New York with the Mulligans Three

Best friends since third grade--one thing I love about James is his unfailing loyalty to good friends. Mikey and his wife Kristin are in the great category--family really. They live in New York, aspiring actors, singers, dancers, costume makers, photographers--you get it, the creative types that touch something and it turns to gold. They were lovely hosts this weekend as we toured around on

 Anwen's first trip to the city. 

We walked through Central Park (remember there was snow on the ground last time), went through Times Square, China Town, Little Italy for canolis and coffee, walked through the parks near their house, had delicious food, visited Chelsea Market, walked the High Line, watched Star Wars Episode IV and V, then ended the trip on a rooftop deck in the middle of the city with good friends. 

It was magical. 

New York used to scare me. It's so...big. Boston feels ity bity compared. The subway is ten times bigger, the city is enormous, and there are people everywhere. But a professor told me once that you don't move to New York, you move to a neighborhood in the city, and from there you begin to explore in parts. He was right. Our quick trips down to visit the Mulligans allow us to soak up small pieces each time.

 I still have a growing list of things I'd like to see. The Natural History Museum, the Strands Bookstore, Greenwich Village. Guess we'll have to visit again in the fall, maybe if we time it right we can hold a baby Mulligan. 

Picnics and Music

A few days ago Anwen and I rode the green line into the city, and wandered through Brookline on our way to Jamaica Pond. Picnic dinner in tow, we sat down for an hour long performance by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. The sunshine, fresh air, tiny kids running around, the best kind of dinner, all accompanied by a symphony made of 50 different instruments--amazing. After we got local ice cream and went on an adventure to Trader Joe's. 

Best part? Time spent with this lady. 

Summer of Anwen

 We went to another Red Sox game! We got $10 tickets because they're losing all the time. But we took Anwen to her first professional baseball game. In Fenway! 

One day last week we wandered over to my favorite greenhouse. I've posted pictures before. I was on the hunt for some new plants for the kitchen windows and we came away successful. 

Here's another success--James made cinnamon raisin bread for the first time last week.

 It was delicious. 

A stay in Boston isn't complete without a trip to the Sam Adams Brewery. We had lunch and went on the brewery tour, which ends in the tasting room to sample a few different beers. We tried the Oyster Stout, which they actually age over real oysters (it wasn't amazing).

This is the part of the week we all eagerly anticipate. Wednesday night sailing. Last week it was too rainy and not windy enough to go out and race, but the company is still good. Two weeks ago we put up the big spinnaker sail, but we all had our hands so full no one took a picture. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the Boston view from the water. 

Red Sox Baseball

The four of us won tickets to a Red Sox game during a silent auction a few months ago. Saturday night we finally got to go! We were four rows back from first base and even though they didn't win, we had a great time. 

Tim and Alyssa are getting married in less than a month. We're more than thrilled to share life with them and can't wait for their day! 

Officially A Master

Signs I did this week at work.

My journals, tasting cards, presses and pairings. 

John, Dan, Suzie, and I after my certification.

I became a partner at Starbucks in 2011, thinking it would be a summer job. In the fall I would definitely find something more "grown up" so I could "actually apply my degree."

Had no idea I'd fall in love with coffee. No idea that eventually I would use my education every day. I absolutely would not have guessed that Starbucks would actually teach me something useful to use in my career.

For about three months I've been preparing to become a coffee master. There is coursework, books to read, videos to watch, activities to complete, and people to inspire. I completed my work, and then had to motivate my entire team in order to improve the coffee quality in our store, inspire learning, and sell coffee to help our team meet goals.

The actual certification is a meeting/presentation that takes about an hour. I led a coffee tasting of three different coffees and pairings, was taken through a 20 minute verbal test about coffee, and presented activities and ways to sell more coffee at our store in the future. Suzie, the lead coffee master for our district, was proud, and I think everyone around the table learned something. Right now I am the only Coffee Master in our district, and so a point person for others who want to complete their certification as well. I am thrilled to have the honor of wearing a black apron, something I've wanted to achieve since my first months with the company in 2011.

I did it!

Out in the N-10

So, we sail a lot. This is us out in the little boat for the first time. More of this in the coming months. My goal is to sail around that island out there--

by myself.

Look at James, isn't he the best?

Happenings

 Our favorite Flatbread Pizza.

Exploring, that's what we've been doing really. Filling the first half of the day with relaxing (we're still all hanging out in the living room in our jammies, it's 11am) and then trying to see something new or go somewhere during the day. We've been making good dinners and doing more relaxing in the evening. Anwen started working at Trader Joe's, and successfully fixed up a bike to ride home at night on. I'm now a week away from my coffee master certification at work. 

One week. 

I'm kind of nervous, but I know this week I'll have plenty of time to prepare. James is getting paid this summer, to read and relax, watch soccer, go sailing, eat good food, hang out with friends. 

Hard life. 

We're going sailing again tonight. Officially on the Wednesday night crew of the Eclipse. Our summer reading lists are currently being devoured. 

Love this summer life.

Sunset Sail

We went thinking we weren't going to race--but that is exactly what we did. 

The light on the water, the city in the distance, the sound of the ocean all around you, the friends and laughter, the fresh cold air, the thrill of it, and sharing it with the ones you love--

is there anything better than sailing?

Make Way for Ducklings

I asked Anwen, on the bus ride into the city today, if she had ever read Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. She hadn't, so we made our way to Porter Square Books and read a copy in the children's section, then bought it.

We got off the T at Park Street, walked passed that State House (Mr. and Mrs. Mallard flew over it) and wandered through Beacon Hill (again, they flew but didn't find anywhere to land). Then we stopped in at my favorite Starbucks for a coffee. After, we walked across the street the Public Garden. There we found the statue of the ducklings and their momma from the book. In Boston the ducklings in the park are often dressed for holidays and all the little kids who visit get a picture with them.

As we began to walk through the Garden we heard music, and reveled in the beautiful day. The next part I couldn't have planned any better. If you've never read Make Way for Ducklings, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard eventually settle in the Public Garden, and call the pond their home.

I pointed out the island in the middle of the pond--the one in the book. Then around came a swan boat and Anwen said, "oh my gosh they're real!" We walked down to the water and there, on the side bathing in the sun, were three little puffball ducklings with their mom and pop.

This little family blessed my heart so much on this perfect day in the city. I can't think of a more magical introduction to Boston for Anwen. Our ducklings eventually made their way back to the island, just like in the end of McCloskey's book. We also took the rest of the afternoon to wander, and ended up with friends for dinner.