Saturday, March 19, 2011

antiquing

Today I shared another breakfast Saturday with my Dad, and we were joined by my Mom for her birthday. I'm so fortunate to have two parents who love breakfast as much as I do. After we went to Pancake Pantry, we walked around 8th Avenue for antique shopping at my Mom's request.

My two favorite places that we visited today were: 

Epiphany Design Studio 
2115 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37204-2203 
(615) 385-3289

Karmal-Skillington 
2019 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 
(615) 460-7197

Another go to favorite of mine (that we didn't visit today) is Nest Nashville near Music row:
Nest Interiors, LLC 
1200 Villa Place, Suite 112, Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 383-1511

I've had a hard time explaining my decorating style in the past, but I think the stable things that I love most are oversized pieces of furniture in their natural state (a bit of rustic) like Restoration Hardware except with comfortable linens like cotton and linen fabric in natural hues. I love carved pieces of art, lighting, and added color with pillows and such. I do have a little bit of country style that i like to incorporate as well, seen most with the deep reds, yellow greens, and blue shades. 

Friday, March 18, 2011

happy birthday, Mom!

I've enjoyed being able to share more of my thoughts lately and have enjoyed creating a blog world for my writing (even though I'm not always sure who is out there reading). I can say with certainty, in this regards and many others, my number one constant supporter and friend has always been my mom. Whether it's silently praying for me or not so silently sharing her thoughts or what's she's learning, she always looks out for me and has such a heart for her family and others. Her servant heart is always willing to do something kind for someone else, to make chicken noodle soup and walk a dog when I'm sick even though she's not a dog person, to clean houses or share a meal. She is a living example of humility, always putting others before herself. She offers sound advice, deeply rooted in research and/or scripture. She loves and loves to be loved. I am proud to call her my mom today and everyday. Happy Birthday, Mom!



Thursday, March 17, 2011

luck of the Irish




In honor of St. Patrick's day, even though I am neither Irish nor Catholic, here are several reasons why we can appreciate the Irish:
  • The Irish have an uncanny positive outlook on life despite circumstances in their life. Whether or not a "pint" has something to do with it, that spirit is something to celebrate!
  • Green is an amazing color (my favorite), and their country is full of it
  • They honor the integrity of the potato
  • They have accents
  • Some of the best music and literature was generated from Ireland (Geoffrey Keating, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, etc.) 
Today I googled. I've been curious where the phrase "luck of the Irish" generated. It seems there is no assured answer. Of the ones that I came across, I liked this one from Kelly V. of Ontario Canada the best:
"I had always thought that the 'Luck of the Irish' meant without the bad luck you had no luck at all, but over the years I have come to realize that the 'Luck of the Irish' really means to be lucky at heart, from the support that is given through strong friend and family relations. It sees us through the good times and holds us together through the rough times. That truly is the 'Pot of Gold' at the end of the rainbow."
While I don't hold any faith in luck, being lucky at heart is something we each have the power to control. I like that we can control how we react in situations depite the circumstances.

Also, to celebrate Ireland, here is a picture from Sean's first trip to his homeland, and the same picture post-processing that I did on Photoshop:























Here is a little treasured recipe that Sean makes (and made this week) from Irish Traditional Cooking by Darina Allen. Today I will have some for lunch that he packed for me yesterday. 














Beef and Guinness stew
Serves 6 to 8

2 lb stewing beef
3 tbs oil
2 tbs flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper and a pinch of cayenne
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
1 large clove garlic; crushed
2 tbs tomato puree, dissolved in 4 tbs water
1 1/4 cups Guinness
2 cups carrots, cut into chunks
Sprig of thyme

Trim the meat of any fat or gristle, cut into cubes of 2 inches (5cm) and toss them in a bowl with 1 tbs oil. Season the flour with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch or two of cayenne. Toss the meat in the mixture. 

Heat the remaining oil in a wide frying pan over a high heat. Brown the meat on all sides. Add the onions, crushed garlic and tomato puree to the pan, cover and cook gently for about 5 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserrole, and pour some of the Guinness into the frying pan. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the carmelized meat juices on the pan. Pour onto the meat with the remaining Guinness; add the carrots and the thyme. Stir, taste, and add a little more salt if necessary. Cover with the lid of the casserole and simmer very gently until the meat is tender-2 to 3 hours. The stew may be cooked on top of the stove or in a low oven at 300 degrees. Taste and correct the seasoning. 

Scatter with lots of chopped parsley and serve. (This would be great on top of mashed potatoes or with a side of boiled potatoes).


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

what it feels like to run

Today I decided to set my pace and just go. Immediately, it felt rewarding. The calories burned began to increase rapidly according to the treadmill. There went my morning coffee! If I could keep the pace for an hour, it said I would burn over 700 calories. I felt a rush, and it seemed all the cares of the world fell behind. It took me to another place where the beat of my feet hitting the ground drove me on. I felt powerful, in control of my body and my mind. That first minute passed, then suddenly with sweat beads dripping off my face, heat rose to my face and my heart began to ache inside my chest. It became so painful as I was gasping for breaths.

I have a long ways to go.

I researched training programs and think I have settled on Couch Potato to 5k.

The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan







Couch to 5k Treadmill Version

100:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:00: Run
6:00-7:30: Walk
7:30-8:30: Run
8:30-10:00: Walk
10:00-11:00: Run
11:00-12:30: Walk
12:30-13:30: Run
13:30-15:00: Walk
15:00-16:00: Run
16:00-17:30: Walk
17:30-18:30: Run
18:30-20:00: Walk
20:00-21:00: Run
21:00-22:30: Walk
22:30-23:30: Run
23:30-25:00: Walk
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

200:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:30: Walk
8:30-10:00: Run
10:00-12:00: Walk
12:00-13:30: Run
13:30-15:30: Walk
15:30-17:00: Run
17:00-19:00: Walk
19:00-20:30: Run
20:30-22:30: Walk
22:30-24:00: Run
24:00-26:00: Walk
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

300:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk


00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-6:30: Run
6:30-8:00: Walk
8:00-11:00: Run
11:00-14:00: Walk
14:00-15:30: Run
15:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-23:00: Walk
23:00-28:00: Cooldown Walk

400:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-8:00: Run
8:00-9:30: Walk
9:30-14:30: Run
14:30-17:00: Walk
17:00-20:00: Run
20:00-21:30: Walk
21:30-26:30: Run
26:30-30:00: Cooldown Walk

500:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-10:00: Run
10:00-13:00: Walk
13:00-18:00: Run
18:00-21:00: Walk
21:00-26:00: Run
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-13:00: Run
13:00-18:00: Walk
18:00-26:00: Run
26:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-25:00: Run
25:00-30:00: Cooldown Walk

600:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-10:00: Run
10:00-13:00: Walk
13:00-21:00: Run
21:00-24:00: Walk
24:00-29:00: Run
29:00-34:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-15:00: Run
15:00-18:00: Walk
18:00-28:00: Run
28:00-33:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk
700:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-30:00: Run
30:00-35:00: Cooldown Walk

800:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-33:00: Run
33:00-38:00: Cooldown Walk

900:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk

00:00-5:00: Warmup walk
5:00-35:00: Run
35:00-40:00: Cooldown Walk


I'm interested to see how this works out! (Note: I am by no means athletic). I did thoroughly enjoy day 1 with my new running shoes though. I am sporting a pair of Brooks Glycerine. They are extremely comfortable and supportive!



Friday, March 11, 2011

sharing this joyful moment of celebration

I have only one remaining credit card with a balance left!!!! I am on my way!! Lo and behold, it is possible to live debt free...and I do believe I can make that goal by the end of the year. Now if only I can fight the urge to celebrate by shopping. Hmm.....

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

when in bloom

     



Early this morning I had a dentist appointment in Gallatin, which was A) a good 50 minute drive from my house and B) was unfortunate because I am by no means a morning person. I made it early nonetheless and had a great visit. While we were talking about allergies and pear trees (her conversational direction, not mine, as I'm not exactly chatty with a mouth full of instruments), she stated they are miserable for her allergies. I don't exactly disagree, but I thought I'd try out a positive attitude for the day to see what sort of impact it would have. I responded with, "but they are breathtakingly beautiful when they bloom!" My attempt failed, though. "They smell absolutely awful," she said. I left it at that, all the while dreaming of the brighter days of spring, despite how sick I might feel when it actually comes around.

All in all, the visit went well and I left feeling cheery with amazingly clean teeth! (There is a reason I drive to Gallatin for a teeth cleaning. In a strange way, it feels like going to spend time with family.)

Immediately following, I had an optometrist appointment in Brentwood, which is about a 50 minute drive the opposite direction. I arrived early again and they were able to see me right away. When I was checking out, I told them it's always a pleasure to come to their office. The ladies in the front seemed to respond immediately to the praise. I went on to say that I've visited offices before where the staff was "not really there" or things just weren't ever done right. One of the ladies said, "We may not always be here either," and they chuckled. Yet they seemed really thrilled to get a compliment.

When things don't go the way we hope or our expectations aren't met, how quick are we to complain or vent to one another? When things are good, we often don't share the goodness! I think it's important to be genuine and honest at all times. Sometimes that means sharing frustration or upset, but we should also be mindful of how blessed we are when those blessings come around.

Personally, when I'm in a funk, I tend to react more often like my hygienist. "I don't feel well" or "this makes me unhappy" then becomes not only my problem, but yours...unless you have an extremely unbreakable or tolerable spirit. I would much rather prefer to impact others in a positive way than its counterpart. Like pear trees and the negative and positive aspects of their growth in spring, it's about perception and how we choose to influence each other. We can be bad-smelling or bloom-sharing. It's not guaranteed to work (like at the dentist), but it doesn't hurt to try!

Monday, March 7, 2011

I can't decide...

...whether it is better to save for a down payment on a house...



















...or for a really, really lovely camera with lots of amazing lenses.



















Not that either would be happening any time soon, but today I'm just dreaming.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

studio love

I am slightly obsessed with checking out art studio and design spaces. To me, it's a little like looking into one's soul because it reveals a lot about their personal style, their obsessions, their passions, whether they work best with organization or chaos, whether they work prescisely on one piece, act impulsively on many, or work on multiple pieces simultaneously. The list could go on and on.

My studio's wishlist would include:

large windows with plenty of natural light
painted cement floors
high ceilings with track lighting
multiple workspaces - easel, large sturdy table, tiltable drawing table, etc.
storage shelves galore for supplies and books
paper trays and maybe even an apothecary cabinet
a letterpress drawer for stamps and such
a thinking couch, probably one that's tufted
a good soundsystem since music can be inspirational
Ideally, mine would be, messy, functional, organized, and inspiring. Until that day when I can have an art studio of my own (and possibly even a library...I love those too), here are some pictures that make me very happy:



I also love the idea of this interactive wallpaper by Taylor & Wood for Graham & Brown in a studio.

















Maybe one wall of this wallpaper and another that's black chalkboard painted.

I can just imagine the endless possibilities...

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Marché in March

It seemed fitting enought to embark on trying out Marché Artisan Foods at the first of March so I set out for a breakfast with Sean early this Saturday...and by early I mean right around noon time. This was such a delight! The short wait was definitely worth it (and it didn't take nearly as long as we thought)!! We sat on the lower floor. The service was great, probably because it was more of a joint effort from each and every server. We had fun choosing what to order and basically picked a bit of everything we wanted. We started with two lovely cups of Drew's Brews coffee (ordered while we waited and they came in large, white ceramic mugs). If you haven't tried it, you should get some right away! (Side note: Crema serves some as well and their drinks are fabulous). Sean ordered the Soup du jour, which was a cup of their Homemade Pesto Vegetable Soup with chickpeas, stewed tomatoes, and was basically goodness in a cup. Then we split a half order of the Croissant French Toast with Powdered Sugar and Maple Syrup. (I want to attempt to make that on my own sometime). Then Sean ordered the Bistro Steak with Two Fried Eggs, Potatoes and Grilled Onion Vinaigrette. I ordered the Fried Egg Sandwich on Ciabatta with Gruyere Cheese and Apple Wood Smoked Bacon with a side of Potatoes. It was all so delicious! I think I may have found my new favorite breakfast place.


























And yes, Sean wore his Arsenal jersey since they had a game today.

Happy March to you all!