I cannot believe I've been writing this blog for over 4 years now. From the first post in Missouri with Milo enjoying the fresh air to the latest hiatus followed by domestic bliss, it's interesting to read what I was up to then and the thoughts that swirled through my head.
A few days ago we celebrated our second anniversary. On our first anniversary we just chilled out on our deck, enjoyed the view of the mountains, and talked all night while drinking a bottle of Krug. For the second anniversary, we chilled out on *our* deck - the one we spent a weekend staining a month ago. Switch Dom for Krug, and last year's conversation for something more light-hearted and less philosophical. Oh, and switch out the champagne glasses to the kitschy, heart-shaped, freebie glasses we used at our wedding, for nostalgia's sake.
Then we decided we needed to eat this time around. Out we went to Zeni, and Ethiopian restaurant, where we enjoyed our favorite, kitfo. After eating all the meats, a little injera was left, and Raju showed his artistic side by carving Orion's Belt into injera.
All in all it was a great night. Piece by piece it was a great night.
One year ago:
Selling prints, reflecting on the honeymoon, spawning the idea for the gray roomTwo years ago:
We were gettingggg marrrrrriiiiiiiiieeeedddd!!Labels: Day in the Life, Domestic Life, Fun Times, Happy, Reminiscences
We spent the earlier part of this year searching for a house, then we finally found one, put in an offer, luckily didn't get that one, found another (which we actually had found previously, but it took us a while to decide it was right), found out someone else had put in an offer, we put in an offer, got in contract, and finally bought a house. Then reality set in - houses cost money. The life we knew was gone. The savings we had was gone; in its place is home equity. Welcome to grown up life, Courtney.
I make this sound bad, when really, it's great. I wouldn't trade it for the world; it's really nice having a place to call home, though it's taking a while to sink in that it's ours. It's a new project on a grander scale than previous projects. Walls to paint, tiles to break, bricks to fix, rooms to decorate. Grown up furniture, guest bedrooms, in-laws visiting. A bar that hides the liquor instead of showcasing it.
But my creations these days are very domestic. A decorated house, a yummy meal, a tomato or a cayenne pepper I grew and used in dinner. I have trouble with that, but I also enjoy that. There's not enough time to create - art, dinner, a home - and work. Actually, I'm sure there is; I'm just lazy. Or maybe I just have too many ideas and not enough focus.
Ahh, but I've finally posted another post. I've put images back on Etsy for sale. I can make a resolution now to do better, to promote myself, to set aside time to work on the site, the blog, the art (as I haven't created anything in 2 years now), exercise, learn new languages -- all that stuff I want to do, but never get around to. Instead of resolutions, though, we'll just see what happens. Resolutions, even made in August, seem to be the thing you break. At least, for me.
Pics of the house, in various states >>> Labels: Domestic Life, General Info, Happy, Observances
I stumbled upon this photo while combing through some of the formals last night. I'm so glad Tin captured this moment... this is us.
I'm not sure what I expected from the wedding. I think combing through articles on the Knot, Brides.com, Martha Stewart weddings, etc. had braced me for a bunch of keyed-up assholes to attend my wedding, even though my family (and Raju's family, now OUR family) are anything but.
So I'm glad it worked out that everyone was so happy and seemed to enjoy themselves both at the rehearsal and at the wedding. And no one took themselves too seriously, including Raju and myself. We had fun, we celebrated, we partied, and everyone pitched in to make sure everything went perfectly... or at least close to perfect.
But I don't suppose the magazines and wedding blogs make this stuff up. Every vendor we dealt with gushed about how great our family was, how much fun everyone had, including themselves.
So, I guess we're just really lucky and really blessed. And we know some fun people.
Labels: Fun Times, Happy, Memories from the Wedding Celebrations, Wedding
Poof! Just like that the party is over, and everyone has gone home. The wedding was wonderful, the festivities were wonderful, the guests were wonderful. Thank you to everyone who traveled such a long way to be with us Saturday.
The image above, I believe, is from the talented cousin Indu. It was one of my favorites when we were combing through the pictures. I'll have more up in a day or three, but until then you can enjoy this one.
Labels: Happy, Life Changing Moments, Wedding
We forgot to pack the flowers, but we did meet quite a few... well, interesting people. Tuesday we packed in a lot while visiting San Francisco. We saw the Golden Gate bridge, drove through Sausalito, down Lombard Street, hit the Haight and visited the Grateful Dead house. Then, down to the wharf and Ghiradelli Square, topped off with a dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
Then, yesterday we went to see the otters!! I've been wanting to see the Wild About Otters exhibit for a while in Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Last night Tiff finally got here and we hit the Pizzeria again, then came back and had our pict made with the sphere the people down the street made...
So, check out the photos! Again, some haven't been rotated, but here they are, unsorted :-)
All Festivities of the Wedding WeekMonterey Bay AquariumSan FranciscoDeep Sea Fishing in Santa CruzMiscellaneous Photos from the WeekLabels: Day in the Life, Fun Times, Happy, Wedding
Today is opposite day. Remember opposite day? When your friends (or enemies, more likely) would say or do something, and you would say "Nuh-uh! It's opposite day!"
Last weekend -- I think it was last weekend, it feels so long ago -- last weekend we had the flights from hell on Delta. The first two flights were majorly delayed, but we make it to the gate in Cincinatti 4 minutes before the plane was supposed to leave, and that plane, the one that would have taken me where I wanted to go, was already gone.
So we get some meal vouchers and eat. Then we chill in the Cincinatti airport, where you could find a private area, because no one and no planes were there.
But, we make it to TN, and we have a fine time there, partying at Bob's and eating a fine lunch cooked by my uncle.
Sunday evening was more fun times on Delta. Delayed again, of course, the other flight wasn't. They send us to San Francisco insted of San Jose. They give us meal vouchers. That's what I want at midnight in SF - a meal voucher. How about a voucher to pay for transport from SFO to SJC?? That was 60 bucks and an hour and a half lost from my pocket.
Oh well. At least I got to spend some time in Tennessee, and Raju came with me.
Labels: Day in the Life, Fun Times, Happy
It's a sunshiny morning, both outside and inside my head. I have a new job, I've given notice at the old one, I have a dog sitter, and dates are getting close to finalized for the honeymoon. It's like those t-shirts say,
Life is Good!Labels: Day in the Life, Happy, just a picture
Instead of the Easter basket filled with chocolate, Mom has sent tulips the past two years for Easter. Maybe she read my
smile post; maybe she just thought it would brighten my day. It did - my day and my table.
Last year I rushed. I was excited to have received tulips. I grabbed them out of their box and went to town cutting the stems and trying to arrange (I suck at arranging). I broke a few stems. I arranged them in a smaller glass.
This year instructions were read. Plastic stayed wrapped around the flowers so they're heads wouldn't droop. A penny was added to the bottom of the vase to keep them standing straight. It worked -- they're still beautiful 3 days later. Now I carry the vases from room to room with me as I move throughout the day. If I'm outside, my flowers are outside. If I'm cooking, they're on the dining room table. If I'm at my desk, I have one vase to each side.
Funny, the flowers seem to last
way longer than the chocolate.
Labels: Day in the Life, Happy, Reminiscences
Reading
my friend Pappy's site today made me think of thoughts I had a while back. It also made me get off my ass and go for a walk, which Milo enjoyed greatly.
I'm not sure if I'm just on Cloud 9 lately, or if I'm just trying to focus on the good things, and not the stress and worry of the future, the past, the what ifs, etc. It's not a concious focus, so maybe I'm just slowly, slowly learning to relax.
As I was walking Milo the other morning, the bees were buzzing, it was pleasantly warm, the sun was shining, the flowers on the bushes were blooming. I smiled. As I smiled, and side-stepped the snail, I started making a list in my head of all the things that make me smile, and make my worries melt away.
When I stepped out today, and saw the leaves above, I decided when I got back in, whether or not I had the time, I would at least sit down and put some of my thoughts down in writing...
Things that Make me Smile
- Colors in nature - especially when they match the vibrant outfit I'm wearing
- The sun warming the crown of my head
- The smell of flowers blooming on the first day of spring
- Milo's prance
- Nin ordering me a birthday present off the internet (and it getting here!)
- The smell of Indian food on my right hand
- Raju laughing at my loving his Mom's mango pickle
- Raju's mom taking the time to show me how to make her mango pickle
- The brilliant blue of the sky
- The slightly damp air on a warm morning
- The pomeranian on the trail with it's butt shaved (actually, this one made me laugh)
- The twinkle in Raju's eye when he laughs at a little kid running
- Being moved to create something
- My Dad's hug
- Lounging outside while typing this list, or enjoying a glass of wine in my little outdoor sanctuary in the evening
- The sparkle of my engagement ring in the sun
- The first time I start up the grill when the weather warms
- Having good friends and the most wonderful family
- Cupcakes, with or without sprinkles
- Getting flowers
- Raju's hand gently rubbing mine
- Memories
- Water
- Knowing I will see Mom soon
- My dried herb garden
- My live roses
- California Poppies
- Wearing a sarong
- Palm trees
- Milo's smile :-)
Labels: Happy, Observances
