Category: Golightly Living

I am beyond thrilled that tomorrow a new chapter in American history begins.  Never before have I been so excited by a president. 

As soon as I get home from work, I'll be glued to the television and computer in order to hear the words that will begin this new era.

Happy Inauguration day to all!

I'm enjoying the year in review posts popping up in Blogland and thought I'd join the fun.

In January I tried out my new skis, visited Nashville, finished some lace, and welcomed our great-niece to the world.

I voted in my first primary in February, made some coasters, celebrated the last birthday of my 30s, and hosted a cheesecake smackdown party and broke my little toe.

March rocked because I finished writing my dissertation and mailed it off to my committee.  I also got out my crochet hook and made a little bird and started a new lace project.  Maybe best of all, I saw MacBeth at BAM.

I came up with the idea for the Word Nerd Co-op in April.  I also saw the culmination of three and a half years of hard work when I passed my dissertation defense.

Neal and I celebrated our first anniversary in May,and I celebrated my first year on Ravelry.  I finished my last MFA class–perhaps the last class of my academic career.  I joined the 1% reading challenge (only two more books to go!), and I worked on my commitment to be more green by using a laundry line and buying an Africa bike to run errands.

I cut off my hair in June, and I learned to weave.  Both have made me very, very happy.

In July I began my foray into putting up food with some strawberry jam.  I went to Taos for a writing conference and came away with a good plan for my novel.

More canning in August, my first pattern posted in celebration of my third year of blogging, and furniture that made me feel like a grown up.  I joined Pippi in asking bloggers to help raise awareness about Tibet.

I started my full-time teaching position in September, gave away Black Beauty, my first bike, and celebrated Neal's birthday.  I finished one of my favorite knits of the year, too.

October was all about Rhinebeck, seeing dear friends, and wearing my first sweater.

Our family grew in November with the adoption of Coco, and I was beyond thrilled by the outcome of the election. 

Can December already be over?  And with it, 2008?  I spent the month finishing out the semester, knitting Christmas gifts, and worrying over Maddie.  She's doing great (stitches come out on Saturday), and I'm already working on gifts for next year!

I hope you had a good year, too.  I'm going to knit the afternoon away, then prepare for a dinner party, as long as the weather will let us travel!

Here's to a happy, prosperous, and healthy 2009!

Neal just left for work.  The three dogs are all sleeping, and I'm sipping coffee and enjoying the lights reflecting from our silver tinsel tree.  I've been feeling panicked the last few days, uncertain of how I was going to manage to "get it all done" by Thursday.  I woke up early, Coco barking in her crate, scared of the big cone head (Maddie) that hovered near the bed.  I helped Maddie up, shushed Coco, and as I felt Maddie relax against me, my head in her cone with her so she could kiss me, our bodies pressed close, the Christmas spirit came to me.  The panic has changed to acceptance.

Cal noted in comments that it was a miracle that Maddie wasn't hurt worse.  This Christmas, if I don't have a perfectly set table, if some gifts don't make it to their recipients until after the holiday, if there is no spun sugar decorating dessert, well, so it goes.  I've got a dog who didn't hurt any organs.  My parents and three of their five children will be together.  Time for me to let go of high expectations for myself and just enjoy what I'm able to do.

Today that means welcoming one of my dearest friends and her sons as they visit from New York for our annual cookie-baking extravaganza.  It will mean a frenzy of flour, sugar, butter, and more than anything, joy at a rare day together.

I hope you have an equally happy day.

Last night I baked Neal one of his favorite treats: Derby pie.  When we were first dating, I would drive up to see him most weekends, right after work on Friday.  Thursday nights, then, I usually baked something.  I prefer baking to cooking, so appearing late Friday evenings with something homemade was my way of saying "I really, really like you."

I posted about this pie on Twitter (and therefore, Facebook) and a few people asked about it.  So, for all you curious people, here is my Derby pie recipe:

Preheat oven to 350.

Ingredients: 
1 stick butter, melted
1.5 cup flour
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1 cup sugar (I use closer to .75 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla
.75 cup chocolate chips

One pie crust (it's better with a homemade crust, but a refrigerator crust will work in a pinch).

Mix all together, place in pie crust.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, until tester comes out clean.

It's delicious with a scoop of frozen yogurt on top.

There are fancier recipes for Derby pie, but this is my favorite, given to me by my cousin Robin.  I know it's a good country recipe because it starts with a stick of butter.  At least, that's what Dana tells me starts a good country recipe!

If you make it, let me know what you think, okay?  Enjoy!

Thirteen years ago I accompanied my sister to the hospital for a scheduled c-section that brought us one of the great joys of both our lives: Miss Alexis Paige.  I held her before my sister did and whispered a few of life's secrets in her ears, including the advice that if mom ever says "no," call Auntie Bev and I shall straighten out that mom.

Every once in a while, Alexis takes me up on that offer. 

I can't believe my little pal is a teenager now.  She makes me proud with her curious mind and loving heart.  She cares deeply about others and, like her mother, is angered by injustice.  She's traveled north for visits on her own in the last few years, and each one is precious to me.  If I had kids, I'd want them to be like her.

I love you, Alexis!

I've been conscribed into the new Typepad platform. While I'm sure I'll be used to it by the time I've written a few posts, I'm just a little irritated to have to adjust to all this new stuff.  I liked the old ways of doing things.  Remember Wayne's World: "we fear change"…that's how I feel right now.  Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating.

My computer had been on my sh*tlist for the last week.  Firefox updated, and since that fateful moment, I've had problems with my gmail (can't get it from igoogle anymore) and Ravelry (can't open any messages).  I realize it's more likely the internet service that is effed up, but I've never been over fond of this computer, so it makes me happier to blame it.

Grousing aside, I have a book review for you.  I finished Paul Auster's Man in the Dark earlier in the week, and I'm so impressed.  His Moon Palace has long been one of my favorite books, but I haven't loved any others I read by him.  Sure, the writing is always solid, but they lacked the visceral quality that I admired in Moon Palace.  That quality is back in his new, short novel.  What makes this book so fascinating is not just the vulnerability of the characters, but the meta-story that is woven throughout.  As the protagonist lies awake at night, he dreams up a story that he isn't actually writing…and in an alternate U.S.A., that story is reality.  Even as Auster gives us that puzzle to play with, he gives us characters trying to handle pain and loss–the protagonist and his granddaughter nurse their suffering together by watching and analyzing films, with family history eventually emerging.  Like Amy Bloom's Away, this novel has lingered in my mind since I finished it, always a sign to me of an excellent read.

My perpetual question: what are you reading? 

I love the bibs and bobs of life: play tickets, Ravelry pins, favorite quotes, notes from loved ones, swatches.  As I took over our second bedroom as my crafting (words and fiber) room this summer, I felt keenly the lack of a repository for my ephemera.  A few cork board squares and some upholstery nails, and presto bottle rocket: I’ve got a place for the things that remind me of life’s goodness.

You get to see a corner of my saloon curtains, as well as the beautiful apron Tonya gave me as part of the Flirty Apron swap.  Above my bulletin board is the Holly Golightly print I purchased from Elloh.  I’m a little in love with her Mary Poppins print, too.

Where do you keep your ephemera?  Let’s start a photo-meme: post a picture of your bibs and bobs repository and leave a link in the comments–I want to see your little corner!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year: Neal’s birthday.  I’m a lucky woman to have him in my life…this picture is from just before I moved to Albuquerque, and it’s the one I had on my fridge the whole time I was out there.  He’s happily digging dirt and moving plants today, and I’ve been doling out gifts every few hours to create a festive day for him.  Our evening plans include a movie followed by sushi.  Yay for celebrations!

I think I have to face fact that I belong among the multitudes who don’t join timed kals because they are a kiss of death for me.  I have great intentions: I’m going to knit lace and socks all summer, and then come Olympics, I’m going to finish a sweater.  And some lace.  And probably have time to knit some socks. 

I almost knit a sleeve. 

That’s my entire Ravelympics achievement.  I’m okay with that, though, because my Lady of the Lake was shedding a tear or two of neglect, and as I’ve done every August for the last few years, I’m trying to finish up some WIPs to prepare for the lovelies I want to make for fall and winter.  With one sleeve nearly done (I think I can finish it today!), I’ll only have the second sleeve and the collar.  Maybe this will be my 2008 Rhinebeck sweater.

I had a nice e-mail from Rete today, in which she thanked me for her PIF gift.  I have one more PIF to make; I just need to decide what would best suit my giftee.

It was good to start the day with a happy e-mail, as well as feeling satisfied with a lovely Sunday.  Today is a strange day for me.  It used to be a hard day, but when I’m this happy, I can’t–I won’t– linger in grief.  Eighteen years ago this afternoon, I married the man I believed to be my soulmate, the one I thought I’d die with in my nineties.  We were born three days apart, and our minds sparked each others.  This anniversary isn’t as sad as it once was.  I’m remarried to a dear, true partner, and I’ve gotten closer to my own dreams instead of merely helping someone gain on his.  Rather than feel sad for what should have been, for the loss of growing old with the man I grew up with, I’ll think about how much we each grew together, the strength I gained in being alone, and how this has all added up to a life in which I can be more true to my own goals, can love without rejection, can work with satisfaction.  And I hope my ex, still in my heart, finds life better now, too.

To keep upbeat, I’m having lunch with a friend who made a big announcement by burying it in a funny story.  Go have a giggle and congratulate her!

Among our summer projects, Neal and I have been trying to finish up some of the rooms in our little ranch.  You know how it goes.  Mostly it’s done; walls are painted, furniture is adequate.  After a frustrating time of making due with old, old (not antique old, more like stuff-we-had-in-college old) now-icky couches, we sprang for new, lovely ones.  Along with a slab of stone for the hearth.  Which led to a new rug.  There are still a few more things to be done in the room (hello, window treatments!), but it is starting to feel like a grown up room to me.  About time!