my dear hearts

Posie

2012-01-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

I have this problem wherein from time to time I go online and look for dogs (and sometimes bunnies) that are available for adoption. Even though we can't get one right now. Our apartment doesn't allow for dogs. We aren't settled enough to make that commitment to a pet. I know all this. But, man, I love puppies.

Yesterday I fell in love with Posie. She's two months old and is an American pit bull mix. I want her to live with me forever. I'm seriously a little devastated we can't adopt her.

I'm crazy for her. Her eyes and floppy ears are so endearing (though, why the sweater? let's nix that). Honestly, if Jared wasn't a firm no on this, I'd probably go beg our landlord to make an exception.

If you live on the east coast and want a new friend, Posie currently lives in Hopkinton, MA.

Pomelo

2012-01-10T19:05:00.000-05:00

I found one at the grocery store the other day. Huge and yellow. Pomelos make me so happy; they are delicious and I have the nicest memories connected with them.

The last time I ate one was in Paris. I went with two friends to Pierre Herme for macaroons. Then Nako and I stopped in a little park, on our way to the Rodin museum, and the split cookies and the fruit. In the Rodin gardens we ate some more cookies. It was a really good day. One of my favorite Paris days.

Tonight, I'm eating mine while I watch Babies on Netflix. It feels pretty cozy.

Miracle

2011-12-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:15-20

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T20:53:00.000-05:00

First snow

2011-12-20T05:33:00.001-05:00

There is no snow here. Tomorrow we are leaving town for the holidays, December is closer to the end than the beginning, and, still, no snow. It feels undone.

This unfulfilled expectation of snow somehow reminds me of a mid-December day a couple of years ago. The snow came then. Heavy and fast, foot after foot fell through the evening and into the night. It was beautiful, in the dark, to watch it piling and whirling under the street lamps. I stayed with my very new boyfriend Jared and his very new roommate Brent in their very new apartment to wait out the storm. In the morning, Brent made us all pancakes and served them up on floppy paper plates.

The place was all wood floors and big windows, full of sun and light from the snow. Two burnt orange couches were the only furniture in the house. Jared and I sat on the familiar one against the side window, the one from his previous apartment. We were each on either end, facing one another. He sat leaning back with one leg on the floor and one extended across the sofa. I liked how soft he looked in the morning. I liked that he was watching me. I looked out at the still falling snow. The flakes were big and sparkling. The whole street looked gracious and idyllic, with snow sitting heavy on the trees and houses. I watched snowflakes whirl towards the windowpane and I wondered if he was still watching me.

"I love you," he said. I looked at him, still and serious for a long moment. "Come here," he said. I crawled over into his arms and pressed my face into his neck. "I love you," I said. "I know," he replied.

The room stayed light with the white from outside and this new magic. New snow and new love. I always wait for this feeling again in the winter.

12 Christmas wishes

2011-12-09T14:38:00.001-05:00

1. The Architect's Brother by Robert Parkeharrison

2. Five skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca's worsted in ecru (to knit this)

3. Palomarie equilibrium necklace

5. Amethyst slice necklace by mossiere

6. Pretty bangles

7. Sampler of yummy salts

8. Steel thigmotrope satellites to hold some cool air plants

9. Two twin sheets and one queen by Rough Linen

10. Video camera for recording my kooky husband

11. Knitted fox pillow

12. Bunny bookends

And then there's always the basics: like chocolate, moisturizer, lotion, and camera film. Or a trip to Paris.

Quarter century.

2011-10-17T19:05:00.001-04:00

My 25th birthday was completely great. The two weeks after have been super busy school and work-wise, so apologies for the delayed report.

I woke up that friday morning to lots of kisses and a very excited husband who was so thrilled he couldn't keep straight whose birthday it was. Mine or his? It was a good question, but he was so giggly we never got around to deciding. Then I got my present. Boots. Boots I have wanted so badly for the last three years but never had a good enough excuse to buy them. So Jared got them for me. I put them on immediately, even though I was still in bed and my wide feet barely fit in them.

Here they are. No action shots yet.

They are perfect in every way.

Jared also gave me a pound of chocolates. They went really well with the macarons my sweet mother and sister-in-law sent.

We had the best tacos in the world for lunch. Followed by churros. We walked around downtown Boston and bought an ice cream maker attachment for our KitchenAid. And an ice cream cookbook. Then we got the best Thai food in the city for dinner. But take-out, so that we could eat it at home on our couch while watching Mad Men. It was a really really good day.

On Sunday, we had a handful of friends over for cake and snacks. This year I made a chocolate cake with salted-caramel cream cheese frosting. It was delicious. I'll post a recipe that includes the most perfect chocolate cake I've ever made. It is my go to chocolate cake. (Last year's cake was chocolate with chocolate mascarpone filling and chocolate ganache. Same cake, though.)

The past year has been so life-changing. Last Christmas, I got engaged. I started school again. We planned a wedding. We got married. And moved. And moved again. The crazy thing is that these are only a few of the highlights. I have never felt so blessed.

Forthcoming personal holiday

2011-09-29T21:12:00.000-04:00

via pinterest

It's my birthday tomorrow and I'm feeling kind of giddy. We take birthdays pretty seriously around here and Jared has some plans. That I can't know. Except I've been told that I will love my present and that he bought it forever ago. But those pieces of information are meant solely to torture me since I have now had to wait well over a month to discover and receive this certain-to-be-loved item.

Things I will not be getting (cuz I already asked):
1. A rental puppy
2. A baby animal of any kind
3. A grown-up animal of any kind
4. A california vacation

I'm not really sure what's left ...

How my household has prepared for the hurricane

2011-08-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

1. One five gallon jug of water
2. Flashlight
3. Homemade butterscotch pudding cooling in the fridge

Night swimming

2011-08-12T19:08:00.000-04:00

Jared has hatched a plan for a night swim in Walden Pond. We haven't been all summer and I'm so excited. The water is so pretty in the dark.

Photo by Cara StHilaire

The last time we swam there it was a freezing cold autumn night. This will be better. Cross your fingers we don't get caught.

Linen

2011-08-11T22:25:00.000-04:00

I am saving and wishing for these beautiful white linen sheets by Rough Linen.

Linen makes for lovely bedding because it's cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and gets softer with time and washing. This particular company doesn't sell fitted sheets - only flat. Which I think is excellent. You can't actually fold those things neatly, no matter how many tutorials Martha Stewart has done about it. But, in case you need some tips on making up a mattress with a flat sheet, the owner of Rough Linen, a charming British lady, has made some youtube videos to help. She makes me feel like I should be more polite.

In the meantime, I'm going to buy these linen dish towels instead.

On 2 year old haircuts

2011-08-05T17:25:00.001-04:00

"Mom. I'm not going to cry. And I'm not going to whine. But, I might just whimper."
-Mooshi

Dudes

2011-08-04T13:17:00.001-04:00

So, I think I'm done with my post-wedding blog break. Now that it's been a million years. But those years went by super fast for me on account of how much I like my new husband. Check it. He's awesome.

photo by Summer Street Photography

There is now a lot to cover, though. Like the wedding and our wedding night fiasco. Yes, a fiasco with yelling, three dollar and fifty cent tolls, airplanes, and Dunkin' Donuts (just kidding, we avoided the DD).

Also, this summer, we have found ourselves a new little home for the fall. It's a small two bedroom apartment in Dorchester about 30 seconds from the JFK redline stop. I craigslisted like a maniac to find it. Many times Jared had to demand that I stop refreshing the page and put the computer away. But, my efforts resulted in totally awesome rent in pretty decent location and no broker's fee, despite the best efforts of the entire Boston/Cambridge real estate market. We are currently in the midst of moving in, but we have several weeks in which to do it. We're also doing a bunch of little projects to make it our very own/better.

More to come.

Wed

2011-05-25T10:05:00.000-04:00

We are so married.

May 20, 2011

2011-05-20T06:42:00.000-04:00

It's raining.

At 3 o'clock this afternoon I will hold hands with my best and favorite everything. We will kneel on either side of an altar and make promises with our whole hearts. We will be married.

There is no one else in the world.

What a beautiful day.

My very newest best friend

2011-05-03T13:47:00.002-04:00

This little darling is one month old. I get to spend all my mornings with her

after her big sister Mooshi goes to school.

Sometimes, we are napping buddies.

We both feel real good about naps.

Things she is good at:

Lying on her tummy

Burping

Staring

Collecting nicknames (Lulu, Cheeks, Cutie pootie, Girlie ...)

Making friends

Smelling good

Wearing blue

Also, it hasn't snowed once since the day she was born.

Babies are one of the top three best kinds of friends to have.

Guess what I did today?

2011-04-27T22:27:00.000-04:00

And on the third day ...

2011-04-24T23:35:00.000-04:00

Jared and I celebrated Easter this morning at Trinity Church in Boston's Copley Square. We went to Easter services together here last year as well. The church was dedicated in 1877 and is absolutely beautiful.

from wiki commons

The service was so joyful and inspiring. There were hundreds of people and I loved the feeling of all us coming from our very different lives to celebrate with one another such a miracle - the event that forms the foundation of Christian faith. I feel so proud of humanity whenever I find myself in a room of people who are full of goodwill toward one another.

from picasa

Amidst the stunning choir, orchestra, and organ music, the stained glass windows, and the smiling people I was struck by how we as human beings are capable of creating some truly beautiful things. I think this kind of beauty brings us a little closer to heaven. For me, that is the transcendent message of Easter this year - that all things can be repaired, restored, and exalted with God.

After the service (and a special thanks to our primo parking spot - right on the square, I kid you not), we headed over to attend church with our usual congregation. But, unfortunately, someone forgot to tell the main speaker that it was Easter. So the meeting was pretty lame. Especially for a holiday (probably I would have thought it was lame on a regular Sunday too). So, we cut out early and had Easter dinner with some Hindus.

Happy Easter!

(I am contemplating going to Whole Foods tomorrow to buy some organic jelly beans - they are oddly you good, in case you didn't know - and eating them until I feel sick. But, probably I shouldn't. Right?)

Blech

2011-04-21T16:21:00.000-04:00

I had non-organic factory farmed eggs today for the first time in probably over a year. They were gross. I'm kind of surprised at how noticeably not good they were.

Feeling justified about all the extra dollars spent.

On 2 year old dreams

2011-04-16T00:13:00.000-04:00

"Night night. Goodbye! I'm going to dream about ... keys!"

"What about elephants?"

"And elephants! And keys! ... And ice cream cones and ice cream. And stories. And microwaves. And smoothies. Three smoothies! Three!"

"Oh. Wow."

-Mooshi

Less than

2011-03-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

We are under 50 days to go until our wedding day. Which mostly feels like the perfect amount left to go. Other times, I just want to be married already. Actually, I just want to live together all ready, but that's one and the same for us.

So. Less than 50 days to go.
I have been less than good about blogging.
But, there are less than 5 days until my next paper is due.
So. The catching up will have to happen next week.

If I were a drinking man ...

2011-02-21T08:40:00.001-05:00

I would own this.

Valentine

2011-02-14T23:14:00.000-05:00

Dear Jared-valentine,

I wanted to tell you that sometimes, just every once in a while, I play our first dance song while I wander around the house. I feel to myself how I think it will be to dance with you on our wedding night. I think it will feel like falling for the full 4 minutes and 49 seconds. How wonderful that will be.

There is nothing more real in the whole world than the way I feel about you. There is not enough space in my body to hold how much I love you.

Your valentine,

D.

This was his valentine, written out sloppy-fancy with my new calligraphy skillz. This was mine - on the napkin from the burrito place we to went after my class tonight:

In the car on the way home, he sang me a dirty re-write of the song "Listen to Your Heart." (I don't know where this stuff comes from but it makes me laugh so hard)

Such a good day.

I like this holiday ironically and actually

2011-02-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

Some pretty hilarious cards.

The internet is so funny sometimes

2011-02-11T18:40:00.000-05:00

The last is the best.

Hipster Ariel tumbler via Jezebel

Pre-invitation invitation

2011-02-10T23:52:00.000-05:00

Since neither the fiance or myself are originally from the Boston area, we've got a lot of out-of-town invites to send out. But, in the interest of providing an earlier heads up (so more of them will come?) and giving out some travel info AND collecting addresses, we made a movie. A film! (ha.)

We sent it off tonight. Wanna see?

Save the Date: Jared and Danielle's Wedding from Danielle on Vimeo.

It took a silly number of takes to get through even small sections (what with the laughter and/or withering looks). Hence a few (there were so so many to choose from) outtakes interspersed throughout. We spared everyone the five minute long discussion we had to have in the middle of memory card number one (there were two) about scripted versus improvised techniques.

The editing was a joint effort ... but also mostly Jared.

Children Running Through

2011-02-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

Rumi; translated by Coleman Barks and John Moyne

I used to be shy.
You made me sing.

I used to refuse things at table.
Now I shout for more wine.

In somber dignity, I used to sit
on my mat and pray.

Now children run through
and make faces at me.

GetOut

2011-02-04T11:26:00.000-05:00

Watched this a bunch of times. I still think it's awesome.

Proenza Schouler

2011-02-03T15:03:00.001-05:00

Every time I look at this dress, I have to talk myself down from buying it.

But it's so pretty!

But I picked a wedding dress already, I think.

But look at those sweet buttons!

But that is too much for a dress you might have to return.

But the shirring!

But you are pale and it's hard to tell online if the color will work.

But the silk! Don't you think it would feel so nice!

I'm still not sure which way this will swing.

I don't even know what to do with myself.

Belur

2011-01-27T10:34:00.000-05:00

Belur from Danielle on Vimeo.

So all those children you see? I probably shook hands with 2/3 of them. They were sweethearts.

John & Yoko

2011-01-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

I recently watched the documentary Imagine: John Lennon. The best thing about the film is that it is mostly composed of archived footage of John and Yoko. They filmed themselves a lot.

{Source}

Coincidently, I saw this neat print a few days after I watched the documentary. I really like John and Yoko together. I love how much they loved each other. And that they were such dirty hippies.

Print by The Wild Unknown

I miss the Beatles.

Do you ever miss things that you never had in the first place? Because I do.

Adopt Rinah

2011-01-20T19:00:00.001-05:00

adopt rinah from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

This made me happy and sad and happy. Maybe you would like to help them too? Even just a little bit. Think about it.

Wedding ideas that have not been approved

2011-01-20T10:01:00.001-05:00

I should say that by "not approved," I mean rejected heartlessly and out of hand.

1. Theme "Our Pioneer Heritage"
In a brief and horrifying google search for a temple dress, I noted that many of these same sites sell pioneer replica clothing. One half of this wedding committee proposed a theme and suggested dress code for guests. Imagine the photos! The other half said NO. Like that, in capitals and everything. You know most of our guests aren't mormon, right? You know neither of us actually has pioneer ancestors? Irrelevant, I say. It would provide an excellent opportunity for the wearing of bonnets and would help us repent for skipping all those pioneer themed sunday school classes.

2. Register for baby gear
The short engagement will have many wondering anyway. And this would be funny, especially to me. Plus, we'd use all of it eventually.

3. Um ... shoot. I can't remember the others now. But I'm sure you can imagine how creative they were.

Ooh la la

2011-01-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

I reeeeaaaaalllly want this pillow. It charms me.

But I think I should figure out how to make it myself or something because

I am sadly not a person with $90 to spend on a pillow.

Blerg

2011-01-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

As it turns out, planning a wedding is less "fun" than I thought it might be. Mostly because the number one thing in the whole world that makes me feel stressed and triggers my anxiety is money and stuff there unto it. Do you know what you have to think about a lot when putting together a semi-fancy party for 150 people? Money. I kind of definitely want to stop thinking about it. Or spreadsheeting about it (new useful verb). I would like the part where I have to pay for things to go away, please, thank you.

We could just skip ahead to the parts I think sound more like "fun."

p.s. We picked a month and a city. Boston in May. Lovely, I think.

p.p.s. People here do not know what to do with themselves when they are confronted with our 5 month engagement plans. I think lots of them probably think I'm pregnant or something. (Which reminds me that I have to tell you about Jared's complete lack of support for all my best ideas. How is that related? Good question.)

Mysore

2011-01-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Two hours from Bangalore, Mysore is the old capitol of Karnataka state. I went to Mysore twice while I was in India, but I don't think we should pay any attention to the second trip as it was basically awful. I got sick en route and spent the day trying to sleep in the van while everyone else went to the zoo. The first time, though, was great.

{Nanjundeshwara Temple built in the 9th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva who is also called Sri Nanjundeshwara or "the god who drank poison." If you are a Hindu god, you get lots of names and avatars.}

I took a bus and it was the first time on the trip that I was able to see some of rural India. Rice paddies, draft animals pulling carts filled with day laborers or firewood, small tarp tent communities, shacks - covered in ads for Sprite or Airtel - selling chips and candy, and families of four crowded onto motor bikes. Just like in the city, every vehicle on the road honked incessantly and traffic lanes were acknowledged at each individual's convenience.

It was a long day, packed with local landmarks including several temples and two palaces. I became very talented at being barefoot (no shoes allowed!). I forgot to put the memory card back into my digital camera, so all the pictures I took that day were with my instax mini. I'm so glad I brought it.

{Mysore Palace is the home of the Wodeyars who ruled the area from 1399 until Indian independence from the British. This palace was finished in 1912.}

{One of twelve temples in the palace complex. This one is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, I think.}

I bribed a guard at the palace. I hadn't realized I was supposed to check my camera near the entrance gate and the guard pulled me aside after they saw it in my bag. At first, I did not understand what he was trying to tell me. He had come right out and explain that if I gave him a little money and didn't take any pictures inside the building he wouldn't make me walk all the way out to the camera check. "Ok," I said, "How much?" Because I'd really never done this before. "Whatever," he said. I gave him ten rupees and he asked if I had any U.S. dollars. I didn't.

{Giraffe at the Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, or, you know, the zoo. They had a fantastic number of animals}

In many of the places we stopped, I was the only foreigner and the only white person. So, I got stared at lots and children and adults came up to me to ask "What country are you?" A small crowd of of 12 year old girls ran up beside me at the zoo, all jingling with bangles and anklets. They all smiled huge smiles and asked me where I came from. "Great!" they said, a little breathlessly, after I answered and smiled back. Then they ran right away again. Essentially, this same thing happened a couple dozen more times throughout the day. Sometimes they would take my picture. It was endearing and made me feel a little famous, which I am totally not.

{Chamundeshwari Temple is dedicated to Durga, a fierce demon killing embodiment of shakti (the female creative force). She is also a form of Parvati the wife of Shiva.}

{Cow and her calf in one the temple markets. The cows may wander as they please.}

[Deleted embarrassing and cheesy song lyrics]

2011-01-12T22:39:00.001-05:00

Jared has been in Arizona since I left him there New Year's day. He won't be back in Boston for another week at least. Unless it snows significantly somewhere in the mid-west or on the east coast. Then it will be longer since he's driving. Such weather sounds unlikely in mid-January, yes? Because, I would really like him to be home now.

Day after

2011-01-09T20:52:00.001-05:00

The day after Christmas Jared's newest niece was given her baby blessing and we drove from Arizona to St. George to be there. It was nice. She is still so teeny tiny.

Then we played with her older brothers and sisters.

I guess all of these kiddos are/will be my nieces and nephews too. Which feels strange since I've never had any before and now I'll have 5+1. But I like it.

Highlights included India presents (so many little girl bangles!) and my instant camera.

I think one or other of the kids took each of these pictures.

Guess which one is by three year old Elizabeth.

Never taking it off ever ever ...

2011-01-06T19:00:00.001-05:00

... except, you know, when I shower, or put on lotion, or bake, or clean things, or garden, or, like, a thousand other contingencies.

But, oh my I love it.
He worked with a jeweler for months to design it.
It's recycled, ethical, and vegan.
And it means something.
That was important to him - that more than just being pretty, the design be symbolic of our relationship and the promises we will make.

I'm silly crazy about that kid.

Lifelongs and forevers

2011-01-06T11:12:00.001-05:00

*Otherwise known as the details.

Jared pulled back the covers on the bed and then tucked them all around me after I settled into the pillows. The cabin was cold. We had driven up to Flagstaff on Christmas day, ahead of his parents and brother so that we could heat up the house and trade a couple of gifts with just the two of us. But, I was still a little sick and very tired from the India trip. So, I was put to bed.

I woke up to a sweet hug, soft kisses, and a much warmer room.
"Come downstairs," he said, "Let's have Christmas."

A tree was up. Covered in lights, presents stacked around the trunk. Candles were lit around the room and over the mantle, two knit stockings hung, I imagine, with care. Jared took them down and we settled on the floor to empty them out. Everything in our stockings was from Jared's mom. I found body wash, lotion, perfumes, chocolate, and an orange. And in the bottom was a small, velvet jewelry box.

"Oh," Jared said, taking the box from my hand. "You can't have that until you answer a question."

I looked at him confused, "What?" I asked. Still thinking of earrings, or maybe a necklace, from his mother.

"You can't have it until you answer a question." He got on one knee.

"Oh," and then the whole world changed, like a small shift in space, the sunlight a slightly different color. And I thought, this is happening right now. Nothing will ever be the same. This is your whole life.

He opened the box and I got a glimpse of the ring before I looked back at his face. Then he asked.

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I said softly before kissing his mouth and hugging him hard around the neck. I was crying. I didn't want to stop holding him and touching him. Minutes later he asked if I wanted to see the ring. "I do," I said tearfully, "It's just that I love you so much!"

One more kiss. One more hug. And then he put it on my trembling finger.

Favorite things he's said

2010-12-30T06:53:00.000-05:00

"Do you think other people are so lucky?"

"Let's fall asleep together sometime soon."

"You are my favorite."

"My heart jumped when I saw you."

"The first time I met you I thought, that is a girl with a gorgeous face."

"You are my home."

"Best friend."

"I love you more than I ever knew it was possible to love anyone."

"I never thought it could be this good."

"Will you marry me?"*

*details to follow

Unto us

2010-12-25T09:56:00.000-05:00

Photograph by Mike + Doug Starn

Are you not so glad that Jesus was born? I am. Really really.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Isaiah 7:14-15

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold they King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly.

Zechariah 9:9

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form no comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him.

Isaiah 53:2-5

A Christmas story.

And some Christmas spirit over here.

The kind that will make your heart hurt a little.

Happy Christmas!

With lot's of love.

Resolving ...

2010-12-23T21:04:00.001-05:00

If you push that luggage cart up to a crowded baggage carousel, I will cut you.

p.s. I am back in the States. Though, still on a plane and still sick.

Way cooler than a liger

2010-12-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

Do you need a new favorite animal?

From wiki commons

This is a makara. It shows up a lot on south Indian temples. A makara is essentially the perfect animal. See, it has the paws of a lion so that it can tread silently on its clawed and padded feet, the body of a pig allows it to eat any food, an elephant trunk for strength, the jaw of a crocodile which never releases prey from its sharp teeth, sharp monkey eyes, and alert cow ears. But, that is not all. It also has a peacock's tail. For beauty, obviously.

All the coolest kids have one.

An unfortunate circumstance

2010-12-21T11:01:00.000-05:00

Oh dear. I am so sick. Tomorrow is my last day here and I spent yesterday and, particularly, today feeling just plain bad. It is unfortunate because there are a few things left that I wanted/want to do - lying in bed with body aches and fever not among them.

I cannot tell you the last time I got sick like this. But, I do not like it. I want vegetable noodle soup, smoothies, and someone to hold my hand.

On a brighter note, I have had an amazing time. Lot's of stories and pictures to come.

Another bright note: Christmas. Did you know that's happening soon?

Man oh man, I hope I sleep tonight. And please I would not like to spend twenty sick hours on an airplane, thank you.

On location

2010-12-09T04:04:00.001-05:00

Finally, after two nights in a row of sleep lasting longer than four hours, I am starting to feel energetic and settled and a little bit in love with India. Actually, I felt in love even when I wasn't sleeping, but now I can enjoy it.

We arrived at around one in the morning on Sunday after 20 hours of flight time. Isn't that a hugely huge number? It strangely didn't feel that long, though. Taking care of a two year old made the time pass remarkably fast - what with meals, naps, playtime, and general preoccupation with someone else's needs. She (let's call her Mooshi, since I often do anyway) was great on the plane and managed all the upsets to her everyday life really well. The family had bought three first class tickets and two coach. Three first class seats because Mooshi's mom is pregnant and various logistical issues required two more. The original plan was that I would just sit in economy with whichever grandparent didn't sit up front with mom and baby. But then! But then, just before we took off Mooshi's grandma came and found me in the back of the plane to say that she thought we should switch seats, that I might be more helpful up front and she would just sit back here with her husband.

Guys. This means I totally flew first class on an international flight. Two flights. 20ish hours. It was almost as wonderful as I thought it would be. The seats really do lie almost flat! Meals come in courses! On tablecloths! Flight attendants are nice to you! Life list goal accomplished!

Flying home will be so ... so ... pedestrian. And way more crowded.

And now, after all that. We are here. Here being a colony of three houses on the same property with room for two more and some gardens and outbuildings. The whole property is Mooshi's great grandmother's inheritance from her father. A lot of the family lives here. It is really lovely to have everyone going back and forth between the houses.

This is the front of the main house.

The small garden house/outbuilding.

One of the garden shrines.

This is the house where I am staying.

All most all of my time has been spent in the colony, so far. Playing with Mooshi, trying to sleep, and eating. Oh the eating. There is a novel somewhere in all that eating, but whether or not I will be able to write it with snacks and drinks in each hand is questionable. And I'm not even trying to fill my day/plate with food. But you can only say no thank you so many times! Especially since everyone, truly everyone, is always trying to get you to eat or drink something. I do not think I have ever been so well fed and watered in the entirety of my life.

Anyway, now that the jetlag is receding, the touristing brainstorming begins ...

Far far away

2010-12-02T07:10:00.001-05:00

Guess what?

Tomorrow night I am getting on a plane and flying to Bangalore, India. In, you know, India. The family I sit for invited me to come along with them while they visit family and do a little work. I'll be there for three weeks. And I am so excited. And not really packed at all, even though we leave for New York (from whence our plane departs) this afternoon ...

I will have an internet connection the whole time, so after spending a silly number of hours on the plane I will come say hi.

From Wiki Commons

It is going to be amazing.

Geodes

2010-12-01T14:30:00.001-05:00

I kind of can't stop thinking about these.

From mossière and Magpie & Rye.

Thanks-a-lot

2010-12-01T10:24:00.000-05:00

Jaredboyfriendface bravely faced the potentially freezing and snow-driven landscape of the upper midwest to spend Thanksgiving with me and my family in Minnesota. And guess what? It was not that bad.

In fact, it was lovely.

We had Thanksgiving breakfast with my mom's side of the family and then dinner with family friends and some Viking players. There were some decidedly huge human beings. Plus, a ton of food to feed them. And football. Just what the pilgrims always wanted from this holiday, I think.

Not awesome

2010-11-23T22:31:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe any of these ever actually sold anything. Or that someone ever thought any of these sentiments were even vaguely appropriate. Found here via the internets.

This last one has me thinking ... mayhap I should adjust my holiday wish list?

On why my boyfriend misses me when I'm away

2010-11-22T00:25:00.006-05:00

"You are great. And by great, I mean mildly retarded."
- Jared

Holiday wishes

2010-11-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

1. The Architect's Brother by Robert Parkeharrison

2. Camilla Engman calendar 2011

3. Calligraphy kit

4. Morse code necklace with the name of my favorite or something

5. Pigeon Toe Ceramics bowls

6. Embroidery kit

7. MUCU Pocket Ringbook

8. Asymmetrical sweater from Need Supply Co.

9. Patagonian sheepskin

10. A puppy

11. Madewell archive leather boots

12. Madewell biker boots

13. Diana F+ medium format camera

14. How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman

It's like a holiday for just you and me

2010-11-18T09:17:00.000-05:00

I was in charge of the anniversary celebrations, which meant I could have all the fun that comes with surprises without any of the impatience of waiting to see what would happen.

Jared thinks my eagerness to discover what a surprise might be is a character flaw.

I think his calm is unnatural.

Thing #1

Tosca performed by the Boston Lyric Opera

Jared loves opera and likes Puccini second to Mozart - which I confirmed through some not-at-all-suspicious questions.

It was wonderful. The music was thrillingly beautiful.

Thing #2

A late night dinner of macaroni and cheese and butterscotch pudding.

Plus, extras for the rest of the week.

I think they both came out quite nicely, although, I think

I will tweak my pudding recipe a bit.

Thing #3

A mix cd for mushy moods.

Thing #4

This one's a secret.

Pictures from the BLO

1

2010-11-16T14:15:00.003-05:00

One year ago, late late late at night the sweetest boy looked up at me in the middle of our first kiss at the end of our second date in as many days. "Danielle, does this mean you're my girlfriend?" he asked, with a perfectly darling look on his face.

"Do you want me to be your girlfriend?" I asked just to hear it again.

"Yes, I do."

"Then yes, I will be your girlfriend."

We both smiled. And then, due to some kind of mutual misunderstanding, kept kissing for another 6+ hours. Ridiculous. But kind of great.

This has been the best year I have ever had. He is my favorite and I love him like crazy.

Have a cute day

2010-11-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

Lilac Sunday

2010-11-10T11:00:00.002-05:00

Missing spring.

Life List

2010-11-09T09:15:00.001-05:00

Plan and execute a guerilla art project
Road trip across the U.S.
African safari
Own and train a puppy dog
Marry someone really good
Play dietary elimination game and see what happens
Learn to play guitar
Learn to play ukulele
Zip line through a canopy in Costa Rica
Sew 5 articles of clothing I actually like
Learn my blood type and donate
Skydive
Take a series of ballroom dance classes
Milk a cow
Raise hens
Do a headstand (no wall)
Read the entire Bible
Keep bees
Have my portrait painted
Paint a portrait
Spend a week in a monastery
Spend a week in an ashram
Eat at the French Laundry
Build a treehouse
Spend the night in a treehouse
Practice yoga everyday for 6 months
Fly first class on an international flight
Ride an elephant
Swim with dolphins in the wild
Plan a wedding
Build a lamp
Live in France for at least 6 months
Live in a non-European country for at least 6 months
Grow my hair long
Build a piece of furniture
Shuck oysters
Give birth at home
Learn to blow glass
Ride horses in Mongolia
Have a personal library
Eat at 25 of the best 50 restaurants in the U.S.
Tile a floor/wall
Make 5 kinds of cheese at home
Sing in public
Publish a book of poems
Throw a dinner party every other week for a year

Do you have one?

Amedeo Modigliani

2010-11-08T16:30:00.001-05:00

I am in love with his paintings today.

I want to climb inside them.

I think the first two are my favorite.

A small note

2010-11-08T14:09:00.000-05:00

Hi favorite,

I love that you had to pull the car over last night just so that we could press our cheeks together and tangle up our arms - just for a minute or two.

Love,

D.

No one got it

2010-11-02T10:55:00.002-04:00

I was Lolita. Jared was Cameron Frye.

Turns out, the only people who know who Lolita is are over 30 years old or go to Wellesley.

Halloween

2010-11-01T23:36:00.000-04:00

Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots

We (especially me) were delightfully heckled for our rivaling team loyalties. Several people offered comments of genuine concern about our relationship.

We had previously contemplated trading shirts for Halloween costumes, but I don't think mine would have fit J.

Patriot Place is clearly enormous.

See the board? Right after the Vikings scored the first touch down.

And Jared doesn't want to talk about it.

(But don't worry, love. Your team wins it in the end.)

The tickets were a surprise present from my mom. It was such a good day. We sat in great mix of Pats and Vikings fans, including three old men behind us who talked smack for the first 45 minutes.

Non-stop. In thick Massachusetts accents*.

And then disappeared.

It was awesome.

Point of interest: Jared and I met on Halloween last year.

*In case you are unaware, a Massachusetts accent invariably includes the copious and indiscriminate use of some the best swears you can come by.

iLove

2010-10-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

Remember this one time when I didn't post anything for a ridiculously long time? Me too.

See, my computer stopped working in ways that computers usually work. It stopped playing any audio and the keyboard stopped working, in addition to loading everything slower than my family's first ever dial-up internet connection. It was/is extremely pitiful. Though, perhaps even sadder is how long I lived with it. Copy and paste individual letters into Google's search bar? No more!

Jared and I documented the momentous occasion in Photo Booth on some of the store's computers.

It's like you were there!

p.s. Computadora's name is Pepito (as in Madeline and the Bad Hat)

Memorial Day weekend is the greatest

2010-06-01T23:37:00.006-04:00

The greatest ever. This weekend was so fantastic I almost have a new favorite holiday (not that I have an old favorite holiday; I am an equal opportunity holiday lover (also I can't pick favorites)).

Friday: bicycle shopping, birthday party (Maryn!), vaguely lewd word games, mixed drinks, midnight kick ball, goodnight kisses

Saturday: early morning kisses, patio brunch, tropical French toast, cream of wheat, errands, frisbee in the park, smores, backyard movie

Sunday: church, picnic on the esplanade, more frisbee, avocado sushi, cold fruit, serious talks, long hugs, late night tv, chocolate ice cream

Monday: late morning, perfect eggs, JFK museum, castle island, kite flying, fort climbing, soft-serve ice cream, extra freckles, long naps

I have not a single photo of any of this. I do have a slightly pink nose. And a new kite.
Have you seen this picture by Paulo Octavius? It's from his cool photography series called Same Hill, Different Day.

This is what Castle Island was kind of like. Except with fewer kites. Plus a fort. And an ocean.

Today, I love summer.

p.s. Did you notice I checked some things off my list?

Jukebox the Ghost

2010-05-27T16:06:00.001-04:00

Last night, Jared and I saw Jukebox the Ghost play at the Middle East. It was kind of awesome. I hadn't heard of them before last week, and it's a good thing that changed because they're rad.

I think you (as in, everyone) would like them, too.

Listen here.

You'll feel a little happier without even trying.

P.S. If you end up with a crush on the piano player, you're probably not alone if last night's crowd was any indication

On spaghetti sauce and salsa

2010-05-24T09:03:00.001-04:00

"Ugh! I swear! It's like consumerism is the anti-feminism! I can't open anything without Ryan around."
- Kelsey

Have a cute day

2010-05-22T08:30:00.002-04:00

Ring around

2010-05-21T10:00:00.010-04:00

1. 2. 3. 4.

I wish. I wish. I wish.

But maybe have them all remade by someplace like Bario-Neal? Ethics. I like that.

In this place I live

2010-05-20T08:15:00.001-04:00

Odds are I won't live in Boston forever or, really, for much longer then the next year or so. If I think too hard about this, it's pretty depressing. I love this place. A lot. With that in mind, I compiled a list of things I want to do while I still live here - things I haven't done yet and can't really do anywhere else.

Also, I have a list of places where I would like to eat. Because, man, do I seriously love food. These are kind of ranked in order of desirability. Kind of.

(Since I first started listing things, some of them got done. Hurrah! That explains the ~~crossing-out~~.)

To do:

1. Fog Museum
2. Harvard Museum of Natural History
3. ~~Walk through the Arnold Arboretum~~
4. ~~Boston Science Museum~~
5. Visit and camp on the Harbor Islands
6. Picnic on the Esplanade
7. ~~Ride the Swan Boats~~
8. ~~Swim in Walden Pond~~
9. Thoroughly explore the MFA
10. Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway
11. Concert at House of Blues
12. Check a book out from the Boston Public Library
13. ~~Eat dinner in the North End~~
14. See a show at the American Repertory Theater
15. Attend a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance
16. Take a Duck tour
17. The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Southie
18. Visit the Granary Burying Ground
19. ~~Franklin Park Zoo~~
20. Watch the Battle of Lexington and Concord reenactment
21. Watch the Boston Massacre reenactment
22. Fly a kite at Castle Island
23. Outdoor summer movies at the Hatch Shell
24. Visit the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
25. Mt. Auburn Cemetary

To eat:

1. No. 9 Park
2. O Ya
3. Sofra
4. B&G Oysters
5. Ten Tables
6. Oleana
7. Toscanini's
8. T.W. Food
9. Sel de la Terre
10. Hungry Mother
11. Figs
12. Union Square Oyster House

Bicycles

2010-05-18T13:21:00.002-04:00

{Amsterdam}

{Princess Sovereign}

{Paula}

Aren't these bikes neat?
Sooo expensive, though.

I used to have a charming butter yellow 21-speed cruiser, but it got nabbed a couple years ago. I really miss having a bike. Especially of late, on these perfect spring days we've been having. So I am officially in the market for a new one. Also, a helmet. Safety first.

Anniversary with my favorite

2010-05-16T23:45:00.002-04:00

On our first date - one so successful it could have ended with a kiss - we were eating dessert. I asked him about where he had served his mission for our church. "Alabama," he said. I responded that I bet he ate really well. He smiled and leaned back in the booth. He grabbed his belly in both his hands and gave it a shake. "Did I eat well?" he laughed, "Eight some years later, I still have something to show for it."

I was delighted.

How could you not be?

Six months later and I love him love him love him.

Ten

2010-05-13T22:50:00.004-04:00

Another list of small joys ...

1. Bare shoulders
2. Open mouth baby kisses
3. Hot bread
4. Night swimming
5. A bowl of cold muscat grapes
6. Lying with our cheeks pressed together
7. Brunch at Neighborhood Restaurant
8. Mornings at the library
9. Dahlias
10. Armfuls of warm laundry

{we heart it}

Babies

2010-05-12T16:00:00.001-04:00

The movie.

Jared and I went to see it on Sunday (Mother's Day? What a coincidence ...) and I'm a fan. The concept is pretty simple: film four babies in four different countries through their first year of life. And I think it was executed really well. The photography is beautiful and stands out in the absence of plot or narration. Footage of Mongolia and Namibia, in particular, captures some really beautiful landscapes. More intimate shots of the babies by themselves or with others are framed and lit beautifully without feeling contrived. Actually, that was one of the things that I enjoyed the most about the film - how it largely manages to avoid feeling forced and artificial.

Oh. Also, the babies.

I really loved the babies.

Now for an example of the kind of post-movie dialogue you might engage in:

"Wow. So how does your uterus feel?"

"Fertile."

Wilson

2010-05-11T21:13:00.001-04:00

I have a white schnauzer named Wilson. He was a rescue, so we're not really sure how old he is, but he definitely counts as elderly by now. He is a very excellent dog. You probably remember how handsome he is.

He's been sick lately. Today and yesterday were particularly bad. My mom took him to the vet this morning and he has a mass on his liver. Tonight, they are going to have to put him to sleep. I'm really sad and I really miss him. He is a big part of home feeling like home for me.

I wish I could rub his belly and say goodbye.

Hello, then

2010-05-05T18:39:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you noticed, but I haven't written in a while. I mean, I know Maryn noticed because she said so, and requested something other than supremely cute baby faces to look at. But, maybe the last two months have gone by like a short, but decidedly groggy afternoon nap for some other people as well. March? April? Where'd you run off to? Too late to find out now, I suppose.

I think this means it's time for a recap. With bullet points.

Ta da! I took this semester off from school. And the next one, too. School was hard in ways it shouldn't be - ways that really only come along with chemical imbalances in the brain. So even though I am close to graduation and am already old on the undergraduate age spectrum, I pressed pause. I want to like school and succeed at it the way I have in the past. I'm thinking this will do it ...
I am working full-time taking care of an 18-ish month old baby girl. I fully adore her. She will charm your pants off. Plus, she is the cutest. Really. And her parents are awesome, too.
I am learning/have learned how to make various Indian foods. The family I work for is Indian and comes with a grandmother who likes to show you how. It's neat. And delicious.
My own family is kind of a bummer right now. Parents (primarily, almost totally dads) who just can't get it together and siblings who aren't handling the separation/maybe divorce/hopeful reconciliation/likely divorce/??? situation well equal a lot of stress. And sadness.
I am reading book after book after book. It feels so good. Even in school I still read for myself a lot, but I have much more time for it now. Currently, I am reading a few plays by George Bernard Shaw and the Dune series. Next: The Things They Carried.
Topping out the list of things I like about my life right now is the boyfriend. He is my favorite. My very favorite. I would have a hard time telling you why in the amount of space appropriate for a bullet point, so I'm not going to try. ( But yeah, we're still dating)

2010-02-24T19:56:00.002-05:00

{from bebeloo}

I can't even tell you how much I want a baby right now. Really I can't.

Because it's gross.

Leap frog

2010-02-18T22:22:00.001-05:00

Mid-February means it is time for the leap frog holidays. This is probably confusing to everyone who does not happen to live inside my head, so it's cool if you don't know what I'm talking about. The thing is that Valentine's day sets off a little series of special occasions in my family and, since they all happen two days apart, I've always thought it's an awful lot like a game of leap frog.

Today is actually the last of the leap frog holidays so I thought I'd recap:

February 14th - Valentine's day
I love this day for its sweetness and its silliness. I also loved my Valentine, whose name is Jared (in case you forgot). I wrote him a little letter and he took me to dinner. It was great. And we laughed a lot. I think we were the only two people in the room laughing. After, we cuddled and watched DVDs because we are pros at both those things. (This day is maybe not all the way over because I heard a rumor about some kind of something coming in the mail ...)

February 16th - Parent's anniversary
They have been married a number of years that I am pretty sure falls around 25ish. That's not an easy thing to do. I hope they can still do it because I like them together.

February 18th - Momma's birthday
(does anyone else call their mom momma sometimes?)
My mom was born 47 years ago. I like that she's around and not just because she = me. She is kind and funny and dedicated. Also really pretty. A boy once told me that if I could guarantee I would look like my mom when I'm her age he would marry me stat. That didn't work out. But no matter, because my mom is a good friend to have around when you have a boy and when you don't. She's basically always good to have around. The best part is that she always will be.

P.S. Writing this made me want to play leap frog because that game is so fun. And then I remembered that, actually, it is fun in theory and then kind of let down when you try to play.

On hindsight

2010-01-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

"I just feel ashamed when I look back on it."

"No! You should not feel ashamed looking back on it. He should feel ashamed. He should feel ashamed looking in any direction!"
-Kristal

Because it's way cuter than a blood diamond

2010-01-16T08:51:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I spent a good part of the evening lying in bed with mom watching wedding shows - pre-recorded, obviously, so we could skip all the commercials. I really have no patience for commercials anymore. Really. I will turn the TV off and wait for something to record rather than sit through a single commercial break. It's almost like I'm taking a stand against consumerism, but really that comes later in this post.

Anyway, we went through a pretty decent cache of shows like Say Yes to the Dress and Platinum Weddings (but not Bridezillas, because that show hurts my feelings). And there are a remarkably large number of wedding 'things' one can spend money on. Also, there are a remarkably large number of really pretty dresses in the world, but probably more ugly ones.

But, none of that is the point. In fact, all this is to say that I somehow came to the conclusion, in the midst of all the taffeta and centerpieces, that I would be just as pleased with an engagement puppy as I would be with a ring.

from here

Probably more so. Because. Seriously. Look at that little thing.

On why you get your period on the same day as me

2010-01-07T13:15:00.001-05:00

"I am biologically pre-destined to be the alpha-female."

Rollover

2010-01-06T21:12:00.001-05:00

I crashed my little brother's car a week ago. Completely totaled it on the way to pick Jared up from the airport (he flew in for New Year's (which was awesome, btw)).

It was a quarter after nine and had just started to snow. I hit a slick part of the road and the car started to fishtail and slid into the median. As soon as it hit the snow, the car rolled over. 60 mph suddenly seems a lot faster, terrifyingly fast, when you can't control the car anymore. It rolled once and I thought/prayed that I would like to not die. As it rolled the second time, I thought/prayed that I would also like to not pass out. When the car finally stopped, upside down on its roof, I gasped, "Oh, thank you Heavenly Father," and pushed myself up to unhook the seatbelt. I could hear someone outside running to the car, yelling to ask if I was ok, as I climbed out towards the passenger side window.

The back of the car

The passenger's side

I waited for the police, the ambulence, and my dad with a couple who pulled over when they saw my car flip. I called my mom and Jared, who's plane had just landed, and tried not to cry. I was shaking hard and felt vaguely hysterical. They strapped me into the ambulence and I had the surreal experience of being rolled into the emergency room on gurney and having my pants cut off my legs while doctor's and nurses moved in and out of the room, asking me questions and performing examinations. Jared took a cab to hospital and met my dad for the first time in the emergency room while I was getting x-rays.

I think that was kind of awkward.

Eventually, and thankfully, everything checked out and I went home with nothing worse than a concussion, cuts, and some bruises. And a boyfriend to take naps with. Doctor recommended naps.

Since then my face has swollen, and turned purpled around my eyes. It doesn't hurt, but I look battered. I feel fine, though. Really fine. My dad likes to point out that I feel better than I did an hour after the crash but I look worse. My little sister Savannah basically thinks I should wear a mask.

The driver's side

I really really really ...

2010-01-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

via My Little Underground

Goodbye 2009 ...

2010-01-01T12:01:00.002-05:00

via Haw-Lin

Hello 2010. It's nice to meet you.

Inventory

2009-12-28T13:05:00.113-05:00

A Christmas present inventory. This is mostly for Jesyka who wanted a rundown of all my Christmas presents (and obviously I want one from you too Jes). But yeah, this is a list of most everything I was gifted on Christmas. Part of me feels like this might be inappropriate? But you needn't think I forgot the real meaning of Christmas. No, I have seen far too many of those made-for-TV-movies for that kind of rookie mistake. Nope. I had a fantastic day full of gratitude for the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ spent with my family and my mom's family. Plus, I managed to get pretty decently outfitted for winter. Lovely, really. A perfect kind of Christmas.

From Santa:

SmartWool socks

Calvin Klein winter coat

Sooo much warmth. I wore these things around the house all morning, pretending we live in an igloo. Which, really, we kinda do.

From my parents:

Vintage 1970s drawstring bag

Sorel winter boots

(Yes I wore these around all morning too. Like slippers)

Need Supply Co. cardigan

(And this one I've been wearing non-stop for the past three days. At least)

From my dad exclusively:

Mac Powerbook circa 19Old

Because he knows how much I want a Mac ...

No. It does not appear to turn on.

From my brother and sisters:

From boyfriend:

Christmas Eve flowers

Boyfriend

2009-12-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

I have a boyfriend.

He's kind of completely and totally amazing.

His name is Jared Mooney.

(A last name which my little brother has decided might be the coolest ever)

Jared works for the NPR station in Boston as a sound engineer and owns a rad recording studio. He plays guitar (along with a bunch of other instruments). And sings. Sometimes to me.

Yes. It is almost painfully attractive.

And right now I miss him. Badly.

Boston and January 31st feel far to far away.

Merry merry Christmas

2009-12-25T09:30:00.001-05:00

To all my dearest hearts,

Merry Christmas!

Too many of you are too far away.

But you should know I love you enough to make up the distance.

Yours,

Gogo

(My tree and the better of my dogs. His name is Wilson and you really don't have to talk about how handsome he is. But feel free. If you want to. Or need to.

Because I totally get it.)

On Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T22:57:00.001-05:00

This nutcracker soldier keeps watch on Santa's behalf all through December and especially especially on Christmas Eve.
No peeking, you see.

When I was a kid I couldn't wait until we pulled him out every year, I loved him so. It was like saying hello again to an old, dear, fathery-figure type friend. My heart just thrilled.

He has maybe been loved a bit too hard (yes his arm is currently taped to his side), but he's really all the better for it.

Home for a very white Christmas

2009-12-24T18:51:00.007-05:00

I came home just in time for a snow storm.

This is now my backyard and I love it.

My brother and sisters and I all went to the same elementary school where, in Kindergarten, we all did yarn embroidery projects for Christmas. I love the way they look all lined up in the window. Brianna and I are responsible for the Christmas trees, each made a year apart. Devon and Savannah hit up Kindergarten quite a few years after that - hence their more non-christmas-exclusive/politically-correct gingerbread men.

On clocks

2009-12-16T23:34:00.001-05:00

"I don't want it to be Thursday tomorrow, because that means one more day gone and I can hear the clock of my life counting down."

"Your biological clock?"

"No. The you-are-going-to-die clock."

"Oh Danielle, you're so weird. You should be worrying about your biological clock."
-Kelsey

I'd swim the ocean for you

2009-12-12T13:43:00.001-05:00

I have a Kelsey. She is like no one but herself and herself is really kind of wonderful. There is a lot that should be said about this girl. Like how she talks to herself using terms of endearment and mild scoldings. Or how she straightens her hair in the most haphazard way I have ever seen. Or how she giggles in her sleep. But today she told me about these dreams she has. And I haven't found anything so funny or charming or so very Kelsey in a while.

See. Sometimes she has bad dreams. About terrorists. And the dreams go something like this:

Kelsey gets kidnapped and put on TV, crying and up for ransom as the terrorists threaten to chop her head off. They keep her for some time. She makes multiple television appearances in tears, begging for release. But they never end up decapitating her, even though she's never ransomed or rescued. Why? Because while she is with them she converts the terrorists to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And they repent. And give her back.

I mean. Seriously. Who has such a dream? And don't you wish you had a Kelsey like mine?

Wondering ...

2009-11-10T09:23:00.002-05:00

What kind of psychopath whistles on a bus?

Weekend runaway ~ New York

2009-11-09T20:43:00.044-05:00

Except for the three hours Jesyka and I spent trying to break into our friend's apartment, the weekend was a complete success. We ate unhealthy food, shopped, and wandered for hours.

Then we went home.

I love a good get-away.

Baby baby baby

2009-11-05T19:29:00.008-05:00

Sharon Montrose takes painfully adorable pictures of baby animals. I feel like if you were to look at these prints everyday it would really difficult to be unhappy. You'd have to try pretty hard.

via unruly things

March 21, 2009

2009-11-04T22:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Didi,

We are not in a good place, you and I. This is going badly. And by badly, I mean sometimes I can't tell if we're broken up or not. I don't tell anyone how often I really talk to you. They would tell me it's unhealthy. Which is probably true. But I can't stop. And you can't stop.

Dammit.

This is probably going to hurt sometime.

Yours,

Gogo

On hormones

2009-11-03T17:45:00.001-05:00

"I want one so bad my uterus hurts. But, I was NOT made for baby-making ... well, baby-making is one thing. Baby-birthing is another."
- Maryn

All Hallows' Eve

2009-11-02T17:55:00.001-05:00

I went to a masquerade ball at the Harvard Club.

It was so pretty and glamorous.

Not very spooky.

The highlight of my night was on the way there. While walking past a restaurant, a woman inside distinctly mouthed "She looks so pretty."

About me.

I wanted to hug her.

It didn't even matter that I only got asked to dance once - by a guy who later fist-bumped me.

I loved that woman.

And my dress.

Ghosts of Halloween Future

2009-11-02T14:28:00.004-05:00

I spent the weekend with five dear girls in a Boston hotel. We decided to stay downtown for the LDS Education Conference. The whole thing was fantastic, except for the part about it being apparently impossible to get six people to sleep at the same time. No. I mean seriously. I was this close to grabbing the comforter and climbing into the bathtub. Or onto the balcony. Or into the hallway. But achy eyelids and high anxiety levels aside, I would say it went off famously.

We had plenty of spiritual enlightenment, sushi, laughs, dress-up, dancing, and spooky/sketchy Halloween fun. Some people also had romance. Those people were not me.

I did, however, have my palm read. That was interesting. It was this place next to a Subway, up a flight of stairs, and into what at first seemed to be someone's living room. Lifetime was on TV playing a really confusing, vaguely disturbing movie that my friend Jesyka and I watched way too much of while we waited for our turn with the psychic. We were too scared to change the channel since the women seemed irritated to have us there in the first place. I thought psychics were supposed to be floaty and eccentric. Like an Enya song. She was stern and not unlike the Soviet national anthem. So we waited and did our very best not to come down with asthma attacks from the overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke. Because the psychic would not have been amused. And we really wanted her to like us.

Finally, it was Jesyka's turn. Then it was mine. She asked each of us to make a wish and then glanced at our palms. After that she sort of free-styled it. She told us things about ourselves, our lives, and how things might turn out. I think both of our auras caused her some concern. My reading was insightful, but not eerily accurate. Jes said hers really could not have been more dead-on and it freaked her out. Ultimately, it was a kind of expensive burst of spontaneity on our parts, but worth it for the story - which we had to remind each other of at various points.

"I'm not backing out. Are you backing out?"

"No. I'm not backing out. Are you saying you want to back out?

"No no, I'm definitely doing it."

And now we get to say this:

"So this one time, on Halloween, we were getting lunch at a Subway downtown when we decided to go next door to see a cash-only psychic. ..."

Unspoken

2009-10-28T11:55:00.003-04:00

Maryn got me thinking ...

If you love someone. Really love them. Then you should say it.

Because if it's real love, the not saying it will always be worse than the saying it.

Always.

Let's paint the town blue

2009-10-26T17:00:00.016-04:00

"Let's paint the town blue, since red is so passé."
- The Pierces

A night on the town - dressed to the nines - to celebrate two birthdays. We hit up a few Boston classics. Regina's Pizzeria in the north end. Top of the Hub for all of fifteen minutes (let down). And then Petit Robert Bistro for amazing desserts.

Jerr commented that he looked through all our pictures a dozen times - they made him so happy because we are all so beautiful.
It's hard to disagree.

Dear friends,
You are lovely. Inside and out. And I never laugh so hard with anyone else.

On the Seine

2009-10-22T20:46:00.006-04:00

I love fall.

But lately I've been missing summer. Probably because it snowed on Sunday.

Summer meant long afternoon walks along the Seine with pretty new friends.

And darling chats with French strangers.

Some Paris nights

2009-10-22T20:33:00.007-04:00