An Early Birthday

Scott has a big birthday coming at the end of August. But his present was way before so we had a little party for him, just the four of us. 

It was fun because it really threw him off since it was a month early {we will celebrate again in a month} 

I baked a cake without telling him what it was for, and when he walked in he had no idea why I took our the plates we use for every birthday.  

But we sang and cut the cake and ate it. I love an unexpected dessert! 

And then it was present time! 

I love his face here -- total surprise! 

Tickets to the International Tennis Hall of Fame finals match in Newport Rhode Island! 

Just a few days later we headed out -- just the two of us for an entire day! It was almost like a birthday present for me too! We had the best day together! 

Newport is a really fun town with quaint shops right on the ocean. 

Loved the way they hung all of these umbrellas! 

After meandering our way through we headed to the tennis stadium. 

We watched the finals doubles and signals match. 

We had the best seats, right on the court. 

After our day of tennis and a lovely lunch on the court, we walked back into town and stopped at the Black Pearl for an amazing bowl of New England clam chowder. 

It was the best day together celebrating Scott's birthday! 

Our Twenty Seventh Anniversary

We were home for our anniversary this year. We've chosen over the years to travel during the same week as our anniversary, and that made for some pretty spectacular July twenty eighths! 

I remember this anniversary with us in Hawaii. That was a pretty spectacular day! 

We were such a young family then and it was awesome to share our day with our girls. We spent the day at the beach, we had a causal lunch overlooking the ocean, we renewed our wedding vows with our girls, and then we drove to a different part of the island for a spectacular dinner at the same resort we spent our honeymoon twenty years early. 

Twenty One was right before our trip to Disney World and it is the same place we had lunch yesterday. 

I won't go into all of the anniversary posts with links but we've had some spectacular ones: we were in Canada on a cruise, in Alaska, Vancouver, British Columbia.... and we've actually loved being a whole family on the anniversary day. We've loved 'sharing' it with our girls over the years. We want them to know the 'feeling' the day has and our story. 

But this summer we weren't away on July twenty eighth so we had to figure out what would 'mark the day' and make it special for us. 

We chose to go to morning Mass at our local church. It was quiet, short, lovely. Sitting in that pew next to my husband was the perfect way for us to celebrate. Our wedding twenty seven years ago was a Mass and a deeply religious-Catholic sacrament and our faith has certainly carried us through our lives, so it felt fitting that this was the place to begin our day. 

Next we went out to breakfast. We chose a local, small, adorable, homey breakfast place that is in our town. Nothing fancy but the best food in the world! 

We headed home and sat on our porch swing for a while and actually just talked about the upcoming school year - changes we wanted to make, things like that. I wrote fast and furious our ideas in a notebook. I think we've got some good ideas. {I'll share more on that as the school year unfolds}. 

We waited for Anna to come home from school {her job this summer} to have lunch with Abigail and we headed out for the whole afternoon. 

First we ate lunch here (this us us back on our anniversary years ago) and loved our yummy sandwiches. There were the most amazing looking desserts too but wanted to wait a bit. 

Collinsville is a quaint New England town with several wonderful antique stores that we love meandering through. I was looking for something for our porch and found it! {oops, no picture of that - wish I took one} and we carted that thing home. {I'll share of a picture of it on our porch as soon as I get it all decorated}. 

We headed back to order desserts. I was so happy with the cake I had. It tasted just like our wedding cake and it was delicious! 

We took our time on the way home {the girls wanted us to stay out all day so they could talk and hang out together - love that about sisters} and listened to a fun / sappy/ emotional / silly play list I put together for our anniversary. It was all the songs we've loved over the years, our wedding song, and even newer songs that we just love. 

It was home for a cozy night at home. We watched our long wedding video with the girls. It had been years since we'd seen it (usually away traveling this week) and it was fun to see it! 

We had a cozy night in eating dinner with the girls. 

I think wedding anniversary's are just the sweetest day in the whole year. 

Holy Cross Reception

Last night we attended the summer reception of the Holy Cross Club of Greater Hartford  for parents and alumni. It was held at a Wampanoag Country Club and it was wonderful to be among those who have attended and parents of those who are at the college. It was a smaller gathering and great to meet so many people that are doing great work at the college and those who support great work.  

Also in attendance was the 33rd President of the College: Vincent D. Rougeau. He spoke about Aspire, the College's strategic vision for a hope-filled future. 

I felt proud that Anna is involved in these four years of college in a liberal arts education. While I can't explain it in eloquent words like the President, I believe as he does that a liberal arts education does not necessarily lead graduates to an instant 'job'. Here is a copy from their website:

What Makes the Liberal Arts So Liberating?

As a liberal arts institution, Holy Cross provides an education that’s about much more than getting a job. Instead of focusing on a narrow career path, a liberal arts education provides an excellent foundation for the challenges and opportunities that students encounter in both personal and professional situations throughout their lives. The liberal arts emphasize academic breadth and depth supported by essential foundational skills — such as critical thinking, clear communication, and careful analysis and synthesis of information — that are relevant in every line of work and study. 

By working purposefully and thinking creatively within and across diverse subjects, students receive the full benefits of a liberal arts education, which inspires curiosity, imagination and flexibility. It’s an education designed to develop a sense of wonder and to encourage active engagement in the world. It’s an education that prepares students to do good and do well in a rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent global marketplace. Our graduates are characterized by their ability to think morally, act compassionately and respond adeptly to the challenges they face. These are the same skills that make Holy Cross alumni remarkable leaders — no matter where their path takes them.

The Whole Person, and the Whole World

Much like the liberal arts, Jesuit education calls for education of the whole person: intellectual, spiritual and personal. We view these facets of our students’ growth as interconnected and complementary. In and out of the classroom, students embrace open inquiry and ethical values in ways that help them lead engaged and fulfilling lives.

The Jesuit tradition places great emphasis on living in dialogue and solidarity with others. We ask students the most difficult questions of faith and ethics, challenging them to expand their conceptions of truth and justice. We invite them to examine their place in the world, and to view their education — and their aspirations and goals — from a global perspective. We instill in them a deep respect for their fellow human beings, and prepare them to serve not only as skilled leaders, but as compassionate citizens. Holy Cross students seek to achieve great things — not only for themselves, but also for their communities and society as a whole.

The Great Sophomore Year Put Away

Oh my! The last day of school was on June 16th... that was a while ago! We've been busy since then. Summer has been great. But we were feeling that 'end of July' crunch a tiny bit so Scott and I sat down and wrote out a list of things that need to get done before the first day of school. 

It's a long list! Some things can be checked off really quick and easy and we've actually gotten a bunch of those things done, but some things we just had to dive into that take longer. One of them was what I was calling 'The Great Sophomore Year Put Away'. 

I wrote back HERE about the end of her Sophomore year. 

We have a study area in our playroom -- well actually it's all a study room now and no longer a playroom, but that has stuck, so that's what we call it. 

In that area was all of Abigail's' things from her last month of school and really the whole year long. We just had to go through it and decide what needed to be kept and what we could recycle. And boy it was a lot! 

There were stacks of papers, folders, notebooks.

There were books Scott had borrowed from his school to try to help Abigail throughout the year. 

But little by little we dug through the piles and I even enjoyed seeing the kinds of things she was doing all year! 

Looking through her notebooks was writing that looked like it was typed and highlights that were color coded. 

And then it was time to dig through her notecard keeper with all of those study notes in there. 

I'm sure she was so glad to throw all of that out and say goodbye to AP Biology and AP U.S. Government! 

On to a whole new month coming still of summer! And school work in the far distance! 

Last July Week

It's hard to believe that this is my sixth week home from school! It actually feels long - really long! Our trip seems like years ago. Even NYC feels like it was a long time ago. Strange how time feels sometimes. 

I never want to flip the calendar to August. Even though our first day of school isn't until the last day of August, I want summer to last forever. That slow feeling is just wonderful. We have another trip coming up and many more relaxing mornings, afternoons, and evenings to look forward too. Even as I don't want it to end, when it is time to begin to set up my classroom before that first day I'll be ready for another shift. That back to school feeling with sweep me up and I'll be ready. 

For now, a peek into our living room this summer. (I posted back here our strawberry kitchen) 

I found this blue glass vase at an antique store and love it so much. It reminds me of sea glass. 

And that little whale pillow I picked up on our trip to Nantucket last Christmastime. 

Teatime Discipleship

Anna came home from her summer job wanting to talk about something on her mind. She is working in a summer school program and since I am a classroom teacher I was able to understand her experience. We talked for a long time and then when reading later I was reminded of the importance of teatime discipleship. I love this book by Sally Clarkson. (this is the only picture I have of it). It's called Teatime Discipleship and it has really spoken to my heart. I have always believed in the importance of teatime to knit relationships closely together. Sally seems to say in that book what I've tried to explain on this blog of mine. But while my words are simple, hers are eloquent and make sense. 

 Here are a few quotes just from the beginning of the book that I love: 

💙 When the atmosphere has been created and the table has been laid with intentionality and care, we are drawn together to learn, encourage, and strengthen one another, welcoming one another into the deep things of God, the multifaceted dimensions of His love expressed. 

💙 We long for love, for a place to belong where we are accepted, limitations and all. We breathe only through the oxygen of love and will die spiritually if we do not have relationships where we can feel kindred with other who understand us. 

💙Our home and table can be a sanctuary for life, a holding place for all our ideals, an atmosphere of love, and an energy that engages dreams and inspiration. The profound work of a woman is to bring civility and order out of chaos, to bring beauty, intelligence, and excellence to her community, and to subdue her kingdom of home into a life-giving haven. 

💙As artists in our homes, we paint the canvas of our life stories with the colors we most love, the art and photographs and framed quotations we set in the center to discuss, the way we place furniture to create community, and the ways our tables are decorated to say, "Come here and feast and rest a while. Good food, conversation, and friendship are awaiting you. I have prepared a place for us. You are special and I love spending time with you." 

💙I love to love my people well; it brings me much pleasure to plan for ways to delight them, to bring unique touches into my environment that I know will especially please them, cultivating the ambience that will set the stage. 

💙I knew that as she was moving toward her teen years, she could us a little alone time with me to explore her thoughts, emotions, fears, and needs. This moment led to a years-long tradition that built us into best friends. Our sacred tradition of teatime devotions led to deep spiritual mother-daughter discussions,. 

💙 Jesus didn't talk about having a ministry from a broad, tall pulpit with a resounding microphone. He lived a deeply personal life, bowing His own knee to meet the needs of others. 

Love all of those points so much. 

So after we talked and then were reading together I invited Anna inside for one of our favorite recipes, homemade chai tea latte; foamy tasty milk, her favorite summertime china mug... I can't count the cups we have shared together creating warmth, comfort, and a place to share thoughts and feelings. 

It was the perfect way to let her know that I am always here for us -- and each cup together draws us more deeply into friendship. 

I Could Never Get Tired of This

A thunderstorm rolled in this afternoon. It got dark and windy. We were reading and all I noticed was I needed to turn on the lights. But then it started pouring. (best day ever) And I noticed this

and it's true. In forever I could never get tired of seeing this. 

Yesterday I ran into a student from this year while shopping with Abigail. I was so excited to see her (it's hard to go from seeing them every single day all day to not at all). I hugged and hugged her and we chatted. And her Mom said to Abigail something like "your Mom is a great teacher. She really got Sia to read!" And Abigail said, "yeah, that's her thing." 

So true. It's my thing. 

And I'll always love an afternoon reading.  

A Home Tour ~ Summer Style

It's an old-fashioned, picnic, strawberry, Hannibal MO (did you ever see the old movie, Tom Sawyer, the musical), fourth of July kitchen this summer in our home.

Right after Christmas I knew that this summer I wanted a strawberry themed kitchen. And since we are traveling to Missouri this summer I added in a country and picnic theme as well. 

Well it sure is a cherry place to be in our home right now. Come on along for a tour:

I love this stack of 'blue onion' plates I found thrifting so much -- just the sight of them in a stack makes me happy! They are also the perfect size for a small treat or dessert or even tea time. 

That red polka dot tea pot is not vintage but I love it so much because Anna picked it out for me as a Christmas present from a very special Christmas shop we used to go to annually. It means so much because Anna looked at it and thought, "she'd like that". 💞

And of course you've got to have the Susan Branch cookbook on display in the summer -- I love the blue and white gingham on the cover. 

I added the red and white checked cafe curtains for a cheery July 4th look. And that blue and white plate added just the blue touch I needed. You know when I saw that ironstone strawberry mug sometime in the winter I snatched it up dreaming of my summer off, trip to Missouri, and picnics! 

I've been adding antique baskets hanging above the sink for a while now and I really think it works for every season. This time of year it reminds me of a picnic. 

Have you heard of Burleigh from England? The new pieces can be very expensive but I found these perfect for now for just a few dollars! That little strawberry pitcher is from Hogben Pottery. I want their whole collection -- they have an adorable collection of mugs, creamers, pitchers, bowls. 

Here is the other side of the counter. I remember being in an antique store in February when Abigail spotted the black tin with the strawberries painted on them. Perfect -- love it so much! 

A peek at our summer baking center. Corn on the cob ready for shucking for tonight's dinner! 

Strawberry summer pie and picnic are on top giving me the that homey cozy feel for summer! 

I also have up there the Susan Branch Fourth of July china mug -- so festive and happy! The tea pot was a thrift store find and I love the shape of it! (not pictured... since then I've found the creamer and sugar bowl!)

More strawberry goodness -- these are stamped Laura Ashley. 

Little mini ironstone creamers match any and all seasons! 

I;  added in this little vignette after our trip to Missouri -- filled with treasures I brought home. That chippy wooden holder I actually fit in our suitcase, and I filled it with a cookbook I found, jam and even honey sticks. Love this little area so much -- it reminds me to stop and enjoy the pleasures of summertime; to live in the day I am in and feel happy in it. 

Click HERE to see a real on Insta which is way more fun than a post. 

A little fun from the fourth of July. This antique mirror belonged to Scott's grandmother and I love those flags I brought from our trip. 

This is our living room right now -- although I don't have pictures of the mantle right now (I'll have to take them soon) I love the two violas hanging because it means that both of my girls are home. ❣

Right now on the kitchen table I have just a simple basket with a new cordless light I bought. I love the look of it when it's starting to get dark outside and the kitchen is 'closed' for the night -- all cleaned up from dinner and we are about to start our cozy evening at home together. 

Well, that's about it right now. I say, set the stage for a happy home life. Lots of times the feelings follow.