March in Review

I can't believe March is all ready over. Wow. This year is flying by already and it's pretty nuts. I am shocked each week at how fast it goes by. 

March didn't really come in like a lion or leave like a lamb. March was pretty all over the place all month. We had sun, 70 degree days, torrential rains, mild days, grey and sun. We had our share of snow.

Beach days were few this month (only 5 compared to last month's 11 - which was also pretty bad). But we made the best of them and found some wonderful treasure. We are honing our sea glass collection and straining our eyes but becoming better hunters. 

#watchercats, on the other hand, were out in full force. I saw many porch cats, and watchers enjoying the warmer days and the rays of sunshine when they could. Tom even made an unexpected pot sitting watcher cat appearance. 

We drove around a lot this month and made some new discoveries. At home we made the most of new growth. We saw family and friends, traveled some for work, but mostly stayed close to home. We made plans, and started new projects. 

A lot of sewing happened this month, aided by the long awaited addition of a dining room table (more on that soon)!

By far the best activity in March was just hanging with our family cats!

So March was full (but not so warm), and went fast. What do you have in store, April?

Simple Swap: Green Tea

I've been trying to make little changes in my life and routines. Going to the gym, eating less bread, using less paper towels, setting cleaning and food shopping schedules, replacing OK solutions with better ones. I'm making some simple swaps. 

Lately, I've been drinking green tea. I dig it. I like the feeling of caffeine without the jitteriness of coffee. Don't get me wrong, I still love coffee and I wouldn't give it up! I like to have my 2 - 3 cups of coffee, then switch over to tea in the afternoon. I also have been having trouble with my knee lately, and green tea is a great anti inflammatory. What an easy simple swap. 

Anyone else out there working on making some little changes?

March Plant Update

The beginning of the month was warm and promising for bulbs and shoots, but as it went on we had snow and storms and cold temps. Hopefully most will survive and Marches plants will bloom to April flowers. 

Snow covered shoots. 

The beginnings of a bloom. 

One of the many succulents I bought last month grew a little flower that only lasted a few days. 

My neighbor's daffs get more light than mine...

But not as much as this dude.

Our kitchen tree is going nuts. 

The quality of this last photo is pretty poor and not a plant update, but a certainly a yard update. The Cooper's hawk that visited us last year has returned!

What were your March Plant Observations?

Something New: Spring Capsule Wardrobe Ideas

Despite having read a lot about and taken inspiration from Capsule Wardrobes, I have never actually made one. This Spring, I plan to actually try it. You may be thinking, but it is Spring! I know! Just two days after the vernal equinox I'm testing out some ideas, writing some goals and getting started. I hoping to have my Spring Capsule done and ready by the start of April. 

"What is a capsule wardrobe?" You might ask. Basically, a capsule wardrobe is a an assortment of clothing limited to a few key pieces (usually 33-37 items) that are the only ones you wear for a season. All your other clothes are either given away, discarded, or stored for another capsule. 

There are many reasons I want to try a capsule this year but a major reason is that, although I have cut way down on what I buy (and I almost exclusively buy second hand now), I still have far too much. This is true of several aspects of my life, but with my clothes it's out of control!! This seems especially unnecessary bc I mostly wear the same things over and over. For 2017, I'm focusing on reducing my things and the waste that comes along with having too much. 

I'm trying to make our house less cluttered and more usable. Reducing the ridiculous amount of clothing I have (and don't use) will help that. The space taken up with these could be better utilized and I am sure I can learn to live with less. I'm hopping that I can be more organized and only hold on to the items I really need. This will be a good way to continue to shop sustainably, either by buying second hand or buying clothing made in the USA, or by responsible makers.  

Here are some initial thoughts:
Style - I'd like to have one... Maybe this can help. 
Work clothes - Id like to dress a bit more thoughtfully at work. Why not dress more thoughtfully all the time?
Comfort -  Is paramount.
Things I love - Color, pattern, high wasted jeans, plain t shirts, sweaters, dresses and skirts with pockets, Vans...
Precious things - I want to wear clothes I love, not hide them bc I worry they will get ruined.
Practical things - I want the clothes I wear to be useful in all aspects of my life and not in only one or two situations. I want them to fit well, and make me feel good. 

I have tried some other wardrobe projects in the past, but I'm hoping this one works. I'll be checking in from time to time with more thoughts. I hope to keep a record of this experiments but also to open it up for discussion among my readers. For more info and inspiration on Capsule Wardrobes follow these links:
Unfancy
Be More With Less
The Blissful Mind
Rowdy Kittens
 

Anyone else new to capsule wardrobes? Already have one? What works for you?

Two Special Pieces in Princeton

Last month, for our anniversary, we went to explore some art in Princeton, New Jersey. We went to see the Princeton University Art Museum (more on that soon), but we didn't realize that there were so many large scale works of modern art scattered around the campus. 

Quite unexpectedly, we found two special pieces while we were there. The first we spotted as we drove through campus and it really blew our minds! This Ai Weiwei sculpture, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, depicting huge lifelike busts of the Chinese zodiac, has special meaning for us; My husband and I saw this sculpture on our second date! It was in Manhattan then, and we had no clue it would be in our new home state on our 4th anniversary!

The second astonishing piece we saw was by Richard Serra, one of our favorite contemporary artists. The Fox and The Hedgehog consists of three massive curved sheets of steel, which can be walked through as well as around. We particularly love that aspect of some of his work. For some reason, you get a strange sensation to be inside of his sculpture. As if your molecules are drawn to and becoming part of the art, and you are involved more than observing. 

We are very excited to get another opportunity to return to Princeton and see more of there outdoor sculptures. I highly recommend a visit if you ever happen to be in the area. 

Who is your favorite large scale artist?

February in Review

Oh February, you are generally a tough month. But Feb 2017 was pretty awesome. There were some short days and long cold nights, but also spring like weather, many beach trips and some fun adventures were had this month. 

We visited some new places in NJ this month including Princeton and Atlantic City. Finding new places that we enjoy in NJ is always fun! Our new state is so diverse, it's fascinating to explore!

The beach was stunning for many days this month and it lifts our spirits to live so close. We also joined a health club which has gone a ways to improve our bodies and moods. It will be an interesting challenge to balance these two aspects, but we look forward to trying!

As with every month, we paid special attention to our furry friends. Keeping them heathy and happy is always one of my top priorities. We also got to meet a few new friends in ducks, seagulls, and more. A few #watchercats and #porchcats were out enjoying the nice weather. 

February was fast, warm and full... March what have you got?

Two Hours in Atlantic City

A few weeks ago we took some day trips around NJ. We headed down to Atlantic City, but not for gambling as you might suspect. We headed to see some Jersey Shore sights and visit the Atlantic City Aquarium. 

We only spent a few hours in town but we were struck by the shocking contrast of the gaudy, loud, false facades of the casinos and boardwalk, and the serene beaches and skies. The clash of nature and man is very apparent. The divide between opulence and extravagance and utter poverty is everywhere. 

Like much of the once great coastal attractions AC is falling into ruin. With casinos closing, damage from Super Storm Sandy, and depletion of natural resources, the old family friendly beach resort is crumbling. I will definitely be keeping an eye on what happens to Atlantic City in the future. 

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Atlantic City Aquarium

Last week was our 4th wedding anniversary and we decided to take several day trips around NJ instead of one bigger trip. We are still new to living here and there are so many places to explore. New Jersey has many unique areas and environments for a small state. 

The first day, we opted to wing it, and headed down the coast until we got to Atlantic City. I have been wanting to check out the Atlantic City Aquarium for a few months now. 

Atlantic City is a sprawling peninsula/island in South New Jersey. Obviously known for it's casinos and gambling, it also has lovely wide beaches, protected wetlands, and is a stopping point for tons of shore birds. The aquarium is on the north west point of the land mass. 

This aquarium is pretty small with two floors plus a bonus tiny third floor that is really more of an observation deck. The views are quite spectacular. 

The Atlantic City Aquarium has been open since 1999 and houses many creatures, both local to the area and exotic. An interesting aspect of this aquarium is that there are lots of touch tanks scattered throughout the exhibits. We were able to see rays feeding and rushing around their tank and touch them as they sped by! There were horseshoe crabs and small sharks to touch as well. 

There were quite a few workers there, minding the touch tanks, and available for questions. We talked with one for quite a while about a giant loggerhead sea turtle in one of the larger tanks. We learned that he was rescued and brought to the zoo about 15 years ago. He is blind and had beached himself, a sure sign he was close to death. Now 22 and living comfortably in the AC Aquarium he is hand fed squid and fish jello everyday and can live out his remaining 75 years in peace. 

Outside the aquarium, there was a small village, amphitheater, and shops, which were not open while we were there and must be a Summer attraction. There was also a diving bell which had been an Atlantic City oddity. Visitor could pay to get submerged off one of the boardwalk piers. 

This seems like a perfect place for smaller children and a good stopping point as you make your way thru NJ. There are docks, and other things to do in the immediate area, a seemingly small oasis from the rest of the City. AC is a bizarre mix of opulence and utter despair. Gold gilded casinos line some block while the next block seems completely burnt out or abandoned. Besides the aquarium I would like to visit the Absecon Lighthouse, which had closed by the time we got to it on this trip. While most of AC made me feel uneasy, the Atlantic City Aquarium was a peaceful place. I would definitely recommend this aquarium and will be coming back to visit in other seasons.

Something New: A Record Player

I can't even count the amount of years that I have wanted a record player. 
Like many people of my age, I had a record player growing up. I loved it, but I also loved cassettes and CDs. When my record player stopped working, I never got a new one. But somehow, as an adult I started yearning for a turntable. There's something so different about not skipping around on iTunes, about not having a playlist, about having to turn over the vinyl to get to side 2. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that a record player fit in with my idea of a slower lifestyle. 
So after years of deliberation, I just bought one! We had a small collection of records already so our first few weeks were spent listening to those. Now, going into our third month, we've started to pick up "new" records here and there. First, we raided my mother's old collection. Then we moved on to finding vinyl in thrift shops, and used record shops. 
It's been a lot of fun but it's also a struggle to maintain the idea of living with less. I think so far we've done a good job at not going crazy! 

Who else out there enjoys their record player? Any advice on cool record shops, online or otherwise? What is your favorite genre of music to listen to on vinyl?

January Plant Update

I've tried to keep a watchful eye around me so far this month. Here are some botanical observations. 

Seeing these made me rue not foraging them. 

Outside, a huge snow storm, inside the plants are thriving. 

Here's how an outside plant faired. 

Teaching at The New School this month, I've been observing some of their growing experiments. 

This is more a picture of critters than plants, but the other morning there are no less than 12 morning doves on our back porch. They were huddled in the rain, and waited for the squirrel (seen behind) to finish enjoying his breakfast before alighting to the feeders. 

Have your January plant observations been what you expected? 

The Bernina Sewing Center

In December, we visited The Bernina Sewing Center in Matawan, NJ. This store has all the Berninas and everything Bernina. Seriously, I've never seen so many Berninas. 

Obviously they specialize in Bernina sewing machines. They sell, repair, instruct and advise on the machines. They have sewing classes, lessons for the various machines, and vast knowledge of quilt making, machine embroidery and appliqué and more. They do not have much fabric, it's more of a service shop, but they have every accessory you can think of for the brand. This is a Bernina only retailer. 

Run by a husband and wife team, who recently took over this 20 year plus establishment, this is a fun and friendly quilting environment, especially if you love Bernina. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. 

Bernina Sewing Center
443 Hwy 34
Matawan, NJ 07747
Motto: "Enter as Strangers... Leave as Friends". 

2017 Goals

As the last year ends, I start to think about things I want to accomplish in the coming year. Things that I want to exert my energy and thoughts to. I find that making this list helps me keep them in my thoughts and have a guide to live by. My overarching goal is always to Live More Mindfully. Here is my list for 2017:

Work on Personal Endeavors as Much as My Job
In 2015 I wrote: "I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me". Ever since then, I have been working towards this goal, that has come to not only encompass Art but also other important aspects of my Life outside of a job. After we moved, in late 2015 and early 2016, I tried very hard to take a break from a job, I tried to work outside of the house less and in the house more. It had mixed results but it gave me a lot of insight into myself and how I work, and what work means to me, both my own and my job. This year, I plan on further committing to working a job less and working for myself more. One idea I have for this, inspired by my new beach town life style, is to make Summer the time that I work my job more and play harder, and Winter the time that I focus on my own endeavors. Seasonal living is totally new to me, but I see many possibilities there. 

Be a Better Quilter, Be a Better Blogger
I want to increase my quilting skill, learn more, push myself. I want to be a better and more consistent blogger. 

House, Cats, Plants, Family, Friends, Health
Another goal to level up in aspects of my life. This goal includes things like; eating better, drinking more water, exercising more, daily walks, daily stretching, cat contemplation and cat care, making our house more truly our home and being better at caring for it, heading towards a more minimal lifestyle and getting rid of things we do not need, organizing, using up and not buying new, reusing, recycling, keeping our plants healthy and happy so that our home is rich and lush, keeping up with my bujo, making sure to catch up with and stay in contact with family and friends, making sure to be mindful of the health and happiness of my immediate family, my larger family and my community, and there's more!  But this goal is overall, to strive for a more caring and mindful way of life. 

Less TV / More Books
I watched a lot of TV in 2016. Not actual TV bc we don't have that, but a seemingly endless stream of mindless consumption of media. Already, after major life changes in December 2016, I've started to watch way less. I've watched some, but moved over to more movies, and more mindful watching. But I could and should always read or listen to books more. 

Hand Poked Tattoos
In 2016, I started learning the art of Stick and Poke tattooing. I plan to continue this in a more purposeful manner in 2017. 

Travel When Possible, Explore When Not
We were unable to travel far in 2016, this coming year we are slightly less tethered so I would like to travel more. When we cannot travel, exploring near our home should be a priority.

Quilt More. 
No further explanation needed. 

That are your goals for 2017? Leave them in the comments, or leave a link to your posts!

For reference, here are my goals from the previous two years. 

2016:
Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work 
For 2015, I wrote "I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me". And this past year has taught me that this is a very difficult task. Nearly Impossible. I am excited to carry this goal over and continue to work towards it.  
Quilting
As a way to work towards goal number 1, I need to work more on my craft. Some things I want to work on in this area are to improve my skills, be involved in at least one market, and one show, have a finish every month, and generally make more! 
Blog/Shop/Sales
In 2015, I made great strives in my blogging. I want to keep that up with regular blog posts. Like, really regular! I learned last year that I need take 1 month off from blogging. My slowest time for posts is over the summer. I failed to update shop regularly in 2015. This is something I hope to do. Hopefully that will result in more sales, as I would like to gain practice at selling, packaging, and gathering customers and followers to widen my community. 
Draw More (some).  
To inspire this goal, I've started a secret project. Something that might help this would be to do a drawing a day for a year. 365 drawings might be a weighty goal, but I'm going to try!
Deadlines
I want to learn to set and complete more deadlines for myself.  
House and Home
I want to continue to get better at taking care of my family and our home.  
Exercise/Diet/Cooking
I want to get better at taking care of myself and my health. I'd like to exercise at least 4 times a week. I want to stretch every day. I want to continue to make and eat wonderful and healthy foods. 
Wardrobe/Use Up, Don't Buy
I plan to continue my wardrobe project which I worked on last year. And I want to strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle more in my everyday life. I'd love to be able to not buy anything (besides food, necessities, etc...) for at least 6 months out of the year 2016.  
Community
Now that I've moved, I need to get involved! Step one - get a job I love! I also want to make sure that I stay in touch with my old community, so friends will be a priority this year. 
Read More
'Nuff said. 

2015:
Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work - I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me.
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair. 
Take Better Care of My Health and the Health of My Family/Take Better Care of the House - In all the hustle and bustle of work and life this is something I often forget to pay close attention to. I want to always be striving to make a better house for my family and plants and keep us in good health.
Stay in Touch with My Friends - I'm fairly antisocial by nature, but I love my friends and care to make them feel appreciated. 
Use Up, Don't Buy -  I need to reduce all things in my life and and make better use of the things I keep. 
Wardrobe Makeover - One thing I have far too many of are clothes. I must make my wardrobe more manageable and stop buying clothes!  
Travel when Possible - Always more exploring to be done.
Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year. Pitiful. 
Move Out of the City - It's time. 

2016 Goals Review

In the beginning of recent years, I like to make a list of goals for myself. These are goals/paths that I set for myself, things I want to be mindful about in the coming year. Here are my 2016 goals, some thoughts on them, and posts that are related to each: 

Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work
For 2015, I wrote "I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me". And this past year has taught me that this is a very difficult task. Nearly Impossible. I am excited to carry this goal over and continue to work towards it.  
This is a continuous goal for me and I'm still working on it. 2016 was a very challenging year for me in many respects, but in this one particularly. I do think I have made strives here, and I do think it has been a present thought and idea this year, maybe in a way that it hasn't before. One could say that this blog is a diary of this goal in many ways. 

Quilting
As a way to work towards goal number 1, I need to work more on my craft. Some things I want to work on in this area are to improve my skills, be involved in at least one market, and one show, have a finish every month, and generally make more! 
This goal is almost ever present as well. I certainly didn't complete the fine print of this goal. But there's always next year. This goal has some tangible posts. 
Basting Party
Shoofly Variation
Snowball
Baby Blue
Basket Weave
Orange Cat/Grey Cat
Original Mini
Drunkard's Path
Tree Of Life
Diagonal
Failed Star
Equilateral Triangles
Wrench Variation
Railroad Spike
Wrinkly Old WIPs
Economy Block Variation
Corner Block

Blog/Shop/Sales
In 2015, I made great strives in my blogging. I want to keep that up with regular blog posts. Like, really regular! I learned last year that I need take 1 month off from blogging. My slowest time for posts is over the summer. I failed to update shop regularly in 2015. This is something I hope to do. Hopefully that will result in more sales, as I would like to gain practice at selling, packaging, and gathering customers and followers to widen my community. 
While I did make good advices in my blogging, all else was a bit of a wash. 
Giveaway
Blog Goals
Quilts for Baby
Commissions

Draw More (some).  
To inspire this goal, I've started a secret project. Something that might help this would be to do a drawing a day for a year. 365 drawings might be a weighty goal, but I'm going to try!
I haven't revealed my secret project formally, but I will soon. I came nowhere close to doing a drawing a day. I will say that, while I did not draw as much as as I wanted, I did draw some. 

Deadlines
I want to learn to set and complete more deadlines for myself.  
This goal didn't make it too far, and there aren't really any post about it. But this one kinda counts:
Bullet Journaling 

House and Home
I want to continue to get better at taking care of my family and our home.  
Another never ending goal. Overall I feel great about my house, my home, and my continued commitment to taking care of my family. I'd like to have more post to show of this in the future.
Shelfie 001
Shelfie 002

Exercise/Diet/Cooking
I want to get better at taking care of myself and my health. I'd like to exercise at least 4 times a week. I want to stretch every day. I want to continue to make and eat wonderful and healthy foods. 
What a great year it was for me about finding out what works for me! And what doesn't, of course. 
Winter Citrus
Juicing at Home
Juicy Update
Smoothie Bowls
A Week of Bowls

Wardrobe/Use Up, Don't Buy
I plan to continue my wardrobe project which I worked on last year. And I want to strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle more in my everyday life. I'd love to be able to not buy anything (besides food, necessities, etc...) for at least 6 months out of the year 2016.  
I did well with not buying too much and being mindful when I did or didn't. I could have done better. There are many aspects of this goal that will be renewed for 2017. 

Community
Now that I've moved, I need to get involved! Step one - get a job I love! I also want to make sure that I stay in touch with my old community, so friends will be a priority this year. 
I started to make headway on this goal in 2016. I got a job, and I started exploring my new home. I love where I live. I would have liked to see more friends, but I didn't do a terrible job this year, I think.
A Night at the Fair
Student Pillows
The Roadside Diner
More Student Pillows
Circus Drive In
Summer Break
September Plant Update
October Plant Update
November Plant Update
December Plant Update

Read More
Nuff Said. 
I read a good amount in 2016. Below are the the books I've already blogged about. There are a few more that need posts.
Deeply Nourished
Ready Player One
Out Stealing Horses
The Magic Art of Tidying Up
Neither Here Nor There
Bangkok 8
Asbury Park Reborn
Saga
Simple Matters
Blood Oath
Ringworld

I will be carrying over, or amending many of these goals for 2017 and adding new goals as well. I very much hope to continue to be as mindful as I was in 2016 and to become even more so in the future.  
 

Shelfie 002

How many gems can you name?

Shelfie 001

We've been moving things around at home, hoping to display more of our collections.  

October Plant Update

October is fast becoming my favorite month of the year. It was a great one for observing plants around our new home. It was also a very busy month, so I'm sending out my observations a little on the late side. 

American Beauty Berries are busting out the extreme purple. 

Roses keep on making late game appearances. 

The last of the echinacea. 

Milkweeds are weeping their seeds for next years monarchs. 

The morning glories are still reaching for the sun. 

What are the plants doing in your neck of the woods?

September Monthly Plant Update

Inspired by Aquarian Soul, I've decided to record the plants I see around me each month. 

It has been a fun first year in Asbury Park, seeing what grows and blooms in our yard and all around us. Some things were a total surprise! I documented many plants on Instagram and in the blog in a casual manner. This coming year, I'd like to keep a closer eye. 

Here are some plants I'm seeing in September:

Beach Roses are blooming their last blooms. They smell amazing. 

Some of the roses have already turned into huge hips. I might be researching how to forage and use these for something good.  

I took our oxalis out to the porch to enjoy more sun before the cold weather. It was getting very leggy inside. 

My neighbors chicks and hens bloomed weeks earlier than mine. So much so I started to think mine never would. But here they are!

The morning glories that we gladly share with our neighbors went nuts this month. They are out in full bloom in all manner of colors. We will have tons of seeds to harvest, spread and share this year. 

My husband doesn't like succulents but I'm planning on buying some up after seeing them at Sunset Farms, our favorite local nursery. 

What plants are cropping up where you live this month?

August In Review

August was not mild, not in weather or temper. 

This month was mostly about work and health, some of each were good and bad. But August was also about moving forward and getting through. I'm hoping September adds more to the good column than the other, but I'll take what I can get. 

1) A neighbor in Allenhurst. 2) Tom's stare. 3) Bippi's curl (and sore chin). 4) A Parade on Main Street. 

Although we didn't travel in August, walking around and heading to the beach was a priority. Whether it was hot or mild, I tried to make it to the beach. We tried to get out and about around town as well, and were rewarded with some local adventures. 

1) My very first at home #smoothiebowl. 2) A delicious one from Juice Beach. 3) My sweetest bowl yet! Mangos, peaches, bananas, all the fixins. 4) Easy and simple with figs from my dad. 

Since moving, my esthetic and ideals have been changing. One thing I've been more conscious about is what I eat and where it comes from. I thought summer would be my month for local foods, but it was tough to get out to the markets. I made some food discoveries in August that I hope to continue learning about and eating! 

1) A perfect angel. 2) My #watchercat. 3) new morning rituals. 4) Exploring our surroundings.

Watchercats were few, and quilting was almost non existent this month. I'm hoping cooler temps will bring out both in spades soon. 

1) Atlantic Farms. 2) Thrift and vintage finds. 3) Blossom season at work. 4) Summer sky in overdrive. 

I've spent many Summers in New Jersey, but this August felt all brand new. Since we moved into our new home last Fall, the first few days of September have got me feeling nostalgic. Comfort vs newness, renewal and remembrance, the end of seasons, whatever September brings, I think I'm ready.