The Finer Things

Meeting a Local (or in this case, Milton)

Aaron and I finally tied the knot, and our honeymoon was anything but ordinary.  But that is how we wanted it and that is how it was planned.  It was beautiful in every way…except for our little friends that claimed the room the first night…buuuuut, we’re just not going to talk about that.

We stayed in an amazing eco-cabin on Water Island in the Virgin Islands.  For once, Spirit’s Red Light Specials email had exactly what we were looking for and we got a great deal for a week on a barely inhibited, extremely romantic, sand and jungle tropical island.  We spent most of our days lounging on the beach, sipping rum and juice, and doing some major brainstorming about how we could make a life for ourselves down there in paradise.

On Sunday afternoon, Aaron and I grabbed a picnic table with a nice shaded umbrella, due to the fact that we (well…okay, I…) had been slightly over ambitious sun tanning a few days earlier.  There was a family next to us that we soon introduced ourselves to and learned were locals of St. Thomas, the neighboring island to Water Island.  Milton and Steph were born and raised there and proudly claim it’s the best place to live in the world.

After about ten minutes of conversation, Milton invited us on their boat to take a ride out to Christmas Cove for snorkeling.  We couldn’t believe the genuine kindness they showed, and I’m not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical.  I am just not used to people being that friendly right off the bat without having a secret evil plan in mind.  (Prime example of why I try not to watch the news…or scary movies…or heck, even Unsolved Mysteries.)

Anyways, we went.  We went past Water Island, past St. Thomas, and into the open ocean in their fast little speed boat.  The snorkeling was amazing once we got there.  I distinctly remember Milton pointing out a bigger cruise ship that he says does a snorkeling tour there for $150.  I immediately felt like we should give him money…like, maybe he expected it.  But then when he walked over to the cooler and offered us a beer or rum mixer, I realized that he wasn’t expecting money from us.  I think he would’ve been insulted if we had offered.

 We returned to St. Thomas at the marina where they anchored the boat because Milton and Steph offered us a drink at their house before we headed back to our cabin.  They drove us up and around the steep hills and roads that we would’ve never made it to on any tour.  When we reached their house, I was in utter awe.  It overlooked the entire bay!   The sun was setting just over the last mountain on the island.  They had a pool on their deck complete with a bar and all.  Out of all the things I’ve ever seen in my entire life, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as that view…the one they get to come home to every night. 

We didn’t see Milton and Steph again until our last night there.  After finding out we were sushi lovers, they invited us to a local sushi restaurant they knew of.  We had a wonderful night of drinking Pain Killers and Bush Whackers, eating AMAZING sushi, and best of all, getting to know each other.  We even got to meet Milton’s son, who came to eat with us.  That night they sent us off with some star fish Milton had collected while snorkeling the day before, a bottle of the locally made rum, and head full of their life experiences growing up on St. Thomas.

To make a long story – well – longer, if we hadn’t have met Milton, our time spent in the Virgin Islands would have been a completely different one.  He and Steph made it more real, more unique, and definitely more memorable.  Though we did exchange contact information and promise to write, I have that feeling we’ll never see them again in person.  That reality just comes with traveling.  But I know for sure we will never forget them or the wonderful impression they left us with of the paradise they call home.

Estelle's American Boy

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!  It's one of those, aimlessly-driving-around-on-a-sunny-mid-Saturday-with-your-windows-down songs.  Check out the video on last.fm...the coolest online music stream ever...

The Mega 80's

I know you are probably having a good laugh right now at the fact that I’m considering an 80’s-music cover band a “Finer Thing”…but they earned the title!

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical before the show…wondering if Aaron, his brother and I really knew enough 80’s songs to keep us entertained for an entire night…wondering if we’d get tired of seeing mullets and spandex and bad makeup.  All my concerns were immediately put to rest when The Mega 80’s stomped out singing “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers with the video game, “Paperboy” playing on their huge stage backdrop.

I instantly began reminiscing about the days when my sister and I played Paper Boy after school until my mom would make us go outside and do something more “productive”.  I was dancing once again, to songs we had spent hours choreographing in my backyard growing up.  I was admiring their totally subtle 80’s get-ups and oh-so-serious 80’s performance demeanor.  I was, remembering the 1980’s as if I were there again.

As the night went on, I became baffled over and over again by how much they sounded just like every band!  They nailed every accent, every whisper, every high-pitched cry.  They played every song I could imagine, and tons more that I’d forgotten about.  I’m pretty sure (with the assistance of several beers), that I declared about 20-25 songs to be “the greatest song ever!” that night. 

If you spent any of your younger years in the 80’s, you’ve got to see this band.  You’ll appreciate just as much as I did...guaranteed!  Check out their show dates at www.themega80s.com.

Watching Your Child Succeed

13 is a rough age. You’re riding that fine line between child and adult where things as simple as where you will sit in the cafeteria at lunch, seem to turn into life-or-death situations.  Most 13-year olds don’t have enough self-confidence to look another person in the eye.  “Most 13-year olds” definitely does not include my friend’s daughter, Carrie.

Last Thursday, Carrie had enough courage to stand up in front of about 1,000 people and not only look them in the eye, but sing her heart out to them in her school’s talent show.  The audience loved her and she made her mom cry with pride.

Carrie practiced for that show nearly everyday for about 3 months.  When I asked my friend how long in total Carrie has been singing, she replied, “She had her first performance when she was six.  Since then, I can’t remember a time when she isn’t singing…something!”  She recognized her daughter’s talent and enrolled her in voice lessons, to which she looks forward to once a week. 

It’s a finer thing (if not the finest) to watch your child grow, recognize, and develop the traits and talents that make them the unique individual they are (and will become).  All the hard work it takes to perfect these talents definitely pays off in moments like these.

Check out Carrie’s flawless performance below:

Toast

I am now officially convinced there is no better way to start of a lazy Saturday morning than with Toast.  Yes…I said Toast.  But not the kind you spread butter on.  The kind that serves you dishes like Loaded Potato Cakes (complete with bacon, cheddar, onion, chives, and sour cream), Strawberry Rhubarb Baked French Toast with Vanilla Custard Sauce, and Crab Cakes Eggs Benny with Sun-dried Tomato Hollandaise.  Is your mouth watering yet?

Well if it is, I strongly suggest you head over to Toast, (more than just) a cute little breakfast/lunch joint located at 23144 Woodward in Ferndale, MI.  They are serious about their breakfast concoctions here. In other words, dieters beware!  This is not a place you can go and feel satisfied eating a poached egg and a dry wheat English muffin…at least not while seeing what your neighbors are feasting on at the table beside you. Aaron and I had no idea of what we were getting ourselves into as we entered the tiny, urbanized country diner.  Displayed on one wall, was an impressive collection of at least 25 different styles of toasters.  They were all silver except for this one random bright white and pink Hello Kitty model placed right in the center...weird.  The other walls hosted unique paintings, art pieces, and photographs, most having nothing to do with the next.  The randomness and unexpectedness was extremely refreshing. 

We had to wait a few minutes until a table was cleared for us.  Instead of having us awkwardly stand by the front door in everyones way, they escorted us to the back of the restaurant where there were nice cushioned seats and magazines.  A whole shelf of magazines!  This is such a cheap and simple way to instantly preoccupy the impatient and grumbling stomach, and yet I’ve never seen it before!  I may be different from the general Ferndale population, but I read enough finance reports, business journals, and murder cases during the week via the newspaper.  For me, it feels good to read some down-right dirty celebrity gossip and cheap Cosmo love tips on the weekends.  Needless to say, I was excited about the magazines.

After getting sat and taking our first sip of much-needed coffee, we began perusing the menu. Everything on it looks seriously deeelicious, so be prepared.  Aaron and I decided we’d each order something different to split and share.  This is a good breakfast technique we practice quite often.  We’ll usually do one salty plate and one sweet…to satisfy booth tastes.  Since I’m the sweet one (hehe), I ordered the Coconut Marscapone Mango French Toast.  Aaron decided upon the Spicy Cali (and omelet including fresh guacamole, tomatoes, white cheddar, house made salsa, and home fries.)  Let’s just say that after our food was dropped off, there was about 15 minutes of silence (except the occasional, “yum” or, “this is so good”) until there was nothing left on the plates.  I even scooped up my remaining mango and cheese sauce with my finger to feed to Zayden so it wouldn’t go to waste!

So on this day, March 22, 2008, Toast is hereby to be considered as a Finer Thing.  To prepare your senses even more before making the trip, check out their website and menus at www.toastferndale.com.  Enjoy!

Collages

I love words and quotes of freedom, travel and inspiration.  Last year, when I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant (and feeling totally trapped, too big to travel, and so "uninspired" that I was getting stressed out about why the nursery room green didn't match the crib sheet green), I decided to make a collage.  I started sorting through my mile-high stack of magazines and cut out everything and anything that inspired me.  One collage turned into three pieces of personalized framed art.

I still have these hanging in our guest bathroom and still love reading them as much as I did the day I created them.  I found it to be a great vent and a very unique conversational piece (yes, people do ask me about them after they leave the bathroom). 

A collage doesn't have to be only words on paper.   Check out this post for another unique version: http://specklednest.blogspot.com/2008/03/tgif-quickiefabric-collage.html

That First Warm Day

The American Black Bear has the unique ability to hibernate during the cold winter months.  They stay inside their dens sleeping for as long at 100 days straight, and emerge only when spring arrives….kind of like Michiganders.

Each year, around the end of February, I find myself waking up each morning asking, “Why the hell do I live here in such a cold-dreary place?”  I’ll usually spend at least one full week diligently searching the Craigslist “Housing for Rent” section in warm, sunny places, like California or Arizona.  And then, just like that, ironically, always the one day I wake up not thinking about the snow and sleet and cold…the first warm day comes.

If you live in Michigan, like me, you may experience many “first warm days” before you experience the official FIRST WARM DAY.  The agony of unpacking your winter coat and boots from storage for the 5th time that month is immediately forgotten when you get the sense that this warm day is the real deal and winter is finally gone.

This is the feeling I got yesterday as I happily left my winter coat at home and took Zayden out for our first long walk of the year.  Everyone we passed had this cheesy “summer’s coming” grin on their face.  The sidewalks were populated with screaming children, who have an entire winter’s worth of pent up energy to release.  Homeowners were outside in their yards trying to make it pretty again.  The car washes were full.   I even actually smelled BBQ in the air.  Yep, it was a finer thing.

You people in the south just wouldn’t understand…

Bikram Yoga

I look forward to waking up at 6:45am every Sunday morning.   

Why? Because I know 90 minutes of a challenging, sweaty, (and what some might consider completely insane) workout lies ahead.  Most importantly though, these are usually the only 90 minutes throughout the entire week where I’m completely and utterly focused on making myself better.  Not myself as a community member, an employee, a mother, a (soon-to-be) wife, or an artist.  Myself, meaning…me…physically, mentally, me.

Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, was developed by India’s most-renowned physical culturist, Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury in 1946.  He claimed that if Bikram yoga is faithfully practiced, it can cure chronic discomforts such as arthritis and slipped discs.

The intense series involves doing 26 poses in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  The extreme heat helps keep your muscles warm, thus improving your flexibility.  It also instinctively increases sweating, which rids your body of toxins.  Some immediate known benefits include heightening your levels of concentration, confidence, and patience; reducing stress and blood pressure; and increasing physical stability, and weight loss.

It was during one of these magnificently sweaty Sunday mornings, where I mentally devised The Finer Things.  My idea is to identify and expose those “finer things” (such as Bikram Yoga) in my life and other peoples lives that create pure and simple joy…hoping you reading this will take that information and run with it.

This naturally makes Bikram Yoga the first official “Finer Thing”.

SOME TIPS IF YOU'D LIKE TO TRY BIKRAM YOGA:

• Many places have an introductory special price of around $30.00 for your first month if you are a new student.  Look for this when searching for a studio.  If you live in the Metro-Detroit area, try my studio, www.bikramfh.com

• I would recommend brining your own yoga mat, one large bath towel to cover your mat, and one smaller towel to wipe sweat off your face and body.  It’s usually about $5.00 to rent these things from the studio and if you’re like me, you cringe at the thought of lying on a towel and mat another person previously soaked with sweat.

• Bring at least 2 large bottles of water.  Trust me, you’ll be thankful you brought two. 

• Wear light clothing.  I would stray from wearing pants or heavy t-shirts.  Tank tops, or sports bras and yoga shorts are best. The less clothing you wear, the better you can see which muscles are working during the poses, and less heat will be trapped into your body.

• Try to get there a few minutes early to get a good spot in front of a mirror.  Watching yourself in the mirror is essential to making sure you have the correct form.  It also helps your balance and focus of breath and strength.