I love ya since I knew ya

Two things.
The Swedes (yo motherland!) are just cranking out some cool shit in the freakishly young and this song is my quintessential drinking song from my youth.
So when me and Hannah were in high school and crashing into Dr. A's liqueur cabinet we would often play this game:

drink every time Sting sings Roxanne
every time
and then put on lip gloss and think yr cute
before you fall down and puke
and that's how we rolled in Appalachia

I won't be recreating any Roxanne memories tonight, but I will be nostalgic bc it is what I do best...drip drip drip...
2008 was fabulous and heartbreaking and amazing and hard and full of love and kept reaffirming the facts of my life...
I am blessed. I am lucky. I am charmed. This family of mine rocks and I am on my path.
Now let's see what kind of wonderful we can make in 2009!
Cheers!

OH YEAH! and posted EVERY SINGLE DAY in 2008.
RAWK!!!!!!!!!!!

Get me delivered to yr email xo

You're the crop to my rotation/You're the sum of my equation

3 things making me super happy for 2009. (geeky laugh)

The meal planner. I wanted to graduate to a pocket type planner. I am trying to be more organized in 2009. This etsy seller rocks. It is simple and perfect and I wanna be a menu making goddess again this year.

The calendar. Ok I am hooked on the busy body book organizer. It is what I have really always needed. The calendar has five column grid system that you can use to assign each family member a section. I have all the family on it and then I have room for a Little Alouette column that can keep track of the shop and wholesale orders. I love calendars. I have a small BBB book too so I can grab it and go. Their customer service rocks and I think this wall calendar may save my ass this year

And my wee journal from Marta. jot your life in she says....First of all I love her so much. She is fierce! And she makes gorgeous things. I love the simple idea of this. I will have it with me and as I find those stolen moments I will write in it. I will write in it and enjoy it. I love it so much I kiss it sometimes.

and can I tell you a secret? I can't even name all the songs that I pulled lyrics from for my posts this year. I tried to today and went bonkers. I so should have listed them at the bottom of each post... What was yr favorite one?
****Also what was yr song of the year?
Have not thought of it? Think about it now.
This was mine for 2008 even though it was from the early 80's.
It spoke my year. It whispered my days.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Won't you stop and remember me

I farted around with this space until the middle of 2007 and then in January of 2008 I really committed to daily writing. It really has been the best thing for me. It has helped me with my novel and with my life. I am grateful for this place I can come and say all sorts of things and you never judge me and you always listen and I found that there are people living inside of my computer and they are gorgeous.
I pulled some posts from 2008.
These are just some posts that I wrote and they are good for me to revisit.


The Feeling wheel
Kids and poetry
Josh
The pea
Page
Kiya
Woolf
Happy
Fireflies
Novel
Neutral Skinny Fingers
And a year ago you did not walk

and for 2009 I am thinking movie quotes for my post titles instead of song lyrics.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Put on the day/And we'll talk in present tenses

I think this world is about to experience a renaissance of lovely. Of human touches. Of kindness. I believe it, and I believe it is being sparked by you and people like you.

I have had the fortune of having a lot of good feedback and comments this year, but the above one gave me goosebumps and made my lip quiver a bit because this is all I want.

A renaissance of lovely

Won't you join the movement?
Won't you go tell Rowena that you believe? I thank her so much for that comment- one that was such a lovely gift to me.

I also want to believe that we are headed for great change as we blaze right into 2009. I feel a vision quest forming for our country. I don't think it is always fair to think others will change things for us though. I have a ton of faith in Obama and the new administration, but I also think there is a lot that we need to shoulder ourselves- there is a lot of parenting and neighboring and loving and changing to do in each small life. There is a key that needs to be turned and we all need to hear the click before things are gonna really change. Small ripples and don't you ever forget that

The Mississippi's mighty,
but it starts in Minnesota
At a place that you could
walk across with five steps down

Are you ready?

A renaissance of lovely...wouldn't you like yr legacy to be that? Perfect.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

If they stare let them stare in new york city

Scenes from a bar bathroom somewhere in Appalachia Saturday night. (well past late)











As my friend Laurie would say- I had my rowdy pants on! Sometimes you can go home again I think. I am couch bound and never going to drink the hunter master again, but last night was really fun.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Live your life filled with joy and thunder

, originally uploaded by mistybliss.

I may be feeling a bit out of sorts today. I always feel like this when I go home to my old stomping ground. That small town. I am headed there tonight to meet up with some old friends and I am excited-but nervous.
I always forget that I am so different of a person than I was those many many years ago but then in the same second I know I may be exactly the same and it kinda freaks me out.

I will most likely revert to type and become the jester and the drinker and the one that keeps the party at a frenzied state. I will most likely have a ton of fun after I shake off the initial oddness of being thrust back into the same small town that I could not wait to blaze right out of back in 1992. I will have a good night, but my hope is that I will really be able to talk to some of these folks and connect and find whatever it is that holds you sorta together even after a million years.
That same small town in each of us kinda thing.
And I won't be elitist and I won't judge and I hope the same from all I encounter.
I just hope they have better beers on tap than last time I was there.
Peace.

Let your heart be light

I hope you get everything you desire today.
Happy Holidays. Kiss Kiss.

photo from flickr

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Why won't you tell me what's inside yr head?

The topic turned to Switzerland the other night at the Holiday cookie party at our friends house. Folks were talking about Zurich and all I could do was transport myself back to Lucerne. I was 18 and it was like the prettiest place I had ever seen. It was like the Barbie dream house and gingerbread men and Snow White all rolled up in a place so far away from home I could do anything I wanted and the world spun round with angular momentum like the fancy Swiss watches in the storefront windows.

I bought a ring there from a fancy little shop and it was super expensive to me at that stage in my life. It was large and silver and I wore it everyday until the Spring day I married Joe. It reminded me of how free I felt and following bliss and such other things.

As I cleaned my bedroom yesterday I found the silver Lucerne ring in my jewelry box. I picked it up and fingered it and put it on. It stopped mid knuckle. A wave of annoyance hit me of course because you want to think that some parts of yr body can remain slim and tidy-but no- even my hands have aged and put on weight. Damn.

I sat down on my bed and held that ring. It's no secret that this year has been a year of looking back for me. It think it is a bit of the novel I am writing that has pushed me back to my historical self and caused me some grief. I think I have started to see mortality and it ain't pretty. I sat on that bed and I held that ring and squeezed it and let myself go back to a time I was so free that I cared about no one really. I was like a toddler with my egocentric views then and as much as I think about how great those days were and how skinny my fingers were and how gorgeous my surroundings were- nothing beats the fact that my fat hands get to wrap themselves around three boys named Joe, Finn, and Blaise.

I wanna take them to Lucerne someday.
I want to stand in the old town square and set my watch to the happiest time in my life.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

photos via luzern.org

Love is sweet misery

I am sad. I forgot to tell Father Christmas I wanted a Brixton hat.
I am a hat girl. You are either a hat girl or you are not.
I am not talking brrr it is cold outside pull on a toboggan kind of girl. I am talking plan an outfit for a proper night out on the town hat girl. That is me. I wear them well.

And here it is two days till Christmas and I forgot that I really did want something.

And I haven't even been that good.
I have been kinda naughty actually.
There is no hope for me.
Unless granny gives me cash.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

photos via Brixton LTD.

i've kissed mermaids/rode the el nino

God I love Kim Deal.
The Pixies were playing on the radio today and it was nearly perfect despite the bitter cold outside and all I could think about aside from my love for Kim Deal was how watching this old video makes me long to rush out and buy five or six of the Gap's favorite t-shirts in black and develop a sort of uniform for 2009. I grew up in these t-shirts and I have decided they are to be born again in 2009 for me.
I have looked lately like a preschooler allowed to dress herself for the first time as I walk the streets with my children.
I am at any moment expecting a fashion ambush from Stacey and Clinton or some sort of planned intervention from my stylish friends at a pub one night. I need a daily uniform. Life is too hard otherwise. I am think black t-shirts and jeans with bright red lipstick. That is what I am thinking. Watch out 2009 I am gonna get my good looking on again.


My God her waist is small.

photos rolling stone and gap

Get me delivered to yr email xo

sunday's child will fall through faith

christmas sneak, originally uploaded by turnsharp.

I have been sneaking around today.
Hiding trinkets. Wrapping pressies...
We will later have our 2nd annual Solstice Duel.
I love this time of the year. I love being the holiday sneak.
Where do you hide the loot?
Kiss Kiss

amy

You could see it written in his eyes

We went off in search of various items to fill our Christmas Crackers.
We love the party trinket store downtown. Who knew they had such cool masks?

Get me delivered to yr email xo

you know you did you know you did you know you did

1950's Family Christmas Card (faux vintage), originally uploaded by Theresa Thompson.

There is something every single night.
The madness must stop.
Will yr holiday buzz right past you or will you slow it down and relish?
The slow holiday movement is about to be mandated in our family!

It's FRIDAY I'm in LOVE/ Inspire Me Series #5

I would like to introduce Susana from Mama's Village. We found each other last year- and I don't even recall how- it is just like we have always known each other! (Don't ya love that?) She is a brilliant woman full of love for this world. She is a writer and green mama in Canada. I love her recipes and her passion for doing good in this world. We have chatted and sent one another lovely wee parcels over the last year and developed a good friendship. She is a true urban mama and loves to photograph her daily adventures on Flickr. Susana is writing a cookbook too and I am going to be the first to buy one! I hope you find some inspiration over at her site or here with her words.

Follow the Bliss...

DOWN-TO-EARTH PEOPLE

I am inspired by ordinary people who have done/do extraordinary things: always-cheerful Diane who works at the post office; always-gracious Josie who works at the supermarket; always-kind Dianne who teaches special education; my works-tirelessly husband; my two amazing children who want nothing but to play with me all day long. Assata Shakur sings of 'peaceful warriors', the dedicated, relentless, those that work tirelessly for others, for change. When I am tired/overwhelmed I try very hard to think selflessly, it is so hard.


I am human, I can be so weak, I am so insignificant, but I do try, I really do, because I want to make the world a better place for my children, my husband, myself, my neighbours, and 'those' who I'd rather not be my neighbours.

There are so many amazing creative mama sites I sip coffee with: Camp Creek Blog
Chicken Blog
Bliss Belly Chronicles:

OUTDOOR PLAY & SPORTS

In Chinese Astrology I'm a dog, which explains my absolute need for fresh air, long-endless walks in all types of weather and frolicking through piles of leaves, puddles and squishy mud. I have run 4 marathons, completed a bunch of triathlons and am secretly training for a half Ironman. I get to the finish line with a smile on my face because doing these events is a celebration that I'm healthy, that I have the financial resources to train/pay for the event fee and that I live in a peaceful country where athletes of all abilities can take over the streets for a day without having to worry about war etc. I love watching the Olympics, yet, I am more fascinated by the athletes' backstories. The ingredients that help people persevere, achieve, dream always gives me goosebumps. Though the Olympics always move me to tears, I continue to feel the same emotions when I'm cheering people completing their first 5k race, their 15h marathon, and more recently my children aged 2 & 4 who completed their first 500 metre cub run.

Outdoor play, fitness + fashion fun fix:
Copenhagen Cycle Chic: Streetstyle and Bike Advocacy in High Heels: Garden School Foundation:


MUSIC

When I am furious at the mounds of laundry I have to deal with; or ugly-frustrated that my children will not give me any 'space' to be; or when our family is having a fun Saturday night, we turn to the goddess of music. We either load up the CD player or have an impromptu jam session.
Some of the current CDs that we are shuffling in our 5 disc CD player include:
Coldplay, Ray Lamontagne, Dave Matthews Band - I have been known to listen to 'The Best of What's Around' a-l-l day long, Cheikh Lo, Tricky, Marvin Gaye, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Jamiroquai, Duran Duran - 'Reach up for the Sunrise' has become a daily warm up/let's get into the day song.



Thank you so much for sharing Susana! kiss kiss

Get me delivered to yr email xo

With a voice as big as the the sea

I need to not be so busy bc my gal wants me to talk more about Christmas.

I am more in the mood after Finnian's Christmas program this morning.
It's like Christmas music continues to makes me cry. WTF?
Of course the children may have intensified it but the last few years I am even like in a mall and some slow holiday tune will play and I will feel it coming on.
I will be a wreck by the time I am an old woman.

I just buried my head in Blaise's neck and let my tears drip down his fat back and he giggled and giggled and the whole church smelled like childhood and pine cones and I just had to eat at Bob Evans I was so overcome.
I know what will make me freaking happy though is watching A Christmas Story this weekend and eating these. How bout you?


photo via people.com

And every forest sings a song

The talent on youtube is overwhelming to me
these gals
so young can break my heart
like they know where they might go someday
like they can look into the future and sing about the good and the bad already
before it can even happen
before their invincible skin is ripped right off
gorgeous
and they are from Sweden- hell to the yes
I'm Swedish too.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

photos via this gorgeous gal

say what's in this drink?

Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say

Who do you miss during this time of the year? I miss people far away and gone. I miss people who are here but not really here. Everything is so nicey nice in December but it is also a month full of big fat tears for some folks. How lucky to be smiling and garland wrapping round yr tree. I am trying to remember this. In the car yesterday I heard this song and it was a song played at a funeral of a boy too young to never be 35 years old like me right now.

And I wonder even when I am very old will I still remember the wood paneling and the hard cushioned seat of that tiny town funeral home and know that I am lucky and know that I am blessed?
And does my grandma miss my grandfather more now in December than any other month?
Wrap yr arms round those you love
tighter...

Get me delivered to yr email xo

All these rules don't apply/When you're high in the sky

good things

That way you exhale and round yr belly with relief as you see yr home in sight after a particularly long time away or while driving on ice

How having to pee very badly can almost feel like sexy times

No line at the drivers licence place and a smiling postal worker

Olfaction hysteria in the holiday season. I stand near the tree once a day and smell the woods I once lived inside

Gingerbread men and hot cider

buffalo chicken dip

photo credit: loving Annie Leibovitz lately. Her photos are like tiny drugs. How gorgeous is her White Stripes one?

Get me delivered to yr email

xo

There is some stuff over at Cheeky monkey play too

I remember when I remember I remember/when I lost my mind

Khayal : Stressed out, originally uploaded by KhayaL.

When you do not have babysitters
there is little chance of ruling the world.

Like when old people like yr grandma cock their head and tell you to be careful what you wish for you might wanna listen next time Amy

I am so busy that my mind is fuzzy like the way a television looks when the last public access show goes off for the night

scrambled patterns

It's FRIDAY I'm in LOVE/ Inspire Me Series #5

Follow the Bliss...


It is my pleasure to introduce Molly from Mommycoddle.
I first started reading her blog when I first started my own blog.
I loved her laid back nature and she became a daily read quite quickly. She was more of a domestic goddess than I and I often would think of her as my home mentor. I wanted a relaxed, calm, food filled home to be second nature to me too. I would find inspiration in her recipes, farm life, traditions, and full interesting life.
I follow her on babycenter where she writes and anytime she posts a recipe I scribble it down in a little kitchen book like a madman! :)

She gave me cool ideas like this and this and this.
I mean seriously that saved my butt last year after leaving my career and salary! She is adorable and real and smart and I am so glad that I have "met" her.


Three things that inspire me:
Natural History: I love knowing what I am seeing and hearing and touching when I am outdoors. I like knowing the call of a White-Throated Sparrow or the song of a meadowlark. I like knowing if I'm hearing Spring Peepers or crickets in the tall grass. I like knowing which tree will lose its leaves first, the Sycamore or the Sweetgum.

Every day tasks: I take a lot of comfort in the rhythm and mundanity of every day life--the washing and sweeping and folding. I like the rhythm of moving through my house, tidying up, arranging, putting things just-so. This doesn't mean that my house is perfectly put together, but I long to find that beauty in the every day tasks. To notice how the sheets looking hanging on the laundry line, and how peaceful the kitchen looks when the dishes are done and the lights are turned down. A home is full of so much inspiration, if it is noticed.

Music: My love of music probably started from the days of diapers, at least that's how my mom would tell the story. I'd stand at the open door of the dishwasher and splash in the water, beating in time with the music, bopping up and down until my diapers slid to my ankles. When I was a young girl, an old man who owned a music store in our town took me under his wing and gave me private music lessons every week, until I graduated from high school. He told me I would be the next Benny Goodman. And then in college, after he passed away, I hung it up, though I know I shouldn't have. After a few years, I got back in to music, but this time it was singing, and sometimes playing piano, in a small band. I feel music somewhere deep inside me that I feel like no one else can really understand. A song can touch me and move me in ways not much else does. Music can change my mood--lift my spirits or bring tears to my eyes, bring back memories or help me remember a moment.

What else inspires me?
a table full of field guides
Wendell Berry
my three girls
the stories of local farmers
my children's drawings
a baby asleep in my arms
Kate Rusby, Patty Griffin and EmmyLou Harris
my grandmother

Some flickr photostream's:

Lisa Steinbruek's photostream:

A few inspiring blogs:

Molly's blog:

Shari's blog: the glass doorknob

Krisitin's blog: honeyflake

kristen doran Design blog

Stefani's blog

Thank you so much for sharing Molly!!!!
kiss kiss

Get me delivered to yr email xo

And I can see California sun in your hair

What a sweet perfect gift right?
grow it

Get me delivered to yr email xo