Mantra

I started a book of mantras for myself,
something that I can read, recite, and believe in.
It acts as a lighthouse would for a ship stuck in a storm,
calling it back and guiding it to safety.

The nice thing about writing mantras for yourself is that they
can be anything.  Most of them start with "You will" or You are"
and just restate things you know to be true but can easily forget about.
They can be as epic as you want them to be which, for me, makes
them even more empowering.

Pregnancy truly puts you through tests of strength. Physical, emotional, spiritual..
It's intense.  I know that mantras aren't for everyone but they work for me.
And really, that's all you need to find. Things that work for you.

A Sour Sweet Wind Blows In

There is something magical about the transition
of summer into autumn.
The peaches and tomatoes slowly turn
to apples and pumpkins.
The air becomes crisp and light,
and our internal clocks begin to reset as
the sun sets earlier and earlier.
Richer smells of cinnamon spiced desserts
and hearty roasted dinners begin to fill the house.

I'm ready to decorate for Halloween,
 cozy up on the couch with scary movies,
eat these pumpkin brownies I just baked,
and welcome in a new season.

Latest Obsessions

*Mozzarella Cheese
All summer I've been splurging on this huge $9 ball of
Mozzarella at our farmer's market. I cannot get enough.
I think I've eaten my weight in caprese this year.

*Trying to make it October
I kind of treat Halloween like Christmas, I extend the celebration
to the entire month. I love decorating and watching scary movies,
drinking spiked cider (though this year I will just have a sparkling
cider, been dying to try the Aaron Burr stuff) Anyway, cider tangent,
I've already tried weaseling Hocus Pocus into my nightly going-to-bed
movie and the husband called me out on it.  Only 15 days to go,
I'll start my scary movie list in the meantime.

*This recipe
Really delicious, super easy. Definitely a keeper.
Also starting to file away really easy recipes for when
baby shows up.

*This basket
I rarely buy stuff for the home, I'd rather spend my
money on food, wine, and books. For some reason this basket just
called to me and I actually listened. I love the neon pom poms, and
I think it fits nicely into our living room.

*Noble Rot Zine
Finally, a magazine about wine that doesn't suck.

*Buffy & Daria
Hulu has a whole 90's show section and I've fallen down
rabbit holes with both of these shows. Thoroughly enjoying
the nostalgia trip.

6 months

That span of time sounds like both an eternity and no time at all.
About 6 months from now the husband and I will be welcoming
a new person into this world.  It's pretty overwhelming when you
think of it that way.. Someone who is an extension of you but
with an independent spirit, interests, and thoughts.

The first few months have felt like a mental training scene from
a martial arts movie. Strengthening your mind to prepare for what's coming.
I've been reading all of my natural pregnancy books, and doing visualizations
and mantras. That's my jam and that's how I'm handling this.

So I don't think there will be monthly photos charting my growth, or a general
play-by-play of what's happening.  This whole thing feels very personal
(which seems funny to say, because obviously it is) and for once in my life
I don't want to share everything. But that could change, everything could change,
this whole process is really about taking each day as it comes. So that is what
I'm trying to do.

I'm excited to meet this person and see what they are about.

A Part of the Sea

I woke up Wednesday morning and knew that I needed
to be in the ocean.  I couldn't explain this urgency,
but just like the day I woke up and needed to go to Berlin,
I had to make it to the beach.  Thankfully, the fare to Rockaway
is much less than the fare to Germany.

It took me 3 times to actually muster up the courage to go
under. The waves were surprisingly large and rough, and the
temperature was shockingly cold at first
-typical for the Northern Atlantic.

It was the kind of day when a dip in the ocean felt like
so much more than it was. I felt connected to the ocean on
Wednesday, and it was a beautiful thing.

Summer Daydreams

This is my favorite time of year.
I cannot get enough of the heat and sunshine,
the magical warm breeze that makes the leaves rustle,
a summer harvest that is always worth waiting a
whole year for, and the simple pleasures that summer always brings.




















This is just the beginning of tomatoes, which
means that all I want to eat are caprese salads.
I splurged on some fresh mozzarella at the market
last Saturday and I've nearly eaten all of it myself already.
No shame. This happens but one month out of the year.




















Our backyard at sunset.





















By the lake in Central Park, where I hide out during my breaks.





















Last week at Rockaway Beach. I found the most perfect
beach pebble to add to my collection of shells and things.

My boss brought me back some raw milk
from his weekend upstate. Had a glass as soon as
I got it home, there is nothing quite like it.  One taste
and you'll be hooked, it puts all other milk to shame.

Latest Obsessions

Hello again! I'm back from my 2 months of radio silence.
Much like exercising in the morning, blogging regularly
takes a certain amount of dedication.  I don't always have the
motivation or feel like I have interesting things to say- but
I'm going to just jump right back in and see where it goes.

Lately I have been obsessed with...

*My Central Park Spot.  On my break I rush over to the little rowboat lake,
and bask on the rocks for about 10-15 minutes. Staring at the boaters,
watching for turtles, and marveling at this beautiful space that
exists within a sprawling concrete jungle.

*Chats with Mom Mom. I was briefly in Jersey this week and those visits
 always include stopping by my Mom Mom's house.  Sometimes she will
rush you out, claiming that you have other things to do and she doesn't want
to keep you- but not this time.  We had a nice long chat about everything
from family history to the importance of taking the time to really
cream the eggs and sugar for cake recipes. And thanks to technology I was able
to use my newfangled  iphone to show her what I've been up to and what
the husband and I have been cooking. It's so nice to be able to share
those things, I'm extremely thankful for the time I get to spend with her.

*Summer Fruits. I wait for this moment all year long. When I can finally
gorge myself on cherries, strawberries and raspberries- not to mention
all of the fruits that have yet to appear at the market.
Is there anything more magical than the summer harvest??

*Creating. Collaging, stamping, cooking, baking- always want to be
creating something.  And nothing gets you out of your own head like looking
at what other people have done or are doing.  A few weeks ago I picked up
a book about my favorite artist-and biggest collage inspiration, Hannah Hoch,
and just looking at her images inspired me to be a little bit more free
with my own. I've also been going to the Met, letting whatever
catch my eye, and then coming home and making something
based on the new favorites. It doesn't always turn out so good
but it's been a fun exercise to get into.

*Wines from the Savoie. A small region within the French Alps
(not too far from Valle d'Aosta in Northern Italy) that seems to be
showing up more and more on by the glass lists and in
boutique wine shops. The common grapes are Jacquere, Altesse,
Roussanne, Mondeuse and Pinot Noir. The whites are fresh,
minerally, and dry. Sometimes they will have a salinity that feels
similar to Muscadet, and a savory quality that is reminiscent of
parmesan rind.  The reds are fairly light, with dark fruits,
delicate tannins, and a gamey quality. I like them best with
a good chill- yes, you heard right. Chill.yo.reds.  The best part
about these wines is that they are ridiculously budget friendly
and are generally between $13-20 on the shelf.