tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556696257007229592026-05-29T16:10:14.605-04:00naturally ninaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-62098177369898335412011-07-14T15:17:00.004-04:002011-07-14T15:39:44.998-04:00watermelon slushie.<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Watermelon Frosty." height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5934942747_e331fb7f38.jpg" width="333" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the thing you need to know about me is that i will drink (and enjoy) almost anything that comes out of a blender. that being said, after a hot and sticky summer day... this treat really hits the spot:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;"><b>watermelon slushie</b><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">serves 2</span><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;">3 cups frozen watermelon cubes</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;">1 lemon, squeezed (lime juice also works)<br />
1 banana<br />
optional: lots of rum </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;">blend and garnish with a watermelon slice. serve, sip... and then run and jump into the lake.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-88021721186125595802011-07-13T13:00:00.004-04:002011-08-30T09:19:09.520-04:00wellness wednesdays: whole wheat banana bread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_5885" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5924505244_f5dba924c0.jpg" width="484" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...also known as the post where i justify eating baked goods.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i am not one for food rules. i feel like they give people unnecessary anxiety and guilt. but here is one rule that i <i>can</i> get behind: "eat as much junk food as you want, as long as you make it yourself." <i>(<a href="http://michaelpollan.com/">michael pollan</a>)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">really? ok! here's the reasoning... could you (would you even want to?) make your own twinkie? or french fries? that sounds like a lot of work to me. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the theory is that as long as you're making your own junk food, you're taking the time to see where your food comes from. you're putting together whole ingredients, and you're avoiding preservatives. the bottom line: no person on this planet is going to whip out their deep fryer for every meal, every day. (ahem, i hope.) </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">so, you're in the mood for banana bread? make one, but make it <i>from scratch</i>. as an added health bonus, throw in some whole wheat flour (go fiber!) instead of white flour, or apple sauce or plain, non-fat yogurt instead of canola or vegetable oil. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">easy, right?</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">without further ado, here is my delicious, wholesome, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside, <i>i made it myself! </i>banana bread:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ingredients:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;">3/4 cup </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">all-purpose flour </span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
3/4 cup</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">whole-wheat flour</span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
1/4 cup</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">flaxseed meal</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
1 teaspoon</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">baking powder</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
1/2 teaspoon</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">salt</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
1/2 teaspoon</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">baking soda</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
1 cup</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">mashed ripe banana</span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
2/3 cup</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">sugar</span><span itemprop="amount" style="font-size: small;"><br />
3/4 cup</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">plain low-fat yogurt</span></div><ul class="prep" itemprop="instructions" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.2em; margin: 9px 0px;"><b><span itemprop="name" style="font-size: small;">directions:</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
preheat oven to 325°. combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. then combine banana and yogurt in a separate small bowl. add together until moist. spoon the batter into a 9 x 5–inch greased loaf pan. bake at 325° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. cool on a wire rack, and remove from pan. slice and serve warm.voila! </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* * *</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">now, i'd love to hear... what's your favorite home-made junk food? and do you have any other genius, healthy baking substitutes?</span></span><br />
<ul class="prep" itemprop="instructions" style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></ul></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-63437238519914261612011-07-12T10:02:00.000-04:002011-07-12T10:02:25.468-04:00house hunting.<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="6a00d8341cbe0853ef015432126692970c-600wi" height="319" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5930222078_c70abd32a8.jpg" width="500" /></span></div><div id="meta" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div id="yui_3_3_0_3_13103954628261091"><span style="font-size: small;">in a few short weeks, simon and i will begin our house search. this is <i>super exciting</i>, albeit a little daunting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in order to keep our wits about us, (mostly me) i've set out the following criteria* for staying focused on the important stuff:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1. is there a working fireplace? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. can i picture drinking coffee in the kitchen every morning and solving crosswords in the living room at night? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. is there a backyard that a dog would want to run through?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">4. is there a special little nook, or random detail about the house, that is weird and therefore, awesome? :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">5. is there a space for crafting and mess making? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">6. is there a guest room or space where my beloved friends and family can stay, and where i can leave them little notes and fresh garden flowers?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">7. and last but not least, does the house <i>feel right</i>? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">what else am i forgetting? i'd love to hear your ideas and experiences in house hunting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* we've also got location, cost, age of the house, etc. etc. on the list... but those things are well... <i>boring</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/buttonsmagee/5679318939/in/faves-naturallynina/">buttons magee</a>) </span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-46660316626683102382011-07-11T14:13:00.000-04:002011-07-11T14:13:49.647-04:00a little love note.<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="" height="315" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5176133481_1035147e81.jpg" width="500" /> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>i am an aunt to two nieces, a nephew, and another nephew on the way. lately, i've been so smitten with them, i feel like i'm wearing heart holographic glasses when i look at them. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sometimes i want to eat your toes. instead, i eat the slobbery, soggy, mushed up food you offer to me, because you're a good sharer and i love you so. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sometimes i watch how you crawl, and play, and talk, and am in awe of how smart you are already. and sometimes, i think about the fact that before you came along, i had no idea how much i would love being an aunt.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">when you get bigger, i hope you'll come over to my house and i can teach you about yoga, and norway and child-friendly things like how to make the perfect espresso. and we'll practice cartwheels in the backyard, and watch <strike>inappropriate</strike> disney movies. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">mostly, i just hope that some day you'll know just how lucky you are to have the parents you have. they are awesome. (almost as awesome as you.)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">love, </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">aunt nina</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">p.s. your uncle simon will teach you about spreadsheets, quantum physics and driving <strike>fast</strike>. he's really good at all of those things. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/krmmnn/5176133481/in/faves-naturallynina/">krmmnn</a>)</span><br />
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<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-41882575675813264122011-07-08T10:11:00.000-04:002011-07-08T10:11:35.089-04:00summer weekend.what are you up to this weekend? simon and i are planning a quiet evening in, (since we splurged last night and devoured beef stroganoff at a french restaurant). i'm also looking forward to <i>getting things done</i>, going swimming in the lake and sleeping in on sunday.<br />
<br />
have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime, here are five things that i am loving right now:<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
1. this perfect summer song: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Kearney">mat kearney's hey mama</a><br />
<br />
2. eco-friendly cork-topped nail polish bottles from <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20806147&navAction=jump&parentid=QUICKSHOP">megan miller </a><br />
<br />
3. tina fey's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bossypants-Tina-Fey/dp/0316056863">bossypants</a>: interesting <i>and</i> funny.<br />
<br />
4. lightweight summer shawls like <a href="http://www.virginiajohnson.com/shop.list.php5?sku=-SH-A060x353x08&type=product">this one</a>. <br />
<br />
5. and lastly, yogurt that tastes like red velvet cake. <a href="http://yoplait.com/images/light/red-velvet-cake.png">yes, seriously</a>.<br />
<br />
<img alt="." height="336" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5856609057_c41ddc6c4e.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<br />
<br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sholivia/5856609057/in/faves-naturallynina/">aivilo</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-56783981606385245362011-07-06T07:36:00.000-04:002011-07-06T08:26:27.595-04:00wellness wednesdays.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="Breakfast" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2094814493_3defef5d00.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">something happened when i turned thirty. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">out of nowhere, i started craving more exercise in addition to <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/2011/01/on-mat.html">yoga</a>, (running! dancing! biking!) and i really wanted to sweat. i also began noticing just how icky i felt after eating certain foods. (for instance, i can't stomach fried food anymore. it's actually rather sad.) </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">so, today i'm excited to start a new series on the blog called <i>wellness wednesdays,</i> where i will share little tidbits about health, <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/search/label/recipes">recipes</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">fitness (including <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/search/label/yoga">yoga</a>),</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> self-care and more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">believe me when i say, i know how hard it is to eat right, move our bodies, and take care of ourselves when there are a million other things to do. (i mean, seriously... we're supposed to be flossing too?) so, how can we balance wellness with all of the other demands in our lives?<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">my goal is to focus on the little things. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">this series will <i>not</i> be about running marathons (although i do think that's cool) or becoming a vegan (also cool). but it will be about manageable, inventive and fun ways to stay healthy involving <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/2011/01/green-smoothie.html">smoothies</a>, spontaneous dance parties, <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/2011/04/organic-wine-tasting.html">organic wine</a>, raw nuts, spas, kale, and moderation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">is there anything in particular you'd love to hear about? please let me know. next week i'm going to kick off the series with a healthy banana bread recipe. woo! xo.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/racchell/2094814493/in/faves-naturallynina/">racchell</a>)<br />
</span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-46833777605549513312011-07-01T08:46:00.001-04:002011-07-01T08:52:13.433-04:00maine, in blue.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="IMG_5769" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5878800923_66c71a469a.jpg" width="500" /> <br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">call me crazy, but i'd be perfectly happy if i woke up tomorrow and it was august.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
don't get me wrong... i love the summer: new freckles, corn on the sob, water that looks like the color of blueberries... but july is going to be a <i>crazy</i> busy month, and honestly, i'd rather just skip it. what can i say? i'm a wimp.<br />
<img alt="IMG_5762" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5276/5878798705_fe72db4486.jpg" width="500" /><br />
the other night, simon and i went canoeing, and i let my fingers dip into the water as we floated along. it was such a refreshing, calming feeling; i suddenly realized just how precious these little moments are, and i'm crazy to wish my life away.<br />
<img alt="IMG_5783" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5878804203_846c07878a.jpg" width="500" /><br />
so, let me start over. july, nice to see you... but please go easy on us, okay? and to all you americans out there, happy fourth of july! </div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-82844113699784800482011-06-29T10:32:00.000-04:002011-06-29T10:46:31.462-04:00on my bookshelf: the happiness project.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="HappinessProject" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5884705464_2a1b5af055.jpg" width="328" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">about a month ago, a friend sent me a text message that read: "stuck at chicago airport, bleurgh. just picked up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Morning-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0061583251">the happiness project</a> and it made me think of you. have you read it?"<br />
<br />
i was instantly flattered. never mind that i hadn't actually read the book, i had heard amazing reviews and it warmed my heart that my friend thought of me and happiness together.<br />
<br />
needless to say, i picked it up, and read the whole thing in a matter of days. and i loved it.<br />
<br />
as someone who believes that happiness is a choice, and requires daily effort, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Morning-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0061583251">the book</a> really resonated with me. that being said, i am, at my core, a generally happy person, so i loved that the premise of the book was that nothing needed to be particularly wrong in order for someone to seek <i>more</i> happiness.<br />
<br />
the set up of the book is that author, <a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/about.html">gretchen rubin</a>, spends a year experimenting with different happiness resolutions, and shares her insights along the way. they include singing in the morning, taking more pictures, meditating, eating more <i>real</i> food, and much more.<br />
<br />
i loved the book so much, i'm even toying with the idea of starting my own happiness project... it would include resolutions such as spending less time online, (and also spending more time outside), being more patient, reading more non-fiction books, going (indoor) rock-climbing, and enhancing my dinner making repertoire. <br />
<br />
now i'm curious, have you read the book, or started your own happiness project? i'd love to hear about it. <br />
<br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-17671783966817947982011-06-27T19:43:00.002-04:002011-06-27T19:48:39.138-04:00maine living.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as i type this, the sun is setting over the lake (and confession: we are also watching a christmas episode of <a href="http://www.nbc.com/community/">community</a>. we are addicted.) anyway... today, two pictures. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_5430" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/5874784693_62a32288a4.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>one: </b>this amazing little house is where we are temporarily living while we look for our own house. it belongs to simon's parents. so, while we can't stay forever, we are loving it. where else can you go canoeing after dinner and roast marshmallows on a week night?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_5472" height="333" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/5874791345_ff859f5f4c.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>two:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> speaking of dinner, this was one of the first meals we ate in the lake house: lobster, avocado, tomato, and mango salad. i am not exaggerating when i say it was "summer in a bowl". </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
conclusion: nina is officially a maine girl.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-54863372055684721992011-06-23T13:43:00.000-04:002011-06-23T13:43:48.458-04:00i belong among a field of wildflowers. i belong in a boat out at sea.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="Wild flowers on the dashboard." height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/5856651250_866d0ea971.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">moving is a little unsettling. cardboard boxes take over your surroundings, and shit, where are your favorite worn-out, soft sleeping pants? (they could be <i>anywhere</i>.)<br />
<br />
despite my valiant efforts to stay sane, which include listening to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLSOzcEQjiE">good music</a> while packing, and spontaneous bouquets of wild flowers, i've had a couple of melt downs. this is normal, no?<br />
<br />
what are your secrets for staying balanced during times of transition? <br />
<br />
</div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-11574177124384951902011-06-21T16:21:00.000-04:002011-06-21T16:21:30.851-04:00summer solstice.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dinner." height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5071/5855237118_3456553705_o.jpg" width="426" /></div></div><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<br />
<img alt="Fire." border="0" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/5854700511_e78c0e0eb9.jpg" width="500" /><br />
the summer night is like a perfection of thought. -- wallace stevens<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="Fire." border="0" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5076/5854706463_fa31d404f1.jpg" width="500" /> </div>please join us, won't you?<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-71715538490430528992011-06-20T10:20:00.000-04:002011-06-20T10:20:58.393-04:00the way life should be.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="meet me in montauk" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5426559367_d383e1ce9d.jpg" width="494" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">… and i’m back! how have you all been? what did i miss? can i tell you how much i appreciate that you're still here? <i>oh so much. </i></div><br />
my time away from this space was busy, but in the best possible way. we have some news! over the past month, simon and i have made the move from our bustling, urban lifestyle in boston, to living on a lake in maine. we are still getting our bearings, and adjusting to the quieter lifestyle. (i am also learning how to drive slower. <i>ahem</i>.) <br />
<br />
in the evenings, we sit by the water and build a fire. it's hot and still, and the bugs are a welcome reminder that we are, in fact, in a whole new place. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">as with any big life transition, there is some bittersweetness. boston is where we met, fell in love and where some of our family and friends still live. but we've been dreaming about making this move for a while, and it feels like the perfect adventure at the perfect time. together, we are figuring it all out... even how to drive on bumpy dirt roads with a car that is packed to the brim with boxes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">over the next few weeks, i am excited to share more about this new place we call home, and get back into the groove of using my camera every day. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">logging on here today felt like coming home, and i am so happy to be back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>post script: while i was away, i also spent some time thinking about why i blog… or more importantly, why i want to keep blogging. a friend of mine said it best when he said: "life only throws you a handful of magical moments. some are big and obvious like weddings, graduations, births, etc. other times, those moments are quiet, subtle, and easily missed.” blogging reminds me to step back and pay attention. hopefully, many years from now, i can read this blog and remember with equal gusto, the little things that happened as the days went by.</i><br />
<br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlemisselisabeth/5426559367/">weepy hollow</a>) </div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-976766775162116222011-05-19T21:08:00.025-04:002011-05-19T22:19:04.700-04:00a wee break.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5425282761_1991e7e929.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">my dear friends,<br />
it's a thursday night, and i'm snuggled up under a blanket, thinking about this little blog of mine. as you've probably noticed, i haven't posted much lately.<br />
<br />
it's hard to believe, but it's been <i>three years</i> since i started blogging. wow! this space has been such a gift in my life. it's provided me with a creative outlet, a community of so many amazing women (many of whom i consider to be my friends) and a place to document my life through words and photographs. it's been <i>so</i> special sharing so many moments with all of you.<br />
<br />
that being said, somewhere in the last few months, something inside of me has shifted. perhaps it's the fact that when i close my laptop, i find myself being more present to what is happening in my life. instead of thinking about how to document everything, i soak it all up. or perhaps, it's just that my life <i>off-line</i> is <b><i>oh-so-good</i>, </b>and i want to spend every free moment i have with my amazing husband.<br />
<br />
or perhaps it's just that i need a little holiday. :) i'm not quite sure. either way, i've decided to take a little blog sabbatical. i hope you will all understand. i promise to be back some time soon (although i'm not sure when) and let you all know what i decide to do with this space.<br />
<br />
in the meantime, know that i adore you all! and i'm so grateful that you've been here with me for so long. all my love,<br />
nina<br />
<br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcosrivas/5425282761/in/faves-naturallynina/">marcos rivas</a>)</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-9439226315011477782011-05-09T10:43:00.001-04:002011-05-09T12:13:58.960-04:00markets of new england.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="Cover" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5562164671_f053677e49.jpg" width="386" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">there is no doubt about it. i have the coolest friends. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
one of them, <a href="http://christinechitnis.com/">christine chitnis</a>, recently published her first book, and i couldn't be more proud. it is a detailed overview of the fifty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Markets-New-England-Christine-Chitnis/dp/1892145960">best farmers' and artisan markets in new england</a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavenderlimes/5538334799/" title="ME- Cabbage by lavenderandlime, on Flickr"><img alt="ME- Cabbage" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5538334799_5fe0b10d4f.jpg" width="212" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavenderlimes/5538335809/" title="MA Tomatoes by lavenderandlime, on Flickr"><img alt="MA Tomatoes" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5538335809_0030ae54ed.jpg" width="236" /></a></span><br />
as you all know, it is a subject i wholeheartedly believe in.* </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not only that, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Markets-New-England-Christine-Chitnis/dp/1892145960">markets of new england</a> is the kind of book that catches your eye when you're strolling through <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/">anthropologie</a>. when you get closer and start flipping through it, you realize you <i>have to have it...</i> the photographs are magical. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><img alt="hands" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5643905990_99dced0ff3.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
on a personal note, christine is in many ways a role model to me. through hard work, determination and grace, she has created the life of her dreams, including this big one: becoming a successful, published author. she continually inspires me with everything that she accomplishes, especially because she stays grounded, humble and grateful in the process. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><img alt="MA- Salty Lou's Lobster" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5538335401_8983d8869f.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /><img alt="Favorite- Repeat Press" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5538337379_cfff0e3403.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="232" /></span><br />
<b>christine has generously offered to give <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Markets-New-England-Christine-Chitnis/dp/1892145960">a copy of the book</a> to one lucky reader of naturally nina. to enter to win, please leave a comment on this post, (tweet about it for extra entries!) and a winner will be chosen randomly on friday morning. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b>* <i>why are farmers' markets important</i>? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i look at them as a societal win-win. when we buy produce, dairy products, or bread directly from local producers, we allow them to maximize their profits (by skipping the middle men), we avoid processed food that is over-packaged and unhealthy, we can obtain locally grown, seasonally-appropriate organic vegetables, (which is better for the environment), and we can "shop" in a way that is more human, more interactive, and more fun. what's not to love? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
p.s. i wrote an official review of the book <a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/05/book-review-markets-of-new-england--nina-cutter/">here</a>, if you'd like to read it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(photo credits: <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/">christine chitnis</a>)</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-87085015790418630512011-05-05T08:45:00.001-04:002011-05-05T11:43:06.461-04:00things i love thursday (the farmcoast edition.)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">last week i took a little road trip to the <a href="http://www.farmcoast.com/">quaint coastal villages</a> of tiverton, westport and little compton. despite the rain, it was one of those perfect days. below, a few highlights.<br />
<br />
<img alt="More flowers." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5667034984_8757c5a9f9.jpg" width="500" /><br />
flowers in bloom. everywhere. i love the moodiness of this photo. (thank you, big clouds.)<br />
<img alt="Chair." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5666468479_2690e730fd.jpg" width="500" /><br />
antique chairs in sweet little jewelry shops. this photo makes me want to learn how to upholster.<br />
<img alt="Making jewelry." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5667028604_dc665d28b4.jpg" width="500" /><br />
an artist at work. so inspiring.<br />
<img alt="Floral supplies." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5667025954_174acc95e7.jpg" width="500" /><br />
behind the scenes at a flower shop. be still my heart. these colors are some of my all-time favorites.<br />
<img alt="Working cash register." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5667024018_80ceb447f7.jpg" width="500" /><br />
an amazing old cash register at <a href="http://www.thecottageri.com/">the cottage</a>. (yes, i snuck behind the counter to get this photo. rebel.)<br />
<img alt="Old light." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5667027438_6f74a42c93.jpg" width="500" /><br />
an adorable consignment shop called <a href="http://www.farmcoast.com/stores.html">rummage</a>. and rummage i did. :)<br />
<br />
to see more photographs, you can visit my flickr account <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallynina/sets/72157626478111475/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.farmcoast.com/">farmcoast</a>, i will be back soon.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-70826344838844345312011-05-04T17:16:00.000-04:002011-05-04T17:16:22.845-04:00afternoon.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="5472063007_79b8e03b68_b" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5688328714_606b4c869d.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm currently sitting in a comfy chair and the rain is pouring down outside. i decided it was time for a little break, so i brewed a pot of decaf and watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkUt9zuBxk">this amazing video</a>. if you're in the mood to be inspired, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkUt9zuBxk">check it out</a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
my favorite line is: "i collect bad wines. because if the wine is ready and the person is there... i'm opening it. " isn't that great? :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirds/5472063007/in/faves-naturallynina/">stephanie cb</a>)</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-75767517049936478202011-05-02T11:09:00.001-04:002011-05-02T11:10:17.095-04:00kitchen tulips.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="tulips3" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5679772217_c7992ae9a4.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when life gets really busy, i like to run away from my to-do list and head straight to the nearest flower shop. (who am i kidding? the first stop is actually a coffee shop. then, the flower shop.) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as soon as i saw these sweet two-toned tulips, i knew i had to have them. i even spent time needlessly arranging them. oh, the simple pleasures. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
now, back to my to-do list. :) i hope you all have a beautiful, simple monday.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-14614732545518820842011-04-29T14:21:00.005-04:002011-08-30T09:22:46.216-04:00organic wine tasting.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Organic wines." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5622725050_f763d0a81e.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">as you know, i <i>love</i> wine. (simon and i went <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/2010/10/our-new-zealand-honeymoon-part-1.html">wine-tasting</a> on our honeymoon and we also typically drink a glass or so every day... for the health benefits of course.)<br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so, i recently collaborated on a delicious new project... an organic wine tasting with fellow boston blogger, <a href="http://www.morethanmerlot.com/">sara</a> from <a href="http://www.morethanmerlot.com/">more than merlot</a>. <br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sara is a certified sommelier, amazing foodie, and an a+ friend. together with our husbands we taste-tested two organic wines* and one sustainable one. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all three are less than $12 and easy to find in your local wine shop. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUI31d8N2yY/Tbrsx7qcoQI/AAAAAAAAGvE/HAQTbWStrDo/s1600/bonterra.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallynina/5670167794/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bonterra. by NaturallyNina, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Bonterra." height="200" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5670167794_25cc04370e.jpg" width="80" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a blend of merlot,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> syrah, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b></b></i></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>sara says</b></i>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">a </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">good wine, but after seeing bonterra all over the place i was expecting more. granted, this is a table wine and not one of their pure varietal wines, so you should not expect it to be super well defined. of all three this is probably the one i would be least likely to buy again. </span></span></b></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>nina says</b></i>: i liked it, although i agree with sara. this was my least favorite of the evening. </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"></span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFTVOzZRKR4/Tbr6cwQkUyI/AAAAAAAAGvY/_ygiduX-uvQ/s1600/frey.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5669787751_a252f6d620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Frey." border="0" height="200" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5669787751_a252f6d620.jpg" width="62" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"></span>a blend of carignane, zinfandel and syrah </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b><br />
sara says:</b></i> this wine was great! i would buy this wine again, it is soft and easy to drink. i would most likely drink it on its own, because with food i felt it got a little washed out. lovely wine with bright, ripe fruits and a touch of floral/herbal notes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
nina says</i></b>: yummy! i loved this one. it tasted like a spring day. my favorite.</span></div><div><div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallynina/5670181022/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Parducci. by NaturallyNina, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Parducci." height="200" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5670181022_a539f2d8c6.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="66" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a blend of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">zinfandel, syrah, cabernet sauvignon & carignane<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><br />
sara </span>says</i></b>: big and beautiful - a wine after my own heart! this was my favorite of the three. it really held up against the food we were eating but super smooth and delightful on its own. i will be buying this again for sure! </span>it also pairs well with a blue cheese.<br />
<i><b><br />
nina says:</b></i> i liked this one too, but it is definitely bold. simon's favorite.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and finally, a few more photos from the event:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="The dining room." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5622200381_e4261f34fe.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sara and her husband have an exquisite dining room. note the pretty tulips!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Wine color." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5622181037_595fda87c2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sara also taught us to look at the color of the wine in the candlelight.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="Con gas, sin gas." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5622772180_c1a05c84cf.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">it was a wonderful evening and i learned so much. we are planning many more future collaborations, so stay tuned. and cheers to a happy weekend!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
*what makes a wine organic? it is made from grapes grown on organic farms, which means no chemicals, no pesticides and no unnatural flavor enhancements. organic and sustainable wines also reduce their environmental impact during production and are said to be healthier for you. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cover." height="250" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5661433895_c3f37cd13c.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a stitch book is a soft, hand-bound book (i made mine out of felt.) where you can store little pieces of fabric, old cherished buttons, pretty trim, embroidery samples and ribbons for safe keeping.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallynina/5662000524/" title="Opening it up. by NaturallyNina, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Opening it up." height="250" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5662000524_8b9bff0763.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i had so much fun putting mine together. <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/">christine</a> kindly let me dig through her huge stash of supplies, and i felt like a kid in a candy store.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Stitch book." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5661944090_b9701ee529.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i picked out vintage buttons, part of an old tape measure, and even added a place to write a special note.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pages inside." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5661376817_51bbe7da0f.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i also used a whole page just to practice some stitches.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Inside." height="250" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5662000654_4866be2107.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">finally, on the back of the book, i made a little pocket to store a tiny knit heart. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
it's a fairly easy project, and i am looking forward to adding to it and continuing to make it special in the years to come.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
if you're interested in making one for yourself, you can buy a pdf tutorial <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67764351/embroidered-stitch-book-pdf">here</a>... or you can just come on over to my house and we'll make one together! i'll make tea. :)</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-33938578281966463512011-04-27T10:01:00.001-04:002011-04-27T10:02:38.073-04:00multiple choice.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="" height="340" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4952179167_f790d67582.jpg" width="500" /> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i have been a bad blogger lately. this is because:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a) i have been watching trees blossom in our neighborhood. (also known as, <a href="http://www.naturallynina.com/2011/04/spring-rituals.html">spying on the neighbors</a>.) </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">b) i have some exciting projects in the works. (i cannot wait to share!)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">c) simon and i have been spending lots of time in quiet, beautiful maine (which often reminds me of <a href="http://www.norway.org/">home</a>).</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">d) there are not enough hours in the day. (universe, just a couple more?)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e) i have been craving time offline.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">f) i've been eating watermelon every day. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">g) all of the above.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">p.s. loves, i'm sorry my posts have been sporadic. the good news is i have some great things lined up for the next couple of weeks. thank you for sticking around. :) gros bisous.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gentlehanded_lionhearted/4952179167/in/faves-naturallynina/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">emma louise</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">)</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-16696355410132086332011-04-22T10:39:00.000-04:002011-04-22T10:39:59.329-04:00happy earth day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohdisaster/5465302922/" title="mint by half girl, on Flickr"><img alt="mint" height="332" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5465302922_62643a9ebd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">i've been glued to my computer lately working on some new projects, but i just wanted to pop in today and wish you all a fun weekend.<br />
<br />
simon and i will probably end up working a lot this weekend, but i'm planning to make us <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojito">mojitos</a> later today in celebration of earth day. (the truth is, we have an abundance of fresh mint in our fridge and that seems like the most responsible way to use it.)<br />
<br />
do any of you know of any great mojitos recipes?<br />
<br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohdisaster/5465302922/in/faves-naturallynina/">half girl</a>)</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-76124704826514006752011-04-19T14:20:00.000-04:002011-04-19T14:20:36.352-04:00big, little things.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="5053696471_b1225c5b50 (1)" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5634949281_0d13277074.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">after a yoga class this morning, i confessed to a fellow teacher that i still get nervous before teaching sometimes. i finish each and every class and think to myself: "wow, i pulled it off again! phew."<br />
<br />
he reassured me that if i love it, (which i do) i have to just accept my nerves and show up anyway.<br />
<br />
so i've been thinking... how much of our lives is just about showing up and doing our best?<br />
<br />
all of it, actually. right?<br />
<br />
"we show up, burn brightly, live passionately, hold nothing back, and when the moment is over, when our work is done, we step back and let go." - rolf gates<br />
<br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/5053696471/in/faves-naturallynina/">xanthe berkeley</a>)</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-24915148653158671712011-04-15T16:30:00.000-04:002011-04-15T16:30:27.320-04:00bottoms up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallynina/5622182715/" title="The aftermath. by NaturallyNina, on Flickr"><img alt="The aftermath." height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5622182715_0cec133207.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
it may have been a thursday... but we didn't care. more on our organic wine tasting party coming soon! have a beautiful weekend, friends.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-78296840602265532032011-04-14T14:20:00.000-04:002011-04-14T14:20:05.738-04:00making a mess.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Putting it together" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5614314772_70905dc5af.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on tuesday, i drove to providence to visit one of my favorite people, <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/">christine</a>. we spent the afternoon in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavenderlimes/3479664795/in/set-72157617391274212">her beautiful studio</a>, rummaging through boxes of fabric, sewing things, picking out adorable buttons, listening to music, playing with her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavenderlimes/5140090784/in/set-72157625297109356">sweet baby</a>, and talking about <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/2011/04/crafting-date.html">being brave</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our goal was to make me a stitch book, and i can't wait to share the final product with you soon.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_3655" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5619855726_bd902d1d9d.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the funny thing was - i kept wanting to clean up. christine can attest, i couldn't quite handle the fact that we had covered her studio floor in thread, felt, scraps and ribbons. but half way through the project, i realized i was going to have to let go of my urge to tidy and just embrace the process.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_3635" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5619855722_fbcd21d84f.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it turns out, <i>messy is good</i> when you're letting your creative juices flow. and unsurprisingly, i'm finding this to be true of life in general. my journey as a yoga teacher, writer, and photographer has definitely been bumpy, messy and chaotic. but without it, i wouldn't be where i am today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><img alt="IMG_3644" height="333" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5619855734_787a996f20.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
so, here's my question for you. what can you do to <i>make a mess</i> today? i promise it's <i>crazy</i> fun.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(first photo by <a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/">christine chitnis)</a></span></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255669625700722959.post-29454455404058792822011-04-13T09:04:00.051-04:002011-04-13T15:38:59.416-04:00spring showers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's raining buckets outside </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as i type this</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. so, while my boots dry off, i am hunkering down with some music and an old issue of <a href="http://www.frankie.com.au/">frankie magazine</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="juliestudio-16" height="362" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4584976890_75674a858e.jpg" width="500" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here is my playlist, in case you'd like to enjoy it along with me. perfect for a rainy day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sunny road - emiliana torrini<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">train song - ben gibbard & feist<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">one and only - teitur<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">devil's prey - olle nyman<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">mt. washington - emily wells<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">seeing stars - meg hutchinson<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i aint leaving - mary gauthier<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the great adventure - dunham van durham<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">better man - james morrison</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
(photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40051798@N08/4584976890/in/faves-naturallynina/">riley salyards</a>, painting by j<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">ulie arphi</span>)</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17325389741558360094noreply@blogger.com9