Linger Moments ~ No. 5

lin·ger

/ˈliNGɡər/

verb

1. to stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.

1. 
   
2. You know those moments: the ones often catching you by surprise, causing you to pause a little longer than perhaps intended.  You are invited to take a moment to linger before jumping in to the start of a new week.
3. 
   
4. 
   

1. The Grove Christmas at Passion City Church

The Grove is a monthly gathering for the women of Atlanta and is an extension of what Jesus is doing in and through Passion City Church.  Hosted by Shelley Giglio and The Grove Team, these gatherings are centered on Jesus and focus on being a place where women can be Rooted in the Word of God, choose to Flourish where they're planted, walk in Freedom in Christ and truly live, and offer their lives as Shade to those with whom they come in contact.  

The Grove is hosting their annual Christmas Gathering on December 5th and 6th!  Their gatherings take place at Passion City Church in Atlanta (515 Garson Drive) and begin at 7:30 (although the doors open way before that and I've heard people start lining up as early as 4:00!!).  I was fortunate to receive an invitation to one of these gathering from a dear friend for the Grove's Christmas Gathering back in 2013.  I've enjoyed attending their other gatherings over the years and always leave completely encouraged.  If you're in the Atlanta area, these events are DEFINITELY worth checking out.

2. Mozart in the Jungle

You know those shows- you see them pop up again and again in your "Top Pick for Ashley" category on your TV viewing source... You've probably even seen friends talking about them on social media.  Then [a few years later] you decide to finally check them out and think, "Right on, Amazon.  This was a good pick for Ashley."  My most recent encounter with this cycle happened with the Amazon original series, Mozart in the Jungle.  The title intrigued me enough to try the show out and I was instantly drawn in.  The story line is about a young maestro taking over the New York Symphony and his developing relationship with his assistant, an oboist trying to make it in the orchestra.

What I really love about the show is not only the hilarious story line (and obvious musician jokes I can totally geek out to), but also how I felt motivated to intentional piano practice.  Teaching so easily takes over my music time each day, and it's nice to have a reminder that's it's a good thing to work on my own craft.

Seasons 1 and 2 are available on Amazon Prime with a Brand New Season 3 premiering on December 9, 2016!

3. Amy Snow

I finally finished the book that was on my October reading list (gulp).  Y'all, this book was one of the best I've read in a while.  The story is set in England in the late 1800's and begins with eight year old Aurelia finding baby Amy outside in the snow.  Against her parents' wishes, Aurelia helps to raise the orphan baby, never to discover from where she had come.  Fifteen years later, when the Aurelia passes away, Amy is banished from the home but not before receiving the first clue to a secret treasure hunt, created for her by Aurelia before she passed.  The treasure hunt takes her all over England and ultimately reveals Aurelia's secret.  Don't let the fact that is took me so long to read this book trick you- it really was a page turner, and I highly recommend it.  

May Designs

If you've been around my blog for a while (or especially if you know me in person), you know my affinity for May Designs' May Books.  These personalized notebooks are so fun to create and I've thoroughly enjoyed making them over the years.  So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when one of their representatives offered to GIVE AWAY a CUSTOM Classic Notebook to one of my readers, FOR FREE!!!  This gift includes complete rationalization from the cover, to the monogram, to the inside pages!!!

I was first introduced to May Books by a piano student, who's mother gave me a Classic with the calendar pages for Christmas 2013.  I will admit that I was a bit worried about the lack of space (I was used to a HUGE academic planner with 15 minute intervals), but I quickly fell in love with the size as it was light-weight and super portable (and easily fit into my purse).   That fall I order my own academic planner and had such a fun time personalizing the cover and monogram!

Another thing that I love about these books is how the company is always coming up with new inside pages!  This past Lent, they debuted a "40 Days of Prayer and Gratitude" insert with adorable water-colored pages.  They released a newer "Gratitude First" insert for this November along with super adorable Holiday 2016 covers (be sure to check out the "Cross Stitch Red & Pink," which looks like a winter sweater :).

To enter this giveaway, simply visit May Designs and comment your favorite design on this Instagram post!  It's totally that easy :)  Thank you to May Designs for sponsoring this giveaway (which includes a Classic May Book (you choose the pattern, monogram, and inside pages) and free shipping in the US)!  As always, all of the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own :)

In Pursuit of Family Traditions

One of the best parts about raising a set of Littles is creating new traditions.  Whether it's the small act of ordering pizza for every Falcon's game or a larger, more involved annual pumpkin patch outing, these traditions "provide a sense of anticipation, security, and continuity," (to quote the great Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project).

Each new season brings with it its own set of traditions, and we've been basking in them over here this fall!  One of my favorite traditions was started when Fiona was just 8 months old.  Chris decided for the first time that he wanted to attend his high school homecoming football game and alumni dinner.  We had way more fun than either of us had anticipated and have made it back four times over the years.  The kids love the band- we sit right by then!

Fiona's First Wesleyan Homecoming Game! 2011 

With Daddy at his Alma Mater! 2011

This picture doesn't quite capture how much fun we were having... 2016

Another (less random) tradition we've set is our annual pumpkin patch outing!  We try to get to a patch each year for the cute pictures of the kids by the pumpkins.  According to Mrs. Rubin, traditions like these "... mark the passage of time in a happy way."  I completely agree.  The kids anticipation leading up to the event is just as exciting as the actual event!  We don't always make it to the pumpkin patch (there was that one year that we got THE VERY LAST pumpkin from Publix), but it sure is fun when we do!

It's hard to not be inspired by fall.  One of my favorite memories from this current fall will be Fiona's l'automne board, which she thought up on her own and spent a few afternoons collecting the items to apply.  With a little help from her daddy, she had a project of which she was very proud (almost as proud as I was :)

Finally, one Jewish holiday that we try to celebrate each year is the feast of Sukkot (also knows as the "Feast of Booths" or "Feast of Tabernacles").  Sukkot is celebrated on from the 15 to 22 of the month of Tishri.  As part of the celebration, families will construct a small, hastily built hut and eat their meals in it during the festival.  This hut is symbolic of the huts Israel lived in during their 40 year journey through the dessert.  My favorite part of the celebration is the waving of the four species (brought together to form a "Lulav").  We wave them in six directions: forward, right, back, left, up, and down.  This proclaim's God's omnipresence in the past, present, and future.

I love hearing about other people's traditions and ways they celebrate the different seasons!  What traditions does your family enjoy celebrating in the fall?

Linger Moments ~ No. 4

lin·ger

/ˈliNGɡər/

verb

1. to stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.
2. 
   
3. 
   
   
4. You know those moments: the ones often catching you by surprise, causing you to pause a little longer than perhaps intended.  Whether your upcoming weekend is one filled with activities or a weekend in which the only thing on the agenda is relaxation, you are invited to take a moment to linger before heading to the end of the week.

1. Ceviche: The Best Mexican Restaurant You're Not Eating At.

I know, I know.  Ceviche's Roswell location has been there for quite a while.  I've even been there a few times for margaritas.  Honestly, I didn't put two and two together (that it was the same restaurant) until after we had our Sunday lunch at the Alpharetta location.  Guys, this place was SO good.  SO. Good.  I was told by our server that anything on the menu bearing the name "Poblano" was highly recommended so I went with the chicken poblano tacos.  If that was the only thing on the menu, I'd keep going back.  ALSO, they have the NFL Sunday Ticket.  So there's that.  

2. Donald Davis's TedX "How the Story Transforms the Teller" 

Donald Davis is an amazing story teller and has been featured at the National Story-Telling Festival.  While perusing online for one of his stories we listened to as children, I found this TedX talk he gave in 2014 and was once again instantly sucked in.  Take a listen and be transported.

3. May Designs Rise Art Collection

The Rise Art Collection of May Book covers gets an update just in time for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  Four new covers were created by students of the Rise School in Austin and are available for the wide variety of books offered (from standard date books to fitness and nutrition journals).  100% of the proceeds from this collection goes to raise awareness and provide better education for children with special needs!  You can read even more about the process in creating these beautiful covers here. Special thanks to May Designs for allowing me to use the above picture :)  

What's caught your attention lately, causing you to slow down and linger?  I'd love to hear from you!

ALSO- Make sure to join the GIVEAWAY in celebration of the blog's 10,000 all time page views!!!

10,000 Pageviews = The Magnolia Story Giveaway!

Y'all, it happened!!!  In Pursuit of the Finer Things reached 10,000 All Time Pageviews!!!  This is such a huge deal for me and I am so humbled by and grateful for all of my readers who actually read my everyday musings and then actually share them.  I'm quite honestly blown away and so, so thankful to each and every one of you!

As promised, in celebration of the 10,000 view, I present to you a giveaway!  This giveaway is open to USA residents only and is sponsored by In Pursuit of the Finer Things blog (aka, me.).  I do hope everyone will enter!  Wahoo!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Washer-Less Week

We just completed a week (but really 9 days, 4 hours, and 24 minutes) without a washing machine.  A few weeks ago,I discovered what we thought was our toilet leaking [clean] water in our downstairs studio.  After further inspection, we found that the washing machine had actually been dripping away (for about 2 months) where the hose and faucet come together.  Drop by drop, our new flooring had been compromised.  Let's be honest though, as disappointed I was that our flooring was swelling and would need to be replaced, I was even more so nervous about how long it would take to fix the washing machine situation. Fortunately, we were heading out of town that day and even more fortunately, all of our laundry was presently clean.

Upon returning home, we were able to call a plumber who was able to come out and fix the leaky faucets in a mere afternoon.  This was on a Tuesday (only one day past my normal washing day) so as far as I was concerned, we were back in business.  I promptly started the permanent press and breathed a sigh of relief that lasted until the washing machine started to drain and the toilet started to leak GUSH water from the base.  This confirmed for me that I wasn't crazy, water HAD been coming from the toilet.  It also made us realize we had a much larger problem on our hands.  That weekend (going on day 9), Chris was able to very handily replace the toilet seal (again) and poured several bottles of different solutions down the sink and toilet in hopes of alleviating what ever might be clogged.

Surprisingly (or maybe not so much), this whole process made me so much more committed to my twice a week laundry habit.  An ENTIRE 1 1/2 days after we could safely wash clothes was spent doing just that.  Laundry is not one of those chores that generally bothers me and I truly believe it's because I don't feel like I'm doing it all the time (and maybe because Chris painted my laundry room this dreamy shade of blue).  Playing laundry catch-up, we washed, dried, and folded NINE loads in total (two of which were loads of towels from mopping up the leaks).

I'm really curious about other's laundry's methods and if you think your protocol contributes towards your attitude about laundry.  It seems to me that something we spend so much time doing should be able to be done without a sense of drudgery.  What is your laundry schedule and have you done different things to make your experience more enjoyable?  As you ponder the process of the piles, enjoy this picture of a dreamy laundry space which can be found at Chateau Soleil, the residence of the Atlanta Symphony Associates 2015 Decorator's Show House.  And a super special thank you to local Atlanta photographer Mary Powell Photography for the use of these pictures- check out her additional pictures of the beautiful Chateau here.  Is it totally crazy that this was my favorite room at the Chateau?  I think not. :)

October Goals 2016

School is in full swing and we've got a great schedule going on over here at the Diaz household.  For the most part, we're on time to school, have dinner on the table each night, and are getting adequate amounts of sleep.  In my book, that's winning.  The purple-blue morning glories Fiona and I planted last year greet us every morning and the hot Georgia weather has finally begun to let up.  Y'all, we've even had the windows open a few nights the past week!

I'm guessing it's because of all of these great things happening that I don't even feel bad for not completing each of my September goals.  I'm not even going to relist them for October.  I think I'll just put them on the "Fall Goals" list and give myself until December to complete them.  Because, that's how we roll around here.  And it's awesome.

So, here are the much anticipated October Goals... which may or may not be met during the month of October.

1. Continue blogging class: finish 8 lessons.

I'm definitely enjoying the "Blog Life" online class by A Beautiful Mess.  I completed 8 lessons in September and hope to complete as many in October.  One class that I'm excited to get to is Lesson No. 14, "Create a Killer About Page." Which naturally I'll list as my second October goal.

2. Create a killer about page.

My blog's current "About Me" page is less of a bio and quite literally my first blog post.  When we updated my blog last year with a new blogger template (you can read that first post here), Chris simply linked back to my first blog post in which I introduce myself.  That post was written back in 2010, and since so much has happened since then, I'm super excited to update that portion of my blog... Stay tuned!

3. Organize a giveaway!

Guys, I'm almost up to 10,000 pageviews (all time history).  Some of the giants of blogging actually get these numbers in one day, but seriously... reaching this number is a HUGE deal to me!  I'd like to celebrate my readers (that would be YOU) by doing my first ever giveaway.  I am so appreciate that people actually read and am so grateful for those who share!  Check back regularly to be sure to sing up for the giveaway!

4. Re-read chapter 4: En Automne: Fall Ahead from Mireille Guiliano's 

French Women for All Season

From one of my favorite authors, French Women for All Seasons takes an in-depth look at how to relish each season with tips on cooking, exercising, and even fashion.  I enjoy re-reading corresponding chapters at the beginning of each new season and love rediscovering seasonal recipes each time.

5.  Complete Amy Snow.

This book hooked me right from the beginning.  It's the story of an orphan girl found in the snow by a young Heiress.  Early on in the story, the Heiress passes away but not before creating a treasure-hunt that only Amy can follow.  It is so good and I'm excited to finish it.  So, about finishing all these books: I realized that I've got great ambitions and aspirations to read all of these books, but I do not really set myself up for success to actually complete them because basically I'm not carving out enough time each day to do so.  In addition to finishing this book, I also plan on getting back into the habit of turning in early (at least a few days a week) in order to have an hour to read before lights out.

6. Complete weekly homework for Parish Bible Study

I recently started a new Bible study with our church on the book of Gideon.  I'm not sure if the Bible study leader planned it this way, but our pastor has also recently been teaching on that area of the Bible, so it's almost like an in depth look at what we're learning about on Sundays.  Thus far I've found it extremely interesting, both at church and in the study.  Each week we have a 5-day assignment and my goal is to complete my homework before our weekly meetings.

So there they are.  Six simple goals for the month of October.  I'd love to hear from you and see if you set goals each month and what they may be!

Weekend Dinner Guests

It's no secret that Chris and I love to entertain.  From my first grown-up dinner party at the Watson girls' home to my mother-in-law's flawless Christmas dinners, the desire to gather around good food and connect with family and friends runs strong in our blood.  

Over the years, our entertaining has evolved from occasional events that take a lot of time to plan to more frequent, casual dinners.  We still love entertaining and as a stay-at-home mother, I anticipate and enjoy our nearly every weekend dinner guests.

These dinners run the gamut of impromptu pizza dates to sit-down dinners with an appetizer, main course, and dessert.  Both are enjoyable times spent with family and friends and I decided to share how I prepare for the later.

Towards the beginning of the week I start to think about what will be served for dinner.  Last week Fiona made her request for "Yummy Yummy Chicken" which is our take on Julia Child's "Casserole Roast Chicken."  I decided to serve potatoes on the side (which we had from our CSA), along with a side salad of arugula (also from the CSA) and mixed greens.  Yep, that's right!  Only three items were planned for dinner.  If our guests decides to bring a side, great!  If not, I've learned that three items is plenty and everyone is always satisfied.

We purchased the chicken on Friday so that I could brine it the morning before cooking it.  Below is the recipe I use to brine (this is not part of Julia's recipe and I cannot quite remember where I found it):

One Cup of Salt

One Cup of Sugar

One Lemon, Cut in Half and Squeezed

Half a Bunch of Fresh Parsley, Folded in Half and Tied with String

1 Tablespoon of Seasoning (we used Tarragon this time but have also used Herbs de Provence)

Mix together in a stock pot with enough water to cover the top of the chicken.

I try to allow at least half a day for the chicken to brine.  It makes it so flavorful and tender!

Normally I would arrange any flowers for the table on the day of the dinner, but this particular weekend I had classes all afternoon, so I arranged the flowers on Friday.  Trader Joe's is a great place to get flowers for very little.  I also use whatever happens to be blooming in the yard!

One practice that seems to put more at ease about entertaining is our strict cleaning schedule.  When it is followed, our house is generally clean by the weekend.  While a clean and tidy house is not necessary to have friends over (and, in my opinion should never be something that stops you from having guests over), it does make entertaining more enjoyable for me.  

I'd love to hear your thoughts on entertaining!  How often do you have dinner guests?  Do you have a systematic way of preparing dinner for company?

Linger Moments ~ No. 3

lin·ger

/ˈliNGɡər/

verb

1. to stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.
2. 
   
3. 
   
   
4. You know those moments: the ones often catching you by surprise, causing you to pause a little longer than perhaps intended.  Whether your upcoming weekend is filled with activities or a weekend in which the only thing on the agenda is relaxation, you are invited to take a moment to linger before heading to the end of the week.  

1. Gwyneth Paltrow's Tribeca Apartment is for Sale!

Ya'll, please take a moment to check out of reality and check into this gorgeous New York City apartment, complete with a SWING in the living room (you know, for reading and stuff), a bed so large it needs custom sheets, and a view of the cobblestone streets below.

2. Pearls, Lace and Grace

I discovered this lovely lady on Instagram and have loved following her inspirational posts!  We share a love for the finer things and she has great tips for planning out our weeks to ensure they unfold smoothly.  Her blog's tagline is, "The Pursuit of Refined Living," so I'm sure my readers will see how I was naturally drawn to her!

3. Atlanta PlanIt App!

As an avid 90.1 WABE listener, I'm quite familiar with Atlanta PlanIt and the many Atlanta events they promote.  However, I just discovered this week that they also have an App (!) that displays the events under categories (museums, music, dance, theater, festivals, family and *free*), allows you to select specific dates (or date ranges), and allows you to find these events, save these events, favorite events, and receive event alerts. Sold!

In Pursuit of Gratitude

I'm still enjoying binge-listening a Linger Moments' feature, Young House Love Has a Podcast. Guys, seriously- if you haven't listened yet, stop reading (it's ok, I'll wait) and go add the podcast to your feed.  Each episode they have a "what we're digging" segment during which they each share something they're currently... well, digging.  In episode 11, Sherry shares that she's digging a gratitude journal.  While writing down things I am thankful for is not a new concept, it got me thinking and I decided to start a project with Fiona.

We decided that each night as she's going to bed, she'll list out her favorite things that happened that day or something that she's thankful for.  Not an earth-shattering ritual (she doesn't even have a notebook to record them), I just want her to get into the habit of reflecting on the good in her days and nudge the cultivation of a spirit of gratefulness.

Our newfound ritual got me thinking about a book I recently completed, Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project.  One of the exercises Gretchen describes in the book is keeping a gratitude journal.  She claims that gratitude is important to happiness and that studies show that grateful people are happier and more satisfied with their lives.  Additionally she states that gratitude brings freedom from envy since when you're focused on what you're grateful for, you don't think as much about what you don't have.  I thought this was a great exercise for Fiona to start as a Kindergarten student.

Different ways we've practiced being Grateful and Thankful around our household include a "Thankful Board" we made one Thanksgiving (and is displayed at my parents' farm).  I also seem drawn to journals and planners that prompt daily and weekly reflections on all of our blessings.  During Lent 2016, Maybooks offered a notebook journal with 40 days of Prayer and Gratitude.  My current Emily Ley Simplified Planner also has space each Sunday to record a "happy memory from this week."

As I go throughout my weeks, I find myself experiencing moments and thinking, "this will be great to write in my planner as my happy memory of this week!"  One of these moments this past weekend was taking our children to the park.  We had a great time with each other and for that I am very thankful.

Linger Moments ~ No. 2

lin·ger

/ˈliNGɡər/

verb

1. to stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.
2. 
   
3. 
4. 
   

You know those moments: the ones often catching you by surprise, causing you to pause a little longer than perhaps intended.  Whether your upcoming weekend is filled with activities or a weekend in which the only thing on the agenda is relaxation, you are invited to take a moment to linger before heading to the end of the week.  

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1. Hommemaker

1. I recently discovered a blog from last week's Linger Moments' feature, Young House Love Has a Podcast, and I've really enjoyed spending a few moments this week checking out Orlando Soria's entries and rummaging through his blog's archives (that's pretty much the same thing, right?).  I was especially encouraged to read his post, "Stop Squashing Everyone Else's New Year Resolutions," in which one of his resolutions was to return to writing his blog.  It was nice to hear that even professionals make resolutions similar to mine.
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2. Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Remembers Gene Wilder

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Along with the rest of the world, I was deeply saddened by the loss of such a great actor.  I received an email informing readers that the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will be screening four of his movies this Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the LeFont, Sandy Springs theater in Georgia.  

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2. 3. Dove Chocolates
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I'm really enjoying the "Blog Life" class by A Beautiful Mess, and one thing it is emphasizing over and over is to do your own thing and be YOU.  This is pretty much common sense, I know, but it's so easy to look at other blogs and think, "Ooo, maybe if I do that, I'll be successful!"  Then I randomly open a Dove Chocolate and see this message.  I guess sometimes God can use even Dove Almond & Dark Chocolate to speak to you.  

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The September Issue: Goals for the Month

Just as January sparks a desire to commit to new resolutions, the start of a new school year does so for me.  Here in Georgia our schools have already been in session for over a month (who's idea is that, anyways?), so by the time September rolls around (you know, when the majority of US schools begin), it feels as though we have an established routine and I can look towards my goals for the upcoming semester.

I am all about setting some clear goals and one of my goals this fall is to take some time before the start of a month to write down things I would like to accomplish in the upcoming months.  Below are the goals I set for myself at the end of August for the month of September.

1.  Take a blogging class.

In 2010 when I first started this blog, my extent of blogging knowledge centered around what I saw from the movie Julie and Julia.  Since then, my blogging as had it's highs (like that one time when Jennifer L. Scott commented and gave me a shout out of her blog), and lows.  Just check out the archives of 2011 & 2014... and I literally just noticed that those two years were the years our children were born!  

This July, I had the pleasure of meeting with Mary Beth Johnson of Annapolis and Co. to pick her brain about blogging and get ideas about how to stay focused and consistent.  She had some great suggestions for me ("Establish your why," was definitely one of my favorites).  I was very inspired by meeting with her and this month decided to delve even deeper into blogging life by signing up for the "Blog Life" course by A Beautiful Mess.  The class consists of 25 lessons, and while I want to be thorough with the class and not plow through all 25 lessons in one month, I did want to get started on them this month.

2. Increase Wake up 35 minutes earlier.

Guys, this is something I've struggled with since f-o-r-e-v-e-r.  Admittedly, Fiona starting Kindergarten this year has been a huge motivator to getting us up earlier.  I just wish I would get up even earlier so that I have a chance to accomplish an additional item on the list before she's ready for breakfast.  The first week of school we were all dragging ourselves out of bed at the last possible moment and, of course, over the course of the month it's gotten a *bit* easier to get up.  My plan is to get out of bed just 5 minutes earlier each week, gradually working my wake-up time back.

3. Write grant application for GMTA and Steinway.

As a music teacher in Georgia, I have a great opportunity to apply for grants sponsored by Georgia Music Teachers Association and Steinway and Sons Pianos.  The grants can be used to attend workshops or conferences, which are such a great way to stay motivated and inspired.  The deadline to write these proposals is TODAY, September 12, so that's what I'll be doing as soon as this post is finished.

4. Clean out coat closet.

Guys.  I. Can't. Even.  And certainly not in that "OMG-he's-adorable- I-can't-even!" way.  In a, "Is-it-entirely-necessary-to-post-a-before-picture?" type of way.  But here it is.  Our coat closet is more like a cr*p closet,  and it's such an anxiety-producing, stress-building one for me, it's time to put on my big-girl panties and pony up.  Can you tell that I have a tendancy to fill space with random words when I get nervous?  This closet makes me very nervous.

 

5. Complete The Nightingale, Read: A Homemade Life & 10% Happier

The loophole continues as by the time I'm writing this, I've already completed The Nightingale and started two more library books... I'm also working on one of the books from my Completion Project, but can not seem to get inspired to read any of the others...