split decision.

It's time for a change.  A good change.  I've started a new blog with a new name and a new direction.

A little over a year ago, I decided to create this blog on a whim.  At the time, I wasn't entirely sure about the world of blogging but decided to just jump right into it--sink or swim.  Thankfully, it's served me well and I've enjoyed having all of you here by my side as I've settled into married life, first time cat-momma-ism, and a new city.

As I've most recently settled into a more comfortable and satisfying career path (I am now solely teaching private piano lessons from my home), I've decided that I need a new blog with a name that better suits my present lifestyle.   It's my hope that you and I can very naturally settle into this new home together.  

It's been a wonderful year of learning and exploring.  I'm so thankful that you've stuck by my side and I look forward to sharing many, many new adventures with you.

Let's move on, shall we?

the weekend, much abbreviated.

Blueberries and bowl-mugs.

Clementines turned marmalade.

Counting sheep and cat Zzzzz's.

chai tea recipe.

"Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
"I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone: "so I ca'n't take more."
"You mean you ca'n't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than nothing."

-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

With the cold and snowy winter weather, could you think of anything more warming and heavenly than a house filled with the aromas of ginger, cardamom, cloves & cinnamon??  It's been nearly a year since I went on a mad search for chai tea recipes, with such fervid intent: "I must make my own."  But, like most everyone else in the world, if I put something off for a few days, the thought fades away and it's eventually gone altogether.  But now, with monumental piles of snow on either side of the driveway, what could possibly be more enjoyable than holing up inside next to the fire (or, cough cough, just a candle) with a home-made cup of tea?

Here's the recipe I followed (also found here)...  

Recipe Notes:  I made a few modifications, such as cutting back on the ginger (1/3 cup seemed like too much in comparison to the other spices) and, even still, it was a bit too gingery--next time, I'll probably cut that amount in half.  Instead of goat's milk, I used half-and-half (because it's what we had) and I also threw in a few extra cloves and cardamom... because, well, YUM.  (You can also substitute sugar for the maple syrup.)

Next time, I'm thinking of not adding the milk to the entire pot.  Rather, I think it'll be better to just heat small portions of milk separately whenever I plan on having a cup.

If  you decide to go ahead and attempt this yourself, just be forewarned... your house will smell absolutely heavenly for hours.  :)

photography voice.

This photo, unexpectedly, turned out to be my favorite from last weekend in Harrisburg.  Before anyone arrived for Cuddle Magic's show, I walked around and took some pictures of the really awesome decor.

I feel like I'm finally starting to get a better feel for manual camera settings.  You see, normally I come home with a ton of photos but very few that I actually like.  Either the focus or exposure is off.  More often than not, I get super excited about a few particular shots, but when I get home and upload them onto my computer, I have to deal with the upsetting news that the shot was pretty good but slightly out of focus.  That, plus the fact that I still feel like I haven't found my photography "voice" yet.

Here's a prime example of an out-of-focus shot I took.

I came out with a few photos from last weekend, but this one (the top one) feels good to me for some reason--I know it's not an amazing shot or anything, but the vibrant colors and the placement feel right to me.  I'm already convinced that I like (and will continue to like) it a whole lot more than anyone else ever will.  Maybe it's because it feels like a step closer to my personal "voice."  Even though it's not there yet, it's slowly developing and I recognize a little bit of myself in it.

Have you ever listened to "This American Life" on Public Radio International?  I really kind of love Ira Glass.  His "voice" is so distinct, so matter-of-fact... so, well, Ira Glass.  Last week I happened across one of his videos (seen below) on Making It Lovely and appreciated his thoughts on creativity and persistence (along with his self-berating story) as it relates to "finding your own voice"...

"...most everybody I know who does interesting, creative work, they went through a phase of years where they had really good taste and they could tell what they were making wasn’t as good as they wanted it to be.”

 Does this sound like you too?  Are you working on finding your own voice at something as well?

color for your day.

A little inspiration for a mostly uninspired day.... 

Seriously, what's the deal with January?  Does everyone feel as lackadaisical as me?  Is everyone else locking themselves inside, yet feeling unbelievably restless?  Yarg.

Hoping your week's as colorful, bright and cheery as these.... :)

December Love.

So, I know it's a little late to be posting about Christmas things.  The holiday season seems long gone already.   But this year I received 3 particular Christmas gifts from 3 very lovely family members and it's so very coincidental at how nicely these little gifts all seem to work together that I just feel the need to share.

From my Aunt Di- a 4 oz. bag of Chai Rooibos Tea.  

From my mom- a cute, lemon-shaped tea infuser (& a strawberry for Christopher).  

From my cousins Jon & Amy- a beautiful handmade mug.

 Combine those three with some Bach, Hanon & Ibert at the piano....

and I call that a lovely morning.

Handmade by Jon Juravich (left), Diane Juravich (center), & momma Eileen DiIanni (right)

But even beyond that, those very same family members sent out the most fun, adorable, handmade Christmas cards ever.  They're so talented and amazing!  Aren't they beautiful?!  

Thank you, my wonderful family!

antiquing.

Mom & I went antiquing.

The furniture was ornate.

The knick knacks were full of personality.

Everything was way out of our price range.  Yes, even the Seven Stuffed Dwarfs.

The store owners could totally tell.  We were lookers, not shoppers.

But that did not stop us from having some fun!

oldies but goodies

In Pittsburgh for a few days after the holidays, I found some old photos this morning on Mom and Dad's hard-drive and thought I'd post a couple.

These were taken about two years ago or so.  It was a cool summer day and I remember feeling a little bored sitting at home, you know, twiddling my thumbs.  Instead of staring at the wall for the rest of the afternoon, I decided that I'd venture down the country roads of Clinton, PA (home of Janoski's Farm and many a cow) in hopes of finding a few good photographs.  Not too far into my drive, I happened across this particular junk yard of old vehicles, got super excited and proceeded by jumping over the "No Trespassing" sign.  No more than 10 minutes into it, flashing red and blue lights pull up next to my car and I see a policeman walking in my direction.

In a deep, intimidating voice the cop asked what I was doing and informed me that I would need to leave.  This is private property, I'll have you know.  Didn't you see the signs?  All I could do was hold up my camera, apologize and follow his instruction.  He watched as I hopped into my car and took off.  I made sure I was going the speed limit until he was no longer visible from the rear view mirror.  

I, undoubtably, got the last laugh.  Aren't the photos evidence enough?

Holiday Post

It's finally starting to feel like "the holidays".  For weeks now, I've been anticipating the First Snow-- wondering when we'd finally get to see those annual white-lined streets and lacy trees again.  I'm so glad it held out for such a long time this year.  It really felt like an Event today because of it.  Winter, oh Winter,  how I love thee, yet shiver at the thought of you.

I've already ventured out for a long walk to commemorate and enjoy this beautiful First Sighting.  Without planning it, a mug of hot coffee and the most delicious Red Velvet cupcake that you could ever imagine found their way into my day.  Never has a cupcake tray sitting in the window looked so enticing and never has it fulfilled it's intent so fully as it did this afternoon.  What a day.

Now it's time to snuggle up with the cat, order some pizza and enjoy a hot toddy or two.... well, Maybe.

Lori Nix: Miniature Apocalyptic Scenes

Via

"What would remain if Man left today? What would our architecture, our museums, malls, laundromat and bars look like and how would nature reclaim its space?"

Wishing I would have stumbled across this photographer's work/mini-creations a little sooner... it's only on display in New York for 1 more week!

Daily Whine-o.

I just thought that maybe someone out there might be interested in this article from Snooth.  I received the article in one of Snooth's daily e-mails way back in July (lightyears ago, you know).   

Anyway, since reading it and taking into consideration some of the suggestions, we've enjoyed some really great wines and have understood a little bit more about the wine we were drinking and the process it underwent before getting bottled.  One particular wine with a similarly helpful label is Mark West's Pinot Noir (I mention this one because I'm pretty certain that it's fairly easy to find in stores across the States).  That, and the Ridge wines (obviously).  Why can't all labels be this helpful?

Hoping someone else out there finds this as useful as I did!

Cheers!

post-thanksgiving relaxing.

Now grab your favorite stuffed toy, curl up in bed and relax like you wish you could've relaxed yesterday... :)

my five senses weekend.

One of the first sites that I visit everyday is Jen Zahigian's photography blog That Wondrous Time.  Her quirky, colorful photos are absolutely magical and this weekend I was not only inspired by her photos but also her invitation to join in and write about the "Five Senses" of the week--a recap of your week by recalling the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings.  Well, since it's Monday and I'm a few days late, I just wanted to share my five senses from the weekend with you and invite you to do the same!


Tasting:

Sweet potatoes with pecans and goat cheese (this delicious and savory/sweet recipe can be found here).

Seeing: 

Old vehicles in West Philly (above), old trolley cars in Northeast Philly, old folks everywhere.

Smelling: 

That bitter, yet remarkable, smell of wilting leaves.

Hearing:

Claude Debussy's "The Little Shepherd" - my chosen piano repertoire for the past few days
(listen to this orchestrated version on YouTube and notice the beautiful oboe playing at the beginning)

Feeling: 

Content and thankful for my present circumstances.  I'm fortunate enough to spend my days practicing piano, teaching piano, researching teaching ideas, taking photos, going out for walks and sipping tea.  Amazing.


Thanks for sharing some time with me today!

Fall, or Remnants of Halloween.

(Hanging out and carrying on with friends.)

shopping.

After the day's misfortune of standing on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck, this is one of those rare occasions when all I feel like doing is going shopping.  Of course, under the circumstances of those same car problems, the last thing that I should be doing is shopping.

Someday when my wallet's feeling heavier.

For now, this is just window-shopping.  Or perhaps just daydreaming...

Isn't it funny (i.e. pathetic) how sometimes we feel like owning a certain object or article of clothing will improve our quality of life?  Yet, here I am feeling that very way at this precise moment in time.  Oii yoii.

But, seriously, don't you just love the necklines? :)

teaching piano lessons.

I've had my ups and downs lately.  And pretty much on a daily basis.  You know those feelings you get when you're unsure about yourself or what you're doing?  Or when you feel you're having trouble communicating with other people?  Or just those feelings you get when you're spending too much time alone?

This week, I'm so glad to have some art from my piano students that I can look at to cheer me up.


...and remind me that life's not always about me.

This first one's from Nailah, who I just started teaching within the past few weeks.  She's a cutie.

This one's from Claire, who I taught before moving to Philadelphia.  I remember her very first lesson and how quiet and shy she was.  Before I knew it, she was the silliest and goofiest of all my students (but always one of the most prepared).  She would often burst into laughter during the middle of a song for no apparent reason.  And she had this funny curiosity for aliens and UFO's... 

(the "P.S." states: "I think there are lots of UFO's in Philly)...

Yeah.  Maybe.  Maybe that's why I've been feeling so out-of-sorts.

the red series.

ohhhh, honey.

Last week, Christopher's friend Lucy came in from London.  Both of them play music together (along with 8 other awesome people) in cuddle magic.  Right now, they're on an east coast tour for three weeks (consequently, leaving me a little bit on the lonely side at the old homestead).  Anyways, Lucy and her boyfriend Ollie stayed with us for a few days and before leaving they gave us a few little gifts, including this amazing local honey.

If I'm not mistaken, those bits on top are part of the honeycomb?

Before he left, Christopher and I each tried a spoonful.

Me: "Whoa.... I've never had honey that tasted anything like this before."

Christopher:  "Oh man, yeah, now I understand why Winnie the Pooh was always walking around with a honeycomb...."

Have you ever had honey like this?  With bits of the comb?

trip home (the abbreviated version)

This weekend, I took a much-needed trip home to Pittsburgh, PA to visit with my family.  I was planning on taking lots of photographs but, once there, I decided that I'd rather just take the time to visit, chat and take lots of naps.  So there's just a few!

film cameras, and what i'm learning.

Today, I went on a little adventure around West Philadelphia with two vintage cameras and I have nothing to show for it.  Well not until the film is developed, anyhow.  So, in the meantime, I figured that I'd snap a couple shots of the cameras themselves and tell you why I'm so giddy.

Kodak Pony 135 (Model C) - This little fellow actually belonged to my great-grandfather and has been living a quiet, solitary life in my mom's closet for a number of years now.  Last time I visited Pittsburgh, Mom stuck all of her old cameras and film in a bag and sent them home with me.  This guy was definitely the most interesting in the bunch.  This particular model came out between 1955-1958.  It's super lightweight and almost feels like a toy.  I read over the owner's manual online, loaded it up with some film and suddenly wanted to snap shots of everything.  Partly, because it's so old and "vintage-y", partly because it's film and the last time that I shot with film was way back in middle school before the digital revolution.

Minolta SRT 101 - I bought this handsome guy on Ebay nearly a year ago and have only taken a few shots since that time.  Growing up, my mom owned a Minolta camera (my dad bought it for her while she was in art school) and I've always had a great fondness for that camera.  Not that I ever used it.  I was too young at the time.  But she took some really great shots with that camera.  It's all just sentimental stuff, but I've always had it in my mind that I wanted to own a Minolta film camera, so when it appeared on Ebay, I snatched it up.  This particular model is likely a lot older than the one that my mom owned.  In comparison to the Pony (above), which barely makes a sound when you press the shutter release, the Minolta sounds like you're snapping a tree branch in the middle of a quiet, peaceful forest.  It's startling.  I tried taking a few photos of Random while he was sleeping but it woke him up and he went running into the other room.


I'm not sure if it's cool or if it's cliché to be walking around with vintage cameras strapped around your neck.  But for me, it felt like a connection into my family's past.  One camera that's been passed down from my great-grandfather.  The other, a reminder of my mom--her days in art school, her days snapping childhood photos of my brother and I--a reminder that she was once younger than I am now; time keeps ticking.

So, though I've wanted to do it for a while, today I was finally brave enough to venture out into the world with both cameras and I'm anxious to see the results.

O the days of waiting for your film to be developed.  They're back again...