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.

Around Our House

1. I went on a walk through the park on the hill above our house. These lady slipper wildflowers are straight out of a storybook--like most of New England really. I also found some Lily-of-the-Valley, which I harvested and promptly plunked in a mason jar at home (see 3). 2. The view from the top of our hill, Boston in the background. 3. My day today, I spent the whole morning at home drinking coffee and working on a skirt made of this fabric for my trip to Japan. I'll post those once it is finished! I walked to the Post Office this afternoon, got a new passport photo taken, and mailed in our marriage certificate with everything else to update my passport. Can I go tomorrow please?

Kelly Wedding

1. The bridesmaids and I at Amber and Cliff's rehearsal. I had a blast with these lovely women this weekend, such a blessing to share my sister with them. She has amazing friends and is marrying into a family of incredible women. 2. It poured warm spring rain for about an hour that night, and tiny Weston Kelly was enamored. My sister would never miss a chance to play in the rain with this boy. 3. What a wonderful weekend spent with family. My heart is full after good time with my parents. I love this picture of my dad and I the afternoon we were helping set up. 4. A quiet moment--I love these two together. The way they listen to each other, work together, and celebrate. They just fit together you know? I'm excited to see their future unfold.  

April Staycation

1. New York! There is more magic each time we visit this city. Always something new, always one more thing we must experience. Mikey (see wedding pictures, he's the tallest) gave us a new tour through Central Park, and we walked from there to Union Square. Given that I have to take twice the steps to keep up with him, you can say my legs were a little sore. 2. The Strand Bookstore, in Union Square, is a perfect haven of great books--I'm enthralled, can you tell? 3. This week Boston has me gaping at the spring blossoms and lime green leaves on trees. 4. Our dear friend Zach visited from San Antonio last week for April vacation. We adore him and it was such a joy to have him stay with us, to reconnect, and we had a blast. Breweries were visited, he saw almost every state in New England, experienced everything Boston, and we ate all the good food. They even made it to the Patriot's Day Red Sox game. 5. James and Pepper Lane--isn't she beautiful? Of all the amazing things we visit in New York when we go, she's our favorite.

Change in the Air

1. I went to Pittsburgh last weekend to celebrate my sister's wedding and throw her a shower. It was lovely to spend time with her, her friends, and her future family. 2. The shower favors I made with help from my friend Cristina, who lives in Pittsburgh. It was such a blessing to my heart to pop down to her house for a few hours and catch up in person. 3. My running shoes--I've actually used them a few times a week for about three weeks now. Doing a 5K next Sunday! 4. James and I drove out to the coast to get some sunshine and air. We're currently in the midst of transition and wondering what the future holds.