daffodils & dark clouds

the prettiest of yellows..

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
-William Wordsworth
what a name

Lu loves 'em too

Hi friends! Whew..I didn't mean for so much time to go by without an update, sometimes life just gets in the way. And instagram. Still obsessed, it's the instant gratification haha!

 Some March happenings, I've been trying to keep on the bright side..

caramel apple puff pancake

rescued my old vintage books from the parents..

favorite

my march hare, baxter

its the best time of the year..

I hope you're enjoying the spring sunshine!

dish : french onion soup

I'm gonna start this off by saying "I really love soup"..of all varieties. I'll never forget my 15 year old self serving up chilled carrot soup to my pizza/fast food loving family. They weren't as thrilled as I anticipated, not my audience I guess haha. I've tried a few different french onion versions in my time..and never really liked them. I'm not a huge fan of brown gravy beefy type things. I'm more into delicate flavors, and I always try to make my food more "fancy." With that said, I'm obsessed with this soup now! Definitely a favorite comfort food at the moment. I'm the worst at measuring and following directions, I usually just toss things in all willy nilly. It drives Luke crazy haha, but I finally wrote down my steps and ingredients so I don't wing it every time. He can't really complain, somehow it always turns out delicious. Luke request this soup at least a few times a month, hopefully you'll love it too!

makings:

3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp olive oil
4-6 onions(medium) or 3 large - slivered
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2-4 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp each salt and pepper
6 beef bouillon cubes and 6-8 cups water(or 8 cups vegetable broth)

Topping- french bread, swiss cheese or muenster! I'd put muenster on anything.

 prep:

rinse onions in cold water to reduce tears 

cut in half and slice into thinnish slivers

steps:

Melt butter/olive oil and garlic in a large pot. Add slivered onions and set to low, leaving them to cook for 20 minutes. Stir and sprinkle in brown sugar. Increase heat to medium and brown for 20 more, stirring occasionally. Add everything else,  pour in the broth and combine. Throw on a lid, switch to medium low and let simmer for 15 minutes.

push onions up around sides to get a nice crust

Toast sliced french bread topped with cheese in the oven, serve on top of soup. Enjoy!

The perfect cheery comfort on a cold day!

hark!

valentine-smashing pumpkins

Luke surprised me with a new friend on Valentine's day..

Hi, Bleu!

He said he picked this little one because it was hanging out at the end of a stick, playing with toys. A loner.

Within thirty minutes of meeting I had her hanging out on my finger, a new record!

I've had a few parakeets in my life, an early memory from childhood involves two of them flying right out the door.

She loves flying around in my studio, and listening to music.

"We love music!"

I started telling her this when she was afraid of the strange sounds coming out of the computer..she especially loves songs with whistling and quieter, scratchier voices.

 Mockingbird(Tom Waits) came on..appropriately haha! I whistled along and she clicked her tiny beak, puffed her throat feathers out, and blinked her pretty feathery eyelashes. Such a delicate, beautiful little creature..

I'm smitten. And I know she'll talk to me one day, I can feel it. We're besties.

Valentine's day treats

Strawberry Marshmallows

They taste like yummy melting strawberry ice cream in your hot chocolate, so good.

Enjoying her fave treat too, we're budgie buddies.

Happy Tuesday!

the most cake

My birthday was this past Friday, the 8th! So I celebrated all weekend of course. Isn't it the best when your birthday falls on a Friday? I like to space it out a little anyway..and just kind of go with the flow. An aquarian through and through! I usually start stressing about what to do about a week before and then I don't want to do anything..the pressure! Mom tried to plan a surprise party for me a few years ago..worst idea ever. haha

I'm too weird.

This birthday was perfect! Most of my celebrations revolve around food. Luke was off all week and made me birthday brunch, Belgian waffles with mascarpone/whipped cream, strawberries..and chocolate covered ones too! He makes them for me every year, it's tradition.

Growing up it was a pizza/movie sleepover, and these beauties in the morning.  

Mom always made them!

My time travel necklace was appropriate..it's flying by!

Sported some falsies..and felt kinda like lambchop haha

Friday was the largest indoor yard sale at the fairgrounds and my birthday dinner of choice..Italian.

Every year.

We used to always go to a restaurant growing up but I really love cooking at home, my stuff just tastes better!

Baked eggplant stacks. With mascarpone.

Killer.

cake cocktail

Saturday was sushi and thrifting with my mom and late night mexican food,margaritas,and movies with my little brother.

Luke helped me make my birthday dessert, a little white cake with layers of mascarpone and strawberry topped with meringue frosting. We nearly destroyed it..but not before two huge sheet cakes made their way into the house too! I love cake as much as the next girl..but this is just ridiculous.

 February makes me happy, Have a great Valentine's day!

winter weary

It turned into a perfect snowy scene for a bit around here.

This was one of those warm days right before it all melted. So quiet, all you could hear was the sound of plump birds rustling about in the brambles around this little semi-frozen pond.

Fresh air is good for the soul.

I dug into my cape collection for the first time this season, vintage and navy..two of my favorites!

Doubled up on the tights, an open weaved textured pair over basic thick ones- both in mint. A bit out of my usual comfort zone. I have what I like to call a "funny" bone in my right leg that curves strangely. My mom asked the Dr.about it growing up and he said they would have to "break it to make it perfect." No thanks.  But now I usually wear dark tights and try to not draw attention to my legs, I'm working on letting go of silly hang ups like that and embracing my quirks. Next it's my crooked little teeth haha! It's weird, I really love "flaws" on everyone else. 

My berets and beanies are coming in handy lately. I straightened my hair for the first time in forever..ah the joys of tirelessly growing out a pixie cut.

This winter has been taking its toll on me and I finally went to the Dr. for a check up for my thyroid autoimmune disorder (Hashimotos) and general run down-ness. I was diagnosed at around 10 but I haven't been treating it, or myself very well for that matter. Blood work was involved..needles are the worst. As someone who is afraid of going it's a small victory in itself, I kept putting it off.  I've been sad and anxious, and just haven't felt like my true self for far too long. A melancholy world. The hardest part for me was admitting that I can't fix everything on my own..and not being embarrassed about things I can't control.
 I'm headstrong and independent. And maybe a bit eccentric and aloof in general. Letting people in on how I'm feeling has always been tough for me. One of my goals this year is to take better care of myself. I'm on the right course and looking on the bright side!
 I've been busy on house renovations and living in a constant construction zone so I'm trying to get into some sort of schedule to balance everything out. I'm too all over the place most of the time to worry about myself and I need to make some changes.
It's my birthday week and Luke's on vacation, we're going to do some fun stuff around here. I'm excited!

Hope you have a great week!

hark!

♪Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums

Or so the story goes

Color the era

Film it as historical♪
lump sum

It's a Bon Iver, earl grey tea kind of weekend.

My couch/cuddling areas have been looking particularly cozy.

                                                                                                                                                                                   

pattern play

Fave floral ever- this perfect vintage fabric caught my eye a few years ago "unusual daphne" Nothing could go more perfect with the couch's unique shade of green.

chartreuse crushed velvet

I can't resist that tail and those little mitts.

Hope you had a great weekend!