We're Off to See the Wizard...

The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies. I've watched it so many times that not only do I know all the words to all of the songs, but most of the dialogue as well.

Sidenote: have you ever wondered where the red-bricked road out of Munchkin Land goes? It's one my great unanswered movie questions.

Anyway... My favorite exchange between Dorothy and the Scarecrow is just before she lets him down off of his pole.

Dorothy asks: ...can't you make up your mind?

Scarecrow: I can't make my mind. I haven't got a brain--only straw.

Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain?

Scarecrow: I don't know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they?

So. Effing. True.

The Zoo, a Book Cover and OMG BABY DUCKS!

I gave myself a four-day weekend. I was finished work Wednesday night at 4:00, went to power yoga that evening (hot power yoga, mind you) and woke up Thursday ready. I met up with a friend who moved to Delaware at the Philadelphia Zoo. Try to have a bad day at the zoo, I dare you. I borrowed my work camera in the hopes of getting some shots I could be proud of. I think I succeeded. Here are a few of my favorites:

I LOVE peacocks.

He was in the rare animal conservatory. I love his face and coloring.

My sister is writing a book about our mom and what it was like trying to find her. She asked me to do the cover for her. It'll be an e-book, available soon. She currently has a book of her poetry available for kindle called The Color of Dawn. She's an excellent writer, and I can't wait to read the novel.

Coconuts just bought a house, so I went to see it (it's super cute, btw) and we ventured over to Zern's-a big farmer's/flea/food market. A local pet store has a shop in there where they bring some of their animals. Friday it happened to be BABY DUCKS! And baby chicks. I totally could have had a Friends moment--but I didn't.

This is Alphonse. I should have bought him.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I'm BaAaaaack

I haven’t written in a while.

Not because nothing has happened, I just haven’t felt like it. I didn't really mean to take a two month hiatus. Sorry.

So here’s the rundown:

·         I went to DC the weekend after Thanksgiving. My cousin goes to George Mason and Aunt Mary Ann was there visiting. So Aunt Irene, Katie, and I went down to visit. We also went to the Smithsonian. I wish we had more time there. I’ve never visited DC before-only driven through. Which seems silly now considering it’s only like 3 hours away.

·         I visited Mom and Papa Steve for 5 days the weekend before Christmas. It was fun and relaxing. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas down there. Although, I feel like more people decorate there than here.

·         Christmas was good. All of the gifts I got were useful and won’t sit in the bottom of my closet (like that purse-hanger thing I got last year). I got a Kindle Fire, gift cards, a pretty sweet Phillies hat (it’s plaid!), a very cozy blanket that I wish I was curled up in right now, this Wizard of Oz poster, and some other smaller things.

·         Kellifish had the baby! Her name is Lily Alaina and she’s a little peanut.

·         Coconuts (Dana) got engaged.

·         I set some goals for the New Year-most of which have to do with paying off debt. One has to do with jumping out of a plane with my brother.

·         I signed up for Code Academy’s Code Year. I have the first lesson sitting in my inbox and I plan to get to it this weekend.

·         I’ve been watching far too much Grey’s Anatomy. I’m trying to catch up to the current season. I’ve been knitting while watching, so at least I’m being productive.

·         The Foo Fighters and Blink 182 are playing Bamboozle this year. I really think I’ll need to go.

·         I want snow. Just one good snow day where I don’t have to go to work. Then it can be as mild of a winter as it wants.

I’m hoping by posting I’ll get back into the groove of writing. I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

PS-I'll post some photos of some of the things from the list later. I just felt like I needed to hit publish before I put it off any longer.

Current Loves/Obsessions

1.       All of the leaves and fallness going on. I’m so glad we didn’t skip right to winter. Well, actually I’m glad we circled back to fall (re October snow).

2.       Once Upon a Time and Grimm. They’re taking all my favorite Disney movies and making them kind of dark and twisty. I’m a little in love with it. Grimm’s not as creepy as I thought it would be.

3.       I just started watching Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning again. I stopped after season 5 (I think-whenever they killed George.) Apparently it’s getting good again, so I’m going to get myself caught up.

4.       Knitting. I’m in a groove. I want to knit everything.

5.       Finding a dark red or maroon sweater dress that has long or ¾ sleeves. I had no idea how difficult this would be. Maybe I’ll try to knit one. Or not. I’m not a gauge checker.

6.       Adele’s album. Why did it take me so long to download it? Specifically “One and Only”. This song makes me wish I could sing.

Fall: Leaves, Pumpkins, and Cute Clothes

Via PhiladelphiaFallFestival.com

I love fall. And it’s not because the first day of autumn usually falls on my birthday. I used to hate it because of school starting. But now, I love the change in the seasons.  The cool air coming in through the open window is welcome after all the humidity we had this year.  One of my favorite sounds is the wind through the crackly leaves. Am I too old for leave piles? This is why I borrow other people’s kids. I’m excited to get out my boots and my scarves (I have a lot), and wear my cute jackets. I’m such a fan of being cozy.  The only problem with fall is that it leads to winter, which would be fine if it only lasted like a week.  Or my office actually closed on snow days.

I’m also a fan of the food that comes along with the cooler weather. My aunt makes everything from scratch, and she starts to stock the freezer in October.  Cooking started Monday.  She got the bug and made 2 kinds of soup, a stew, meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and some meatloaves. 

I also start to eat oatmeal again when it gets cooler.  I feel like it’s too heavy for the warmer weather.  Health Magazine told me to put cocoa on plain oatmeal because cocoa has good-for-you-stuff in it. So I did.  And I added some peanut butter and a bit of sugar and OH MY GIDDY GOD was it GOOD! It’s like eating that Reese’s cereal stuff, but hot.  Try it.  You’ll thank me.

Aunt P also made pumpkin cookies.  I want everything pumpkin right now.  Including an actual pumpkin that I can carve.  Might have to do that this year, too. I hope everyone's enjoying the season!

If I Ever Have Kids...

I want this for my baby.

Via Outblush

Confused? Love this scene? Love David Bowie?