Dizzy Swallows

Little Bits for a Monday

March 11th, 2013

Happy Monday my darlings. Spring is just around the corner! Thank heavens. Today I’d like to share with you a song that’s been roaming round my head since happening upon it a few weeks ago (shout out to Tommy!). Enjoy while you peruse the rest of the post!

Lightning's Girl by Nancy Sinatra on Grooveshark

How was everyone’s weekend? Ours was full, as was the week previous. Though I was down with my first cold of the year, we did manage to get some key measurements at our wedding venue, lock in the catering, and have a nice walk about the land.

We even managed to plant the start of our garden! So far we have strawberries and peas in the ground, and butternut squash, cilantro, mint, and broccoli in the seedling tray. Much more to come!

My wellies have been earning their keep being out in the garden and … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

February 4th, 2013 1 Comment

Hello all! This morning I wanted to share a song that’s been resting in my ear of late. It may seem odd to some, but it comes courtesy of Black Sabbath. The song is “Planet Caravan.” I hope you enjoy it too!

We have recently been plowing our way through old episodes of The West Wing. In stark contrast, it was interesting to come across this Huffington Post article about the President of Uruguay. Mr. José Mujica lives in his own run down apartment, donates 90% of his salary to charity, and has a net worth of about $1,800. “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, who is poor,” he says. Makes one think.


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Ashley, co-author of a longtime favorite blog of mine, Hither and Thither, recently posted this easy method for foolproof soft-cooked eggs. You can … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

January 14th, 2013

Today’s music comes to you from Cold Specks, a London based group fronted by the talented Canadian singer, Al Spx (pseudonym). This song is titled, “Holland”, and is accompanied by one visually engrossing video.

Speaking of engrossing videos, I recently came across this lovely visual essay on the making of rose water and rose oil in Bulgaria. As some of you may know, my mother’s side of the family is Bulgarian, and my love of all things rose is a pleasing byproduct of that heritage.

We’ve been enduring a remarkably cold spat of weather, complete with snow flurries and temperatures rarely venturing past 35 degrees. This has me spending more time than usual huddled with my knitting. If only yarn wasn’t so expensive. Le sigh. However, single skeins and yarn scraps do have their uses I’m finding…

Are any of you familiar with the work of Gemma Correll? … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

January 7th, 2013 1 Comment

The alternate title of this post is Current Obsessions. Thus:

Current song obsession: “Cosmic Dancer” by T. Rex. Loved it in Billy Elliot, love it now.

Cosmic Dancer by T. Rex on Grooveshark

Current hairstyle obsession: partially braided pigtails. Slightly more sophisticated than your garden variety piggy, and so easy to do.


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Current food obsession: Cookie + Kate‘s Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato and Broccoli Pasta. This scrumptious recipe comes together in a breeze and has been on heavy rotation in our kitchen of late.


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Current space obsession: this amazing, airy studio. So completely jealous.


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Current style obsession: orange-red lips and nails. Classic. Particularly when paired with a crisp white blouse.


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Current DIY obsession: this genius daily calendar project from Design Sponge, which is reused each year and gets better the longer you use it. Each day you write down the year and something … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday – Christmas Crafts Edition

December 10th, 2012

The Christmas spirit has officially ensconced us in its twinkling, pine-scented warmth. I’ve strung lights, hung my first real mistletoe (love!), and last night I knitted up one of these fairisle globe ornaments.

So today I hope you’ll forgive me if I share a few Bits for the season. I understand, however, that if you’re anything like my sister, you won’t appreciate Christmas carols just yet (or maybe ever) so the video I’m sharing is an old, un-holiday favorite: the timeless Mrs. Eartha Kitt crooning “C’est Ci Bon”.

Once I’ve gotten out my knitting, it’s difficult for me to stop. I think my next single evening project will be these adorable miniature stocking ornaments. They, and the globes previously mentioned, are a great way to use up yarn scraps!


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Remember this idea for craft store animals? Well here’s another fun project, courtesy of Martha, for making your … Continue reading