Friday Film

Two movies I can't wait to see this summer! (How about that new Shins song?)

SOLD!

After many years of moving, we're thrilled to finally have a home to call our very own...and hopefully for a good, long while. The house matches our aesthetic perfectly, both inside and out, and reminds us so much of the bungalows we ogled over in Portland. 

Along with the excitement of homeownership, it's also nice to feel settled enough in a town to want to really stick around for years to come. I can't say enough good things about our set up here and am grateful for the people we've met, the jobs we have, the family nearby, and the old mountains that surround us. Cheers to new beginnings (and a mortgage!) 

Not-So-New Music Tuesdays

Thanks to the Left As Rain music blog, I discovered this fantastic album from the 70s. Who knew funky and gospel could exist as one?

Skirt Steak Salad

Many thanks to Sunset Magazine for this delicious and flavorful recipe. It's a perfect dish for these summer-like days we've been having. 

Ingredients:
2 T mustard
3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1 t balsamic vinegar
1/4 t s&p
1 lb skirt steak, cut into pieces
5 oz. arugula
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 green onions, chopped
3 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
2 T lemon juice
1/4 c olive oil

1. Heat a grill to high heat - 450-550 degrees. Mix mustard, Worcestershire, vinegar, s&p in a medium bowl. Add steak, tossing to coat.
2. Grill steak, turning once halfway through, 6-8 minutes for medium. Let rest, covered with foil, 10 minutes before slicing.
3. Put remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently to combine. Divide salad among 4 plates and serve steak over salad.

Treat Yourself

Enjoy the long holiday weekend! It's a beautiful one here in Virginia.

Food Photography At Its Finest

(c) Alanna Taylor-Tobin

The Bojon Gourmet has clearly mastered the art of food photography. Her images and recipes make me want to cook and eat everything in sight.

Vertical Gardens Worldwide

via here

via here 

via here

Those Chairs!

via Design Sponge

The whole house is wonderful, but those dining room chairs stopped me in my tracks. I'm in the market!

New Music Tuesdays

I don't really know a lot about this band, but the few songs I've heard are great.

Bookmarked

Out my back porch.

+ new Elizabeth Gilbert TED talk

+ READ

+ Collaborating with Chance

+ How to increase creativity? Take a walk. 

+ Another Mirah tune just because...

+ A recipe for the week!

Writer Up

What better way for my brother to enter the "real world" than by biking across America? He and two friends will embark on this adventure TODAY via the TransAmerica route which begins in Yorktown, Virginia and ends in Astoria, Oregon. You can follow along on his blog, Writer Up. Safe travels, Carson!

Sidenote: if you happen to be in the area, I'm certain they would welcome showers, home cooked meals, and/or a plot of land to pitch their tents.

Watching, As Of Late

+ Prisoners (for the thriller types)
+ Muscle Shoals (for the music lovers)
+ Cutie and the Boxer (for the artists and creatives)
+ Out of the Furnace (for the Christian Bale fanatics)

The Graduate

Congrats, Carson! As my girl Mary Oliver says, tell me - what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

The World Awaits

via here

The week is flying by and you will hear no complaints from me on the matter! Tomorrow, we head to Lexington, Virginia for my brother's graduation. I'm so proud of his accomplishments but even more excited to see where he lands next. The world awaits!

New Music Tuesdays

Mirah's Change of Light has been my May anthem so far. Thanks to NPR, I've streamed the whole thing a hundred times over. Those who know me know I'm not kidding!

Two Philosophies

via Remain Simple

For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.

-Neil deGrasse Tyson

New Music Tuesdays

The First Aid Kit sisters are back.

Bear Church Rock

My brother was in town this past weekend, so the three of us hit the park and hiked. Bear Church Rock took us along two gorgeous rivers and up serious elevation. Everything was green green green. Reminded me a little bit of Oregon. So excited that hiking season is upon us again!

Friday Film

Thought this was the most fun. Happy Friday!

May Days

Mono Loco - the perfect place for anything al fresco. 

I most definitely spoke too soon and am in a full on allergy coma. However, the sun timed its return perfectly yesterday and kicked off this new month in a warm, welcoming kind of way.

It's been awhile since I've given much thought to goals, let alone document them here. For May, I'm consciously trying to spend less time behind screens - computer and phone included! With that comes Facebook. I deactivated my account with the hopes of freeing up HOURS of my day. I gain very little while scrolling through my news feed...screen shots of weather, unsolicited political opinions, etc. What a waste, right? Instead, I should be reading, writing, cooking, or hell, being still for a change.

Also working on my sugar habit. I wouldn't say I'm addicted, but I do expect dessert after dinner. After doing some reading, I'm paring down and going for an every other day sweet fix. Baby steps, people.

Any habits you'd like to work on? Spring is always a nice time to jump start change.