Tuesday, August 30, 2011

hurricane irene...


 hurricane irene came and went without too much hype, let's just say there was a    huge amount of hype, it just didn't amount to what they predicted.   at least in these parts. although i am sure my boys would not agree as they have no power and word is it wont be restored until the weekend.

i didn't want to look out my window this morning because i knew what i would find  -  the end of summer.   the long days and the short nights just rotate so quickly.  when we brought m back to school on sat i knew summer was coming to an end.  you can feel those late august days, the cool nights - the ones that are perfect for sleeping.   mornings are darker now, and you can feel that fall is near.  as i look toward earlier sunsets and football games and before i pack away my summer beach chair, i'd like to pay tribute to what this summer was to me.  besides really, really, quick.   it was filled with sweet memories, great moonlit nights, fire pits, fireflys and many memorable  thunderstorms.   this summer i learned the difference between a trip and a vacation and both are photo worthy.  take this window of time and frame it in your memory.  hang on to the end of summer, moment by moment.   make it last a little longer.   enjoy every trip and every vacation. 
























   "live each season as it passes -  breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each"  -  henry david thoreau

Sunday, August 28, 2011

year two...

and my house is silent again.
there was lots of packing. 

                                  lots of reminders to be smart, and have fun, and remember to call.
                                                                                 lots of hugs





it doesn't take long to jump right into your new space.
 and it's a pretty nice space -  bright and sunny.
the campus was beautiful, flowers were everywhere.



and i never pass a birch tree without knowing that my dad is always looking out for us.


then she told us she was all set.   i guess that meant we could head home. 
we drove to a town close by for lunch.  its a cool little spot, college towny kind of place.
             a locals kind of hang out.  but i am sure other people go there to grab a bite to eat after dropping off their kids at school and they talk about how fast time is moving.





then back at home after my eyes dried up and the kitchen was cleaned, i fell asleep with that feeling that i was emptied out, spent and maybe just a tiny bit sad for all of the remnant thoughts and worries in my head. but i was also filled to the brim with every kind of goodness.
                                                                            it was a good day.

Friday, August 26, 2011

hold on to summer...

as long as you can.   just when i thought i had exhausted all my romantic ideas, i came across this business.
this  is just about perfection.  they actually deliver to your doorstep, your favorite secret spot, wherever you would like.  the only problem is they are located in california. but they offer  the most enchanting baskets filled with the most amazing details.
imagine a picnic basket filled with vintage silver flatwate, china, pressed vintage linens, vintage salt and pepper shakers, glass tumblers, charming printed menus, and votives of garden flowers?? then there is an exceptionally yummy 3-4 course menu… things like salmon rillette, lamb lollipops with coriander mint chutney and seasonal fruit sabayon, fleur de sel caramels, and dessert baked and served in individual mason jars,  all beautifully garnished and carefully tucked into your basket!
swoon.....   i might have to travel to  california just to order one.





visit them at       Georgina Brandt 909-261-5200

Thursday, August 25, 2011

just for today...


Your identity is not equivalent to your biography. There is a place in you where you have never been wounded, where there's a seamlessness in you, and where there is a confidence and tranquility.
- John O'Donohue -

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

happy tuesday....

because we all need a little music in our lives....

i love when i find an artist or two that aren't very well known.  she has the voice of that sexy, raspy, earthy
tone that i love....  these people are going places.



Monday, August 22, 2011

drinks i dream about...








about a year ago leonor told me about this drink she loves called bubble tea...what? bubble tea?  never heard of it.  but, of course i had to try it.  it's kind of a dessert drink she says.  i should have left well enough alone.  now i have cravings for this drink.  and honestly, it must have 1000 calories.  but worth it. i would not attempt to make it on my own it's a little complicated.  but if you get the chance try it. if you are adventurous and want to make it on your own.  here is how to do it.
 my favorite is coconut.




















and it will look like this...
and you will start craving it too.



love sent, xo

Thursday, August 18, 2011

rush rush...

as i rush through my days to meet my deadlines i feel like a hampster on a wheel.    i know most of you are like me and feel like there are never enough hours in the day.  sometimes i hear a voice whispering to my heart to slow down.  there is more to the story than the colors behind it.  i was in a meeting yesterday and we were reviewing the usual monthly projects.  since being acquired a year ago everyone has been on overload.  each day priorities change, so many things are needed on such short notice, anxiety levels are so high.  people are only thinking about themselves.   the reports reflect lots of "red"  areas which indicate trouble. it looks like progress is not being made.  but everyone is so panicked about what "needs" to be done they sometimes aren't seeing all that has been accomplished in a relatively short time.  i try to remind myself that our worth is not based on just our ability to produce results.  there is so much more.  i feel that the most important "done" in my life is not the one i hope to write on my to do list at the end of the day.  it is the one i hope to hear at the end of my life.  the one that says "well done",  you lived well, you cared, you did your best,  but most important,  you were loved,  and that is all that matters,  no matter how many items are left uncheked on my list.

love sent, xoxo

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

eat, drink, lacrosse...

dear eric,
congratulations on becoming the head coach of nichols college lacrosse team.
great performance is not an accident.   may your passions always drive you.  xoxo








Monday, August 15, 2011

and when the rain beats upon my window pane...

i'll think of summer days again and dream of you...


love sent, xo

Sunday, August 14, 2011

sweet sweet summertime...

i love summer.  carefree days that seem to last forever. we have been having an amazing summer and i want it to last and last. this weekend was jam packed again. by the end of the weekend i really need another weekend to recover. but it's mostly because i hate to miss any opportunity to see friends and share in birthdays and summer parties and celebrate all that is good. my bff's beach party was a huge success.
i took tons of  pictures and i will share some later but i wanted to share these photos
first.
some weeks go by and not much happens then sometimes everything happens at once.
this weekend we:
found out a baby boy will be arriving in january - congrats to colleen and chad
sat outside at a tiki bar and met tons of friends unexpectedly
found out about an engagement (congrats to scott and erica)
had a fender bender in the family :(
had visits from lots of college roomates
attended a birthday party for a great guy - happy 30th pat !!
attended my bff's annual beach party - great time as always
ate outside in harvard square and saw lots of interesting people, and i mean interesting.
spent an entire hour browsing around anthropologie.
got some exciting news about a coaching position -   more on this later.



just love this little guy.  xo
oh and love the big guy too!!

Friday, August 12, 2011

happy friday...

                       make it to the beach this weekend...  you know that is where i will be...

                                                  mic's new passion...  catch a wave...
last night i watched sole surfer with mic.  i cried.  but it was a really inspirational story.  about tradegy and hope and never giving up.  you just have to believe. one day at a time.  strength shows in not only the ability to persist but in the ability to start over. 
" I don't need easy. I just need possible " Bethany Hamilton:




 this weekend there are lots of parties.  everyone is trying to squeeze out all the bits of summer. my bff is hosting her annual beach party and i can't wait.  lots of friends,  lots of catching up, lots of love and lots to be thankful for. 
i know that i will be trying to soak up as much sun and fun as possible.  i need to store up  as much  vitamin d as i can.  i want to feel the sun on my shoulders so that when the cold wind blows i can close my eyes and remember these special days when all that mattered was grabbing a book and a chair and hanging out beachside with people i love.  hope you have an amazing weekend. 

love sent, xo

Thursday, August 11, 2011

dear brenda...

i love you...              how sweet was that?  a nice way to start off the work day.
i think i told brenda she smells nice - a lot.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

looking forward and backward ...

like a highway drive.  it's been crazy busy here. our vacation was great. we were road tripping like crazy.
totally unlike any other year but awesome in its own way. just what i needed, change. and it worked.
it really rocked me into knowing that there is a great bright road ahead and a great sunset in the rear view.
it's all good. i realize that all the dots in your life are connected. how one decision leads you to another
and how one twist of fate good or bad brings you to a door that takes you to another door which aided by several detours, long hallways, and unforeseen stairwells eventually puts you in the place you are now.
and now is good.

things that made me smile today


matt kearneys new cd
listening to summer rain
a sweet waiter at dinner
my sweet friends coming through to support my little neighbors venture
a new book
soft comfy sheets
and knowing tomorrow is half way through the work week

a few favorite photos from vacation











Thursday, August 4, 2011

letter...

dear blog, i love you i really do, i just don't always have the time for you. dear week, how can tomorrow
possibly be friday.  dear vacation, i hate to see you end.  dear mr nargi, thanks for being the best vacation partner ever. dear summer, please slow down. dear pedometer,  can you rack up 2 points for every one step i need to win the challenge.  dear beachside yankee candles i love you. dear newport,  i can't wait to see you tomorrow. dear sleep, i need more of you.

love sent, xo