The Botany of Desire

I read The Botany of Desire years ago and recently stumbled upon the program of the same name on PBS. I got sucked into Michael Pollen's world yet again. I was reminded of my second favorite section of the book, Tulip representing Beauty. Listen to this, each year we spend billions of dollars on something that serves no practical purpose and has a short shelf life. Why? Just because we think it is beautiful. I really like that about us. We cherish flowers. And what a boring world this would be without them, no? Inspired by the PBS special, (click here to see when it's showing in your area) I picked up some tulips.

Hey, where do you think you're going?!

And only one hour later. Petals are visibly separating and we have another rouge one! 

Besides beautiful, tulips are one of the more entertaining flowers.

This post is sponsored by my ancestors who were Dutch tulip farmers. ;)

Specifically related to the chap in the overalls in the right back.

5 years late...

 

...but we have finally started watching Mad Men. I love. I don't mind being behind and watching series via Netflix because you can devour seasons in two weeks if you want. Fall hard for a show, watch it to death and then on to the next! So far I have loved watching all the crazy moments where there is lack of safety regarding children-that sounded bad. But the smoking and drinking while pregnant, getting in a car accident while kids have no seat belts, being more concerned with wrinkled clothes than kids playing inside plastic bags, its insane. Also, it seems this show would be super hard to watch if you were trying to quit smoking. Jeez! Does anyone know if they are all smoking real ciggs or if there is some special fake Hollywood thing going on, because wow. Also, you didn't think I was going to make a post like this without mentioning how freaking gorgeous Don Draper is, did you? Meow.

Totally called it

Jon and I made this list after the first episode of The Bachelorette. Yes, we are total dorks. Team J.P., yeah!!!! I'm wishing we wagered a bet now. What did everyone think of the last episode??

"Nobody but you is responsible for your life"

Thanks Oprah. That quote hit me like a ton of bricks on Wednesday.

Your show will be missed.

Some Goings On

I saw the Tom Ford movie tonight with a co-worker. It was sad, but I knew the plot going into it. The fashion, set design and film style was very cool and done beautifully. I still need to see Up In The Air and Hurt Locker and then I will have much more fun watching the Oscars. 

Been swooning over this perfect V-day date night skirt. That is, if Jon and I were going to go on a "date". We did the fancy restaurant thing our first two V-days and last year we started a bit of a new tradition. We bought a fondue kit (with recipe book) off craigslist (brand new! from crate and barrel!), chopped some pears and bread and dipped it in cheese while sipping pink champagne. 

Been bidding on milk glass cake stands on ebay like it's my job.

And, been adding two tablespoons of flax to my breakfast smoothie. Things like this are weird, because it doesn't change the taste or anything of the smoothie other than adding brown flecks everywhere, but I am doing it purely because it is "supposed to be good for me". I know things like blueberries are good for you because you can see the rich color and they are fruit (duh!) but stuff like this could be ground up snake oil, and I'd never know it.

And lastly, The Bachelor!! Take a big whiff of that rose, Gia, because it's your last one from Jakie. Do you think she just found out last night with all of us that Jake did not ask her mother's permission to marry her, but asked all the other girl's parental figures? Yikes. Pretty rough, but Gia was saved after Ali realized reality and went home voluntarily. I bet Jake asked the producers if Gia could go home as well, since "the moment I know you aren't for me, I will let you know". So now we have Gia, and two girls who have been hitched before? Hmmm.

Up and running

Hello. Have I got your attention? I hope with that title "Up and running" you weren't thinking I was back to my blog with wonderful content. I was referring to the new season of The Bachelor! Now as cheesy as I think Jake is....wait, what was I saying? Anyway, I hope I'm not the only person watching this trashy and oh-so-tempting show.

In other news the latest home project is actually a cat house for Cleo! Since she doesn't love the new kitten, she is going to be spending lots of time outdoors and one must have a proper house, no? Jon built it in a weekend and now I am painting it and decorating it. So far it reminds me of a little chapel. Can't wait to show you all!