Jazz Party.

We were invited to a Jazz-Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island last week. It was divine. I whipped up a quick video tell all, but it is missing the most important part...the party we came with! It seems that Lindsay, Haylee (her sister), and Me just came and took pictures of ourselves. Huh. That seems out of character.

Well, enjoy, but know we did not do any of this on our own. How could we? Thank you to the Sheens, who take us to such places, and the Reeves, who come along.


~P

We're Changing Our Name.

We no longer live on Garden Street and have been on the hunt for a new name. This weekend, we headed down to Washington, D.C. to see Katie in her new play called Giant. Katie was wonderful and that was the best part of the trip, but we also went to the Smithsonian Museum of Art and saw some beautiful things there.

We came upon this iron work of a Crane and a Peacock and Lindsay and I started talking about which one of us was which... then we argued about it.

What do you think?

'The Crane Aloft surveys the world-- The Earthbound Peacock struts and boasts.'

Who is who?

Although we had heavy discussions, it was apparent that we were they, these two vibrant birds seeing the world in different ways. And so we stole a picture and brought it here to its new home:

'The Crane Aloft and the Earthbound Peacock'

Welcome.

I was thinking.

So we are thinking a lot about adoption, which is just like thinking about having a baby and it's fun and I like the thoughts.

And so we think about baby names (and we have some doozies), but when you think about baby names, you consider every person you talk to as a possible donor. And so I thought of this good question to ask you.

I work retail, and there are about 75 people who work at my store: there are about 6 boys, whose names are Patrick, Jason, Nik, Nicholas, Marc, Sean. Two Nicks out of 6. So, the rest are girls (I called the boys 'boys,' so it's not demeaning to call them 'girls').

Here is my question:

How many of the 69 women who work with me are named the following?:

Jennifer (Jen, Jenny):

Tiffany:

Lauren:

Jessica:

Lindsay (ey):

Sara (h):

Jamie:


So, just for fun I'll tell you that for one of these names, the answer is zero, but the rest have at least one...which is the least you can have without crossing in to negatives... which I don't.

One more question:
Do you think that the mothers who named these names--keep in mind, I'm married to a Lindsay and I think it's the most wonderful name in the English language--did that mother think she was being unique, and then lots of other moms were equally unique, or was she striving to have her new baby fit right in from the get-sgo...and then, which is better?

How far out is too far?
Apple? (Gwenyth)
Moxie Crimefighter? (Penn from Penn and Teller)

And, finally, when have you seen it done right? The right balance of oneness without alienating the child. Or am I thinking too much about this?

A Poem.

My good friend, and manager at work, is leaving. I really have loved working with her and on her last meeting in the store I gave her this poem I wrote. I like it; however, it turned out a little gayer than I had set out for. But, it is sincere.

A Leaving Poem.

And so you click your heels
and set off back home,

but just for a bit.

Then to Maine,



and not Kansas.





And we are left,
those you picked up along
the way.



But what do we do? Those left.

You brought us together:
These lions.
These poppies.


What do we do with the space

where our courage should be?
where our brains should be?
our hearts?


So take your shoes

and leave us

couraged

brained

hearted.




We are the changed
for the better;
left,
but in color.
Technicolor.




As you say goodbyes, one by one,
remember.
whereever your next tornado takes you,

I will miss you most of all.

~p

Jazzercise - Move your Boogie Body 1982

Let's get to it!!!!

Jazzercize - Sweet Georgia Brown 1982

This is the real thing.

BIG, FAT, GIGANTIC NEWS!

We're live on the adoption site! So now, anyone can choose us... and thus the waiting begins. Go check out our profile, and, please, spread the word that we're on the prowl for a little one! I mean, c'mon, don't you think this picture is missing a little something (other than Scout)?

Our profile: Patrick and Lindsay

A little something to watch.

So, I haven't posted in a long while and I'm not really posting today but I watched this and thought of you.

~p

Snow Day

So, overnight we were hit by what the tv weatherman is calling a "classic nor'easter," and it is in the process of dumping around a foot of snow on us. In March! I mean, really, I was just getting ready to write a post about spring, and the loveliness of winter finally being over. Ah well. Our friend Shiaffu says there's always two days of snow in March around here, and then it turns to spring, so let's hope yesterday and today count as the two days.

In happier news, I have the day off because of the snow! Yipee! I love unexpected days off. My regular days off are filled with the scheduled flotsam and jetsam of my existence: exam prep, laundry, grading papers, doing the dishes. Unexpected days off seem full of such promise and the possibility I'll have some time to do something I wouldn't have otherwise (like blog!). So, as I sit here listening to the symphony of hisses, tweets, and knocks emanating from our radiators, I wish you all a happy March 2nd: may yours be pleasantly unexpected as well!

{Photo from Flickr}

Getting to Know You

We are currently working on our online profile for our adoption, and as part of that, we have to fill out a rather run-of-the-mill questionnaire meant to help our prospective birth mother "get to know" us. In case you were wondering, it's really hard to sum yourself up in a few lines in response to the question "A smell that makes me pause is." Patrick said that the wafting aroma of honeysuckle transports him, à la Ratatouille, to the memory-drenched pavement of his Northern California mission where, presumably, the gentle scent of honeysuckle was one of the highlights of interminable days otherwise monopolized by a film loop of bike riding and door knocking. I, regrettably, have not settled on a smell that makes me pause; sadly, the only olfactory impressions I can bring to mind are, to put it gently, less appropriate for that particular forum.

I tend to be somewhat overly concerned about exercises like this one. I want to say just the right thing; I've always liked having the correct answer, giving my [teacher/coach/friend/husband] a reason to think I'm smart and on top of things. I don't even really like to do Facebook quizzes or status updates because the pressure to be hip and sparkling is just a little too much for me.

Of course, this particular aperçu also has the added pressure of trying to be charming and appealing while simultaneously making me seem like a good-time disciplinarian who will provide your child with the idyllic existence that you [birth mother], for whatever reason, don't think you can. And do you [blog reader] have any idea how difficult it is to be airily witty next to Patrick? Seriously, folks...do you? I know, I know...I'm the intelligent one, he's the funny one. But everyone likes the class clown more than the nerd.

The other, shall we say, hindrance I've run in to is that my tastes in entertainment tend toward the somewhat embarrassing or unmentionable. No, I don't mean porn or anything, but my favorite book is a novel called The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. It is a brilliant, stunningly crafted book (if I could write any book, this would undoubtedly be it) and has won a gaggle of awards. It is not a favorite book to be embarrassed of. But really -- should you ever put the word "assassin" on a page encouraging a birth mother to entrust their unborn child to you? So do I make up a favorite book? Go for one of my lesser favorites? Tell me truly, dear readers...do I just choke back the rising bile and put down Twilight?

And what about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? If you know me even a little, you know that once, long ago, Amberly got me hooked on this little gem, and it has been my favorite television program ever since. I usually rewatch the entire series (which I have on DVD) every other year or so. Is that too much to ask of a birth mother? On a side note, if I love Buffy so much, do I really have any right to dislike Twilight so?* I suppose I could just write down what show I'm watching right now, but that's Big Love, and, somehow, I don't think that will go over too well with the particular crowd to whom I am pitching myself.

Certainly you can understand my conundrum. Please, dear readers, enlighten me. If your house was burning down and you could only rescue three things, what would they be? I'm afraid I might rescue my dog, my photos, and my Buffy DVDs.














~L










*If you said no, then I think you need to rewatch Buffy. And then reread Twilight. One of these cultural artifacts is clever, joyous, and "zeitgeisty." One of them is corpulent, bombastic, and, weirdly, also "zeitgeisty." Just because they both have vampires does not mean they are playing ball in even the same state, let alone the same field.

**Also, is anyone out there watching True Blood? Should I? I do like vampires, after all.

***Okay, last note, I promise. Did anyone catch the premiere of Dollhouse? I'm feeling a little conflicted. In one column, it's Joss, and I would do just about anything to get inside another Whedonverse. In the other, it's Faith being different people every week. It just feels wrong. She's a slayer. She'll always be a slayer. I eagerly await your opinions (I'm looking your way, Josh).

Coming Soon.

Our new chair.





Our new view.


More coming soon.

~L

Update

Dear gentle readers,

Please forgive us our blogging absence over the last few weeks. Life on Garden Street has been a little, well, harried (and soon will be from Garden Street no more!). January--what's left of it--is shaping up to be a big month for us, and so we must beg your pardon as we disappear for just a little longer.

On the docket this month:

* Finish our adoption application.
* Move (up by the Balsers - yahoo!).
* Host and entertain Patrick's parents.
* Start another semester.
* Finish various and sundry writing projects.

So, this is a bit of a send off. We'll write when we can, but no later than February, and soon we'll have a fantastic home makeover to blog about! Thanks for a terrific 2008, and here's to an even better new year, with babies and books and houses for all!

~L

{photo from flickr}

Christmas Craft: Quilted Stockings

So I made these (I think) really adorable stockings. I was most pleased with how they turned out! We went to our favorite fabric store, Purl Soho, a few weeks ago and picked out fabric for our stockings and for the Balsers' (for their Christmas present). Then I drew a pattern (using some fancy Anthro tights as a guide) and got to work. Below are the results.

Look, quilted!
And, at P's request, monogrammed. I think the letters turned out quite lovely (although cursive sewing is not easy).

We made them for the Balsers as well, and left them on the sofa filled with goodies on Christmas morning.
Their fabric is of a different palette, and the girls' stockings feature some lovely adornment, but the pattern is the same.This picture of the stockings is a little like an "I Spy" page. Find the picture of the Seminarios. Find a button. Find a goose. Go on, try it!

Merry Christmas, all! Okay, okay, it's a few days after Christmas, I know. But did you know that the twelve days of Christmas actually begin on the 25th and go from there? So, really, I'm just preserving the traditional way of celebrating.

~L

Not Much to Say...

Just a little note to wish you a happy and wonder filled Christmas Day!

We are so blessed.

Christmas is in the Air!

Sorry our blogging has been a little spotty this month -- December is not really a calm, relaxing time for us, what with P and his job in retail and me enjoying the full-tilt sprint to the end of the semester. What we do have time for, though, is decoration (or, as I Freudian Slippily told my mom, "displays"). I don't know if you know us, but we're kind of big on the way our home looks, especially during the holidays. This is actually somewhat comical and quixotic, because hardly anyone (other than P & I, of course) ever sees the inside of our apartment. Nevertheless, we toil year after year to put together perfect holiday displays. And, hey! Now we have a blog, so everyone can see the inside of our apartment and its charming Christmas makeover.


The anchor of our Christmas display? A $4.99 silver tinsel tree, bought at a fire sale two days after Christmas.

Since you can't just put red and green on a tinsel tree, we opted for shades of hot pink ornaments:

This year, we expanded our color palette slightly to include some teal as well:

These new ornaments (from Anthropologie) are my favorite:

I think it worked out really nicely, don't you?


And, of course, the presents under the tree had to match (okay, so we're a little OCD about our decor).










For our hearth (also known as the repurposed headboard that supports our tiny TV), we went with a "feathers n' candy" theme. What? You didn't know sweets and tweets (he he) went together? Well, consider yourself informed.
P.S. Those stockings? I made them. Sewed 'em. More on that to come.

A lovely dove, reclining on a cherrywood branch. Yes, Virginia, those are pink feathers in the background.


Sweets. I got this idea from Real Simple and, fittingly, it was pretty easy. Just some pretty little glasses filled with sugar and topped with miniature marshmallows and candy canes. Voilà!






So, that's it. Our little corner of Christmas happiness. Okay, so that's not really it. We also have a window display (twine, big lights, and satin balls), a nativity (in the "curio cabinet" (reconfigured children's desk) above the piano), and a small grove of tinsel trees (blue, purple, and pink). But if I give all of those away now, what will I blog about the rest of the week?

~L

I was called Ma'am by a Nun.

I was sitting in Taco Bell, too full from over ordering, reading a book.

I looked up
and a Nun was standing at my table
with a little wooden bowl
with money in it.

I thought she would sit down.

"St. Joseph's Orphanage?" She held out the bowl.

"I'm Sorry?"

"St. Joseph's Orphanage...Yes or No."

"Oh.

No."

She looked somewhat surprised for less than a second. Then she said,

"God Bless you, Ma'am."

And she moved to the next table.

I felt it was calculated.

~P

And the Tags Go To....

You. Us.

As promised, we want to ring in this gift-giving season with a little gift-giving of our own!

L and I wanted to give away something that you could only get from us...Love. But, it turns out people are giving that away by the gallons! Really, just by the buckets full!

So instead we made you these:

Handmade tags that we made with our hands.

I know, right?!



We took this stuff, which we had laying around the house...and the store:




...and made Gift Tags for your four most extravagant gifts. They are very fine. They don't involve a drop of hot glue (all hand sewn buttons), and L machine-sewed the fabric on the back...oh yeah, and there is fabric on the back!


I guess you could use them for what ever you'd like; we hung them up and thought they looked pretty good like this:

However, as with all extremely thoughtful and exorbitant gifts, only one person gets them. So here's what you do:

Post a comment.

Wait until Monday the 7th of December.

Watch the Drawing.

When your comment gets picked email us your address.

Wait a day or two...or four.

Receive our heartfelt, hand-forged, heavenly tags to pin on your shirt, or slap on a box, or donate to the Smithsonian. Ya know, Wah Eva.

Happy Christmas Everyone!

~P


Oh Yeah, and there are a lot of new people reading 'cause Lisa listed our factual Thanksgiving post on this blog HERE. Well, let this be our welcome to you, all of you! Whether you're Strangers or Friends, Cousins or Cousins of Cousins, come often and get yourselves some tags out of it.

Now Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding

...okay, or maybe something a bit, well, prettier.

Stay tuned, dear readers, for tomorrow is December 1st, and occasion for another giveaway here on Garden Street.

Too hard to wait? Here's a hint: this time, the gift is homemade, and perfect for gussying up those Christmas packages. Drop back by tomorrow for a chance to win!

{photo by rockinghelvetica}

Faux Christmas Polaroids

Jordan at Oh Happy Day had this fantastic find on her blog a week or so ago, and I've been playing around with it ever since. It's a program that makes faux Polaroids of your digital photos. Here are a few shots of Christmas on Garden Street:Okay, yeah, it's faking it, but come on! It's so much fun to goof off with (and it provided the lovely new Christmas background for our blog). Plus, it has all kinds of terrific little quirks, like having very few features, taking a little while to develop, and only allowing you to upload 10 photos at a time (replicating the 10-shot film package of a traditional Polaroid). So go make some 70s-style memories already!

~L