Showing posts with label saturdays. Show all posts

Saturday's Scattering


When I was growing up, Saturday morning meant chore-time.  There was no dilly-dallying in our pjs.  We were not allowed to watch cartoons until the house was clean.  The result of which is a long-discussed source of contention between the mister and myself.  Saturday mornings were leisure in his childhood, so we often have to compromise our moods to create something we can both enjoy.

This "compromise" is usually that we spend the morning in leisure. If there is one thing I've learned being a Morris, it's how to rest well.  I am not talking about how to entertain yourself or how to take a nap.  I speak of soulful,  meaningfully slow days containing good meals, hearty conversation, and always a fire (unless it's summer and we spend most of our time on the deck).

But today, this rest isn't suiting me.  I sit here on the computer, waiting for Joel to finish up some school work so we can attack the house!  He doesn't know it yet.

I've been in this mood for some time now.  This list-making, spring-cleaning, ruthless culling mood.

So as I wait, I will share a few of my scattered thoughts:

I just returned from a facial.  Joel bought it for a Christmas present and boy was it amazing.  I had so many new visions as I meditated (I NEVER have visions!).  It made me ache to get back to yoga.  (List item #546).  Last night, before Joel went out with a friend, he started dinner for me.  I was totally not expecting it, and I almost rolled my eyes at how well he's doing taking care of all these women who need him.  The bitchy cat, the clingy baby, the bored wife.  He's good.  I'm lucky.  I know this over and over again.

I find the stack of books I am reading rather humorous (and telling of my scatteredness).  Piled on top of my feminist literary theory book, there is this book by Carl Sagan (a very fair treatment of god and science, I might add), which is under this book (which I am rereading as I am gathering a lot of research about how to help my baby girl with her night-wakings. I'm having a hard time focusing on anything else.  It's really boring as a conversation topic.  I went out with my gal this week for a drink, and I was boring myself talking about it.  So instead, I talked about a dream where Joel and Arnold Schwarz are having sex! Whoa.).

Also, for the first time in perhaps my entire life, I am discovering a desire for some quick-reading fiction.  Anyone have recommendations?  (Don't even think about this, this, or this.  A girl still has her standards, after all!)

I'm newly in love with my 50mm lens, and shooting in monochrome has somehow hit a sweet spot.

I cannot wait to wear my latest piece of PLUME! I've been holding out for just such an occasion.

What else, what else?


This week, we were graced with a few hours of much-needed sunshine.  Glory.

Finally watched this version of P&P, and while I enjoyed it, I still wanted to punch KK in the face.  Seriously, what is wrong with her mouth?  A horrible Elizabeth Bennet  if you ask me.  However, I loved her in this movie.  She's finally growing out of that meat-eating jutted jaw into a bonafide actor.

Lastly, how the hecks did I become a jeans and t-shirt girl?  Ugh.





Wait.  One more last. Look at this resemblance!  Bowie and Clara, both at 7 months.
random saturdays
Share:

Edible Plant Sale


 
 
 

 

 


I know I am in the minority in the nature-loving blog world when I exclaim how much I love living in the city.  But Seattle is unlike any city experience.  It completely protects and provides for my introversion and solitude, but also presents opportunities for intelligent culture and gorgeous scenery.  Today we walked three blocks to an Edible Plant Sale and were immersed in a world of urban farming and family life.  The stroll was filled with all manner of sensory pleasures from blooming jasmine to tart lemonade to quintessential Seattle little girls wearing contrasting patterned tights and skirts.   

You know, as Joel and I anticipate the greatest of lifestyle changes come August, we've been intentionally taking advantage of spontaneous outings and restaurant feasting, full-well knowing how impossible it will be with a baby.  It was therefore tremendously refreshing to realize that today's indulgence would have been just as feasible with the baby girl in Joel's arms (who incidentally refuses to contribute an opinion to a baby carrier, he will just carry her everywhere, "it's what real men do."  Cute, but oh man is he in for a world of pain).  It's nice to know that not everything is going to be turned on its head.

Afterward, we continued our Saturday indulgence with a trip to Buffalo Exchange, where I praised the fashion gods for loose-fitting shirts that are so ubiquitous these days.  Before returning home, we enjoyed a delectable lunch while sitting in a sun-filled Beirgarten.  

May you find a wonderful way to waste a day,
city-living Edible Plant Sale Meridian Park
Share:

Saturday's Allowances

I have spent my day in the pleasant, beguiling company of my truest comrades - words.  Speaking them, hearing them, researching them, scribbling them in and out of existence.  Their demanding precision is killing me; which is the best possible death for a literati.

I have walked my day among the bloody, brazen graveyard of fall's foliage. I observe the decay and pull my cowl closer in smug confidence, resisting the ubiquitous temptation to capture the beauty with a camera.  This time, I know there will be more colored leaves, more photographs, more pretties than I can imagine.

I know this isn't my last chance.

The flippant faith that there will be more seasons is the very definition of hope.
I am entitled to a little less intention, a small pour of taking it for granted.

These are the permissions afforded to me today.
saturdays self-acceptance words
Share:

Saturday Evening Entrée











Cornish Game Hens with Tarragon and Grapes in a White Wine Butter Sauce.
AHHHHHHMAzing.

After a long leisurely stroll through Whole Foods, Joel and I decided that Saturday night would be spent cooking.  We decided on a dish from my French cookbook I love so much.  I put together the appetizer plate and nibbled while reading, and Joel worked on the entree.  I love the nights where the answer to "what do you want to do" is (Joel) making something fabulous in the kitchen.   



p.s. Do you like my galaxy nails?
cooking joel and i saturdays
Share:

one fine evening



A quiet evening at home reading, writing, drinking Barbara, and listening to jazz.
evenings jazz saturdays
Share:

Sara Palin 2012

My lovely sister-in-law recently introduced the family to a new game.  Since then, I've taught it to several of my friends and it never fails to make every one pretty much ache from laughter.  


RULES:
You start with a group of people, each of them have their own writing tablet.  The first person writes a sentence, any sentence they can think of.  They pass their tablet to the left.  The next person reads the sentence, flips the page, and draws the illustration of that sentence as best they can.  They pass their tablet to the left.  The next person looks at the picture, flips the page, and writes a sentence based on their interpretation of that drawing.  This goes on until you end with your tablet.

This weekend, a happy accident put a few of my friends around my table, playing this game.  There was one particular round that I think internet-worthy.  Please pardon the subject matter - these cartoons are not for the faint of heart or any Sara Palin supporters!


Sentence beginner by Jeremy Kronbach:
"Sara Palin 2012!"


 Drawing by Niki Lewis


Drawing interpretation by Candace Morris
"The hicks smiled their buck-toothed smiles as they celebrated Sara Palin's 2012 presidential victory."


Sentence interpretation by Tice Lewis
(this one killed us)


Drawing interpretation by Joel Morris
"The crazed bikini lady with the tied-on nose forced the down's syndrome fat boys to french kiss their balding heads together; confetti streamed.





Drawing interpretation by Jeremy Kronbach 
(not knowing he was interpreting his original sentence!)
"Two self-deprecating drag queens create a steam bath out of their loinal humidity while Liz Lemon wears a coon mask and judges them."
(Liz Lemon = Tina Fey = Primo Sara Palin imitator!  Amazing!)

I think I lost it at "loinal humidity."


I completely forgot the sentence behind this, but it was a favorite drawing among the crowd.  The flower may or may not be inseminating the sky while a cat poos on the lawn.



Tice's interpretaion of my phrase, "I would rather have real pain than champagne."


I have several other memories of some pretty amazing rounds of this game with others.  I highly encourage it as a pass-time (that is, if there are no more episodes of Game of Thrones* to watch).


*Our new favorite obsession.
drawings friends funny
Share:

the weekend report - on single-tasking

almond and apricot galette
dear bloggity-blog
slow to rise

Yet again, I have recently felt the need to over-simplify.  Like every human, I carry complexities, dichotomies, and paradox--all of these usually rivet and inspire me.  For whatever reason, however, I am just a bit tired of feeling unclear, convoluted, and conflicted about so many different issues.  As I wrote on a postcard this weekend, I feel the great urgency of momentum while simultaneously feeling the need to slam both feet down on the breaks.  I want to cut free and run wildly through the streets; I want to lock the doors and tuck in under mounds of blankets.  I want things to change; I want them to stay exactly as they are forever. I want to say everything; I want to be silent. I suffocate with anticipation; and cripple with dread.  Did I ever feel just ONE way about something?  It seems the impetuous nature of being a child would provide such clarity of desire, but alas, I am no longer a child.  In adulthood, is it impossible to regain?

While trying to honor this burden within, the strongest lingering toll it takes is exhaustion.  I therefore seek solace in the simple.  For me, this weekend meant single-mindedly focusing on making a good meal (which also happened to help meet my 2011 goal of trying a new recipe every month).  I had a huge list of tasks that it would have felt very good to accomplish, but when my eyes landed upon "cook a new recipe," I knew it was just the nesting I needed.  I was trying to quiet my active and productive mind, to shhhhhsh it into resting.  This is one of my newest disciplines- learning to do ONE thing at a time with total focus.  Perfecting the art of single-tasking.



So I did.
I took my sweet time at the grocery store.
I chopped and sauteed and measured with a deliberate care of slowness.

It was good because it was with purpose.

the next read
Wait.  I lied.  I also did finally chose a new book to read.
Oops.  
books cooking reading
Share:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)