Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my book announcement! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you all as my support group. 🙂

Some random things lately:

I ran out of disk space on my laptop. I ended up deleting a bajillion podcasts that I never listen to, and a couple of movies, and I moved all my photos onto my external hard drive, and I downloaded Aperture to better manage my photos. I’m still learning Aperture, and how best to organize my photos, and though I now have 12GB of space, Justin says it’s probably time for a new computer. Of course I want a MacBook Air, which is super expensive, but I feel bad letting go of a computer that still kind of works. It’s like putting up a pet for adoption or something. Granted, my laptop is a hand-me-down from Justin, so I haven’t had a new computer in about 5 or 6 years… hm. That MacBook Air is sounding better and better. 🙂

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I found these super-cute bags of quick-cooking grains at Central Market. They have several different kinds, and I’m totally in love with them. I cooked the barley, lentils & split peas, then mixed it with pesto and some cherry tomatoes. You know, it was good, but not great. I may have overcooked the peas. Or something. Anyway, I still have the bulgur and red quinoa to use, and I’m tempted this time to just cook it straight and use it as a base for something. Have any of you seen and/or used these? Any suggestions?

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I bought myself some roses at the market this week. They’re just so dang pretty, and they were $10 for the bunch, so I brought them home.

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I’ve been collecting paper ephemera for a while, and I’d like to do something artsy with it. I’m thinking a little hand-bound art book, or something. But I haven’t started on it, because I tend to want to know the outcome beforehand – how big will it be? What will it look like? What’s the best, most perfect way to go about it? My friend N. says maybe I could focus on just enjoying the process, instead of the end result. I like that idea. Hopefully I can gather up the courage to start the book today.

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I changed my inspiration boards again. I think my theme for the moment is CONNECT. The top one reminds me to focus on my marriage, that I want to travel in the fall, that I want more memories where I’m laughing THAT hard, that I want to stay connected to my best friends and my family, that I want to write letters.

The second board has items that remind me to stay connected to my work friends, that I want to go to Portland, OR soon, more reminders of my lovely husband, a list of my loved ones to think about during the day, a letter from my mom telling me that I am still young and still have time to find myself in this world, and that she’s sure I will, and thoughts of voyages, ephemera, and hope.

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I have decided that rotisserie chicken is the best thing EVER. I don’t have to heat up my little home with the oven, and I still get a wonderful meal. And I can focus on side dishes, which I never have the energy to do.

I made mashed Yukon gold potatoes with butter and creme fraiche, and made broccoli with garlicky bread crumbs.

The broccoli recipe is from Around My French Table. Basically, you steam broccoli (I always use the microwave), then toss it with breadcrumbs that have been toasted with butter, garlic, parsley and lemon zest. It’s quite lovely.

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Hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday!