It's Loverly

When I have the office to myself, I hop over to Pandora and let it pick some music for me based on artists I know I like. Over and over again, Vienna Teng comes up, and over and over I’ve loved what I heard. Her piano playing draws me in, her strong and beautiful voice steals my attention away from work and into her lyrics.

When I saw her on the Iron Horse schedule, I made plans with Patrick to see the show. That’s where we were last night– snuggled in to the Iron Horse with a couple hundred other people, sipping a pint of Steel Rail, mesmerized by the way Vienna played the piano. She built her set list out of requests shouted out by audience members, she told a story about each song, she poked fun at the uneven balance of slow songs over upbeat. Sitting inside that history-laden building surrounded by mellow and sweet music was the perfect way to spend an early December night.

Pandora led me (for free) to Vienna Teng’s music. I spent money to see her live, and I will spend money to buy her albums. Artists who resist free access to their music should take note.

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photo by Gordon Lai. It’s not from last night but she was wearing that shirt. I’ll update later with a photo I took at last night’s show, if any of them came out at all…

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, will someone please make us a cake replica ornament for Christmas? I suppose some people might not want to be reminded of their wedding cake wreck, but I think it would be excellent! Every disastrous detail must be replicated so that we can hang it on our tree and tell the tale of The Cake for years to come.

On a similar note, I loved Aviatrix‘s suggestion in her comment on my previous post: “For your tenth wedding anniversary you should bring the photo of the wreck to a bakery and try to get them to recreate THAT.”

My plan was that for some big anniversary down the line we’d go all out on an amazingly gorgeous cake, but I think I like her idea better. A perfectly replicated crack, perfectly unfinished decoration, and cardboard showing in precisely the same way. It’s a plan!

Ok, this is the last cake post, the ornament was just too good not to mention.

photo courtesy of Etsy seller GorgeousRedhead

My current career revolves around appreciation and gratitude. I spend my days expressing appreciation on behalf of my organization through correspondence, events, actions, and interactions. I’m sure my mom can’t believe it, but I more or less get paid for writing/creating/acting out thank you notes of various forms.

So, last week, when thanking was all the rage, I started a list of things I’m thankful for in my own life. It’s not a bad thing to do.

Right now, I am grateful for

• the privilege of being married to an amazing person, whom I love fiercely. He challenges me, makes me laugh, teaches me, and loves me steadfastly (even when I drive him nuts). I’m also grateful that he’s a really good hugger (the importance of good hugs to a successful relationship should be mentioned more often).
• a loving family that I enjoy being around and isn’t terribly far away.
• marrying into a family that welcomed me (years ago) with open arms.
• Calvin and his adorably awkward sleeping positions
• new episodes of The Office and 30 Rock, watching them without commercials
• being employed in a job that, for the most part, keeps me interested and makes me feel like I’m doing some good
• the decision and ability to purchase our dream camera as a wedding gift to ourselves.
• Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
• far away friends who send letters and call just because.
• the fact that we all got to experience Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
• nearby friends who are always up for a night out or a night in
• good coffee and favorite mugs that fit in my hand just right
• pajama pants and cozy socks after work
• shelves overflowing with books
• hot beverages on cold nights (and gingersnaps on the side)
• a view of Mount Tom; living and working in a beautiful place
• tasty burgers and homemade ice cream within walking distance
• giggling uncontrollably on the couch after dinner
• a car CD player that works and rediscovered mix CDs of years ago.
• Trader Joes’ All Natural Peanut Butter (smooth, not crunchy)
• my ‘winter’ playlist
• NPR
• the end of wedding planning (really. I’m so happy for our recently-engaged friends, and I loved our wedding, but I’m so very glad to be happily married and no longer planning a wedding! Like, I get giddy just thinking about the fact that we never have to plan another wedding.)
• being able to talk to my sister during the day courtesy of Google chat (is that what it’s called?)
• President-elect Barack Obama

I could go on and on and on (more than I already have)– what a lucky thing. I have a lot to be grateful for, which is worth remembering on the days when I moan about gray skies or the lack of a funds for a new wardrobe. It’s really a very blessed life.