Snow, Finally

Last week, we finally got some snow here in Boston. 

The snow was followed by rain. Gross. So now it's almost gone. It was kinda nice while it lasted, but I think I'm looking forward to spring. 

It's almost time to change the clocks! Next weekend, baby. 

Snow, Finally!

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.

Autumn 2011

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}

Down By The Water

Oh gosh! This is the longest I've ever gone without posting. A lot's been happening around here, lately! I started a new job the week of Thanksgiving, and I no longer work from home. I now commute over an hour each way and I work 9-5. I'm loving my new job, and I'm busy every minute I'm there. When I come home, I eat dinner and then work on Everything Little Miss projects (I'm posting over on that blog more regularly, so you may want to take a peek and see what I've been up to!). I'm getting used to my new routine, and things have slowed down a little now. I'm hoping to get back into posting here at least once or twice a week, because I miss it!

I took this picture the Saturday following Thanksgiving. That's my cousin you see there, and we were in Cold Spring, NY. It was a beautiful day, so we took a little walk down to the water. It was pretty windy and cold, so we stayed just long enough to snap a photo or two.

Looking Backward

Sometimes it's worth it to look backward. To stop and enjoy the full 360° view. 

I took this picture on our drive home from New Jersey the Sunday before last. The sunset was stunning. 

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. 

Head Of The Charles

On Saturday, Eric and I spent some time watching the 46th Head of the Charles Regatta. It was a great day to be outside and there were all sorts of booths set up handing out free snacks!

We watched from the Cambridge side of the river, and it was pretty cool how many people turned out for the event. It was a lot of fun!

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? 

Where Have I Been?

It's been just under a week since my last post, but it feels longer. I just haven't been taking many pictures. Simple as that. 

I spent yesterday afternoon working from HBS, since I was nearby after running some errands in Inman Square and Harvard Square. I took this picture from the 3rd level of the parking garage, as we were leaving campus. I really needed a day in a different environment; a day of sun and a sparkly sunset.

*Today's Lost in Thoughts is inspired by graffiti. Read it here.

Harvest Moon

Did you see the Harvest Moon last night? If I understand correctly, last night was the first time in nearly twenty years that the Harvest Moon  -- the full moon closest to the September equinox -- has actually occurred on the day of the autumnal equinox. 

Since it's a pretty rare event, Eric and I went hunting for a good place to check out the sunset. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy. We stood on this bridge (which was sort of scary, because when a truck drove over it the whole thing shook like crazy) with a few other nerds and waited for the moon to show itself. I took the photo above during the wait.

Every once in awhile, it would peek through the clouds for a second, and I'd snap away with the camera. I really struggled to get a photo because the chain link fence was obstructing my view. But look how golden the moon was! 

It really was pretty cool, and it was fun trying to figure out where we could go (by sunset) in order to have the best view. We had a little Wednesday adventure!

Harvard Stadium

Last night we had the first HBS Partners book club gathering of the new school year. My friend Daniela hosted, and she and her husband live on campus. The bus I take to HBS drops me off right outside Harvard Stadium, and it was stunning last night.

The sunlight, blue clouds, and the blue sky sure made for a pretty picture. I like how the cyclist on the right is just entering the frame, too. 

Book club was super fun, by the way. There were some newcomers and only one person read the book; we spent the whole time catching up and talking about our summers. We also ate a lot (or too much, in my case). It was great! 

A Saturday Full Of Work + Play

Yesterday, Eric was doing some school stuff, so I caught a ride to HBS to do some work before meeting a friend in Harvard Square. I enjoy working at the school, because it's a nice change of scenery. Spangler was deserted and peaceful; no distractions whatsoever.

I worked quickly, and then headed to Harvard Square early to spend some time in the sunshine. I bought myself an iced tea lemonade, and found a nice spot to read in Harvard Yard. 

It really felt like fall, and so many people were out enjoying the weather. There were kids running around, people working at outdoor tables, groups of new students looking slightly lost and amazed, and tourists everywhere.

Somebody lost a shoe. But quite frankly, I think these are a fashion travesty, so at the end of the day it's not a huge loss. 

At 2:00 it was time to meet up with my friend. How lucky that we had arranged to meet right where this busker was performing! I was a few minutes early, and I got to enjoy his singing up close and personal. He was quite good.

I spent the late afternoon with Eric, and then took him out to dinner. Afterwards, he treated me to ice cream. Aren't we just too cute?

I hope you all are enjoying the brisk weather and the seasonal changes; just another reason to love New England! 

Avocado Plant

As August came to a close, the heat and humidity around here started to feel unbearable. For people, that is, because my avocado plant has been loving this weather! It has two new leaves, and it's looking very jolly.

I like to think the piggy bank keeps it company. 

Hey you guys, have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! (And hop on over the my shop to check out the new prints if you haven't seen them yet!)

Construction Project: Blue Bench

I've always loved this blue bench that's on the Vineyard. But in recent years, it's fallen into disrepair. The legs were rotting and it looked dangerous to sit in. I think everybody was a little sad to see it falling apart.

While we were there, Eric decided that we should fix it! He went out and bought all of the supplies to replace the seat and legs, and then we went to work. First we had to take it apart, then we had to measure and drill and hammer and screw everything back together. And then we primed. And painted. And painted. And painted some more (1 coat of spray paint, 2 coats with brushes). The result is AWESOME!

We didn't change anything about the back, except to repaint it and reattach one of the arms where it had come undone. Want to know something super cool about this bench? The back flips over, so the bench can face either direction without picking it up and turning it! 

We're both pretty proud of the outcome. The new paint is very, very shiny and blue. 

Photo Walk With Sara

On Saturday night I went to Norwood to see Sara. We talked and talked, and it was so much fun to catch up. Also, Sara's 21 weeks pregnant and I got to feel the baby kick; it was ridiculously exciting!

I spent the night in Norwood so that we could get up Sunday morning and go for a photo walk. Even though I told Sara an unnecessarily long story and it was much warmer than we expected, we both managed to take some fun pictures. Honestly, I had trouble looking at my surroundings; I only wanted to take pictures of Sara and her little belly, because she's just so beautifully happy. Here are two of my favorites.

If you visit Sara's blog, you'll see photos she took (of the walk and of me!) plus her edits of these two photos and a few others I took!

In Between

It rained Monday - Wednesday, and I didn't really mind. It made being back inside and working 9 - 5 without an ocean view a little less painful. But as of yesterday, the gorgeous weather is back; I couldn't resist going for a walk and spending some time in the sunshine.

This is one of the scenes I look at often. I think it's such a pretty skyline peeking out between these two bigger buildings. I like the way the architecture meets the big, empty blue sky; it's almost like this could be the end of the city and it's all country beyond that building. But that's just an illusion. 

Happy weekend. 

Leif + Alyssa's Wedding

On Saturday, our friends, Leif + Alyssa, got married. Eric and Leif have known each other since first grade, and Eric was one of his groomsmen.

The ceremony was held outdoors at the Harvard Historical Society. Just before the ceremony started, we felt a few drops of rain. But the weather cooperated, and everything went as planned. The bride was stunning in her lace dress, and the groom couldn't have looked more pleased. It's always such a pleasure watching our friends say "I do."

Afterwards we all went to Wedgewood Pines Country Club for dinner and dancing. I didn't take many pictures because first I was too busy eating and then I was too busy dancing. We definitely had a great time!

Grand Illumination In Oak Bluffs - August 18

Last Wednesday Eric and I went to the Grand Illumination (I'll explain) in Oak Bluffs. We got there early and went to dinner at Giordano's (Eric used to be a bar tender there, and we're pretty sure we got moved to the front of the line!). Oak Bluffs was packed, so it was a good thing we planned ahead. After dinner, we headed to the Campground to wait for the festivities to begin. On our way over we witnessed a stunning Vineyard sunset.

It was getting pretty dark by the time we got to the Tabernacle, and the band was just beginning to play. They played a million patriotic songs, so it felt a little like the 4th of July. 

The music actually went on for much longer than we anticipated, and it started to rain a little bit. But we held our ground because we didn't want to miss the Grand Illumination! Okay, so what is this Grand Illumination business? Well, all the owners if the gingerbread cottages (the cute little houses I've written about before) at the campground decorate with lanterns. And then, when it's time, they all light them at once! Yeah, it's pretty much just as awesome as it sounds! I'd never been before, so it was a real to-do.

Once the houses are all lit up, masses up people walk around snapping pictures and oohing + ahhing. It's really quite a darling tradition.

It rained on and off, so we took cover inside the Tabernacle for a bit. There were lanterns lining the edge of the entire thing, and they were so pretty up close and from a distance.

We ventured outside again, when the rain slowed. Some people went beyond their porches, and decorated the lawns with lanterns and candles inside paper bags (though the rain prevented most candles from being lit). 

This little boy was just about the most adorable thing. I only saw him for a split second, and I can't believe I got this picture. His dad was carrying him and when he saw this huge lantern in a tree, he reached out to touch it. My heart was melting. 

Eventually the rain starting coming down a little too hard, and we made a mad dash for the car. It was such a beautiful night! 

P.S. I didn't even have a tripod! 

Sunrise In Vineyard Haven

Yesterday morning I woke up, looked out the window, and practically flew out of bed. I raced downstairs, grabbed my camera, and ran down the three flights of stairs to the beach without ever looking at a clock. But I'd have to guess it was about 5:45, because look what I saw:

Holy moly! Starting the day with such beautifully pink perfection is pretty awesome. There was no way I could go back to sleep after that, so I started working by 6:30. Next month I'll be sending out my very first Everything Little Miss newsletter, so I worked on my newsletter layout and wrote a bit of the content. It turned out to be a very productive morning!

*Today on Everything Little Miss, I wrote about being inspired by the ocean. If you stop by the ELM blog, you can sign up for my newsletter!