A bite of the apple...

I have a bit of a problem with this post. You see I usually post a few images that show the world as I see it every day. A bit of whimsy, beauty, folly, you name it but there is only a little bit for you to name. However, some days I go places that provide me with a wealth of beauty and I find it really hard to cherry pick a handful of glimpses for you. Today is sure one of those times. I have been whittling the list down for three days now. I think I have distilled them to the essence of the day but trust me it was really difficult. If you wonder where we were, just check the boy’s hat. July 30th

Margaritaville...

In a summer filled with family excursions and kid flavored entertainment, the offer of a Moms’ night out at a friend’s house was a pleasant surprise. What a lovely woman to offer her friends a night of laughter, good food and a little libation. It was a blast. We all had such a good time. The first images are from the beginning of the party. The ‘slightly’ out of focus ones of the food were taken after one very weak margarita. Now you see why I drink tea. LOL July 29th

Pub crawl...

It has been a few years since high school but I have been lucky enough to keep some of the best things from that time, my friends. It is so much fun to watch as we all move through life. My closest high school friends are all still back home, 2500 miles away, but every once in a while we have a chance to get together. This time Anna’s work brought her my way and we got to meet for hugs, and conversations, and food! It was such a great time. I never laugh as hard as when I am with any of those guys and I miss them when they aren’t near. I loved catching up and sharing sweet potato fries. That is iced tea again, I know boring. I had to drive home! Oh, and if you are single and looking for men they apparently all hang out at the pubs in White Plains, NY. We had to keep sidestepping them all night. This has been a public service announcement from a friend. July 28th

Jewelry box...

I love this little place. I was there too late and they had already closed so all I could do was stare through the glass. There was a lot to see but it is much more fun walking through the closely set aisles overflowing with sparkly, shiny, silky things. Until the next time, I will have to settle for window-shopping… July 27th

Chomp-a-saurus...

New York City and the Museum of Natural History and we were there! Truth be told, we love to go there often but lately haven’t been able to make the time but today we went. Lead by a 9-year-old with the map and a crazed desire to see everything in the 5 hours that we had before closing time. The race was on! We saw the Frog exhibit, the Brain exhibit, and so much more, and then we ended up here surrounded by bones. Big bones! Ever see Night at the Museum? We were there during the day so he refused to play fetch. July 26th

Candy land...

Rainbow swirls of pure sugar and childhood dreams. So many colors all swirled into one it makes the mind boggle. This is my kind of candy display and you know I wasn’t walking by without taking some photos. I just love the nutrition information label on the wrapper. Seriously, is there any thing nutritious to talk about here? This is all about glazed eyes and sugar highs! Too sweet… July 25th

Bluing up...

It isn’t always something big and splashy that catches my eye. Sometimes it is the subtleties that make for the most compelling images. Nothing startling in this day’s sky just a peaceful palette of blues and grays, highlighted with a touch of blush; the whisper of loveliness in a late afternoon canopy. July 24th

Sugar avalanche...

Yes, yes that lollipop wrapper does say equals 13 lollipops. Those are giant marshmallows too! And they are PINK! Can you even imagine a 9-year-old boy after he had one of those sugar bombs? OK, we did try to make s’mores with the big marshmallows last year and it was overly delicious. Too much gooey joy even for me, and that is saying something. July 23rd

Other people’s gardens, part 5, outrageous produce...

It is a well-known fact, well… known to my friends and those of you who have wondered through my ramblings here, that I am obsessed with beautiful gardens. We are lucky enough to have wonderful friends in upstate NY that have an amazing home garden. They are also kind enough to let us sample some of the bounty when we are visiting! It all tastes so fresh. My son is snacking more than he is harvesting most visits. It doesn’t hurt that this garden’s home is Chateau LaFayette Reneau Winery. Trust me, they know how to grow great things there. July 22nd

Submersibles...

Patterns always catch my eye and random patterns in nature are so stunning. The seaweed and lake stones hiding under the water were creating such beautiful images that shimmered with life. It was lovely to look at from above. July 21st

Layers of beauty...

Ah beauty, what do you find beautiful? This day’s post features two of nature’s wonders: a beautiful painted sky at sunset and a home of distinction built by insect instinct. I wish I was a little braver and could have gotten a little closer so you could see how the nest looked like it was formed from strips of antique lace. The designs woven into that cone shaped hive were truly lovely to see… from a distance. I also wish I had my tripod because I was zoomed all in and trying to hold as still as possible. They had no interest in me and I knew it but I still wanted to stay under their radar. OK, fine, National Geographic isn’t going to send me on any jungle expeditions any time soon. (Dear National Geographic. I will get over any fears I may have if you would like to send me on a jungle expedition in the near future.)

The sunset was all cotton candy pink and grape slushy purple. I can never resist a sky like that and over water too. It is always a gift to the senses. July 20th

The birds...

The temperature was in the three-digit range and my son was cooling off in the lake when a few friends decided to drop in for an afternoon snack. The duck bread was appreciated but also too much of a temptation for the upstairs neighbors. Once they crashed the party the ducks found another place to chill out. I felt a little like Tippi Hedren. July 19th