Tangled Up in Blue

Today I was tagged by Imogen at Tia_Cherie to find seven blue things in my room. Fun, right? You bet. Instead of filing this under ''things I will get to eventually'' (like I tend to do with tags and such these days), I decided to comply right away and seek out some blue things to share:

A beautiful doll that I have had since I was a little girl

My well-loved walking sneakers

Also well-loved, A Treasury of Great Poems English and American,
given as a gift to my grandfather in 1943

A box of water color paints

A quilted cosmetic case

An assortment of blue jewelry

A New York Mets ornament
(only 5 more months until baseball season starts again! and hopefully a better season for my team!)

I'm passing this tag along to Sadie, Lexie, dearilou, and much love to find seven green things in their rooms.

"There are things that drift away like our endless numbered days"

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the nice comments left about my photographs in my two previous posts (and the post here as well). I enjoyed taking them and it's fun sharing them with a wider audience than just the people I encounter on a daily basis. At the same time that I had my vacation film developed I also took in a few rolls of mystery film that had been forgotten about. After picking them up from the developing center I was quite amused with what I found. There were some photos I didn't even remember taking which made the experience all the more pleasantly surprising. I'll be sure to share some of them in the near future.

Other than the recent posts with my vacation photos most of my update ideas have required the use of a digital camera - something of which I do not own. The display screen on mine broke last summer and since then I've been using a digital camera belonging to a family member. Their camera is currently being borrowed, so that accounts for the slow down in my posting. Hopefully I'll be able to share everything that's been put on hold sometime soon.

Now, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to complete an award/tag passed along to me by milk at 2 Percent. Thank you again for the tag, milk :)


10 Honest Things About Myself

1. I often become paranoid when I have to set my alarm clock. Even after making sure it is set before I turn my light out for the night, I'll turn my light back on to double (or sometimes even triple) check.
2. I like more vegetables than fruits. People are usually shocked by this and then inquire by running down a list of their favorite fruits to which I politely reply "No, I don't like that one either."
3. No matter what, I have to have a well-stocked tea supply at home. 4 - 5 varieties is my minimum.
   
4. Sometimes I watch films with the English subtitles on. I know it sounds silly, but it helps when the dialogue is spoken in an accent or if the characters talk too quickly.
5. In theory I like to be neat and tidy, but I am a total pack-rat, so most of the time I find myself in the midst of organized chaos.
   
6. Driving at night makes me uneasy. As does driving in any combination of rain, fog, wind, snow, ice, etc.
7. When I was younger I would spend hours poring over atlases and encyclopedias. I like maps and information.
8. I enjoy being in the company of others, but I also have no problem doing things, such as shopping and going to movies, by myself. Sometimes I even prefer it.
9. Two of my favorite musical scores are those from Tuck Everlasting and Sense and Sensibility. I can easily listen to them for hours on end.
10. As odd as it may sound, I like when a song moves me to tears. Sometimes listening just isn't enough... I need to feel it to fully enjoy it. Notable examples: "Moving Pictures Silent Films" by Great Lake Swimmers, "Passing Afternoon" and "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron and Wine.

I've seen this tag make it's rounds in the past and cannot remember who's received it and who hasn't. So, please consider yourself awarded if you haven't already and would like to be. This one's for you!

I've fallen a bit behind on completing tags and passing along awards. Don't worry ladies, I haven't forgotten! A few weeks ago I was tagged by the lovely Imogen at Tia_Cherie. I completed this particular tag a few months ago (found here), but it has made its way back to me with an array of new questions. Thank you, Imogen!

What is your current obsession?
Hazelnut flavored coffee and taking walks in the evening

What are you wearing today?
A navy blue t-shirt, white cardigan, skinny khakis, and a pretty little pair of sneakers.

Onitsuka Tiger by Asics "Mexico Tigress" in black/ivory.
I'm also a fan of the "Mexico 66" and "Ultimate 81" styles.







What's for dinner?
I'm not sure yet, but last night I had pesto pasta with peas! Yum!

Which countries would you like to travel to?
The neighbor to the north (aka Canada), The UK, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and basically all of Europe, Peru, Argentina, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and everywhere in between :)

What is your dream job?
*Sigh,* I don't really know. Realistically, I may end up teaching Geography.

What is your favorite magazine?
British Heritage, Archaeology, Lucky. Quite the mix, eh?

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
A gorgeous purple & white dress I saw the other day, a new pair of Keds sneakers, and a few new cardigans from H&M.

What is your favorite fruit?
Bananas & lemons

What's the last thing you bought?
A couple of birthday cards

What are you listening to right now?
No music, just the sound of chirping baby birds outside

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla, mmm. I like a lot of ice creams, actually. Too many to list :)

What do you think about the person who tagged you?
Imogen is really sweet and her blog updates are always fun to read!

What's your must have piece for summer?
Summer's right around the corner! I'm going to have to say sundresses and rompers, fun sunglasses, and a straw hat.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I'd visit one of my good friends who lives outside of Seattle!

What language do you want to learn?
French, Italian, Polish

What's your favorite quote?
I don't really have one right now. A few all time favorites are listed under the L.M. Montgomery label, though.

Who do you want to meet right now?
Hmm... It'd be cool to meet Sam Beam (aka Iron and Wine) and thank him for the beautiful music he creates.

What's your favorite color?
Green!

What's your favorite piece of clothing in your closet?
Oh gosh, I honestly have no idea.

Favorite designer?
Michael Kors

What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
Socks with sandals, hands down. Socks with Birkenstocks are the absolute worst (sorry if anyone reading does that)!

Do you admire anyone's style?
Of course! Countless celebs and definitely all of you in the blogosphere :)

Describe your personal style?
Casual and sweet with funny & pretty details

What are you going to do after this?
I haven't decided, but later this evening I'll be going to my grandmother's to watch a baseball game on tv.

What are your favorite movies?
Oh, tons! Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice (1995), Ladies in Lavender, Sweet Land, Mary Poppins, Roman Holiday, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Anne of Green Gables, Once, Dancer Texas Population 81, Children of Heaven, and the list goes on and on!

What inspires you?
Oh, anything and everything. I love being inspired when I least expect it.

Do you have any pets?
No, not at the moment.

I'm passing this tag along to anyone who wishes to fill it out! :)

I have been tagged by Ariella at Pearls In Your Hair.
Thank you, Ariella!

The rules are:
1. Respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.
2. Tag other un-tagged people.

What is your current obsession?
Spring's impending arrival, Lady Grey tea

What are you wearing today?
A pretty polka-dot polo shirt with 3 heart shaped buttons, a white cardigan, comfy & worn-in skinny jeans, and my moccasinsDo you nap a lot?
Usually, yes!

Why is today special?
There were intervals of sunshine during the morning hours and the air is a mild temperature and smells of rain

What would you like to learn to do?
Ride a horse and sew

What's for dinner today?
Leftovers :)

What's the last thing you bought?
Gasoline for my car and an ice cream cone

What are you listening to right now?
Nothing in particular. There are various background noises throughout the house though.

What is your favorite weather?
Not too hot, not too cold, sunshine, a few clouds, and a light breeze -- perfect!

What is on your bedside table?
Alarm clock, photographs, a stack of books, a bamboo plant, an empty vase, and a few bottles of hand lotion

What's your style?
Casual and sweet with fun & pretty details

What is your most challenging goal right now?
Getting my life in order and finishing my BA. I suffer from "I-still-don't-know-what-I-want-to-do-with-myself" syndrome!

Say something about the person who tagged you:
Ariella radiates sweetness and elegance. Her blog posts are a pleasure to read and she has an eye for the prettiest clothes :)

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
The English countryside, coastal Maine, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island

Favorite vacation spot?
Maine! www.visitmaine.com

Name the things you cannot live without:
My loving family, my dear friends, my freedom, my faith, and feelings of happiness

Name a memory from childhood that sticks out in your mind:
I did not dislike any of the questions, so I just reworked this one a bit.
One summer (I think I was 11 or 12) while vacationing in Cape Cod my friend and I stayed up late to watch a meteor shower. We sat on the beach atop a warm blanket and admired the sky - it was truly an extraordinary experience!

What person would you like to have in your hands right now?
I would love to hug some of my sweet, sweet friends whose company I do not get to enjoy as often as I would like

What would you like to get rid of?
My shyness. Sometimes I'm too reserved and miss out on things.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
A serene, quiet beach

Which language do you want to learn?
Oh, more than one! Italian, French, and Polish just to name a few! I would also like to brush up on Spanish.

Which countries have you visited?
Greece, Italy, and the Vatican. I did have layovers in Germany and France - does that count?

Sunrise as seen from Frankfurt International Airport, Germany
February 2001

What are some of the things you like about where you live?
I do not live in the most exciting of places, but I do enjoy its quaint, country charm. I love the quiet country roads, coming across old stone walls in the woods and always having fresh air to breathe.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Happy ♥

I tag: Raquel, Lauren, Ana B. and Lexie.

Show me that smile

I was recently tagged by Milk to complete the 6 Things that Make Me Smile tag. Thank you, Miss Milk!

6 Things that Make Emily Smile:

♥ A tall glass of ice-cold water with a slice of lemon. In terms of refreshment nothing else is superior!

♥ Seeing loved ones happy. Three of my friends are getting married this year. Let the happiness abound!

♥ Waking at dawn to enjoy the morning calm and the chirp of song-filled birds.

♥ Sweet baked goods. Sometimes the aroma from the kitchen is almost as satisfying as taking the first bite.

♥ Spreading a blanket on the lawn in the summertime in preparation to lounge around and read a good book.

♥ Living in the countryside. Sure, it has its drawbacks, but the pace of life is welcoming and I never tire of rural charms. Here is a photo taken in my hometown:

I am passing the tag along to
tis serendipity, Emily Anne and Blair.
:)

I Was A Kaleidoscope

I was tagged by tis serendipity to share 6 random things about myself. Before I begin, be sure to check out her fun and fabulous blog!

1) I make my coffee each morning with cinnamon-sugar.

2) The most exotic foods I have ever eaten were boar-meat sausage and a truffle spread while in Perugia, Italy.

3) One of my fondest memories from childhood is my mother reading Charlotte Zolotow's Over and Over to me.

4) I am by no means a "bird nerd," but I highly enjoy watching their graceful movements while outside or gazing through a window.

5) Two of my favorite magazines are Archaeology and British Heritage. My grandmother subscribes to both, so there is always good reading material when I stop in to visit.

6) I have a Jane Austen action figure. She was a birthday gift several years ago from a friend (Thanks again, Corey!)

I am tagging: dearilou, little boat, Ip and Aud and Pearls In Your Hair.

* For inquiring minds: The Jane Austen action figure is available at Amazon.com

At dusk

The last few days have brought more ice and snow. It is a cold 24 degrees, but the windchill makes it feel half that! Temperatures like this require serious sweater snuggling! In order to comply, my favorite (chunky knit) cardigan was worn and makes its second appearance on the blog.

Cardigan sweater, shirt, skirt, & necklace: H&M, Tights: Marshall's, Moccasins: Minnetonka

I have also received my first blog tag! Andrea and Amelia have tagged me with the 4 Things tag.

Rules:

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

The 4th folder on my computer surprisingly only has one picture in it. The picture (from November 2006) was taken in a supermarket parking lot in La Mesa, California. Quick geography lesson: La Mesa is a city in San Diego County. My sister was living in sunny California at the time and I had traveled out there to visit her. The picture is actually quite fitting for today's post seeing as it, too, was taken at dusk.

Erin, Lauren, Jen and Ana B. are my 4 choices to complete the tag, should they feel so inclined to do so! :)