On My Mind Mondays: Even Keel -turns into - Feel Me, Read Me, Watch Me, Eat Me,

So I started this on Monday, and voila!  it's Friday.  Makes it almost sound like I made Friday come magically rather than chronologically.

I've been working on getting back to my regular life, with its routines and rituals, for the past week.  February was quite challenging as I was away or traveling fourteen out of the 28 days of the month.  Sure, it seemed like a good idea at the time (part of the macro versus micro discussion), and I did have fun, but it does take a bit to get back to everyday life afterwards.  One morning I was curious why I had so much free time while my coffee was brewing, and then I remembered that I usually put away the clean dishes while I'm making my coffee.  A few weeks away, and I forget what I'm supposed to do.

After a weekend off, and at home, we're both starting to get back into our groove.  But I'm trying to take it slowly; I have the tendency to jump head-first into things, which can lead to premature burn-out.  I'm in it for the long haul now.

Meanwhile, fast forward to Friday...

So the ladyfriend calls me into the living room to see something this morning, and what I get to see is the terribly talented and super cute Erik Karlsson winking at someone on the ice. It also gave me the opportunity to learn how to record, via Quicktime, something on my computer.   The video is a little jumpy, but you do get to see the wink.

I often wish he'd come to the Rangers.  That would be a dream come true!

He's Swedish, but it reminds me of this cool Kickstarter campaign I was directed to by Viking Biking:

I'm totally into the rain skirt, something I'd thought of trying to make myself before.  I like the designs she has.  I love that the poncho was originally designed for stylish Muslim women who wear burkas.  The three-person rain poncho is pretty funny; a sense of humour is always good.

One of the things I'm interested in learning is natural dyeing, being an original RIT dye kind of gal (oh, the options it afforded you, and so easy!), but this article from Hand/Eye demonstrates that just because a dye isn't "natural" doesn't mean it's not sustainable or environmentally friendly.  The dye pots remind me of the vinegar mother Sean Brock (on The Mind of a Chef) talked about dating back to his grandmother (and possibly further).  I really like the idea of a perpetual pot of dye, or a generations-old vinegar mother (or kombucha scoby or sourdough starter, for that matter).

I recently finished The Third Plate by Dan Barber and was introduced to Glenn Roberts of Anson Mills.   He's working on bringing back heritage grains, particularly those essential to the Carolina Rice Kitchen.  I'm hoping to get a few friends together to place an order (shipping is costly because the grains are refrigerated) soon; I'll report back on my progress and hopefully the grains themselves.

Okay, if I try to start another subject, I'll never get this post up.  Sure, there's more going on, but I'll save that for another post.

Have an awesome weekend!

Thoughts on Oscars Red Carpet Commentary - Part 1

I don't tweet, but I'm watching the E! network coverage of the Oscars' red carpet, and there are thoughts I can't keep back at the moment:

1.  Does Kelly Osborne actually know what ruching is?
2 a.  Why do we care what Khloe Khardashian thinks about the dresses?
2b.  Clearly Khloe has very traditional/conservative tastes.  Are you really saying that a beautiful light pink or peach couture dress isn't red carpet?  Is that why you're wearing red?  Can we say obvious?

I'm sure I'll have more comments as the evening goes on...

But here's the beauty of it all - during the commercials, I switch to the Rangers/Blue Jackets game.  The best of both worlds!

Nashville: Where Claudia & John Get a Day Off

It was time for a day off.   Last night we got to watch the Rangers-Montreal game (I'm soooo excited!!!!!) and caught up on laundry.  Today we took care of our bikes, bodies, and business and then headed downtown.

First stop was lunch at Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant.  I finally got a hot chicken sandwich, which was pretty damn tasty, and had a great beer - Good People IPA from Birmingham, Alabama.

Then I took my dad to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  The ladyfriend and I had gone when we'd come to Nashville a few years ago, but we got there late and couldn't take the whole thing in.  So this time my dad and I made the time to go downtown and check it out.

You can never have have too many hats, gloves, and shoes

Those are some steppy outfits!

I could wear this.

Thought this was a nice take on the bike rack although I'm still not convinced that Nashville is really bike-friendly.

And then, we came back to our home base, and I made dinner.  It was the perfect way to end the day.  Tomorrow, onto Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The Run is Over, But the Love Remains

Dear New York Rangers -

Firstly, let me congratulate you on an outstanding season.  It was a thrill to watch the team really come together this year.  Perhaps the pundits were surprised by your success, but any Ranger fan paying attention knew that this was part of the overall plan.

Of course I'm mourning your loss to the Devils (of all teams!).  My hate for the Devils is only overshadowed by the pure love I feel for you.  I mean it.  You work hard, you're tough, and you're my team.  I love you when you're down, and I love you when you're up.  We're in it for the long haul.

I know that this summer will be tinged with disappointment, but I think we can work through this and come back stronger in the fall.  We have many young players and an amazing coach in Torts - and I'm proud to bleed Ranger blue.

To hell with the Devils.  I won't be rooting for an LA win but a devastating defeat of the Devils.

Love,
Claudia