11 things

so, i saw this on Julie's blog today and it reminded me so much of those emails that used to go around in college that you were to complete and forward back to friends ... I thought i'd do it and would LOVE my fellow bloggy friends to do it too!

11 things you might not know about me...

1. I was a true vegetarian for 11 years, but began eating fish & small quantities of meat (if I know where it comes from) more recently after reading a lot of Michael Pollan. At times being veg made me feel very disconnected from my family and our culture.

2. D. and I met in high school. We are high school sweethearts. We first got to know each other from tennis team. We knew each other as friends for several years. I thought he was very funny, but had no idea he liked me (from what he says he had a crush on me for 2 years before asking me out). One day I was in the parking lot on campus taking photos for photography class, and he ran me down. and very awkwardly asked me on a date. I said yes. We married young and yes we are very happy and still very much in love.

3. I don't like cell phones, although I own one, I don't know how to text or access the internets on it :)

4. Although I feel like I have my dream job (full-time, teaching, near my family, in a cool city) if I were to become anything else it would be an Ayurvedic Practicioner.

5. I like everything about food... eating it, preparing it, growing it, studying it! My favorite cookbook right now is Deborah Madison's, Local Flavors.

6. Writing my dissertation is slowly eating away at my soul, (not completely, just a little), but I'm really committed to the goal of finishing (this summer, woot!).

7. I don't like when people list  "meeting new people" as a hobby.  I prefer to have a few good friends that I am extremely loyal to and know lots about. When I do meet new people I prefer to get to know them gradually and cultivate a sincere connection with them.

8. I have recently become addicted to coffee. I did not begin drinking it until I was in graduate school. After that only occasionally. I feel as though I have now entered a whole new kind of "old" because I drink at least 1-2 cups daily now.

9. I don't like the night time and I'm not a huge fan of sleeping. I much prefer early mornings and the day light.

10. I sort of grew up in the 1950s & 1960s. Actually, my mother did. But her and I share a very close relationship, therefore much of her musical taste and preferences for things from the era have rubbed off on me. Some of my greatest memories are the two of us, windows rolled down, cruising around town, singing at the top of our lungs while the radio was blaring "Build me up Buttercup."

11. If I was musically inclined and could learn (and afford) any instrument in the world, I would take up the accordion. I love Italian & French folk music, Zydeco, polka, Mexican Banda... you name it, I love anything with that classic 2-steppy sound. This is a dream, but I'm still hopeful that someday I might take it up and actually learn it, I just don't know how to read music so I find the whole process of learning to play an instrument very intimidating.

Ok, that is me. I REALLY would love to hear your 11 things, so I'd like to tag anyone interested in posting....

less is more.

I've been so excited about moving, I can't seem to focus on the million things I'm suppose to be doing... like editing the dissertation, grading papers and preparing lectures. Instead I've been doing what any gal would do this fine V-day afternoon... browsing for some new home decorating inspiration ideas.

Going with the whole goal of downsizing, I don't want to spend any money on redecorating our new space, instead I'd like to refurbish or rehabilitate what we've already got. 

Source: pinkpostcard.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

I really love the idea of painting our current coffee table this color... 

Source: heartcityvintage.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Aren't these so cool? faux flower mobiles, who says babies get all the fun stuff? 

Source: absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

You can kind of see what I'm going for in our new place, which reminds me very much of an old key west cottage...  although I could probably live without wicker