Our way to Fall.

Dear 27,
Fall has officially arrived. The sweaters are out of hibernation, the old October issues of Martha have resurfaced and logically, I went apple picking. Looks like we're finding our way to Fall.

 The Happy Apple Orchard is home to rows of red delicious, jonathan and braeburn apples, as well as many animal heads (there were at least 18) and an archery target room.

Visited Norwalk for the first time. The little city is littered with horses. And grass so green it looked digitally enhanced. Jo, Ashley, Mary and I came away with many LBs of apples and soggy shoes.

xo-LP

***Bonus. Made crisp from my apples.***

Sam Cookin' up a delicious pizza.

Dear 27,
Before I share my newest additions to the MacGuyver Style cookbook I know all you readers are compiling, a little list of music to go all culinary on. Every kitchen needs a good playlist, an apron, a cast iron skillet and a wooden spoon.
(Visit Joanne at Kitchen Collage. She'll assist you with the proper tools and an appropriately frilly apron.)

Check out the finished product.

A very detailed egg recipe.

One more recipe will be up this week-- a macguyvered up pizza, where I actually had to adhere to a recipe for the most part. I'll get the details for Sara's favorite crust and get back to you.

Here's a few action shots from the Sunday pizza fest.

Photo credit: Sara Springer + Liberty School

Now get cooke-in.

xo-LP

Travel Bender.

Dear 27,
Part one of the 12 days of travel takes me to not-so-sunny California. Many a tune has been penned in her honor. I think I sing at least 5 of them on plane rides out here or while stuck in the traffic. I'd try to post them for you but STILL can't seem to get a playlist to cooperate.

(At least my 1am hotel arrival and dreary day one didn't offer much sun, especially after a few unforeseen and nonawesome plan changes. California, however, redeemed itself today.) Finally finished another book. Thanks Jen for sending me what has proved to be a new favorite. Have written postcards, thank you notes, and too many emails to count with my second unexpected free afternoon. Might have even managed a sunburn. 

A few more sun drenched days ahead.
Until then,
xo-LP

Back to School.

Dear 27,
It's the first day of classes here on campus.
The air is clouded with anticipation, there's the appropriate amount of dew on the grass, the rush of a new year and the smell of new pencils and books and papers. (I love that part.) And this year, most of the bitty freshman were born after 1992. Weird.
After a weekend of wild and crazy bacheloretteness (Thanks Annie!), as well as the outfit shown below that was praised by a man wearing a sequin/beaded vest much like what a modern day Aladdin would wear, I'm beat.

 

Playlist.com and I have officially broken up. I'm looking for a new musical boyfriend, but until then, a list:
1- "We Rule the School" Belle and Sebastian
2- "Boy From School" Grizzly Bear (a Hot Chip cover)
3- "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" Simon and Garfunkel
4- "Back to School" Of Montreal (Royal Trux cover)
5- "New Kid in School" The Donnas
6- "San Dimas High School Football Rules" The Ataris

Happy Monday friends.
xo-LP

My girl Monday.

Dear 27,
All girly jams sung about boys.

**Well Playlist.com and I are having some relationship issues. I tried 4-18 times to get this playlist to show up in time for Monday...but it didn't work. So I drew it. Google the songs to experience audial delight.  (ps- I googled audial. Real word.) Happy belated Musical Monday.***



(One to get you started. Plus the video is neat.)

Here's to a week of focus. Or something like that.

**and another update. This week has been far from focused.***
xo-LP

One hot show.

Dear 27,
When I say hot show, I mean it. I mean it was pretty hot in there and that the music itself was h-o-t. I sweated off all the additional freckles I picked up at the pool on Saturday. It was hot. Hotter than the sauna at the Eagle's Ozark house. Hotter than the leather seats of the Focus mid-July. Hotter than Justin Bieber's memoir will be. Hotter than...well I think you get what I mean.

After bumping into many soaked Raygun tshirt clad dudes, holding handfuls of ice on the back of my neck and a few tall boys, the Val Air (there was no air to be clear) was surely rockin to the BLACK KEYS.

After a couple bummer shows this summer it was fun to see a band play with such energy and be fully committed to their music. The Black Keys are a duo, only two guys on stage (sweating with the rest of us), but the sound was big, really big.

Des Moines is bringing some top notch acts. Phoenix tomorrow night. Tennis next week. Looking forward to an August that sings.

And now for the pick six. To be played loudly. And with feeling.

xo-LP

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Dear 27,

And you didn't know how much you'd love them.

See you Sunday Mr. Black Keys.

xo-LP

In an effort to at least listen to summer.

Dear 27,

It will be AUGUST next week. And I haven't celebrated much of summer. I have a few weeks left, better hop to it!

-Farmers Market

-Swimming Pools

-Finally see Gray's Lake

-Outdoor Festivities at Mi Casa

-Roasted Beet Salad

-And if I'm lucky- A boat ride

xo-LP

"My Love for you I could never hide"

Dear 27,

Perfect for Monday. And yes. You're right.
xo-LP

"It's my better side of you to admire"

Dear 27,

The first pick-six tracks of the week.

I think you'll be pleased.

xo-LP