52

We are celebrating Jim's 52nd birthday this weekend. Birthday dinner last night with Kate and Jeff, Nick and Bre, and Zach. Jim got his favorite chocolate cake. Having stuck to his meal plan for sooooo long he certainly deserved a big piece! Happy Birthday Jim!

Sometimes I loose who I am. I just get caught up in the day to day. Get up, laundry shower, work, cook dinner, TV, bed....repeat....forever. Weekends, clean, errands, church, cook dinner. I forget what I enjoy. Forget what makes me take a deep contented breath and let it out with a happy sigh.
But last week I found a bit of me because I took the long way home. I went for a haircut and had to do some shopping in Southbury. I stopped for a quick dinner of steamed vegetable rolls...yummy bundles of crisp veggies, wrapped in cabbage and steamed. I parked my car by a stand of pear trees nestled in some fresh cut grass....opened my windows and took my first happy breath in weeks. After dinner I went over to Starbucks and got myself an extra hot, decaf, no whip, mocha (my fav) and made my way home...the long way.
Hello again Patti Kyte.

Pictures taken while driving are not only illegal but unclear. If you live near me you will recognize this way home from Southbury. Through Woodbury and Middlebury and on into Naugatuck. So pretty.

White picket fences and old New England colonials.

After all the rain last week, the grass has become so green and thick. Everyone was out on this night mowing their lawns. I had all of the windows open and the heavenly smell of fresh cut grass filled the car.

Middlebury green

My favorite farmhouse. Oh look they left the light on for me.
The backyard

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Home again.

First Day

This past Monday, Zach began his internship with the Ct State Police, major crime unit. His excitement was contagious and we could not wait for him to get home so that we could hear all about the big day.
I had anticipated that they would use him for filing and other office tasks. To my surprise...he is actually working on a cold case. Of course he cannot discuss any details at all, but he is getting a real picture of his chosen career. I am so excited for him.
Many of you know that he is home for good. By his own good decision, he will finish out his last year and 1/2 commuting to UNH. It will save a ton of money and also...Zach just likes being home. We are thrilled to have him back home. It is so great to see Kate and Zach hanging out together again. They go to the gym every night after work. I find them in each others rooms, just talking. It makes my heart happy to see their closeness.
So congrats to Zach on this new adventure and WELCOME HOME sweety!

Front porch shot

Relaxed and ready to go.

Spring

The lilac outside of our back door is filling my kitchen with the most wonderful fragrance. I wonder, are their any fragrances better than the ones created by God? I don't think so.

Palm Sunday

I wrote a post a few weeks ago and wanted to put up a link to our Pastors sermon. It took a few days for it to go up on the website and then I forgot about it. Anyway...here it is.

PalmSundaySermon

Amy and Alfred's Wedding Weekend

Cape Cod was in FULL bloom this past Friday. Every fruit tree in sight was showcasing it's beautiful blossoms. The spring bulbs provided color down below and the scent of lilac and ocean filled the air. The sun was shining and big puffy white clouds marched across the sky.
It was against this beautiful setting that Amy and Alfred said their wedding vows. The happy couple has been together since high school and so the day was a culmination of many happy years together.

Hello Cape Cod

Time to get pretty. Kate got a pretty updo.

My Mom got her short style jazzed up a bit. So pretty.

About an hour before the wedding we discovered that Macy's had left the big plastic security thingy on my Mom's dress. Yikes! We had to drive back to Hyannis in Friday afternoon traffic and it was a bit tense for awhile. We did not have time to go back to the hotel and get Jim so he had to call a cab.

Arriving right on time.
Here come the Grandmothers.

Mother of the bride, my beautiful sister Debbie.

Youngest sister Megan.

And middle sister Kelly.

Big sister Nicole, the Matron of Honor.

All smiles!

Her gown was beautiful. Lace and crystals...my favorite combo.

The reception was at the Wequasset resort on Chatam's Pleasant Bay. Clickheretosee It was so beautiful.

A sweet ending to a wonderful celebration of love.

The next morning, we took my Mom out for a Mother's day breakfast and ride around the Cape. She chose "Grumpys" resaturant in East Dennis. Usually there are long, long waits for breakfast...but we were lucky to get a sunny table right away.

I had my favorite, eggs benedict. My mom had an omelet stuffed with homemade corned beef hash. Yum!

I cannot tell you how many times that I have visited the Cape and not even glimpsed the ocean. Not this time. It was a gorgeous sunny day and we went for a nice drive after breakfast. First Skatet beach on the bayside. Soft powdery sand and calm turquoise water.

Then a stop at the cemetery in Orleans. My Daddy's resting place. No family celebration is the same without him. It makes for many bittersweet moments. I placed the starfish favor from the wedding there.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Meme, my mom's sister.

Then off to the "real" ocean. Beautiful Nauset beach.

Ocean air is like the best kind of happy drug. Really, it has that effect on me.

My sister threw a surprise 50th birthday party for my brother-in-law Michael. Her gift to him was delivered mid-party. A trailer with this inside...

He is in total shock here, and he kind of remained that way for the rest of the afternoon.

Holy cow...a shiny, black, brand new Harley.

As a motorcycle enthusiast himself...Jim was very interested in hearing the instructions that the Harley guy was giving Mike.

Big hugs and kisses of thanks!

So cool. Mike has not been owned a motorcycle since the eighties. What a thrilling gift.

And off he goes for his maiden ride.

We stayed until cake and coffee were served and then headed home to Ct. It was such a fun weekend and as always, hard to say goodbye.