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Welcome, little Kindle
When a new-mom-friend told me that a Christmas Kindle gift had brought books back into her life post-baby, I immediately knew I needed one.
We’re not quite friends yet. I’m a serious library card carrier and rarely buy books, even used ones. So the idea that I have to buy any new book I want to read, even if it is a bit cheaper than cover price, seems crazy. And that I can’t lend the book, once I’ve bought it: even crazier. And that I’m direct depositing into the Amazon machine instead of the local bookstores…let’s not go there.
But reading one-handed, with no hardcover girth to balance, tossing this digital lightweight into the bag alongside a few diapers, or lightly clicking from chapter five of Baby’s First Year back to A Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing…that does not seem so crazy.
Joe surprised me and personalized this strange creature by downloading a bookplate for my screen, one that he made for me years ago and I already use in my physical books (that is Curious George, but because I love monkeys, not because I love George so much).
Any savvy Kindle users out there who want to recommend a few free good books? And who’s starting the Kindle discountedbook of the month club? I am IN.
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Boston Farmers Markets
The Farmers Markets of Boston have begun! I’m always forgetting which ones are on what day (checking this site again and again), so I asked Joe to make me a graphic for the fridge.
I thought I would share it here too in case you want it too! It’s sized to fit an index card.
Because I’m downtown, this doesn’t list some of the Cambridge markets (like Harvard).
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Serious Fudgesicle Love
I do not have nostalgic feelings for fudgesicles because I was sheltered from sweets as a child and never encountered them.
When Joe buys them, they look a little gray-fudge, usually frozen over, and taste like brown ice.
But Joe loves them. And Smitten Kitchen posted a homemade recipe (which I saw on Cup of Jo because I can’t keep up with Smitten’s mad recipe making, and get overwhelmed, and only check once a month). And I have these popsicle molds from Ikea that have been waiting, begging, to be called into service.
They’re delicious. Fudgy to the max. And take about ten minutes to make (we froze them overnight).
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Favorite Childhood Quotes
We’re hunting for inspirational quotes for the “nursery” wall right now. I love Allie’s new design of one of her favorite quotes.
Lovely, right?
It’s not very childhood-related, but both Joe and I loved this quote that Maira Kalman (you would remember her from her opinion-paintings-blog that she did for the NYT) wrote on the wall for her wonderful show at the Jewish Museum. (this sneaked photo was the only one I could find, sorry for its odd focus.)
Do you have favorite childhood-spirit quotes? Something that will remind me, midst 3am-diaper change, what I believe in?
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strawberries, sour cream, brown sugar
I’m so glad strawberries are finally in season, but the early crops here in MA are just not so sweet yet. Juicy, dye-your-fingers red, and smelling like earth, yes. But California sweet, no. So a little embellishment is nice.
Strawberries, dollop of sour cream, dump of brown sugar. Mix.
It looks less appetizing once melded, but you taste each element and the brown sugar melts into the sour cream and coats everything. Mmmmm.
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Northern Folk
Congenial belly patting has increased 100% in Maine, compared to Boston. -
Maine
Joe and I are in Maine (Southwest Harbor, same island as Bar Harbor) for a couple days. I have a completely enticing stack of books, but I’m also trying to reacquaint myself with my laptop as a non-Internet-vehicle and write. There’s a yard framed with aging lilacs, a back porch, unrestricted sunshine access, and un-Thai-restuarant-scented breezes; things that make a city dweller purr and sprawl.The midwife whispered to the baby yesterday, doubtfully asking if she was going to stay in there for another week or two, so it feels like a good time to write as much as possible.
Last night, an over-buttered lobster roll with fried pickles. Tonight, mussels from a man named Rat who does his own roadside marketing.
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a Non-Alcoholic Beer Tasting
Wow, a non-alcoholic beer tasting! Great idea and I appreciate Ashley and Aron trying the (mostly crummy) options for us.
I haven’t tried their winner, Clausthaler, but it was a specifically requested non-alco option at our market last summer.
Clausthaler got high marks from both of us: the smell is slightly sweet–like honey–and the first taste is fruity, but the finish had more hops. In other words, this one actually had range!
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Beacon Hill Art Walk: Favorite Artist
Joe and I stumbled out our front door yesterday, late for church, only to be confronted by frolicking art fair on our street. Usually we are on Nantucket this time of year so this was our first encounter with the Beacon Hill art walk.
The best thing about the walk was the free chance to wander in the back alleyways and gardens of Beacon Hill; spaces that are usually blocked off by gates and narrow passageways.
Our favorite artist was Isabelle Abramson’s porcelains. They looked beautiful set out in light dappled courtyard off Philips Street. I particularly wanted a pair of her elegant hole-speckled votives.
Definitely mark it on your calendars for next year if you missed it yesterday.
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Romance, documented
These designs by Greg Christian remind me of the early days of dating Joe. Noticing the most banal things and being thrilled that they reminded me of him; that feeling of, We’re the only ones who like bookstores like this; finding yourself charmed by the simplest aspect of their personality….I don’t know if Greg himself is wooing someone with these (but he must be, right? They are just too convincing) but I’m glad he’s sharing them with the rest of us.
Genuine sentiment, simply executed: works every time.
Greg is launching a small project of all these designs, called TH PRSNL PRJCT, next week. Follow him on twitter for updates.