Oh Hello!

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):

• a few wedding photos
• Eric's graduation
• our big move

The Big Room

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

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. 

Games

I really like this picture of Eric + Max.

I took it when we visited North Adams at the beginning of October. Max was teaching Eric how to play one of his new games. Looks like fun, doesn't it?

*Today's inspiration post is about Greek Mythology, if you're interested!

Inside MASS MoCA, Looking Out

Last Thursday I delivered some ELM cards to MASS MoCA (read about that story right here!). While I was there, I spent some time in the museum.

I took this picture from the third floor. Look at how beautiful my hometown is! Mountains, gold, and steeples in the background, and a fiery red maple right up close. I love this picture. It's a keeper. 

DHS Marching Band

On October 3rd, Max was in the North Adams Fall Foliage parade. It was a perfect day for a parade: sunny and warm! The leaves had even started turning (just barely), which is always a little iffy since it's so early in the season.

Max looked great in his uniform, and even gave me a little smirk as he marched on by. Gotta love that kid.

Happy weekend! Enjoy it. :)

P.S. I've been posting pretty regularly over on the Everything Little Miss blog (about more than just products, of course), so you may want to hop on over and take a little look-see! This week I shared a little peek of my new work space.

Mount Greylock

On the 2nd, while we were in North Adams, we drove to the top of Mount Greylock with my sister and brother. It was Eric's first time to the top, and it was the most gorgeous day for the trip!

Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, and there's a beautiful view from the top. I'm still thinking about it more than a week later!

Farmer's Market

The dog parade setup was in the same parking lot as the weekly Farmer's Market, so my mom and I scoped it out and picked up my parents' CSA. 

The colors of fall are so pretty - even in the food! And aren't those teeny tiny potatoes hilarious? 

Shark + Bat

Over the weekend, Eric and I went to North Adams to visit my family. On Saturday morning, my mom and I happened upon a large group of dogs in costume. We had no idea it was going on, but we had to stop so I could get a few pictures. It wasn't easy, since all of the dogs were running around greeting each other!

I took this picture while they were waiting for a little Dog Parade to start. If I'd known, I would have dressed our dog in his superhero cape and entered him in the parade, too!

P.S. I love that animals are dressed up as different animals.

P.P.S. I also love that the bat is totally wearing a sweater. 

Store Closing + Watching Fireworks

It's been a whole week since I last posted, because I have been helping my mom. On June 30, she closed her store in downtown North Adams. It has been really hard work. Everything that wasn't sold in the going-out-of-business sale had to be moved. To our dining room and front porch. And from there to a suitable place for either usage or storage. This includes everything from merchandise to shelving units.

The final days in the store were really sad. For 13 years, my mom worked to create beautiful shop. It was unnerving to see it gutted as we hauled garbage bag after garbage bag to the dumpster and box after box to the car. It will take some serious time to sort through everything we brought home, but the past few days we've made major progress. It's been a challenge, both physically and emotionally, but now it's time for a new chapter. I'm looking forward to what comes next, and I think my mom is too.

I'm happy that my jobs are flexible enough to allow me to be here to help. It's been great to spend time with my family, and I've even been able to relax a bit between the organizing and heavy lifting. On Sunday night I went to watch the North Adams fireworks with my dad. The last time I saw them here was 2005, and they are just as awesome as I remember. 1) We pretty much sit right where they shoot them from (ash falls on our heads), so we have a perfect view and full sound effects. 2) North Adams is in a valley, so the sound effects I mentioned are really like 3 times more awesome than you're thinking because the sound bounces off the mountains on all sides. I don't just like to see and hear fireworks, I like to feel them. And in North Adams, we do. I took the above picture as fireworks exploded overhead, illuminating the crowd in red light for just a moment.

I will share pictures of the fireworks soonish. How did you celebrate America's 234th birthday?

Almost Sunset

I took this picture on Saturday from the end of our road in North Adams. One of the great things about living on a hill is the view.

It's so nice to see the mountains! They're small mountains, especially compared to those out west, but they're home to me. They change color depending on the time of day or time of year; you can't tell me that's not cool!

December Blizzard

The blizzard started late Saturday night. The snow was really coming down, and by noon on Sunday there was at least a foot. ♥

Eric braved the storm so that I could come home for the holiday week -- he drives me halfway and then my parents (this time it was my sister) meet me and bring me the rest of the way home.

It was slow going at first, but we made it. In fact, the mess on the roads only added about 20 minutes to our trip (but it felt like an extra hour or two). The farther west we headed, the better the roads got. At the halfway point, there was no sign of a blizzard at all.

I took the pictures from the car.

Luckily, there was already some snow on the ground in North Adams, so I'll still have a white (with a few patches of grass) Christmas.

Little Devil

I'm getting excited! Halloween is just around the corner. Somebody give me a bag full of candy!

Speaking of Halloween, when I was in North Adams, my mom and I found a doggy devil costume at Good Will for like $3. You know we couldn't resist!

As soon as we got home I squeezed Z into it. It was a little snug, but totally awesome. He's a wiggly little guy, so it was hard to get a photo.

Isn't he funny?

Today's Lost In Thoughts is all about Halloween, so make sure to check it out and tell me about your Halloween traditions!

A Miniature

When I was little, I was dragged to visited The Clark Art in Williamstown more times than I can count. While I didn't always enjoy the museum, I did love the sculpture of the ballerina - Degas' Little Dancer - that sits in the center of one of the galleries; seeing it was always the high point of field trips. The original was wax, but there were 74 cast in bronze [source]; it's one of the bronzes that I've grown to appreciate.

My family has a miniature replica that sits on a windowsill in the dining room.

I took this picture while I was home a few weeks ago. The lighting was just right.

*New holiday cards in my Etsy shop. Crane mobiles too!

Just For Laughs

When I was home visiting my parents and my brother, we found some weird glasses. I can't quite remember where they came from, but I think they'd been in the lost and found pile at my dad's office for a long time. We took them home and Max put them on.

He looked hilarious. This picture is cracking me up! I am laughing out loud as I type (for real). I'm thinking about how much we were laughing during our little photo shoot; we had such a great time. He somehow manages to look charming in spite of the huge specks, but he looks incredibly silly at the same time.

*New holiday or anytime cards at Everything Little Miss: Peace Cranes. Check out the site and the shop.

Good Night

It's late. I should get to bed. Before I head to slumber land, here's a picture of a cucumber from my mom's garden.

Sweet dreams (of veggies).

Away For A Week

I spent last week in North Adams with my parents and brother. I always work from home, so I was able to stick pretty close to my normal routine. Since my parents were working and my brother was at school, I didn't even miss out on family time. We spent time together after work, and I ate a lot of yummy food.

One of the great things about working from my parents' house was the abundance of natural lighting. These bells were just begging to have their picture taken. Look at the rich hues.

But now I'm back in Boston! Today it was nice to work at my regular desk with all of my accessories right where they belong. But do you know what I missed more than my pencil holder and stapler? Eric. He's here, right where he belongs, too. Being home for a week was good for my soul, but it sure is good to be back.

Fairy Tale Setting

I've enjoyed working from my parents' house this week. I set myself up at the dining room table, right next to the bay window that looks out over the back yard. I love looking out the window and seeing trees (instead of a parking lot or more apartments). It feels extra relaxing.

I took this picture on Tuesday afternoon while I was wandering around our yard, just experiencing autumn. With the sun shining through the trees like that, I felt like I was in a fairy tale drawing.

Have a great weekend, everybody. I'm heading back to Boston on Sunday.

*Did you check out this week's Lost In Thoughts?

Hairpin Turn

The ride to North Adams from Greenfield on Sunday afternoon was just beautiful. The leaves are all changing colors, and I completely understand why some people drive all the way to New England in the fall just to check them out.

We got out of the car at the hairpin just to enjoy the view. Goodness. Pretty, right?

An Afternoon In Greenfield, MA

When we left Plymouth, VT on Sunday, we headed to Greenfield, MA. From there, Eric headed back to Boston and I spent the afternoon in Greenfield, MA with my dad. We walked around the town and had bite at The People's Pint (which was awesome; I highly recommend this place). I had a homemade raspberry-lime soda. Can you say delicious?

We saw a really, really small cafe. It was closed, so we didn't get to try it out. I don't know that we could both fit in it! Look at it compared to the car parked outside. Haha.

At 2-ish we headed over to Hope & Olive for a small party that my dad was invited to. I tagged along and spoke with some very nice folks. There were some hors d'oeuvres and one lady brought yummy chocolate mocha cupcakes. I generally don't like chocolate, coffee, or cake, so that's how good they were.

It was beautiful day, and I had a great time with my dad. After that we drove to North Adams; I'm working from home allllll week!