Out-n-About

Alston and I have been keeping pretty busy. I've been doing some printing between Alston's daytime catnaps. Currently, he's sleeping pretty good at night (all bets are off for the next phase - who knows what will happen next). He's still figuring out his day time rhythm. Most days there are several 20-30 minute naps with which I have to work with. So, it's hard to get much of anything done. Though I am pleased to say the bulk of Alston's birth announcements are in the mail! (keep your eye on your mailbox - if you don't receive one it might because I didn't have your address. Send it to me and I'll get one out to you!). I also recently finished printing a wedding invite, which took me so much longer to finish than I expected. Many thanks to Patrick for lending a hand to get it all done. We really are a super team. It's a good reality check on what is realistic time frame for me to turn around print projects. Patrick and I both noticeably fell victim the "baby-mush" brain syndrome, where it took us herculean concentration to figure out simplest layout things or print planning. Oi, I hope that gets better. I feel a bit like a brain fell out.

Anyhow, Alston and I have also been doing some social things to fill the day and keep me sane. On Tuesday, we had a quick outing to the park with Libby, her son Jasper and few other friends, Jemima and Sydney.
Jasper and Jemima digging in the sand at the park.

While walking I saw this great handpainted sign outside a store. It grabbed my attend not only for its quirky-ness but also because I need to get some new jeans. I've become VERY conscious that since having Alston and being around the house/studio more - I'm dressing very frumpy. I still haven't dug out all my pre-baby clothes yet. So, nothing really fits and I haven't been able to find the time for overhauling the closet.

This week I also worked in a long over due lunch date with Rivkah, Stefanie and their babies. We met at Brown Sugar Kitchen in West Oakland. This is one of the only restaurants in walking distance to my home. Fortunately, the chef is Tanya is of gourmet caliber and cooks up delicious "New Soul Food". She even has a cook book published (see cover picture below) and has been featured on many cooking/food show including some on the Food Network. The food is amazing. In particular, I LOVE the cornmeal waffle (which can be ordered as chicken-n-waffles, if you like). The remarkable thing about the waffle is it is simultaneous lightly crisp on the outside and eggy-fluffy in the middle. Too die for.
From the left: Isa (6 months), Rivkah, Clyde (4.5 months), Stefanie and Alston, and me.
Hopefully, the first of many lovely lunches with this crew. Interestingly enough a local newspaper what at the restaurant shooting photos to go with an upcoming article about The Kitchen. They snapped a couple shots of us chatting with Tanya...so, who knows maybe we'll all make the newspaper?!