Objects Of Communication

Orange Hearts

2012-01-23T20:43:00.000-05:00

For Eric's birthday salad, I cut the carrots into hearts.

I'll have to do that again; it was so simple!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

2012-01-22T21:48:00.001-05:00

I've organized a birthday party for Eric every year since 2008, and last night was the 5th annual get-together. For the happy occasion, I made a really fun cake*. I need to work on my cake writing skills. Writing with frosting is HARD. But even with the messy handwriting, it came out really well! Everybody seemed to like it, and when I cut it everybody said "WOW," so I must have done something right!

our friend's birthday is next weekend, so i included her name on the cake, too!

surprise! rainbow cake!

here are some action shots of making the cake

Everybody brought appetizers and drinks, and we served lasagna and salad (and cake + ice cream). I'm still stuffed. After we ate, we all played a fun game that our friend brought. We laughed until we couldn't breathe, and had so much fun. We have great friends, so getting everybody together in one place is the best.

Many thanks to our guests for making it a night to remember. And a very, very happy birthday (tomorrow) to Eric!

*If you want to make one of these cakes, here are the directions I used as a reference. I didn't follow the Weight Watcher's diet guidelines at all - I just followed the directions on the box of cake mix. Since I'm not a baker and making a cake is scary, I decided a box mix was safest (Betty knows what she's doing), but you can definitely do this with any white cake recipe if you're a confident baker. And you're not afraid of a lot of food coloring gel.

Snow, Finally!

2012-01-20T19:58:00.001-05:00

I was so happy to wake up this morning to some REAL snow. It's flurried a little this winter, but nothing that really stuck around. After work today, there was still snow on the ground. YAY!

I'm a winter girl, through and through. The blanket of white make me so happy. It's just so beautiful and quiet somehow.

Paperwhites

2012-01-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

Eric's mom gave us paperwhite bulbs. I finally got around to taking them out of the bag last week, and they're thriving in our freezing cold dining room. I put four of them in some gravel, but the last one wouldn't fit in that little terrarium so I just thought I'd see if treating it like an avocado would work. Yep. It sure did! Look at those hearty roots!

I love watching things grow. Isn't it amazing.

Shirley Temple

2012-01-17T20:39:00.001-05:00

I'm enjoying a shirley temple while I get some work done tonight.

I suggest you make your own (or have your husband make one for you):

ginger ale
a dash of grenadine
as many maraschino cherries as you want

Enjoy!

Honeymoon

2012-01-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

We went on our honeymoon in December, and we took a lot of photos. Here are the highlights!

What's the best vacation you've been on?

Saturday Silver Dollar Pancakes

2012-01-14T12:35:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, Eric's brother and his girlfriend, Sarah, sent us a beautiful assortment of homemade treats. There was a ton of stuff: rosemary spiced nuts, cranberry orange bread, steak rub, granola, caramel popcorn, and flapjack mix. There may have been more, but we already ate it so I can't remember! Why didn't we take a picture of the whole package?

This morning, we finally gave the flapjack mix a try. Eric made silver dollar pancakes, and it was the perfect way to start our weekend.

Many thanks to Drew and Sarah for the thoughtful and super yummy gifts.

Roses On A Thursday

2012-01-12T20:21:00.001-05:00

Eric brought these home for me today.

He just wanted to let me know that he's proud of all that I've been doing. Yep, he's a keeper. xo

P.S. So 2011 happened. Hello 2012!

Cupcake Stickers

2011-11-11T06:41:00.000-05:00

This week, I mailed a few birthday surprises. Lately, I've been terrible about birthdays (as in failing to get gifts for the people I love), but this reminded me how awesome they are. It's fun to choose a prize and it's also exciting to find that a gift is well-received.

I included teeny notes with the presents, and I stuck these super cool cupcake stickers to the envelopes. They really looked pretty wonderful, if I do say so myself.

{another cell phone photo}

Autumn 2011

2011-11-07T21:04:00.003-05:00

Autumn is here, for real. Halloween has come and gone (yay candy!), and now it's dark when I leave work in the evening. Thank goodness for my new key chain flashlight, since I can't see our doorknob without it!

Today was quite lovely, but we've have several cold days and a whole lotta rain. Even some snow here in Belmont (much more to the west).

How's autumn treating you?

{cell phone photo; 27 October 2011}

Two Weeks Ago

2011-10-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago, we attended Eric's 10 year high school reunion. It was a beautiful weekend, and we picked pumpkins with a few of his former classmates and went for a hike on a trail near our apartment.

road to the pumpkin patch

pumpkin parch at westward orchard in harvard, ma

autumn mushrooms in belmont, ma

dried fall flowers

Lovely, lovely fall.

Cagney

2011-09-17T08:44:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting my co-worker's dog, Cagney.

He's a funny little dog. They suit each other well.

Sunset at Vineyard Haven Yacht Club

2011-09-16T08:42:00.000-04:00

I took this picture in July. It was a perfect evening, and I watched as the sky turned from daytime blue to pink to deep blue.

I'll be visiting the Vineyard again soon, but not this weekend. Even though I wish I was there, I'm looking forward to a weekend full of apple picking and applesauce making.

Happy Friday, everybody! What are your weekend plans? If you're looking for some eye candy, check out my boards on pinterest.

A note: So sorry for the long breaks between posts. I'm still figuring out work/life balance, and I'm working on getting this blog back into the routine. I miss writing here and I miss taking pictures regularly.

Hugh

2011-07-25T21:27:00.000-04:00

Eric's grandfather, Hugh, passed away in March; on Saturday evening there was a beautiful memorial service in his honor. Several people shared stories and memories, many of which made me smile. They talked about his patience, his generosity and his intelligence, and I smiled the entire time. I'm so lucky to have know him. I will remember him fondly, and we're both so grateful that he was with us on our wedding day.

April, Eric + Hugh -- photo by Carolyn Beaudreau

Below, you'll find the thoughts Eric shared at the service.

Hugh Schwarz was a great man. He was polite, patient, humble, generous, and caring. To me he was Grandpa, and he was most of all consistent and reliable.

For my entire life he lived on the Vineyard, wore the same pair of Nantucket reds patched with duct tape, used the same set of trusty binoculars, and always kept a pocket day planner.

When I would be arriving or leaving the Vineyard, Grandpa would be sure to ask me which ferry I was taking and jot it down in that day planner. In all my years of coming and going, even as recently at this past February, he never failed to bring me to or from my chosen ferry. That little day planner was his way of telling me that I was important to him and he would be there for me.

He also had a blue bag. The blue bag was a small duffle bag that contained everything he needed to go on a boat. Charts, flares, oar locks, and keys. Grandpa would put the oar locks and keys in one end of the bag, and then zip it up so that the zipper pull was on that end. That way when he went to dig out the oar locks and keys on his next outing the zipper pull would tell him which end they were on.

Some of my favorite memories involve that blue bag. I remember being about six and driving down to the harbor to go sailing on his boat, Fox. We had to row out to the mooring, and I remember he was a very efficient rower. He had great rhythm and poise and didn’t appear to exert much effort, but Grandpa and I and the blue bag would cruise through the water.

I grew close to him in college when I spent entire summers on the Vineyard and wrote my senior thesis with his help. I had fascinating conversations with him about his career. He would mention, matter-of-factly, that he helped build a processing plant during World War II that was put on a railroad car and shipped to the Russians. I learned about his work on the Manhattan Project and the process which led to the launch of Minute Maid.

We also talked about his personal life. About his first date with Nana when he had laryngitis and couldn’t say a word. He told me about their first apartment in a basement in Brookline with an illegal electric stove that they hid in a closet when the landlord stopped by.

It was through these interactions and conversations that I learned not only had Grandpa done cutting edge engineering under incredible circumstances, but also what a great man he truly was. He was incredibly accomplished yet humble. He was the smartest person I knew, but he didn’t take himself too seriously and was always willing to help others. He also impressed me with his knowledge of current events and the latest technology.

The funny thing was that he never liked to use the latest technology, because he didn’t trust it. He preferred his old Nantucket reds, his trusty binoculars, and his pocket day planner. Those items were consistent and reliable, just like Grandpa.

And there is something remarkably comfortable about those qualities. There were things I didn’t have to worry about, because Grandpa would handle it. And things I didn’t have to know, because Grandpa would know. I can arrive on island and go back in time. I can go back to my childhood by walking over to the garage and finding that same blue bag, with the same oar locks which are always on the side with the zipper pull like they were when I was six.

That’s why is difficult for me to accept that he’s gone. Even at the age of ninety-two, I expected that Grandpa would always be there. And I had that expectation, because for my entire life he always was.

Oh Hello!

2011-07-17T18:56:00.000-04:00

I've been neglecting this little blog for far too long. I can't make any promises, but I'd like to make it back here more frequently. I miss it, and I haven't been dedicating nearly enough time to my photography hobby of late! But today I do have something to share.

I was in my hometown for the weekend, and had a wonderful visit with Sara + Audrey. I can't believe how quickly Miss Audrey's growing; since I see her so sporadically she's really different with each visit. It's pretty amazing, actually, to see how quickly babies change.

Together, they're all smiles. It's really very sweet.

Also, I've been blogging regularly at Everything Little Miss, so be sure to check there for updates! Here are some things you may have missed (that I blogged about at ELM):

Dyed Eggs

2011-04-26T22:26:00.000-04:00

We dyed 24 eggs on Saturday, and we tried marbleizing.We had sort of a rocky start, but we figured it out by the end. And now our eggs are so much more exciting!

I think that we should dye eggs more than once a year. You know the saying: A colorful fridge is a happy fridge. Okay, I just made that up, but it's totally true!

One Month Tulips

2011-04-23T11:30:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, April 19th, was one month since our wedding! Holy moly, folks. We've already been married for a month.

And how super sweet was it to come home to a vase full of these pretty orange tulips to celebrate the happy occasion? Answer: SUPER super sweet.

Government Center In The Morning

2011-03-24T21:39:00.000-04:00

Hey you guys, it's spring! And since the time change on the 13th, my mornings have looked a little different. The sun's not as high in the sky, and I have to find a new sunny spot while waiting for the bus. I love these little changes; every morning's got a little surprise waiting for me.

Yesterday, when I got off the train, I walked outside to this pretty beam of sunlight. It was brisk and bright, which was totally refreshing after a jam-packed 40 minute train ride.

How have you been enjoying the combined season and time change?

Wedding Day Hair

2011-03-23T22:12:00.000-04:00

Well, it happened! Our wedding happened. I can't really believe it, but it's true. The day was an absolute dream, and so much fun!

I loved everything about it, including my hair. My sister took this photo just before I put the veil on.

The hair dresser, Melissa, did exactly what I asked, and the style lasted all night long. It even survived my crazy dancing.

Dollar Store Poppies

2011-03-16T08:08:00.001-04:00

Hello! It's been a long time since I've written here, and I miss my blog so much. I'm getting a ride to work this morning, so I have a few minutes to spare. What great fortune!

I bought these flowers at the dollar store over the weekend. I got them for somebody in particular, but they don't know about it yet. It's a bit of a joke, and I hope they make her smile.

Anyway, they really did look quite lovely in the sunlight the other day. Goodness, orange is beautiful. That's all I'm sayin'.

Glittering Sunlight

2011-02-07T22:09:00.000-05:00

For the past nine years, February 7th has been an emotional day for me, and it has become a day of reflection.

I took this photo from the bus stop on the corner of 34th & Lexington in Manhattan, when I was there for work last week. The way the sun lit up the street and took center stage in the hustle and bustle was a little bit magical. That last part is why I'm including this photo in this post; it felt like somebody, somewhere, added a little glitter to the sun, just for me. If that's true, I know exactly who it was.

When I left for work this morning, the sun was again sparkling + shining brightly, so I took my cue from Mother Nature and smiled. Today was definitely a happy day, one filled with fond memories and lots of gratitude.

One Month Later

2011-01-30T19:35:00.001-05:00

We visited with Sara + Marcel again yesterday, and we got to see Audrey exactly one month after we first met her (I wrote about it here and here).

This time I held her for a long time, and she's just so cute!

She slept most of the time we were there, but Eric held her while she was wide awake.

Look! Isn't that just the sweetest? They're a real little family, and they're all getting comfortable with each other.

Unfortunately I didn't get a good one of Sara holding her, but she was happiest in her mama's arms.

We're thinking we should have a standing date on the 29th of every month. :)

The Big Room

2011-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

When we were at MoCA, we also saw the new exhibit in what I like to call "the big room." I love that room. I don't like the exhibit, but the room takes my breath away every time - no matter what's on display.

Pretty cool, huh? It's just enormous.

Sol LeWitt Exhibit at MASS MoCA

2011-01-23T22:01:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, we checked out the Sol LeWitt exhibit at MASS MoCA. We saw it when the exhibit was first installed, but we wanted to take another peek.

It was just as impressive the second time.

Audrey Ann-Marie

2010-12-29T21:37:00.001-05:00

Right about now, you should be so jealous of us. We just had the pleasure of meeting Sara + Marcel's new daughter, Audrey! She was born yesterday at 5:30pm, and good grief is she darling.

Sara + Marcel are parents (something I can't even imagine), and they look amazed and happy and wonderful. We're so very happy for them and their brand new family. xoxo