August has me all self-reflective. A little ready for a schedule again, a little sad that it means another summer is gone and with that another school year is upon us and with that another Christmas is practically here and with that and with that and with that. Kids grow, Bridget gets sad, and so it goes. We took a boat ride tonight, our first sunset boat ride in ten days–what were we thinking–and I asked myself if it was a good summer. It was. It had its share of stress too, but it was.
There’s a few things I want to do at the moment. Bear with me, they’re in no particular order: visit Nepal (right, Kate?), go to a Coldplay concert, read Les Mis (with Steve! He’s already read it, but wants to again.), and watch The Royal Tenenbaums. Oh, and eat some chili. This evening on the boat it was cold–cold, I tell you! The moon, it was not a summer moon. It was definitely a fall moon. It seems it made haste, overshadowing its summer predecessor more quickly than it should have. Along with this cold evening. Though my mind isn’t ready, my tastebuds are. And so, Dutch oven chili is around the corner.
Are you watching the Olympics? I’m catching bits and pieces. It mostly has me in awe. And just below the awe is… laziness. I mean, these people work really, really, really hard. Early mornings, full days. Discipline, man! I can’t even finish Pride and Prejudice.
I’m ready to be back in my house. As much as I believe being away is fabulous, and it is, being home is really nice too. Doing the things you know and love and that are comfortable, well, it can’t be beat.
Hope your summers are all coming to a welcome close. And thanks always for being here.
Perfect post. Exactly how I am feeling right now. Our kids went back to school this week and now I am ready to make plans for Autumn and Christmas. Our Summer Weather has been awful but the fortnight we had for our family holiday was brilliant and we made so many memories. Looking forward to crisp mornings and cool and darker nights. Our nights in Scotland last till about 11pm in the Summer so it can be hard getting the toddler to bed! I love reading your posts so keep up the good work 🙂 xx
thank you aileen! and i can imagine the difficulty with bedtime when it’s light out!
You should go to Nepal!! It is an amazing country with beautiful people! It holds a very special piece of our hearts. You could “easily” trek to Namchee Bazaar. We did it in 4 days, but we were lucky with weather and only stayed in Namchee for a night before we headed back. My husband and I were planning a trip to Base Camp, but decided it we didn’t want to be away from our daughter for that long (it would be a 21 day trip). Even if you didn’t trek, there is so much to do near Kathmandu. GO!!
ok, tamara. when the time comes i might need to pick your brain. i think about it constantly!
and while i don’t really want to summit everest (nor could i, at this stage in my life–and maybe ever!) being at base camp would be AMAZING.
Yes, please feel free to contact me with any questions you have if y’all end up planning a trip! I would love to give you any info you need. There are definitely things that are good to know as foreigners in their culture.
thanks so much, tamara!
Ahh a sunset boat ride sounds amazing! Glad you are enjoying the last of what summer has to offer!
If you decide to read Les Mis, I HIGHLY recommend the abridged version. It makes for a much better, tighter story. It only cuts out the random political stuff from the French revolution which is meaningless for us today. I read it this year and it’s got to be one of my favorite books of all time, and I don’t think I could have slogged through the full version!
oh thank you! though steve might judge me if i don’t read the full one!
Love your shirt in this picture, saw it on an older (boat) post as well. Mind sharing where you got it from>
yes! jcrew. it’s called the ruffle sleeve shirt or something like that.
My mind isn’t ready, my taste buds are…that is exactly how I feel!
Beautiful post!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who gets melancholy at the changing of seasons. It happens every couple months and somehow I never get used to it. I can only imagine how much deeper those feelings get once you have little lives racing along in front of your eyes.
That post tug at my heartstrings – beautiful words and that picture, still in awe 🙂 We are back home now from Italy, school and kindergarten start next week so I can keep myself busy getting the laundry done, shopping for school supplies, avoiding grumpy teenagers who don’t want get up early again and trying to keep all the memories we made the last couple of weeks in my head – at least during the day it helps against the sadness. Oh, and some of my favourites quotes come from Les Mis – it took me ages to read it but it felt totally worth it. And the Olympics, I watch some parts of it – and always feeling the need to start my new training routine – I’m sure there is something where I can participate with 34 then next time 😉
My kids started school Wednesday and the mornings are getting that brisk feeling although it’s still in the 90’s mid day! I love Coldplay! I heard it playing on one of your IG videos I get to go to their Concert on August 31st in Utah I’m beyond excited!!
I have heard they are AMAZING in concert. so jealous!
I would live to be able to reassure you that the years ahead are different, but just as good as the years you are experiencing now. I experienced your feelings about the passage of time, and now, with three grandsons underfoot on our family vacations, I can truly say I would not go back, because this is true heaven. Enjoy now. And know that you will experience these years again as a grandma and they are even better.
karen! that is SO nice of you to say. i will go back and reread this comment again and again.
????pride and prejudice! I just started it for the fourth time and already am neglecting it! So many people love it and it just can’t keep me going.
it’s definitely not a page turner but the dialogue between mr and mrs bennett is SO GOOD. (among many other things–but it’s hard to keep my focus on it with my many distractions these days). it’s one of steves favorites though!
Haha, I know exactly how you feel about the Olympics, I can’t even comprehend that kind of commitment!
Kez | acaciasdreams.com
Just found your blog and have loved perusing, especially your travel posts! We were in Wengen years ago and though it one of the most spectacular places we’ve ever been. From one Jersey girl to another, awesome blog and I can’t wait to subscribe and read more!
thank you, alie!
I don’t have kids, but this post is spot on to how I’ve been feeling this month too. For some reason, this fall coming up seems like a whole new start to the year as if I was in school or had kids of my own! Also, yes, chili. PS – i’ve been reading your blog for years and years it feels like, but finally got a blog of my own so i’m finally commenting!
hi kim!! thanks for the comment 🙂