This made me laugh: The maximum size of a PDF is not limited by the format itself, however, Adobe Acrobat imposes a limit of 15 million in by 15 million in, or 225 trillion in2 (145,161 km2)
An Old New House
Reposting this personal story from my Instagram Account as this resonated with so many of my followers.
Last month marked the anniversary of our adoption of a truly magical house. Her name is Finne.
She was built in the 1830s and from what we know was a loving and communal home to families in Salem NY. Then, a gentleman lovingly took her apart, piece by piece, labeling every beam and creating detailed instructions on how to rebuild her.
He listed her on Craigslist, hoping to find someone who will bring her back to life. He did. Cue Hudson Valley based builders Bex and Dave.
They drove their truck up and moved her three hours south. They schemed her rebirth and eventually started pouring her a foundation. They then poured a tremendous amount of love into her, expanding her original footprint. A year later they listed her for adoption, mid October of 2023.
That night, I was out for dinner with Tim and happened to see the listing pop up.
Just a few days earlier, I made the intention to buy a house upstate that could hold all of our grown-ish children and be a physical manifestation of our love. There she was!
I saw photos of Finne and gasped. I slid the phone over to Tim and he started reading the history of the house. Then he gasped.
The next day we were the first ones to see her. Before walking in, I told ‘my team up there’ that if this was my house, there better be a clear sign.
We walked in and were taken aback by Finne’s beauty. The original old wooden floors, stairs, exposed beams and extremely tasteful designed details all around.
We sat in the staircase for an hour, talking about life with the broker. On my final walk through of the house, I noticed a book on the nightstand, that was put there by the person who staged the house, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s one of my all time favorite books and I had started reading it for the 5th time two days prior. I chuckled. I hear you universe. I hear you loud and clear.
After a sleepless night, I spent a ridiculously long time writing a heartfelt offer letter to the sellers. Their broker responded with “Thanks. We have 6 showings this weekend and it will go to the highest bidder!”
My heart sank. I knew I could not participate in a bidding war. And I accepted the fact this might have been it. Onward!
The next morning, the weekend of the 6 showings, my broker calls me and said “The owners just read your letter and canceled all the showings. They accepted your offer and your application for neighborly friendship!”
Gasp! Tears were shed.
Fast forward legal schmegal. We closed on the house on 12/13/23 and have called her our home ever since.
Finne is gentle and majestic. She is wise but also silly. She loves to host and wrap guests in her warm energy. (Yes, houses have personality/soul!)
We love her so. But the biggest score of all is that we now call the humans who lovingly brought her back to life, Bex and Dave, our friends and neighbors.
The end.
One Minute Park
Need a bit of a break. Can’t go outside? Try One Minute Park.
Cabel Sasser – Panic
What a wonderfully refreshing talk.
“Not Fried Chicken” Ice Cream Bucket
My pal Saul sent me the weirdest and funnest treat I have *ever* received: A “Not Fried Chicken” Ice Cream Bucket by Life Raft Treats. It looks just like a fried chicken drumstick, but it’s actually an intricate ice cream creation, complete with waffle ice cream, a chocolate-covered cookie “bone” and a coating of white chocolate and crushed corn flakes! This made me LAUGH!
Cloud Dessert
This. Dessert. Makes. My. Heart. Sing.
A Side of Tea and Poetry
What a time to be alive and 18! My daughter Ella just self-published her first poetry book. You can read her poetry over at ellajoy.com and if you enjoy it, support this young poet by buying a copy of her book. What other young poets should be on my radar?
A Poetic Almanac of Birds by Maria Popova
This must be the most beautiful personal project I have come across in a very long time.
My friend Maria Popova has found her love for birds and Tarot and felt moved to create her own card deck of divinations from the birds. (The deck is limited edition, for her friends only, but it might become available in the future.)
For now, we can bask in the beauty of some of her Bird Divinations and buy them as prints here, with all proceeds going to Audubon.
Maria is a national treasure. I’ll keep saying it. What a beautiful soul.
Is it a book?
Every page of this book is a slice of cheese. Made me laugh.
The Bookshelf Skirt
Love this woman and her bookshelf skirt.
Tattly Sleeve Kit
I can’t get over how cool and realistic looking this sleeve kit is from Tattly. Designed by real tattoo artist Jessi Preston.
Jazzercise
I can’t stop smiling.
My Doggy Ate My Essay
My doggy ate my essay.
He picked up all my mail.
He cleaned my dirty closet
and dusted with his tail.He straightened out my posters
and swept my wooden floor.
My parents almost fainted
when he fixed my bedroom door.I did not try to stop him.
He made my windows shine.
My room looked like a palace,
and my dresser smelled like pine.He fluffed up every pillow.
He folded all my clothes.
He even cleaned my fish tank
with a toothbrush and a hose.I thought it was amazing
to see him use a broom.
I’m glad he ate my essay
on “How to Clean My Room.
(thank you Ella)
Modern Birdhouse Matz
Now this is a stunningly minimal and beautiful birdhouse. Designed by Michael Hilgers. Would gladly adopt. (Looks like it will be available in their online store later in February)
If You Could Change One Thing About Your Body
Stay until the kids come on. They are so pure. Heart melts.
Hibernation
I am ready. Hibernation mode: ON
Lettuce Baby
My heart needed this.
Monstera Shoes
I have a giant Monstera in my bedroom. One of my favorite plants. So, clearly, these shoes speak to me.