final days of summer.

For whatever reason-- and I hate to admit it out loud-- this summer has felt like a wash. Between unexpected travel, moving, wedding decision stress, and dealing with the hottest weather ever, I feel as though summer lasted for a matter of days.

Still-- I'd like to try to cross some things off of my list of things I had hoped to do during this summer that never was:

1. Bake this peach pie

2. Go for a picnic near the lake

3. Go to a movie in the park

4. Can fruit/make some preserves/ host a canning party

Do any of you still have items on your summer list, friends?

Photo via Alyson

have a lovely weekend.

Even though I've been a very bad blogger yet again this week, I wanted to quickly wish everyone a delightful weekend. I'm so wiped out from the week, and Johnny is working a lot this weekend, but my mom is coming in town so I just hope to have a good time relaxing and staying warm. Happy Valentine's, lovelies. xoxo.

photo by so annie waits

love on paper.

I'm smitten for these new cards from Rifle Paper Co. I have to admit-- I'm kind of a sucker for handwritten love notes on Valentine's Day. My grandparnets and my mother always gave me Valentine cards, which is why I think I find them so darn special.

sartorialist crush.

Oh, how I adore this look. Those platform lace-up shoes are awesome with the black tights and the largeness of her coat is great. Who says you can't look completely fabulous all bundled up?

Photo via the Sartorialist.

soup sunday.

In an effort to start the year off right with weekly soup making, I made this soup Sunday night. I used green lentils instead of red (it's what we had) and substituted kale for the chard (I love the crunchy texture of kale in soup). I didn't put the yogurt on top even though I had greek yogurt in the fridge, and I added pepper along with a decent amount of salt for flavor. If you don't mind your house smelling strongly of curry, I'd highly recommend. So hearty, healthy and delicious.

P.S. Johnny added lemon to brighten the flavor when I wasn't looking.

photo from Epicurious

'cause everybody else is.

Generally speaking, I'm not the hugest fan of New Years resolutions. It usually feels like a giant trap to me (when really, it should be freeing, right?), and I meet goals better when they come sporadically; however, what I do love about the New Year is that it offers a space of time to think and reflect over the past year, and always gives a little glimmer of hope toward the months ahead. So, even though I might break 'em, I'm going to make a little list to try to stick to, because some of these goals are really necessary for my overall sense of health and balance (P.S. Check out Abigail's resolution. I really adore it.)

1). Get more sleep. On a consistent basis. Seriously. This is one of my largest weaknesses, and now that I'm waking up even earlier for teaching (like 5 A.M., people), I must make it a priority to go to bed earlier.

2). Sign up for a month of yoga at a local studio (baby steps).

3). Drink more tea, and less coffee.

4). Spend less time on the internets. This is another major weakness of mine. At the same time, I want to blog more and read just as much as I do on the interwebs, but I really need to avoid internet "time suckage." It's evil and makes me turn into a crank.

5). Make soup weekly. Because nothing beats a big pot of soup on the stove in the winter.

What are some of your resolutions, friends?

Photograph by Jennifer Causey. Check out the recipe for the soup above here.

red barns and snow.

Note to self: whenever you begin to curse the snow this winter, think of what life would be like without red barns surrounded in white.

Happy January, snowbunnies!

Photo 1 , Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4.

auld lang syne.

Interrupting regular scheduled programming to offer this lovely version of Auld Lang Syne, from Paolo Nutini.

(Found thanks to my mother).

happy new year!

Hope each of you have a cozy evening--whatever you end up doing. I have a friend in town and our plans are still up in the air, of course. I really want to just stay home with a cheese plate and wear a giant sweater. We'll see. . . Either way, here's to 2010, friends!

photography from topalumbo's photostream (found via Rifle Design)

socks.

Oh, how these photos from the incredibly talented Elisabeth Dunker make me swoon. I really hope to get some lazy couch time filled with books, old movies and cozy socks this week. . .

(found via You are My Fave)

merry, merry.

Hope you are having a very merry holiday and stuffing yourselves silly. Thank you so much to each of you for being lovely readers and online friends. xo.

photo of Johnny and I taken by my lovely friend Kristen

a nyc holiday.

Well hello, friends. I've been out of touch the past few days because Johnny and I have been traveling along the East Coast. We managed to make it to NYC successfully amidst the snow storm, and beforehand, stopped in Boston to catch up with dear friends. It was delightful to be back, and to spend time with some of our favorite people. On Sunday, we took the train up from Boston to NYC and the snow made for such a scenic trip. We had so much fun frolicking around the Village on Sunday night (and had the best brunch ever at this place yesterday morning). Johnny's family got into town last night, and we went out for pizza and then came home and played two heated rounds of Yahtzee. Whenever I'm here, I'm ready to pack my bags and move (even though I really do think Chicago is the best).

I'll be checking in again before Christmas, but wanted to wish each of you a very merry little holiday season. May the days ahead be filled with love, merriment and loads of simple joys. xo.

photo via samantha

Giving Thanks.

A few weeks ago, Johnny and I were walking home from grabbing dinner, and as we walked by Wicker Park, we noticed a few circles of homeless people near the entry way. We also noticed a young couple our age walking up to them--delivering a huge pot of food. Completely unprompted and under the name of no organization, this sweet couple simply got in their car on a cold November evening, and delivered some hot food to those in need. It was lovely. It was more than lovely, though. It kind of felt like yes, right, why didn't I think of that? I did feel stupid. And was guilt-ridden, too.

Right then and there, I told Johnny I wanted to go home and take a batch of cookies that we had waiting in our kitchen and bring them to the park. . . lo and behold, that never happened. This couple had beat us-- they had better hearts than we. I know that's silly to say, but it's how I felt. Regardless, this powerful gesture from this unknown couple is one I keep thinking about.

I was once again reminded that it doesn't take signing up for an event (while that is of course awesome), or even volunteering in a soup kitchen. For those of us who live in big cities, there are people around the corner, down the street, and in our parks. Of course, I'm no one to talk because I've had yet to make the move, but I guess I'm wondering in what ways I can share this holiday season (and not just on the actual holiday, itself)-- either through delivering a batch of leftovers that will likely go to waste in the fridge, or making a little extra to spread beyond the home.

And, in the spirit of giving, tell me, dear friends, what are some items on your list that you're thankful for this year? I'm thankful for. . .

*Chicago beginning to feel like home

*friends that live far away to madly miss & friends that live near

*the kindness of strangers

*living closer to family (and having family far away to madly miss, too)

*food to cook

*an awesome man friend to cook with

*my health

and

YOU, my small, lovely, faithful group of readers. Thank you so much for reading while I traverse through this wild world of blogville.

I wish you such a fantastic Thanksgiving, and will see you on Monday.

(photo of Julia Child, source unknown)

fall is here.

and i'm loving the look of casual flannel a bit dressed up in j.crew's new catalog. hello to long sweaters, colorful tights, crunching on leaves, sipping spiced cider and wearing men's shirts. . .

eco-friendly edition #8.

i've been feeling a little sad and down in the dumps the past couple of days, so instead of featuring a product, i give you these beautifully green and calming photos from linnphotography. they remind me of being in ireland. i'm planning to go spend some time outdoors today, soaking up the cusp of the changing season from summer to fall. xo.

found thanks to joanna via abbey

I Want.

i'm contemplating making this cake tomorrow, in our new kitchen that is nowhere near unpacked. the initial days in chicago are going great, and we're in love with our neighborhood, bucktown. happy 4th of july to everyone, and enjoy whatever you might be doing in your neck of the woods, whether cooking or eating or sun-bathing.

Photo a la Gourmet