Living in a Cardboard Paradise

The list of things I learned from buying our first place is growing by the day. Not quite proportionate to the number of cardboard boxes in my house right now, but oy veh. Things keeping me afloat as I fill my time with managing contractors, other vendors, changing plans, etc. are I'm totally indebted to our friends who hooked us up with boxes and packing material. You know who you are and I am very grateful the "booze for boxes program" was a success and you can all certainly call in babysitting, random chore assistance, or dinner on demand just about anytime you want. I also keep trying to imagine the luxury of just walking down to Dupont to get coffee, snack, or whatever I want because it's walkable. yippee. And two thumbs up to DH for putting up with my chicken little the sky is falling mentality of late.

The move is three days away and we will be ready and Goodwill will be a substantially more stocked. I can say with confidence that the closet purging(s) of 2010 that coincided with DH's trips have helped with the packing tremendously. Seriously, do not neglect a good all closets yearly clean out. Even though I will still have made three additional trip to donate items before we move, it's not nearly the master disaster it could be.

Also, I'm realizing there's a whole lot of stuff we have that we only use once in a blue moon. Particularly in the kitchen serving and/or preparation department. I either need to start making more homemade pasta or let other folks borrow it to make their own because the beautiful little Italian hand crank machine it wasting away in a cabinet (but I refuse to part with it). So if you want to make your own ravioli, just let me know and we can work out a pasta maker lease program (will accept payment in fresh pasta).

I've developed all kinds of thoughts on negotiating with vendors, specifically contractors, but I'll save that for another day. Instead I'm going to continue packing the kitchen and wondering if I really do need that many serving bowls.

Well Appointed

There's a quiet beauty in a well composed still life.Through 3191 Miles Apart, I peer each week into a seemingly effortless moment of two talented, creative individuals. For a moment I escape and think about a serene well-paced morning. The kind where the crisp air inspires warm, soft pajamas to be worn a little longer. Coffee scented steam seeps from the kitchen and fluffy pancakes beg to be made. Sweet syrup swirling with melted butter creating breakfast perfection on a plate. The sky is wide and bright, the view expansive and whole.

So I'm seeking to capture more of those moments. On film and in life. Well edited groupings of personal belongings does not need to be an endeavor left to professionals. Items with stories, tables carefully laid, cheerful yellow shoes. These are all edited pieces of expression. I haven't decided if or how to catalog the images I snap, but I am starting with a fresh look at my walls. Specifically what's hanging on them.

I love a good Target  wall piece as much as the next person. But, I'm starting to edit commercial art out of my life.  It's not a finite, never ever will I own something that's mass produced. Rather, I want to try to know the artists that created the pieces on my walls or even better create some of it myself. Purchased and hung because it was the right piece for the space and because I like the color, the image.

Local art. Student art. Etsy. All great places to find artists just waiting to share their talent. My one exception? Is do still love The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.