Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Friday, May 8, 2015

Hamtramk - The Polish Town of Detroit

Today I went with my Mom and her (our) friends to Hamtramk. My Mom and her best friend both have a lot of memories of Hamtramk. My Mom had stayed with her grandmother a few weeks in the summer as a child. They'd walk the crowded streets to shop, buying fabric that her grandmother would then sew into her school clothes.

My Mom hadn't been there since she was a kid, and I have never been. We don't live far. It's just never happened. Today my Mom's best friend drove us over there, she goes somewhat often and knows her way around, where to eat etc, and she gave us a small tour of the homes and churches that mean something to her.

It was a really lovely day.

A line of tulips outside the restaurant.


 Stained glass when you walk in.

 Festive lights inside!


 The Polish Plate. Sausage, sour kraut, pirogi, stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes.

I had dill pickle soup (bottom) and it was delicious. Someone else got duck's blood soup. I took the tiniest taste! Mostly, it was sweet from the fruits they add to combat the acidity/metal blood taste.


From there we went to the bakery down the street!


Of course I got some delectiable looking things, but haven't dug into them yet. I got banana nut bread, a moon pie and a big ole bonbon!

Then, off the the Polish Cultural Center!

Beautiful window display

Fun interior with lots to look at.

 Look at all that polish stoneware! I've never seen so much in one place. It was stunning.


I had to get something. I really wanted a functional baking piece (but the price!), and another mug it is! I'm a sucker for mugs. Look how gorgeous this one is, though.



My Mom and I got the same polish stoneware bead. I was thinking necklace, but maybe keychain!


I also go these wonderfully comfortable felted slippers from Poland! Yes, my feet are that big and I am that pale.

Have a wonderful weekend and mother's day!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Happy Days

Good Morning!
It has been a good past week. First, I put in my two week notice at work! Here is my quitting outfit and face! Though I don't have a full outfit picture. We only have one small mirror. I wore a beautiful brocade skirt, it's pale mint with grey dots and the high waist is a grey and white scalloped, wide elastic.


 Then, I immediately began writing! Because, that's why I'm quitting. To put all my energy into what I love and into what is my career. My Mom discovered a newer magazine by one of our favorite publishers, Stampington Collection (I actually emailed them for a job right out of college, they responded saying I was funny and they'd keep me in mind if they were ever in the area), called Bella Grace. With a copy in hand, I knew it was perfect for me! All about living life to the fullest, finding magical moments in the ordinary, being happy and positive. It's absolutely beautiful, the pictures and the writing. The pages have a matt finish that smell and feel great and will stand the test of time. Oh, I read it in a few days and was in love. I wrote a few pieces, just train of thoughts about different topics that mean something to me. I already submitted one this past Monday and am working on some others. Even if nothing comes of it for this magazine, those essays mean something to me and it's getting me excited and inspired to write more.


 I read this delightful, light-hearted child's novel this week. I've been eyeing it for some time and got it on a whim at Meijer (or I should say, my Mom did for me, she's sweet like that). It was exactly as I hoped. Charming, funny, sweet, and plain fun. I think I will get more books by this author.

 An order from amazon finally arrived this week! I bought two novels I've been wanting to read (newer ones, I don't often indulge in), because I had a gift card from my birthday from January! Bone Gap! Not a lot of reviews on Amazon but on Goodreads things are interesting. People either really love it or don't like it at all! Most people seem to think it's strange and wonderful. I'm very excited!

As you can see here, Luna is also excited for Bone Gap. Actually this picture is to show you the other novel I received. Greenglass House! Very exciting! A magical looking middle grade novel that takes place in winter. Perfect research and inspiration for the novel I'm currently working on! Plus that cover is gorgeous!

 I read this fun little book from Neil Gaiman the other day. It's a goofy, one sitting book. The Illustrations were just as fantastic as the story.

Full, mini reviews (as in the mini reviews I give as a recap) will be up at the end of the month for all the books I read in April. 
Now some extra pictures of what I've been up to!
Pretty tea at Starbucks. James and I go about once a week together, to work on separate things, together on our graphic novel, and to play card games.

 Coloring is meditation. I've had this beautiful adult coloring book, Secret Garden, for a few years. I don't get a lot colored at any given time, but I've finished a half dozen pages over two years and they make me happy to work on and to see. I have another one, The Art of Nature, which is beautiful in its own way. I'd love to have the Enchanted Forest by the same artist that did the one shown here.

 Here are the other two things I got in my amazon order! I am so excited for this spring and summer. To hike, be on the beach, exploring! Watching birds and butterflies, finding beach glass and fossils, collecting butterfly wings, feathers, pressing leaves and flowers and everything and anything else!