Christine Chitnis: May 2011

Memorial Day

I think this is the very first year that Memorial Day meant more to me than simply a "day off." I have spent 27 years being blind to what this day really means. Now, with a brother in the service, currently stationed overseas, I have a heightened awareness as to what this holiday means to so many families, who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

So although we spent the day with friends (at their gorgeous, seaside home, seen throughout this post), eating clams and hanging out with the kiddos...we also spent time listening to stories on NPR, stories of our servicemen and women. We took time out of our day to remember and reflect, and to wish our troops, especially my brother, a safe return home.

FarmCoast Blogger Retreat

What do you get when you bring together eleven amazing bloggers in a setting as magical as the FarmCoast region?

You get a day filled with flowers, shopping, behind-the-scenes tours, pastries, glimpses into artist studios, wine tastings, coffee breaks, picnic lunches, a farm visit and a harbor tour...to say the least.

You also get a plethora of images. Bloggers are nothing, if not photo-happy!

I have so much to share from this lovely day...the first (hopefully annual) FarmCoast Bloggers Retreat. Remember when Nina and I visited the region a little while back? We were actually on a secret scouting mission for yesterday's event! But...the rest of the details will have to wait. I am absolutely exhausted from running so, so hard these past few weeks.

I am learning that sometimes, being a good mother is knowing when to ask for help. So today, my husband has the baby and I am resting up for what promises to be a busy weekend, including Sunday's book signing at Frog and Toad here in Providence. Will I see you there, perhaps?

Whatever your plans may be...I wish you a warm, sunny, restful long weekend!

At Last

Perhaps Spring decided to take a vacation this year, and instead, invited Summer to arrive in its place. It seems like we went straight from winter to summer, the only evidence of spring was found in the blossoming trees...but the weather, oh my.

We have been dealing with freezing temps and lots of rain- until yesterday, that is. Yesterday was sunny, and beautiful. The little one and I threw on our summer clothes and headed to the park...where we saw just about every mama and baby pair that we know! At last...welcome back summer, we sure have missed you!

Life is good indeed.

p.s. Would you take a look at those rolls? Is there anything better than chubby baby thighs...I think not?

Truth

What a fabulous weekend...a book signing at Joanne Rossman's gorgeous shop in Roslindale followed by a Sunday full of lounging and walks to the park. But more on the signing.... for Saturday's book signing will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I was introduced to Joanne by my dearest friend Elizabeth...and that introduction led to the creation of my book. Somehow, upon our first meeting, we happened onto the subject of travel, and Joanne mentioned that she knew Susan Simon, who wrote Shopping in Marrakesh, a travel guide by The Little Bookroom. I almost fainted with excitement as I asked Joanne if she was willing to put us in touch.

You see, I had been ~~stalking~~ researching The Little Bookroom ever since I laid eyes on Pia's Paris: Made by Hand, and I knew that this was the company I wanted to publish with, but I couldn't, for the life of me, find their contact information, and I know well enough that sending a query to the info@... email never seems to elicit a response.

Long story short...Joanne put me in touch with Susan, who graciously introduced me to her publisher...and the rest, as they say, is history.

So, I am forever indebted to Joanne... of course, it doesn't hurt that she has the loveliest shop on the planet! It feels a bit like a personalized Anthropologie...everything carefully curated and beautifully arraigned. I couldn't stop taking pictures of all the artful product vignettes...but at some point, I had to put the camera down and engage with all of the lovely shoppers that came to purchase my book!

It was a magical afternoon, and I have decided that Joanne has the nicest customers that one could ever hope for. We almost sold out of the book, which was thrilling. In all...a perfect day!

After such a lovely weekend, Monday hit us like a slap in the face- rain, gray skies, and a cranky baby who is either teething, or constipated. Time will tell. But we are making the best of it...or at least we are trying. I am loving the energy going on over at Susannah's blog- truth in blogging, what a concept! It's okay to admit to having struggles and tough days- not everything needs to be rainbows and butterflies.

It's funny, because this post started out about my amazing, perfect weekend...but as the day wore on, I didn't have a moment to come back and finish writing...so now, as I finish what I started this morning, my mood is not quite as cheery, and I am teetering on the brink of exhaustion. But it is okay...

Bad days happen... although I like to cushion my bad days with loads of pretty pictures...butterflies included!

Motherhood with a Side of Guilt

I had heard rumors from my publicist that my book was being carried by Anthropologie. This is really beyond my wildest dreams...Anthropologie is the epitome of style, and everything in the store is perfection...and now my book is there. Wow. So yesterday, I decided to visit our local store, in Cranston, and see if they had my book. This meant packing up my little guy, and taking him along, on what would be his first mall experience. I hate malls- they give me extreme anxiety. The crowds of people, complicated parking structures, stale food-court air. I usually last about 30 minutes and then begin to panic. Luckily, our Anthropologie is located in an "outdoor mall"...much better.

Long story short...they had my book. I was thrilled, and snapped a few pictures. Then I saw some pretty dresses, and little Vijay seemed happy in his stroller, so I decided to try a few on...just for kicks, since I really haven't been shopping in about 7 months. I am currently on a buying hiatus, but it is fun to play dress up. And so I did...until Vijay began to have a melt-down, and we had to hustle back to the car and make a beeline for home.

He was exhausted when we got home, and all out of sorts (I guess he is not a fan of the mall either, even the outdoor one), and it took me quite some time to settle him down and get him to sleep. Then the mom-guilt hit me over taking him on such a "selfish" outing. I'll admit to getting hit with the mom guilt quite a bit lately.

This is one of those tricky subjects...but I want to talk about it honestly. There are certain aspects of being a work-at-home and stay-at-home mom that I have found to be extremely difficult. My career seems to be just now taking flight (seriously, why couldn't that have happened when I was childless and twiddling my thumbs for months on end?), and while it is a wonderful thing, it also means that there is a never ending to-do list. I find myself working like a mad women during his nap time, and often, after he wakes up, and I feed him, I let him play on the floor while I send out a few last emails, or wrap up the end of a writing assignment. I do not have the time to make all of his baby food (which I really want to do), or join a mom's group, or become a regular at our library's story hour. When Vijay is awake, I am completely devoted to him, and we stay busy doing enriching activities- long walks, playing at the library, trips to the children's museum, playdates with friends. But there are days where I wonder if I am doing enough- enough work, enough mothering, enough engaging with other moms and babies. There are days were I am barely clinging on to my sanity- trying to be ensure that my book will be a success, and be the best mom that I can be.

I try not to let the "mom-guilt" get to me...but when I find myself feeding him sweet potato out of a jar, while talking to a work-contact on the phone, while at the same time trying to eat a bit of lunch myself, and type an email- I wonder if this sentiment might apply to my life: "You can do everything, but you can't do everything well."

Ugh....any thoughts?

Official Book Launch Party

It was a night to remember...oh, was it ever! Family, friends, blog readers, and local community members all gathered to celebrate the launch of Markets of New England. The food was all local...from oysters and cupcakes, to locally brewed beer and wine...it was truly a celebration of all that Rhode Island has to offer.

I'll admit to being a bit intimidated when I cracked open the first pristine copy of my book to sign. It felt like a very important moment...lending my signature to my book. But I quickly got into the groove, and enjoyed personalizing each copy.

It helped that so many of my amazing friends and family were there to lend their support...especially my mom, dad, brother, and cousin (all the way from Michigan), Aiden (and her adorable family), Elizabeth, and Nina...who took all of these gorgeous pictures! I think I will let the images speak for themselves...and really, I am a bit too exhausted to try and put my feelings on the evening into words. Suffice to say...it was perfect!

Brimfield

Who in their right mind would attempt the Brimfield Antique Show with a baby on board? Ummm...that would be me.

When I received an invitation from the staff of Yankee Magazine to meet them at Brimfield, I couldn't resist. I figured that with some planning, a MacGyver-style bag full of baby supplies, and a good attitude...we could handle it! And I suppose we did handle it...but not quite as planned.

I have learned that the trick to day-tripping with a baby, is to leave at morning nap time. That way, baby naps during the drive, and upon arriving, wakes up refreshed and ready to hit the ground running.

Yesterday, my plan worked perfectly...however, the drive to Brimfield is a mere hour, and my little guy needs a two-hour nap in the morning, no question about it. I paid dearly for this lost hour.

He was charming for the first hour- smiling up at everyone from his stroller, cooing away, taking in the hustle and bustle of the antique show. But as soon as we hit hour number two, it was a steady decline. I fed him, held him, rocked him, bundled him in the stroller...but to no avail. He wouldn't stop wailing.

I could tell by his droopy little eyelids that he was exhausted, but he just wouldn't nap in his stroller. And so, after many, many attempts to get him asleep, I finally gave up and made for the car. Would you believe, the second the car came into sight, he fell asleep...seriously....we were about five feet from the car when he finally nodded off. I was so exhausted by this point, that there was no turning back. I transferred him into his carseat, and headed for home.

So was it worth it? Absolutely. I was reading Aura's post yesterday on continuing to pursue your passions once you have a baby, and I couldn't agree more. I was thrilled to meet the wonderful ladies of Yankee Magazine (and they were so understanding of the situation, even helping to try and rock him to sleep!), and we had a ball perusing the wares for sale, and snapping picture here and there. It was a great afternoon...not ideal mind you, not quite as planned...but great, nonetheless.

And to all of those sour-faced people who shot me "evil looks" while I pushed my crying baby through Brimfield, accusing me, with their eyes, of being an outrageous mother for taking my baby to such a place, let me tell you something: Yes, my baby might be crying, but I assure you that he is warm, dry, well-fed and incredibly loved. I am not a "bad mother" for taking him along on my adventures. In fact, just the opposite. My son will grow up realizing that I am a person, with passions, dreams, and goals. One day, I will share with him all of the adventures that he took with me as a baby, and I think that it will make him proud. He is the biggest piece of my life, but not the only piece. Together, we will continue to explore, and even though we may hit some bumps in the road...it will be well worth it.