Feeling Crabby in Maryland

While at a friend's wedding in Maryland, I experienced my first crab feast. It was pretty awesome.

Meredith experienced her first oyster.

Seafood delights abound.

Automatic Timer

We had horrible luck using the automatic time to make some memories in the forest outside my grandparents house. Here's my favorite of the unsuccessful bunch.

Double Birthday Dinner

I was in charge of setting the table, and got to use my great grandmother's china.


My grandpa's dinner plan demonstrates that my love of list-making must be genetic. (Also please note dinner's scheduled start time.)


Some pretty cool cards


I carried, but did not bake, this cake. It's a good thing I didn't bake it, because the experimental graham cracker chocolate combination proved highly controversial.

Cabin Modality

We spent part of vacation at my family's cabin on the Umpqua River.


Cabin modality equals sitting on the deck, reading, sitting around the fire, watching old VHS movies at night, sitting on the dock, and of course, ideal swimming conditions. Cameras are easily forgotten, but I did manage to snap a few gems that capture fun on the Umpqua.


I call this one, "Waterhorse Legend of the Deep."

Dream Vacation Home

Routine Maintenance

The Siuslaw River that runs through Florence, OR (where my grandparents live) was being dredged this summer. We got quite a view while hanging out at Mo's for an early dinner one night. It's a pretty boring chore that has to be done every few years, but so refreshingly different from the landscape of New York.

For Posterity

Meredith takes a picture of Laura, taking a picture of me and my dad.

Well, That Was Nice

I've really let things lapse since returning from my Oregon vacation, and I apologize to my handful of readers. Being out West was truly a great break from the real world, not to mention a break from NYC's unrelenting heat wave. Some highlights included ocean, forest, river, gray skies, clam chowder, swimming, s'mores, antiques, smoked salmon, family history, and this magical path to the lighthouse.

More memories to follow...

Vacation/Out of the Blogosphere

Oregon until August 10th

Oh The Places She'll Go

Today Sprout and I will journey from this:

To this:

Leafpeeping

Vermont Memories, #5

This view helped us all get in touch with our inner leafpeeper.

Country Dog Kerchief

Vermont Memories, #4



I remembered last year I visited Vermont right in the middle of hunting season, and that the dogs had to wear brightly colored scraps tied on their collars when we went on walks in the woods so that hunters knew not to shoot should they see them rustling in the bushes. I figured they might like something a little more fashionable this year, and enlisted Meredith's help in a craft project. She whipped up a couple of apple-patterned kerchiefs for little miss Sprout and our host dog Peanut. The only thing Sprout enjoyed more than wearing her new fall accessory was rolling in horse poop, so the kerchief only made it through the first day.

A Little to the Left

Vermont Memories, #3
I mentioned in my last post that Marina had recently moved into an apartment downtown, which meant that one of the activities during my visit was helping settle into the new place. We carried some shelves back from Marina's mom's house, looked for treasures in an amazing little antique store, and hung some art. Here are some favorite little corners of her new room: some great kid art depicting Peanut, comfy couch and blankets, and a little art nook.

The Strizzle

Vermont Memories, #2



When I visited Marina in Vermont last fall, she was just getting ready to move into a converted airstream trailer, and we spent some time searching for a good wood stove to keep her toasty in the winter. This year, she had just moved out of "The Strizzle" and back into a downtown Montpelier apartment. We still spent a good deal of time at The Strizzle, doing some chores and letting the dogs sniff horse poop and run off leash. I am so impressed that Marina was able to live here for a whole year-- no kitchen, no plumbing, no electricity-- but it does have quite a beautiful view. I think my best friend is really tough and brave.

One Room Schoolhouse

Vermont Memories, #1


While visiting Vermont last week, I offhandedly mentioned to Marina my fascination with one room schoolhouses. "Oh," she said casually, "I've go somewhere to show you then." Sure enough, tucked in the woods along a country road-- the most beautiful one room schoolhouse I've ever encountered. It's perfectly preserved complete with old desks, chalkboards and wood stove. We could only peek the through the windows, but it was enchanting.

New Post About New Things

1. New blog: Pierogi Tour 2009 (aka, Meng & Amar's travel adventures). Gotta love a blog whose title is a vague Gossip Girl reference.

2. New song to share: "True or False" by Bishop Allen


3. New hobby: Embroidery. This is only day three, and I only know two stitches so far (split and stem) but I think I'm coming along just fine.

Escape

It's hard to get motivated for one's day when it entails dragging heavy bags from Brooklyn to the Lower East Side to the Upper West Side and back again. In the rain. I might as well suck it up though, tomorrow Sprout and I head out of town for the weekend. Destination: