Serenity Now!!

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to realize just how important it is for me to take a little bit of time each day for myself. That can be really difficult sometimes, as a single mother of two and full-time student, etc...but about six months ago I began a swimming class that really helped me to see the not only physical, but also emotional benefits of making sure that I work my body several times a week, if not every day. There's something almost inexplicable about pounding the water for an hour and a half, working your hardest even if you're not the fastest in the class, breathing out long and slow into the water as the lane markers go by one by one beneath you...I've left so much stress in that water. I've arrived at class almost in tears before, with life weighing heavy on me, only to leave feeling completely revived and restored. Endorphins are a part of this, I'm sure. But also, it's that time that I've spent stepping away from "life" to focus on becoming and eventually staying fit and healthy that is so rewarding. It's just me and the water, dammit. And as I cut through it, stroke following stroke, the tensions of my day just melt off into the water. Even if I'm not exactly where I'd like to be physically just quite yet, spending time in the water challenging myself to go just a little bit faster this next time...it's ridiculously rewarding. More than any of that though, it's the things that I've left at the bottom of the pool that keeps me going back. To be able to walk away from practice with a tired body, but a clear mind is a beautiful thing at the end of a long, hard day. And on that note, I think it's time for this tired body to get some sleep...

Summer's Here.

Ahhhh...finally I've gotten to the end of another semester. And only one more year 'til I officially, finally graduate, sexy, square cap and gown and all! My summer is going to be filled with classes as well, but mostly online, so I can't wait to relax a bit and get up to the mountains in July!

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For now though, I have a three week science course that I can't believe I'm so excited about. Well, I can believe I'm excited about it, I just never thought I'd be saying I was excited for a science class. For the rest of the month, I'll be learning the "Chemistry of Cooking CEM3510.01somethingorother". Cooking is something that I already love loads and loads, and I'm really excited about learning more of the science side of why things taste god-awful or delicious...how different metals affect the food differently...local chefs are going to be demonstrating things for us for our "labs" and we get to take field trips to restaurants for part of class too!

Anyhoo...cooking tips from my class and new summer travel pictures will be coming in soon and with abundance hopefully! We're beach and mountain bound this summer break, so there'll be lots of things to document.

Hope you're all well.

xo

Nutmeg

Summer's Coming!

black leotard rebels' photostream

black leotard rebels' photostream on Flickr.

Noodle-dee-doodle

In honor of, or perhaps inspired by, all the Korean dramas I've been inextricably sucked into lately...I found myself at one of the larger International Markets here in town last Saturday. Surrounded by fresh Udon noodles, pork buns, and dumplings straight from Japan, I realized that I really had no idea how to cook with these ingredients. I bought a few things, and came back home hoping I had bought the right combination of things to make a meal with. I searched the internet for a bit, looking for a not too intimidating recipe, and settled on the one above, from steamykitchen.com. Looks delish, and tastes delish too. Wasn't difficult at all, just required a little more foresight than normal, as some of the ingredients weren't things I usually kept in my cupboard. On these cold winter days, a nice bowl of this warms up the soul just a bit. 

Happy winter!

End of the Holiday

Well, it's back to the daily grind for our house. Kids are back at school, and my new semester has started. It never fails to take me a few weeks to get my footing when a new semester starts. Between new professors with new personalities and expectations, and new courses that are either dreaded or waited for excitedly, it's almost like starting a whole new school experience every time!

I am a bit of an uber-nerd when in comes to time to get new pens and notebooks. Imagining what little bits of knowledge will end up in there is exciting as new coursework starts...sometimes I think I'd be happy as a clam to just keep going to school my whole life...but vacation is nice too.

I found a really awesome datebook at PaperSource! Check their website out here! They have some a lot of great calendars, etc.

Happy New Years, and good luck with all your new projects!

A little bit of Sweden for Christmas

"Sweden is the home of my ancestors, and I have reserved a special place [for it] in my heart."

-Carl D. Anderson

I have never been to Sweden, but I will someday. I am quite determined. I am only three generations removed from my Swedish immigrant ancestors. As I'm sure many people out there do, we have saved some amazing documentation of their transition to America: their name change from Soderbach to Soderbeck to Beck, their move from Sweden to Norway and then back again, their entrepreneurial endeavors in the small Michigan town they immigrated to. Ever since I was little and started hearing about this part of my heritage I have been fascinated by Swedish culture (don't even get me started on Ikea). 

Christmastime especially brings out my love of all things Swedish.  From the little woolen Tomtes that I collect, to the heirloom Swedish tablecloths that I pull out for special holiday dinners. There's a bit of seasonal comfort in pulling out things I've collected for myself that have a place in my family's history. 

Here are some of my favorite Swedish-y things that I've come across lately. This awesome tray is designed by Asta Barrington, and is available at gretelhome.com. The mug below is also available at gretelhome.com, and I want one real bad. And one last thing for Christmas, is this awesome Nordic inspired Santa stamp, found at Dwell Magazine's online shop. I can only imagine the hours of fun me and my kids would have with that.

For your cuppa joe...

"I like cappuccino, actually. But even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all."

-David Lynch  

I've been finding it hard to wake up these past few weeks. Winter is one of my favorite times of year, but when the day goes from morning to night without it hardly ever looking brighter than a grey twilight outside, all I want to do is curl up in bed and watch my HBO shows all day. Unfortunately, I don't have some sort of Upper East Side trust fund that allows me to do that...so I've become quite dependent on coffee. 

 
There is a ritual to the morning cup, whether it's at home in my french press after dropping the kids off at school, or down the street at the coffee shop on the way to work. I wish it wasn't so bad for me, because it's one of my favorite ways to start the day. 

I came across this French Press by Freud  in the December Elle Decor. Someday I'd love to splurge on this. That is a damn sexy press, if I do say so myself. 

When something is such a big part of your everyday life, I feel like it's okay to indulge every now and then in the little things that make it more enjoyable, i.e. pretty mugs and creamers and things.  

The handmade cream and sugar set to the left is by Neutrino Designs. And here is another one to the right by Whitney Smith, both found on Etsy. 

 Ok. That's enough about coffee for now. It's too late to have anymore tonight.