dolce far niente

My little dog..

"...a heartbeat at my feet"

                -Edith Wharton

10.31.11

Spiced Cider

you are going to love this festive fall drink with a twist...
 this recipe was given to our family by a dear friend
and we have been passing it along ever since.

Take a look.. 

Spiced Cider
 - orange slices

- cinnamon sticks

 - apple cider

- spiced rum

Combine apple cider, orange slices & cinnamon 
sticks into saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat until hot. 
Remove from heat & pour into mugs.
Top each drink off with spiced rum &
garnish with an orange slice.

 enjoy with your favorite magazine..

..or your favorite friend ♥

this recipe is sweet and simple. four ingredients & no measurements.. here's to less labor and 

a lot more flavor. or, if you prefer a more intense pallet, may I suggest a dash of nutmeg, 

a swirl of caramel or a dollop of whipped cream :)

 

the only thing left to do now is

Cheers!

an Apple & a Day

What would a New England Fall be without the tradition of picking your own apples? Well, as fun as apple picking has always been for me, my memories unfortunately also include crowds of people, long lines, and even longer walks to the apple orchards (anyone, anyone?) All in all, not a fun place for a mother to take her one year old. So, I decided to start a new family tradition this year. First, I took a chance and waited until apple season was almost over. (fingers crossed) Second, I found a great place with an easy walk to the orchards. (Phew!) Lastly, I went during the week. (this pretty much was a crowd-free guarantee) I'm happy to report that it was a sweet success, folks ;) My visit was fun & stress-free and as you can see below, Leo enjoyed himself as well. He picked his very first apple when we got there, carried it around the rest of the trip and every so often took a bite out of it. And in between bites I took photographs.. lots of photographs. Nature, light and of course my little Leo is what inspires me. I like to get outside with the earth and all of its elements and get a little dirty as I watch him explore.. and this photo session was no different. These are some of my favorite & most nostalgic photographs.. so much so that it was hard to narrow it down to these dozen or so. Here is a look at Leo's first apple picking trip...

Shelburne Farms, Stow MA

______________________________________

At the end of our trip, we made sure to stop in and grab a gallon of fresh apple cider.. This, my friends, is the feature of my savory adult-friendly drink :) So, stay tuned for the recipe to this Fall classic!

This is...

THRILLER

______________________________________

Munroe Cemetery, Lexington

pssst...

"We are all here for a spell -

Get all the laughs you can."
                                             _Will Rogers

simple. little. pleasures.

- L.M. Montgomery

HomeSpun

"Where Thou art - that - is Home" _Emily Dickinson

Pick of the Patch

Happy Harvest

{BE}

Love..

..is in the autumn air ♥..

September Days

Fall Firsts

 a salute to Summer..

& a crisp, cool welcome to Fall and all is has to offer..

 May every changing leaf bring a colorful new beginning.. a new start.. 

a new you..

Happy Birthday

to my handsome husband.. xox

I get by..

Camera Shy?

not a bit

Explore..

You Could Be..

Swingin' on a Star

Celebrate..

What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted?

"they buy shoes"

                    - Mimi Pond

**Prada Pumps, Courtesy of Marsha

Babies..

The Light of Life

"If G/d created shadows it was to better emphasize the light" _Pope John XXIII

Make Way

Beyond the Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea

Somewhere waiting for me

My lover stands on golden sands

And watches the ships that go sailin'

Somewhere beyond the sea

She's there watching for me

If I could fly like birds on high

Then straight to her arms

I'd go sailin'

It's far beyond the stars

It's near beyond the moon

I know beyond a doubt

My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailin'

I know beyond a doubt

My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet (I know we'll meet) beyond the shore

We'll kiss just as before

Happy we'll be beyond the sea

And never again I'll go sailin'

BOBBY DARIN

Over the Rainbow

May your rainbow be certain to follow each rain

Poor little puppy

...paws and get some rest

We all have those days.. the ones that make it difficult to get out of bed.. to start a day that seems already full of too many things to do.. maybe you've had your feelings hurt, or your bike stolen.. maybe the reason isn't quite clear.. or maybe it's a much, much more unbearable ache. Grief comes in its own way for everyone and on its own time.. the best we can do is feel it when it comes.. and let it go when we can. No matter how big or small the pain, be free to feel it.. be free to just be.. in the arms of a loved one, or with your head in your hands. Take one day, one step and one breath at a time.. and know that for each tear and raindrop that fall, there is a smile and a sunny day to follow...

There's no place..

...like HOPE

Live Out Loud

"If you asked me what I came into this world to do,

I will tell you -- I came to live out loud!"

                           - Émile Zola

You'll never know, if you don't grow..

I've taken a break from writing to spend most of my time outdoors enjoying the fresh (although sometimes stifling) air, watching Leo explore the world around him. He has recently gone from a quick crawl to a sturdy skip, just in time to enjoy the rest of the summer. He's grown so independent that it is heartwarming to watch the boy he's becoming, yet heartbreaking to see the baby he was be so quickly left behind. He is flourishing into a young boy with so much energy and enthusiasm.. I can barely catch my breath. But recently an impromptu photo session has sparked my passion for photography once again, and reminded me just how wonderful the weight of the camera feels in my hands. And what I created has inspired me to share...

When Leo gets older, I will be able to share with him the story of our first garden, not only through my words but through my photographs. It's hard to imagine that the tiny seeds we planted a few short months ago have quickly grown into an array of tomatoes and fresh herbs.

With unseasoned hands, we began our maiden journey into gardening and it soon sprouted (pun intended) into a family project. Everyday, Leo excitedly joined me in nurturing our plants, careful not to touch the vines or the tiny tomatoes strung from them. No, instead he would gather the soil into the watering can and prepare something much better; mud. Until a few days ago during our daily routine my hopeful inexperience spotted our very first bright red tomato. I was overcome with excitement. Alas! Our efforts had been successful. I breathed it all in.. the sun, the rock wall, the vintage watering can, the timeless linen overalls Leo dawned.. and then of course, my garden and my son.. so organic.. so rich.. so full of life. The similarities struck me.. They have both, with the efforts of my husband and I, grown and thrived. My inspiration was sweet and clear, and it was then that I reached for my camera and watched as a series of moments unfolded, thrilled with the practice of preserving them through my lens.

Strange, how sometimes certain aspects of my life will blossom as I pursue a new adventure.. while other parts seem to get left behind.. twinkling in and out of shadows of artistry. In fact, in the spirit of sharing.. my writing and photography hadn't so much taken a break as my creativity for them had.. but my challenge has always been to find that balance.. be unreachable as it may. I suppose that is part of life.. part of our plan. We are constantly changing.. constantly growing.. from girls into young women and babies into young boys.. and somehow.. by embracing this uncertainty, is where you truly find your harmony.. your divine harmony.

Embrace..

..your independence