Duly Noted

***(I wrote this but forgot to publish.  I must have been distracted by a little love nut.  Better late than never.) Yesterday, I turned 29 but for a minute, I thought I was 30 and I was totally okay with that. For the last three years and forevermore, my birthday shares the same day as our wedding anniversary.  As my brother in law put it, "Happy Biversary!" July 24th is certainly a date for the record books.  This year, Mike and I fondly reflected on my last three birthdays and anniversaries. First, our wedding day. Then, our epic 50 mile bike ride followed by a three course dinner at Muffuletta's. And then...our discovery in a bed and breakfast overlooking the Duomo in Florence Italy in 2012. This year, we kept things simple.  A picnic in the park.  Perusing vintage finds at neighborhood shop.  An evening bike ride to dinner at Muffuletta's. And lots of smiling with our little darling boy. And...apparently...we didn't ta...

Just a handful of shots from our cabin weekend on Spider Lake with a group of old friends (and four new ones!)

Hello dear readers!  As a few of you have gently reminded me, Misha has very officially crossed the three month mark and I need to post his monthly report!  Until recently, I counted "months" as every four weeks, but this strategy doesn't pan out; Misha's "twelve month birthday" ends up somewhere in February (as opposed to April 13th)!  My dad wisely suggested counting months according to date.  So, let's say that July 13th marks Misha's third month of wonderment and adorableness in this world. Reading with Dad..."Little Blue Truck," one of his favorites (and mine!  There is a goat!) Misha really likes... Repeating sounds back and forth like in conversation (Maaaaa Maaa! Vroooo! Vrroooo!) Reading books with mom or dad Sitting independently in our tan leather chair.  He is so impressed with himself.   Being held and carried Coaching his runner mom from his stroller- "Get going mom!  Less talking, more running!" Gr...

Just hanging out with one of my favorite guys on a summer afternoon. 

This is not exactly a Misha Man update.  This is more of a Molly update.  I know; you worried "Duly Noted" suddenly became a full fledged baby blog.  Don't fret.  I am still here.  But, I am experiencing momification. As I move from stroller to rocking chair to cozy leather chair, I get my first tastes of motherhood. What's motherhood made of?  Milk and music, blankets and books, tea, baths, and meandering walks. The day is broken into fragments.  Go for a walk (or run!)...go home.  Go to the market...go home.  Sit at the coffee shop...go home.  It is much too risky to pair two outings together- however brief- if the faintest possibility of hunger (mine or Misha's) lingers. With Mike working, I surround myself with music, blankets, and books.  Blankets hang over armchairs and books pile on end tables.  With Misha curled in my arms, I wrap a blanket around the two of us and pick up whichever book I left there.  Pr...

Yup, I am that mom.  I hope to post regular updates of Misha's growth and experiences for faraway friends and family who aren't witness to our daily gushing. Baby's Firsts (Highlights Edition)   As this is Misha's first week of life, everything is a first! -1st pediatrician appointment: regained birth weight + 5% of birth weight.  Some kind of record according to our pediatrician who swears that she "doesn't sugar coat." -1st visit from family: Uncle Chris and his superhero girlfriend, Kali flew in Monday night.  As he laid eyes on two day old Misha, Chris's face was priceless.  Over the course of their visit, Misha watched carefully as we played many rounds of 7 Wonders .  He has developed his own strategy and plans to beat everyone as soon as he can talk. -1st sponge bath.  We used the tub and accessories that Baka, Mike's grandma, sent us.  Apparently, she is the true master of bath time.  I look forward to watching her ba...

So here we are- four days on the other side of April 1st.  I have yet to start a conversation without the confirmation, "No baby."  It is understandably challenging to think about anything else. That said, I no longer support the issuing of a "due date."  It is widely reported that first time mothers typically go at least a week over the "due date."  But still, that due date lingers like light at the end of a 40 week tunnel.  When an expectant mom is turned away at the gate (I'm picturing that cranky guard in Wizard of Oz- "Who's knocking on that door?"), a new kind of waiting game begins.  I wholly recommend an institutionalized shift to the term "guess date." It's a little ridiculous to think I am edgy over a few extra days.  Soon our little one will be with us for good, for forever.  Mike reminds me that this "late" arrival is a blessing; this week is our spring break so we have been able to relax and en...

Mike and I celebrated an early Valentine's Day last night at Al Vento's.  It was a perfect night!   Ten years ago, we celebrated our first Valentine's day at Macalester College.  I was a freshman and it was my first Valentine's Day with a real boyfriend.  I bought Mike a box of chocolates from a flower store down the street.  I was so excited. I still feel like the luckiest girl.  Here's a couple little valentines in today's honor!

A crafty blog clued me into this super adorable and EASY online photo editor .  How cute is this?   As a side note, I cannot claim authorship for the tag line.  Copyright Mike Vasich @2004.

I think this kid would make a great president.

The self-congratulatory holiday letter.  Did everyone write individual cards by hand until the era of copiers and printers?  I suppose the holiday letter is considered a time saver as composing thirty plus letters before Christmas is an undeniably daunting task.  Additionally, I've been told most people can't even read cursive anymore, so handwritten letters are an effort in vain. I am a sucker for handwritten letters.  Over the years, I have read and re-read published letter collections of authors and cultural icons.  I head down to the basement to read my Grandpa Len's letters and prolific journals every time I visit my parents.  I imagine these writers at their desks in pools of warm light as night colors rise in the sky and their loved ones fiddle with pots and pans in the kitchen.   Mike teased me about my holiday letter conundrum.   "Nothing to be stressed about."   "I'm not stressed- I just want to say something...

Are you someone that gets cliches messed up?  I do this frequently.  The name of this post was "Coming Up For Water" until I remembered that I am not a mermaid and I actually need to breathe to survive.  Sometimes, I need to be reminded of this. Anyway, my loyal readers, you must be wondering what's been up in these parts.  Well, let me tell you, time never slows down.  Here's a glimpse into the state of affairs in our household: 1. Our garden:  Last summer, I experienced overwhelming anxiety at the idea of breaking ground.  So much so, in fact, that I decided not to plant anything.  This year, Mike stepped on board (again, another example of messed up cliche: hopped on board or stepped up to the plate...) and joined the team (okay, so stepped up to plate would work better here...duly note: Math, not English, was actually my favorite subject as a school kid).  Turns out, we are a great team and we have already accomplished more garde...

*invite friends- new and old- over for a home-cooked dinner . *practice good table manners as a guest. *exist as a tourist..even in my own city . *only keep things that I need or I consider beautiful . *make something.  use my hands. *try something just a little exotic . *write something.  document. *Embrace the season .

 To honor the memories of 2011 (despite a reported 7/10 Americans who claimed that 2011 was a bad year) and welcome in 2012, an old friend and neighbor, Sara, Mike, and I decided to host a Mad Men/Sparkles themed New Year's Party.  The night was complete with dancing (thanks to the unexpected hits on the night's playlist alà Mike Vasich), the festive appetizers and treats prepared by the classy hosts and their friends, and the spirits (booze and otherwise) running aplenty. And not to be forgotten, a post midnight jam session in our basement studio, legible and illegible notes in the guest book as well as some interesting observations recorded on the house typewriter, kisses at midnight, and muffins in the morning. I feel such gratitude to have such a lovely group of friends- new and old to welcome in the new year.

These images spoke to me and I cut and pasted them into my scrapbook a few months ago.  I think its the forest green, the tableclothed picnic table, and the utility sink that sealed the deal for me.  I wonder how this cabin would hold up in Minnesota winters.  It would definitely need a wood burning stove and a giant pile of fire wood.  I think Mike would be pretty excited about an ax and a flannel.  Or at least I would be. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/le-shack/

Our very first CSA share. Lots of salad greens of all varieties. So far, we've all the spring greens, romaine, oakleaf lettuce, and arugula, but the bok choy and some other kind of spicy lettuce is awaiting the proper recipe. Suggestions? As a former CSA farm intern and a ranch intern, I have some wild notions about the need to wash vegetables immediately. The way I see it is that if you wash and dry right away, and then store in inviting fridge containers, you are more likely to grab that bucket of lettuce and run with it. Alas, without a salad spinner, the washing and drying process calls for some creativity. Later that night, wedding invitation assembly and addressing! Mike assembled, I addressed. What a team. Since I used pretty wet ink for little heart stamp on the envelope, the final invite package needed drying space as well. Again, with no tables left to cover due to the greens amounts, further inspiration was required. I will post the interior invitations and rsvp...