Sunday, October 23, 2011

Blogging is Expensive

Is it just me or do other bloggers end up reading blogs and shopping?   I started blogging so that I could connect with my kids who live in other places but truthfully my kids tell me they rarely read my blog.  That's why I joined Facebook.   After blogging a year or so I realized the reason I continued to blog is because of the friends I've made through blogging and this continues to be the case.   Meanwhile as I blog I read lots of other inspiring blogs and because of blogging my family has benefited from lots of new recipes and updated home decor.   But I've also done a lot of shopping.   I thought I would take a moment to highlight some of my recent purchases and give credit to the bloggers responsible for my new creative outlets and experiences.
  
Cookie-making Supplies
I already owned a number of seasonal cookie cutters and several copper ones that I treasure but since I started following SASB, I've bought so many more.   Her cookies are pure artistry.  I haven't actually started baking any cookies but at least I have all the supplies and equipment I need when the time comes.  Oh that reminds me, I need to order that paisley cookie cutter. 

Art Supplies
Paris Breakfasts is one of my favorites!   Carol's blog is about much more than art but I love her watercolors.   Not only have I bought all new watercolors and brushes,  I'm working my way through Artist Journal Workshop and have just bought Watercolour Painting.   So far I haven't painted anything but I'm planning to test my talent on my next trip.   Speaking of trips this leads to my next category. 

Travel 
This has been one expensive blog experience though I can't totally blame the bloggers.   Several bloggers have inspired me to travel and sight see both in my local community and abroad.   A few of these include Recollections of a VagabondeMille Fiori Favoriti, Menton Daily Photo, Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome and my good friend Pondside.   Thanks to Elizabeth I will be making a quick trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast in December.    Pondside inspires me because I want to meet my pen pal in person and I'm determined that the two of us will meet in person in 2012.

Books
I don't know where to start here as many blogs have inspired me to buy books.   Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is probably responsible for most of my book purchases though there are are plenty of other bloggers who've introduced me to books I've bought and enjoyed.    I always want to live in the pages of books by blogger authors like Vicki Archer, Elizabeth Minchilli, Mary Kay Andrews and Susan Branch but since I can't, I buy their books. 

Classes 
Besides the travel category this is one of the most expensive of blogging side effects but it is one that is great fun too.   Sue at Rue Mouffetard got me started on my first cooking class at Viking Cooking School.   Since then I've taken several classes and on my trip to Italy I will definitely be taking a class or two.   There are many blogs that have inspired me with their writing skills and one of my favorites would have to be Jenny Matlock's blog.   Blogging in general has made me want to improve my writing skills so I recently enrolled in a writing class.   I'm really sad the class has ended but I'm hoping our class can continue to meet periodically as a writer's circle, doing critiques and perhaps inviting other local authors to join our discussions.   The class was fascinating in that it brought together very interesting people with very different backgrounds.   Participants shared such interesting topics through their writing such as, being a young Olympic athlete with a most unusual childhood, dealing with racial issues in the 60s, growing up in the 50s with a gay parent, eccentric family members (we are in the south), dealing with the loss of a parent, experiencing the changing life of a parent with Alzheimer's and growing up in a small southern town.  Julie Cannon was our teacher and I so hope we are able to keep in touch.  I loved the class.  
Like I said, I'll continue to work on the writing but my next class effort will be photography (and a new camera)! 

I'm interested to hear about your blogging (and buying) experiences.  

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Books, Banking, Botched, Benefits and Brides

I signed up to take a two-part workshop and today was the first day.   The class is being held at the Margaret Mitchell House which is located in Midtown Atlanta.   Since my office is just a few blocks away, and the weather today was nearly perfect, I decided to park at my office and walk over.   
 Our teacher is an author so of course I had to buy her book.  I'm really looking forward to reading it, and will, just as soon as I finish Pillars of the Earth, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Still Alice.  Please tell me that I am not the only person who manages to start several books at the same time.   Honestly, it is such a disorganized way to read and I've found that having an iPad makes my bad habit worse.   Julie Cannon is the teacher and I bought her first book, Truelove and Homegrown Tomatoes. 

I was thinking about Seasonal Sunday and was going to focus my post on benefits.   Not the "fringe"-type, but the kind that helps raise money for great causes by providing financial support to nonprofits.   This time of year there are so many benefits that honestly, I could go to three a week if I wanted too.   The problem is that many of these are black tie and though I have some party attire, I still end up shopping and it gets expensive.   Tonight I'm going to a wonderful benefit and celebration event recognizing the Truancy Intervention Project.   

So on my walk back from class as I was thinking about this post, I looked up and saw a sign that made me want to take a picture.  

No spell check programs in the sign production department I guess.  Then as I rounded the corner I saw this sign and busted out laughing out loud!  
 What does this mean? 

The Federal Reserve Bank is right across the street from the Margaret Mitchell House (y'all all know Margaret Mitchell, right?).   So as I was taking this picture people around me all began pointing.   
 As I turned around I saw a bridal party walking up Peachtree Street.   

Not sure what was going on but I decided to share today's seasonal happenings in Atlanta.   Wherever you are I hope you are enjoying some beautiful fall weather.   
Tomorrow, I'm adding another "b" to my list by going to brunch, and I can't wait but for now I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.  

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Homecoming

We had a very special homecoming this week.  My daughter-in-law just completed a tour of duty in Iraq.  A very good friend hired a photographer to capture the moment of arrival.  The photos speak for themselves. 


A few tears in anticipation

The plane landed

Coming through the door

Tears of joy



Such a friend

A friend helped with luggage

Home at last     

I'm linking up to The Tablescaper and celebrating Seasonal Sundays and a very special homecoming.   Please remember our military and their families. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Delta Airlines

 Now you are probably reading the headline of this post and wondering what is seasonal about Delta, right?   I just happen to live around the corner from Delta Worldwide Headquarters and from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport so the two are very much a part of every season for me.  No, I don't work for the airlines but yesterday was a special day at Delta because they had the airline memorabilia show and an open house day at the museum.  Normally the museum is by appointment only but recently I attended an event at the museum and I thought I would take you on a quick tour. 
The aircraft you see, the Spirit of Delta is the museum which was purchased and created by Delta employees and is housed in a hangar that was built in the 40's.   It's interesting that the plane is bigger than the hangar.
 And on this tour you get to go into the cockpit. 
And you learn a few interesting facts about Delta. 


 But my favorite part of the tour was seeing the flight attendant apparel. 





At the event I attended, volunteer flight attendants were mixing with the crowd wearing some of the vintage attire.   I asked this woman what size she was, her response "size 0."  
 Now I know why I never got a flight attendant position.  Size 12 wouldn't do back in 1978! 
 And after a fun day at the museum, there was a beautiful moon shining over Delta. 
 I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday and I hope you'll take some time to see what other bloggers are doing to celebrate the season.