I could write a whole rambling post, poetic even–if poetry was something I was good at–about the drive alone to get to the Adirondacks. Through Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest, Middlebury’s campus, the rolling farm fields, a bridge (or ferry, in some cases) over Lake Champlain or the Hudson. Lists and lists exist, with some overlap and some not, of America’s most beautiful drives. Going West across Vermont into upstate NY should be on them if it isn’t already. You know the destination will be promising if just getting to the place takes your breath away.
a night at the marsh.
I am often exclaiming, broken record style, as we drive around our area, “Boys! Do you see how beautiful it is? Do you know how lucky you are to live here?” But there’s never a time when I am as certain to do it as when we’re driving along marshland. The placidly rolling waves of grass, the far-as-the-eye-can-see vista in an otherwise tree filled New England landscape. The sky against it. Such complimentary colors, the earthy green, and that gradient blue. Sometimes it takes my breath away.
the simplest summer salsa.
August is already here and you know what that means. It means that you can’t waste a minute chopping vegetables into half moons, or pushing reluctant onions around a sauté pan. It means you’re going to get outside, and stay outside. Screw making dinner. Just make salsa!
ten things.
01. i made a whole playlist of YOUR favorite songs (after crowd-sourcing on instagram a few weeks back)! and it’s on spotify! give it a listen. and if you didn’t get to add your song to the list, watch my stories, because i’ll have another chance to add yours to the list today. (a few random ones, spotify didn’t have in case you don’t see yours–but nearly every single song is there!)
a good, good summer.
Perhaps I’d reach a point where I would eventually throw my hands up and declare a fervent need for me time but, as our days are now, I feel as though I could live in them forever. Live in this togetherness, the boys just as they are, no more growing, more more changing, no more school, life at a total standstill, forever. I love summer. And I love summer most with little boys.
jersey shore!
It’s quite opposite the winter doldrums, where we’ve been fighting a wash of gray and indoor activities for days on end, to suddenly have so much activity to capture here that I’m only now hopping on to share our beach trip last month. A good problem, but hey New England, would you mind spreading it out a bit? Letting the other months of the year share the load? Unlikely.
Notes for the Road
Bath time the other day after a sticky, sweaty day around the house. Anders has been potty-training (guys! It’s going pretty well! I’m so proud of him.) so we’ve been pretty housebound all week. There’s something especially sweet that happens at bath time. End of a long day, their adorable little bodies, them looking up at you while you carefully rinse their hair. I’m really, really grateful for my time with these kids.
Some weekend reading…
happy 8th birthday, parker!
every time, sitting down to write these birthday posts, i’m at a loss. my mind is full, of course, with things my heart wants to say, but, cliche as it sounds (and it sounds very cliche), there aren’t enough letters, words, what is it, to put to paper what i’m feeling. so, parker, on the evening of your 8th birthday, know that you are beyond loved. you are cherished. you are so incredibly dear to us. you are tender, you are kind, you are empathetic. you are intentional, with the love you give, with telling someone thank you, with telling someone i’m sorry, with your hugs and your hand-holding. there is a wisdom in you that goes well beyond your years. i may be your mom, but you teach me daily. i tell you this often, with your face cupped between my two hands, “you’re one of my favorite people ever.” then i give you a big kiss on the lips. because it’s true. you really are. and i am so glad i know you.
happy 8th birthday, parker. you’re simply the best.
date night on the lake, ii.
On a quiet evening, a weeknight, when we were without any extra guests up at the lake, we took off for a little evening ride. It was almost a year to the day of our last one. This year we didn’t pull up to Wolfeboro and go to a restaurant though. We just took the boat to the middle of the lake, turned it off, and hung out. I put on a playlist, we had a few White Claws (they’ve become my unofficial drink of the summer–black cherry, please), and we sat and talked.
Notes for the Road
We are in our happy place right now–Lake Winnipesaukee, that is. The last 24 hours have been rainy (kind of a welcome respite from the sun and heat!) and we watched The Patriot last night. I had forgotten how good that movie is. And how handsome Heath Ledger was. What are you doing this weekend?
Some weekend reading…