In 2010 I ... shot a baby

Ellie is already 2+ months old, and Jenny & Toby wanted to get some shots before everyone forgets just how small she used to be! E's a precious little bug, but she had absolutely no intention of smiling when I took these last weekend. Maybe she's already been watching America's Next Top Model and picking up some non-smiley model poses?




I'm going to count that last one as a smile. Although if she keeps working the camera like this, maybe her modeling career can fund J & T's retirement? Just a bit of wishful thinking ...

In 2010 I ... planted.

Planting on a 3rd floor Uptown condo patio is no easy task. Keeping the planted items alive falls in the same category. After several failed orchid attempts, I've managed to keep a hearty aloe vera plant alive for just over a year now - a major feat. I mean, I had to move it indoors for the winter and everything.

Happy 1+ Birthday, AV!

So this year I was feeling more plant-confident. Almost cocky enough to try for blooming greenery ... but not quite. Enter my new coleus plant:


I fell in love with the oversized leaves and nearly-neon green trim, but unlike the pre-potted aloe vera (thanks, IKEA) the coleus required repotting. Thankfully my mom gifted me a pot filled with potting soil last year (So this was something I intended to do last spring? So what?), making the transfer about as easy as microwaving popcorn, my cooking skill equivalent.

In lieu of a traditional saucer I threw a bright blue galvanized tub beneath the pot, snagged at the Target Dollar Spot last year. In all seriousness, it's a small update to the ongoing patio upgrade, but it feels really great to have some added greenery out there.


Pot and soil: Gifted (thanks, Mom!)
Tub/saucer: $1
Coleus: $5.33

For under $7, this is my kind of upgrade. Here's to hoping there won't be a need for a subsequent in memoriam coleus post.

In 2010 I ... bid another friend adieu

Unfortunately, Carissa's pending departure has been a long time coming. As a great friend and regular mention on WLHitD, C is a neighbor, friend, Books & Bars attendee, bowling league teammate ... the list goes on and on. So this weekend began what will likely be similar to George's weeks-long send off, starting with a lovely afternoon soiree at Jennie & Eli's. Nothing says "We'll miss you" like beverages, lawn games and cake:

Eric butchering/graffiti editing C's cake

Shockingly, I like C enough to have even had thoughts of attempting to bake a cake myself. I printed a recipe off the interwebz and everything. Then I realized I liked her enough to buy a cake and save her and others the torture of choking down my "baking."

The party was enhanced by the uncanny matching abilities that J & E's daughter Violet, Patty and myself managed to unknowingly pull off. Instantly a brief, Sears portrait studio style shoot was born:

Me, P & V - and yes, we're together. Isn't it obvious?

Nothing says family like subtle softening effects with a healthy dose of pastels.

[Note: This whole "shoot" brought with it horrendous flashbacks of a darker time when my mom made me wear a red, velvety blazer (of the shoulder pad variety) circa '94/95. I was maybe 12, there were some serious bangs involved, and it was a very difficult time in the heart of the ugly years.]

Saying goodbye to C will be no easier than it was with G, and I'm already dreading the official June 22 takeoff. However, I intend to begin planning a New Zealand trip/European meet-up asap. That'll make for a stellar 2011 blog post, won't it?

[Note: I need a haircut. Like yesterday.]