An Afternoon In Greenfield, MA

When we left Plymouth, VT on Sunday, we headed to Greenfield, MA. From there, Eric headed back to Boston and I spent the afternoon in Greenfield, MA with my dad. We walked around the town and had bite at The People's Pint (which was awesome; I highly recommend this place). I had a homemade raspberry-lime soda. Can you say delicious?

We saw a really, really small cafe. It was closed, so we didn't get to try it out. I don't know that we could both fit in it! Look at it compared to the car parked outside. Haha.

At 2-ish we headed over to Hope & Olive for a small party that my dad was invited to. I tagged along and spoke with some very nice folks. There were some hors d'oeuvres and one lady brought yummy chocolate mocha cupcakes. I generally don't like chocolate, coffee, or cake, so that's how good they were.

It was beautiful day, and I had a great time with my dad. After that we drove to North Adams; I'm working from home allllll week!

Q-tips

When Eric and I moved in together two years ago, I bought a q-tip jar. I'd always wanted one, because all the beautifully styled bathrooms in magazines seem to have them.

When it's time to refill the jar, I take my time aligning the q-tips so they fit in just right. Maybe it's obsessive, but I love the result.

My own glass q-tip jar. Sigh. :)

*Check out today's Lost In Thoughts!

Yearly Inspection?

Over the weekend, this notice appeared on the door to our building.

Yearly inspection? We've lived in this apartment for 2 years and 23 days, and this is the first time we've ever had an inspection. Must have something to do with that mouse I saw a few weeks ago. We haven't had a problem since, but somebody must be having an issue.

Anyway, Monday night I had to empty out all of our kitchen cabinets. I put all of the food into old grocery bags, and piled all of the plates, bowls, glasses, etc. on the counter. What a pain.

The notice said the exterminator would be coming between 9 and 10. Well I work from home, so I know that he showed up at 10:45. He was pretty old and he was probably only here for 15 minutes. I have no idea why I had to empty all of the cabinets (I worked while he was in the kitchen, so I didn't see what he was doing), but it seems like all he did was put a mouse trap in the back of the cabinet under the sink and another one in the crevice between the cabinets and the stove.

Then he went and poked around in the bathroom. He had something with him, but I don't see it anywhere, so I have no idea what he did in there.

After he left I had to put everything back.

I sorta hope this "yearly" inspection really only happens once every 3 years.

A New Vase

My sister recently went to Alaska. She had a wonderful time and she definitely wants to return at some point. I'm super lucky, because she brought back a beautiful, blue glass vase for me.

Today I made some paper flowers, so the vase wouldn't be so lonesome. I had fun making them, and I was guided by a Zakka Life tutorial (via iDiY). If you want to make your own flowers, don't be afraid to try some variations (I did!). I also added old twisty ties as stems.

Moving Day In Boston

Ah. September 1st in Boston. Moving Day. Our apartment is situated right inbetween BU and BC, so September brings tons of new and returning students. But folks aren't just moving in, some have to move out. And that means that the sidewalks are littered with old furniture and the dumpsters are overflowing into the road.

Since we're staying put this year, I took my camera for a little walk.

It was quite the scene. There were bright orange stickers on every piece of furniture on the sidewalk warning people not to take said furniture for fear of bedbugs.

I saw VHS tapes and records, men carrying new couches and old, a girl watching two grown men struggle to move a huge TV, dressers, mattresses, cookie sheets, fouton frames, and the list goes on.

Of course there were moving vans galore, but I especially liked the Gentle Giant. They have an awesome phone number, too: 800-GIANT-MEN (too many numbers, right?)! Amazing.

Welcome to September.

[Don't forget to check out the new stuff at ELM.]

Back In Boston!

We landed in Boston on Wednesday morning, around 8:00 AM. It was cloudy, just like when we left, but it was warm.

We flew all night, and I'm so proud that I actually managed to sleep for quite a bit.

Have I mentioned yet that San Francisco was freezing? It was sunny for most of our stay, and it looked like it should be about 100° out. Felt more like 45° or 50°. Maybe Eric will write a post about the weather and the science behind it. I'll just say sometimes there was fog, the rest of the time there was wind.

Luckily, we packed appropriately. I wore a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and either a hoodie or my windbreaker or both almost the whole time we were there! It felt more like October than July. (I think I still have a few more things to tell you about the trip.)

Anyway, Wednesday I had a meeting at 5:15 PM. I napped a little during the day, but I had trouble sleeping. I was a little groggy at the meeting, but I'm glad I made it there because I had a good time.

Thursday was hard. Eric slept a lot, but I just couldn't stay in bed. Plus, I had to write Lost In Thoughts! Even so, I think I was a little out of it all day.

Friday morning we got up and headed to New Jersey. Yeah, more travelling! I'll write about that adventure next time!

A Sunny Wedding Day

On Saturday our friends Kara and Dave got married! I've known the bride since 6th grade, and I met her husband 2 years ago at Sara's wedding. They're a wonderful couple, and I enjoyed being a part of their big day.



I had a great time at the wedding. I danced my tush off, and I was exhausted by the end of the night, but that's the way it should be! We sat at a table with Sara and her husband and some of Kara's friends from college. I really enjoyed talking with everybody, and I think Kara and Dave have excellent taste in friends (wink, wink).

The wedding was in North Adams, so I got to spend some much-needed time with my family and my dog. My gramma and my uncle were also visiting, so it was full house! Friday night we all had a great big family dinner with lots of talking and catching up. I love that Eric fits right in.

Saturday, before we left for the wedding, it felt like prom because my parents and my sister busted out the cameras and snapped a bunch of photos. They don't get to see us all dressed up very often.

*Want to see pictures of the ceremony program I designed for Kara & Dave? Click here!

♥♥♥♥♥

Memorial Day Parade

On Memorial Day I finally got to see my brother in his Marching Band uniform (still haven't seem him in the Concert Band outfit, which has a bow tie!). He played the snare drum with pizazz. 

The Drury High School Band looked pretty spiffy, and was part of the small parade that marched down Main Street and Eagle Street to the memorial. It was sweet, and a boy gave me a little flag (which now resides in our kitchen). It was a gorgeous day for a parade to honor those who have served our country.  

After the parade, while we were waiting for the band to return to the drop-off/pick-up point, my mom and I walked around the old railroad tracks. I got grease all over my shoe, but I didn't notice until Tuesday when I completely ruined our white-ish rug. Awwww nuts! There are now 3 disgusting brown  stains, and I don't know how to remove them. Resolve did nothing. Help! Any suggestions?  

If you haven't checked yet, Lost In Thoughts #7 is up at Everything Little Miss. I love when you comment over there too! Did you know that you can also subscribe to the feed and become a fan on Facebook? 

Forgot To Post Yesterday!

Okay. I totally spaced yesterday. I was busy making things and I lost track of time. I'll post something spiffy later today. Right now I'm headed out on a mission and I'm bringing my camera with me. If all goes well (or even remotely well), I'll tell you all about it when I return!

This photo was taken in North Adams over the weekend. I love dandelions. Such fun. 

In the meantime, check out today's awesome edition of Lost In Thoughts over at Everything Little Miss.

Lilacs: Purple + Green

Can we just stop for a minute and be amazed by nature? Wow! Mother Nature sure knows how to make me appreciate the little things. When I'm walking down the street and there's a lilac bush bending over a fence, I can't help but stop and take in that delightful scent for a few seconds. They remind me of my childhood and of home. I find them comforting and I wish I could get our apartment to smell like that. 

Lately, I've been on a purple kick. It's not generally my color of choice (orange, remember?), but every spring I fall in love all over again. Not only with purple and lilacs, but with so many things: the smells of freshly cut grass, BBQs, and flowers, and of course colors like the brand new green of buds, popping fuschias and yellows, and understated whites. 

When I have a house, I think I might turn the yard into a forest because there are so many trees that are glorious in the spring (and I want them all).

New Inspiration Board

click image to enlarge

Now that I've rearranged the apartment, I have space for an inspiration board beside my desk. I'm always finding things in catalogs and tearing them out and sticking them in weird places. Now I'll just put them right onto the board! So cool. Plus, I'll add my own sketches and notes. I'm just starting out, but I think it'll be full of gorgeous things one day really soon. 

I find many of the images and words that inspire me online, so they probably won't make it to the board because I don't want to waste paper by printing them (never fear, I have an inspiration folder on my computer). It's cool how many beautiful inspiration boards, lines, and folders can be found online. Do you have one?

My Mobile

I folded about 57 paper cranes today, so I could finish my mobile project. 

I've been thinking about putting together a mobile for years. I saw a crane mobile in Oh Joy on the 17th, and I was motivated to finally make my own. Now you know why I started making cranes last week. 

I woke up this morning and knew this project couldn't wait any longer. As soon as Paper Source opened I ran over (literally, because I figured I could get some exercise in while I was doing my errands) to pick up more origami paper. When I got home I sat down and folded and folded and folded and folded and folded. When I used up all of my paper, new and old, I had to string them together. I'm in love with the outcome. 

Woo hoo! Another project complete. 

Three Steeples

I took this photo on December 27, in North Adams. We were stopped at a red light on Eagle Street, and the clouds were rising behind the steeples. 

Jack Russell Terriers

When I was home for the holidays, I went to the grocery store with my mom. We parked next to these completely adorable Jack Russell Terriers. They didn't bark at all; they just looked at us with curious eyes. They're so sweet! 

Tangiers Has New Business Cards

My mom owns an adorable little shop called Tangiers, in downtown North Adams. She sells everything from jewelry to handmade soaps! Right now, there's an after-Christmas sale going on, which means there are some amazing bargains. Tangiers is on Main Street, across from the Holiday Inn. 

I recently redesigned the business cards. They were printed by Image Software Services, and I think they look really great. If you're looking for a printer, Image is wonderful because they can print as many or as few as you'd like. You'll get a great deal and fast, friendly service!

Holiday Forest

Since we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, we have a holiday forest instead of a standard Christmas tree. It gives us the opportunity to use twinkle lights and pretty ornaments. My mom made the forest by gathering  a few branches from the woods and securing them in a planter filled with plaster. She hides the plaster with some white fluff that looks like snow. Then we decorate like crazy. 

Paper Snowflakes

When I was home for Thanksgiving my brother and I made a bunch of paper snowflakes. They look so much better now that there's snow on the ground. 

Glass Horse

I'm home for the holidays, and it's a winter wonderland out there! This glass horse reminded me of an ice sculpture. It's on the window in my parents' dining room. 

Smat Ka

Click to enlarge.

I took this photo from a cab in Boston on Sunday afternoon as we were headed home from our vacation. I noticed this Smart car (the small red one) because they were popular in London when we were studying abroad in 2003 (it took a long time for them to catch on over here!). I was absolutely delighted to see the license plate, which reads "SMAT KA." It was a wonderful way to be welcomed back to Boston! 

Disco Ball

This is exactly why I have a disco ball hanging in our window. Just look at the way the light bounces around the room. It makes the whole apartment feel happy and shiny when the sun hits it at just the right angle.