Two special things, maybe three

There is a special thing that happens the second you log off of work on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend. You know what I am talking about. Something luxurious, having hours stretch out before you like that. It's probably best to guzzle three glasses of champagne, whip up some spicy vegetable pot stickers and then sit back down at the computer and click on a million links, links that have brilliant referrals. Add to your list to watch Another Year, to read To the Wedding. And then feel excited by little things, things that you didn't have time for during the week. Because the week is full of everything else.

This week two of my plants died. I may have cried. Maybe I didn't. But I probably did. In one's place I added two framed photos. To fill the space. To remind me to frame more photos and put them all about.

I also found out this week that the dream volunteer library position I applied for came true. I have been wanting to do this for years and finally went for it. I am going to be volunteering at the downtown branch once a week for a couple hours and I get butterflies every time I think about it. The focus: Dewey Decimal.

I made this little chart for you. To show you the amazing organization of the system. Doesn't it make your heart swoon? Secret: I want to be a librarian like no other.

On a non-nerdy note: I went thrifting for the first time since moving here. I found (yet another) crystal decanter, 4 books, a dress, some records, a vintage yellow Tupperware pitcher (with a lid!). Beyond glorious. All for under $30.

My love for red pepper flakes is getting out of control.

Our fridge and pantry are pretty bare. So I just checked to see what we have. Some peas, parmesan, garlic. So tomorrow for lunch I will make a pea pesto, to toss with wheat pasta. And we will hopefully have left over wine from tonite. I like the idea of this lunch.

This time of year

I used to have romantic notions about the desert. It made me think of a gorgeous lone tree in the middle of nowhere, a place to get away from things (heat heals things). Maybe it was just the remoteness of the desert. And then a few years ago we camped for three nites in Indio and it turns out that there is not really much romance involved with intense heat. As it grows hotter here in Austin, I keep thinking, the summer could have romantic undertones. The evenings stay hot, but it is dark, surely there is something sultry and lovable about that. Honestly, I'm terrified of the heat that is to come. And I'm uber afraid that all I will talk about is the weather on this blog. But I will try not too. Promise. Instead I will continue to sneak up to my parents place, where a swimming pool and pretty plants await. I love that moment when you first step into the water, inch your way down, consider getting right back out because it's so cold.

p.s. there are fireflies here. fireflies!!

Let it

Hi. Loooong time no see/read. My camera is dead and I can't find the little charger. So I haven't been taking pictures, hence not being inspired by things I see, hence words lost amongst a sea of other things going on. You know the drill. So I have found some photos of something I have been wanting to show you. I wanted to take better photos at some point, but you will understand, right?

I have been daydreaming of having a mini bar at home for years now. So when we moved in January, we didn't yet have a use for my grandparents cabinet. And then I thought, how about a little tray on top, to house our decanters. And a star was born, our little bar.

Before:



After(s):





Every nite I turn on the twinkle lights and just adore this little space. Of course it would be even better if all of the decanters were filled to the brim with booze, but hopefully someday soon.

And because I have everything to say, but don't know how to say, here you go.

It is

I have been reading so much lately. A book every 2-3 days. It feels so good to become immersed, to be distracted in the best way.

The spring here reminds me of the Midwest. The scents are out of control. I constantly feel like I am 15 again, falling in and out of love, the warm weather following me everywhere. I have missed the weather in Iowa for years. So glad to encounter it again, here.

holy, holy

Every morning I peek through the blinds to see what the weather is like. This is what I found this morning. I just realized that I do this every day, and that I thoroughly enjoy it (for whatever reason).

There is a balcony that I see almost every day and whoever lives there has hung colorful lanterns all about. And it reminds me that I would like to hang lanterns on our patio.

I have been listening to a lot of good (new) music lately.

I think we have started a Friday ritual of going to the library after lunch. It's knockin my socks off. Or I guess tights, since I don't wear socks.

I'm feeling tired today. I'm turning into quite the little nite owl lately. Staying up so late. Fun, but exhausting.

Today I meant to type 'Italy' but I typed 'Italia'. Lets take that as some kind of sign.

lights

It is raining outside. Just turning dark. The open space behind us is so green, so lush. I could stare at it for hours. We have been going on more walks lately. I love every second.

a long soiree

This past weekend, my friend Kara came into town. We went straight from the airport to Buenos Aires Cafe. We ordered a bottle of wine at the bar and chatted like crazy. We then moved to a small table for dinner. Provoleta, three kinds of empanadas, crepes filled with wild mushrooms. So, so good. After dinner, another drink down the street.

Saturday morning we had coffee at home, then stopped by our favorite bakery for bagels on the way to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. It was so pretty out, perfect day to roam around flower gardens. Kara is an amazing photographer, so it was a lot of fun watching her take photos, seeing things how she saw them. There was a little art gallery on the grounds, showing a series of famous trees around Texas. I can't get over how good it felt to roam around outside for a few hours, taking our time, taking photographs, little breaks sitting on benches.






















Then we went to an Italian market I had read about to pick up ingredients for dinner. Italian bread, goat cheese, salami, olives, fresh pasta, pecorino romano for a salad of zucchini and radishes. Oh, and had some amazing gelato.



Before dinner we went on a long walk on the trails behind our place. Have been meaning to do that for a while, so nice to finally do. The rest of the night was full of wine and another great dinner. And maybe a girlie movie.

It really was a perfect weekend.