Proving I don't just have a kid-centric life post

Books I've read recently:

The Solitude of Prime Numbers: originally written in Italian, I think, follows two misfits who find some solace in each other


Girl in Translation: A story of a girl and her mom who move to the U.S. when she is in middle school and her immigrant story; while nothing was surprising I thought the author did a nice job and I could relate to some of the feelings (though my experience was far from having no heat and a parent with a sweatshop job).


Plays/movies: There are certain types of plays and movies that I'll ask Ezer to see with me...for everything else I ask my sister or a girlfriend!

On the Levee: This is one I thought Ezer would like - based on a historical event (1 point), involving black issues (1 point), not too expensive (1 point). I think that the historical backdrop helped give it some weight. I liked some of the acting/singing but didn't find it entirely gripping.


The Winter's Tale: Every summer in Central Park there is free Shakespeare, often with big names. I haven't gone in years because it's just not worth it to me to stand in line for hours and hours, especially with S! But this year a friend told me about this outreach program where they go to different boroughs and neighborhoods and give out tickets for that night's performance, in an effort to diversify their audience. I'm not sure if I fit that bill, but I did get tickets by traveling just ten blocks north to central Harlem and only waiting *15* minutes to get tickets. S came with me so I actually was able to get four vouchers and was able to make them available to some friends. It was a nice night and a good play...way back in 5th grade my class did a joint presentation of it. I played the lost daughter found, Perdita. :) This one didn't have very big names (Al Pacino is in Merchant of Venice) but we saw actors from Law and Order, Modern Family, The Adventures of New Christine, etc.


The Kids Are All Right: This is one I asked my sister if she wanted to see and we just watched it last night. The movie had a good buzz going in. I like the actors. I went in thinking that the movie was going to be a bit more about the kids and their relationship with this sperm donor dad. But it was really more about the grownups. Even though I have only been a parent three years - I could relate to the interactions of the parents and their teens and totally imagine what it might be like to say good-bye to S when she leaves for college (though I have to say that was the shortest college drop-off EVER). While the movie was a bit PC for my taste (making sure they show how one mom feels appropriately guilty for firing the gardner for no good reason), I thought it gave good glimpses into relationship dynamics.


Tv-wise I'm still a Top Chef fan and am watching the DC season via iTunes...saving last night's episode for our weekend trip to DC, leaving tonight!



Food appreciation:

Motorino Pizza: I brought home a margherita single pizza and had to share it with both E and S. So I only got one slice but oh was it good. Since E didn't have work July 5th we had a family day. We did errands i.e. finally fixed the wheel on S's stroller, looked at couches (maybe we will get one some day soon), and had lunch at Motorino. It wasn't quite as good as that first taste, but it was still good. I really, really, like the dough. I had brussel sprout pizza which was surprisingly good.



Quilting: I'm still chugging along on my quilting, though patchwork is a more technically correct term. This week I just finished my three columns together for the back of my first quilt:



Now I just need to do all my in-between sections and borders. I visited the "local" quilt store (Manhattan has, like, two) and found out they have a service where they will quilt your pieces together. Considering I don't have a sewing machine and the time/know-how I am totally using this service. My goal is to give everything to them before the baby comes!

I've started thinking/working on my next quilts, too, including two baby quilts - one for S and one for #2. Here is one that will be after those but one day I just felt like playing around with the fabric squares I have.

Here is the inspiring quilt:


Here is the start of mine:


And in black and white to see the "values" better to make sure you come away with the concentric squares feeling:



Not all my colors are ideal, but this is from a pre-cut pack where you don't have a choice...the green/pink are a bit medium contrast-wise but I think it will work.