blog of joan

coolest job ever.

2012-01-27T11:17:00.003-06:00

what a cool job. on assignment with national geographic, photographing endangered animals.

check out joel sartore's journey here.

love & olive oil.

2012-01-26T09:20:00.005-06:00

have you met nashville food blogger lindsay landis?

her blog love & olive oil, quite simply, is stunning.

go see for yourself. all of these images are her creations.

ps she has some really sweet kitties, too.

buttonweeds.

2012-01-25T14:08:00.001-06:00

photo courtesy of illinoiswildflowers.info

some of you have been wondering about my reference to buttonweeds on friday.

a buttonweed, also called velvet leaf, is a weed that grows fast and tall in the cornfields of illinois. it is characterized by large, heart-shaped leaves.

photo courtesy of prairierosesgarden.

when we were young, dad paid my sisters, brother and i to run through the six-foot-high rows of field corn and pull these pests.

in most cases, the weeds were taller than we were, but their shallow roots made it an easy, lucrative chore at a nickel a piece.

now that i think about it, i think he paid us a penny a piece.

wonder what the going rate for buttonweed-pulling is these days?

... and would the boy and his cousins be as enthusiastic about buttonweed pulling as my siblings and i were?

i wonder.

praying for dad today. not home from the hospital yet, and still not able to eat after colon surgery.

prayers, please, my lovelies, for papa.

beautiful. fun. girly.

2012-01-24T12:31:00.002-06:00

i ran across this on sparkles and pretending.

there are so many blogs that are dedicated to nothing but beauty. it's easy to get swept away.

it's addictive to be sure. isn't she lovely?

bits + pieces.

2012-01-23T10:51:00.005-06:00

the chinese new year's celebration was amazing. we hope to do more year of the dragon events in the coming days and weeks (the official holiday starts today).

we also attended our friend dima's birthday party and saw some old friends who now go to different schools. new friends are fun, but these kids are like family.

it's so fun when we see each other again.

oh! and dad did well in surgery and is recovering nicely.

peace and love today!

dad.

2012-01-20T09:08:00.006-06:00

thinking of dad today. he's in surgery as we speak. special thoughts, love and prayers going out on his behalf today.

a few things i learned from dad:

never park on the grass.
keep your property well groomed, and your neighbors will follow suit.
saturday night is bath night: for kids and cars.
there's always someone who has less, so be grateful for what you've got.
work hard, and take pride in the results.
it's important to keep the whitewalls white.
shucking corn under a shade tree is a wonderful thing.
if you don't have something, make it.
button-weeds are a nickle a piece.
buttered soda crackers make a good bedtime snack.
never underestimate the importance of a freshly painted white fence.

have a happy friday, my lovelies.

cupcake-palooza is coming soon.

2012-01-19T09:25:00.004-06:00

cupcake-palooza 3: a benefit for books from birth of middle tennessee, is set for march 24, 2012, at belmont united methodist church in hillsboro village. this is an event i coordinate each year, and it's a lot of fun.

last year we had cupcakes from gigi's, painted cupcake, cupcake collection, matty-cakes and so many more. at this event, our guests get to sample mini cupcakes from their favorite cupcakeries while supporting a good cause.

this year promises to be even bigger and better!

please save the date! we have some fantastic sponsors on board, including abode real estate, qdoba mexican grill and game stop/nintendo.

i am passionate about books, and i love supporting this cause that helps pre-schoolers get on the path to loving books and reading! see you march 24!

oh, and please come to our facebook page and "like" us! spread the word!

happy noodle face.

2012-01-18T08:32:00.002-06:00

this is the boy's happy noodle face.

we went to a place called noodles & co. after seeing beauty and the beast in 3d and it hit the spot.

gourmet mac and cheese, chinese noodles, butter noodles with parmesan ... super yummy and inexpensive!

last night we made goo. and it was fun.

2012-01-17T08:45:00.003-06:00

corn starch, food coloring and water: $3.00.

drowning spider-man: priceless.

bits + pieces: 16 jan 2012

2012-01-16T10:33:00.009-06:00

happy monday!

happy friday.

2012-01-13T09:22:00.006-06:00

the snow was almost non existent but school is cancelled anyway.

that's how we do things in nashville. better safe than sorry.

so here's a fun snow day activity - let's make gnomes!

have a great weekend!

("what's a weekend?" name that tv show!)

snow is coming. be afraid. be very afraid.

2012-01-12T09:12:00.003-06:00

nashvillians aren't known for their sensibility when it comes to snow. the grocery stores become mad-houses and the streets absolute mayhem.

the rain we're getting now is predicted to turn to snow (ONE HALF INCH IN MOST AREAS AND UP TO THREE INCHES ON THE PLATEAU!! the weather guy shouted this morning).

it's going to be flakes-a-fallin' when kids get out of school, lasting well into rush hour and the evening. it's going to be madness, i tell you.

madness.

reference the photo above from the great snow-pocalypse of 2011 in which 3 inches of snow that started falling at rush hour literally shut down traffic all over the city for hours.

hours.

people abandoned their cars and walked to restaurants to wait it out, but the restaurants didn't have enough servers to handle the throngs.

it took me two hours just to get out of the parking garage. and four more to drive 3 miles home.

all i can say is, jesus, take the wheel. it's comin'.

nella.

2012-01-11T09:16:00.005-06:00

i have followed this girl's life via her mom's blog since, well, before she was born.

i could go on and on about how dear she is.

instead, go see for yourself. you will be forever changed.

join the cause of loving and supporting these beautiful children who have so much potential, love and dreams.

xoxoxo

be good to yourself and others today, my lovelies.

january. it's not as boring as it sounds.

2012-01-10T09:23:00.001-06:00

image courtesy traveltop.org

usually january is kind of a snooze. the holidays are over, and the only thing to look forward to is yucky weather and ground hog day.

but wait. chinese new year is coming up jan. 23-feb. 6 (a two-week-long holiday!) and it is sure to offer lots of fun.

i do love a festival.

2012 is the year of the dragon, the most important symbol in chinese culture, so that makes it even more likely there will be fun things to do wherever you are.

last year we had the most wonderful time at a celebration of food and dance at the downtown nashville public library. look at this yummy food.

we loved the lantern dance so much that we drove all over town looking for tiny paper lanterns.

target, world market, pier one ... nobody had them and we were appalled.

they kept telling us paper lanterns are seasonal ... and we kept arguing, but it's chinese new year! how much more seasonal can you get?!

so far i have not heard there will be a repeat performance at the library, but the event poster you see here will more than likely include a children's dance performance, traditional chinese food and much more.

i'm sure we'll see this guy....

image courtesy vu/john russell (c)

... and this lovely woman and her furry lion friend are sure to make an appearance somewhere along the way.

hurray for chinese new year, festival of spring!

hello monday.

2012-01-09T08:45:00.003-06:00

hello rainy, dreary weather.

hello freelance project ... i'm almost done!

hello planning for cupcake-palooza 3 (march 24)!

hello cup of coffee ... bleary-eyed from staying up late watching downton abbey on PBS.

hello new week!

what are you saying hello to today?

downton abbey season two starts sunday.

2012-01-06T04:30:00.001-06:00

oh heavenly day!

my new favorite show, downton abbey, is back at last with season two, starting this sunday, jan. 8 at 8 p.m. on pbs.

During the broadcast, a twitter party will be taking place in which you can comment using the hashtag #downtownPBS.

but let's get real: who wants to be staring down at your mobile device, feverishly typing with your thumbs about your favorite show, downton abbey, when you could be actually watching your favorite show, downton abbey?

sheesh.

i've had to avoid even doing google searches on the show, since the second season has already aired in england, which means there are spoilers lurking everywhere.

i am so thrilled to have gotten the first season on dvd from a friend for christmas, and now am hooked.

to tide me over, i've been re-watching gosford park, emma and anything remotely british.

watch downton abbey and let me know what you think.

happy weekend, my lovelies! peace, love and all things good ...

ps so sorry for my tardy postings. my life is far too busy and complicated. i'm working on that. xoxo

december phone dump.

2012-01-05T14:32:00.002-06:00

a few highlights of our busy month.

- eating butter stollen at my parents' house in illinois.
- feeding squirrels apple peels and marshmallows.
- wearing my colors in the airport.
- feeding horses.
- rollerblading indoors.
- baking ginger molasses cookies.
- wearing spongebob pj's for christmas.
- spending time with family.

xoxo

real heroes amongst us.

2012-01-04T08:27:00.006-06:00

photo (c) Anne Rayner/Vanderbilt University

this is marie phillips with one of her students. she serves as nurse for a school in nashville where nearly all the children live below the poverty line.

it is only a few miles from where my boy goes to school, yet her stories make it sound like a world away.

many come to school hungry, haven not eaten since they had lunch at school the previous day. many don't have parents who are present and caring. many are lonely and scared. they find comfort in "nurse marie" who is there to lend her loving support.

it's a heartbreaking and heartwarming story i'm finishing today for work. i'll let you know when it's online.

this has no doubt been one of the most emotional stories i've worked on in recent months.

more soon, my lovelies. bring beauty to the world today!

happy new year.

2012-01-03T10:24:00.001-06:00

no resolutions except this:

live in this moment.

bits + pieces.

2012-01-02T15:30:00.009-06:00

christmas is done. are you sad or glad? i'm going to miss my family. now that i'm home it feels like a dream.

5:30 am.

2011-12-31T05:36:00.001-06:00

Heading back to nashville. Go dores! Wish we were going to the game in memphis!

our last day.

2011-12-30T08:10:00.007-06:00

photo courtesy of vanderbilt university.

and we're thinking about football.

today is our last day in illinois for "granny camp: christmas edition."

tomorrow we fly back to nashville and we are thinking of all our friends traveling to the liberty bowl in memphis (go dores!)

if i were going, i'd pop into gibson's donuts or muddy's bakeshop, two places that have treated me well over the years! if you're on your way to memphis, check them out.

and may the peabody ducks wear black and gold!

a full wrap up after we return to nashville, where we'll be watching the game on TV.

but for now, one more day of fun in the heartland!

xoxo

Hurray for butter stollen.

2011-12-29T10:43:00.001-06:00

Hurray for german roots. Loving some stollen and coffee this morning.

There's no place like home.

2011-12-28T21:38:00.001-06:00

Naps. Home cooked food. Kids screaming with glee. Coffee and cookies for breakfast. More to share when I return on saturday. Xoxo

Ginger cookies.

2011-12-27T10:38:00.001-06:00

Watched white christmas with dad and ate homemade ginger cookies. I know this will be a precious memory.

A christmas surprise.

2011-12-26T10:55:00.001-06:00

After visiting the nursing home we saw this: a horse farm! The boy was thrilled to feed them apples.

Christmas. A day of service.

2011-12-26T10:42:00.001-06:00

We went to christmas church and then to the nursing home to sing with the residents. The boy sang happy birthday in chinese for a lovely woman named helen who was turning 95.

Sleepy time on christmas eve.

2011-12-24T20:22:00.001-06:00

Goodnight my lovelies. Merry christmas!

rollerblading in granny's house.

2011-12-23T13:14:00.001-06:00

Why do grandkids get away with so much more than the kids ever did?

laps.

2011-12-22T11:33:00.001-06:00

the boy is burning off some energy before we get on the plane. we are heading for the heartland! merry christmas!

white christmas. a classic.

2011-12-21T03:09:00.000-06:00

it wouldn't be christmas if i didn't rave about my all-time favorite christmas movie, white christmas. the music, the costumes ... i just never get tired of it. rosemary clooney and vera allen are divine, don't you think?

it seems the good folks at design*sponge agree.

she's back.

2011-12-20T10:00:00.006-06:00

had to get out this beauty for the top of the tree. i made it when i was, like, 8 or something.

it was layered with so much mod podge it's virtually indestructible. it will probably be around for many more christmases to come.

ps twinnie has a matching one.

bits of my weekend vol. 81.

2011-12-19T10:51:00.007-06:00

a lot of great things happened this weekend.

finding a chocolate fountain at aldi for $19.99 was not the least of these.

we tried it out (a small batch) at the boy's friend winston's house.

chocolate + fountain + strawberries = happy children.

every time. guaranteed.

now kids, go brush your teeth!

the weekend highlight - for me anyway - was discovering don juan carniceria on nolensville road.

not exactly a taco truck, not quite a restaurant, don juan's tacos are out of this world. and only $1 each on the weekends.

this was my pinto bean taco on thin corn tortillas and topped with queso fresco.

uh-maze-ing.

winston's mom, a texas native and world traveler, tried the barbacoa and pronounced her blessing on don juan as authentic.

we will definitely be back.

the kids had quesadillas and fluffy, moist rice.

it was fun because we ate al fresco, and got to speak a little spanish.

for me, that means talking slowly and loudly. in english.

the kids scampered off to climb a tree.

and found this tire swing endlessly entertaining.

and we made a new friend. his name is kevin.

how was your weekend? are you ready for the holidays?

the boy has a future in the dramatic arts.

2011-12-16T09:33:00.002-06:00

what a milestone for the boy, and for me, as a kindergarten mom:

his first musical program! which included singing (in english, chinese and sign language) and ... wait for it ... choreography!

the highlight was the kids' rendition of rockin' around the christmas tree (the brenda lee version), which included fancy footwork and down-low twisting.

i have video. if i can figure out how to post it, i will.

he told me in advance: mommy, i'm going to be singing and dancing on stage and you are definitely going to love it so much you're going to cry.

he's right. i did.

afterward we visited the classroom for punch and cookies.

wow. it's for real. i'm a kindergarten mom.

and the boy is a full-fledged public-school-going kid.

this school year has introduced many new things. for the first time we're learning about school uniforms, carpool lane drop-off protocol, being on time, going on field trips (which often include riding the school bus!), doing homework (yes, in kindergarten!) and making new friends.

wow! what a difference a few months makes.

kindergarten is pretty awesome.

and the boy's got a lot of his daddy's musical gifts. he'll be landing the solo parts before you know it.

i'm so proud of the boy. (even if this angel looks a bit psychotic.)

and so happy to share our world with you each day!

celebrating.

2011-12-15T11:00:00.003-06:00

i just got back from the boy's christmas program and now am heading in to an office party.

more to share soon!

gingerbread houses.

2011-12-14T11:50:00.005-06:00

disclaimer: there was no actual gingerbread involved. but graham crackers did the job this morning as the kids took to building their magical candy-coated faux gingerbread houses (tiny milk cartons were the foundation).

i made a ton of royal icing this morning for the class and the kids had a ball.

i'm so busy at the office but i'm glad i took the time to help. after all, kindergarten only happens once.

tomorrow is the christmas program in which i will see for the very first time my boy singing and dancing on stage. i absolutely cannot wait.

Snow peaks?

2011-12-14T07:54:00.001-06:00

No, it's royal icing for the boy's class. We're making gingerbread houses this morning. More later! PS it's going to be 68 degrees today. Boo.

revelations.

2011-12-13T02:59:00.002-06:00

i never put much stock in the importance of santa claus.

so a couple of years ago, when the boy (then 4 years old) asked me, is santa real? or is it really just the parents buying all the presents?, i didn’t hesitate to tell him the truth.

i never liked the idea of lying to him in the first place, worrying about the indelicacy of one day undoing all the untruths i’d told. i dreaded the gruesome task of dismantling the gleaming façade that is a child’s most precious holiday.

i had imagined the scenario a hundred times – the ugly truth revealed by a schoolyard friend and my boy racing to me for an explanation, the hurt and distrust welling up in his eyes.

how could you lie to me for all these years?, he would ask, how could you do it?

and so he asked me one day and i told him. and that was that.

i was, in a way, relieved.

but then he told his pre-school friends and they told their mothers, and boy, was i in trouble.

all the groundwork they’d laid to ensure good behavior all year around was for naught.

i’d rendered worthless their meticulous efforts to maintain the myth: the hours spent positioning that crafty all-seeing elf on a shelf; the scrawling on gift tags “from santa” with their opposite writing hand; the wee hours spent fabricating hoof prints in driveway snow and positioning plates of half-eaten cookies on the hearth; the elaborate late-night bedside explanations of the physics of flying reindeer who are able to deliver their keeper to every home in the world in just one night.

despite the other parents’ reactions to my faux pas, i was not too deeply bothered, once again crediting my child for his exceptional level-headedness, and me for my practical thinking.

but in time it occurred to me that I was a rat.

and a complete failure at the one of the most important tasks entrusted to me as a parent:

to nurture in my child his wild, natural ability to believe in what cannot be seen.

so brief is the time children believe anything is possible; that love is unbreakable and that dreams come true. who was i to take that away?

i suppose in the moment, i said what was best for me. i didn’t want to take the chance he’d be angry with me when he got older. i couldn’t face breaking the news later, so i did it now.

but in my self-righteous truth-telling, the truth I forgot is that magic is not only important, it is real: by believing in it we make it so.

i now regret hurrying us both past that dreamy state in which mothers and sons share bedtime stories about jolly arrivals and magical deliveries, and goodness is rewarded for goodness sake.

for all my parental blundering, the boy seems no worse for wear.

he is pleased to know exactly who has possession of his wish list, and to have access to her around the clock for last minute reminders and additions.

but as he transforms in size and maturity before my eyes, I often wonder ...

what was my rush?

* * * * *
here's a charming book, kristin and the santa secret, that tells you the right way to share with your child about santa - go buy it today and share it with your clueless (like me) mommy friends.

and to see a mommy thoroughly enjoying the heck out of the holidays (and every day!) go see what kelle hampton is up to. she inspires me daily to let go of my fear and just enjoy this crazy thing called mothering.

although, even kelle has a bad holiday moment every once and a while.

that's it for today, my lovelies. counting the days until i travel home, where magic will be in abundant supply!

bits of my weekend vol. 80.

2011-12-12T11:57:00.008-06:00

it was a lovely weekend for the boy and me.

we got our christmas tree, and despite a leaky tree stand that almost had us in a panic, it turned out pretty great.

the boy wore his new (garage sale) turtleneck and the sparkly red scarf granny made for a tree-climbing expedition.

also, as usual, we went to the library.

the boy is into scary stories right now.

hopefully it's just a phase.

good buddy winston came along, and the boys took over the library's kids room with the hopes of staging a puppet show for me.

it pretty much turned into a wrestling/laughing/puppet-fight instead.

luckily they don't enforce the noise policy in the kids area.

winston went straight to work on his letter to Santa.

my boy's love affair with santa is over ... but that's a story for another day. i'll tell you more later this week.

happy almost christmas!

christmas cards.

2011-12-09T09:17:00.005-06:00

oh, how i love getting christmas cards (and a few hanukkah cards too). especially when they have photos of families, dogs and cute babies.

i never know how to display them, and wind up taping them to the pantry door or some other silly place.

but i saw this cute idea this morning at tilly's cottage and i think i need to try it.

afterall, today i got my very first christmas card of the season - from my big brother david! let the avalanche of cards begin!

how are you displaying your cards this season?

ps i still haven't photographed the boy and made my cards. it's one of my favorite things to do, but i'm so very late this year.

the wishing stump.

2011-12-08T09:17:00.004-06:00

photo by kelleynichole on instagram

years ago when i lived in the woods of tennessee there was a towering pine tree that had to be cut down after a big storm.

when the tree-cutters came it didn’t take long. the tall slender beast at once was decapitated, truncated, reduced to a smooth, massive stump on the edge of the yard.

i was drawn to it often. i would stand on the stump and look out over the wild blackberry brambles, polka-dotted with Japanese beetles, their wings iridescent green and purple.

i would imagine that the tree, unaware of its wound, was still reaching ever downward into the earth with its roots, still pushing its powerful energy up into what was left of its trunk.

i closed my eyes, visualizing the tree's strength rising up into me through my feet.

sometimes i made wishes - but only when it was very important, for I was too superstitious to waste the wishing stump’s power on something trivial.

eventually, as stumps do, it began to break down. i suppose in time the tree realized it was no longer growing, and so it relinquished its upward-downward struggle, dissolving into rest.

i'm thankful i was able to commune with that tree for as long as i did. it's gone now, but it's still with me.

and i know one day i'll find another place to stand and wish and feel the earth's embrace.

cooler temps are here.

2011-12-07T15:45:00.002-06:00

photo from pinterest

brrr ...

baby, it's cold outside.

i just want to go home, crank up the christmas tunes and drink hot chocolate.

how about you?

getting crafty with wood.

2011-12-06T08:37:00.004-06:00

i saw these candle coasters on pinterest. aren't they sweet?

my dad likes to make a thicker version that he drills holes in for pencil holders. love these.

this photo is from kelle hampton's north pole party. check it out.

i'm going to see if dad can whip up a few of these for me while i'm in illinois over christmas.

i think this is cute too. dad, are you reading this?

looking forward to spending time with family.

what are you looking forward to today?

bits of my weekend vol. 79.

2011-12-05T10:46:00.007-06:00

it's december in nashville and that can mean only one thing.

rain.

picking out a christmas tree is always a wet and dreary prospect. hopefully it will clear off soon.

we did manage to scavenge for some gorgeous pine cones to use as decorations.

we also did a fun project with food coloring markers (yes, edible paint) and marsmallows.

we made snow people with marshmallows, gumdrops, fondant and sprinkles.

finally. a use for the silver dragees.

aren't these two funny? if it continues to rain, there may be snow siblings and babies and cousins to add to this family tree.

we put out some pine cones and greenery.

and got ready for some serious crafty-ness that's soon to come once we get our tree.

PS: don't tell: i haven't started shopping yet. have you?

saturday errands.

2011-12-03T10:22:00.001-06:00

we are out and about. oil change then aldi and library. mcdonalds' peppermint hot chocolate in the car. i love saturdays!

i'm puffy. but i'll live.

2011-12-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

i had an allergic reaction of some sort to a lip pencil. so i currently look like ellen barkin. or courteney cox. or somebody.

anyway, i didn't get collagen injections, i promise.

happy friday, and have a lovely weekend!

party dresses.

2011-12-01T08:52:00.004-06:00

photos from pinterest

despite my epic negativity yesterday, i still can't help dreaming about going to a fantastic christmas party in a gorgeous dress.

and if i don't pull it off for christmas, that's ok.

there's always new year's eve ...

what are you dreaming about this holiday season, my dears?

deep breaths, everyone.

2011-11-30T08:19:00.006-06:00

i personally am finding this time of year to be something of a nightmare.

it's not that i'm not in the holiday spirit. i am. sort of.

but my to-do list for the next two weeks includes way too much.

check this out, and this is just the stuff i can remember:

cook for three different potlucks
buy two dirty santa gifts
order, address, and send christmas cards
buy ingredients for the boy's gingerbread house day at school
send in money for the boy's holiday lunch
attend holiday lunch
send in money for the boy's taiko drum field trip
bake cookies for boy's open house/holiday program
find class shirt for boy to wear to open house/holiday program
attend open house/holiday program
attend PTO meeting
change oil in car
pay december bills
have dental surgery (not kidding)
donate to food drive at work
donate to office charity drive
donate to school toy drive
write two articles by tomorrow
go to press by friday
think about beginning christmas shopping
collapse and drink heavily

and so, i'm posting this image of my serene twinnie sitting on a beach in san diego last weekend, collecting bottle caps with her kids for an eco-art project that is sure to change the world.

there. don't you feel better?

oh yes, add that to my list: collect bottle caps.

no, seriously. i am trying to find inspiration and it is not in the crazy commercialism and ten thousand to-do's of the holidays. i am seeking meaning in what is real and true and goes beyond our more-is-more-is-never-enough american mindset.

so today i'm going to breathe deep, throw away the list, and see what happens.

i want to enjoy this day, this season, this life.

and of course there is work to be done.

but some of it, i can let go of.

it's a free fall, baby.

i'll keep you posted on the results.

peace and love today and always, my lovelies. be true to you. do good in the world. the rest is gonna be all right.

important fashion update.

2011-11-29T09:08:00.007-06:00

ok, so this is jean, not me. wow, you guys catch everything.

while i was in nyc i did some window shopping and discovered some amazing new fashion trends.

you are certain to thank me for this post, because now you can be extremely fashionable this winter season.

new york is, after all, a fashion mecca.

had i not seen these store windows, i would have been hopelessly out of fashion all winter long.

so here you go: all you need are a few simple items that are sure to be wardrobe staples for years to come.

simple. elegant. classic.

number one: furry boots. nothing says style and class like abominable snow monster-inspired footwear.

a furry purse is also a must-have. doesn't matter what kind, as long as something formerly cute and cuddly died, you're on the right track.

bathing suits are also hot this winter. just throw on a cardigan, your favorite pearls and a fedora and you're good to go.

and perfect for the the kids' school christmas program - this heavenly white choir-robe-inspired ensemble with matching alpaca boa.

or ... if you're just not sure what to wear ...

be like twinnie and me. wear basic black. it always works.

what fashions are you grooving on this holiday season?

bits of my weekend vol. 78.

2011-11-28T08:47:00.009-06:00

it was the last best saturday.

lovely fall weather gave way to wintery-ness on sunday.

and so saturday was a rollerblading-biking day at a beautiful park near nashville.

this morning we bundled up in coats and scarves.

winter is here now.

christmas is coming.

how was your weekend?

is it cold where you live?

happy friday!

2011-11-25T08:52:00.005-06:00

i think i'm the only person in america working today.

we had a lovely thanksgiving with friends and now i am back in my office, hunkering down for a long day of catch-up.

sure is quiet.

wow. i mean, really quiet.

it's odd you know, just working away in virtual silence.

i'm sure i'll get tons done.

what a great idea i've had. working today.

yep. it's gonna be great.

think how happy and pleased i'll be with myself when i finish the mountain of work before me.

no distractions.

no-sirree.

it's all good.

anybody free for lunch?

happy thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T05:16:00.000-06:00

well, grandma's turkey toothpick holder is out. it must be thanksgving!

let me just say i am thankful for each and every one of you.

may you hold close the ones you love this holiday season.

the singer jewel said it so well: in the end, only kindness matters.

so give kindness, love each other, and be the change you wish to see in the world.

peace and love,
xoxo

tuesday wrap-up.

2011-11-23T10:06:00.005-06:00

the field trip to the frist center was fun. the boy learned tons about egyptian history during a docent tour of the brooklyn museum exhibit, to live forever. he even made this egyptian necklace!

i had fun joining him on the field trip though i had to dash off in the middle to go interview john seigenthaler, a civil rights legend, former freedom rider, and right hand man to bobby kennedy and jfk back in the day.

image is copyright John Russell/Vanderbilt

i was beyond honored to meet him and am looking forward to writing the article on his organization, the freedom forum.

i was not pleased that i was ten minutes late, sweaty and had rain-tousled hair, but you can't have everything. he didn't seem to notice, thank goodness.

the photo is by my friend and staff photographer john russell, and it's copyrighted so please don't re-post. what good friends i have. and how lucky i am to have this job.

peace and love to you - happy thanksgiving in advance!

bits of my weekend vol. 77.

2011-11-22T08:58:00.002-06:00

super fun weekend. here are the highlights. i'd give more detail, but i'm late for the boy's field trip. and then i have an interview with a civil rights icon ... and then, more stuff. my schedule is packed today.

the boy is really into reading scary stories. or rather, having me read him scary stories.

well, not too scary.

we built this model of the chrysler building. yeah, that took some time.

i went to a private sale and got some super cheap deals. this picnic set ...

champagne flutes (perfect for new year's eve!) ...

and these cool bookends. such steals! it was a private sale. so private, i can't even tell you about it. except to say, it was a really really really good sale. luckily i didn't have that much extra cash, or i would have gone crazy.

and then there was this: some rasslin' with good buddy winston ...

while punching each other ...

and rolling down a hill ...

into the sidewalk.

life is good, my lovelies! how was your weekend?

bits of my weekend vol. 77: teaser.

2011-11-21T08:34:00.003-06:00

happy monday!

bits of our weekend to come. hint: expect bargains, scary stories and rasslin'.

xoxo
joan

bits of my weekend vol. 76: nyc part five.

2011-11-18T08:29:00.011-06:00

photo courtesy of entertaining eats

saturday night was our last huzzah.

twinnie and i had already traveled from midtown to harlem and back again, and now it was time to make our way south to brooklyn to meet up with some cool people at roberta's pizza in bushwick.

the joint came highly recommended.

but as we rode past abandoned warehouses and scary looking bodegas, i sincerely believed the cabbie was driving us off somewhere to kill us.

and then ... we arrived.

it took us two hours to get a table, but it was worth it. while we waited, we sipped on hot cider in an outdoor tent heated by a wood fire pit.

i got to meet marcus, a gender studies graduate student, casey, a published author and world traveler, her husband steven, an illustrator, deborah, the head of applied brilliance (a ted-like conference) and her smart and clever son Max (a brooklyn resident).

all from different walks of life, but we talked like we'd known each other for years. such fun.

and the pizza lived up to the hype, and made the scary drive worth it.

here's to new friends!

and here's to going home and reliving the memories!

bits of my weekend vol. 76: nyc part four.

2011-11-17T09:09:00.007-06:00

and now for the event that drew me to nyc in the first place: the rolex arts weekend at the new york city public library.

the weekend was packed with a series of performances, readings and discussions featuring the artists selected for the rolex mentor and protege arts initiative.

what a fantastic idea, to match up deserving artists, writers, filmmakers, and the like with established professionals in their field. together they learn, share ideas and create amazing new projects.

and the event is held at the most amazing place ever, the new york public library!

my keen interest was in annmarie jacir, a filmmaker from palestine.

she was paired with danny glover, who produced her first film salt of this sea and her upcoming release "when i saw you." (through her production company Philistine Films)

her other mentor was zhang yimou, the renowned director of raise the red lantern, curse of the golden flower, and other heart-stoppingly beautiful chinese films.

unfortunately yimou wasn't able to be at the rolex event, but it was thrilling hearing all about their collaboration. afterward we got to meet the panelists and the moderator, peter scarlet, executive director of the abu dhabi film festival.

the entire conference was outstanding, and i hope to go again next year.

i was surprised about how inspiring it was to hear danny glover speak.

when i think of him, i think of his role in the royal tennenbaums, a quirky offbeat film. i never knew he had such a passion for telling stories through independent and foreign language films.

and annmarie jacir - how i wanted to spend more time with her. to hear her story and to better understand the plight of her people.

that's what so many foreign language films do, they break down barriers and open hearts and that's why i love them.

lego lions at the library!

i'll wrap up my nyc trip tomorrow, my lovelies. until then, peace and love.
xoxo

birthday extra.

2011-11-16T16:51:00.007-06:00

i have vivid memories of a birthday cake with a tiny train on top. the train had little zoo animals in it and it was always my favorite cake.

every time i'm shopping for cake toppers i look for a train like the one i remembered.

recently i stumbled upon this photo in my parents slides and was so happy i didn't dream the whole thing up!

happy birthday twinnie - so glad i got to celebrate with you in nyc!

mom, thank you for a cake i'll never forget!

bits of my weekend vol. 76: nyc part three.

2011-11-16T08:37:00.022-06:00

saturday was a day of food and film, taxis and trains and pure inspiration. where do i begin?

brunch at the red rooster in harlem was a revelation.

i met up with twinnie and her cousin by marriage, tracey kemble.

tracey oversees the foundation for red rooster's chef, marcus samuelsson, as well as being a tv and film producer in nyc.

she is kind, generous, loving and simply glows. what a lovely, lovely woman.

and the food, the food!

we had a feast!

rooster scrambled eggs with tomatoes and mozzarella ...

cinnamon raisin french toast - unbelievably moist and sweet - with nutella whip and fresh berries ...

the lenox smorgasbord, with gravlox, smoked trout and country ham ...

... and biscuits with red-eye gravy.

marcus' twist on traditional soul food is simply inspired.

photo courtesy marcussamuelsson.com

here's marcus.

we weren't able to see him because he was in miami over the weekend.

but we can always catch him on the next iron chef on food network.

photo courtesy marcussamuelsson.com

here's the rooster's fantastic manager, peter. what a gem. he took great care of us.

we talked for more than two hours over amazing food and fantastic coffee.

i never wanted to leave.

but the day held many more adventures and so we got on the subway and headed back to midtown. the rest will have to wait until tomorrow, my lovelies.

xoxo

Bits of my weekend vol. 76: nyc part two.

2011-11-15T09:00:00.002-06:00

nyc is always fabulous. especially when you have tickets to a fantastic film panel at the gorgeous historic public library (more on that later).

my twinnie was working in nyc over the weekend so we made plans to meet up. but since she was pretty busy, i did have a lot of time to explore the city on my own. (my favorite thing to do).

the luncheonette near my hotel was the perfect place to kick things off with a hearty cup of coffee, an omelet and hash browns.

i always try to blend in and not look like a silly tourist. but when you ask the waiter to take your picture, pretty much you're busted.

it was 11-11-11, veterans day, so there was a parade. only in nyc would you see a tank in front of harry winston.

everyone was waving flags and there were service men and women everywhere. very inspiring.

most inspiring of all was meeting a real tuskegee airman! i saw him observing the parade, in uniform, and of course asked to shake his hand. but he was spending time with his family so i didn't bug him for a picture.

i regret that now.

the city was festive. the hotdog carts were decked out with roasted chestnuts.

can you imagine? on november 11? seems the city was already in full-on christmas mode. even the tree was up at Rockefeller center. not decorated quite yet, but it was there.

and though the weather was mild, the silly tourists were bundled up and skating like it was 10 below. (more on that in a minute)

as it got dark and much cooler, i came across an encampment of folks, shivering and bundled up in sleeping bags, drinking hot tea and generally looking miserable.

was it occupy wall street?

no. it was not.

ah ... now i see.

and the pièce de résistance ... the rink at rock center.

it was a madhouse. but i wouldn't have missed seeing it for the world.

more tomorrow, my lovelies.

PS happy birthday to my twinnie. and me.

2011-11-14T10:09:00.002-06:00

this is us at the age my boy is now. pretty crazy to think about.

ps which one do you think is me?

Bits of my weekend vol. 76: nyc part one.

2011-11-14T09:09:00.003-06:00

as you probably guessed by now, i spent the the weekend in glorious nyc.

and only in nyc would you see something like this: a gorgeous bride hailing a cab.

and me being a tourist, i had no shame about photographing the moment for all of you.

stay tuned for photos of my adventures later today and throughout the week. (yes, i'm going to be in a new york state of mind for a while!)

ps as wonderful as my trip was, i am glad to be home in beautiful nashville, my lovelies. while i was gone my boy learned to roller blade. pictures to come. xoxo

a beautiful day.

2011-11-12T13:10:00.001-06:00

Can't wait to tell you all about it!

Where am I?

2011-11-11T11:26:00.000-06:00

Someplace grand.

how about a little traveling music?

2011-11-10T09:16:00.006-06:00

more clues to come.

i dream of indian food.

2011-11-09T10:11:00.010-06:00

when i walk into an indian restaurant, i just start to feel all happy in side.

the smells are intoxicating to me.

i love indian food, indian movies, indian clothes, indian accents ... i must have been an indian in a past life.

if i believed in past lives. which i really don't.

but i really do like indian food.

i just never get tired of it. the curries, the pakoras, the dosas, the naan. oh how i love them.

bombay palace is my favorite. the chef incorporates potatoes, my favorite vegetable, in so many wonderful ways, including little potato fritters. spicy. delicious.

do you have a cuisine you adore? what food speaks to you?

PS here is the indian food i had two years ago during an NYC trip that happened to take place during the hindu holiday of diwali. i completely missed diwali this year. did you ever see the diwali episode of the office? so good.

stay tuned.

2011-11-08T09:30:00.001-06:00

i'm going on a little trip on thursday and i can't stop thinking about it.

but i can't tell you about it yet. all in good time.

suffice to say, it's gonna be fun.

and amazing food is involved.

i'll keep you posted ...

Bits of my weekend vol. 75.

2011-11-07T09:59:00.007-06:00

our good buddy winston's neighbor jack was having a birthday party, and his mom let us come over early to test the bouncy thing.

it was a space theme. so while the kids bounced, winston's mom and i helped with hanging the decorations.

jack's mom had space stations set up everywhere and the kids had little rocket packs they got to take home.

so adorable.

wish i'd gotten more pictures.

after that, winston and the boy went on a picnic and played at the park.

did you know macdo's has pumpkin pie right now? well they do. and it's pretty yummy.

here's winston's precious little sis lilly. i just want to just dress her up in bows and ruffles and sparkles and giant tutus and fairy wings.

she would hate that very much.

but an auntie can dream.

we came back later to jack's party to bring him his gift. it's hard to tell, but the yard was magical at dusk.

the boy bounced a little more.

and then we headed for home.

how was your weekend?

weekend plans.

2011-11-04T11:28:00.002-05:00

we're off to the library to get more books on saturday, and hopefully have some nice weather to play outside.

oh, and maybe go see a children's theater production of tom thumb.

what are you doing this weekend?

rainy day.

2011-11-03T10:17:00.002-05:00

let's all go home and take naps.

PS happy anniversary to my folks.

2011-11-02T09:44:00.003-05:00

53 years today they were married in a small mennonite church in dillon, illinois.

love you mom and dad!

wicked awesome. or should i saw OZ-some?

2011-11-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

despite being under the weather, young jenny dragged my grody sick self to wicked.

i mean, for pete's sake, we had front row tickets.

which we bought four months ago.

i told her to find a replacement. but i'm glad i rallied in the end.

and man was it worth it.

literally this was the only shot i could fire off before the usher came over and threatened expulsion.

actually, i did get one more. this was the backdrop.

i knew when i saw this that the production was going to be off the charts.

and it was.

i ripped a bunch of photos from the internet to show you, since i couldn't take pictures of my own.

so the photos that follow are actually from a whole different season of wicked, but you get the idea.

ah-may-zing fashions.

rih-donk-u-luss sets.

gorgeous voices.

and a fascinating backstory to the wizard of oz.

oh, and flying monkeys.

lots of flying monkeys.

i guess you had to kind of be there to get it. but the costumes, the choreography, the singing, the effects. it was just amazing.

never seen anything like it.

i'm so glad i let young jenny drag me against my will. it was the most amazing time.

a wicked good time.

bits of my weekend vol. 74

2011-10-31T11:20:00.008-05:00

hello, my lovelies. i am back from the dead. funny how a sinus infection can just about kill a whole week if not more.

and speaking of death and killing, let's dispense with halloween. my least favorite holiday. and let me tell you why.

last year

a perfectly adorable child ... (far left)...

this year

turns into this.

it would be super duper great if we could just go back to this moment.

and relive it every halloween.

ok?

great. glad we could talk that through.

moving on. over the weekend i dragged myself to a giant garage sale, at which i got approximately a million new shirts, dresses, toys and puzzles for exactly $19.

i'm now addicted to thrifting. i mean, it's official.

digging through other people's crap is fun.

here's one of the fun games we got.

we also got chutes and ladders. it didn't come with a spinner, so we decided dice would work. but we didn't have one.

so we made one out of playdoh.

cuz that's how we roll.

we also got this most awesome book.

you didn't think i'd skip the most awesome vintage book table, did you?

i love it that they use terms like "chum" and "jalopy."

it does slow down the reading aloud part, though, explaining to the boy what chums and jalopies are.

but just think of the vocabulary he's building.

the boy did some climbing and monkey-barring after the sale.

and some old fashioned stick tossing.

i gotta say he's pretty awesome.

rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

2011-10-31T08:18:00.001-05:00

i'm only half dead.

but i'm back in the saddle so i'll be posting my weekend bits soon.

thanks, my lovelies, for all your good thoughts!!

(and happy halloween!)

Down for the count.

2011-10-25T16:12:00.000-05:00

I'm sick. Back soon. Hopefully.

Bits of my weekend vol. 73.

2011-10-24T09:32:00.005-05:00

we're having such lovely brisk fall weather.

it's chilly in the mornings and evenings, but then the sun comes out and it's just amazing. so off we went to centennial park, one of our favorite places to ride bikes ...

see the gardens ...

and feed the ducks.

these ducks are so used to being fed, they swim right up to the bank when they see you're holding bread scraps.

the boy loves it.

the gardens go forever, it seems like.

and this park is right in the city.

the boy is a monkey-bars king.

he can go all the way down and back without stopping.

i wish fall would last forever.

oh, and i must report that friday's books from birth fundraiser was a big success. i was too busy helping with registration to get any decent shots, but here's the inside of the loveless barn. it truly was a magical night.

happy monday!

the barn awaits.

2011-10-21T08:29:00.008-05:00

tonight is the books from birth fundraiser, books bubbles and blues and i can hardly wait.

it's at the renowned loveless barn. it just doesn't get much more "nashville" than that.

keith anderson is going to play. and i'm sure the food will be amazing.

it's going to be an exciting evening and we hope to raise a lot of money for books from birth.

i hope to see you there!

and have a lovely weekend!

my bike's pretty cousin.

2011-10-20T09:21:00.005-05:00

i saw this gorgeous thing somewhere on the internet and it says it's a murray monterey like my bike.

i know they're related, but girl, please. this beauty's got mine beat by a mile.

suddenly fall.

2011-10-19T12:13:00.004-05:00

fall is here. it's official.

the weather has turned cool suddenly in nashville.

why does it always happen overnight?

i'm not excited about cold weather, exactly, but fall fashions are always fun to dream about.

what are you looking forward to about fall?

downton abbey. my new addiction.

2011-10-18T16:09:00.005-05:00

thanks to a friend, i recently discovered downton abbey, a sumptuous british television period drama set in the late edwardian era.

the opening episode begins just after the posh crawley family learns of the titanic's demise.

not only is this news tragic, it's problematic. robert crawley, the earl of grantham, finds that his cousin and second cousin both have died in the tragedy, leaving his estate's future ownership in question.

why? well, crawley has three gorgeously dressed daughters. but none can inherit his estate upon his death because, well, they're girls.

in addition, the family castle was financed by his wife's fortune, not his, so the whole messy business is hurting his daughter's marriage prospects. not good.

so ...

a reluctant heir is brought into the fold, and all the sisters swoon for him.

meanwhile, downstairs ... the servants are a festering pit of intrigue, forbidden love and backstabbing. delish.

if you like period dramas (and seriously, who doesn't?) this is a fun one to get lost in. get the dvd to watch season one before season two airs this side of the pond in january. i can't wait.

epilogue:
oh, i know there's edgier stuff out there (trueblood fans - step out of the room for a minute). but this is as fun as getting lost in a good book. so there.

and there's no vampires! so everybody wins.

Bits of my weekend vol. 72.

2011-10-17T10:01:00.004-05:00

the boy's self portrait. doesn't he look grown up?

we did tons of biking this weekend. i mean tons.

there were crashes and spills, laughter and tears.

in short, we're exhausted.

it was a glorious ride to starbucks, and then the greenway, a lovely biking path in the midst of the city.

there were adorable bridges ... (adorned by a beautiful boy)

romantic train tracks ...

and some totally rocking graffiti art.

oh, and we saw a snake. and a turtle.

it was quite a day.

it was a journey, really. an adventure of epic proportions.

the only drawback? it was a long ride back home, which was mostly up hill, by the way.

but worth every sore quad muscle, skinned knee and sunburnt nose.

how was your weekend?

friday fone flotsam.

2011-10-14T05:41:00.001-05:00

happy, happy.

have a nice weekend!

blue scooter. for realz.

2011-10-13T08:07:00.004-05:00

i like taking pictures of the nashville hipsters on their italian motorbikes. but this photo my sis took in paris (france, not paris, tenn.!) made me swoon for the city of lights.

this is the real deal, lovelies. kickin' it on the champs elysees.

boy-o-lantern!

2011-10-12T08:36:00.004-05:00

hurray for halloween. for us, it can't come soon enough.

obsessed.

2011-10-11T07:46:00.001-05:00

image courtesy of whimsy & spice.

i'm obsessed with cookie sandwiches right now.

first there were the peanut-butter-chocolate-ganache cookies from sweet stash.

then i saw these snicker-doodle-pumpkin-buttercream doozies on pinterest.

now i've seen these (pictured) from whimsy & spice in brooklyn and i'm afraid i've got a full-on cookie sandwich obsession.

can you blame me?

Bits of my weekend vol. 71.

2011-10-10T08:54:00.000-05:00

the big news is: i finally got my vintage bike!

it's not blue, but it's pretty fabulous. and it was on half price at southern thrift, so it was a must-have!

kind of reminds me of my brother's old bike.

gotta love it.

of course i have no bike lock, so it had to come up to the apartment at the end of the day.

the boy had allergies and so we laid pretty low. we also did some crafty things in anticipation of halloween.

how was your weekend?

friday is here. good things are coming.

2011-10-07T09:05:00.004-05:00

it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! happy friday!

i took the bus today and am feeling mighty green.

the boy and i have big plans for the weekend. there's a chinese dance festival at the nashville downtown public library, and a new thrift store we're going to check out!

how about you?

ps a few links of what i've been writing:
finding william
9/11: editor's note
9/11: feature story and audio slide show
surviving a shark attack

field trip to the fire station!

2011-10-06T09:12:00.008-05:00

that's the boy, in yellow.

it was my first time to go on a field trip with my kindergartner and what fun we had!

we walked about 40 or so kids to the fire hall, about 10 blocks away. the boy likes to walk with his hands in his pockets. he says all the kids are doing it now.

notice all the parents with cameras. don't they look silly. oh wait, i was one of those parents taking pictures. so nevermind.

notice the firewoman in the fire suit.

now try to visualize me in the fire suit.

why? because i was asked to volunteer to try it on.

and i said no. but then i said i would do it.

i imagine a photo of that will surface eventually and then prove to haunt me forever.

here's the boy with his new friend samuel.

had i known he would love kindergarten this much, i wouldn't have worried myself sick over it for the past year.

so to those who told me he would love it and i shouldn't worry so much and i got mad and said you didn't understand and that kindergarten is terrifying ... well, i'm sorry. you were right.

have a beautiful day!

love is real. there's a whole city to prove it.

2011-10-05T13:26:00.006-05:00

paris is the city of love, mais oui?

i'm so happy my sis and her lovely bf celebrated her birthday in paris.

she sent me a few pictures, and it looks like it was an amazing trip. i can't wait to hear all about it.

here's a peek at their love-ly adventure.

Hello snickerdoodles.

2011-10-04T08:35:00.001-05:00

images stolen from the stirring place, by way of pinterest.

i discovered this image on pinterest and am in love.

snickerdoodles are awesome.

in what possibly scenario could you possibly love them more?

how about if you sandwich two of them together with pumpkin buttercream icing?

um, yes.

i think then.

Bits of my weekend vol. 70.

2011-10-03T08:37:00.007-05:00

we went to a fun free event for kids this weekend called the we care for kids day, sponsored by the children's hospital.

clearly it was a raging success, since we came home with this gorgeous pumpkin.

which he painted gold.

and stuck glittery stickers all over.

but let's not dwell on that.

there were loads of games where kids could learn about health and safety and win prizes (my boy is all about winning the prizes) so it was a really fun time.

his top prize? a set of six matchbox cars! it was like christmas.

and did i mention it was perfect fall weather?

fantastic, sun shining, cool breeze, leaves falling kind of day.

my favorite.

there were tons of folks in costume, from darth vader (or "dark" vader, as the boy calls him) to wonderwoman, and the kids could get their pictures taken with their favorite characters.

but i have no photos of them because the boy wanted to have nothing to do with anyone dressed up in any kind of costume.

nuh uh.

he was all about the crafting ...

and the sliding ...

and the gaudy pumpkin painting.

huzzah for fall!

how was your weekend?

lovely city. lovely sister.

2011-09-30T08:40:00.006-05:00

image courtesy of sparkles and pretending. found on pinterest.

my sis is celebrating her birthday today in paris.

i wish i could just sneak on a plane and surprise her, but since that's not possible i'll just wish the most fantastic big sister you could ever ask for a wonderful birthday.

she listens, she cares, she is generous and kind, and she knows when to kick my butt when i need it.

she was the one who helped me fall in love with reading - when we were kids she sat between twinnie and me and read us stories for what seemed like hours.

i always adored her and still do.

miss you chardy! i love you!

today i took the bus.

2011-09-29T09:15:00.002-05:00

and it was an altogether lovely experience. it's a great way to save on gas on the days when the boy rides to school with his dad.

i'm oh so green today.

how about you? do you use public transportation?

phone photo flotsam.

2011-09-28T08:48:00.003-05:00

proud.

2011-09-27T08:37:00.002-05:00

photo copyright anne rayner/VU

i try not to talk about work much here at blog of joan, but i just want to say i'm extra proud to be part of the nashville university where i am employed.

on saturday evening, a 14-year-old boy with down syndrome named william went missing on campus. it was posted to the campus facebook page, and because i was checking the football scores (we were playing south carolina in an away game) i came across the disturbing announcement.

i asked my boy if he was up for a ride, and he said yes. so off we went, looking for william. as we drove, we talked ... about what to do if you get lost, what down syndrome is, and how important it is to know your address and phone number. my boy is so wise already, what a wonderful search partner he made.

(he was so sure we'd find william at mcdonalds. where else would he go?!)

the news went viral on the internet, students and medical interns took to the streets, neighborhood watch teams combed the campus, our police officers trolled the bars and coffee shops with flyers and flashlights.

after a few hours, i took the boy home, dejected that we had not been the ones to find william.

but soon i got the happy news.

within four hours of being reported missing, william was found, safe and sound, shooting hoops in the campus gym (he's a sports nut).

how proud i am of this community that rallied together so quickly. what a relief that he was found unhurt.

this photo has nothing to do with the story, but just kind of sums up how i feel about my employer today. when someone is hurt, or sick or needy, this is the place they come.

and when one of our own is in danger, we are there in the blink of an eye.

Bits of my weekend vol. 69.

2011-09-26T08:30:00.005-05:00

oh, the lovely weather! it's fall.

we saw this sweet ride. candy apple red.

had a lovely breakfast ... and worked on my novel ...

and got a free chocolate mousse at provence breads!

loaded up on books from the libary.

the boy is starting to read! hurray!

we swung and spun.

and were blessed with an iveycake. (thanks, Chris!)

ours was a sweet weekend.

how was yours?

i feel the need to explain.

2011-09-23T09:00:00.007-05:00

image stolen from the sweet stash facebook page. i'm pretty sure they won't mind.

oh, how busy i've been. busy to a state of distraction.

i've just moved offices and been given more responsibility at work, so suddenly my days are flying by and i realize at some point in the middle of the night (waking up in a cold sweat) that i didn't post to my blog.

it's a tragic fail on my part.

but it's a temporary phase, i can assure you. i will get my schedule figured out and peace and harmony will be restored to the blogosphere.

in the meantime, enjoy this photo of the best darn cookie sandwich ever created. it's two moist peanut butter cookies fused together with milk chocolate buttercream.

heaven, i tell you. i am seriously obsessed.

i discovered it at the nashville farmer's market last weekend at the sweet stash.

oh, sweet stash, how i love you. i will see you soon!

happy friday, y'all!*

*i have been living in nashville since 1989, so i feel i've earned the right to throw in a "y'all" every once in a while. hope we can still be friends.

wednesday wuvlies: phone photo flotsam

2011-09-21T13:20:00.001-05:00

happy wednesday, y'all!

more zoo antics.

2011-09-20T08:45:00.007-05:00

we saw this exquisite bird at the nashville zoo on sunday. what a glorious creature is the double-wattled cassowary. and who doesn't like saying double-wattled cassowary? it rolls off the tongue.

this flightless creature is one of the largest birds alive (they grow to more than 100 pounds), second only to the mighty ostrich.

its habitat is the dense tropical forests of australia and new guinea, and it eats small animals, vegetation and fallen fruits.

the dwc can run up to 30 miles per hour and can jump up to five feet high. it is identifiable by its colorful neck wattles and the sassy protuberance atop its head, called a casque.

but the debate it spurred between the boy and me, is this:

is kevin, the bird from the disney movie "up," a double-wattled cassowary?

the boy says yes, absolutely.

methinks he is incorrect, but i didn't have the heart to tell him.

Bits of my weekend vol. 68.

2011-09-19T11:17:00.007-05:00

if you are squeamish about large wallaby man-parts, avert your eyes ... or just go to the next image. sorry.

the zoo the zoo the zoo!

what an awesome trip to the nashville zoo!

i got to pet an albino wallaby.

isn't he sweet?

the boy petted a goat or two but wasn't thrilled.

the giraffes were huge and amazing.

and who knew? flamingos!

gorgeous goldfish.

and the fantastic clouded leopards.

my favorite is the chinese red panda.

he looks like a big fuzzy raccoon.

he just would not sit still long enough for me to get a picture.

the macaws were lovely.

and this warthog-ish creature was ... well, interesting.

here's my little monkey.

and the best part of all? the jungle gym.

we literally spent all day at the zoo and it was worth every penny, even though i totally forgot about the $2 per person discount at the zoo website. rats.

what did you do this weekend?