3/9/14 - or Catherine turns 23.5

I want to start off this sunnyside post by acknowledging the scary and sobering disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines Flight.  I can't believe that a large passenger plane can literally just vanish.   While a happy ending is seeming less and less likely, I do hope that authorities are able to piece together what happened soon and give answers to the families of those on board.  I also hope that whatever happened will help make flying a little bit safer.  It's sad that horrible events are often what leads to big changes, but hopefully something good can come of this. 

On a less sad note, it was spring ahead day today, which meant an hour less of sleep but also meant that sunset wasn't until 6:51!  It will be nice to have some more light in the evenings. 

It has been a good week, full of lots of sleeping.  I was exhausted all week, and as a result I slept 9+ hours every night.  I think maybe I was on the verge of getting sick, but sleeping kept it away.  It also prepared me well for spring ahead :)

The Josh Ritter concert last Sunday was great.  He played a mix of new and old music, and it was a very different concert than when I saw him 4+ years ago - much quieter, and more intimate.  He is a really fun performer, because he is almost constantly smiling and high energy.  It was a long way to drive for just the weekend, but worth it!

This is one of the cutest and happiest things I've seen in awhile.  I love Lennon and Maisy on Nashville, and they have the best YouTube videos.  Here's their newest one, a cover of That's What's Up by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. 

 

Here are a couple of pictures from my weekend.  I made this delicious lentil-vegetable stew for the second time.  The recipe seems to have disappeared from where I found it online, but basically it's lentils, sweet potatoes, onion, spinach, and a delicious mix of spices - curry powder, cinnamon, garlic, and ginger.  If you want the recipe let me know and I can send it to you.  Highly recommended!  I also spent some time this weekend searching for a bathing suit for our upcoming spring break crew trip to DeLand, Florida.  Unfortunately, March is a very poor time to shop for swimming apparel in Vermont.  Apparently it is still too wintery for most people to be considering swimming.  I did end up ordering one online from Boden, so I'm hoping it fits/I like it.  We shall see!  So the picture is of these pretty hideous spandex I found at JC Penney...covered in french fries, pizza, onion rings, hot dogs, etc.  I was almost tempted to buy them but they're just a little too weird.  For your viewing pleasure. 

And a thought to leave you with, from the song Pumpin Blood that I posted last time: "You're a catalyst to your happiness you know."  A good mantra to live by - you're only going to be happy if you decide to be.  Have a good week!

"march"-ing ahead

I'm pretty good at being optimistic and seeing the sunny side of life and just generally rolling with the punches - hence the name of this blog.  Even so, I have days where I feel sad or overly tired or just a little down, and on those days, I turn to music.  This post is in honor of some of the songs I have been listening to a lot recently (both new and not-so-new).  I enjoy a pretty wide range of music and musical styles, so playlists that I make are often a bit eclectic - but here it goes:

happy songs for spring 2014
Hang With Me by Robyn
Pumpin Blood by NONONO
Mmm Yeah by Austin Mahone
What I Wouldn't Do by Serena Ryder
The Heart by NEEDTOBREATHE
Move by Little Mix
Chocolate by The 1975

I'm also really looking forward to seeing Josh Ritter play at Bates tonight!  I'll have to give a review of the concert afterwards. 

And I wrote about it before, but I got my Stitch Fix last week!  I think I had slightly unrealistically high expectations, plus it arrived at a time when I was trying to not spend money, so I was a little disappointed.  But I ended up keeping a bright pink, kind of slinky shirt that I think would look nice dressed down or dressed up.  It'll be a good addition to my "fancier/grown-up" clothing collection that I'm trying to expand. 

Finally, a few things I'm excited about: Chili Fest in Middlebury next weekend, a pile of good books to read, Florida sunshine ( >3 weeks away!)...I'm sure there are more, but that's plenty of happiness for now!  Peace, and have a fabulous first week of March!

olympics in the air!

The biggest news of this week is that I bought a TV and am able to watch the Olympics!!  I didn't realize that you could still get "over the air" stations, but with an antenna, I have 8+ different channels.  It has been great so far.  However, I am already pretty addicted, so I'm trying to make some guidelines for myself, like: turn town the volume if it's an event I'm not ALL that invested in; read (or do dishes) during commercial breaks or previously mentioned events; and go to bed after the end of primetime coverage (11/11:30pm).  Yes, I'm a little obsessed, but it's the best 2+ weeks of television for 2 years!  Might as well enjoy it while I can.  

This was the iTunes song of the week last week, and I actually like it a lot.  I've also been hearing it quite a bit on the radio.  I'm not sure if that's because of the iTunes special, or it's popular on its own.  Anyway, here's a link to Riptide by Vance Joy.  Disclaimer: the music video is really weird and disturbing, but I still like the song. 

If you were somehow unaware, it is Valentine's Day this week.  I have had plans for the last few months actually - hot date at the dentist's office!  So if you're feeling bad for yourself because you're alone on Valentine's Day and not receiving any flowers or chocolate or lovin', just remember that it could be worse :)

Finally, if you haven't seen this performance yet, please watch.  Jason Brown is perhaps my favorite Olympic athlete, and his long program is outta this world.  This is the video from US Nationals in January, but he's skating this routine in Sochi as well.  He is just so much fun to watch, and definitely sunnyside material.  Enjoy!

hi there february, let's do this.

Pretty VT views on a Saturday snowshoe

Thanks for helping make January 2014 keep on the sunny side's second most popular month ever!  Now we're on to February - inching closer to springtime and summer.  Even though Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, I couldn't see mine today in Vermont, so I'm going to believe that winter is coming to a close. 

Here are two interesting articles I read in the NYTimes recently.  The first is about sloths and how they have adapted to survive their very unique lifestyle.  And the second is about obesity, specifically understanding when in life obesity begins, and how body weight changes over time.  Check them out.

Last week, I talked about making my lentil dish.  It was ok, not one of my favorites.  But I made a yummy turkey pot pie last night.  So here are some food pictures, as well as a few other photos from my week. 

The lentils.  Not bad, but not my fave.

Yummy and cozy turkey pot pie

 

 

boots!

 

 

Friday Outfit, wearing a Lopi sweater my mom knit back in the day!

Lastly, a couple songs.  From This Valley by The Civil Wars and I Will Remain by Matthew & The Atlas.  Also, I'm pretty sure I've already written about Songza on my blog, but just to reiterate - it's amazing!  "Handclapping & Footstomping" is one of my favorite playlists, but there are many, many great ones.  If you don't use it, give it a try and you'll be hooked.  

Now, I'm off to watch some Sherlock (new to the show, but enjoying it so far).  Happy beginning of February!!

sunday afternoon thoughts

I have been listening to Josh Ritter a lot lately, specifically his 2013 album "The Beast in its Tracks", to prepare for seeing him live in March!  He is playing at Bates, and I think it will be an awesome small concert.  I saw him a few years ago, at UVM actually, where he played in one of the Davis Center ballrooms, and it was a great show - we stood in the second row and it felt intimate and energetic and just excellent.  Here are two of my favorite songs from the album. 
-A Certain Light
-New Lover
His songs have amazing lyrics.  He's a gem. 

This is my first weekend in Burlington in 6 weeks!  Crazy!  Luckily it was nice out yesterday (and by nice I mean the actual temperature was above 20), so I went for run and then did a Jillian ab workout.  It was cold again today, but I did some abs.  It feels good to be getting in an exercise routine again, though I am quite sore.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger though, right?

I also bought a pair of Frye boots today!  I have been wanting to get some for awhile, and I found my size in one of the styles I was eying on sale on Church Street today.  So I splurged, and I am happy I did.  I think they'll replace Dansko's as better "going out" shoes, not that I do very much going out. 

The new year has included lots of delicious salads for me, with fresh fruits and goat cheese crumble and candied nuts.  Today, though, I am going to branch out a little and make a recipe from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything (great cookbook), Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions.  I'll write about how it was later, but I have had good luck with his other recipes so I'm optimistic. 

May the last week of January be fun and productive and not too too cold! 

this is the new year

We are now well into 2014!  The new year has been busy but also fun, and I'm excited about what all is in store for the upcoming 11 months.  Here are some highlights from my first few weeks.
-I purchased a grown up wallet.  It will be especially nice to not hand over folded and crumpled bills.  Also, it's metallic, which is pretty amazing.  Real world, get ready.
-I signed up for Stitch Fix.  I think it has recently become a lot more popular, so my "fix" won't be coming until the end of February, but I'm still excited.  Here's the premise: You fill out an online style profile, which is a lot of fun and includes your sizes, what types of styles you like, what items you would prefer, etc.  Then, a stylist reviews this and sends you 5 items in the mail on your scheduled date.  This costs $20, but if you decide you want to keep/purchase at least one of the items, the $20 is applied to the cost.  Then, you send back whatever you don't want (shipping is free!).  You can get fixes as frequently or infrequently as you want...I signed up for one but opted out of the once a month option.  I'll check back in with my thoughts about what I receive, but in the meantime I'm eagerly awaiting my first shipment!  Also, here's the link if you're interested, because if you sign up then I get a credit :)  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3404025
-I have a pretty great pink crop top sweatshirt from H&M.  Basically one of the best articles of clothing I've ever owned.  I think it's also the first crop top I've owned, other than shirts that I accidentally shrank, and my life has certainly changed just a bit.
-I saw Dallas Buyer's Club last weekend.  I'd highly recommend it - very interesting and great acting.
-This is a sort of negative highlight, but the high temperature today was -2 in Burlington!  So cold!  The forecasted low for tonight is -18.  It's the kind of cold that makes your legs hurt when you walk outside, but it also makes me feel pretty intense. Almost like living in the Arctic. 
-I've gotten to see a lot of good friends in the last few weeks, which has been awesome. 
-And finally, here are a few fun, happy songs for your Wednesday night:
Life is Better With You by Michael Franti
The Wire by Haim
Happy by Pharrell Williams (from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, watched it twice over vacation!)

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

We are halfway through December!  I love this time of year, and I can't wait to be home in just a few days.  And, the recent snowstorm has made everything that much more festive.  The subzero temperatures and arctic windchills, not so much.  But it's winter, and even though I complain about the cold and the snow, I do love my seasons. 

Since my last blog post:
-I finished Season 4 of The Good Wife.  I have really enjoyed the show (thanks Robin!).  Watching shows about lawyers makes me positive I would never want to be one, but very glad that there are lots of people out there with the skills and confidence to defend me in court if I ever need it. 
-I finished knitting my cowl!  It's cozy and warm, and the first cowl/infinity scarf I have owned.  Now I need to find a new knitting project for vacation.  I'm thinking about starting a sweater, which would be an exciting endeavor for the next few months.  I'll post later when I make a decision!
-Watched Love Actually (finally!), and of course it was the best.  That movie will never get old.  On a related note, I have been getting in the holiday spirit with music.  Some of my favorites are probably also some of yours: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (Springsteen version), O Holy Night (Josh Groban version), You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch (from the animated version), etc.  However, I doubt that many of you are familiar with the great album "Christmas in Maine."  I have listened to this CD/cassette more times than I can count, and I'd encourage you to check it out.  Here is a link to The Maine Christmas Song.  It covers my love for Maine and Christmas in one great track.  What more could you want?
-Last but not least, we're having a cookie swap at work tomorrow, and these melting snow-people are my masterpiece.  I found a lot of websites/mom blogs out there with recipes for them.  I improvised a bit, but I think they turned out well - cute and very chocolatey! 

And to leave you on a happy note, 2 of my favorite scenes from Elf: