So Long Summer

This time of year I start getting a little down in the dumps with the cooler temps and the cloudy skies. Last weekend we had one last summer hurrah with a camping trip with friends to Raystown lake. We only stayed one night but we had a really nice time.

The past couple of years we camped in the Shenandoah Mountains which are gorgeous but riddled with bears. This time I slept WAY easier without thoughts of bears outside my tent!

Design Challenge - Superbowl Party

This week's design challenge is to turn a shabby basement

into a den fit for a Superbowl party!

A replication of Heinz field - complete with terrible towel throwing toddlers.

To deal with the Steeler's loss, we took a ski trip the following day. It's been a long time since I've been on skis but I'm glad to say I only fell once getting off the lift. We're hoping to make another trip before Winter's over.

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com

Over the weekend we went to visit Mike's family in Pittsburgh. Since we stayed home for Christmas we wanted to catch up, and exchange gifts.

Mike's sister has two adorable little girls who are so much fun to be with. I think one of the reasons people find so much joy in spending time with children is that they are just so open and vulnerable. Then along the way we learn how to judge and how it feels to be judged by others.

I just watched this TED talk and it really inspired me to allow myself - or force myself, because it's not easy - to be a little more vulnerable.

Tea Time

Yesterday I returned from my little California getaway to celebrate my Grandmother's birthday. My Aunt reserved a room at the Rose Tree Cottage for an afternoon Tea. We surprised my Grandmother with a limo ride and the party was a success.

 

 

 

 

And remember the painting I made for the invites? I popped in a photo of moi (Grandma's like that kinda of stuff, right?) found a great little frame, and gave it to her as her gift.

Happy Birthday, BaBa!

Raw Foods "Cookin'"

When I was in NYC a few months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting an amazing restaurant called Pure Food and Wine. Although I've done a little reading and experimenting with "raw foods" this was my first RF restaurant experience. We sat on the patio and enjoyed some yummy sangria, then ordered from the prix fix menu. The food was FANTASTIC! And even filling! Mike, who is more of a hamburger and fries kind of guy was even impressed.

A couple of weeks ago, I was thrilled to find chefs' Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis' book "Raw Food Real World". Their story is fascinating and the food is even better. So far, I've only tried one recipe, but it was so yummy I made it twice! Each time, I played with some of my own variations (mainly because I didn't have all the ingredients) but both times, it came out great! Here is the recipe:

Watermelon Tomato Gazpacho

3 cups watermelon - seeded and pureed in a blender
1 cup seeded watermelon - diced small
1 cup seeded tomatoe - diced small
1 cup peeled, cucumber - peeled, diced small
1/2 cup red or green bell pepper -- seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 small handful cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
1/2 small jalapeno -- seeded and minced
1 scallion -- white and 1-inch of green, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt -- or to taste ( I used less )
black pepper -- to taste

The book gives more detail, but you basically combine and serve! I refrigerated the leftovers and ate the next day.

Lazy Dayz

Last week I joined Mike's fam at Bethany Beach for a little R&R. Here's a pic of Mike's sis taking a photo of the Sunrise. I am NOT a morning person, but getting up at 5 am was worth it.

On Friday, Mike and I took a little excursion to Trap Pond, about 45 minutes away from the shore. We rented a canoe and took it for a spin. These Cypress trees are crazy but the reflections are even more amazing.

Our final evening, the whole family watched the sunset on the beach. The picture didn't turn out too well, but you get the gist. I love summer time

!

Thought this was gonna be easy...

Soooo, it's been an entire month, I have not made it past my first post. So here goes...

Last weekend Mike and went to a lovely wedding in Philadelphia. We were (or course) late. I have a tendancy to do that. But luckily, so was the priest! We entered the church just as the beautiful bride was about to walk down the isle.

The following day we visited the Morris Arboretum. We wanted to see a new sculpture, I believe called "Out on a Limb". But another sculpture won me over. An amazing woven hut called "Summer Place". I have no idea how this guy made it but it is so whimsical. You can walk through to the center and watch the sunlight peak through the branches. This kind of thing inspires me to start doing some of my own "art". Someday SOON!