On My Mind On Friday Morning

Have you heard of Loop? I can’t wait to try it!
NYC doors.
Ian McKellen owns a pub, I have to go to this one day!!
I’ve been wanting to visit more cemeteries in NJ. 2019 Might be the year, and here is some inspiration to go.
In my last post we talked about decluttering, here are some things I have been working on:

We have been renovating our kitchen forever, so we don’t have as much shelving as I would like. keeping the area decluttered is a constant struggle. But it’s a fun area to start with when I want to see progress and feel accomplished with my decluttering. Do you have areas of the house that are your go to declutter areas?

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I'm looking for a good, recycled, environmentally friendly, made in the USA, kitchen sponge. Is that too much to ask? I found a few: this one seems simple and good, these are all good options, and these all seem interesting, too.  Anyone out there have any ideas?
I love it when my favorite blogs seem to be reading my mind! Since we moved, we've had a huge junk mail problem, Erin has the answers! 
I love this blog from the NYC Zoos, and was so happy to see one of our favorite attractions from our favorite zoo featured!
New Zealand has a sock stealing cat.
Check out this Ultimate Guide to Quilt Sizes. Important info and a great graphic!

I've looked all around the internet for a good chart and easy access to quilt sizes, so I was so pleased when I was directed to Suzy Quilts article. Anyone have any other good resources on this subject?

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I want to replace our house numbers, my idea is to have ceramic ones, like in NOLA (I love 1 but they don't have the right numbers, 2, 3).
This is an interesting article and video about Linden, TN. (Previous article here)
Speaking of New Orleans; Two years ago, if you asked me to move to NOLA, I would have. In a heartbeat. After our trip last year, I might think about it for a few minutes. Here's an interesting take on the argument for, or against. 
Who in this day and age thinks it's a bad idea for kids to go barefoot? Interesting article on the benefits here. I really enjoy Lauren's blog as well. And I really enjoy going barefoot. Come one summer!!!
Here's an On My Mind... update:

We're working on our yard. Clearly, it needs it. 

Last time, I talked about a fire pit we might get. Above is the one we chose! We have only used it once, really, but I really like it. It's very simple design and function wise. I do want to get a grate to put over it, so that we can cook on it if we feel like. But for now, I'm waiting for the nights to get a wee warmer so we can spend them outside around the fire. 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

It's time we got a fire pit for the back yard (1, 2, 3).
MUSHROOMS!
Sunny's is a special place. 
Some interesting facts about common board games. 
One of my favorite juice recipes lately had been apple, spinach, red pepper, and lime. 

Speaking of Sunny's, soon after I saw the above article, I saw this one. 
I never met the man Sunny, but he was a Brooklyn legend, for sure. And his bar was a weird and wonderful place. I worry about it's fate now. 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

We need some more light in the house for sewing and projects. I like the one above, but I've lost the link... I also like this and this. 
These National Parks look gorgeous, but I wish more of them were closer to me, or at least on the east coast. 
These simple and lovely, natural ornaments are great. We don't have a real tree this year (but we do have a real tree....), but I might decorate our makeshift one with these. Erin has lots of great holiday ideas, so check out all the links in her post. 
Loving this trailer. Better than the actual one... Maybe. But I wish they had dubbed in Jean's old voice and gotten rid of the new one. 
We're all fighting winter sickness here, but Tom is starting to feel better:

Photo by @anlight.

Recently Researching: We've been making Borax crystals! This is a super fun and easy science project with some really lovely results. I plan on doing a how-to post soon. I want to try some other home grown crystals soon!  

Now you: Have you ever made any crystals at home?

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I'm looking for just the right decorative L bracket to secure a shelf in the bathroom. I like this, this and this!
This was a man after my own heart.
And if we are talking cool retro photos of NYC, these are pretty good also. 
I love this instagram. I think I need a personal practice in my life. 
This is the vintage French wallpaper (pictured below) I found to put up in our hallway. Now, I just have to learn how to hang it!

Recently Researching: See above!
This is a pretty comprehensive seeming tutorial for wallpaper hanging. 
This site is a little more annoying bc of layout and ads but has a really step by step process. 
Good old Martha Stewart. 

Now I'm asking you: Have you ever wallpapered a room or wall? Any tips or tricks?

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I only want to wear leggings, forever 1 2 3. (But being old, I can only wear them under skirts or dresses). 
I don't think I've talked about this amazing map yet. 
This is pretty adorbs. 
I might need this in my life. For specimens, of course.
My new couch:

Now that the cats are in the house, it doesn't look nearly so new. 

A oMMoFM update:
-I bought these yoga pants to satisfy my sweatpants craving... I've worn them only once, and discovered there was a hole in the seam! 
-I made pickled radishes using my own recipe (2 part vinegar to 1 parts sugar + peppercorns in the pickling jar, pour to cover in jar, leave in fridge for 2 day to marinate) and they turned out awesome!! I haven't gotten to eat many of them yet, but they would be great in salads and as a pickley side. I just them a little think for sandwiches, but they would be good for that, too. 
-As you can see from above, we decided on a couch!

On My Mind on Friday Morning

Now that the weather is colder, I'm dreaming about being bundled up at home. I can just picture quilting and feeling snug in these, these, or these.  
I've been drinking a lot of Dona Chai with almond milk and house-made vanilla syrup. 
In other food news, I got a ton of radishes and beets in my CSA this week and was thinking about pickling them... Anyone have any good recipes?
My new lamp!:

Recently I'm researching: Porcelain Berries. 
I discovered these crazy colored berries in our back yard the other day. Bright teal, purple, pink, green! So weird and cool. Apperatently they are an invasive species, tho, so that's kinda sad. 

Right now I'm asking you:
Have you discovered anything cool in your yard recently?

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I am considering a new back pack... I like this, this, this.  
House portraits.
Beignets
I've been drinking a lot of black coffee lately. Yum. 
Lake swimming:

Gantt Lake satisfied my Summer lake craving. Somewhat. 

Right now I'm learning about:
The Autumnal Equinox was on Wednesday 9/23. Meaning "equal night", the equinox is when the day and night time are the same length (pretty much) which happens twice a year. It's opposite is the solstice, which is either the longest or shortest day of the year (the Winter solstice is December 22nd, 2015). The Autumnal Equinox is often associated with harvest celebrations, and a connection with the underworld and dead (Persephone was said to return to Hades on the equinox). This year, it comes about 5 days before a rare celestial event, a Super Moon Eclipse. 

Right Now I'm Asking YOU:
Will you be watching the Super Moon Eclipse? Do you follow the celestial days through out the year? If so, how do you observe or celebrate them?

On My Mind On Friday Morning

This basket shelf. I don't know what I'd do with it but I can't stop thinking about it. 
I can't wait to try this veggie ramen recipe. 
September swims.
Cayuga ducks.
Poor Pit; he's under the weather:

Right now I'm learning about:
Someone asked me the other day why we cant wear white after Labor Day. Personally I love Winter white. But personally, I barely ever wear white anyway.
But it did get me thinking what the history and origins of that odd tradition might be.
Seems like the main reasons are very practical. Wearing white and light colors keeps you cooler In the summer than wearing dark colors. Also it seems that white is easier to maintain in the summertime. You can easily keep your whites white while flitting thru fields of wild flowers and lounging by mountain streams. But it's hard to maintain that hue while shlepping in the snow and rain. 
There also seems to be a class issue at work. Before white was widely popular only the richies could afford to maintain such garments. It was even used to distinguish old money from new. 

Right now I'm asking YOU:
Do you wear white after Labor Day? What are your favorite fall colors? 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

A few month ago I tried to come up with a semi regular series about what I was learning about that week. I still really like the idea of that, but it didn't quite translate the way I was hoping. It was too long, too boring, and too time consuming to write. 
So instead, I'm just going to let you know what's On My Mind on Friday Mornings. 

Couches, couches, and more couches.  
This cute bralette.
A book I can really sink my teeth into. 
This view:

It doesn't look like much but it's pretty special.

Right now I'm asking YOU:
We're headed out to NOLA for a few days this month and suggestions are wanted! Any thoughts on where to eat, where to play, what to see? Ideas are much appreciated.