Showing posts with label Domesticity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Domesticity. Show all posts
July 19, 2010
June 19, 2010
Hello? Anyone Out There?
Well, it's certainly been awhile, hasn't it? Just look at all those spam comments on my last post!
I realize I've been totally M.I.A. the past few months, and I guess I'll just chalk it up to adjusting to a new full time job that demands very long hours from March through mid-May. I hadn't blogged for so long, that at a certain point I thought that good old Reappropriate This had just died a natural death. But that crazy work time is (thankfully) over, which has given me more time to read other people's blogs, which has made me realize how much I miss having my own blog. So I'm back, attempted to resurrect this site.
Here are a few new things that have happened since January.
I've wasted many seeds and killed many delicate seedlings, but I've perservered with my indoor garden. In a few instances, I caved and bought already healthy plants at the store (see basil on left). I'm trying to grow an avocado tree (center) and, in my one success story, I grew this out-of-control tomato plant from a seed.
Meredith and Jamie's joint birthday picnic at Prospect Park got rained out, but Chris and Michael saved the day by inviting us over for an indoor picnic.
Our CSA started! It's still the time of year where we're getting mostly greens (lettuce and mesclun and spinach and bok choy and kale!!!) but it's still totally awesome. Maybe I'll share some meals in some upcoming posts.
Here's to being back in the blogging saddle.
I realize I've been totally M.I.A. the past few months, and I guess I'll just chalk it up to adjusting to a new full time job that demands very long hours from March through mid-May. I hadn't blogged for so long, that at a certain point I thought that good old Reappropriate This had just died a natural death. But that crazy work time is (thankfully) over, which has given me more time to read other people's blogs, which has made me realize how much I miss having my own blog. So I'm back, attempted to resurrect this site.
Here are a few new things that have happened since January.
I've wasted many seeds and killed many delicate seedlings, but I've perservered with my indoor garden. In a few instances, I caved and bought already healthy plants at the store (see basil on left). I'm trying to grow an avocado tree (center) and, in my one success story, I grew this out-of-control tomato plant from a seed.
Meredith and Jamie's joint birthday picnic at Prospect Park got rained out, but Chris and Michael saved the day by inviting us over for an indoor picnic.
Our CSA started! It's still the time of year where we're getting mostly greens (lettuce and mesclun and spinach and bok choy and kale!!!) but it's still totally awesome. Maybe I'll share some meals in some upcoming posts.
Here's to being back in the blogging saddle.
February 14, 2010
December 18, 2009
I Want to be Your Housewife
Next month will bring a lot of new things: new year, new roomie, and NEW JOB. I am officially leaving the freelance lifestyle for a "real" job. One that's forty hours a week and comes with health insurance. One for which I need to buy more work-appropriate clothes. I've never had a legit job like this before, and I'm overly excited for silly little things, like getting business cards and decorating my cubicle. I'm glad that now, when people ask me what I do, I can answer in less than ten words. But seriously, I'm really looking forward to this new position-- it's a perfect combination of my interests and at an institution I've always admired, and I know it's the right thing for me professionally and personally.Yet...
It hasn't been easy leaving behind my handful of freelance and part time gigs. I'll miss my museum eduction work and getting to spend days surrounded by art. I'll miss the classes I teach and my sassy, smart students. Maybe most of all I'll miss my regular afternoons with Emma.
Plus I'm bracing myself for a big lifestyle change. A freelance schedule is hectic, but it sure has its perks. Like having random Wednesday afternoons off. It's suits my homebody personality to have quiet time at home during the work week; time when I can pretend I'm a housewife. So I've been relishing in the last week of my faux-housewifery. I've been wrapping gifts and playing Christmas music constantly. I cleaned out and organized every single drawer, cabinet, closet and shelf in the apartment. I made a pie. On the warmer days, I've taken Sprout for long afternoon strolls, and on colder days, we've cuddled inside. And I've worn stretchy pants a lot-- I'll really miss those too.
December 8, 2009
November 18, 2009
Bullet Points
Oops. My blogging skills are totally deteriorating. When I noticed it's been well over a week since my last post, I racked my brain for some witty or noteworthy events, thoughts, or observations I might share with you, Internet. But I came up short, and will instead resort to some classic bullet points. Over the past couple of weeks I have:
- Celebrated Janet's 25th birthday with a night of hearty fall food and beeswax candle making. Here's a picture of the birthday girl in action that I stole from her Facebook page:
- Convinced the landlord to repaint the ceilings which were stained after a leak caused by their faulty washer & dryer. A small domestic success.
- Waited in line for an hour for dinner at Westville with Jamie, Ned, Meredith & Lisa. There are about a million other fine dining establishments in the vicinity, but we were a determined bunch. After dinner, we went to Sweet Revenge-- a gimmicky but great cafe that pairs cupcakes with exotic beers.
- Babysat for a (very cute but) fussy, teething baby who could only be consoled by a) repeatedly doing the Hokey-Pokey or b) Schnappi.
- Finally bought a humidifier after several winters of vowing I would buy one for the next year. It has transformed my room from a dry, scratchy nightmare to a cozy, luxurious oasis. Here's Meredith enjoying its wonderful steaminess:
If we Photoshopped out the plastic top, I think this would make for fine evidence of ectoplasm in a ghostly encounter hoax. Which, appropriately, is one of Ms. Bak's primary scholarly interests.
- Watched Sprout's nesting tendencies kick into high gear as the weather has gotten colder. It's not uncommon for me to notice she's left the room, only to find she's retreated to the bedroom to curl up on my pillow and snuggle under blankets. How she manages to do this on her own, without opposable thumbs, is amazing and cute. Amazingly cute:
- Celebrated Janet's 25th birthday with a night of hearty fall food and beeswax candle making. Here's a picture of the birthday girl in action that I stole from her Facebook page:
- Convinced the landlord to repaint the ceilings which were stained after a leak caused by their faulty washer & dryer. A small domestic success.
- Waited in line for an hour for dinner at Westville with Jamie, Ned, Meredith & Lisa. There are about a million other fine dining establishments in the vicinity, but we were a determined bunch. After dinner, we went to Sweet Revenge-- a gimmicky but great cafe that pairs cupcakes with exotic beers.
- Babysat for a (very cute but) fussy, teething baby who could only be consoled by a) repeatedly doing the Hokey-Pokey or b) Schnappi.
- Finally bought a humidifier after several winters of vowing I would buy one for the next year. It has transformed my room from a dry, scratchy nightmare to a cozy, luxurious oasis. Here's Meredith enjoying its wonderful steaminess:
If we Photoshopped out the plastic top, I think this would make for fine evidence of ectoplasm in a ghostly encounter hoax. Which, appropriately, is one of Ms. Bak's primary scholarly interests.- Watched Sprout's nesting tendencies kick into high gear as the weather has gotten colder. It's not uncommon for me to notice she's left the room, only to find she's retreated to the bedroom to curl up on my pillow and snuggle under blankets. How she manages to do this on her own, without opposable thumbs, is amazing and cute. Amazingly cute:
October 21, 2009
A Little to the Left
Vermont Memories, #3
I mentioned in my last post that Marina had recently moved into an apartment downtown, which meant that one of the activities during my visit was helping settle into the new place. We carried some shelves back from Marina's mom's house, looked for treasures in an amazing little antique store, and hung some art. Here are some favorite little corners of her new room: some great kid art depicting Peanut, comfy couch and blankets, and a little art nook.
I mentioned in my last post that Marina had recently moved into an apartment downtown, which meant that one of the activities during my visit was helping settle into the new place. We carried some shelves back from Marina's mom's house, looked for treasures in an amazing little antique store, and hung some art. Here are some favorite little corners of her new room: some great kid art depicting Peanut, comfy couch and blankets, and a little art nook.October 19, 2009
The Strizzle
Vermont Memories, #2
When I visited Marina in Vermont last fall, she was just getting ready to move into a converted airstream trailer, and we spent some time searching for a good wood stove to keep her toasty in the winter. This year, she had just moved out of "The Strizzle" and back into a downtown Montpelier apartment. We still spent a good deal of time at The Strizzle, doing some chores and letting the dogs sniff horse poop and run off leash. I am so impressed that Marina was able to live here for a whole year-- no kitchen, no plumbing, no electricity-- but it does have quite a beautiful view. I think my best friend is really tough and brave.
When I visited Marina in Vermont last fall, she was just getting ready to move into a converted airstream trailer, and we spent some time searching for a good wood stove to keep her toasty in the winter. This year, she had just moved out of "The Strizzle" and back into a downtown Montpelier apartment. We still spent a good deal of time at The Strizzle, doing some chores and letting the dogs sniff horse poop and run off leash. I am so impressed that Marina was able to live here for a whole year-- no kitchen, no plumbing, no electricity-- but it does have quite a beautiful view. I think my best friend is really tough and brave.
September 4, 2009
Fixer-Up Fixed Up
I've got houses on the brain. After discovering that HGTV posts tons of their shows online to stream for free, I've spent hours this week watching shows about house hunting and property buying, all the while silently decorating each house in my mind. And then Meredith sent along this gem, which is pretty much my dream house decor. Even though they gutted most of the house, they saved a lot of the possessions that had belonged to the previous eccentric owner. What luck! It's gorgeous.
All images from Country Living, available here.
All images from Country Living, available here.
August 31, 2009
Is It Too Early for Christmas Shopping?
Because I think I know someone who would like these tree house prints by Jill Bliss.
Available at 20 x 200.
Available at 20 x 200.
May 18, 2009
CUTE BRIGHT SPACIOUS HOMEY
A sometimes hobby of mine is looking at Craigslist apartment postings, not necessarily because I'm in the market, but because it's fun just to see what's out there. This one posting caught my eye, it was reasonably priced and located in a neighboring part of Brooklyn. The best feature in this listing was "a private backyard," which is a rare but not unheard of luxury. Now I'm a fan of old school charm and fixer-uppers, and I'm willing to settle for less-than-perfect apartment features (no sink in the bathroom, floors so slanty that you sometimes feel seasick) but come on.
May 11, 2009
New Post About New Things
1. New blog: Pierogi Tour 2009 (aka, Meng & Amar's travel adventures). Gotta love a blog whose title is a vague Gossip Girl reference.
2. New song to share: "True or False" by Bishop Allen
3. New hobby: Embroidery. This is only day three, and I only know two stitches so far (split and stem) but I think I'm coming along just fine.
2. New song to share: "True or False" by Bishop Allen
3. New hobby: Embroidery. This is only day three, and I only know two stitches so far (split and stem) but I think I'm coming along just fine.
March 2, 2009
Lovely
I love the "Sneak Peeks" that happen every Monday on Design*Sponge, and I found today's particularly wonderful. This is the home of floral designer and fellow Williamsburg resident Nicolette Camille.
This is what my apartment aspires to be. Full story and pictures here.
This is what my apartment aspires to be. Full story and pictures here.
February 17, 2009
December 27, 2008
Three (or More) French Hens
Well, these hens technically live outside of Seattle. This image is from kids + other pets, a lovely blog kept by a friend of Marina's. Reading it tends to make me want to just leave Brooklyn behind, move to a farmhouse, and raise chickens.
November 11, 2008
The Green Mountain State
It was a lovely weekend in Vermont. I certainly don't want to downplay the wonderfulness of taking the dogs on adventures in the woods, seeing (and loving) Rachel Getting Married at the local one-screen cinema / video store, or spending time with best friend Marina, but I would like to focus on one particular highlight of the trip: the food. All of it was either purchased from the co-op or grown in someone's farm or garden. Even more importantly, all of it was lovingly prepared. If I always ate this well, I would have to write some sort of food memoir, à la Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and this would be an excerpt from this weekend:
Friday Dinner:
Fresh baguette, brie & baby spinach served with tomato basil soup. Pumpkin cake for dessert.
Saturday Brunch:
Eggs Benedict from Kismet (with tempeh and chevre).
Saturday Dinner:
Squash, kale & cabbage, tempura burdock & carrots.
Sunday Breakfast:
Eggs served over broccoli & kale with toasted squash seeds. Garlic parsley mash on the side.
Sunday Lunch:
Winter squash and sauteed burdock (just dug up from the garden in the back!)
Sunday Dinner:
Miso soup and homemade kimchi (thanks to Marina's foray into Wild Fermentation). Pear strudel for dessert.
Monday Breakfast:
Toasted garlic bagel and herbal tea sweetened with maple syrup.
I'm already plotting my next Vermont meal, I mean, visit.
September 27, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
