Lauren posted this AMAZING book on her blog last week & gave me permission to share it here too! :D I think the only thing I love more than science graphics are old school science graphics (in this case quite literally old. school.) I especially love the graphic in the third photo down, with the caption "Look at a nearby object with one eye at a time and it will appear to shift and line up with different objects in the background" because I do that ALL THE TIME. Does anyone else? If nobody else says they do this in the comments, I'm going to come back later and delete that sentence so I don't look quite as crazy, just so you know...
Anyway, as much as I love science, my grasp on most of it is still pretty much elementary school level, so a book like this is right up my alley. As much as I want to understand the Biocentrism book I'm *trying to* read right now, I find myself re-reading every paragraph 10 times each time they bring up quantum physics. (Does anyone actually understand quantum physics? Oh my gosh.) There was one passage I read the other night that explained that the whole "if a tree falls in the forest when nobody is around, does it still make a noise?" question is stupid to begin with because the tree only exists if someone is there to see it. I started thinking, okay.. so does that mean that when I go to sleep at night in my bedroom, the kitchen doesn't exist anymore since I'm not there to see it? hmmmm? Right now I'm facing my computer, does that mean my bed isn't behind me anymore until I turn around to look at it? (just looked.. phew, it's still there!)
I actually looked. Like, that wasn't meant to be funny. It's seriously still there, I checked.
I think my grasp on this whole theory is really really bad because part of me thinks that if I got to sit down with a real quantum physicist and asked them about my whole kitchen theory, they'd laugh in my face.
I have no idea how this turned into a post about my lack of quantum physics prowess, except maybe that I'm typing this at 5am and I haven't been to bed yet? Oh, I schedule these posts, you're not imagining that it posted at 6pm. Of course when you turn around and stop looking at your computer, my post won't exist AT ALL. How about THAT.
I've been a busy little bee this last week. I dyed my hair back to red (pink will definitely see a comeback someday but for now, I'm a redhead) which makes me feel so much more like me again. I also realized -- quite excitedly -- that since my moving plans fell through I had a boatload of savings that didn't have a specific use anymore. Hello shopping spree! ;-D
I know, I know, I'm super irresponsible but hey, retail therapy works wonders for me! (And half of my savings are staying put, so I wasn't totally insane!) I went a little wild at H&M (and also picked up a few goodies there for a giveaway next week!!!), ordered a modcloth dress I'd had my eye on (I'm wearing it in the spot the difference post this Thursday) and finally placed an order from Dorothy Perkins. I've been obsessed with their dresses since Kaelah mentioned them in a post a while back, and now that I own some I'm even more obsessed! They're great quality, really unique and affordable! AND my order was at my doorstep less than a week after I ordered, which is amazing considering it shipped from the UK! No sooner had it arrived and I had 4 more dresses in my shopping cart.
I also got my new adorable red flats in the mail from blowfish!! I've wanted red flats for ages, and these are absolutely perfect! And they definitely live up to the whole "blowfish makes the most comfortable shoes on the entire planet" thing! Like walking on air!
And lastly, I re-launched my funny artwork etsy shop with a new name, Puns Intended. I really wanted punintended but it's taken (taken usernames are probably my biggest internet pet peeve. ergh!) so this was the next best thing. I haven't really worked on this line of paintings in a while but I think I might pick it up again soon. I have a couple ideas floating around my head just begging to be put on canvas ;)
Before I go.. I want to move on as though nothing ever happened here. However, I just have to say how thankful I am to everyone who commented, sent me e-mails & tweets and surprises in my mailbox over the last week. There aren't words to express how grateful I am to have such amazing friends. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice is my Saturday series that spotlights exceptionally sweet bloggers! This week your dose of sugary goodness comes from Rachel of Softspoken! In addition to being a total sweetheart, Rachel is also a renaissance woman with a vintage etsy store and a beautiful accessory shop filled with her gorgeous crocheted creations! (If this one doesn't just scream "sweet!!" I don't know what does!) I'm thrilled to say that she's also going to be hosting a Scathingly Brilliant giveaway soon, so you'll have the opportunity to snatch up some of her lovely designs yourself (stay tuned for more details!!) And I'm super excited that she agreed to share some of her sweetness here today!
i've always loved this photo of my mom, brother and i - even though i look so grumpy in it, and what better than old school olan mills! this day is actually one of the first i can remember having strong memories of. and why was i so pouty? because i'd broken the strap of my top earlier while playing at preschool and really didn't think my outfit was fit for photo taking after that.
i always get choked up at any scenes in movies or on television that have "proud parent" moments or "going away to college" moments. the former because i'm so grateful to have such sweet and supportive parents and the latter because it always reminds me of that transitional time of leaving home and unknown beginnings. either way - it's an easy recipe for my tears.
rum berry punch (by chef tom douglas from bon appetit, july 2005)
2/3 cup water 2/3 cup sugar 3 cups fresh raspberries, divided 2 cups fresh orange juice 2 cups pineapple juice 1 cup dark rum 1 cup light rum 1 orange, peeled, diced 1 cup diced pineapple 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ice cubes
bring 2/3 cup water and sugar to boil in medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. remove from heat; cool syrup completely. puree 2 cups raspberries in processor. pour puree through fine strainer set over saucepan with syrup. press on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. mix orange juice, next 6 ingredients, 1 cup berries, and raspberry syrup in glass bowl. cover and chill at least 4 hours and up to one day. strain into pitcher. serve punch over ice.
a few years ago it seemed like this song would follow my man and i wherever we would go - which we thought kind of odd since it's not like a super big hit song or anything - so it sort of unofficially became our song because it was the soundtrack to everywhere we went. luckily it's one we love anyway.
this is a silly little rambling journal entry from when my guy and I were still new to each other and had our first snow together which is one of my most favorite memories:
you called and said it's snowing and i went outside to look and it was and the flakes were big and shocking and falling round and round. i sat on my porch watching them with you on the phone until i went in from shivering and our conversation closing you said i wish i could walk in it and i wished to walk with you and letting you know you packed a bag and came and i dressed to meet you in the snow, yr head rising from yr car and the glint of snowflakes in yr beard, you were so beautiful, i felt them falling against my eyelashes and one into my mouth. we walked round my neighboorhood, middle of the road, i stopped under a street light and stared at the snowflakes drifting beneath it and said i wonder what one looks like, really looks like and you told me not to move so i didn't and i stood there looking up into the light while you snapped photos of me until i was no longer really standing there looking up and instead there i was a photo of myself a moment ago and i began to feel ridiculous so i tangled my arm into yrs and i don't remember being cold then, i don't remember being cold at all and we walked and i didn't want to stop walking but the house came back round and in we went and wished our jobs away with hopes of ice and roads unprepared and stayed up kissing and loving late into the night wrapped in blankets and heaters and each other as if it were already true, but morning came and it wasn't so you kissed me goodbye between the shower and the curtain and left me to my cold day and disappointing roads and remembering a walk in the snow.
Sugar, Spice and Everything nice is my new series that spotlights exceptionally sweet bloggers! And really, who is sweeter than Miss Emma Wallace? Her kindness, zest for life and innate positivity are contagious! And if ever a person had a voice to match their personality, it's Emma. Her music is so lovely and cheerful that I guarantee one listen will put a smile on your face, and significantly brighten not only your day, but your entire life. I'm super excited that she agreed to share some of her sweetness here today!
ps. she was (predictably) too modest to choose her own music for the sweet song, so I cheated and added one of her songs at the end of her post. ;-D Have a listen and prepare to smile!
Well, since I just had a baby, I think all my photos of him are sweet! I'm completely twitterpated. But here is a photo of him in the front baby carrier my husband wears. It's DOUBLY sweet because it a. has my baby in it and b. has my wonderful husband carrying him around (which makes me fall for my husband that much more). I swear Peter would live in that carrier if he could!
I have a passion for children's books. I think I spend pretty much all fun money on out-of-print or exciting children's books. My usual favorite type is the "slice-of-life" books - that are just about the every day goings on of the characters. There are so many I adore and one of my favorite authors, Eleanor Estes, writes about the sweetest books ever. One of her books, Pinky Pye, is about a family that spends a summer vacation on a remote Northeastern island and adopt a scrappy, abandoned kitten. Parts of the story are told from the kitten's perspective and it really is the perfect and adorable summer read.
I have not one sweet tooth, but, really, ALL my teeth are sweet. It's true. So I asked my mother for one of my favorite (of many) childhood dessert recipes. It's like a candy bar AND a baked good. What could be better?
HELLO DOLLY COOKIES
Melt 1 stick butter and pour in greased 8 x 8 inch pan. Layer 1 cup graham cracker crumbs over butter. Layer 1 cup coconut over crumbs. Layer 1 cup chocolate bits over coconut. Layer 1 cup pecans over chocolate bits. Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk over all. DO NOT MIX. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
There are so many sweet songs out there! This one, though, not only has such sweet lyrics but the tune also seems so darling to me! I first heard it sung by Harry Connick, jr - his piano solo is marvelous - but I love the Sinatra version so much! The picture I chose is of the most romantic Hollywood
couple ever...
I lived briefly in Seattle mid-college and I have many (many) sweet memories of living there! My sweetest memory isn't the many-layered chocolate cakes from Dilettante Chocolates (oof, those were good), or the truffles I squirreled away and ate one by one when I was tragically low on cash (mmmm) or the gelataria and donut shop I worked at (I think I put on about 800 lbs working there. But now I can make both gelato and donuts. Totally worth it) or the pecan sticky buns from the vegan bakery (so sticky you want to cry), NO! All around Seattle, there are blackberry bushes, just growing on the side of the road. I walked everywhere in Seattle and I have such wonderful memories of snacking off the wild blackberry bushes.
Okay, maybe the many-layered chocolate cakes are up there with the blackberries.
Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice is my new series that spotlights exceptionally sweet bloggers! This week is Casey from Noir Girl. Casey is one of the kindest, most generous people I've ever known. I haven't met her (yet!), but you get the impression that a little group of butterflies and hummingbirds accompany her wherever she goes, or that the air would smell sweeter when she's around. She's just that incredibly nice! She is also exceptionally talented (just check out her blog header for starters!) and her drive and creativity inspire me to work harder myself. I'm so incredibly lucky to call her my friend, and I'm so glad that she agreed to share some of her sweetness here today! :)
Hedy Lamarr (my favorite classic film actress) with a contestant in a children's costume pageant.
On a recent daytrip, my family and I discovered an adorable custom in a local historic town. All along the sidewalk downtown, shop owners put out water bowls for the dogs walking along the street. Whenever a dog feels thirsty, they just pause a moment and gulp. It is the cutest thing ever!
Even though summer is in full swing here in the southern US, I have been dying for pumpkin scones recently. I'm planning to whip up a batch today! I like this recipe from A Dash of Sass because it uses whole wheat flour. Not only are these scones delicious, but they are actually kinda good for you too! ;) I always eat Pumpkin Scones slathered with apple butter. There's no other way.
Helen Forrest is my favorite 40's big band singer. The heartfelt, simple way she sang each song makes me fervently wish I could sing like her. Happily for me, she was amazingly prolific and has a huge library of tunes. She sang everything from silly novelties to sweet ballads to peppy jives. Check her out if you like this song!
Some of my favorite childhood memories involve the games my brother and I played together. They weren't games in the truest sense of the word - more like creative endeavors with ordinary objects. One of our best pastimes was creating pillow forts in the living room. We are big believers in nap time in our house, so our sofas have always been covered in a wide array of pillows and blankets. Steve and I tossed every soft object we could find on the floor, watching the pile of materials grow with each drop. When the couches were uncovered, we borrowed the seat cushions and turned them on their ends for the walls of our fort. We gingerly laid blankets on top of the cushion walls to enclose the space. Sometimes the structure became unstable if we piled on too many blankets too soon, and we ran to fetch every tall, slender object within stealing distance to secure our creation. Steve lost interest in the fort design as soon as the blankets went on, but I continued tweaking and securing until it was just right. Once we had it complete, we absolutely had to sit inside and enjoy it. After all the hard work of hauling blankets (do you ever stop to think how heavy blankets are?), I was exhausted and wanted to nap in the fort. Steve, always the dynamo, insisted on dragging every one of his favorite toys inside and demanded we play instead. Of course, he won (little brothers always do, you know) and I would match wits with him in a heated game of Memory, Star Wars style. He always won this, too.
In the end, our mom rewarded our hard work with little bowls of homemade cookies and milk in special lidded cups with straws. We chomped away on chocolate chips while trying to figure out the latest mystery on Ghostwriter. And when Steve wasn't looking, I hid the Star Wars game under the couch.
I've been blogging for over 2 years now, and in that time I've met some of the sweetest girls I've known in my entire life. I thought it would be super to start shining a spotlight on them in a new feature I'm calling "Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice"! And I couldn't think of a better person to start with than Millie from ClassicForever.
Millie was my very first blogging friend -- we met through our classic film blogs in January 2009 -- and she is seriously one of the sweetest people on the planet! Not only does she have a wonderful personality and fantastic sense of humor, but she also cares deeply about other people & is working to make the world a better place. She spends a great deal of her time raising money for Sierra Leone, and often goes to volunteer there herself! She is such a huge inspiration to me, and a wonderful friend. I'm so glad she agreed to share some of her sweetness here today! :)
A Sierra Leonean mother holding her baby. Just a few months before this photo was taken, this baby was dying. But, then the well in their village was repaired. He is alive and healthy and smiling because of clean water.
For a sweet story, I'm going to talk about Africa again (mainly because I will be back in Sierra Leone in less than two months and I'm seriously excited). This story is both literally and figuratively sweet.This is Moses (he must have been about three or four). Moses was the little brother of the cook at a compound thing I stayed at on one of my trips. He would sit on the ground in the corner of the courtyard and stare at us whenever we were there. My specific "job" in Sierra Leone is working with the children (heh heh heh... everyone else always gets stuck doing manual labor, while I get to play with kids all day) and so I kept trying to get Moses to smile. *I* would smile at him, or try and to talk to him, or try and play games with him -- and he would run away and hide. One afternoon, we were back at the compound for a couple of hours for some reason... and there was Moses. I realized that I had fruit roll-up in my pocket from working at a school earlier in the day. I pulled it out and held it out to Moses. He was a little wary, but he still ran up and grabbed it. Then he started to eat it.... and then he was my friend for life.
Moses turned into a crazy ball of energy (high sugar content is probably mostly to blame) and proceeded to follow me around whenever I was at the compound. HE WAS SO SERIOUSLY ADORABLE. This is an example of how sweets (two things you'll always hear from children in Africa is: "Snap me!" [meaning take a photo of them] and "SWEETS! SWEETS! SWEETS!") are never a bad thing...and often lead to lasting friendships. ;-D
When Kate told me about this, she used tofu brownies as an example. I HAD NO IDEA THAT SUCH A BRILLIANT CONCEPT EVEN EXISTED. It's difficult to comprehend, but sounds awesome.
Anyway, for a sweet recipe I'm gonna have to go with Chai-Spiced Cookies. I actually haven't tried this recipe before, but I'm definitely going to this weekend. I have a definite chai addiction and just think about chai tea in solid form -- the possibilities for beauty are endless. I found a great recipe on Whole Foods' website.
I know that it's a bit of a cop-out using a recipe I haven't tried yet, but all my normal recipes are so boring. EVERYONE already knows how to make snickerdoodles (or at least they should know as intelligent, literate humans). And usually me and food consists of me taking already prepared food and adding cilantro, so yeah. (I will eat cilantro on anything.)
It's officially summertime (Santa Cruz Organic Mango Lemonade is in stock! THIS IS HOW WE KNOW) and summer memories are always the most loverly. I have the best memories of watching Parent Trap (the Hayley Mills version of course) with all my siblings (all six of them) and drinking my mum's pink lemonade (she makes it pink with a sliver of beet juice). (By the way, I am a clear abuser of the parentheses.) Any mention or viewing of the film instantly transports me back to being six. And, wow. Everything was so nice and simple when I was six. And I totally didn't know that Hayley Mills has a twin named Hayley. (That's weird. but it DID say: Starring Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills, so clearly...) Life was awesome. And watching the movie always makes me realize how awesome life IS! :-D
I also want to thank Kate for asking me to do this -- it made me so happy (it was a definite sewer moment [sewer is KateishMilliney for Awwww]). Kate IS the sweetest person to ever exist. That's just basic truth. Thanks, Kate (by the way...TYRONE POWER IS COOL AND YOU KNOW IT! ;-D)
