan.
I love Seattle, but every year when the seasons begin to change and the smell of fall is in the air, I really miss Michigan. I miss my family and my friends and the seasons and the friendly and the accents and the Lakes and the smells. Each season has a distinct smell in Michigan. You can step outside, breathe deep and know exactly the time of year. Fall is the best, it's my favorite season, my favorite smell. It's pumpkin pie and crisp leaves, tart apples and Halloween, thick tights and bittersweet endings, spicy bourbon and Friday night football games, family and fireplaces, chilly mornings and melancholy nights. It's a little sad, a little disappointing, a little gray. And then, just as quickly, it becomes warm and delicious and bright. Sunny and shiny, chilly, but with the promise of an evening fire.
This is every day during autumn in Michigan. It doesn't happen as often here. It is a lucky day, and ever-so-slightly sad day, a day made for a glass of Cabernet, to smell fall here. And then suddenly, there's that familiar tug, that pull towards the middle.
No matter where I am, no matter how deep I travel, my compass always points towards Michigan. Always my home, forever fall.
I love Seattle, but every year when the seasons begin to change and the smell of fall is in the air, I really miss Michigan. I miss my family and my friends and the seasons and the friendly and the accents and the Lakes and the smells. Each season has a distinct smell in Michigan. You can step outside, breathe deep and know exactly the time of year. Fall is the best, it's my favorite season, my favorite smell. It's pumpkin pie and crisp leaves, tart apples and Halloween, thick tights and bittersweet endings, spicy bourbon and Friday night football games, family and fireplaces, chilly mornings and melancholy nights. It's a little sad, a little disappointing, a little gray. And then, just as quickly, it becomes warm and delicious and bright. Sunny and shiny, chilly, but with the promise of an evening fire.
This is every day during autumn in Michigan. It doesn't happen as often here. It is a lucky day, and ever-so-slightly sad day, a day made for a glass of Cabernet, to smell fall here. And then suddenly, there's that familiar tug, that pull towards the middle.
No matter where I am, no matter how deep I travel, my compass always points towards Michigan. Always my home, forever fall.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Lights Out!
A few weekends ago, Boo & I took a little trip out to a place called Herron Island where our bestie, Abra, had rented a house, and, another bestie, Laetitia was visiting from Prague. Herron Island is pretty remote. No stores, no bars, no nothing on the island except for lovely homes & beautiful water views. Ahhh.
The weekend we were there, the beautiful views were marred by a little bit of rain. Okay, a lot of rain. No big deal! When you've got good friends, a box of wine, and Team Umizoomi on Amazon Prime, you're in good shape. We spent the day working, reading, playing blocks, cooking, watching bad TV & crappy movies. (Well, only if you qualify "Dude, Where's My Car" as crappy which I most definitely do not.) We watched as the rain grew progressively harder, and we cheered as some rare lightening lit up the Pacific Northwest sky. All in all, it was the kind of relaxing awesomeness you can only achieve on an island with no nothing.
And then it happened.
One of those rare bolts of lightening lit up the sky, and our little island house turned dark & silent. Yes, the power had gone out. Shit.
We had just settled in! We had just queued up Umi on the laptop for Boo. We had just started a "Project Runway" marathon. We had just laid out our dinner plans which most definitely required electricity. And - OH MY GOD - our mobiles weren't working and neither was the WiFi! This was a true emergency.
After the realization that we could not check Facebook for an unknown amount of time had fully sunk in, we knew what we had to do. We all took a different floor of the house to search for candles & flashlights. We pulled out all of Boo's toys & books to keep him entertained. We lit candles & placed them strategically around the house. We corked(?) the box of wine. And for three hours, we talked to each other. We played pillows with Boo. We watched the rain. We weren't distracted by a text or a tweet. We didn't pause midway through a conversation to check our email. We didn't sit in silence for a straight 42 minutes while Tim Gunn & Heidi Klum ran commentary. We enjoyed both the silence & the dark.
But, three hours later, when the electricity popped back on, we all cheered. We celebrated that we could once again catalog our every move on social. We rejoined the "Project Runway" marathon, and we all checked our phones. Boo watched one more episode of Umi before bed. But it felt a little like the end of something.
The lit candles were the one indication that the power had ever been off. And, as we drank our boxed wine and watched the flickering of the flames, we made a decision. The power would go out again the next day too - whether it wanted to or not.
And so, on our last night on the island, we enjoyed a self-imposed 2-hour blackout. No phones, no WiFi, no TV, no laptops, no lights - just 3 good girlfriends (and a little Boo too), a box of wine, and a cutthroat game of Monopoly.
Sometimes you can just see everything so much better in the dark.
The weekend we were there, the beautiful views were marred by a little bit of rain. Okay, a lot of rain. No big deal! When you've got good friends, a box of wine, and Team Umizoomi on Amazon Prime, you're in good shape. We spent the day working, reading, playing blocks, cooking, watching bad TV & crappy movies. (Well, only if you qualify "Dude, Where's My Car" as crappy which I most definitely do not.) We watched as the rain grew progressively harder, and we cheered as some rare lightening lit up the Pacific Northwest sky. All in all, it was the kind of relaxing awesomeness you can only achieve on an island with no nothing.
And then it happened.
One of those rare bolts of lightening lit up the sky, and our little island house turned dark & silent. Yes, the power had gone out. Shit.
We had just settled in! We had just queued up Umi on the laptop for Boo. We had just started a "Project Runway" marathon. We had just laid out our dinner plans which most definitely required electricity. And - OH MY GOD - our mobiles weren't working and neither was the WiFi! This was a true emergency.
After the realization that we could not check Facebook for an unknown amount of time had fully sunk in, we knew what we had to do. We all took a different floor of the house to search for candles & flashlights. We pulled out all of Boo's toys & books to keep him entertained. We lit candles & placed them strategically around the house. We corked(?) the box of wine. And for three hours, we talked to each other. We played pillows with Boo. We watched the rain. We weren't distracted by a text or a tweet. We didn't pause midway through a conversation to check our email. We didn't sit in silence for a straight 42 minutes while Tim Gunn & Heidi Klum ran commentary. We enjoyed both the silence & the dark.
But, three hours later, when the electricity popped back on, we all cheered. We celebrated that we could once again catalog our every move on social. We rejoined the "Project Runway" marathon, and we all checked our phones. Boo watched one more episode of Umi before bed. But it felt a little like the end of something.
The lit candles were the one indication that the power had ever been off. And, as we drank our boxed wine and watched the flickering of the flames, we made a decision. The power would go out again the next day too - whether it wanted to or not.
And so, on our last night on the island, we enjoyed a self-imposed 2-hour blackout. No phones, no WiFi, no TV, no laptops, no lights - just 3 good girlfriends (and a little Boo too), a box of wine, and a cutthroat game of Monopoly.
Sometimes you can just see everything so much better in the dark.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
It Was A Great Day
I found some old journals while cleaning out my closet the other day, and I starting thumbing through a few of them. There was an undated entry from what I'm guessing was my sophomore year at Albion. It was titled, "Perfect Moments: days I would like to live over exactly as they were." (Um, I know I'm talking about myself here, but seriously, how cute is that?)
As I read through the list, it occurred to me that nothing on it was really earth-shattering. These were not the *BIG* moments, the supposedly life-changing events that mark most of our histories. Birthdays, graduations, proms, holidays, "firsts", they were not included on the list. No, instead, the most Perfect Moments of my 19-years were made of simpler stuff.
A particularly perfect sunny August day spent at the lake. A trip to an amusement park. Wasting away an afternoon doing nothing with my BFF while waiting for what we thought was the "real fun" at a party later that night. Three college buddies walking for miles, on a road to nowhere, talking about nothing & everything all at the same time. Spilling secrets while sitting on the side of a lake drinking High Life from a can. An impromptu dance party under the stars.
I smiled as I read this list. Some of the Perfect Moments I remembered clear as day. Others I had to dig deep to place. Some of them I can't find again at all. And yet, I'm still smiling.
I'm smiling because I knew then that happiness could be found in a cup of coffee at Silverman's or a shared laugh or a real & true conversation. I knew that I had something special in the good friends that I had found. I knew that life's Perfect Moments weren't those that were photographed & stuck in albums or those with their own recurring space on the calendar or those that required a special outfit. Even at 19, I knew better.
While I've been wasting my time waiting for the "something bigs" and the "super-excitings", the for real Best-Days-Ever are taking place right now. And suddenly, I know now what I knew then. Millions of Perfect Moments are happening every day.
Now, let's start up that list again, shall we?
As I read through the list, it occurred to me that nothing on it was really earth-shattering. These were not the *BIG* moments, the supposedly life-changing events that mark most of our histories. Birthdays, graduations, proms, holidays, "firsts", they were not included on the list. No, instead, the most Perfect Moments of my 19-years were made of simpler stuff.
A particularly perfect sunny August day spent at the lake. A trip to an amusement park. Wasting away an afternoon doing nothing with my BFF while waiting for what we thought was the "real fun" at a party later that night. Three college buddies walking for miles, on a road to nowhere, talking about nothing & everything all at the same time. Spilling secrets while sitting on the side of a lake drinking High Life from a can. An impromptu dance party under the stars.
I smiled as I read this list. Some of the Perfect Moments I remembered clear as day. Others I had to dig deep to place. Some of them I can't find again at all. And yet, I'm still smiling.
I'm smiling because I knew then that happiness could be found in a cup of coffee at Silverman's or a shared laugh or a real & true conversation. I knew that I had something special in the good friends that I had found. I knew that life's Perfect Moments weren't those that were photographed & stuck in albums or those with their own recurring space on the calendar or those that required a special outfit. Even at 19, I knew better.
While I've been wasting my time waiting for the "something bigs" and the "super-excitings", the for real Best-Days-Ever are taking place right now. And suddenly, I know now what I knew then. Millions of Perfect Moments are happening every day.
Now, let's start up that list again, shall we?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wanderlust
We are leaving for Hawaii on Friday, and while I'm unbelievably excited & grateful to be taking this trip with Tim & Boo, I can't help feeling a little nostalgic for the old days of travel. The days where the goal of visiting all 7 continents before age 40 was actually within reach. We haven't left the country, in, what, 5 years? (Oh my god, can that really be true?) No wonder I'm becoming all numb and ethnocentric and "U-S-A!" like.
Yes, I am still a travel snob at heart.
I need culture. I need menus that aren't in English. I need
walking all around a new city, miles and miles, just because it's fun or I'm
lost. I need mispronouncing words to the locals and being laughed at by food truck workers. I need
beaches and mountains and smoggy cities. I need dogs running around in places
they most certainly should not be running. I need museums and monuments and all of the wonders of the world. I need hanging on so tight to my
purse so a guy on a moto doesn't snatch it off me. I need rickshaw drivers
taking me to shady sex shows that I (probably) did not request. I need color and vibrance. I need sketchy, but oh-so-delicious street food and questionable "burgers". I
need boarding passes and carry-ons. I need sleep deprivation and jet lag. I need dirty hair and dirty clothes and a make-up-free face. I
need drinking local beer and eating lobster with my hands on the beach. I need dancing and
hiking and bungy-jumping and cliff-diving and tandem-biking and glacier-walking
and zip-lining and thrill-seeking and adreneline-running. I need to be that
person I am when I travel all of the time.
I need to go away. Now.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Raise Your Glasses, Girls
It wasn’t until after I graduated college that I really
understood the importance of female friends.
I mean, I *had* them, but they were few & far between, and I
definitely took them for granted. I
always preferred the company of men (ahem), and I simply didn’t appreciate the
importance, nay, the necessity of best girlfriends.
Fortunately, my old friends didn’t give up on me during
those dark years, and, in my late 20's, I was lucky enough to find myself part
of a true gang of girlfriends. After all
those years, I finally got it. And then,
I moved to Seattle, away from the comfort of the chicks that knew me…and loved
me nonetheless.
Lucky for me, I already had one built-in Seattle girlfriend,
so I was doing much better than most that are new to the land of the
Deep-Freeze. And now, 6 years later, I
am fortunate enough to belong to another gang.
And a badass gang at that.
But today, one of us is going away. She is pursuing her dreams, her goals, what
feels right for her. And we’re so happy
for her. But we are sad for us. We know that our lives will go on. Wine Club
Book Club will still meet. We will still
celebrate together, hurt together, laugh together, gossip together, round-table
together. But now, there will be a
little Laetitia-sized hole in our hearts.
Still, here’s the thing about this gang. Once you’re in, you’re in. You can’t get away from us that
easily. We're badasses, remember?
And so, with this glass of Happy Wine, I toast you, Laetitia. You little French-speaking, ass-kicking,
sextopus-making, American bikini-wearing, wine-drinking, marathon-running,
truth-speaking, Chinese perm-getting, booty-smacking, ghetto grocery store-shopping, Cherry
Pie-dancing, party-instigating amazing girlfriend, you.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Shhh, This Is My Favorite Part!
If you know me well, you probably know I have some weird quirks. Several of these quirks involve music.
First, I have a favorite part of pretty much every song, and I will point it out to you - even if we are deep in the middle of conversation. I will expect you to remember my favorite parts of my favorite songs and anticipate when a pause in our conversation should come.
Next, I like lyrics, and I like to analyze them to no end. I will expect you to actively participate in this process. I will ask you, "What do you think he meant by XXXX?" You should think about it for a moment and then contribute something interesting. "I don't know" or "I wasn't really listening" are not acceptable replies.
Finally, I am a fan of theme music. I insist that the correct song be playing for both major & minor events in my life. In addition, if it's not acceptable to be playing music in a certain situation, I can still hear it in my mind. Or, if I'm listening to a particularly good song that would be *perfect* for theme music, I will conjure that scene up in my head.
Some current faves:
Walking down my front steps to start my run? This small town heroine's perfect moment for the beginning of "Don't Stop Believin'".
Finishing up the same run? "Don't You Forget About Me", fist raise included.
Getting pumped up for a big work thing? "Can't Hold Us"
Excitement over girls night? "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind"
Channeling the angst from my '20s? Always, always "32 Flavors".
Being in general awe of all of the amazing women in my life? "Girl on Fire"
What music is providing the soundtrack to your life right now? Let me hear too.
First, I have a favorite part of pretty much every song, and I will point it out to you - even if we are deep in the middle of conversation. I will expect you to remember my favorite parts of my favorite songs and anticipate when a pause in our conversation should come.
Next, I like lyrics, and I like to analyze them to no end. I will expect you to actively participate in this process. I will ask you, "What do you think he meant by XXXX?" You should think about it for a moment and then contribute something interesting. "I don't know" or "I wasn't really listening" are not acceptable replies.
Finally, I am a fan of theme music. I insist that the correct song be playing for both major & minor events in my life. In addition, if it's not acceptable to be playing music in a certain situation, I can still hear it in my mind. Or, if I'm listening to a particularly good song that would be *perfect* for theme music, I will conjure that scene up in my head.
Some current faves:
Walking down my front steps to start my run? This small town heroine's perfect moment for the beginning of "Don't Stop Believin'".
Finishing up the same run? "Don't You Forget About Me", fist raise included.
Getting pumped up for a big work thing? "Can't Hold Us"
Excitement over girls night? "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind"
Channeling the angst from my '20s? Always, always "32 Flavors".
Being in general awe of all of the amazing women in my life? "Girl on Fire"
What music is providing the soundtrack to your life right now? Let me hear too.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Pretty Good Year
As I've said, I am a professional marketer, a professional mama, and a professional good time girl. (Note: this does not mean "prostitute".) Gentle Reader, that is THREE full time jobs. How in the world was there ever time for everything in 2012?
- Successfully made it to my son's first birthday
- Planned a wedding IN MY BACKYARD while working & baby-wrangling full-time
- Overhauled our entire home including paint, carpet, and various other home improvement projects
- Coped with the baby blues and cried quite a bit
- Learned that taking 30 minutes to eat lunch silent and alone is essential to my well-being
- Lost the baby weight
- Gained some of it back
- Finally married the love of my life after a 7-year courtship
- Reconnected with several of my closest friends from the past
- Learned the importance of making time for friends, both near & far
- Looked out at a sea of faces of all of the people I love most in my life and felt like the luckiest girl in the world
- Ran (mostly) my first 5K
- Had a fight with my Mom that has likely forever changed the nature of our relationship
- Finally embraced my love of being a mother
- Came to the sad conclusion that wheat & dairy do not make me feel good
- Colored a lot of gray hair and obsessed over many new lines on my face
- Said goodbye to my Grandma
- Spent all day at a cabana in Vegas with 8 of my very best girls
- Unexpectedly, felt endless gratitude & respect for my in-laws
- Drank my weight in beer in Bend on our very short but sweet honeymoon
- Cried and cried and cried and hurt and hurt and hurt for those lost and the families affected by so many tragedies of this past year
- Discovered that my husband is not only a great partner, he's a terrific father
- Celebrated births and grieved the death of relationships with my dear Seattle girlfriends
- Took a giant leap of faith and left my secure job to pursue a new career
- Continued my love affair with wine
- Watched too much reality TV
- Made peace with myself for some of the larger mistakes I've made
- Swelled with joy & pride as I watched my son roll over, crawl, take his first steps, say his first words, give his first kisses, snuggle his first stuffed toy, eat his first foods, and call out "Mommy!" for the first time
- Felt both joy & sorrow more deeply than ever before
- Thought to myself time and time and time again, "I must be one of the luckiest women on Earth."
Yeah, it was a pretty good year.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
No Whiskers On Kittens Here
I realize that I am no Oprah. Most of my favorite things cost less than $10 (with a few notable exceptions). And you will not receive any of them after reading this blog post. Still, screaming in excitement is encouraged. Some day I may have Oprah's reach, and, when I do, your commitment to this blog will go far. You can count on that.
My Favorite Things 2012
1. Birchbox subscription
I love getting mail, and I love beauty samples. Put the two together, and you've got a Birch Box subscription! Buy one for yourself. Give one to your girlfriend. Swap the perfume samples with each other. Thank me later.
2. Mt Townsend Creamery
Glorious handmade cheeses from the Pacific Northwest. Friendly, knowledgeable cheesemakers. Holiday Gift Boxes available online. You can't go wrong with any of their cheese choices, but I'm a fan of Seastack, the old stand-by.
3. Kale
Yes, I know it's ever-so-popular right now. But for good reason: it's not only a nutritional powerhouse, it's totally adaptable to pretty much any dish. I toss it in everything - salads, soups, sauces, smoothies, pizza, hash, stir-fries. Consider it your new staple.
4. The Voice
Yeah, it's a guilty pleasure. Just try and resist Cee Lo's dirty old man leering or Blake Shelton's drunken barbs. It's sheer escapism. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
5. Sprout organic fruit & veggie pouches
They're organic which is important to me. They are yummy which is important to my kid. Boo started holding them himself when he was 10 months or so, and a whole new world was born. Although a bunch of other companies make these as well, the Sprout brand just seem to be Boo's favorite. Don't leave home without one.
6. Mary's Gone Crackers - Black Pepper
Gluten-free, dairy-free crackers that are nutty and crunchy with just a little bit of a pepper kick and stand up to strong cheeses, creamy dips, and thick spreads. Ridiculous good.
7. Kitchen Aid Mixer
Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I seriously don't know how I lived before this thing. It has tons of uses, tons of fun attachments you can add on (hello, ice cream maker!), and it just looks darn cute sitting on your counter.
8. Domino Beauty Boutique
My newest discovery (thanks to Asia of Sparrow Soirees) in Greenwood. Love my haircut, love my various waxed areas (ahem), love their atmosphere. Go see the ladies of Domino - they'll make you even prettier that you already are.
9. Fromager d'Affinois
If you know me at all, you know that this cheese is my thing. Oh man, is it my thing - especially as a topping for the aforementioned Mary's Gone Crackers. It's kind of like a brie, but it's just so buttery, so creamy, so ooey-gooey, it's irresistible.
10. Ellen Barrett workout DVDs
When you enjoy Fromager d'Affinois as much as I do, you must have some balance. This is where Ellen Barrett comes in. Almost all of her workouts are done in bare feet (!), and they are pilates/yoga/dance fusions. Even if you hate working out at home - or at all - Ellen's your girl.
11. Vegenaise
God knows that I am not a vegan. But I have the biggest crush on Veganaise right now. I even use it to make egg salad which is weird, but somehow makes sense. Try it before you throw carnivorous stones.
12. Doug & Melissa Toys
My kid loves these retro-ish wooden toys from Doug & Melissa. They're super sturdy, well-made, and they will occupy your child for a least 4 minutes at a time. That's 45 in grown-up minutes.
13. A - Z Pinot Noir
I like to save the best for last, and as you all know, for me, that means wine. This Oregon Pinot has been one of my frontrunners for the past year. Juicy & fruity with a fabulous finish, this is my winter go-to. Try it today. Preferably accompanied by some Fromager d'Affinois.
P.S. Santa, if you're reading this, please consider any and all of the above as appropriate stocking stuffers.
Happy Holidays!
My Favorite Things 2012
1. Birchbox subscription
I love getting mail, and I love beauty samples. Put the two together, and you've got a Birch Box subscription! Buy one for yourself. Give one to your girlfriend. Swap the perfume samples with each other. Thank me later.
2. Mt Townsend Creamery
Glorious handmade cheeses from the Pacific Northwest. Friendly, knowledgeable cheesemakers. Holiday Gift Boxes available online. You can't go wrong with any of their cheese choices, but I'm a fan of Seastack, the old stand-by.
3. Kale
Yes, I know it's ever-so-popular right now. But for good reason: it's not only a nutritional powerhouse, it's totally adaptable to pretty much any dish. I toss it in everything - salads, soups, sauces, smoothies, pizza, hash, stir-fries. Consider it your new staple.
4. The Voice
Yeah, it's a guilty pleasure. Just try and resist Cee Lo's dirty old man leering or Blake Shelton's drunken barbs. It's sheer escapism. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
5. Sprout organic fruit & veggie pouches
They're organic which is important to me. They are yummy which is important to my kid. Boo started holding them himself when he was 10 months or so, and a whole new world was born. Although a bunch of other companies make these as well, the Sprout brand just seem to be Boo's favorite. Don't leave home without one.
6. Mary's Gone Crackers - Black Pepper
Gluten-free, dairy-free crackers that are nutty and crunchy with just a little bit of a pepper kick and stand up to strong cheeses, creamy dips, and thick spreads. Ridiculous good.
7. Kitchen Aid Mixer
Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I seriously don't know how I lived before this thing. It has tons of uses, tons of fun attachments you can add on (hello, ice cream maker!), and it just looks darn cute sitting on your counter.
8. Domino Beauty Boutique
My newest discovery (thanks to Asia of Sparrow Soirees) in Greenwood. Love my haircut, love my various waxed areas (ahem), love their atmosphere. Go see the ladies of Domino - they'll make you even prettier that you already are.
9. Fromager d'Affinois
If you know me at all, you know that this cheese is my thing. Oh man, is it my thing - especially as a topping for the aforementioned Mary's Gone Crackers. It's kind of like a brie, but it's just so buttery, so creamy, so ooey-gooey, it's irresistible.
10. Ellen Barrett workout DVDs
When you enjoy Fromager d'Affinois as much as I do, you must have some balance. This is where Ellen Barrett comes in. Almost all of her workouts are done in bare feet (!), and they are pilates/yoga/dance fusions. Even if you hate working out at home - or at all - Ellen's your girl.
11. Vegenaise
God knows that I am not a vegan. But I have the biggest crush on Veganaise right now. I even use it to make egg salad which is weird, but somehow makes sense. Try it before you throw carnivorous stones.
12. Doug & Melissa Toys
My kid loves these retro-ish wooden toys from Doug & Melissa. They're super sturdy, well-made, and they will occupy your child for a least 4 minutes at a time. That's 45 in grown-up minutes.
13. A - Z Pinot Noir
I like to save the best for last, and as you all know, for me, that means wine. This Oregon Pinot has been one of my frontrunners for the past year. Juicy & fruity with a fabulous finish, this is my winter go-to. Try it today. Preferably accompanied by some Fromager d'Affinois.
P.S. Santa, if you're reading this, please consider any and all of the above as appropriate stocking stuffers.
Happy Holidays!
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