create the life you love

P i n k S a t u r d a y

A few beautiful, pink things to share - enjoy!

 

 

{ thread social }

 

 

{ whitney english }

 

 

{ martha stewart }

 

 

{ house beautiful }

 

 

{ a alexis }

 

  

{ miu miu }

 

 

{ abc home }

 

   

{ future arts }

 

 

 

{ my new Lilly dress! }

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Pink Saturday!

To view more, visit our hostess, Beverly's blog

 

And ... my previous post is all about pink too ;)

 

 

G i f t s

A few gifts for my goddaughter ... just because!

 

 

Inside is this gorgeous dress created by the very talented and lovely Lori

 

 

And a little something extra, a Hello Kitty coloring and sticker set :)

S a l m o n

 

Yet another salmon recipe that I made a few nights ago ... and quite delicious!

 

Broiled Salmon with Lime and Cilantro

Ingredients:    4 pieces of salmon ( I use wild salmon, about 4 ounces each)    1/2 cup Cilantro Leaves, finely chopped    1 Tbsp Olive Oil    1 Garlic clove, large, fine chopped    1/2 tsp Salt    2 Tbsp Lime Juice Directions: Combine cilantro, garlic, lime juice, oil and salt in bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons. Pour remainder over fish in bowl. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Spray broiler rack with nonstick cooking spray. Place salmon on rack. Brush with 1 tablespoon of marinade. Then broil 6 inches from heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn steaks over. Brush with remaining tablespoon marinade. Broil 3 more minutes or until cooked through. Serve broiled salmon with thin lemon wedges.

T e x t u r e s

I am having so much fun using these textures from Florabella ... just a beginner, but am loving learning :)

 

{ m y   b a c k y a r d   c r e p e   m y r t l e }

 

{ p e a r s }

I am printing this on canvas and framing it for my kitchen

 

{ l a k e   k n o w l e s }

Matched!

 

My sweet little Elise has been matched with her adoptive family. My prayers have been answered!! Her new name will be Khole. Such wonderful news and I am so very happy for her new family. What a blessing!

The 4th

We had a very quite 4th of July with just Griff home. Miss the older boys, but I have to be thankful that Griff still (sort of, but not really!) wants to 'hang' with us ;). Truth be told, most of his friends were away, so he was stuck with us. A round of golf at the country club for the guys and then later in the evening, we went back for the firework show - all 3 of us on the Vespa - what a ride!

 

 

Happy 4th of July

 

 

{ the westie boys }

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday ... and 4th of July!

Yesterday, I was at the salon for color, treatments, cut and style. My stylist asked to take a few photos of my hair. She is amazed (as am I) at how it has improved in the 5 weeks since my first visit - much healthier, thicker (looks like I have so much more hair), soft, smooth and shinny. Love the color too. I have been using the products she suggested, Karastase and added a few more yesterday. The products really are making a huge difference with the health and condition to my hair.

OK ... not really anything to do with PINK, but I DO have on a pink top and to be truthful, I forgot about Pink Saturday - I have red, white & blue on my mind ;)

 

 

ETA: I found a few pink photos to post ;) ...

 

{ a card for sweet Elise }

 

{ stationery set gift }

 

To view more of Pink Saturday, please visit Beverly's blog.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ... Happy 4th!

Independence Day

Miki Duisterhof

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence...with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness." —Erma Bombeck

Photos

Just a few photos to share. While I have been an avid photographer for many years now, I recently started shooting pictures of my everyday life. I try to find the beautiful things around me and capture it in photos. And ... I will admit that part of the reason this came about is due to my lack of 'real' subjects ... um, that would be my family! I do not have anyone to photograph!! Although Griff is still around (but not all that much!), he was so over me and my camera years ago :(.

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

{  c o c k t a i l !! }

 

~

Also, I would like to invite you all to my new flickr groups. I currently 'host' - am the administrator of two groups. One is 'Youth League Lacrosse' (doubt if many of you all have lax photos??), and the other group is none other than ... 'Preppiness' :). Please feel free to join in and post your photos! Or, if you haven't yet, just come visit flickr ... so much to see and some amazing photography.

Summer Spinach Salad

 

SPINACH SALAD

- Bag of spinach leaves

- 2 granny smith apples, diced

- 1/2 cup cashews

- 1/4 cup golden raisins

Dressing:

- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

- 1/4 cup oil

- 1/4 cup sugar (or substitute with Agave or Stevia)

- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt

- 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt

This salad is so delicious. I can't remember where I originally got the recipe, but I have made it for about 20 years now. Always a favorite and I am always asked for the recipe.

Enjoy!

**ETA: Lisa made this salad today and added grilled chicken and Gorgonzola cheese for a lunch meal. Sounds delish - Thanks for sharing, Lisa!!

Oh, and for those that are having trouble with my blog downloaded slowly - so sorry! I am not sure what the issue is. I have tried it numerous times with no troubles?

 

Elise Update

 

She's Walking!

 

I just received my monthly update on Elise, the little girl I sponsor at the New Day Foster Home in Beijing, China. I am sooo very happy to hear that she is doing so well and has been moved downstairs with the healthier children.

From her nanny:

"Elise has moved from upstairs (where the children are more isolated for health reasons) to the downstairs floor in the foster home. She has a good appetite, and can eat some solid food. Noodles, soup and bread are her favorites. She likes playing on the sofa and going down the slide in the play room. When she first moved downstairs, she was a little afraid of walking.  She would just stand there observing all the activity and smiling without moving. Such a big change from where she resided upstairs!  Like the other children who move from upstairs, it takes awhile to feel comfortable with the transition. Now, she walks about bravely and freely.  She enjoys her new environment now and plays well with the others."

Book Give Away - I Forgot!

 

So sorry, I completely forget to draw the winner on Friday. Did so last night though and the lucky gal is ... Katherine!

Pink Saturday

 

A very happy Pink Saturday to you all. This week I am sharing some pretty pink rooms I came across on Flickr. Please excuse me for not giving credit to the photos. For the life of me, I can't remember (I have done it before!) how to link the credits. If anyone can help, please let me know.

To see more of Pink Saturday, please visit Beverly's blog.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Off to Camp

 

Griff left yesterday morning for his 3rd lacrosse camp of the summer (lax is obviously his 'thing'). This one at Duke University - his third summer attending the camp. Just a short one though, he will be home Sunday night.

CCal is surviving his wisdom teeth removal, although very swollen. He is planning on going back to school tomorrow and Bear never did make it home for the weekend. Something about having to work on Saturday. You just never know with these boys - always coming and going ... mostly going! 

Playing Nurse Today

 

Connor is on break this week from school (summer session) and lucky him, his mom was was so kind to schedule him for his wisdom teeth removal - bright and early this morning. He is doing well - came home and slept for a few hours (after taking the pain meds) and is now watching a soccer game (European match?) with a few friends.  A very easy and good patient so far (he is a 'pro' when it comes to surgeries). I think I need to treat him with a smoothie or milk shake later - he is already over the pudding, yogurt and applesauce!

Bear arrives home tomorrow for a few days (summer session break also) and Griff leaves tomorrow for another lacrosse camp. It's rare these days to have all 3 boys home together :(

Cover-ups!

I hope you all don't think I am just going to be parading around the country club pool in my new bikinis ... um, no way - I am not that brave. Truth be told, I really don't even spend time in the sun anymore (I currently have a set of 6 stitches in my back from a 'little' basil cell skin cancer surgery I had last week - thanks to many childhood/teen years of being in the sun without protection). For the past 15++ years I have been very careful with sun exposure. While at the beach, I am always under a huge umbrella, wearing a large hat, completely covered in sun screen. Same goes for the pool - unless I am swimming. I wear sun screen every day, regardless of what I am doing, always put it on (I live in Florida!!). On a side note - self tanner is my best friend ;)

So ... I purchased a few cute cover-ups to wear over my new suits or just wear around during these horribly hot and humid summer days (record highs here in FL this week!).

 

 

The above from Victoria Secret (on sale), thanks Lori for your help!! I also have a similar black dress from the J Crew outlet store and a long (maxi) black that I love.

 

Swim Suit Season

Well, I can not believe I am going here...swim suits or even more shocking - bikinis! Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I would ever wear a bikini again, but with the 'new me', I am going for it!

 I have been on a mission (obsession!) shopping for new swim suits and have purchased a few, some at great prices.

 

Kenneth Cole, ordered from Macy's in a bright pink color ... *love*

 

 

 

 

Victoria Secret

 

Another VS that I can mix and match with the above suit

 

Lilly Pulitzer, Gweneth Paltro design.

I tried this on at the Lilly store, loved it but they did not have my size, plus it was not on sale and quite expensive ... I found it on ebay though, NWT for a great price :)

 

A few more suits that I like but am holding back!

VS

  

J Crew

 

And, I have to add another great ebay find. These Lilly bangles! Again, I came so close to buying them at the store, but restrained myself. I couldn't pass them up on ebay though ;)

 

 

 

Summer Reading .... And a Give Away!

 

A few of the books to read this summer. I actually read year a round, all the time so summer reading is not much different for me. I do usually chose a few fun, easy reading or chick books to reading during the summer though. I am currently reading Pretty in Plaid - very cute story :).

And, I have a brand new copy of this book to give away (maybe a little something else too) ...

 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I read this book last year when it first came out (the hardback) and loved it. It is currently the #1 best seller on the trade paperback chart.

Just leave a comment here and I will draw a winner on Friday, June 26

** A few more books that I recently read and highly recommend**

My Enemy's Cradle

Sarah's Key

The Help

 

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday to you all. This week, I am sharing a few gifts & cards that I recently gave ... wrapped in pink!

 

Graduation Gift

 

Stationery Set

 

Stationery Set Orders

 

Thank You Gift for a Friend

 

Monogram Tags

Hand Made Lilly Card

 

Gift for my Goddaughter

 

Another Gift to my Goddaughter :)

 

Birthday Gift to my Sister in Law

 

 

Gifts to send off to Elise, the little girll I sponsor at The New Day Foster Home in China. I need to get these wrapped up (in pink) and in the mail!

 

For more of Pink Saturday, please visit Beverly's blog.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. This will be my first weekend staying home in 4 weeks - looking forward to it!

One Year Anniversary

It was just a year ago yesterday that Murphy joined our family. I can not tell you how much joy he has brought us (you to, Baxter boy). He is the sweetest dog and such a pleaser - anything goes with him!

Salmon Salad Recipes

**ETA: I wanted to pass on a few articles about wild vs farmed salom and why I choose to eat wild ...

Wild vs Farmed Salmon

Science Daily

USA Today

I thought I would share a few recipes with you all. I eat salmon (wild, not farmed) a few times a week, usually on a salad. Many times, I just make my own salad of greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers and banana peppers, but these are two of my favorite recipes  .... low fat, low carb and healthy - of course!

Barefoot Contesa Grilled Salmon Salad

Yield: 4 servings

• 2 pounds cooked salmon, chilled
• 1 cup small-diced celery (3 stalks)
• 1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained
• 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Break the salmon into very large flakes, removing any skin and bones, and place the salmon in a bowl. Add the celery, red onion, dill, capers, raspberry vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Season, to taste. Mix well and serve cold or at room temperature.

 

Cucina Italiana's Salmon Salad

Yield: 1 serving

• 4 ounce salmon fillet, grilled (I like to use Grill Mates Salmon Seasoning)

• 5 grilled asparagus spears

• Bib and romain lettuce (or whatever greens you'd like)

• 2 tablespoons diced tomatoes

• 2 ounces balsamic dressing ( I like Maple Farms of Vermont Fat Free Balsamic Vinegar Dressing)

• 1/4 ounce crispy potato strings  - I do NOT add these ;)

• 2 tablespoons diced feta cheese (I use low fat)

Combine and toss lettuce, 2 tablespoons diced tomato and balsamic dressing. Transfer to serving bowl.Top salad with salmon. Arrange asparagus together so spears lean on salmon. Top with crispy potato strings (not me!). Sprinkle with feta cheese.

**When making this for myself, I just throw it all on a plate, top with the salmon and eat ... I do not  'lean my asparagus spears on the salmon'! ;)

**Also, this is the same salad I have eaten many, many times at Brio Tuscan Grill Restaurant (we do not have an Cucina Italiana Restaurant near by, but they are the same company). I believe it may be the only entree I have ever ordered there.

Daily Thought

Robyn Lehr

"Money isn't everything but it sure keeps you in touch with your children." —J. Paul Getty

This is SO very true for me with 2 boys in college!! A phone call usually means they need money!

Braveheart Lacrosse

This past weekend, we traveled to Tampa (Wesley Chapel) for the Sunshine State Lacrosse Tournament. This is our last tournament for the summer, I think. Three weekends in a row - not sure what's up with all the tournaments being scheduled this way - that is a lot of lacrosse!

 

The Team - U13 Bravehearts

  

 

Griff taking the ball down the field for a goal

   

Score - long pole defenders do not score all that often and when they do, it is a big deal ... Lots of cheering :)

 

 

 

  

A break in the shade with an icy

Pink Saturday

A very happy Pink Saturday to you all.

Some beautiful, pink cupcakes to share with you ...

 

All images from flickr with the bottom right cupcakes mine :)

 

To see more Pink Saturday, please visit our hostess, Beverly's blog!

Schmap!!

My photo of Alcatraz Island was chosen for the Schmap online travel guide/map. This photo was taken while on the boat tour in San Francisco a few summers back and was found through my flickr photo stream. I guess just a random search - I did not submit it and was not familiar with this site. Kind of cool ;)

Griff loved visiting Alcatraz and was very into studying the history and the prisoners. Last year, he did his 5th grade oration on Alcatraz Island and made it to the finals - the olny boy (!) and after a few rounds, he dropped out of the competition! - it just was not his thing, especially with all girls ... although I though he was so good and his speech was awesome ;)

2 out of 3 ... home!

Griff arrived home late this afternoon from his week at lacrosse camp - a very tired boy! From the little I could get out of him (he has certainly transitioned over to a teenager!), it was a good time and great being coached by the Syracuse team (2009 NCAA National Champs). He won some award (not sure what) and did get some autographs of a few of the Syracuse players.

And, my Bear boy arrived home early this evening. SO good to have him home for a few days. I made him pasta carbonara for dinner and he is off to meet up with friends to watch the big game - that would be the Orlando Magic. Of course, Griff and my husband are in front of the screen waiting for the game to start and I am no where near it. Bad me, not supporting the Magic. Seems to me like these playoff games have been going on forever! ;)

Since I don't have any photos of the 'guys' to share. God forbid I try to take one ... I'll share a few of my resent (past few months) shopping finds. A complete change of topics here, but one that interests me more than basketball ;)

From JCrew (all but 1 or 2 items on sale) ...

  

 

And Lilly Pulitzer ...

 

This skort has the 'history' of Lilly printed on it :)

 

Same skort, different print

 

 

 

Nightie

 

*love* ... one of my all time favorite Lilly dresses

 

A few items on my want 'list' ...

Tory Burch

 

J Crew

 

 

More Braveheart Lacrosse

This past weekend, we traveled down south to Boca Raton, FL for yet another lacrosse tournament. Whilewe normally stay at Marriot hotels for these sport weekends, this trip we stayed at the Boca Raton Resort ... such a beautiful place (we had a great weekend rate, too good to pass up). I wish we could have enjoyed all it had to offer, but with Griff's lax schedule we were not at the resort much. We did have a fun dinner Saturday evening with many of the team and parents. The hotel has a Serendipity restaurant (like the famous one in NYC) and the kids were served a dinner buffet and ice cream bar - fun evening.

 

 

Talking and waving to a team mate - I just noticed his shoe is missing?! ...

 

Edible Chocolate treasure chest filled with ice cream and 3 different types of cake - they served 6 of these for the kids ...

 

Look who is first in line, with the girls (sisters of team mates) ...

Griff's huge cone with a banana sticking out of it ...

 

A few shots of Griff in action (ok, a lot!) ...

  

 

 

 

 

 

Boca Blast Photos

 

On Sunday afternoon, we dropped Griff off at Florida Atlantic University, also in Boca Raton for a lacrosse camp hosted by the 2009 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Champions, Syracuse. He will be there all week, home just in time for yet another tournament this coming weekend! Obviously, so happy to pose for a picture in his dorm room - more like, ready for me to leave! ;) ...

 

Meet 'Melissa'

My sweet friend, Tonia's daughter, Anna purchased a new 'preppy' pink & green mermaid while on their beach vacation and she named her 'Melissa', after me! How sweet is that!

 "Because she's pink and green and Melissa likes pink and green." 

Thank you, Anna - both you and mermaid 'Melissa' are too cute!!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday! I am currently on yet another weekend away with my son's lacrosse team, but I composed my post early.

This week, I am sharing my crepe myrtles that just started to bloom this week :)

 

 

A photo of my white crepe myrtles, even though they are not pink ...

 

I hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! To view more of Pink Saturday, visit Beverly's blog.

Braveheart Lacrosse

 

This past weekend, we traveled to Jacksonville, FL for a lacrosse tournament - The Wounded Warrior Tournament -to benefit a great cause, The Wounded Warrior Project.

This summer, Griff's young league coach started a new select team called 'Bravehearts' - I love the name and the new uniforms. I had so many people (mostly moms) ask about and complemented the snazzy plaid uniforms. The tournament was both Saturday & Sunday, 5 games total, and hot! The Bravehearts won 3, lost 2.

We are off again tomorrow to another tournament in Boca Raton ... and yet another the following weekend, which will make 4 weekends straight, being out of town (or state) for lacrosse. Oh, for the love of the game ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Miss Janice!

The lovely Miss Janice featured me on her blog as her 'Lilly photo of the week'. Such an honor! Thank you so much, Janice for the beautiful post and sweet words about me ... my pets, my stationery and my Lilly :). Be sure to visit her blog, Etiquette with Miss Janice ... it is full of preppy-ness, pink and southern charm!!

 

And ... thank you all for the nice comments about my hair! Seems that the consensus -both in real life and blog land - is it is a 'winner' and that I look younger, which it is all about! ;) Next on my 'list' is taking care of my smile lines (nasolabial folds). Since I have lost weight they are really bad :(. Once I get the braces off and have the lines taken care of I can smile big! SO much work and maintenance in growing old!

My New "Do"

Ok ... so I know you all are just dying to see my new hair style ;). Some of you have asked, so I attempted to take a photo to post here. I completely forgot to get a picture after I came home from my 5 1/2 hours at the salon. It was almost 6pm on Friday by the time I was finished with my 'transformation'! I had a number of treatments done, including a de-mineralization and a 'customized luxury Kerastase ritual', which was heaven. Hot towels placed around my neck while a treatment was rubbed into my hair and scalp with a wonderful head, neck and shoulder massage. This was fabulous and I will definitely have this done on my returning visits. Then the hair color - a darker base color (low lights) and hi-lights. A color sealer and toner applied too. My stylist felt that my current color just blended into my skin tones and that I needed more depth and contrast to my hair color. I also had my eyebrows groomed and tinted as well as my eyelashes tinted. Then, the big cut - I now have a sassy little bob!

 

Terrible photos since the lighting was bad and I was in a hurry - on my way to tennis. And, again - I just hate how I look without smiling - ugh, the dang braces

 

 

 

Boston

While on my 'mom of the year' trip ;) to the NCAA lacrosse games, I did manage to get a little time to myself - about an 1 1/2 hours before we had to head to the airport for our flight home. A nice walk down Newbury Street and a little of the Public Garden.

 

I love taking architectural photos, especially old churches ...

  

 

 

 

 

Boston Public Garden ...

 

 

Copley Square Market ...

 

Boston Public Library ...

Newbury Street ...

  

 

 

Fairmont Copley Plaza Window Boxes - Gorgeous! ...

Sweet Elise

Elise ~ 1 year and 4 months old

Just look how big Elise is getting! And ... can she be any cuter?! Such a doll baby. Love her big smile. Her hair just cracks me up. Not sure if she just finished a bath or if she is sweaty? Her previouss photos looked like she had wet or sweaty hair too.

 

Elise’s nanny wrote this update:

Elise is in very good health and is a happy baby.   She has begun to eat same foods like the older children.  Noodle soup is definitely her favorite food and she can eat a whole bowl each time.  Now Elise is also able to stand up on her own and can climb up on to the sofa.  She is now able to also more her baby walker in any direction she wants to go. She is growing into such a lovely girl!

A few more photos of Elise eating her 'zongzi' at the Dragon Boat Festival at New Day

Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday when families come together to make and eat zongzi, a date- or meat-filled sticky rice dumpling wrapped and steamed in a bamboo leaf.

 

 

*For those that may be new here, Elise is the little girl I sponsor in China at the New Day Foster Home.

Pink Saturday

A very happy Pink Saturday to you all. A few images of some pretty pink things ...

 

{ such pretty things }

 

{style me pretty }

  

{ martha stewart }

 

{ a stephan }

 

{ plumo }

 

{ country living }

 

{ country living }

For more of Pink Saturday, visit Beverly's Blog. I believe our lovely pink saturday creater and hostess is celebrating her year anniversary ... a year long of pinkness!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I am off to yet another sporting event - out of town. Griff has a two day lacrosse tournament with his select team, the 'Bravehearts'

Catie Copley

While staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, we were able to meet a very sweet labrador.Catie is the 'canine ambassador' of the Fairmont and spends her days in the lobby of the hotel. She lives with Jim, who is the hotel's director of concierge services and he brings her to work every day (Sunday & Monday are her days off). Guests are able to take her for walks or just play with her in the lobby. Catie was trained to be a guide dog to the blind but failed her testing. She now has two bookswritten about her work and adventures at the Fairmont and the proceeds from the books benefit the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, where Catie was raised. I bought two of her books, one for myself and one for my god daughter ... both signed by her owner,  Jim and 'paw-printed' by Catie.

 

 

 

Thanks for all the kind comments about my trip and my mom 'awards'! I really can't complain, the boys are great kids and were so good, just typical 13 year old boys who happen to love sports.  And, I did manage to get a little over an hour to myself on the morning before we flew home. I had a nice walk down Newbury Street and the Public Gardens - took quite a few photos too.

My 'Adventure'

 

{ Walpole Train Station }

 

{ a bad rain and hail storm one day while waiting for the train - no coverage either! }

 

 Griff - with 2 black eyes! (PE, flag football injury) - and Jack waiting for the bus to take us to the train

 

Although we flew into and stayed in Boston at the Fairmont Copley Plaza (which was lovely, although I barely was there!), the NCAA lacrosse games were held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro (I believe about 30 miles south of Boston). We purposely chose to stay in Boston since there is not much to do in Foxboro. In hind sight, I think we just should have checked into a 'motel' and walked to the dang stadium. We didn't get back to Boston until 6-6:30- pm every night anyway. So ... the travel to and from the stadium every day was quite an adventure. We rode the train (backwards!) into the Walpole station (about a 40-45 minute ride with lots of stops) and then hopped on a bus for another 10-15 minute ride to the stadium. After the games (5 total, 3 days straight), we did the same to get back to Boston. I'll be the first to admit that this just wasn't for me! Lots of waiting for the train and then waiting for the games to start, much less the fact that I had to take meds twice a day since I have very bad motion sickness. Believe me, the train going backwards did not help :(. But ... I sucked it up and had a good time. Okay, I really pretended to have a good time ;) ... all the while thinking about being back at the Fairmont, or shopping, or site seeing in the beautiful city of Boston! ;) LOL. I am not sure if I mentioned that it was just myself, Griff and his friend on this trip? We have attended these lax championships for 5-6 years now, all 5 of us as a family, but this years our plans changed. I offered to take Griff since my husband and older boys had a golf weekend planned (it ended up being canceled due to the non-stop FL rain). Since I was the only adult and in charge, I had no free time. These 2 boys only wanted to be at the games (hours early too!), with no interest of shopping or site seeing in Boston. To top it off, since the basketball playoffs were on TV at night, we had to go to a sports bar/restaurant, 'Champions', so they could watch. Two nights in a row - I could not talk them into watching in the hotel room, they wanted to be around some action and others who were hooping & hollering. Oh the fun!! ;)

 

The big win

Home

{ Gillette Stadium, Memorial Day }

 

Back home from our long weekend trip to Boston. While it was a good time, it was also a lot of work ... riding a train and bus every day to and from the stadium. Not exactly top on my list of things to do while 'vacationing', but this trip was all about the lacrosse games and not me! More later ...

School's Out

 

{ LHPS }

Griff's last day of school today and last day of 'lower school' at LHPS. We are starting  summer off right away with a trip to Boston. We leave bright and early tomorrow morning (a 6:25am flight!) for a long weekend and the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships. I believe this is our 5-6 year attending these games. Last year they were also held in Boston, actually the Gillette Stadium in Foxbough, but we are staying in Boston and 'commuting' by train to the stadium. I honestly prefer Boston and shopping, but being a good (boy/sports) mom, I will be at the games too ;)

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Pandora Internet Radio

Do you all know about this? Most likely you do - I am always late to join the party, but I am loving pandora radio :)

Lilly Fashion Show

I attended a lovely luncheon today to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. A wonderful afternoon spent with girlfriends for a wonderful cause ... and a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show too!

I wore my new jubilee dress and took a few photos so you could see my hair and why I am in need of some change!! It is pulled back and although I do love wearing it back, I do so much too often. As you can see - it looks like I barely have any hair! I do love the dress though :)

 

 

A few of my cute girl friends at the luncheon (little pocket camera = bad photo)...

 

Ginny (my orchid friend, who creates my beautiful arrangements) with the Lilly jeep. Gin has actually been to Lilly's home in Palm Beach for dinner!! Can NOT believe she did not invite me ;) ...

 

 

 

 

New Hairstylist

 

   

Yesterday, I went to a new hair stylist for a consultation. I know a few women and one good friend that have started going to this stylist and the difference in their hair and overall appearance is amazing ... and they look much younger.  So, I though I would see what she could do for me.  I am all about looking younger ;). I had no idea my hair was in such bad condition, but was told that yes, indeed it was - told in detail for about 10 minutes all the bad things about my hair (over processed, damaged, dry, broken, wrong color for my complexion, wrong cut for my face shape, and my eyebrows have major issues too!). I have very fine, thin hair, which unfortunately has become even thinner as I have grown older. I also lost a bit when I went through my weight loss. I was 'prescribed' hair products by Kerastase that with regular use will help repair and add volume to my hair. The products alone cost more than I normally spend for my highlights, cut & styling with my former gal! I scheduled an appointment for next week (the soonest I could get in) and am scheduled to be there in the salon for over 4 hours! I am expecting to come out looking fabulous (!!) ... well see ;) 

Oh ... and today, I have my bottom braces put on. Now, with both upper & lower braces, I am a total brace-face ;)

Thanks for all the kind words about Griff. I can't believe my 'baby' is going into middle school! We are very fortunate that he will be continuing on at his same school, that we love. Hopefully, he will be there through high school.

6th Grade Celebration

Griff's last year in the lower school, as it is called at LHPS is almost over. This week is exams, with his last day on Friday. Next year he moves up to the middle school campus for 7th & 8th grades. Big times ;)

This past Friday was the 6th grade awards ceremony during the morning and then a big celebration/dance for the class held at the middle school gym. The theme for the dance was NYC, 'Celebration in the City', and the decorations were quite impressive. Parents were invited for the first half hour to view a slide show presentation in which each child was featured in different photos growing up. All the girls screamed 'awwwww' when Griff's blondie pictures were flashed on the screen ;)

 

  

 

The President of LHPS, Griff and friends

 

Griff and buds

 

 

With his baby photo ... he really hasn't changed much - just lost the chubby, chipmunk cheeks!

 

Staring in Lion King! These playbills were posted in the hall into the gym. So creative. Griff just saw The Lion King on Broadway last year so it was a perfect choice.

 

 

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday to you all. Today I am sharing a little something I made, a gift for my sister in law. A stationery box with my scripture cards. I made a similar gift for a swap I was in a while back - a very fun project. By the way, I meet Jill through this swap. I was paired up with her and what a blessing to me! Jill is such a beautiful, lovely woman. I learned about the New Day Foster Home through her. She also sponsors a little girl, Gracie and was able to travel to China last year to visit and volunteer at New Day.

 

 

  

 

To see more (much more!) of Pink Saturday, visit Beverly's blog.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Quite one for us. Griff has his last week of school and 6th grade exams all week, so lots of studying happening here! And for those of you that 'know' me ... yes, I still have two other boys ;). I haven't mentioned much about either Barret or Connor lately  - you know the last thing they want is their mother blabbing about them on her blog ;). They are both still in college and at school for the summer. Hopefully they will be home in between sessions - I miss them!

Lovely Lavender

GOH SIOK HIAN From Malaysia 

 

 

While I have always loved the fragrant smell of lavender, lately I have found some wonderful products for my home that I have become 'addicted' to ...

The following from Method - I have found a few of these at Whole Foods and others at Target

 

 

Just can't get enough of this spray

 

 

 

 

These two products from Aura Cacia are available at Whole Foods. I use the drops on my sheets and linens and the mist on everything, including myself!

 

 

Rooftop

A black bird on my neighbor's roof that I just happend to capture with my zoom lens

Inspiration ...

Lucas Allen

"All the sorrow and trouble of this world is caused by unhappy people...The search for contentment is, therefore, not merely a self-benefiting act, but also a generous gift to the world." —Elizabeth Gilbert

Elise Receives Her Package

A few photos of Elise, the beautiful little girl I am sponsoring in China opening the package I sent. Carrie was so kind to take photos and email them to me :)

 

 

 

 

 

{ wearing one of the dresses and bows I sent }

Such a doll baby! I am already getting a few more gifts together to send ... it gives me such joy :)

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." –Anne Frank

Happy Mother's Day

 

Mothers are the place that we call home.

On them we rest our heads and close our eyes.

There's no one else who grants the same soft peace,

Happiness, contentment, sweet release,

Erasing nighttime tears with lullabies,

Restoring the bright sun that makes us bloom.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day