Colin Ruffell

I am loving the paintings of artist Colin Ruffell.  The blue in the one above makes me happy.  The orange in the one below makes me feel calm.   One of these days, we are going to purchase some real art for our home.

Dad

I was walking through South Station last week, and I stopped to enjoy the sounds of a barbershop quartet.  I could only stay a minute, but that sound instantly made me think of my dad.  My dad has been gone for many years now, but there are certain things that always make me think of him.  I don't hear barbershop very often, but it's certainly something that brings him to mind.  He sang bass in a quartet for many years.  When I got home that night, I went through my photo albums to see if I had any pictures of him singing.  I was psyched to discover that I did have one - that's him above, second from the right.  I can even tell you the song they're singing in this photo - it's called "Hang on the Bell, Nelly".  One of my faves and probably the one I remember most clearly.  

I thought about my dad a lot that day.  I miss him.  He never got to meet my husband or my boys.  He would've loved them, and I think he would've gotten a kick out of seeing me as a mom.  

In honor of Father's Day, here are a couple other things that remind me of my dad...

Sunsets on Lake Ontario, where I spent most summers as a kid.  Here's a classic gorgeous lake sunset.

Buffalo Bills football.  When I was in college, I started talking on the phone with my dad most Sundays.  All Sundays in the Fall I'd hear the Bills game in the background.  

*Image from Sports Illustrated

This isn't associated with a particular memory - it's just one of my favorites...

Happy Father's Day!

Tift Merritt - Mixtape

The first single from Tift Merritt's newest CD, See You on the Moon.  Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

image via Lost Highway

The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

I just finished The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls.  It took me about five days to read, which is fast for me considering I only read before bedtime.  I was riveted.  Not so much by extraordinary writing but by the characters.  I read in disbelief that this was truly someone's real childhood.  Someone who actually survived.  It's exasperating at times, because it's unbelievable that the parents could be as....I can't even think of a word to describe them.  Damaged.  Drunk.  Naive.  Immature.  Gifted but stupid all at the same time.  None of them capture it.  I'm not usually one for sad memoirs, but you can't help but be drawn in by this one.  Especially since the kids are so appealing.  You find yourself rooting for them, hoping that they escape.

Here's a review from the NY Times if you're interested in more.  The book has been out for years, so perhaps you've already read it.  If you haven't, add it to the list.

Kitchen Inspiration

*Photos from HouseBeautiful

The more I see simple white subway tiles, the more I think that's the way to go in our too-far-in-the-future kitchen.  I love color, but perhaps I can add pops of color in other ways, like getting one of those awesome standing mixers in a fun color like red.  I doubt my cabinets will ever look as put together as those above, although they are awfully pretty, aren't they?  But I could see owning some fun bowls or other dishes that I could put on display, and perhaps it'd be better to be flexible.  I love the crisp clean white, especially against dark countertops.  I also like the leg detail on the island, making it appear more like a piece of furniture.

How Cute Are These?

I showed you the dress, and now here are the shoes.  Super cute, super high, and even super comfy.  Perhaps the gold will make my legs look tanner than they actually are?  Here's hoping...

Menu of the Week

*Image from Cooking Light

Spinach and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells, salad, bread


Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans


Sloppy Joes, salad (carrot sticks for the big boy)


Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi, roasted asparagus


Dessert:  On Saturday, we enjoyed the strawberry-almond tart.  Probably my favorite springtime dessert.  For the week, I made some of the best brownies ever, and a second batch of homemade ice pops.  This time - orange mango.  The big boy is loving the ice pops and even said he doesn't want any brownies.  Fine by me! 

Are You Ready for Some Football?

*All images from here

Soccer, to us Americans of course.  Like most Americans, I don't watch a lot of soccer, but I very much enjoy watching the World Cup.  Similar to the Olympics and the Tour de France, the international competition is intoxicating.  I will of course root for the USA, although we're not a powerhouse.  I will cheer for South Africa, although they are not very good and may not even make it through the opening round.  How cool is it that the games are in Africa, though?  Love it.  Mostly, though, I'll be rooting for Spain, in honor of my Spanish brother-in-law.  The very cute Spaniards running around in little shorts are just a bonus.  They are very good and actually have a chance of winning the whole thing.

Will you watch?  Who will you root for?

Update:  In case you needed another reason to watch.....read (view) this:

The Black Keys - Tighten Up

The Black Keys are great.  Not sure what I think about the video, but at the very least it is interesting.  From their new album, Brothers.

image via celebrific

Summer of Fun

As I've mentioned, I'm determined to maximize our family fun this summer.  Unfortunately, I still have to work, so we'll be having this fun primarily on the weekends.  We have a vacation week in July and a couple Fridays off as well.  Here's a little glimpse at the types of things I'm planning to make sure we all enjoy ourselves while the weather is warm.  Mostly small things that are super easy to do, and we've done quite a few already!

• Go strawberry-picking
• Make homemade ice pops
• Ride bikes
• Visit the local Farmer's Market
• Blow bubbles

• Go to the Public Garden and ride the swan boats and the carousel
• Go puddle-stomping
• Go to the beach
• Make sangria
• Celebrate the little boy's 1st birthday

*Image from aimeeclaire's etsy shop

• Get a treat from the ice cream truck
• Ride an airplane
• Paint pictures
• Go cherry/peach-picking
• Do a new puzzle
• Discover new grill recipes

*Image from Martha Stewart

• Visit Grandma's house
• Fill up the kiddie pool
• Take advantage of friends that have a pool
• Visit the playground
• Chase butterflies (or dragonflies, or bees!)
• Have Grandma/Aunts visit our house
• Go to a Red Sox game
• Read books
• Build a sand castle
• Discover recipes for smoothies
• Take a picnic

• Go blueberry-picking
• Pop popcorn
• Take advantage of friends that have a beach house
• Run through the sprinkler

*Image from here

• Go see the animals at the farm
• Make homemade lemonade
• Make s'mores
• Visit the cottages on Lake Ontario; Play with cousins
• Take a walk to the Elm Bank

The Poisonwood Bible

*Images from this lovely post on Black Eiffel

I finally read The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver.  It's amazingly well-written, heart-wrenching, and eye-opening.  It transports you to the Congo, and it helps remind us of all the things in our lives that we take for granted.  Cars, refrigerators, ice cream, bug spray... Most people I know have already read - and loved - it, but if by chance you haven't, please put it on your must-read list.

I Found a Dress

*Image from Boden

I've been searching for a dress to wear to my sister's wedding.  I wasn't having any luck at Anthropologie.  I saw quite a few really cute dresses, but the fit wasn't right on any of them.  Several had gatherings in the front, which would make me look pregnant.  After spending last summer being very pregnant and then being post-baby, I'm very ready to show off my regular self, thank you very much.  I really like Boden, so although I didn't have the option to try things on, I decided to give it a shot and order something.  This super cute turquoise number arrived yesterday, and it is perfect!  Bright and colorful, perfect fit, comfortable, light material awesome for hot July wedding.  Also got 25% off and free shipping.  Hooray!

Now.....on to find shoes...

Mikkel Vang

*Image from Mikkel Vang via Inchmark

Something about this picture makes me very happy.  Mikkel Vang has some very beautiful pictures.  This room just feels calm, peaceful. I love the bright window.  I've been searching high and low for a duvet cover that would go with our grayish walls.  Problem is, the walls aren't a true gray, so finding a color or pattern to match has been impossible.  I'm thinking I may just opt for a clean white duvet, perhaps with a little texture, like this one.   This room has inspired me.  

House of Style

Image via Apartment Therapy

I adore everything about this porch.  Colorful, friendly, inviting.  Everything from the candles to the guitar to the beer.  I can totally envision a few friends sitting around, talking, laughing, singing a few songs.  

Funny how different my house is from the pictures and houses I am drawn to.  I love fun and eclectic styles with bright colors, but I don't think I could ever pull it off.  My own house is an 1850s farmhouse that's been renovated quite a bit - mostly by us.  We've tried to stay true to the spirit of the house, which means staying pretty simple and traditional.  I like our style, too, but if we lived in a different house, I think we'd potentially go for something different.  

Homemade Lemonade

*Image from here 

Continuing on our theme of summer fun, I've decided to forego the huge container of Countrytime lemonade this year and make my own.  The big boy loves lemonade, and he'd drink it all day long if I let him, but of course I don't - he'd be all hopped up on sugar.  At least if I make homemade, I can control the ingredients and limit the sugar a bit - we all like it more tart than sweet anyway.  Actually, often the big boy is content with ice water and lemons.  But when I do decide to get that big bag of lemons from Costco and make a real batch, this is the recipe I start with.  Simple, classic, and super yummy.  

Weekend Recap - Strawberry Picking

We had a wonderful weekend.  A bit hot and humid, but still very nice.  They had been predicting rain all weekend, so I was braced for the need to find a multitude of ways to keep the boys entertained indoors.  My preparations did come in handy, since we did suffer several passing thunderstorms.  The painting and art supplies I picked up did the trick, and we now have about 75 original paintings.  Dear family, don't be surprised if one of them shows up in the mail.  The big boy is very proud. 

I really wanted to go strawberry picking this weekend, though.  The strawberry season is a short one, and we missed it completely last year.  So when the clouds parted just in time for the end of the little boy's nap, we decided to make a run for it, and it totally worked out.  We are so lucky that the farm is just down the road.  We spent a few hours, playing on the playground, eating lunch, and picking the wonderful berries.  Strawberries from the store will never compare to the sweetness picked straight from the ground.  We enjoyed them plain, in strawberry shortcake, on our cereal, and in these awesome strawberry-yogurt popsicles.  Oh, I am going to be so hooked on making homemade popsicles this summer!  What a hit! 

We got the kiddie pool out in the afternoon, and the boys had a blast splashing around.  The boys giggling in the pool, the little leaguers playing baseball, Kevin mowing the lawn.....these are the sounds of summer.

Sunday's thunderstorms were a bit more frequent, so there was more inside playtime, although we did manage to get some swinging and running in.  And at the end of the day, the big boy and his dad had a blast puddle jumping.  It was warm enough to do it in bare feet!  Ew.  They made a mess, but they had fun. 

Now it's time to start another week.  I'll attempt to motivate myself to get as much done as possible at work, and then I'll look forward to next weekend, when we can see how much fun we can squeeze in. 

Menu of the Week

*Image from Cooking Light

I've been looking for a decent veggie burger recipe for a while now.  I don't mind cooking meat for my boys, but I do try to limit it, and I especially like to limit the amount of meat I personally eat.  I'm going to give this one a try at some point this week.  It's also great weather for summertime meals like fish tacos and the southwestern salad.  And yes, it is still asparagus season, so of course we have to have a meal to highlight that wonderful green veggie.  Here's what this week's menu looks like:

Black Bean Burgers with Mango Salsa

Southwestern Salad, tortilla chips, watermelon

Grilled Fish Tacos, strawberries

Pasta with Goat Cheese and Roasted Asparagus, tomatoes, crusty bread

Pearl Jam - Hunger Strike

I love Pearl Jam.  One of my all-time favorites.  It's time for me to see them in concert again.  They were recently in town, but it was a weeknight, and time and babysitters are hard enough to get on the weekend, you know?  So...this year was not meant to be, but hopefully it won't be too long until they come back.  A friend shared this video with me - it's from their show at Madison Square Garden.  It's one of my all-time favorite songs.  Singing alongside Eddie is the lead singer of Band of Horses, whose latest CD, Infinite Arms, I am thoroughly enjoying.  All good stuff.

Happy Friday everyone!  Enjoy a fabulous weekend!

Pops!

I am determined to fill our summer weekends with fun.  I know the summers fly by, and while I adore lazy afternoons, I also want to make sure we take full advantage of the warm sunny days.  I am working on filling our calendar - some big things like our upcoming beach vacation, but mostly small things like visiting our local farmer's market, filling up the kiddie pool, and making homemade ice pops.  

I just got these  Rocket Pop Molds, and I am psyched to try some fun recipes.  I almost got this book, but then I found out all the recipes are online anyway.  I then stumbled across some other fun ideas, such as lemon yogurt with raspberries, mango orange popsicles, strawberry yogurt popsicles...  There are so many!  I know I'll have fun finding different combinations of fruit, yogurt, juice.  I think I may have to try mango-orange first, because I already have all the ingredients and I don't want to wait any longer!

Weekend Recap

Image from here

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend.  Ours included a trip to visit my in-laws, and I was reminded again of how lucky I am that I truly enjoy spending time with them.  I have many friends who complain incessantly about their in-laws, and in many cases, I don't blame them!  But I am lucky.  I will admit I've complained about making the trip in the past, but that's only due to the difficulty of going anywhere with two little ones.  The boys didn't sleep well at all the last time we were there, so I was crossing my fingers that this time would be better, and thankfully, it was.   We planned well, and we made some smart decisions, like driving on Saturday and back home Monday morning to avoid the holiday traffic.  We're learning.  Perhaps we're on our way towards easier family travel.

A few highlights:
- The first thing the big boy asks when he wakes up at grandma's house:  "Mama, where is Amber?"  He adores his aunt, and I do too.  His aunts do a fabulous job of keeping him entertained, and it gives me a bit of a rest.
- I love summertime cookout food.  We enjoyed lobster, pasta salads, tomatoes/mozzarella/basil, lemonade, asparagus, corn on the cob, burgers, berries, brownies.... (I'm hungry!)
- The big boy got his first experience with an ice cream truck.  When it came driving by, playing the familiar music, his aunt ran into the house scrambling for money.  They ran to the truck, and he picked out an ice cream pop.  I'm not sure who was more excited.  I just sat back and watched him smile and eat the ice cream as it melted all over him.
- The weather was perfect.  Warm and sunny, nice breezes.
- The boys were both pooped at the end of the day, so there were no bedtime battles.  And as I mentioned, they slept.  This allowed me to enjoy some quiet in the evenings.  Time to sit outside, enjoy some drinks, and have an uninterrupted conversation with friends and family.
- My sister-in-law mentioned that it had been a long time since she had seen fireflies.  A few minutes later, we saw one.  And another.  And another.  The evening sky was literally sparkling with them.  Could it be we just stopped looking?