Let's hear it for the boys

Hospitality, how I wish I offered it more. In the current Magnolia Journal there is a whole spread dedicated to opening up your home, throwing down some soup and calling up your friends. Said article is currently hanging on my cork board, and each time I pass it I brainstorm a way we could make it happen. I yearn for it, for space enough to have folks over. We currently maximize all of our 1,200 square feet and I just couldn't envision another family of 4 dropping in for an evening of fun, scratch that chaos that would be a meal at our house. 

I've been lamenting over our current situation this week, lusting after a larger living room, a larger dining room with a table big enough for friends. But as one of our international friends left our house tonight, this blog post came to mind. While I don't have space to feed another family for dinner or host our small group we have had and continue to have space for "the boys". We affectionately call them "boys" because most have been 18-20 years of age. 

We've hosted three different groups of students during our years in Tuscaloosa, this year included. First from Brazil, Germany and Austria and now India. It's been our pleasure to offer meals, games, dessert, and hangouts around town to our guests. 

The great thing about "our boys" is that they're relaxed. They don't mind that my house isn't immaculate, or that my oven and now my house are smoking from the spilled contents or that my children are children in our home. And for that I'm so grateful. This thing I have been lusting after, this opportunity to open our home and provide a meal hasn't come in the most traditional form but it has come nonetheless so let's hear if for the boys. Thank you for coming!

Sharing

I feel as if I'm living in some alternate reality. Think "Pleasantville" or 1950's a throwback to a time when people knew their neighbors. And I don't mean know their name or what kind of car they drive but details like what they did on their last vacation, what they are watching on tv tonight, whether or not their toddler is embracing potty training or where their child got their latest bruise or whether or not I'm pregnant; you know details we introverts like to keep to ourselves.

We like our home, we like the location in town and the giant backyard that we don't have to maintain. We like that it is one of the few spots in town to have sidewalks. But what I'm finding hard to live with is that we also share our leisure space with all the other folks on our street; our neighbors.

I recently read a book "Assimilate or Go Home", the author and her husband purposefully move into apartment housing to live in closer community to others. They have a fierce desire to know their neighbors, to love them and serve them. It sounds so good, reading it on the page that is, living it out is proving to be harder than I like. It's not that I don't want to know the people living down the street but usually my first inclination is to get the mail and hide out in my backyard or inside my house, meanwhile my extroverted husband and daughter are itching for a walk, socialization i.e. neighbor time.

And so we've settled into a routine; checking mail and taking a walk after dinner. Part of me hopes there won't be anyone out, that they'll be too busy to talk and we can quickly circle back home. I do enjoy talking with them and being blessed by the parenting comradery and gifts of toys they seem to think my daughter needs but man does it stretch me.

Toys that often come with parenting instruction that our sweet neighbors think Isabel "needs"

It's uncomfortable to share, to make conversation. It feels unnatural and often times I dread it but I'm pretty sure it's good for me and I definitely don't want my daughter to be holed up inside all because mom couldn't manage a 15 minute convo with the neighbor, revealing intimate details like what house number is ours (please don't come knocking) and what our families future plans are (read a hint, just a hint of sarcasm in this last sentence, there is also a lot of truth)

So to my husband who hopes we always live in townhouses with shared leisure space I can't say I'll always be on board with that plan thanks for dragging this introvert along,  this time anyway.

In my angst

Today was one of those days, actually this week there have been many of 'those' days. Days where my inability to control my life makes me frustrated, and downright angry. Go on an laugh, my husband often does, always telling me I never had control of it in the first place but I like to operate under the illusion that I do, that I have a least, maybe just a little, say it how things go.

Right now we are in a season of waiting. I hate it. It's so uncomfortable to be in limbo. This week I've felt like our life is on pause, while we await answers to our future; desperate to plan, prepare and dream about what's to come my anger and frustration grow.

We have a small pocket of trees right off our back patio, maybe 15 small trees grow together. When we moved into our place last August the largest of the trees didn't have any leaves. We often lamented the loss, especially in August and September, willing there to be a least a little protection from the whisp of the leafless branch. A few weeks ago, like magic, all the trees began to sprout their green buds and leaves, except of course what we have come to call our 'skeleton' tree.

I begged Dan to let me prune the tree, as there were no leaves last summer and I was tired of looking at the long skinny branch, taunting me with its ugly bare bones. We agreed I'd wait, at least a few weeks more, maybe it was a late bloomer. I waited, but I could bear it no longer, I took my clippers and began to hack away at the skeleton. What I didn't notice, until after the first clip of course, was that there were the tiniest green buds sprouting on the skeleton. In my haste I cut off our longest shade branch, a commodity if there ever was one on the back patio. I felt sick.

Patience has never been my strength. When Isabel was growing larger and larger in my belly and working her way further and further past her due date my OB told me that if I knew baby was coming tomorrow I could most definitely wait, it wasn't that I was unable but it was the unknown that was the tricky part. The unknown; when will the baby be here, will the tree ever bloom, will we ever be able to make plans for upcoming months?

This week as I was analyzing my feelings, this happens a lot around our house, I realized my life could very quickly becoming another short limb. If I'm not careful I could very easily take matters into my own hands, rushing and pushing and even cutting. In my desperate search for plans what I really need is peace, a large dose of peace as we wait out the uncomfortable stretch of what's to come. Please pray for patience before I start hacking away. 

You can come too

We went to the zoo today. It was probably one of those "Mom and Dad are enjoying this more than you, kid" kinda trips but regardless we took advantage of half price Tuesday and the humid free day; taking in the sad but exciting exhibits. I think once you've seen the real thing in person the zoo just isn't the same. But Isabel didn't know the difference, about anything really, she was just excited to be walking around (a skill just one month fresh).

A little rant here: The zoo is so pathetic really, seeing the skin folding over the giraffe's meatless bones or the small bald eagles quarters, or the blue paint behind the monkey's "tree" or the mounds of dust balls collecting outside the otters cage, it is all just really depressing. You know what's really cool is chasing a giraffe though the tall grasses in Kenya, or seeing an eagle fly over the Port Susan Bay in Washington, or have a real live monkey walk all over your dinning room table and cling to your dress skirt begging for after dinner scraps. That's what I want for Isabel, none of this viewing the elephants with the freeway speeding behind but real, up close and personal animals, hippos that bump the bottom of your boat on safari; more of that!  Rant over. 

Besides the let down of the zoo, our day brought back memories. Not of trips to the zoo but of days packed with summer. Growing up at home my mom would always take us to the water-slides or the river; our days smelled of sunscreen and a little sweat and after a full day of activity we slithered back into the car and dragged our weary bones home. I'm pretty sure being on the other side of the scenario this time I was even more bone weary and still smelled of sunscreen and dare I say a little more sweat than the childhood me, but I felt happy as we dragged tired happy selves into the house. It was our turn today, our turn to create a day of fun for little Isabel, our turn to chase her around, herding her like cats to the next exhibit, it was our turn to lather on the sunscreen and pack the picnic lunch and create some excitement, faux tree and all.

Spring has sprung

Thankfully, we don't have a very long winter to sit though, nevertheless, I've been itching for Spring; for some fresh dirt, some bloomin' trees and warmer weather. It's official it has arrived! Spring for us means a break from school, trees blooming end of Feburary/beginning of March: shouting loudly "I'm here". There are still many vines and trees that lie sleeping but the hope of more is present, mmm new life!

Since we have a break from routine we are soaking up the warm weather with lots of time outside, dining alfresco, Dan's favorite. 

We've also spruced up our trees out back and planted a small garden. These last four years I've been planting in containers; fun, but not nearly as fun as planting in the ground. I've been salivating for some space to make my own. Today we broke ground. 

These next few months are some of my favorite in Tuscaloosa, warm and sunny minus the humidity. We've taken it upon ourselves to soak it up before May marches in with scorching, humid days. 

Bloomin

One of my favorite things about Alabama is something is always in bloom, even in September. 

This one is right outside our kitchen window!

Quirky Spaces

Our new home is a little older than our last, a little less expensive and a little older. Guess you can't have it all. True to form our older home has "character", think more quirky and sometimes even tacky spaces rather than charming windows and wood detailing that may come to mind. I won't lie, the decorator in me really loved adding our touch to these spaces, making them a little less odd and a lot more functional. Here are some before and afters. 

Maybe this isn't very clear but what we have here folks is a built in vanity. Last I checked I, or anyone else I know, do not have time to sit down to put on makeup. Do you? So, out with the vanity and in with the.....craft space! Ahhh, now that I can get on board with (and sit down for).

Quirky space number two is under the stairs. What is one to do, besides get a constant realignment from their chiropractor, with an under the stairs space?

How about an office space? Really more of storage space for office gear 'cause again, the whole chiropractor thing. But it works, and I love that we've made something great out of something odd. 

Stay tuned for more odd duck renovations. 

Perks

We've moved! I'm sure this isn't as exciting to you as it is for us, moving for us means more than a change of address. As I'm sure you know moving involves more than packing boxes, it also involves unpacking boxes, just kidding. We all know there is more to moving than hauling your stuff across town. This month we moved for many reasons. One of which was to increase our walkability to.......anywhere besides the apartment complex. Our old place was on a highway, and while there were joys of living on the stadium route (again, kidding) we found we needed a little more room to stretch our legs, especially post baby. 

Let me also let you in on a little secret. Dan's dream is to lead a life where he doesn't own a car. He'd someday like to live in the heart of it, public transport taking him wherever he needed to go and the rest within walking distance. Can you see city living in our future? Our move this month brought us one step closer to his dream and one step closer to mine of taking babe for a walk without risking our lives crossing the 50mph highway traffic. I think Grandmas everywhere just breathed a sigh of relief. 

So if you're grandma or if you too like city living then this blog post is for you. This weekend we set out on our first "walkable" adventure to a nearby coffee shop for, you guessed it: coffee and some sausage biscuits :). 

And get this, there are even sidewalks for part of the way! You know its a good day when you find any sort of sidewalk, for any part of your adventure (they aren't a very high priority here I guess).

10 points if babe falls asleep on the walk home. Here's to many more walkable adventures.

The land that time forgot

You've wondered if time travel is possible and we're here to tell you that yes, yes it is. Travel back with me will you?

(Disclaimer: This post has doesn't have any baby photos, so if you're a baby junkie stay tuned.)

An hour south of Tuscaloosa is the sleepy little town of Greensboro, AL or if you prefer the Catfish Capital of Alabama; home of the Pie Lab.

We went for one reason: Dessert. Well, pie, specifically. It seems this is probably one of the only things this town has going for it, or at least it appears that way from the looks of Main St.

Sometimes you just need to stretch out, to break free from the confines of Tuscaloosa and savor something different, maybe a slice of coconut cream or chocolate bourbon pecan. Yep, this was just what Saturday ordered. Complete with farm tables and exposed brick, this restaurant brought Pinterest to life. 

Bonus: If you are looking for a place to shoot your next 1950s flick look no further than our very own Greensboro.

Hale County Library: reminds me of something from the set of  Pleasantville

Two places at once

Have you ever tried to live in two places at once? Believe me, I've tried it doesn't work. You end up missing one place and missing out on the place you currently live. I cannot live in both Washington and Alabama, I've tried unsuccessfully. Thus, Dan and I made the choice to be engaged- 

wherever we may live. 

I've also tried to live in both the States and Nigeria, this too was a failed attempt. This is a reality I'd rather not face sometimes; like today, when I really would love to be transported back, to live in both places at once. We've engaged ourselves in friendships and work and church here and yet every time Phyllis sends out an update from Nigeria or when friends go back from a visit I get a twinge of excitement sprinkled with jealousy. 

Oh, how I wish I could breathe in some hot, humid air from the bush. 

Or spend some time with the people I love. 

Alas, I live here and not there. So for now I'll breathe in some hot, humid air from our bush 

and spend time with the people I love, love, love. 

One Year Old

One year ago I was bursting at the seams, dying to tell you about our new job and move to the south. We decided to wait until we were sure we were moving and until we had notified our previous employer. No employer should find out you're leaving your job via your blog, but I'm sure you already knew that. So with great joy I began to write. It became routine and therapeutic to put down my thoughts and I so love to hear your feedback. 

You've been faithful readers, I appreciate that. It's always helpful to know that my ideas are interesting to you too.
If you haven't guessed already today is the one year anniversary of our (read the royal we, Dan is very helpful for grammatical checks and spelling assistance) blog, Happy Birthday Blog!

If you've been reading for a year, happy anniversary to you too.  Let's recount the year, shall we?

We have readers from across the world, some countries I know people who live there and some I don't, we have readers from Japan, South Korea and the UK, to name a few.

You've been with us as we quit our jobs, packed up our apartment and drove cross country. You were with us when our car cars had trouble and you watched as we discovered the South. It has been an experience; interesting, difficult, and exciting experience. Thanks for coming along!

A big shout out to our most popular post Bow to your partner. I think it must be the title?

Alien Invasion and Unidentified Objects

So we signed up for this CSA, which we love; mostly. We love that we get fresh greens each week, and I do mean fresh, not grown with chemicals or made to ripen with strange fumes. 

Bonus: We are swimming in salad greens and strawberries, who doesn't love a fresh salad? If you are looking for ideas ask us, we've made 7 different kinds this week, yes 7, one for every day of the week. I told you people we were SWIMMING in greens. 

But, what I'm discovering about the CSA is that although we have fresh produce weekly we also have fresh produce weekly that we didn't select and I'm finding myself in uncharted territory. Lovers of vegetables please HELP! I know you are probably far more cultured than I and have eaten these things before but I haven't cooked or tasted many of the items we are being given, in fact I can't even identify many of this weeks goods.

I'm pretty sure this is Swiss Chard, but what do you do with it?

 I am a recent convert. Yes, I had many microwave timers set for me as a child as I was forced  encouraged to eat my green beans. Now that I'm a believer I'm pretty sure I missed out on vegetable 101. 

Enter you, yes, you the reader. Can you identify this week's goodies? Can you suggest recipes or tips on how to cook? Or, will we be left to the alien invasion that seems to be threatening our kitchen?

PS I think this could totally pass as some kind of spaceship, hence the alien reference. 

Our First

Our first Southern Wedding, how do we look?

Our first go at a Southern Wedding went without a hitch. It was lovely. Dan's favorite part was the buffet including eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, gravy, waffles and egg casserole with grits. Can't get much more Southern than that. 

A highlight of the afternoon was a performance by former Crimsonettes. 

You can thank Dan for the video. 

Good Eats

It happened. The day I've been waiting months for finally came and went. We signed up for a CSA this year, for those of you not in the know CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. I bet there is one in your community too, you should check it out! Unless of course the idea of fresh, organic, good for you stuff doesn't sound appealing. 

I think I've mentioned before that shopping at the Farmer's Market brings happiness to my day, but this takes it to a whole new level.

  Members of the CSA, pay a fee of course, but have weekly produce delivered to a pick up point. There is a bit of randomness involved, I know sounds very unlike me, but I was willing to try a little unpredictability. The Farmer delivers fresh, and I do mean fresh with the dirt still intact, vegetables and fruits to your pick up point and you, the consumer, pick up your goods. You are told the day prior to your pickup what will be in your box, see? randomness.

 Our pickup day happens every Tuesday- unless there is a tornado watch in effect and in that case we move it to Wednesday. Our farmer picks what is in season and fills you box with recipes and goodness. Last week was radishes, carrots, salad greens, strawberries and green onions, is your mouth watering yet?

If you've been watching the news you know there have been a few tornados recently, one 7 miles from our house. If you love a good home video or just miss Dan's voice see below.

Walking Tour

School of Business

I always want to take pictures on campus, but there always too many people. I do appreciate these people, they pay my bills but this week was extra special, both because my family was here from Washington and because there was no one on campus to stand in my shot. 

Clark Hall, Arts and Humanities I think...

Mom, so you can get a good idea of the scale.

A very historical library. Amelia Gayle Gorgas...Like Amelia Kay Harris 

Spring is here!

Grave Concerns

Normally I wouldn't encourage such behavior. Something a little too creepy and odd about spending an afternoon tromping through a cemetery. But when one has just consumed large amounts of fried chicken with vegetables cooked in pork and salt then I guess I'd make an exception. AND when said cemetery contains graves of those dating back to the 1700's filled with soldiers from the civil war, and even sprinkled with a few immigrants from England then I might bend the rules even more. 

If you're even in Bama come on by and first we'll take you to fill up on large amounts of fried.....anything and then we can take a historical tour through a local cemetery. Fun right? This time it actually was. Thanks family for stopping by.