My folks visited from PA last weekend, and unfortunately, the weather here was the worst we've had all spring. And of course we had tickets to some outdoor events. But we didn't let the downpour stop us! Saturday night: Willie Nelson (a family favorite) at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Who would've predicted we'd need coats and wool hats for an outdoor show in Atlanta in May? We really lucked out because our seats were some of the very few at Chastain that are covered. We only got wet getting to and from the car. Sunday afternoon: Braves vs. Mets at Turner... Continue reading

During nice weather, our porch is one of the most-used "rooms" of the house. Even during the work week when we're not home much, we at least try to eat dinner out there whenever possible. There used to be a tree on the west side of the house that would make nice shade on the porch in the early evening hours, but that tree got struck by lightning and had to be taken down. So now at dinner time when we want to eat at the porch table, there's all this blinding hot sun beating down right there. This has... Continue reading

Sad news today for country music lovers everywhere. As I was thinking about what song I wanted to post here, I debated about whether or not this one was too obvious. But I decided that there was no other choice, really. I have a vivid memory of when this song was popular. I was about ten years old, and it could often be heard coming out of the gigantic console stereo my parents had back then. The song was on frequently enough that I pretty much knew all the words, but one thing puzzled me. So I asked my dad... Continue reading

Lately on Mondays (our day off), Anthony and I have been taking long walks on the Atlanta BeltLine. Based on an old rail corrider that circles the city, the Beltline is transforming those abandoned rail trails into a network of parks and paved paths connecting dozens of neighborhoods. The BeltLine is a great place to walk, run, bike, skate, whatever. It's amazing to be able to walk from all the way from, say, Inman Park to Piedmont Park, and not even feel like you've worked all that hard. The paths make it so easy and pleasant to get around, without... Continue reading

For some people, Record Store Day is a chance to grab all the special releases, either to collect or to sell on eBay. For others, it's a day to re-visit youthful times spent discovering exciting musical gems. For me, it's neither of those things. In my rural childhood, we got our records at Zayre or the BX. Shopping for music was something we did while out buying socks, or on the way back from getting groceries at the commissary. In my teen years, we lived in a suburban area where I thought I was hot shit because I had easy... Continue reading

Hey, does anybody remember this cardigan? Ringing a vague bell? I started it in May of last year, then it went into the closet and hibernated for a while, then I pulled it back out in October and worked on it for a while, and then it hibernated again for a few months. I pulled it back out last week and got back to work on it, at which point it looked like this: Nothing left to do but finish one sleeve make the other! Woo-hoo! The home stretch! FINALLY. Today that cardigan looks like this: Oh no I DIDN'T.... Continue reading

"In progress" might be overstating things--really all I've done so far is cut out the paper pattern pieces. But hey, ya gotta start somewhere. This blouse is my first official project of spring, but its origins date back to Christmas. The pattern was a present, and I bought the fabric in PA during my Christmas vacation with a Surplus City gift card from, uh...Santa. I got some buttons then, too, but I decided they weren't right for this blouse, so I bought these ones recently instead. I'll be making Version 2, with the buttons up the back and no keyhole... Continue reading

It was another beautiful spring weekend in the ATL! I am loving it. Especially because my sweetie just finished up a huge freelance job, so he has more time to goof off now. We spent Sunday afternoon at one of our favorite places, the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tulips and flowering trees were out in full force, and the Chihuly fountain was sparkling in the sunshine. LOVED these tulips in hot colors. (I planted tulips once. Squirrels stole my bulbs. *shaking fist* Damn you, squirrels!!!) Woody trunk of a wisteria vine. Impressive, huh? The wisteria wasn't blooming yet. It seems a... Continue reading

The other day Anthony and I happened to be driving past historic Oakland Cemetery and we decided it was a great day to take a walk around there. I'm not into cemeteries as a rule, but Oakland is a such an interesting feature of the city and a lovely place to walk around admiring monuments, landscaping, and city views. Yes, the sky was really this blue. I love the light in Atlanta at this time of year, before the air gets so hazy with pollen and humidity. Much like last weekend when I got on a roll with tail light... Continue reading

Here's what you do when you can't be at the stadium for the first game of the season. Game on the radio, hot dogs & fries from Skip's, beer from The Beer Growler. And during the seventh inning stretch, I'll be busting out the mandolin for a little "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." Feel free to sing along. GO BRAVES!!! Continue reading

Happy Easter to those of you celebrating it! We don't make a big deal out of it in our household, but it was a great day nonetheless. One of our favorite comfort food spots, Our Way Cafe, hosted an Easter brunch that was totally scrumptious. They don't normally do brunch, but today's event was such a huge success, I'm hoping they'll make it a regular thing. Here we are enjoying our eggs, home fries, Pine Street Market bacon, biscuits, and gravy. Not to mention the cupcakes for dessert! Meanwhile, in the parking lot, vehicles were gathering for an antique car... Continue reading

Yuck! Today is the opposite of last weekend--chilly, slimy, and dark. There might be thunder, lightning, and pouring rain outside, but here's a cozy scene from my couch. Mimi's all snuggled up while I work on mandolin practice. She even occasional provides vocal accompaniment--and by "vocal" I mean "soft snoring noises." Continue reading

Thanks to daylight savings time and warming weather, I was able to enjoy a little outdoor time when I got home from work last night. This was my view from the porch--blue sky, Bradford pear blossoms. And by the way, I was sitting on the glider when I took this. :) Continue reading

Just in time! Local temperatures are on the rise, but yesterday was still cool enough to be considered sweater weather. Please ignore the windblown hair and squinting-into-the-sun face. Before any compliments me on the beautiful camelia bush behind me, rest assured it's not mine. These photos were taken outside a bar. So there you go. I'm really pleased with this! The pattern was fun to knit, and I love the color and softness of this yarn. This sweater will be a staple of my fall and winter wardrobe, I'm sure. PROJECT DETAILS Pattern: Chuck by Andi Satterlund Modifications: One extra... Continue reading

As I've said before, this blog is called Stacyverb because verbs are words of doing, and this blog is about whatever I happen to be doing, whether that's going to an event, making something, or just thinking about stuff. Popular wisdom says that blogs with a narrower focus succeed more than those with a broad range of topics. But writing a blog like that would bore me to the point of...non-blogging. Also? Define "succeed." (Note to self: future blog topic!) Anyway. Margaret Lobenstine calls people with many interests "Renaissance Souls." And this book, which I got from the library, is... Continue reading

Sometimes, by this point in the year, spring has clearly sprung here in Atlanta. This year, things aren't so clear. One day it's 65 degrees, the next it's 35. Since cold weather seems to be reluctant to leave, I'm trying to get one more winter project finished before turning my attention to swishy skirts and tank tops. The name of this pattern is Chuck, but I'm not calling mine Chuck because I actually knit Anthony a sweater several years ago that I named Chuck. Confused yet? EXACTLY. Anyway, this pattern immediately went into my queue when I saw it on... Continue reading

Last week I read Chris Cleave's novel Gold, about two rival cyclists training for the Olympics. One of the most compelling characters was their coach. During that same week, I happened to watch a few episodes of Friday Night Lights, featuring the trials and tribulations of football coach Eric Taylor. And one day at work, I had a conversation with a shop customer who makes her living as a business coach. With all of these coaches crossing my path in the same week, I've been thinking a lot about the concept of coaching. When I hear the word coach, the... Continue reading

A few things have happened in the past week or so that have got me feeling sentimental and at times downright melancholy. One, I reconnected with a long-lost college friend via Facebook. That's a good thing, a great thing! But combined with the rainy weather (I went to college in a town known for its constant drizzle) and the fact that Pandora suddenly decided to pepper my mix with a bunch of old Smiths, INXS, and Depeche Mode? The next thing you know, I'm staying up late, having a mad craving for my favorite sandwich from a deli that's been... Continue reading

As I was saying the other day, I nearly got kicked out of the High Museum because I was fawning over Frida and was reluctant to leave when it was time for the museum to close. I can't remember how/where/when I first learned about Frida Kahlo and her art, so I have no idea which fascinated me first--her life story or her work. That seems fitting, in a way, because the two are really inextricably linked. Frida took up painting as a young woman while she was in bed recovering from serious injuries she suffered in a bus accident. Even... Continue reading

It's ridiculous how often I start to write a blog post, but then I can't think of a clever title, so I procrastinate writing the post. Anyway, title or not, it's time to catch you up on some things! Last weekend was the official Grand Re-Opening party at my work. It was a great success! We had a big crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Me and my workmates, in a rare moment when we're all together at the same time. After this photo, we declared that all staff meetings from now on must include champagne. We had refreshments... Continue reading

Just a quick and dirty post while I eat lunch. So much has been happening! First, a little more about Mimi kitty's diabetes situation. It's pretty commom for older cats to get this, and she's almost 16, so there you go. She's on special (and apparently delicious) food now, and we give her insulin shots. I was nervous about giving shots, but it turns out to be quite easy. The injection just goes in under the skin, so we don't have to worry about trying to find a vein or hitting any particular spot. Other than that, she just goes... Continue reading

This week has been CRAZY, people. Mostly with good stuff, like a friend visiting from out of town. And finally getting a diagnosis for our senior cat, Mimi--she has diabetes! The vet says it should be totally manageable, but we're still getting used to the new routine of her special food and insulin (more about all that in another post). It's all a lot to deal with while mainly, during everything else, my days have been filled with this: My workplace has officially moved out of our old space and into the new. We're not re-open yet because, well, relocating... Continue reading

You know how some project ideas evolve verrrry gradually, stewing and brewing in your brain until finally IT'S TIME? Well, here's a long-coveted item whose time has finally come. Several years ago, a friend and I saw a picture in a knitting magazine that stopped us in our tracks. It wasn't because of the knitted cardigan the model was wearing--no, what really grabbed our attention was the dress she had on under that sweater. It had gorgeous books all over it! We went crazy over that dress, so much so that my friend called the magazine publisher to find out... Continue reading

Confession: earlier today, I finally spent a gift card that I'd had for over two years. This was an extreme example, but I do things like that all the time. I don't hoard, exactly, but I ration special things out. It might be a gift card, or a favorite beauty product, or whatever. I make it last as long as possible--sometimes to the point of not wanting to use it at all. I started thinking about why I behave this way, and I guess a lot of factors are at work here (besides me just being a general wacko): 1)... Continue reading

Happy New Year, everybody--did you all have a great holiday season? I definitely did. The best Christmas present I got was the news that I will NOT be losing my job after all! That definitely helps me start the new year in a much more relaxed frame of mind. As for 2012, it certainly had some stressful times, but there were lots of good times as well. My overarching resolution last year was to feel more like myself than I had in the past two years, by making more time for reading, sewing, and other activities that are important to... Continue reading