1. Small seaside towns. To name a few...Newburyport, Plymouth, and Rockport, MA. Also, Marquette, Michigan, though it isn't seaside ;-) its lakeside. But that's my childhood right there.
Back to the seaside towns though. To me, these charming, waterside, quaint little spots are the epitome of New England atmosphere. They feel romantic, and as though time ceases to matter when wandering one of these cities for the day. A timetable, becoming irrelevant. Instead, getting lost in the relaxation of the day, the scenery, and the romance of it all.
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| Rockport, MA |
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| Rockport, MA |
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| Rockport |
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| Newburyport, MA |
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| Newburyport, MA |
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| Newburyport, MA |
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| Childhood summers at Lake Superior <3. This is me and my brother, Spencer. |
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| My family at "camp" right on Lake Superior. One of our many summers spent there together. |
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| Me and Spencer at the lake :-D |
2. This book: The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr. I wasnt sure what to expect with this book. I read her memoir, The Liars Club, touted as being one of the best ever written. While I did find it excellent, I dont agree its one of the best. To me, the best are "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed, "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, and "Just Kids" by Patti Smith. But this one was up there- I would give it something like a 7 out of 10. What's jawdroppingly phenomenal about Karr? Her prose. Just...wow.
So checking out her book, The Art of Memoir, I wasnt sure whether it would grip me or not. It did, way more than I expected. This isn't just for people who want to write about their lives. Its a book for anyone who loves literature. Mary Karr is one of the most talented writers in terms of her prose, for whom I have had the pleasure and awe of reading. Also of this caliber in terms of how they write: Patti Smith, Anne Lamott, and in the fictional rhelm, Donna Tartt.
3. Never thought I would utter these words, but ice cream. For years, Ive been indifferent to it, nearly neutral. If its around, sure, Ill eat it and enjoy, but its nothing I would ever seek out, nor say I like a lot, let alone claim to love. Lately though, I find myself craving ice cream and even, dare I say it, loving some flavors of this warm weather tasty treat. Who would've thought ;-)
A few favorite flavors/brands at the moment...
4. Chefs Table on Netflix. Maxx insisted I check out an episode of this show with him, remarking that one of the pastry chefs made him think of me, feeling sure I would love it. Right he was. Each episode showcases and focuses on one renowned chef, their story if you will, several of their signature dishes, and more in connection with their food story. Its such a fun show. A feast for the eyes ;-) and fascinating to hear about the trajectory of each person.
Here is a short trailer for the show, if you would like to take a gander.
5. Bernese Mountain Dogs. My favorite. Ive wanted one of these for several years, and while its not on my radar to acquire one necessarily in the very near future, I would like one eventually. Other breeds that make my heart flip flop: American Foxhound- love these guys, Labrador Retrievers, sometimes Border Collies, some Dachshund (the longish haired ones, so cute!), Alaskan Malamute, and Great Pyrenees.
Once I get my own place, at some point soon thereafter, I would love to adopt <3
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| Bernese Mountain Dog |
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| American Foxhound |
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| Alaskan Malamute |
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| Great Pyrenees |
$26 gets you two classes. The entire time, you will have a huge smile on your face. Everyone is laughing, smiling, having a grand old time. Its a hard class, but a do-able one for people who are of average or above fitness level.
For more info, click here.
7. Quotes, as always. Yes, many quotes are trite, even inaccurate, some just downright silly or they miss the picture entirely. Some are even flat out untrue.
And then there are quotes that are inspiring, speak universal life truths, can change the way you think, move you, etc. So yes, I love quotes. A few I am especially loving right now:
8. Cafe culture. Man, I am missing this about Europe. The Thinking Cup in Boston has become a spot in particular that, within the past several weeks, I have found myself going to a handful of times. Really liking the lighting and vibe in there, as well as the succulent selection of sweets on display. While they are a tad on the pricey side, this is a great spot to sit for some solo reading and writing, to meet a friend, or go on a date.
9. Bikram Yoga. While this isn't something I do with regularity, Ive done it a couple times in the last month and, while it is a bit difficult in moments, overall I loved it. For those who dont know, Bikram yoga is performed in a hot room, close to 100 degrees F. Yes, you are saturated in sweat by the end, but somehow, you feel awesome. Refreshed. Lighter and energized. I highly recommend trying it if you enjoy yoga but haven't tried this type.
A great place to check out, South Boston Yoga.
10. I am really loving nonfiction, character building, growth inducing, inspirational books right now. A couple of excellent reads in this category that Ive read as of late, which I would highly recommend:
11. Matcha Banana Bread. Who knew, this stuff is the bomb diggity. Moist, sweet, so yummy, yet easy to make, gluten free, lactose free, and low in sugar. And PS. Did you know that Matcha is awesome for you? Boosting stamina, increasing memory and concentration, helping to clear skin, and more. Here is how to make it!
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