The Homesteady

Let's meet for drinks [v.6]

This is one of my favorite kinds of posts because I get to find out so much about you guys! (Read the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth in the series -- and feel free to answer those too!) If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). And alcohol may be optional, but if we were sitting across from each other on a breezy bar patio right now, I'd probably order a simple cocktail perfect for a hot end-of-summer day: vodka and water with a few fresh lemon slices thrown in (unabashedly stolen from my friend Kaela!).

Here are today's questions. My answers are below...

1. Would you rather binge-watch an old TV show you know you love, or start a new one you’ve heard great things about?
2. What meal reminds you of being a little kid?
3. What is the most recent Pinterest project you did?
4. First day of school or last day of school?
5. Okay, this one's a little off-color, but were you allowed to say "fart" when you were growing up? If not, what did your parents make you say instead?

My answers...

1. Honestly, most of the time, I'd rather go for something tried and true than something new. I love the comfort of TV shows I've seen before!
2. A grilled cheese sandwich made with American cheese, dipped in ketchup.
3. I made this strawberry garland for my friend Amanda, who just had back surgery.
4. Oh how I loved both! But if I had to choose...first day for sure. The beginning of the schoolyear was always full of so much promise and opportunity! 
5. We had to say "fluff" instead! And Kristie had to say "pert." Ha!

Okay, it's your turn! I can't wait to read your answers.

Let's meet for drinks [v. 5]

This is one of my very favorite kinds of posts because I get to find out so much about you guys! (Read the first, second, third, and fourth in the series -- and feel free to answer those too!) If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). Remember, comments will be visible after approval, so they won't show up right away. And alcohol may be optional, but if I were sitting across from you right now, I'd probably order a Kentucky mule. I've been into whiskey cocktails lately.

1. What's one song that gives you goosebumps every time you hear it?
2. What is one trait you have that you can attribute to a relative you never met?
3. Do you wear the same hairstyle every day?
4. What is one thing that always helps you fall asleep?
5. Do you make or buy Valentine's Day cards (or maybe not give any at all)?

My answers...

1. "Blood" by The Middle East. It's so beautiful and just a tiny bit haunting. I even used it in this video.
2. My great-grandmother spoke seven different languages. My mom has always told me I get my affinity for language from her. I don't speak seven by any means, but really enjoy learning new languages, and traveling of course. (My great-grandmother was also a suffragette! Maybe feminism runs in families, too.)
3. I wear a different hairstyle almost every day -- although lately most require a straightening iron, either to straighten my hair or give it a wave. I'm enjoying having longer hair and bangs -- for the moment. I think once we get back from Europe I'll go back to a shorter cut.
4. I have a little roller of lavender essential oil on my nightstand. Putting a tiny bit on my wrists as I turn out the light usually helps me drift off.
5. We always give each other little gifts and try to make special time for Valentine's Day. Kristie works at a great store that has an amazing stationery component, and she always gets me the loveliest, funniest Valentine's Day cards (I even got two last year!). By contrast, I usually forget the card part, or plan to do something but don't have time. This year, I'm making the one I'm going to give her -- tonight!

Okay, it's your turn! I can't wait to read your answers!

Let's meet for drinks [v.4]

This is one of my favorite kinds of posts because I get to find out so much about you guys! (Read the first, second, and third in the series -- and feel free to answer those too!) If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). Remember, comments will be visible after approval, so they won't show up right away. And alcohol may be optional, but if we were sitting across from each other in a cozy bar right now (maybe next to a roaring fire), I'd probably order a cranberry bourbon fizz. Doesn't it seem so seasonally appropriate?

Here are today's questions. My answers are below...

1. If you could spend the day with any animal, what kind would you pick and what would you do together?
2. What are you looking forward to most about winter?
3. Tell me about a movie you saw recently, by which you were surprised at how much you ended up liking it.
4. If you're wearing nail polish right now, what color is it?
5. Who in your life says your name in a way that is loveliest to hear?

Here are my answers:

1. I would pick a manatee. They seem like the sweetest animals, and it would be wonderful to travel slowly through the sea with one by my side. 

2. Christmas, Christmas a million times over! Now all I have to do is work on things to look forward to after the holidays are over.

3. I really liked the movie Her. Going into it, I kind of thought I'd find it cheesy or pervy or whatever, but the story really touched me and the cinematography was amazing. I'd happily watch it again.

4. I have a French manicure I did Sunday night while watching "Buffy." It's kind of sloppy, but not bad if you squint a little. It's taken me awhile, but I've learned Sunday night is the best time for me to do my nails. They get totally messed up by various projects all weekend long! 

5. My aunt Sarah is originally from North Carolina. She has this tempered way of speaking that makes any word sound beautiful and intentional.

Okay, it's your turn! I can't wait to read your answers!

Let's meet for drinks [v.3]

This is one of my favorite kinds of posts because I get to find out so much about you guys! (Read the first and second in the series -- and feel free to answer those too!) If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). Remember, comments will be visible after approval, so they won't show up right away. And alcohol may be optional, but if we were sitting across from each other in a cozy bar right now, I'd probably order a hot toddy. It is the first day of autumn, after all!

1. What musician or band did you grow up loving just because your parents did?
2. What has to be "just so" in order for you to be able to fall asleep?
3. What's the desktop picture on your computer right now?
4. How do you part your hair?
5. What is your go-to party trick?

Here are my answers...

1. I've always loved the Beatles and Joni Mitchell thanks to my parents' taste in music -- also Sheryl Crow, Carly Simon, and Bonnie Raitt. My mom and I even went to a Bonnie Raitt concert together two summers ago!

2. It's weird, but I have to wear pants to be able to fall asleep. Whether they're sweatpants, leggings, or nice light pajama pants, it doesn't matter. I can't sleep in shorts!

3. On my work computer, I have a pretty black-and-white triangle pattern I found via Design Love Fest. On my home computer, sadly, it's like that terrible stock desktop picture. This. I've gotta get on changing that.

4. For years and years and years, I've been parting my hair on the right. Recently (inspired by my sister), I've started parting it in the middle. It's differerent...but good.

5. I have very dexterous toes. Especially in college, my party trick was lighting a lighter using just my feet! (Update: Watch it.)

Okay, your turn! I can't wait to read your answers in the comments.

Let's meet for drinks [v.2]

Isn't this picture dreamy? Kristie and I spent last weekend in Provincetown with our dear friends, and I'm back in Cape Cod today to spend time with the fam. I can't wait to share photos from my trip, but in the meantime....

I really enjoyed getting to know some of you through the last round of questions. Let's meet for drinks again, shall we?

If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). Remember, comments will be visible after approval, so they won't show up right away. And alcohol may be optional, but if we were sitting across from each other in a sandy seaside bar right now, I'd probably order a Riesling Strawberry Slushie.

1. What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
2. What is your tag/garage/yard sale kryptonite (i.e. the one thing you can never resist buying)?
3. Have you ever broken a bone?
4. Did you keep a diary or journal growing up?
5. How do you pass time during your commute?

1. Lately, my favorite way to practice self-care has been to read. It's really nice to only do one thing -- as opposed to relaxing while watching a movie, during which time I usually also knit or craft. 

2. I can never ever (ever) say no to vintage Christmas ornaments! Especially creepy Santas. The creepier, the better.

3. I've never broken a bone, but I am particularly talented at spraining various parts of my body in catastrophic/ridiculous ways.

4. I journaled fervently all through middle school and part of high school -- almost every night, in fact. But I can't stand going back and reading them. It feels like they were written by a different person. I hope that's not weird.

5. Ever since buying a car with Bluetooth capabilities, my iPhone has become my best driving buddy. Not for texting, of course, but for streaming Pandora or episodes of podcasts like "This American Life" or "Radiolab." 

Your turn! I can't wait to read what you have to say and get to know you a little better. 

Let's meet for drinks

Let's get to know each other better! In an ideal world, I would love to go out and get a drink with each and every one of you. I thought we could do it here while scientists keep working on some kind of teleportation device (that's a priority for them, right?). 

If you want to play along, settle in with a nice beverage and answer the following five questions in the comments (my answers are below). Remember, comments will be visible after approval, so they won't show up right away. And alcohol may be optional, but if we were sitting across from each other in a bar right now, I'd probably order a Lavender French 75. I can't wait to see what you have to say! 

1. What's the best thing about your town?
2. Do you believe in astrology?
3. If you got to have dinner (or drinks) with a historical feminist icon, who would you pick?
4. What was your most favorite book you were required to read for a class?
5. What's your dream job? 

Okay, here are my answers...

1. The best thing about my town is how accepting everybody is. It's a very friendly, artsy place. 
2. Ugh, from a scientific standpoint, there's no evidence to support astrology...but sometimes those horoscopes get it so right! I'm torn.
3. I would pick Bella Abzug. It would be so interesting to hear about creating serious change in politics from a woman's perspective...maybe like a 1970s version of "House of Cards." 
4. I took a Southern Gothic Writers class in college that got me totally and completely hooked on short stories by Flannery O'Connor and especially Eudora Welty. My brother got me The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty for Christmas and I keep it always on my bedside table. Her writing is so fabulous. (And a very worthy reward for battling through so much Faulkner, which constituted the rest of the reading list for that class.)
5. Probably like a lot of people, my dream job changes all the time. I love the day job I have, but my dream situation would probably be a Renaissance-type job combined of writing this blog, making wedding videos, and planning events.

Your turn!

(Inspired by my friend Allie)