Brooklyn Blogette

Today was a pretty amazing day.
I woke up at 7, had a cup of coffee, walked Frederick and picked up the house.

Grocery store & Laundry done.
Had brunch at Flatbush Farms and caught up with a friend.
Walked home in the cold-everyone in Brooklyn bundled up, well rested.
Learned to manually focus and change the depth of field on my camera.

Photographed my neighborhood.
Talked to Mr.Max, who's starting college tomorrow!
Took a nap with Mr. Camille and Freddy-bean, watched some football.

Aunt Patty gave me instructions and I cooked a roast.

I live a wonderful life.

I hope you do, too.

I am getting back on the wagon!
I have missed running these past few months, I miss the solitude, and the feeling of achievement.




There are many things that I absolutely HATE about running.  I'm not gonna run through my list right now because I am trying to focus on what I love: how I feel after a run.


What is something you hate to do in the moment, but love in the aftermath?

Have you read this book?

I have and it has truly affected the way I view the world.
Now-hold your judgement. Yes this is a new age self help book.  Yes it talks about mitotes and foggy mirrors, and the whole world being a dream.
Look past your disdain for the new ageyness of it and there are some pretty amazing suggestions.

I like to revisit this book at the new year.  This is the time of year where I try to "start fresh" and "makeover" my life.  Often, I get so caught up in making my resolutions that I never stop to ask myself if  they are truly meaningful.
I like my life.  I am proud of my choices.  I want that to continue.

So-I have decided that my only resolutions this year will be the four agreements:
1.) Be impeccable with my word.
2.) Don't take things personally.
3.) Don't make assumptions.
4.) Always do my best.

If I can do those four things, even 85% of the time, I know 2010 will be a satisfying year.

On Monday I return to work after 10 days off...
This was the first vacation of my life where I didn't get cabin fever and miss work. Usually at this point, I am itching to get back in the classroom, ready for routine...today, I feel sad.
But, it's a good sad.  I realize that I am finally in a place where I can rest, truly rest when I am off.  I don't need to "fill my days," I don't need to make the "best use" of my time off.
I can be a happy vegetable.
Yeah. Therapy.

So what did I do with my break?
I entertained mama-san, also known as Creole Catsup...we (by we I mean she) made Coq Au Vin and a much admired Puttanesca sauce (not in the same meal!), and an everything but the kitchen sink Frittata!  We drank Melbac and sang songs and didn't leave Brooklyn once.  Sweet.
Mom and Frederick fell in love.


After Mama-san left, James and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary at one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants, Barrio...and then we went to Barnes and Noble and partied til the wee hours of the morning. (they close at 11. we left at 9.)

On New Years, our friends L & B graciously hosted us at their apartment where we ate prosciutto wrapped figs, bacon wrapped dates, and italian meatballs...



On New Years Day, we had some friends come over and I cooked a 12 lb turkey, made stuffing, mashed potatoes, & gravy.
In my jammies.

Doesn't get any better than that...

2 years down!
78 to go!

Keep up the Great Work!

To Mister,
Thank you for always dealing with dead mice, putting up with my emotional meltdowns, and patiently wiping my fingerprints off the computer monitor.
I love you!

We took a long post Christmas walk in the park today and James captured this great shot of Frederick running laps.

Fitness is very important to Fred.