The more I get rid of the nouns and verbs that don’t fit into the life I’ve imagined, the better I feel and the more room I have for the nouns and verbs that I want to be part of my every day. I stumbled upon this little book in a used bookstore a few weeks ago. It’s corny in places, but this passage has me thinking:

“According to psychologist Paul Rozin of the University of Pennsylvania, Europeans spend a greater percentage of their disposable income on experiences such as vacation packages and concert tickets while Americans spend more of their money on goods such as cars and air-conditioners.” – The Sweet Life: 101 Great Ideas for Living a Happier, More Balanced Life by William Sinunu.

I like A/C and I am proud of my culture, but I am drawn to stories from European families about long holidays and the kinds of experiences that seem simple and memorable. Statistically speaking, they work fewer hours in Europe. I can learn a thing or two about that. I hope to focus on cultivating family experiences more and stuff less.

Speaking of simple beauty, I loved this post from Molly Wizenberg about her grandmother and her recipe box. If you haven’t already, check out her flickr feed, too for photos of things like her wedding, Delancey {the restaurant she and her husband have opened in Seattle}, remaining dishes on their table after a dinner party with friends. You know, the good stuff.

Listening to: The Nest – Jose Gonzalez

I started this blog in 2007, but I never thought I would make it to 100 consecutive days of blogging. Day number 365 seems so far away. Today, The NYTimes has a cool article and interactive called A Writer Get’s A Home Office of Her Own. While the budget they used is out of my price range, it is inspiring.

Love this post from Dooce about her participation in the White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility…

…and this image from Habit which is the perfect explanation for why it’s so important for our world to embrace Workplace Flexibility.

Listening to: Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush – Don’t Give Up

On the rare occassion that I go to Keeneland and actually win a two dollar bet, I am the loudest, most surprised winner of the day. That was sort of my reaction to winning a giveaway from one of my favorite blogs, Notions and Threads! Each month they select a theme that inspires them. This month’s theme is Hope. Browsing through their recipes and essays and projects is absolutely perfect for tea time. I have wished and wished that some day, I will live in a neighborhood filled with people like the authors of this extraordinary blog.

Listening to: Dear Companion – Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
{100% of the proceeds go to ilovemountains.org}


To me they are weeds, to her beautiful bouquets. I suppose it’s all in the naming of things.

Last night, the email and voice mail notifications kept pinging well into the evening. I was trying to just be present with my daughter. I felt the stress starting to climb up both sides of my neck. I started drafting email responses in my head. This client needs this, this case needs that, this issue needs research, I need to respond to this when she goes to sleep and on and on and on. I’m supposed to be giving her a turn. I’m supposed to be focused on coloring Belle’s hair the appropriate shade of brown. I turned off the phone, but then began to worry. And then something clicked. It was in the swish of a yellow skirt on an old episode of Dancing With The Stars that we were watching. There was this swish and then the smiles on the faces of the dancers and the word “Joy” popped into my head. In that moment I decided, “today, I choose joy.” Not stress, not worry, not sadness over things I can’t control. Today, I choose joy. It comes so easily with cookies and crayons and silly songs about pirates. The voice mails will wait until I start all over again tomorrow.
But today, I choose joy.

Listening to: If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson

Rumor has it Jack Johnson has a new album coming out on June 1, 2010. When I hear his music, I think about how great it would be to live in Hawaii. I post here an open prayer for Prince Liam the Brave and his family, who also listen to Jack. I don’t know this family any more than I know so many of you – only through reading – but I pray for them and keep hope for them and their amazing boy.  This year, my brother-in-law J. prayed before Thanksgiving dinner for all of the people who are in the shadows. I later wrote to him that I love that so much. Prayer for me is a plea for help to do just that: shine warm light and let them know they are not alone. There has been one time in my life that I asked for a lot of prayers from most everyone in my life. I needed them and didn’t really know what else to do. It was so hard to ask for help, but I remember feeling a bit like floating in the following days. The realities were all still there, but I felt stronger, safer and more loved than ever before and it’s a peace that hasn’t really gone away. I hope that someday my prayers have that effect on someone else.

*for more information about Prince Liam The Brave’s family and their fundraising efforts click here.

Listening to: this very happy cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s Cecilia by Local Natives

For my Nashville readers, Local Natives will play The Basement in Nashville on Apr 30 2010 @ 8:00 P. I discovered them via Arrow & Arrow, the blog home of Spartan Shop where I ordered these Postalco Notebooks for my husband for Valentine’s Day.

They look like something from a Wes Anderson movie, no?

We drug the hammock out of the basement yesterday. It’s a nice changing of the guard – the firewood basket and shovel is exchanged for the bubble maker and sidewalk chalk.  I am ready. Love this challenge from NPR: What would be your at-bat theme song? I have spent much too long thinking about this on the rare occasion that I am in a ballpark. It varies from year to year. Today, it would be Gwen Stefani’s What You Waitin’ For.

What’s your at-bat song?

Listening to: Sunrise – Norah Jones

Happy Easter everyone!

The basket spoils are getting us ready for summer. Or Lady Gaga’s tour. The dolls and candy were a bigger hit than the pool gear, but I love the poses that the glasses inspire.
RA RA OOH LA LA!

Hope this day reminds you that anything is possible and that you can begin again.

Obsessed with this tilted sun quilt that I bought from PBQuilt Sandwiches on Etsy to use during an engagement session coming up this month. Orange is an important color in their wedding and I can’t wait for a sunrise picnic with this beauty, some books and coffee.

Obsessed with beach house colors so much that I’ve decided to convert my cottage into a beach cottage irrespective of the fact that water is far far away. Why not? I’m looking for the perfect starfish for the bathroom. Colors have been selected, I’m just waiting for the painter now.

Listening to: World Spins Madly On – The Weepies

I had this great conversation with a friend yesterday about how if the obstacle is removed, then you can go for it and sometimes that is the hardest part–not having an excuse anymore. Without the obstacle, there’s nothing left to hold you back. Is there anything you have always wanted to reach for, but you’ve been too afraid? What if you gave yourself a deadline to try? I have. Let’s see what happens.