Living in the Nook

Knock knock!

2010-05-29T21:02:00.002-04:00

(My house - about an hour ago)

We've been bad bad bloggers, ladies! I think we all have other things that are keeping us busy, but I thought I'd try to revive our little ditty of a blog for the summer.

Also, I just started my own blog (yeah, another one), but this one is just for cooking and figuring out what to do with exotic items in my weekly CSA share. I just wanted a place where all my fave recipes could be easily accessed, and so that people could help me with cooking ideas! You can find it here.

evolution of a beard

2010-04-04T19:47:00.002-04:00

6 month beard

this is called the "hulihee"

push broom mustache

now he thinks he's a model for seventeen magazine

theo and the wolf

2010-02-21T12:06:00.003-05:00

scenes from winter vacation, part 3

2010-02-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

scenes from winter vacation, part 2

2010-02-20T18:49:00.002-05:00

scenes from winter vacation, part 1

2010-02-19T23:29:00.002-05:00

let it snow

2010-02-06T21:52:00.002-05:00

In the spirit of Laura's post, since snowmaggedon (yes that's what they've been calling it here) started yesterday and I got off early from work, I've been able to use the time oh-so-wisely to make: stew, pancakes (I normally cheat and use Shake n Pour, but not this time), brownies, half a small blanket and what's on the video (there's no sound, your computer's not broken). Tomorrow might attempt a meat pie and pizza dough. First have to get to the store...Hope everyone who's been getting the snow has been staying warm. This town is pretty much shut down, which is honestly just fine with me!!

Snow Day!

2010-02-06T19:28:00.004-05:00

We got 25 inches in Philadelphia. What better time to drink good beer, throw together some lentil soup, and teach myself how to make bread?

jan 4

2010-02-05T20:15:00.004-05:00

my thrifting take from yesterday. less than $40 total and from a secret spot a 10 minute walk from my apartment.

cross-country skiing love

it might seem silly to buy 4 heart-shaped cake pans when you live in less than 500 sq feet (with a husband and a dog and i often work from home), BUT they were only $1, they're not nonstick (i hate nonstick bakeware), and valentine's day is next week. i thought maybe i'd make some brownies or something. and then today i agreed to make phaea's wedding cake so triple-tiered heart-shaped chocolate cake with raspberry filling here i come.

cast iron trivet

a jar without a tight seal...perfect for holding sourdough starter

pretty ladies in pretty outfits

four cross-stitched linen napkins and a handsome wooden bowl

4 aluminum pie plates. i realized this summer at s&c's that it's stupid that i only have/had one pie plate. they store stacked and you often want to use more than one at a time. same goes for cooling racks.

lots and lots of buttons

i've been looking for a tasteful candlewick bedspread in decent shape for quite a while. this one is huge and will be like heaven on our bed this summer

feb 2

2010-02-02T19:38:00.003-05:00

i've been sick quite a bit this last month and laying low at home whenever possible. i've watched a lot (for me) of movies and online tv. a nice surprise the other day was broken english. i didn't expect much, but it was sweet and included lots of nyc as well as paris. and falling in love in irresponsible ways. swoon. also, i'd like to wear every single one of parker posey's outfits and felt further encouraged to bring back my cute bangs of '07. maybe.

Crazy!

2010-02-02T10:17:00.003-05:00

I thought about emailing this to everyone, but one of the purposes of this blog is to keep in touch, right? Hope it's okay that I'm sort of breaking our picture theme up with my word-posts.

I'm working with a Penn alumnus right now who shares the same last name as the two sisters who head up one of our favorite bands from Northampton. (Hint: the last name is the name of the band.) I hadn't made the connection despite the fact that he is a partner at a firm in DC, which is where these two ladies grew up. Low and behold, he's their dad! Totally cool!

jan 29

2010-01-29T21:12:00.002-05:00

seymour antique company. love

jan 11-21

2010-01-22T07:13:00.006-05:00

phoney

2010-01-13T03:46:00.003-05:00

A question for my ladies: my little red smell phone is crapping out on me. It does the basic tricks that I need and it can make and receive calls (ain't it funny how that's the last function advertised for new phones?) but it's getting kinda crunchy in its old age (umm, just over a year). So I could use a new plain old phone, although I know I'd dig some kind of keyboard or something to make texting less of a pain in the arse.

The other thing - my Pod is about to be passed on to the mother-in-law. Just before Christmas, she expressed some interest in seeing what it's all about. Danny and I looked into getting her a new one, but we thought a touchscreen would be a little overwhelming and that a little minipod would be too little and a pain. So we decided on passing on my great big classic with the clicky wheely thingy - super easy to use, plenty of memory, and we can load it up with family photos and Irish music and whatever else.

So - I think you know where this is leading - I need a new Pod and a new phone. Whatever shall I do? Are any of you ladies podphoners? Are they stupid? Are they amazing? Are they can't live without it or get it the hell away from me? We're already hooked up with the right service provider, which happens to be the best service in AK (although I had TERRIBLE service the whole time I was in NYC). Danny says I should just get a touchscreen Pod and have a regular old phone. I say I dunno.

Welp, let me know. I'm hanging on your every word.

jan 10

2010-01-10T22:13:00.002-05:00

planned winter reading list 1/1-3/1
Rich Again by Anna Maxted
already started; not nearly as good as some of her others I've read and I'm glad to be almost finished

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
found in a box of books on the sidewalk; I've never even read the more popular Wicked, but everyone loves it and I'm considering that a good omen

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
also can't wait to go see The Lovely Bones

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
a coworker unloaded her copy on me today

19th Wife by David Ebershoff
started a while ago, but didn't get very far. want to try again

Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Linda Sebastian and Having Twins and More by Elizabeth Noble
my last two "required" books for postpartum doula certification

I'm a pretty fast reader and consider this a modest list for two months. That's okay because there's a lot of other media to take in over the next few months. I like to watch as many of the Oscar-nominated films as possible (once they're announced) before the award ceremonies in March, we just started watching Lost season 5 on Netflix, and the Winter Olympics (!!!) start on February 12. We plan on renting or buying a cheap thrift store tv for the 2 weeks (or so). I can't wait. They take place this year in Vancouver. The only Canadian-themed food I can think to have during the opening ceremonies is poutine, beer, and maybe a maple dessert. Any other ideas?

jan 9

2010-01-09T22:08:00.003-05:00

I'm newly committed to collecting more holiday tree ornaments as mementos/souvenirs from trips and whatnot. I've been trying to buy one for every Broadway show I see or work on as well. When they don't sell an ornament, I buy a keychain and turn it into an ornament. Clever, huh?

jan 8

2010-01-08T21:20:00.002-05:00

Kongs are our life around here. Clover Meadow recently broke the 20 lb mark and thus requires 12 oz a day of the hippie/yuppie raw food she eats. We (mostly Pete) spend sooo much time defrosting the food, stuffing it into kongs, refreezing it, giving them to her one-by-one, making sure they're empty, cleaning them, and starting all over again. I think she's old enough that when my show closes in a few weeks we'll be switching to a more homemade diet. At this point, it'll probably be simpler than the current system.
Funny thing...one of Pete's friends from junior high recently posted a photo of a Kong on Facebook with the caption "Hey, Petco has good deals on triple tier butt plugs". Haha

jan 7

2010-01-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

compost...clementine, edamame, ginger, and thyme

Garden plans?

2010-01-07T10:02:00.002-05:00

So I know at least a few of us like to grow our own stuff and I thought it would be fun to start a dialogue about it now, since I am always behind on getting ready for planting and I am determined to be on schedule this year. Plus, being susceptible to the Winter doldrums, I'm hoping to liven up my mood with thoughts of Spring. We're hoping our garden will supplement our share from the CSA we plan to join and also give us a bit more stuff to put away for the winter. I'm probably behind the curve on this one, but last year was our first year doing our own tomatoes, and every time I bite into a store-bought tomato, now, I'm disappointed...and usually a little grossed out. I've been rather lazy about my produce-buying because we haven't had a reasonably close farmer's market...until now! A new one is opening next week, here. Apparently, opening one up in the middle of the winter is not as crazy as it sounds.

Since our backyard is almost totally concrete, we've been planting in containers. I've decided to upgrade us a little, this year, and build some long beds out of cinderblocks! We are also going to try to start from seeds.

The plan for this year is to plant the following: two varieties of tomatoes (to heirloom or not to heirloom, that is the question), zucchini, japanese eggplant (had a plant last year and it was awesome), string beans, basil, rosemary, oregano, sage, parsley, and cilantro. Our local urban farm just got chickens so I inquired about them. Apparently, they are legal in alot of cities (including Philly)! Unfortunately, our yard is just too small for a coop. Maybe some day. They did refer me to this site, which was pretty cool, in case you are curious: Urban Chickens.

So what are your plans for when the weather starts to turn?

jan 6

2010-01-06T21:41:00.001-05:00

i can't wait
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jan 5

2010-01-05T19:40:00.002-05:00

prospect park, brooklyn

jan 4

2010-01-04T09:05:00.002-05:00

In honor of teachers and students headed back to school today. I recently read American Wife, said to be based on the life of Laura Bush. Very good. Her favorite book as a teacher and librarian was this:
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jan 3

2010-01-04T09:02:00.001-05:00

these boots were made for skiing

2010-01-02T20:05:00.003-05:00

Danny and I just got back from a nice afternoon out and about town. We picked up new calendars (in true cheapskate form we always wait until they're marked down once the new year begins), we had our favorite appetizer at Bear Tooth (the best fries ever - loaded with fresh garlic and cilantro and plenty of Tillamook cheese), then we ran across the street to the big ol' gear store and I got some new touring boots. I've been wanting to try skijoring with Bailey - ok, super modified skijoring. I'm going to rig her up with her harness and a strong leash with a bungee on the end and we're gonna go for it. That will be tomorrow's news. We shall see how it goes...

Yesterday we went for a frosty walk all bundled up and cozy. It was about -5 outside under the bright moon - what a night! Mom got me a 'Mad Bomber' hat for Christmas and it kept me nice and toasty. I never thought I'd be caught dead in fur, but I can now see why it's a cold weather classic.

jan 2

2010-01-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

kickline

Okay fine, I'll give in...

2010-01-02T18:33:00.005-05:00

I've been arguing all weekend that it is NOT the end of the decade, mathematically speaking, but I'm giving in to the idea that it just makes more sense to say that 2010 is the first year of the "teens." Plus, C.'s latest blog post on Cutest Little Babymakers made me actually sit down and think about all of the highlights that our little crew has had over the last 10 years. Here are a few:

6 Mount Holyoke Degrees
3 graduate degrees
5 weddings (and 4 wedding blankets SO FAR...)
4 dogs, 9 cats(?), and a baby
4 house purchases
9 New York City apartments
We've lived in Massachusetts, Maine, Alaska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisianna, and Costa Rica
We've had careers as teachers, lawyers, doulas, artists, fundraisers, stylists, and counselors.

I'm sure I could come up with much more, but there's Chinese food waiting for me. I just thought it was interesting that over the last 10 years, we have lived together, apart, together again, and then scattered once more...and at least in my case, I have made countless new friends along the way, but always shared a special connection...one that I've always valued over every other...with all of you. Here's to another decade of accomplishments and "Us."

jan 1

2010-01-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

happy new year

2009-12-31T16:06:00.002-05:00

Hey there, ladies - I've been terrible about writing in here this year, but wanted to get in a note to you all before the year is out. How about we give it the old college try for 2010? Stacey, you were totally on it until not too long ago. Of course, that coincided with work getting crazy for you, I know... I don't have much for reasonable excuses, but I know the rest of you have a lot keeping you busy. My sister Jessy and I have challenged each other to get our blog on this year and so I've picked up where I left off on mine. And so I challenge all of you to do the same!

Much love to you all and a Happy New Year, too!

2009-10-31T21:10:00.003-04:00

september 1-16

2009-09-15T16:50:00.002-04:00

august 27-31

2009-08-31T17:24:00.003-04:00

august 26

2009-08-26T21:26:00.002-04:00

today, phaea and i thought we would celebrate one of summer's last days (and my last puppy-free day off) with a few hours at orchard beach followed by some fried seafood on city island. instead, we spent 3 hours in a traffic jam on the van wyck followed by a bathroom break at the target in college point. ah, summer.

august 24

2009-08-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

one of my most exciting food moments last summer was preparing and eating a watermelon, tomato, and feta salad on labor day. it was my first time enjoying watermelon with salty and savory and was such a revelation. pete doesn't care for melons so the big one i picked up at the farmer's market this weekend is entirely my responsibility. i ate a quarter of it today for lunch...big slices sprinkled with sea salt. if you've never put salt on watermelon, go do it right now and then thank me later.

august 17-22

2009-08-23T11:55:00.002-04:00

august 16

2009-08-16T19:21:00.002-04:00

time for porch snacks

august 12-15

2009-08-15T11:48:00.002-04:00

i'm suffering from a terrible cold and cramps today, but am in a pretty sweet plate to convalesce.

pete's uncle is a great believer in lying out in the sun to "dry out" a summer cold so this has been my main view:

inconsequential clouds

neighbor's sailboat

a moose in new london, nh

august 10 & 11

2009-08-11T22:29:00.002-04:00

august 3-9

2009-08-09T18:42:00.003-04:00

Summer Haul

2009-08-09T07:45:00.002-04:00

Hauled in by sister and Dad (okay, sister hauled in one of the bunch, but it was her first time quahogging.) The loins from which our *stuffies sprang. I forgot to take a picture of the stuffies, though. They were damn tasty with a smidge bit of chipotle Tabasco and a glass of wine. Yum.

*For the uninitiated, "stuffies" = baked stuffed quahogs. They're good and not too fishy, because even I eat them.

july 30&31, aug 1& 2

2009-08-02T23:09:00.004-04:00

a super-long weekend full of sunsets, driving, and beautiful dogs. it also included lots of rain, thrifting, cold cut grinders, hair-braiding, watching jupiter and its moons through a telescope, and swimming in the lake

Scenes from a bike ride in Northeast Philadelphia

2009-07-30T19:40:00.002-04:00

Taken with iPhone and not altered with iPhoto or whatever...I'm into raw photography, you know...

The Delaware River waterfront, now all but abandoned. This was on one of the piers that is now used for fishing. (Eeek...fish from that river = frightening) You can't really see it, but I loved how there was purple heather growing in abundance, right alongside those big metal thingies.

The soon-to-be crowning glory of Northeast Philadelphia...the not-yet-open Penthouse Club! There was even a sign around back for auditions for "entertainers"...sorry I missed that amazing job opportunity. I seriously overhear at least two or three conversations per week about how excited people are about this place. But then what can you expect from a public that allows people like this to roam the streets. Yay Fishtown!

july 29

2009-07-30T08:58:00.004-04:00

july 28

2009-07-28T22:21:00.004-04:00

the housatonic always makes me super mad...so inviting, yet unswimmable. thanks, general electric

july 27

2009-07-27T08:11:00.002-04:00

after the storm

july 26

2009-07-27T08:08:00.001-04:00

flea market treasures

july 22-25

2009-07-25T18:59:00.004-04:00

canoeing on the westfield river in russell, ma

july 21

2009-07-21T23:33:00.003-04:00

july 20

2009-07-20T17:10:00.001-04:00

gantry park

july 14

2009-07-14T23:20:00.002-04:00

breakfast at egg...housemade biscuit with kentucky ham and grafton cheddar, side of grits (honestly, i don't really care for grits and only ate a few bites- we yankees prefer potatoes at breakfast)

yarrow on every table

july 12 & 13

2009-07-13T23:07:00.002-04:00

july 11

2009-07-12T00:56:00.001-04:00

depressing birthday post

july 9 & 10

2009-07-10T08:23:00.002-04:00

july 7&8

2009-07-08T16:28:00.002-04:00

kinetic sculptures at the berkshire botanical gardens

My 4th of July Weekend

2009-07-07T18:55:00.002-04:00

july 4, 5, 6

2009-07-06T07:55:00.003-04:00

july 3

2009-07-04T07:57:00.002-04:00

july 2

2009-07-02T21:16:00.002-04:00

rutland, vt
(about 20 minutes after i took this picture, a guy was painting over it...rutland doesn't care for graffiti i guess)

july 1

2009-07-01T20:53:00.001-04:00

white poplar tree in rockingham, vt

june 30

2009-06-30T22:57:00.003-04:00

merck forest
rupert, vt
days like this really make me miss living in vt

Weekend productivity...

2009-06-29T23:21:00.002-04:00

Couple pics from this weekend's projects. I have a full album on Facebook.

Refinished and decoupaged desk organizer.

Pendant

june 29

2009-06-29T22:44:00.002-04:00

mount equinox

june 28

2009-06-28T23:06:00.002-04:00

oona paints her toenails

june 27

2009-06-27T22:42:00.004-04:00

pete takes a picture of a wall
(really there was a porthole in the wall)

june 26

2009-06-26T23:31:00.004-04:00

roadwork machine graveyard
greenpoint

june 25

2009-06-25T23:12:00.000-04:00

newtown creek

june 24

2009-06-24T20:17:00.003-04:00

birchWork

it doesn't look so hot right now, but pete and i have a shop up on etsy. they're also selling these awesome jars he made at the coffee place around the corner. my main job so far has been to walk around the neighborhood drinking iced coffees and telling people who admire my jar where they can buy one. just waiting for some sunshine so i can take some better photos.

june 23

2009-06-24T08:31:00.003-04:00

post-massage activity
-everyone is fine
-not my fault
-waited over an hour for the cops to come which SUCKED
-am so nervous that her insurance company won't want to pay because our car is so old
-yikes

june 22

2009-06-22T22:57:00.001-04:00

can someone tell me what kind of flower this is?
too lazy to look it up

june 21

2009-06-21T21:12:00.002-04:00

an amazing solstice fire this morning

june 19 & 20

2009-06-20T07:01:00.003-04:00

2 great things that seem to have taken up permanent residency on our dining table

june 18

2009-06-19T10:36:00.002-04:00

summerstage, central park

indigo girls, delicious picnic, great conversation, dancing babies, hundreds of lesbians holding hands and singing along

lovely

june 17

2009-06-18T04:32:00.001-04:00

evening project
(doesn't she look like she was born knowing how to smile?)

june 16

2009-06-16T22:29:00.003-04:00

individual strawberry rhubarb pie

june 15

2009-06-16T07:32:00.002-04:00

doorman building
north 3rd street, williamsburg

june 14

2009-06-14T16:41:00.003-04:00

signs that summer is upon us

2009-06-13T18:34:00.001-04:00

A corner of our backyard

june 11

2009-06-11T22:29:00.002-04:00

cat playroom structure at unleash: brooklyn in greenpoint

june 10

2009-06-10T21:32:00.001-04:00

43rd ave, lic

june 9

2009-06-09T23:09:00.002-04:00

con-ed sand pits
vernon blvd, lic

2009-06-08T22:20:00.002-04:00

Our first mini-harvest! Some basil, chives, and endive. Our tomatoes are starting to look like...tomatoes!

june 8

2009-06-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

gowanus canal

2009-06-08T18:58:00.002-04:00

Ever wondered what it's like to spend the night in a museum? Well, I can now cross that one off my list...who knew that at 4am these huge blowers go off and make a really loud noise, scaring the beejeezus outta me! Had a lot of fun and will be doing this three more times this summer - yes, this really is my job!!

june 7

2009-06-07T21:07:00.003-04:00

discarding the hat
bell island- rowayton, ct

june 6

2009-06-06T22:49:00.002-04:00

making blackberry lemonade

june 5

2009-06-05T20:57:00.002-04:00

street sign on a rainy day
outside ps1

june 4

2009-06-04T22:47:00.001-04:00

near hunter's point plaza

june 3

2009-06-03T22:44:00.001-04:00

live free or die indeed

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june 2

2009-06-02T22:34:00.002-04:00

welcome salad season!
green leaf lettuce+asparagus+radishes+scallions+spring garlic+apple+sunflower seeds+feta+homemade yogurt herb dressing=
yummers

june 1

2009-06-01T23:54:00.003-04:00

tacky handbags, all in a row...

may 31

2009-05-31T22:31:00.001-04:00

street musician on 6th avenue

may 30

2009-05-31T00:28:00.003-04:00

naked at rockefeller center

2009-05-30T15:22:00.000-04:00

Aquaponics at Greensgrow.

may 29

2009-05-30T00:23:00.002-04:00

secret burger

may 23-may 28

2009-05-28T01:15:00.005-04:00

dinner and s'mores outside in russell

theo in his laurel parade whites

liz & faith's old room in the mandelles

canoe sing

mt holyoke's biggest fan (ask him about his plan to send our daughters there...any sons will be encouraged to work at mhc so as to meet & marry mt holyoke girls. ideal jobs include dining services, b&g, driving the ride van, and replacing kevin the party cop)

view of lake sunapee from the den

closer to sunset

pete makes lots of fires when we're at valhalla

2009-05-27T23:40:00.001-04:00

Bond Chapel, University of Chicago

2009-05-26T13:01:00.000-04:00

Stacey and Liz, pre-Laurel Parade.

living in the nook

2009-05-24T19:02:00.002-04:00

Here we are, 10 years later, and one of the things on our list was to go visit the nook - we took pics in all our rooms, but can't figure out how to post more than one pic in a post. Had a lot of fun, but missed those of you who weren't there!!!

may 22

2009-05-22T23:35:00.002-04:00

no pictures here.
i forgot the camera cord.
what else i forgot (so far): phone charger, pillows, pete's belt, insect identification book
oh well. it's the beginning of the travel season. not in the groove yet.
i took some nice pictures tonight...daisies and candles and fire pit sparks and blurry figures.
so imagine those things

may 21

2009-05-21T22:56:00.003-04:00

lic courtyard
design credit...liz wiesner paige

may 20

2009-05-21T08:12:00.000-04:00

honeybees