Summer dreaming 1

I think yesterday was the coldest day of the year so far. Two days ago, we had a light dusting of snow.

I came across these photos, and I am already longing for the summer. I took these one day in late June this past summer. I had collected some flowers from the garden and from my sister's garden, as well as some of her tomatoes (mine came much later, and weren't as nice or as plenty).

We were having a dinner and I set the table outside. It was a lovely evening. It feels so long ago, as we approach the winter solstice.

While some are dreaming of a white Christmas, I have my  mind on other things entirely.

Giving thanks

I love everything about Thanksgiving. I always have. This year was no different. 

We hosted, as usual, and we had the usual suspects: my two sisters, their husbands and girls, plus my cousin Domo (seriously, that is his name!) and his wife Deb. We always share the cooking, and for some reason I am never honored with the job of doing the turkey. I've made my share of delicious turkeys in Sweden, let me tell you, but I'm never able to prove that to my family. The two worst things about not making the turkey are: 

1. Not having the turkey smell permeate the house

2. Not getting dibs on the turkey carcass for soup.

We (our house) were responsible for the starches and the salads: Mashed potatoes, roasted root veggies and two green salads. Early in the day, Ulf, Charlie and I had a great time chopping and peeling the potatoes and vegetables while listening to music. It was lovely. 

Finally, the guests and the turkey arrived and the house was filled with laughter and chatter and popping Prosecco bottles. Let the party begin!

When we sat down to dinner I was so flustered I had forgotten that I wanted to say my favorite ever blessing, the one I first heard years ago on the TV series Six Feet Under. Even though it is quite short and simple I couldn't conjure it up in my head! The blessing is from the Christmas episode, actually, when Keith first came to the Fisher's house for dinner to meet David's crazy family. It goes like this: 

For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, and for friends in a world where many walk alone, we give you thanks, O Lord, on this Thanksgiving Day. (Note: Keith, of course, said Christmas).

I guess I'll have to save it for our Christmas dinner. 

Well I've been very chatty in this post. I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but maybe that's a sign that I was having too much fun. We ended up playing Balderdash until the wee hours. It was a superduper day. I have soooo much to be thankful for. 

The table


Me, getting my camera ready.

Charlie and his cousins: Grace, CJ and Sophia.

Drinks before dinner.


The girls after dinner.


Deb and Domo.

Beautiful things

Well I've looked high and low for these boots and finally I found them. I cannot stop wearing them. Zipping them up brings actual joy to my heart. I know it's shallow. But I just love them.

The eggplants below are the last of the harvest, picked on Sunday. It's been a bit cold but it didn't seem to matter. These are real beauties too.

Compact living

Hilariously, Poppy likes to squeeze herself into the smallest of places. Nearly full grown now, she's much bigger than her sister. But she cannot resist cozily settling down in any small container

It's like watching Houdini get himself out of something, only the opposite.

I'm no fan of the end of summer, but as long as the fall is here let's enjoy it

We've had some incredibly beautiful days this past month.

I was at the library the other day, waiting in line to check out my items. One of the ladies in front of remarked to the librarian, "It's a beautiful day today. It's such a gift."

"Yes, it is," said the librarian.

As I was waiting my turn, I thought about it. My cynical self started to kick in. I thought, it's not a gift; it's the weather!

Not wanting to spoil anyone's mood, I kept quiet.

She was just making conversation, I guess.

Here are couple of shots from recently.



Red tree


Fallen leaves


The road less traveled


Father and son.


Berries from the bush next door.


More leaves on the grass.


Mushrooms.


An adorable birdhouse.

A tribute to my 2011 calendar

What's in the bag?

Something good. Something worth waiting for...

Let the fun begin!


I wrote a haiku for my new calendar:

What do you bring me,
Calendar of paper pure?
Wait I know it's time.

____________________________________

This was the best day, the day it arrived in the mail. It was, um, substantial. More celebratory than, say, a birthday! A shout-out to Anna, my colleague in Sweden, for buying and sending it. And to Ordning & Reda, for making it.

Also, I know I've been on some sort of hiatus, but consider me officially back.

This is Hub

"Hub" was rescued by my friend and her daughter from the inside of a truck's hubcap Sunday morning in center city Philadelphia. She's been to the vet, who confirmed that the kitty (a she) is about five weeks old and -- although still too young for shots -- healthy. My friend is keeping her for a week or so but isn't able to take on another pet in the long run. But my friend's willing to pay for the shots when the kitty is old enough to get them.

Sweet little bundle of fur, stripey, playful, softy, lucky-to-be-alive kitty!

Who wants her to give her a home?? You will have so much fun with her. Your first job will be to think up a new name! (I don't want to break it to my friend, but "Hub" is not a good name for a sweet little girl kitty!)

Charlie's videos

Charlie and his friend Tristan spent the week before school making videos. Don't be disturbed when you see these. They are a bit violent, but with a certain tongue-in-cheek attitude that I admire. Also, the weapons are completely made by hand using cardboard, tape, spray paint, oatmeal containers, and the like. That in itself is very creative. They used only the camera from the Macbook and then they edited them in Imovie.

Vote for your favorite in your comments if you like. The boys would love feedback!

Portraits

I tried to do some portraits recently of Charlie and his cousins.
The light was beautiful but I waited a bit too long.




Sophia


C.J.

Grace

A day late

Happy birthday to my neice Grace, who was 8 years old yesterday. I love you, Sweetie--and your pigtails!

It's all downhill!

Craig's List has been good to me.

This was so true last week when I answered an ad to buy a Schwinn Suburban for $50 in my own little village of Gladwyne. I owned a Schwinn Suburban when I was a teenager (mine was purple!) and ever since it was stolen (I was devastated) I've been looking to replace it. 

I replied to the Craig's List ad right away and hoped for the best. 

I was thrilled to receive a phone call an hour or two later from the seller. I made arrangements to see the bike. When we got there (Ulf came with me) we completely hit it off with the seller, who was soooo nice and turned out to have a Swedish wife. Small world!

I think the bike is from the late 1970s, very vintagy. I took it to get a tune-up and new tires, and I went to pick it up today. I rode it home from Ardmore, an easy ride as it was mostly downhill. However, the 10 gears helped me climb a long, steep hill without a problem. 

I love my new bike. Now all I need is a basket!

When we were growing up, Schwinn was a sign of quality. That's the only brand we ever wanted.


She's a beaut!

New York City, August 2010

It's always fun to visit NYC. Charlie and I went just for the afternoon and it was, as always, busy, bustling and lovely. 

A couple walking in front of us (Charlie said, "Mom, don't dare take their picture!")



We stopped in to browse in a vintage shop. I was taken by this 70's skirt....

.... and I loved this little outfit, which I could have worn to my prom!


We met our friends for dinner. They were visiting from Sweden.



Charlie on the subway

Activity at Times Square

Fun building


Go for pizza... or get your fortune told? Why choose?

Crocs are alive and well in NYC

So mo cation

Emma had this idea of doing a mini getaway with just the moms and the boys.

When Charlie and Tristan (Emma's son) heard that the moms wanted to do a "so-mo-cation" (short for son-mother vacation), where we would do whatever they wanted, they sort of guffawed in disbelief. "That means no outlet malls," they said, "no shopping at all." 

I guess they know us all too well. We promised no shopping.

We decided to take a few days in Ship Bottom, NJ, an old-fashioned sort of shore town with lots of charm. We spent a lot of time "together" doing different things. But we also played cards, walked on the beach and went out for lots of meals (did you know that 13-year-old boys are ALWAYS hungry?).

I'm sure the boys would have preferred not to have to suffer the nagging of mothers about sunscreen, hats, healthy meal choices, etc., but I think they enjoyed themselves. The moms definitely had a great time, as always! 

Here are some photos, I hope not too many!

Long evening shadows. We had showers in the afternoon and towards evening took a walk to the beach.


The so's .....


and the mo's.

Me and Charlie

Emma and Tristan

Tristan carries Charlie




At the bay




Group pic, getting ice cream

We happened upon this vintage auto show.