tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63714834938363564352024-03-13T20:35:35.808-07:00SoundalongLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-13446941649538737022011-05-09T06:38:00.001-07:002011-05-09T06:38:23.068-07:00Lilacs from the farmer's market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWDfW1niQCpxt9rLYOdfZHD5soSGiHA9prImR9UPzKUVc9udFISN_8OTrzKL4adr1cM10bkhcfJ3y2F6K_UIB7iiVGiIAKVhomiH3NeRbtO3oCNcr8HxVGv8sAU5b-tLR0o0mn6kM-B3w/s1600/mms_picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWDfW1niQCpxt9rLYOdfZHD5soSGiHA9prImR9UPzKUVc9udFISN_8OTrzKL4adr1cM10bkhcfJ3y2F6K_UIB7iiVGiIAKVhomiH3NeRbtO3oCNcr8HxVGv8sAU5b-tLR0o0mn6kM-B3w/s320/mms_picture.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-74018279527171414052011-04-14T16:43:00.001-07:002011-04-14T16:43:25.018-07:00Lucky drawComing up on the two-week mark in the new pad, I just took a look around my living room and thought, "Wow. I live here."<br />
<br />
The floors are crooked and there are a few little quirks but man, do we love this new place!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-9948043692675237822011-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:002011-03-28T14:58:35.061-07:00Lalala. New job good but busy. Moving apartments this weekend--maybe for the last time for a long time! There's a little backyard; we're so excited to garden and grill. That's all the news I can think of. Oh, I disabled comments because I was getting a lot of spam. But those of you who are real can email me if you think of something for me to write about!<br />
<br />
xoLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-15129617383210411572011-01-19T14:01:00.000-08:002011-01-19T14:01:13.672-08:00I'm still hereNew job is good but a whirlwind of activity. I find myself working much later and reading much more in my spare time. I am, however, really enjoying it. And my favorite perk of all is that Chris's office is a mere block away. Today I felt too busy to eat and, get this, he brought me a sandwich! His special invention from a nearby deli: chicken with hummus, avocado, and jalapenos on whole grain roll. Have you ever heard of anyone more thoughtful?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-10297980208419101062010-12-17T17:44:00.000-08:002010-12-17T17:44:02.283-08:00Pensive, peacefulDecember whirlwind. Behind on everything but on the verge of catching up. Tuesday is my last day at my job, after five and a half years. Rollercoaster of emotions: bittersweet, excited, nervous, ready. I start a new job the first Monday in the new year. Learning, growing. Much to do.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to a holiday filled with family; little children waking up early on Christmas morning. People are what make the world go round.<br />
<br />
Merry merry merry!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-13741976737281219422010-12-03T10:25:00.000-08:002010-12-03T10:25:01.082-08:00Turret book of the month clubWell, I had this long post written that devolved into a discussion of the book jackets, and I decided to delete it in case the author has a Google alert set up, because I don't want to hurt her feelings after I enjoyed her books so much. The jackets aren't her fault. They're very beautiful jackets, aesthetically speaking, I just think they're not very teen-friendly. What was I talking about? Oh, right. Let me come in again.<br />
<br />
So I've been on this castle kick lately. One of my favorite books of all time is <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Capture-Castle-Dodie-Smith/dp/031231616X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291400159&sr=1-1">I Capture the Castle</a></em>. I recently enjoyed the Australian imports <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Montmaray-Journals/dp/0375858644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291400478&sr=1-1">A Brief History of Montmaray</a></em> and its sequel, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/FitzOsbornes-Exile-Montmaray-Journals/dp/0375858652/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291400478&sr=1-2">The FitzOsbornes in Exile</a></em> (it isn't out in the US yet, I read an advance copy). And now the book that's at the top of my Christmas wishlist is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Distant-Hours-Novel-Kate-Morton/dp/1439152780">this one</a>: <br />
<br />
"Starred Review. A letter posted in 1941 finally reaches its destination in 1992 with powerful repercussions for Edie Burchill, a London book editor, in this enthralling romantic thriller from Australian author Morton (The Forgotten Garden). At crumbling Milderhurst Castle live elderly twins Persephone and Seraphina and their younger half-sister, Juniper, the three eccentric spinster daughters of the late Raymond Blythe, author of The True History of the Mud Man, a children's classic Edie adores. Juniper addressed the letter to Meredith, Edie's mother, then a young teen evacuated to Milderhurst during the Blitz. Edie, who's later invited to write an introduction to a reprint of Raymond's masterpiece, visits the seedily alluring castle in search of answers. Why was her mother so shattered by the contents of a letter sent 51 years earlier? And what happened to soldier Thomas Cavill, Juniper's long-missing fiancé and Meredith's former teacher? Despite the many competing narratives, the answers will stun readers."Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-41142106157469468172010-11-16T07:11:00.000-08:002010-11-16T12:41:08.912-08:00Congrats, Prince WilliamI hiked around the West Village last night in my gray heeled Oxfords that were my Parisian souvenir. I always get lots of compliments when I wear them. But I had to come to the reluctant conclusion that now that I am approaching the upper upper end of my twenties, I'm not allowed to buy shoes that aren't comfortable. I feel hobbled today. Like, I'm daydreaming about my Danskos.<br />
<br />
In other news, I'm really excited for the holidays...Thanksgiving, three weeks of holiday sociable events, and then a week off for Christmas. Things around me may feel up in the air, but as long as you've got family, that's all that matters.<br />
<br />
P.S. I'm sure soon-to-be Princess Kate doesn't need help with her wedding planning, but for my friends who are navigating the checklists, may I recommend <a href="http://www.eastsidebride.com/">East Side Bride</a>? She tells it like it is.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-663636899663584252010-11-11T12:01:00.000-08:002010-11-11T12:01:26.697-08:00BurrowingI find myself wanting to re-read <em>Brideshead Revisited</em>. That seems like such a nice November book to read. And also maybe <em>A Bear Called Paddington. </em>Wouldn't that be a cozy weekend?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-90584264723266228632010-11-02T07:59:00.000-07:002010-11-02T08:00:14.898-07:00World's best breakfast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRxWzRmthCu_YrSJntLNf8cZCMowczrlFLHeF3ckh68f0S8-A2RbT-Z_H95IShd1qnI87hf3b-cioZZLxsKH7Rw8ZFGISoMyN6DoHI-uf525VfyKGxucM54Z4mL81FBVpTtlyGD5jxTb_/s1600/mms95picture_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRxWzRmthCu_YrSJntLNf8cZCMowczrlFLHeF3ckh68f0S8-A2RbT-Z_H95IShd1qnI87hf3b-cioZZLxsKH7Rw8ZFGISoMyN6DoHI-uf525VfyKGxucM54Z4mL81FBVpTtlyGD5jxTb_/s320/mms95picture_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were at Oriole 9 in Woodstock two years ago on New Year's Day where I had an eggs benedict that changed my world. This time, Chris ordered the same dish that he got last time--corned beef hash with eggs over medium--and I had a forest mushroom and gruyere omelette that REALLY changed my world. Holy heavenly, Batman! And then we also had their amazing coffee and I lucked out and got a free chai latte because the waitress had made it for someone who had failed to specify that she wanted it vegan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you live in the city and have a car, this place is worth the hour and a half drive. SO worth it.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-68446162198153880922010-10-29T07:01:00.000-07:002010-10-29T07:01:32.155-07:00October lullabyOur apartment lease expired the end of the summer and simultaneously one of my friends sent a mass email saying that her mom needed a housesitter for two months, upon which Chris and I looked at each other and said, "Hmmm." So since September we've been staying in a beautiful three story brownstone in Park Slope, complete with a deck, back yard, laundry room, and dishwasher. It's been simply heavenly to take lots of baths and lounge on the velvet couches in the evenings, but, alas, all good things must come to an end. This weekend we are moving out and into a sublet while we look for our next spot. <br />
<br />
To make the transition more painless, we're taking some time to ourselves and spending the weekend in upstate New York. We found a great deal on Priceline (I'm a big fan of Name Your Own Price), and I'm looking forward to watching the second episode of <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/index.html">Sherlock</a> in a comfy king-sized bed and brunch at <a href="http://www.oriole9.com/">Oriole 9</a> in Woodstock on Monday. <br />
<br />
That means that today is basically my Halloween (my assistant at work twisted my arm into dressing up. She's Hermione and I'm a ballerina. And I need to visit the marketing department because we sure are the only two in Editorial that I've seen in a costume). I'm loving the fall temps, the orange trees I saw from the train this morning, and the anticipation of a three day weekend with my sweetie. <br />
<br />
Happy autumn!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-75131728531537580002010-10-25T16:50:00.000-07:002010-10-25T16:51:19.833-07:00Best of New JerseyOn one of our frequent trips through New Jersey, Chris, Shelby and I got off the clogged turnpike and found ourselves speeding (comparatively) up 295 and thence onto Rt. 1. It was around dinnertime on a Sunday evening. We missed the turnoff for Five Guys, happily as it turned out, because when the Skylark Diner in Edison showed up in the windshield we made a screeching right turn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sq8d_AoOTskMpSPwKEHQ0qQZZGIy6-9hJvOVuIKKyt8QmefuxWRliCx0MowHjh8KUkOA7LgUljgHZ5jwW1J9sR-WxV4XVRAsZjhpWfzMyP0fL40eCBqG7HoargmR4LCFBYnes90PMi_6/s1600/skylark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sq8d_AoOTskMpSPwKEHQ0qQZZGIy6-9hJvOVuIKKyt8QmefuxWRliCx0MowHjh8KUkOA7LgUljgHZ5jwW1J9sR-WxV4XVRAsZjhpWfzMyP0fL40eCBqG7HoargmR4LCFBYnes90PMi_6/s1600/skylark.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What followed was one of our top 20 meals of all time. Chris and Shelby had the prime rib burger but my burger au poivre won the day, with its creamy dark pepper sauce and its oodles of mushrooms piling up all around. The malt vinegar french fries and the huge glass of red wine were similarly delicious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that concludes my best of New Jersey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ha ha, just kidding. The hospital in Red Bank where I was born is also worth noting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(I really am just kidding, Jersey readers!)</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-44970795421964344322010-10-24T17:37:00.000-07:002010-10-24T17:54:50.356-07:00Best of BrooklynChris and I have spent our last few years eating our way through Brooklyn. Now, I feel compelled to share our faves here.<br />
<br />
Best Coffee<br />
--Though I'm partial to the iced variety at Le Petit on Court Street, I'd have to concur with Chris that the best coffee is hands down Gorilla, on 5th Ave in the Slope. If you have time to wait, they'll also painstakingly make you the best latte you've ever had.<br />
<br />
Best Muffin<br />
--Blue Sky Bakery on 5th Avenue. Pumpkin-apple-walnut ... zucchini-chocolate-raspberry ... anything you get there will be the best muffin of your life.<br />
<br />
Best Bagel<br />
--Bergen Bagel. Oh, man. The bagels are absolutely perfect and they are complimented by the world's most dizzying array of flavored cream cheeses. Today, for instance, I had a plain bagel toasted with basil cream cheese and sliced tomato. This deliriousness was, in fact, what inspired me to write this post.<br />
<br />
Best Egg Sandwich<br />
--Frank's by the subway stop at Smith Street and 2nd Place. Chris just told me that the reason it's so good is because they cook their bacon in the deep fryer.<br />
<br />
Best Burger<br />
--Totally up for debate, but I think my heart belongs to the burger at Dram Shoppe on 9th Street. Imagine a Big Mac--made with foodie quality ingredients. The fries with ranch dressing are also particularly covetable. (So is the bourbon.)<br />
<br />
Best Slice<br />
--um, I've never had a bad slice of pizza in Brooklyn, so ... this one is wide open. I'm partial to Vinny's at Court and 4th and to that place next to the Bedford L in Williamsburg that I've only been to late at night so I can never remember its name. Most people swear by Lucali's; I thought it was overrated but I'm willing to try it again and be proven wrong. It's pricey, though. We got a mushroom pie there once and it was $27.<br />
<br />
Best Barbecue<br />
--Fette Sau. No debate. Get there early.<br />
<br />
Best Middle Eastern<br />
--We really love Zaytoons, with locations in Carroll Gardens, Clinton Hill, and Prospect Heights.<br />
<br />
Best Thai<br />
--Joya on Court Street (and its sister restaurant Song in Park Slope), but mostly for takeout, as it's so loud to sit and eat there. We also like the massaman curry and chicken spice at Nine-D.<br />
<br />
Best Asian Fusion<br />
--Chance on Smith Street. The Chance Chicken with its savory orange crunchiness is to die for, and their dim sum is amazing.<br />
<br />
Best Lunch Special<br />
--Chance, above, runs a close second to Kyoto Sushi at Smith and Atlantic, where for like $8 you get free edamame, miso soup, and salad with your delicious and large rolls.<br />
<br />
Best Overall Sandwich<br />
--Bierkraft at 5th Avenue near Union, especially the salami with pecorino.<br />
<br />
Best Vietnamese Sandwich<br />
--Hanco's on Bergen Street. Love their Vietnamese iced coffee, too.<br />
<br />
Best Hard to Describe Sandwich<br />
--The Turkey Leg Sandwich at Henry Public. Think Thanksgiving meets pulled pork. It's, like, shredded turkey mixed with gravy slathered onto thick slices of bread ... I mean, you kind of want to take a nap when you're done, but it's sodiumrrific.<br />
<br />
Best Grilled Cheese<br />
--The "Adult Cheese" sandwich at the Commodore in Williamsburg. Spicy poblano melting all over your face. Yum.<br />
<br />
Best Mexican<br />
--We're partial to the burritos and quesadillas at Calexico on Union Street; we also love El Pollito Mexicano for more of a sit-down experience.<br />
<br />
Best Taco<br />
--Los Hermanos at Starr and Jefferson<br />
<br />
Best Wings<br />
--Wingbar on Smith Street. They might win cheapest pitcher, too.<br />
<br />
Best Sushi<br />
--We love the funky sauces at J-Pan on 5th Avenue in Park Slope. Try the Fantastic Roll, it's ... fantastic.<br />
<br />
Best Cobb Salad<br />
--For some reason I love the one at PJ Hanley's, the sports bar on Court and 4th. It's got the perfect amount of everything, and the bacon is always piping hot.<br />
<br />
Best Mozzarella Sticks<br />
--Abilene, our former corner bar. Even though most of the food wasn't that great (with the exception of their pretty good Southern style brunch), I loved going there with Chris on a rainy night and sitting drinking cider and sharing mozzarella sticks with him.<br />
<br />
Best Appetizer<br />
--The polenta with wild mushrooms at Fragole.<br />
<br />
Best Slider<br />
--The corned beef and cabbage slider at ... this bar that is a block away but that I can't find the name of on Google maps. Um, yeah. It's the one with the red door at 5th and St. Marks.<br />
<br />
Best Italian<br />
--We don't feel like we've tested all the options yet! But Frankie's 457, Fragole (love their rigatoni with eggplant), and Boca Lupo are all worth writing home about and using lots of exclamation points.<br />
<br />
Best Fish and Chips<br />
--Sheep Station, the Australian pub on 4th Avenue.<br />
<br />
Best German<br />
--Cafe Steinhof on 7th Avenue. Love the goulash and the sauerbraten.<br />
<br />
Best Brunch<br />
--Brunching is big business in Brooklyn, which is probably why I'm not super into the trendy crowded spots like Buttermilk Channel. Instead: split a pain au chocolat with your dining partner, then order the ham and cheese crepe with salad, and finish with their milky hot chocolate, at Provence en Boite on Smith. (The best brunch, period, has to go to Oriole 9 in Woodstock. More on that another time.)<br />
<br />
Best Atmosphere<br />
--This has got to go to the funky/vintage/cool back yard at Robin des Bois.<br />
<br />
Best Cocktail<br />
--The Improved Whiskey Cocktail at Clover Club on Smith. Lots and lots of runners up. I like the bourbon one with the black cherry in it at Brooklyn Social Club (whatever it's called) and Henry Public also has an impressive list.<br />
<br />
Best Silly Drinks<br />
--The super strong and super slushy umbrella drinks at Zombie Hut.<br />
<br />
Best Glass of Wine<br />
--I love getting the Montepulciano, served in a stemless wine glass, at Boca Lupo on Henry Street.<br />
<br />
Best Cupcake<br />
--Baked in Red Hook.<br />
<br />
Actually, Best Dessert*<br />
--Baked in Red Hook. Get anything. I mean anything.<br />
(I also swooned over the pecan pie and vanilla ice cream sundae served in a tall glass at Buttermilk Channel but, I mean, anyone could make that.)<br />
<br />
Overall Best Coffee Shop Experience<br />
--Baked in Red Hook.<br />
<br />
Best Baking Cookbook<br />
--Wait for it ... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Baked</span>. From the bakers at Baked in Red Hook.<br />
<br />
*Except for Best Ice Cream<br />
--The peanut butter cookie dough at Louie G's! For one summer Chris and I had a tiny satellite Louie G's all to ourselves over near the Smith-9th stop. No one knew about it, which is probably why it closed down. But it's worth walking to the larger locations for any of their dozens and dozens of flavors, not to mention their ices (I love the mint chocolate chip).<br />
<br />
Best Movie Theatre Popcorn<br />
--The BAM. Gotta love their fill-a-bag-with-candy option, too. Swedish fish!<br />
<br />
Best Bar Popcorn<br />
--Angry Wade's at Smith and Butler<br />
<br />
Best Hot Chocolate<br />
--The Chocolate Room (locations in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope). I'm not haughty, though. The salted caramel hot chocolate at any Starbucks is also tilt your head back and drain the last drop good.<br />
<br />
Best Healthyish Lunch<br />
--The smoked turkey half sandwich on whole grain bread paired with the Skinny Delight smoothie at BeQu on Smith<br />
<br />
Best Diner Omelette<br />
--The ham and cheese at St. Clair's, Smith and Atlantic<br />
<br />
Still Hunting:<br />
Best French, Best Chinese, Best Pie (I mean, aside from Baked), Best Fried Chicken, Best FroYo, Best Crock of Chili, Best<br />
<br />
I'm sorry, I've got to stop. I've made myself hungry.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-8766028705230619122010-10-19T07:22:00.001-07:002010-10-19T07:23:17.170-07:00Splish splash I was taking a bath......and the world's biggest cockroach nuzzled its way along the bathroom rug and into my heap of clothes. <br />
So I screamed my head off for my husband who came running up two flights of stairs to dispose of it for me.<br />
<br />
He really is the best.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-20056177780486224692010-10-06T11:58:00.000-07:002010-10-06T12:02:37.381-07:00SchmoopyToday I left the office at noon and took the subway to the west village and met my husband for lunch. I had a tuna burger and he had salmon and rice. For dessert we got lemon ginger cookies and coffee. It's a beautiful sunny fall day. I love him so much!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-76074253425816668802010-10-05T11:04:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:04:23.365-07:00Oui et merciWhy yes, I would like to return to the scene of my honeymoon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39dAZq9tEqQ57I7eEp6lJO3jcRRYGPjudjqoBfBVY-9eRF55bZN-T25wCXmY5bjS3nhtaioPRuSuUmdolbF0-PJDAu5tLFadpU640NtRmYC7Qhq8TuZeP7CrgqDq1C6uENpVanBzCOcen/s1600/marais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39dAZq9tEqQ57I7eEp6lJO3jcRRYGPjudjqoBfBVY-9eRF55bZN-T25wCXmY5bjS3nhtaioPRuSuUmdolbF0-PJDAu5tLFadpU640NtRmYC7Qhq8TuZeP7CrgqDq1C6uENpVanBzCOcen/s1600/marais.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvnllmbkd7TQYEnJbVWPBI6gkue-KhvQm7eMDp3DWzNMnTz2fnxs3RMEezmh1do_kZZ-dnjjT02vCQWvQVKYogdPT_D-ifLghXvsdGATP_htdNF9IxapSffLH4mkwGIDxjYWT8vYvQKzv/s1600/jardin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvnllmbkd7TQYEnJbVWPBI6gkue-KhvQm7eMDp3DWzNMnTz2fnxs3RMEezmh1do_kZZ-dnjjT02vCQWvQVKYogdPT_D-ifLghXvsdGATP_htdNF9IxapSffLH4mkwGIDxjYWT8vYvQKzv/s1600/jardin.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-59925176153991711072010-10-01T06:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T06:40:10.935-07:00ArtistryI think I've posted about <a href="http://isabelleabramsonporcelain.bigcartel.com/">this ceramic artist</a> before, but she just keeps getting better and better. Someday when Chris and I buy a house, I'm splurging on one of her pieces as a housewarming present. They're so gorgeous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaDq_AQNzbPpuauQGztK3lkuM9YAVTPyat_dKh2PQ67omyvejQKypPGBifmNHOJL-4DN5qaiqzVQnGXFR-1TD-1XCz5FXr9OR_wo19eCbUwa9h3A6WkiG-Lxy3mFP34G1_sl_Zjysy-aT/s1600/3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaDq_AQNzbPpuauQGztK3lkuM9YAVTPyat_dKh2PQ67omyvejQKypPGBifmNHOJL-4DN5qaiqzVQnGXFR-1TD-1XCz5FXr9OR_wo19eCbUwa9h3A6WkiG-Lxy3mFP34G1_sl_Zjysy-aT/s1600/3002.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsW7JcWvhU6Z5fqW6IUssdQnclXVFtktgcue03auAHZa47TjFT536PydTj-VMhunXd6Now9rzHjfs5gsmGzlssFuoe9_9eA7JK4wlS6dKnyIXscCi0jN_lT6skoOQbEdbDyMLrkgg2OLK/s1600/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsW7JcWvhU6Z5fqW6IUssdQnclXVFtktgcue03auAHZa47TjFT536PydTj-VMhunXd6Now9rzHjfs5gsmGzlssFuoe9_9eA7JK4wlS6dKnyIXscCi0jN_lT6skoOQbEdbDyMLrkgg2OLK/s1600/300.jpg" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-47374507041870739172010-09-20T07:42:00.001-07:002010-09-20T08:06:22.866-07:00A year ago yesterday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs7BSO5CQUgUkIKWXuG7g8s1xrtE5etNoopyeRgFtHhvSCW5TiFlAaZUDi2jKeNUTq2NCSTw5X0Cw18RZPHiy6HkUyUXdu1MBnH6NRTDbXwjB6-nTczLySCMBO9jz85nGgZU2e5Cv_-o7/s1600/ry=400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs7BSO5CQUgUkIKWXuG7g8s1xrtE5etNoopyeRgFtHhvSCW5TiFlAaZUDi2jKeNUTq2NCSTw5X0Cw18RZPHiy6HkUyUXdu1MBnH6NRTDbXwjB6-nTczLySCMBO9jz85nGgZU2e5Cv_-o7/s320/ry=400.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqveo8Z3iIHOShf9RdhHqhwRgQCH31uS2MHQSrHyG1M0BKs1dX3VDg_xZBIXBqyW5FEyefzpB7LW5Lpmz0jifNb1htkJCAuOKmCM05hP7okbNtRTIkYdoFigmWILJJoWPkzjhq_e_kQ2qG/s1600/ry=4002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqveo8Z3iIHOShf9RdhHqhwRgQCH31uS2MHQSrHyG1M0BKs1dX3VDg_xZBIXBqyW5FEyefzpB7LW5Lpmz0jifNb1htkJCAuOKmCM05hP7okbNtRTIkYdoFigmWILJJoWPkzjhq_e_kQ2qG/s320/ry=4002.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_FkYV4IXGg874oJWZrHLEnmMyVMtpza35uqJngZmwZ0eE_-TLP0viKhcF1MWaJyC2Jqu31yQdRqLq5l_5DWpa-c3BaofZ_lVX_iEi6K1bcykpRD6yZcGq9BfDA6u-E7V4vKPgV6nz4Kt/s1600/ry=4003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_FkYV4IXGg874oJWZrHLEnmMyVMtpza35uqJngZmwZ0eE_-TLP0viKhcF1MWaJyC2Jqu31yQdRqLq5l_5DWpa-c3BaofZ_lVX_iEi6K1bcykpRD6yZcGq9BfDA6u-E7V4vKPgV6nz4Kt/s320/ry=4003.jpg" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-38657069767669386772010-09-14T07:13:00.000-07:002010-09-14T07:13:01.685-07:00LifeChris's grandmother passed away this weekend, an event that is deserving of far more eloquent words than I seem to have right now. We are going back to Maine tonight for the services. Perhaps when we return I'll have the ability to write what a great lady she was. Until then I'll just say how grateful I am for the good time we got with her only last month, when she was in such good health.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-60603574218237348292010-09-07T06:16:00.000-07:002010-09-07T06:16:27.426-07:00Rat raceI'm not sure if this morning is the most annoying morning at work of all time, or if it's just because I had yesterday off that I think so. But frankly, I'm leaning towards the former. To people who make phone calls at 9:15 a.m. the morning after Labor Day, please, go jump in the lake, and I mean that very sincerely.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-18041106722577977932010-08-26T11:28:00.000-07:002010-08-26T11:32:11.918-07:00Mockingjay review<em>Mockingjay</em> came out on Tuesday, and my coworker was going to the bookstore at lunch, so I gave her cash and asked her to pick up one for me. Then I read it in one big gulp from 5:30 to 11 that night. <br />
<br />
My review is going typed in white, so highlight it if you want to read, 'cause it contains LOTS of spoilers.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">So, I'm going to read it again in a few weeks, maybe after I re-read <em>Catching Fire</em>. I raced through <em>Mockingjay</em>...there was a lot that was satisfying about it...I never got bored ....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">but.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">When I closed it, I didn't feel dissatisfied, but I didn't feel satisfied either. In fact, I didn't know how to think. And the parts that stuck with me, the parts I kept thinking about, are the parts that didn't rest well with me. Like how Peeta, the best character in the books, is barely in this book...and the Peeta that's there is so literally brain-damaged that he's not the same. And he'll never be the same. (I understand that Suzanne Collins didn't want to make it too easy, but couldn't she have fixed him in the end? Like, maybe the District 13 doctors can't repair the highjacking, but when Katniss is on trial at the end in the Capitol, couldn't the Capitol doctors have fixed Peeta?) And how because he'll never be the same, even though Katniss and Peeta wind up together in the end, there's no big culminating moment where they<em> get back together</em> that the reader has been craving. And Gale, who finally gets his moment to shine in much of the book--we finally get to know him, in other words, and it turns out he's not that great! I know that Katniss saying, essentially, "He's probably off kissing other girls in District 2" is just her projection to make herself forget entirely about him, but it doesn't seem fair after all his devotion to Katniss for that to be the last mention of him. It feels like it's selling him short.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">Of all the deaths in the novel the one that bothered me most wasn't Prim's, which oddly enough left me only slightly moved. It was Finnick's! I understand that he had to die (though honestly I kept expecting Gale to die), but it was in such a disgusting way. In fact, though I've never criticized the violence in the Hunger Games books, in the final third of <em>Mockingjay</em>, I really thought she went too far. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">Here's what bugged me the second most: Finnick and all the soldiers with him on that final gruesome mission died so that Katniss could assassinate President Snow. And then at the end, when she's finally given her chance, she doesn't kill him. She kills President Coin instead. Because she thinks Coin is responsible for her sister's death. Yes, it's terrible that Prim and all those other children died. But Snow's the one who's made generations of tributes die in the Hunger Games. I'm the one who just plaintively asked for Collins to "conveniently" let Peeta be cured, but hypocritically I thought it was pretty damn convenient that Snow dies of laughing after Katniss kills Coin. Way to have your cake and eat it too. But leave the reader without any cake. Because the only reason we accepted Finnick's horrible death was because Katniss was going to murder Snow. And then she doesn't.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">Here's what bugged me the most: I can't believe Katniss voted in favor of having a final Hunger Games for the Capitol children. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">I can't <em>believe</em> it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">When she first said "I vote yes," I thought it was a red herring, some plot point that would come full circle and show that Katniss was on our side all along. But if that's how it was, it was written way too subtly--I never caught on to it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">Katniss's driving motivation throughout so much of the first two books was that "There can't be any more Hunger Games." She saw innocent children die alongside her sister. And then she votes for more to die? In revenge for Prim's death? Prim would never have wanted that. Is this supposed to be some gesture toward the idea that Katniss has changed so irrevocably because of what's happened to her? Well, if so, it sucks. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">And I can't believe that Peeta could still love Katniss after she voted yes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: white;">The end. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">So, I enjoyed the book, I didn't hate it, and it succeeded on many levels; and I'll read it again and post an update if I have any other/differing thoughts. But today, two days later, this is where I am.</span> </span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-27763456163230637532010-08-10T11:10:00.000-07:002010-08-10T11:10:34.099-07:00Eye candyChris's cousin Sarah got married last month in a really pretty, classy wedding on Long Island. Pictures are up on the <a href="http://monicazphotography.com/blog/?p=1354">photographer's blog</a>...Sarah was one of the most gorgeous brides I've ever seen, very Grace Kelly. Check out her cute butterfly jeweled shoes.<br />
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It was on a Friday afternoon and traffic was really bad; we thought we were going to miss the ceremony. We made it in the nick of time.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-70545103821012339672010-07-28T13:39:00.000-07:002010-07-28T13:39:08.286-07:00ManI'm so tired. This job is wearing me out. I mean, not like those of you chasing rugrats. Well, actually, maybe, because my job never hugs me or says it wuvs me. Ha, ha. Quite the contrary. It says, "Think you made it through another day? Mwahaha! Just watch what I'm about to throw at you! Don't even think about ducking!" And then, splat. Mud pie. With gravel mixed in.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-77004126314471050182010-07-21T13:45:00.000-07:002010-07-21T13:45:25.951-07:00YeccccccccchI'm sorry. I hope I'm not offending anyone with this. And you can go ahead and tell me I'm crazy for thinking chartreuse and pink look cute together. But if there is one color combination that makes me want to <em>ralph</em>, it's pale blue and dark brown.<br />
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Having typed this, I realize that my living room utilizes those colors...which may be part of why I detest our beige couch so much. Must go home and figure out what kind of sofa pillow covers I can sew.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-65393280424701589122010-07-21T06:25:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:25:38.675-07:00I'll take one please<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N1YyPX78B6AzCfXO1lhuMZgdEhqcQuO3520jqQXRviCzCs1ueK8FHiey_v9Q7Ot7wNJEKRrUpJeD79VXqcIDM_VBM92A5DkHDslm3WDc0FE4rSMAOb8j5DIlaZ6Xmu8o0EvKoFeaAjZw/s1600/j1072010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N1YyPX78B6AzCfXO1lhuMZgdEhqcQuO3520jqQXRviCzCs1ueK8FHiey_v9Q7Ot7wNJEKRrUpJeD79VXqcIDM_VBM92A5DkHDslm3WDc0FE4rSMAOb8j5DIlaZ6Xmu8o0EvKoFeaAjZw/s320/j1072010.jpg" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371483493836356435.post-6903674908535456322010-07-19T11:27:00.000-07:002010-07-19T11:27:02.793-07:001925<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuowHnfKMsWFhKWt-VC655dOHblsPIVW8yWUGetwslWNuBYHfLzTpxtBBSR8fHgtSBdYogGQLlVeMCLhzMVktQf7l82yVASfbP6Pqm264huR2QjwMGaQXL1d6uO3n0BrU1fO0nUcLbpAg/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuowHnfKMsWFhKWt-VC655dOHblsPIVW8yWUGetwslWNuBYHfLzTpxtBBSR8fHgtSBdYogGQLlVeMCLhzMVktQf7l82yVASfbP6Pqm264huR2QjwMGaQXL1d6uO3n0BrU1fO0nUcLbpAg/s320/34.jpg" /></a></div>Ten months ago tonight I danced with my grandpa at my wedding. And today he turns 85. Happy birthday, Poppa!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02157035018805533577noreply@blogger.com0