It's a Girl!!!

This morning we finally found out that Ashlee and Sean are having a girl! My vote for the wee one's name is Ariel Sirena, since Sean likes the name Airy and Ashlee is obsessed with mermaids. Whatever they decide will be a-okay with me. I get to add another niece to the bunch!! Super excited for August to arrive so I get to meet the little lady in person.

 

Still Life - Late '80s Style

Autumn sent me this drawing that she did in her 8th grade art class. It's a still life of a hairspray bottle. The 1980s was nothing if not all about hairspray for those great big hairdo's.

Wisdom via Melissa

In going through dozens of old shoeboxes filled with old letters and photographs, I found a scrap of paper from December 22, 2008. Melissa said it, however, I'm not sure if it's an original statement or if she was relaying something she read somewhere. I really like it and I'm posting it here so I can throw out the paper. In the recycling bin, of course.

We can't see air, therefore we believe it to be nothing. Fish can't see the water, therefore they conceive it to be nothing, but when we are taken into the water, we recognise it to be something and the fish, when taken into the air realise that water is the essence of its life. 

April 16, 2008

I can't believe it's been seven years since Marina asked me to act as an extra chaperone for the class trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum. Marina was a high school Spanish teacher at the time and we went to specifically see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. It was absolutely spectacular. Every painting blew me away, especially The Two Fridas. The kids were pretty well behaved and seemed to have a good time. Particularly they loved trying on the fake moustaches that were sold in the gift shop.

  

Sweet Miss Evangeline

Here are the best shots of Evie from last Sunday's photo session with Kat and her wee one. Evie's such a little dollface and so easy to photograph.

Conversation Pits

I boldly admit to loving the 1970s. The music, the fashion, and the interior design. Few people agree with me, though. I especially love the use of conversation pits in 1970s homes and think they are something that needs to make it's way back in to popular culture. Talking with friends face to face is way better than sitting next to one another watching a movie in utter silence. Bring back the pit, I say!!

 

 

 

 

Looking to Return

I'm thinking of visiting Italy once more next March as an early 40th bday gift to myself. I am not pleased to be approaching this age, but I feel that walking the beach in Positano should help to put things in perspective. Hopefully. It is thee most remarkably beautiful place I have ever been and I miss it dreadfully.

The Pirate Ship of Antwerp!

While watching Erik Van Looy's De Zaak Alzheimer I noticed in the scene that took place at the playground, there was a cool half sunk pirate ship. Since I love playgrounds, I Googled it and tried to see where it was exactly, but came up empty. It's clearly somewhere on the Left Bank (Linkeroever) and I was SO happy when I found it during this past trip I took. Sadly, there was no one to turn to and say, "OHMIGOD!!! This the playground from De Zaak!!" But here it is for y'all to see, Erik's version and then mine. The original ship was super piratey (which I like best) whereas the one I shot is more Viking. Still pretty cool, especially if you are a kid (like me).

It's so FLUFFY!!!!!

Oh my God and baby Jesus, have y'all seen these adorable cows on the 'net??? Have you!? The Princess posted a pic on her Instagram account, urging her clients to come on into her salon to get the full beauty treatment these cows received. Apparently these cuties are regular cows that have been shampooed, conditioned and blown dry to perfection. I just wanna hug 'em and squeeze 'em cause they look like giant stuffed animals - only REAL! Sadly, my condo association doesn't allow pets...maybe it's time to move.

Happy Bday, Lady Miss Kay!!

Can't believe this girl is fifteen today. Here's a pic she sent me that her mom took just before last week's Spring Fling dance. What a beauty. I'm crazy grateful to have so many fabulous people in my life, with Kay definitely at the top.

Sunday with the Gals

I spend yesterday morning and afternoon with Kat and Evie (and lil' Abi in utero) in Historic Smithville where we wandered the trails and took tons of pictures. Then it was breaking the speeding laws on the NJ Turnpike and heading up to Exit 10 to meet Amy for some fabulous Indian food at Akbar. It was go-go-go all day but completely worth it!

 

 

 

 

James Baldwin

Little Z had to do a report for school on James Baldwin and the result was too cute not to blog about:

 

Celeb Flashback - 1987

 

Doc Martin

I had seen that this series was available to stream through Netflix, but judging from the cover, I assumed it was some sort of police or detective drama and dismissed it (Yes, I realise that it has the word "Doc" in the title but I assumed that he was perhaps a forensics specialists with a bunch of cops in a dark basement of a police station.) Then while in Antwerp, I caught Martin Clunes, who I knew from Saving Grace, on a brilliant episode of The Jonathan Ross Show (really great ep, by the way, with Sigourney Weaver and Tracey Emin, who I had previously not heard of, but am now fascinated by her artwork). Anyway, Clunes was super dooper charming and so last week I started watching Doc Martin. So far I am loving it! My obsession with TV shows, both classic and current, shows no signs of stopping.

(photo kidnapped from pinterest)

The Doorways of Antwerp

 

 

 

 

 

Penn Treaty Park

This Saturday Jaeden and I are gettin' together again! We had such fun back in November, just driving around the neighbourhood and snapping photos. Here's what came of the stop at Penn Treaty Park.