Lingering Season

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. - John Boswell

One of the joys of winter is our impromptu adventures in the woods on a good, snowy day and we've had many of them this past winter.  

My husband, always the trooper for a photo shoot tells me that this was his fondest memory last season. 

 Fashion driven.  Girlfriend, Allison's request for me to breakdown my outfit inspired me to post this today. (Happy shopping Ally!)

 Abercrombie herringbone jacket, JCrew denim chambray shirt, JCrew belt, Hard Tail leggings from Bivouac, Madewell riding boots, and knitted knee high socks (brand/store origin unknown ;)

Although I'm happy that spring has sprung, I will miss the cozy days of winter. So don't mind if I post a little more snow here and there. xoxo

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.

- Celia Thaxter

You could say I've been on a summer hiatus.  June, July and August have taken me (and my darling husband) across the country and across the ocean to be with my dearest friends and families.  I have so many adventures to share with you so I hope you'll stay tuned, and I will try my best to slowly but surely begin...   

Provence

 with Lillian and Sarah

 New York City

 with Sydney and Izzy

 Chicago

 Ally

 San Diego

 with Ting-Ting and Kat

 Chicago

Jack and Sophie

 Ann Arbor

 Lavender Hill

For now, we are enjoying being home.  Nesting at our beloved Lavender Hill.  I hope summer (not to mention, spring!) has brought you abundant joy. Embraces- M

In Between Days

Six months later... Remember the times I said, I would write more, share more, do more? I've shared the past six months with some of you (albeit briefly over the phone or mail) and I've definitely done so much more than I thought I would, but sadly I have not written to you here until today. How are you? Are you enjoying springtime? I'm doing well and spring has brought pretty colors and sweet scents here in Lavender Hill.

We just celebrated my husband's birthday and will soon welcome mine. So here I am reminiscing about last year; thinking about this year and the days in between.

last year's birthday date

celebrated with my bob, ameet and ally

proud and happy moment

patrick's graduation

msu nurse anesthesia class of 2011

celebrated mother's day

celebrated angie's happy 30th birthday!

celebrated life and love with melissa & david

my old (and first) digital camera finally died

believe it or not, this was the little gadget used to take all the pictures on this blog

it's been replaced by a canon, love it!

one of the many sweet holiday displays

at the drake hotel in chicago

adorable advent calendar which i filled with assorted chocolates

merry christmas

mistletoe

holiday baked goods:

almond biscottis

mocha log cakes

almond and pistachio nougat

2011 christmas tree

bob and i and a pixie

nico et belle

me and kuya dohn

niece sophie and nephew jack

on christmas eve at lolo & lola's home

a cute moment on christmas morning.

my husband discovered his childhood toys

in his old bedroom and began to play with them

new year's sunny day

homemade doughnuts. delightful!

updated french specs in saint james ne de la mer

winter's light snow fall on lavender hill

a drive by the river and the woods
meet my new cutie-pie: ben-the-fiat

(we had to say goodbye to bertha-the-rover)

cooked my first paella

baked my first tarte tatin

one of many thoughtful greetings and treats

i received while i was off recuperating...

nested here for two weeks

recycled anthropologie catalog...

...new book cover for my bible

surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and i will dwell in the house of the lord forever.
psalm 23:6

Red House Cafe

This was a lovely cafe with a B & B feel. The food was oh so yummy. French jazz music played. What a perfect moment paired with the company of my girlfriends. Gorgeous Izzy below, oh so French!