Four years ago, our friends stayed with us while their house was being remodeled. During their stay, my husband surprised everyone by making this yummy and fun seafood boil. Since then, everyone has been asking him when he would do it again. This summer he did!
Summer Seafood Boil
Making beautiful, sweet memories
My daughter, Katie, and I have have been wanting to take a cake decorating class for the last few years. This week, she started her summer break from school, and we thought it was a good time to find a class. We looked on Groupon for some options, but then we thought, “what the heck, we can just teach ourselves!”
Tomorrow is Dancing!
When I first met this week’s guest blogger, I was a 19-year-old girl from a Southern California beach town; while she was, as I perceived it, a sophisticated woman living in Manhattan. She could have easily been intimidating, especially because I was dating her first-born son. But, she was anything but.
From day one, Judy has welcomed me with open arms. Since then, she has always listened to me, and has given me sound, measured advice only when I ask for it. She has set the most amazing example of how to be an incredible mother-in-law and grandmother; and she has shown by example how to grow older with grace and incredible stamina. Judy once told me “the 50s are great!” And she was so right – they really are such a wonderful time in my life. Now she says, “oh no, the 80s are the best!”
It’s funny … this thing called life.
It’s funny … this thing called life. I’ve had the past few weeks off of work; and while I’ve been busy checking things off my “to do” list that sometimes get forgotten or ignored, I’ve also had some time to reflect and observe. And it’s brought some interesting (and probably random) things to mind.
Over the course of the day, we can observe so many interesting scenarios. Life moments. A mom at the bank, trying to deal with her bickering middle school age children. The sweet couple walking down my street with their tiny baby in a carriage … it’s all so new and exciting, but they’re perhaps a little shell-shocked (or maybe just sleep deprived). Being out to dinner and seeing the crazy toddler run by with one of the parents in hot pursuit.
The Power of Family
When I first met my best friend, Carrie, in our very early teens, I was struck by so many things. For starters, she wore make-up, always accessorized her outfits (which she designed and made herself) perfectly and she wore nail polish … all things that, as an eclectic beach girl, I did not do.
When I met her family, I was in love. Her mom was so poised, beautiful and warm, and she welcomed me with open arms. I instantly became one of the daughters (she had two more and a son). I adored her and she truly was family … my kids even called her grandma. Sadly, Carrie’s mom passed away a few years ago, but she left an amazing legacy of family and inclusiveness.
Carrie has an extensive family, from which love overflows! And the support that they give each other is so genuine and infectious. I am grateful not only to call Carrie my friend, but also to consider her family my family … they completely changed who I became in my life. And today, we are closer than ever, so … 42 years to infinity.
Parenting & Grandparenting: A Conversation with Stephen Nichols
Stephen Nichols and I have known each other for more than 30 years, and I’ve always known that he’s an amazing father; but watching him become an amazing grandpa has been so much fun. Before our Summer break, I asked him to sit down with me to discuss parenting and grandparenting. Hope you enjoy our chat!
The Endless Possibilities of Love
Love and romance are interesting subjects, especially as we get older. When I was young (all of 19), I met my husband when a friend of a friend, who was visiting for a weekend from school in Chicago, brought him to see a play that I was in. What are the odds we would meet, fall in love at first sight and still be crazy about each other 35 years later?