Learning French, and why I want to be a Liberal Arts person

I want to learn French. No, I don’t know anyone who speaks French. And I’m not planning any trips to France any time soon. And I’m not really interested in learning how to cook French food.

I just like the way it sounds.



It is not, admittedly, the most practical reason to learn another language. But learning something new isn’t always about practicality. For instance, I got a college degree in liberal arts. That’s right--one of the most impractical degrees offered. And yet I highly esteem liberal arts, and do not regret for a minute studying it. In fact, I want to be a “liberal arts” person when I grow up.

Oh wait...I’m already grown up. I guess that means I want to be a liberal arts person now.



Which is why I want to learn French. And why I want to challenge myself this year to broaden my intellectual horizons and explore new subjects. Like science, for instance. Or music. Or art.

Because my “intellectual mold” generally involves two things: the economy and design. Which is all fine and well, but we are focusing on breaking out of the mold this week. Breaking out, therefore, means that I need to dip my toes into some other areas. I need to become more well-rounded in that gray matter that sits on my shoulders.



So I might pick up that book on exploratory physics that my husband loves to read and try to work my way through it. And I might have to visit the modern art museum in my town and contemplate the meaning of abstract shapes. And I certainly should dust off the French level 1 Rosetta Stone program I got last year for my birthday and start practicing my pronunciation again! Because learning new things is something I never want to quit doing.



What new thing would you like to learn this next year? Share by posting your comment below!

Until tomorrow, Au Revoir!

Weekend Plans...sans internet

I'm hanging out here in the local bookstore, soaking up their free wi-fi since my modem decided to officially crash this morning. Not that I'm complaining--now I have a chance to snatch up my copies of Julie & Julia literature for weekend reading!

And since it looks like I'll be spending the whole weekend sans internet, here are a few other things I'm planning to do:

Admire this week's raffle gift--this summer-time patchwork pillow--before I hand it off to the lucky winner! (you, too, can enter to win by signing up for my newsletter!)


Play fetch with the die-hards....



Admire the flowers before they fade for good...

Eat ice cream. Lots of it. And maybe some peach cobbler...but more on that next week!


And perhaps dig into this stash of thrift store fabrics I've had laying around. I'm envisioning some cozy throws and pillows for the Fall....

Hope your weekend plans are as fun--if not, perhaps, modem-free--like mine!

Previously Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
My End of Summer Reading Hit List

My End-of-Summer-Reading Hit List

I haven't read as many books this summer as I originally intended. Well...that's not entirely true. I have read a lot of books--it's just that I've read the same ones over and over again (ahem...Twilight...).

But now that summer is nearing the end, there are a few gems still on my list that I endeavor to tackle while the sun is still shining and the pool is still warm.

For instance, I am very excited for the August debut of Amanda Soule's newest book, Handmade Home. I'm an avid follower of her blog, SouleMama, and know already that the photography and project ideas from this book will be an inspiration.


Of course, like so many others, I am also intrigued by Julie and Julia. The pending movie release notwithstanding, I'm eager to dive into Julie Powell's memoir about blogging her way through a year of cooking. Could anything be more up my alley, I ask? I think not!

And as per the recommendation of a good friend (and voracious reader), I'm also itching to get my hands on Julia Child's memoir of her life in France as well. Part of my motivation to read it, I'm sure, is rooted in my desire to spend my life in France. I guess I'll have to live vicariously through her...

Speaking of books written by bloggers about cooking, The Homemade Life by Orangette's author, Molly Wizenberg, is chock full of short stories about the recipes that have made up the building blocks of her life. This food memoir, which I've skimmed in the bookstore and aspire to bring home soon, makes me want to hit my kitchen--and I don't even love cooking!

Finally, I've also skimmed through Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross and marveled at the pages of airy patterns and summery prints. Yes I will take a weekend sewing, thank you very much....

The only thing I suppose I need to do is cart myself to the bookstore and grab up these printed delights--although probably not all at once since my husband tends to faint when I come home with an armful of books and a long receipt.

What books are on your end-of-summer-reading-list? Share by posting your comment here!
Happy reading!

Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Reading for Gold Stars
Dress Me Up!

Doin' Nothing...

I had just the kind of summer weekend that I love. Lounging on the back patio in the shade, reading books and writing and watching the plants grow.... Taking long walks with my hubby and two dogs... Sitting out at twilight and watching the sunset... Eating bbq ribs hot off the grill with corn on the cob and homemade ice cream for dessert... Listening to ghost stories by candlelight (seriously--I did this). Watching kids whiz by my house on their skateboards and wishing I could do that (when exactly are you officially too old to learn how to ride a skateboard?)... Sleeping with the doors and windows open, under an antique quilt my great-great-grandmother made...

Yeah--it was that kind of weekend.

And although I didn’t get all of it on camera, here are a few shots...

The food... (floss required!)


The company... He's not much for conversation, but we still like him.


The reading list...


The hand-me-downs...

Ironically, in our days of fancy gadgets and deluxe entertainment, these simple weekends of doin' nothing are probably the ones I'll remember most.

What are your favorite doin' nothing memories? Share your comments below--

Previous Summer posts:
Favorite Things
A Day at the Farm
The Simplest Entertainment

Reading for Gold Stars

My friend and I were tooling around the children’s book aisles at Barnes & Noble the other day, reminiscing over some of our childhood favorites (Ramona Quimby, Judy Bloom books, A Wrinkle in Time) and reading some of the newest favorites for today’s generation. And it got me thinking about how much I loved reading during the summertime.

Library Memories
I remember distinctly making regular trips to the library with my mom and little sister. We would set up camp in the kids’ section and start browsing. My mom would always set a limit for how many books we could check out. Needless to say, it never took me very long to reach the limit. Oh how I loved the smell of the used pages. And the crinkle that the protective plastic covering made when you opened the book.

And every year during the summer we would participate in a summer reading program--either sponsored by the library or by our school. I can’t remember the specifics, but I do vaguely remember colored stars and charts to record how many hours we’d read.

Signing Up
So, it was with these summer reading memories in mind that I decided to check out my local library to see if they were sponsoring an adult reading program. Sure enough, they were, and I signed up immediately. Apparently the only rule is that I have to read 5 hours per week. I think I get a complimentary pen at the end of the summer for my efforts. Not that I need the incentive.

And so I’ve been toting around some books, getting in my hours on the deck or before bed at night. I’m trying to mix it up, reading both fiction and non-fiction, several books at once. (To see what I’m reading, please feel free to look at my summer reading pinwheel to the left.) And if you have the inclination, check out your local library to see what summer reading programs they have, for adults or kids (if you have youngsters).

Since no staycation is complete with a good book, I’ll be leaving you now and digging into mine!

What are you reading this summer? Email me at shillberry@stephaniehillberry.com or post your comment here!

Previous Retro Summer posts:
My Community Staycation
A Girl Can Dream
...also check out Retro Summer's webpage for summer event ideas, photos, links and more!

In My Weekend Bag...

Have I ever mentioned that one of the perks of living a the life of a "domestic entrepreneur" is that the term "flex time" is an understatement?

So, with the holiday weekend ahead, I'm packing up my duffel bag, grabbing my books and crafts, and heading out of town. Here's what I'll be bringing:

The Packing List:
* my copy of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I'm in love with this book, and find it a perfect read for spring. I've already learned an incredible amount about the habits of asparagus (seriously--who knew they could be so fascinating!), and keep bugging my husband with "hey, did you know that seeds are patented and therefore illegal to keep from year to year?" types of facts. Needless to say, he's not nearly so interested in those tidbits as I am...

* my New copy of Twilight, given to me by some friends just yesterday (thank you!). I am now ready to officially join (albeit rather late) the cult.

* a few skeins of yarn, including one that already bears the start of a pair of winter wool socks I'm knitting. Yes, I realize it's almost June, but I really am going to get a head start on holiday gifts this year. Really.

* some fabric, so that I can plan out new Creative Hour projects for the weeks to come. Since I can't very well haul my sewing machine up to the mountains and thus endure the inquiring stares of my family who don't include sewing projects among their ideas of relaxing leisure, I have to find fabric tasks that don't need stitching...

* my laptop, in case I'm suddenly struck by a brilliant posting idea, or a webpage design (for the record--I'm a Mac. I know you were dying to know.). I will, of course, have to officially ignore the irritated glances by my husband, who believes that the mountains are no place for modern technology, except, of course, for DVD players and cable television. At least I won't have internet...

Too Much to Do?
By now perhaps you are wondering if one person can actually do all of the things implied within this list of belongings. The answer is No. Of course not. I Never actually work on all of the projects I bring. I just like having them there. Just in case.

You understand.

Hope yours is a great long weekend, too!

Previous Recessionista Posts about Projects:
Creative Hour: Cocktails and Dresses (but not cocktail dresses)
Thinking Outside the Box
A Long Time Coming (my dining room makeover)

the Book Sleuth: Introductions

I'm rolling out yet another feature here on Deviantly Domesticated (a girl can't have too many features, you know!) called the Book Sleuth.  Because I'm a self-proclaimed Nerd (seriously--I love libraries.  And bookstores.  And Amazon.com), and I read A Lot of books, I thought I would share what I'm reading with you on the off-chance that you might be interested, too.

For the record, I tend to find myself wandering more in the non-fiction side of the bookstore than the fiction side, so sorry--no romance novel updates or great reviews on the latest international story-telling wonder.  Or at least you probably won't find me reading them often (although please feel free to send me your recommendations!).

What I do read a lot of, however, are books on cooking and on crafting (I Love Crafting!) and on home design.  I also read a lot on contemporary issues, like our modern food system, consumer culture, and some political prose.  And I Really enjoy books on the economy (they're my favorite), and so help me, God, if I don't manage to convert you into an Econ fan yourself! (I promise, it's not all lame...)

On a technical front, when I feature a book, I'll also provide a link to it under the "currently reading" section of my sidebar so that you can check it out for yourself.  And if you end up reading it, let me know what you think!  

Send me your sleuthing recommendations by emailing me at shillberry@comcast.net.

Also, stick around later today for this week's Marketplace Maven, Hannah Breshears of Red Tandem Studio!