mid-winter musings

unreal sunset tonight. straight out of camera.

Where did January go? January and February are at the heart of winter, and we're halfway through. Not that you can call what we've had in Saint Louis a winter....highs in the 60s for the next two days. February used to be the dreariest of months for me, but here it always brings the promise of spring that is coming.

waiting for winter

(last winter)


Today has been a rare wintry day....cold and rainy. Just a few degrees above freezing. Which is annoying because a good amount of freezing rain and sleet can usually warrant us a snow day or at least a late start. But this winter has been my mildest in Saint Louis yet. I'd say on average it's been in the 40s, with quite a few days pushing into the 50s. This is quite fine by me. But I do want a snow day (or two). Barring a really poor February, it won't happen. By March, we're in spring here. Which is also fine by me. January has flown and I'm 6 weeks out from spring break. Brilliant.

This weekend I finally made it to the Monet exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum - just in time, as it leaves this weekend and is now sold out. There were several of his water lily paintings, but the highlight was seeing the Agapanthus Triptych, which brought together three of his paintings (each normally at a different museum) to create a 50 foot long piece. This is only done every few decades. It was truly breathtaking. I hadn't been to the StL Museum in years and forgot how nice it is - and free! (other than special exhibits). We went only to the Monet exhibit. I can't wait to go back to the rest of the museum soon.

Serve.

Everybody has the blues.
Everybody longs for meaning.
Everybody needs to love and be loved.
-Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

It's been so, so cold the past two days....from unseasonably warm to highs of about 20 degrees (0 with wind chill). I've become weak since leaving Michigan winters....I ponder now if I could make it through a full one without going crazy. Praise the Lord, it's warming up again tomorrow.

mason jars pt. 2

Love this. Maybe I'm obsessed with mason jars? One trend I can get and stay behind. Maybe I'm just dreaming of summer - the 50 degree january weather has me all confused. I'm dreaming of going beyond lemonade with orangeade, iced tea, arnold palmers...

here

mason jar meals

Came across this colorful way to make and store meals using mason jars. It would definitely make the fridge more aesthetical...and while it might cut down on day to day prep time, it would take awhile after shopping to organize and prep everything. I am always exhausted after grocery shopping - it's practically a rule that I eat something that the store prepared after I shop, because I know I won't feel like cooking. Still, it could have a few possibilities....

butterbeer

My delightful family agreed to humor me this Christmas vacation with a Harry Potter marathon (actually we're all quite big fans). I found a recipe forever ago for butterbeer cupcakes here....and finally put it to use. Mine didn't look quite as gourmet as these, hence their picture not mine, but they were pretty tasty. The frosting and ganache are what really made them come together....the cupcake part was fine but didn't blow me away. And used ingredients that I wouldn't normally have, like cream soda and buttermilk. The cupcakes would be just as good with a vanilla or yellow cake recipe. The final movie starts tonight...

123 testing

good grief. it's been awhile. I still find lots of amusement and inspiration in the different blogs I read, pinterest looking (not pinning), and other online stuff. I'm just less inclined to record it I guess...plus I don't take as many photos as I used to...which was one of the impetuses (impeti?) for starting this blog. I still want to keep this up though...it is a good place to record thoughts...it's just part laziness, busyness...whatever. but I'm going to try and post a few things I've been into/doing recently. It is fun to sort of archive my trains of thought, at least for my own benefit. if no one elses.

This was our Christmas eve miracle....after 10 northern Michigan Christmases, it looked like it was going to be a green one. But a few inches unexpectedly fell late on the 23rd and we woke up to white Christmasy trees after all.

need this. random pinterest find.

(the storage thing, not the rusty sink)

Terrific Tents

A fairly new blog, The View from the Tent Door, is amazing. I'm not sure how you sign up to submit, but people post photos of their tent views. Makes me want to go camping asap.

De-Twa

I took this picture the day after my best friend's wedding on Belle Isle over two years ago. I posted it on my flickr (this was when I was really into flickr, and making contacts) and somehow it was found by someone doing a Schmap City Guide for Detroit. They requested permission to use it, which I happily gave, and then forgot about. They recently revamped the webpage and emailed to let me know that the picture (albeit tiny) is still published on the page. At the time I didn't think much of the photo when I took it, but I went back to it today and realized how much I love it. The haziness/less clear focus would have bothered me then as I was trying to become more competent in photography, but now I love the authentic quality it lends to the photo. Because there is nothing like a hazy Detroit summer day on the island...an oasis in the river with the hubbub of the city a ways away.

Shakespearean Insults

fun stuff. from this kinda fun tumblr.

schminterest

(here)
I've been eyeing pinterest for awhile. I love all the posted images I come across - not as sleazy/poser as weheartit. So I finally decided to join, only to learn that I had to request an invite. Okay. Fine. One day later, invited, I tried to log in, and was forced to via facebook. I'm trying to keep my activities through facebook pretty low key, as they are trying to take over the world and such. Then, I can't move past the step of pinterest making me choose interests and assigning me friends. Again, a little taking over for me. Then I can't figure out how to pin things without putting them on a category pinterest has made....and I can't figure out how to remove the premade friends that pinterest gave me. No no. Too much work, and too much lack of control. How long before they would have made me create an entire public profile. I'm not anti-public profiles. I just need the transparent choice. So I discovered I can right click and save without having to log in. Account. Deleted.

I used to love Mindy Kaling's blog about her purchases. Now she's got a new one, and it's proving just as funny. Her book is on my ever-growing fall reading list.

I would probably blog more if I had an iPhone

I was all set and ready to get the iPhone 5 when it was going to be announced....except the new one is really just an enhanced iPhone 4. Anyway. I would catch more moments with an iPhone. I promise I do more than just go the farmers market on Saturday. Especially since the Tower Grove one is closing for the season in a couple of weeks.

Best cider ever.



and best chorizo breakfast tacos.

tower grove park is so baller. wish i lived closer sometimes.

happiness is new flannel sheets from l.l. bean - seriously like sleeping on a cloud. and late afternoon autumn light, if not autumn temperatures, and a birthday cake from friends.

feliz octubre

My favorite month. It's been a bit warm in St. Louis, like 70s rather than 60s, but still so beautiful. Every night a gorgeous sunset. And cool enough to feel cozy when the sun goes down.

obligatory repost of awesomeness

found on jo

this is baller.

Last weekend I went to the zoo here for the first time in about 10 years or so and couldn't believe how much fun I had. I've never loved the idea of caging animals that should otherwise be in their natural habitats, but I think they can be good for education purposes. Adding to my enjoyment was the deep discussion I had with my friends about (****nerd alert) what animal form our Patronus and Animagus would take. Wolf or seal for me.