To Wander in Japan

1. Just outside the gate to the base in Yokosuka (pronounced Yokuska) where Laurel and Ethan live. 2. Laurel and Margaux on the train. 3. Sakuma, the fabric store in Laurel's neighborhood, in which I swooned and bought new projects. 4. Finding bugs on the steps up to a temple tucked behind storefronts. 5. All our adventures take place with a double stroller. 6. My feet in Japan, I can hardly believe it.

Japan

The food is delicious, the trains are an adventure, the days are long and full, there is all the sushi, the water is warm, I can't read anything but it's okay, possibilities are endless, Starbucks here is amazing,  we play, dance, laugh, and we're having a blast.

New Hampshire

Each year our church spends a weekend at a camp in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We stay in these tiny old cabins and come together for meals in a big farmhouse. We hike, swim, canoe, kayak, walk, explore, play, make fires, cook s'mores, laugh, drink all the coffee, run, stargaze, read, hike a second mountain, run into the lake, snack, swing in hammocks, and have good long conversations. With all the transitions this year I was hesitant to drive up for the weekend, but goodness I'm glad I did. The cool night air helped me sleep, the exercise felt good, the adventure of canoeing seven miles down a river in Maine is one I won't soon forget. James joined in a huge capture the flag game and in order to get the other team's flag he crawled through a culvert pipe in the road and broke a fence jumping over it--I don't know why these things surprise me.

This is a special place. One of those places that seems to be set out of time and the daily drudge of life. Suddenly the things that don't matter, the trivial things I make priority in my life, fall away and I can see clearly again.

Flavors of Summer

1. A Boston lighthouse--our race was cancelled last week due to a lack of wind, so we went out of the harbor toward the cooler ocean air. The sea was glassy and calm that night. 2. Sunday night dinner was full of laughter and friends around the table. We're staying with the Olsen Family for the next few weeks--there are six of them--so plus guests is a party all the time. We occupy our time with projects, games, badminton, walks and hikes, tea, and good books. 3. Another green space that convinces me every children's book is inspired by New England. 4. My salad from dinner a few nights ago. Locally sourced produce and seasonal vegetables inspire me lately. 5. My feet and the Atlantic--summer sailing is everything.

Summer Living, New England Edition

1. We moved here three years ago and I put on my to-do list, swim in the Atlantic Ocean. I finally checked that one off last week. My friend Rhyan and I went up to Good Harbor beach early and frolicked in waves and soaked up sun. Maybe a little too much sun, but we had a blast. It even poured rain on our way home, so normal. 2. This is Rhyan. She has been a sweet friend and coworker here. Recently we've started going on adventures when we both have the same day off, I'm not sure why we didn't start sooner. Anyway, she came sailing with us and it was the most fun. 3. The Hudsons got Eno hammocks, I'd like one for Christmas. 4. Kristin and Jane at Walden Pond! Jane's first trip ever was a huge success. She loved to splash in the water and was fascinated by the sand.

We are in full summer mode. It feels we have plans, friends, outings almost every night of the week. Sailing bags at the ready, extra clothes with us always, bathing suits hang to dry--and the laundry is going constantly. The joys of summer are dinners outside, afternoons in hammocks, and diving under slow and gentle waves in the Atlantic. Rainstorms at the break of dawn, our bed on the living room floor under the air conditioner, pizza with summer veggies, softball games in Boston, and long sunny days. Summer in New England is magical.

Maine is wild. 

When we got the text that said there would be fresh lobster it was all over. James packed my bag and we drove up to the Hudson's cottage as soon as I was done with work on Saturday night. They left a light on for us and the door unlocked, at midnight we crawled into a cozy bed. 

In the morning light we looked out the windows and realized we had slept on the edge of the world where the forest reaches out to meet the Atlantic.  If you look closely at the map of Maine, just south of Bath, you'll see the land breaks apart into tiny inlets, islands, and coves. The cottage is on the tip of one of these small peninsulas, and looks out over mud flats and the joining of river and sea. 

No cell phone service. No wifi. 

I woke up to the sound of steadily dripping rain that would continue through the entire day. Slowly the whole family got up to have breakfast on the beach, in a tiny cafe that doubles as a convenient store, gift shop, lobster dealer, and local breakfast favorite. We sat in the back room and looked out toward the beach as we devoured blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup. 

We drove to church in the rain. Together, with old family friends, we sang hymns out of books in a 250 year old church. On our way home we pulled into a fisherman's driveway to chose fresh lobster out of tanks in the garage. The lobster were moving and crawling and in imagination trying to escape the bags we drove them home in. 

We cooked them in a big pot on the stove. They were delicious. 

After lunch we sat around the fire, read books, and played games. But the wild in Maine brings out the wild in boys. Soon we were up on a hill above the cottage and ocean with BB guns and fireworks--rain be damned. 

Throughout the day the tide slowly went out. I watched it though the big cottage windows. As we left the mud flats that house clams, and birds that seem to walk on water, were exposed--the outline of the river more clear as the rain continued to fall. 

Let's Go Outside

1. Sailing again this week, and we actually won the race! The wind and sun were perfect and the Boston Harbor thrilling as ever. These days I just want to sit out in the fresh air, go for a hike, do anything outdoors. 2. I made James popovers from scratch a few days ago for breakfast. We've had mornings together recently (with softball and me working at night) so we spend extra time with breakfast. I love breakfast. 3. Last night we visited with the Torres family, the kids are some of James' students. We had a blast playing Dutch Blitz, ping-pong, and soccer with them, and dinner outside on the deck was spectacular. 4. A little latte art--I gave Mr. Torres a lesson after dinner on his swanky espresso machine. 5. Picnic to celebrate summer with the Harveys, which may turn into a weekly event. I sure hope so, this sunny girl during magic hour, paired with the good company is everything.

Tokyo Trainride

 While dreaming of my trip to Japan in September I came across this fabric by Cotton and Steel in a local fabric store. It seemed the perfect print to make a skirt out of to wear while I'm there. This might be the first time since high school that I've made any clothing, and until I wore it Sunday I was a little skeptical. But I loved the way it turned out and may make another before the summer is over. Isn't it cute?

We Weren't Last

1. Hudson's and Pierces, minus Gavin. Our first Wednesday night that we actually put sails up this year, hooray! 2. Cam and I as pirates, I promise we didn't plan this matching outfit thing. 3. A kiss for the birthday boy. He's 32 yesterday, and I am blessed to share this adventure with him.

California Yet Again

1. Last weekend we flew to Southern California to celebrate the life of James' grandfather, Mel. Mel Pierce was almost 92 when he passed, and left a legacy and family I am honored to now share. Rhyan and Bill picked us up from the airport and we had a sleepover at their house the first night. Rhyan and us at Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa is a check off our to-do list. 2. The most incredible doughnuts I've ever had. 3. We spent lots of time with family--I met cousins, saw some I met briefly at our wedding, talked with each other about grandpa's life, shared memories, and sang together too. This is Matt, an amazing artist, married to James' cousin Amy. He painted while we spent time at the beach together. 4. James and I soaking up some sun. We try and make the ocean and sun a priority when in California. Something we'll get a lot of come September when we pack everything up and drive there for good.

Yup, you read that right.