Skip to content

Jan 28

Resolution Time

Instead of creating resolutions and breaking them by February 1st, I have decided to use January as a time to gather my thoughts and come up with some resolutions for the new year. I am too busy during the holidays to get a lot of the self-reflection needed to put together a good list but this month has proved to slow down and as a result, I have had the time to think about my goals for 2011. Just to share:

1. Simplify, simplify, simplify. I have a lot of stuff. I have looked around this month and seen the sheer amount of things on shelves, crammed into closets and pushed back on shelves and it is all too clear to me now that I need to focus on seriously whittling down the amount of objects I am responsible for. My space is precious and I need to treat it as such!

2. Find time for solitude. My life is pleasantly predictable for the time being. I have a wonderful partner, the sweetest hound there ever was and a whole lot of time. I think I need to savor and appreciate the delicious time on my hands a little more often by simply unplugging. The television can be turned off, the phone hidden away and the computer stowed in a drawer so I can take advantage of solitude. I know my life will not always allow for the room silence demands so this is my year to simmer down and reflect.

3. Cook more. I am devoted to food in so many ways. I think about my next meal while I am in the middle of the current one. And this will be year to create! If I want something incredibly delicious and indulgent, why not try to make it myself? If I want something simple and light, why not just throw it together right after work? I want to be in the kitchen creating. And this leads us to number 4…

4. NO MORE DIETS. You heard me. I am way over them. I love ALL food groups too much to go without. All things in moderation is a proven method and I am going to adopt this as my mantra. I have been keeping a food log recently and to be completely frank, I am not a bad eater. But for some reason, I have always struggled with wanting to look a way that my body does not want to look. And I’m tired of fretting. So, because of that, I am giving up on diets and will eat reasonably with reasonable portions and see what happens. And this brings us to number 5…

5. EXERCISE MORE. Yep. I said it and I need it. Walking Elvis is not exercise. Running and I have a very complicated relationship and honestly, sometimes yoga is too much of a time commitment for me. But as God is my witness, I will get into a routine and push myself to get in shape…once and for all.

There you have it. Not the most inventive list but one that will work for now.

Jan 4

New Year, New Hobby

Thought I forgot about you, did you? Absolutely not! The holidays were just an incredibly busy time and then they weren’t so busy and I thought I would take advantage of the quiet.

But here we are, a new year and an exciting one at that (myself and then everyone I know is getting married in 2011!). And most exciting?! I bake bread now! I tried my hand at it with a great, simple recipe and it worked. I even kneaded by hand. I’m not bragging (maybe a little) but I am more shocked at how easy it really is. We’re talking simply or simple magic.

So, after a few successes with delicious white bread, I gave whole wheat a try last night. Boy, it’s a different animal alright. This bread is so dense and heavy but flavorful. I like it…I don’t love it. It reminds me a lot of the communion bread we use at my church. I think I will continue the search for a whole wheat bread recipe.

In other food-related news, Corey and I have been busy. We have made delicious lentil soup, amazing casserole after casserole, the simplest and most incredible tomato sauce ever (thanks to these guys), heavenly meatballs (thanks to the same guys) and so much more. I can tell that this year will be a culinary one which I am excited about but it means I need to get to the gym…now.

Nov 24

Thankful.



Scotland 2010, originally uploaded by susanandcorey.

So, it is Thanksgiving Eve. And I am excited to eat tomorrow with some of my nearest and dearest. We are headed to my Aunt’s cozy abode in Alabama for a Southern feast that is sure to be amazing.

As I think about this year and all that has happened, I do have much to be thankful for. Continue if you want some sentimental musings:

- As always, I am thankful for my parents. They are lovely, supportive, kind people and I feel so lucky to really know them as adults in my adult life.

- I am so thankful for my sister. She and I don’t talk as much as we should but I love her so and think she hung the moon. I hope she never forgets that.

- I am ever thankful for my sister’s family – my nieces and brother-in-law. It is a wondrous thing to see these imaginative, spirited beings shaped by the awesome experiences offered by Ellen and John. Such good parents.

- I am thankful for my sweet, sweet pup, Elvis. His spirit is so kind and he really does make me want to be a better person. I don’t really know what life would be without him.

- I am thankful for the love of my life, Corey Long. I am thankful for our upcoming marriage and the chance it gives me to illustrate to all just how committed I am to him and his happiness. He is truly incredible and I don’t know where I would be without him. As stated in one of my favorite songs, he is “the star of my life story.”

Nov 19

Dreaming of: A Year Ago

Corey and I took a little jump across the pond. In memory…sweet memories.

Nov 19

Destination Moon

Just some photos today. Check out this awesome set from the making of Destination Moon, a 1950 science-fiction film. I just love the imaginings of a moonscape and  how little astronaut gear has changed. Check out the whole set here.

Nov 18

Loving Bass

So, we all know that I am not a girl who needs another pair of shoes. But there is something about this pair that sings to me. The simplicity, the straight-forwardness, the timelessness, the perfect tawny color. I can see them working with so many things and keeping my feet warm through the Atlanta winter (I know – is there winter in Atlanta?).  And at $79 a pair, not too shabby of a price tag for that dependable Bass quality. I am sporting a pair of their penny loafers today and all I want to do is moonwalk!

Nov 18

Listening to: More S&G

Can’t stop, won’t stop. Must have been because I watched The Graduate this weekend. If you could live in any decade, what would you choose? I would have to say the 60s.

Nov 16

Listening to: Preserve your memories

 

Nov 15

1 Comment

Obsessed

I am obsessed, head-over-heels in love with Boardwalk Empire. It’s the latest in a long line of amazing shows from HBO but there is something about Steve Buscemi being a bad-ass, Michael Pitt not being annoying but actually nailing the role of a hard gangster, a peek at the early feminist movement and the gorgeous clothes and sets that make this show utterly addictive. If you haven’t yet, make sure to check it out.

Nov 15

Bridge and Burn

Portland does it again! I have a thing for any line that makes women’s clothing that looks just like the boys but smaller. Check out this simple, clean and timeless line from Bridge and Burn, a Portland-based line that just nails the following equation: fitted flannel shirt + killer jacket = always cool. Gotta love the Pacific Northwest and its functional fashion.

← Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.