Warm Welcome

I mentioned in my post last week that I was planning to visit a brand new side of my family. This past Saturday morning, we headed out on the road - not without some trademark difficulties along the way, mind you. About 5 minutes into our journey a  light rain began to fall, and when Steve turned on the wipers in the car, the right hand side (driver's side, here) just sort of flipped itself all the way to the right onto the side view mirror and stayed there. So, a ten minute stop in a garage and a quick tightening of a bolt later, we were on our way to Hastings.

Staying with my husband's other grandmother was so wonderful. As soon as you walked into the home, photographs of family old and new made me aware that I was in a love-filled house. The 1920's build house was full of charm and amazing mid-century furniture, and I simply melted at the sea view from the kitchen windows. Sitting at that kitchen table, sifting through albums of black and white photos and hearing stories about the war, displacement, rations, and her late husband, I felt so grateful to have acquired another grandparent.

We took Millie (the dog) for a walk on the beach after her cramped journey in the boot of my mother-in-law's little car; I posted a bunch of photos from that yesterday. The overcast, late afternoon mist made everything look so dreamy, and we were basically the only ones on the entire beach. The tide was out, and we could walk pretty far out into the water without any lapping waves reaching above the knee.

Later that evening, I had my nerves lubricated with a few glasses of wine so that I could meet the rest of my in-laws. We all packed into a van-style cab and headed to an American style steakhouse, whose massive portions really made me feel at home with the pop culture decor. After much eating, drinking, and laughter, we walked through the night to my mother-in-law's sister's house so that everyone could carry on catching up (and meeting me!).

Weekends are meant for laughter, family, and love, and we lived this past weekend to the fullest.

Technically Tea

It is the social responsibility of all grandmothers to make their loved ones' diets fail miserably. And let me tell you, tea this past Sunday with my "nanna-in-law" was no exception. She had been up early baking a chocolate cake from scratch, preparing cherry scones, and whipping up fresh cream that was literally the most addictive substance I've ever come in contact with. The tea itself was an afterthought; necessary only for washing down the veritable mountain of baked goods that I consumed in her conservatory. My thighs will hate me later, but it was absolutely worth it.

Aren't these "fairy cakes" adorable? Those little bits on top are wings perched on a mound of fresh whipped cream. 

Making Memories

I'm not ready to say goodbye. I don't think I ever will be. I think the key here, for myself at least, is to keep reminding myself that this is temporary, that nothing is forever, that I'm not going to Mars; I can and will be back. 

Spending this past weekend at a cabin on a lake in a remote part of northeastern Pennsylvania was one of the most memorable weekends I can think of. Despite coming down with some sort of foodborn illness from the Au Bon Pain in Port Authority (won't be eating there again anytime soon), it was a kind of magical weekend that just seemed to cooperate with the whole "goodbye" mentality. Family traveled in to spread well wishes, and the sky put on a show every night at sunset. And, on the last night, we did too - with some fireworks. I'm going to hold these memories close to keep me company, as I get a bit homesick in the months ahead. 

PS- these are just a few iPhone photos; I have plenty more from my camera that I plan to add soon.

Magic Hour Moments

   

There are some days, and more often then not the difficult ones, that make that age-old saying really come to mind: it's the simple things. 

A few good friends and family around you, some good cheap food in front of you, a warm breeze, a good conversation, a beer in your hand. 

Nothing with a high price tag even comes close. 

Too Short

I went home last weekend for my little brother's birthday. And when I say, "little," I mean, my seventeen-year-old brother. Who, though 8 years younger, towers over me and is going to graduate high school and enter the big, scary "real world" in just about a year's time. What a wake up call. I'm sure every parent deals with the realization that their kids are growing up, but for me, now I feel like it's very plain and obvious that I'm not a kid anymore, either. But for the moment's sake, let's all go stomp around in some mud and act like it, because life's too short not to.

6 Weeks and Counting

This may have officially been the most exhausting weekend of my life. Basically, Steve and I took a 5 hour bus ride to my hometown in Pennsylvania for a marathon of wedding planning and his first time meeting most of my extended family. 

It was overwhelming but exciting to see all of the bits and pieces of our upcoming church wedding come to life, in one of the most beautiful places that I'm lucky enough to call my hometown. I can't believe that in only 6 weeks, that big barn will be where our families finally come together to celebrate what we've all waited so long and sacrificed so much for, in so many ways. 

Now I feel like I need a week to recover from all of the excitement & traveling (and celebrating), but it has been and will be all totally worth it! 

Oh, and Steve got to color Easter eggs for the first time. And our Easter basket was so big that we'll probably both get diabetes. Thanks, mom. 

Take Me Home

No matter where I end up, who I end up with, and what I end up doing there... I will always trace my roots back to the dirt roads in the heart of Pennsylvania. This past weekend I took Steve to meet my siblings & father, and to see a little bit of where I'm from. As he put it, "it's a different world." 

There is so much beauty, so much peace and quiet, and so much fun to be had down the back roads that lead to the places I love so much - made even better by spending my time there with people that I love so much. As happy as I am to be back home after so much traveling, it is my favorite place to escape the nonstop hectic lifestyle in the city we currently call home.

The trees showed a hint of fall (besides the chill in the air) : the first changing leaves. 

Even though he was on crutches from a foot injury, we went for a little stroll in the woods behind my family's home.

Our Town.

This post really isn't about "my town," or anywhere I've lived. While traveling about this beautiful, timeless island, a certain quote has crossed my mind. It's a line from the play, 'Our Town,' by Thornton Wilder.
So ask yourself the following, and as frequently as possible, to remind yourself:
----------------------------------
"Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?"

"No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some.”
― Thornton Wilder, Our Town