It's All in the Details

I love details. I swoon over all of the little things that make something special. I just love it when someone takes the extra step to do just a little bit more.  It is the little bits that make me the happiest. 

I think my love for details comes from my mom. The way she wraps our Christmas gifts, the way she set a table with special place holder for everyone, even the way she tells her stories.  Her details are what make it stick. Her details make us want to hear the same story over and over.

This past weekend we went to my cousin's wedding. It was glorious.  In fact, it was a whole weekend of specialness.  The touches that someone might zoom past were not lost on me.  From the beautiful candles with everyone's name on it to tell their seat, the hand-designed tote bags with the special town places, to the Americana rehearsal dinner with traditional New England Faire - each touch showed how much they care for all of us and their relationship. That is the thing about the details, the littlest things really do mean so much.

Speaking of details, I have made some changes to my TV room furniture.  Please Pottery Barn - do not be jealous! I read other blogs all the time.  Crazy pastime. But I love hearing other people's stories.  One of my favorites, The Nester, features great home design ideas.  Her perfect mantra "It does not have to be perfect to be beautiful" is sitting perfect with me right now.  I think I would give her a hug if I met her.  She has freed me up.  After seeing her great Pottery-Barnesque slipcovers I made my own.  I downloaded a great e-book on another great blog and started to move.

Well ok, I of course, could not make these on my own. My mom made mostly them. I ordered the fabric, prewashed it, helped cut, helped pin, and ordered pizza. It was a blast.  And the results are pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself.  We did the couch and the ottoman - and we ordered some more fabric to do my over sized chair. 

Author's note: when viewing the photo do not get derailed by the unsightly air conditioner. When you live through renovations, you do not get everything at once. (Heat, yes. Central Air, almost yes. Until then AC)

Now onto my next project.  I have two bookcases that I am going to paint and distress to put in the playroom.  I'll keep you posted....

Don't Blink

This week, our gal hit a milestone when she started riding her bike without training wheels.  Michael and the kids took off to the slice o' life corner to take a bike ride in the church parking lot. It was an exciting day for her. 

Michael had removed her training wheels in the morning - knowing that she was ready.  I do not know if she knew she was ready.  There were not many conversations about being ready. In fact, I do not think there were conversations at all. 

It makes me think this is what happened years and years ago. You just did things.  You did not have a whole bunch of conversations about readiness.  No conversations about how you are feeling.  About making sure you are ok with the decision.  Just go.  Sometimes it just feels right not to over think your every last move and just go.

She took off.  Michael sent me an email at work.

"Well, Maddie has taken off the training wheels and if off riding her bike - next stop village after that - look out world. Taking them to beach for a little while. L, M"

Later that night we all went to see Maddie ride her bike.  Michael on his big kid bike and Michael and I in tow.  Her big brother was so supportive and even showed her some of his moves. Of course, we took a bunch of pictures.

Today, I was cleaning our family room.  I have a spot where a keep some of the mini scrapbooks I have made.  The kids love to "take a peek" over and over.  I must admit, so do I.

I stumbled on one I made when we first moved to town.  Michael was about 6 months younger than Maddie is now. I was struck by the bike shots.  How he has changed.  How he has grown from a little boy to a growing boy. How Maddie was not even on a bike.  How in front of your eyes life moves very fast. How I, of course, already know this, but sometimes need to be reminded.  Don't blink.

Ode to Renovations

Serious Sink - Almost 6 feet long!

Renovations are taxing. They are exciting and frustrating all at the same time. It is exciting to see progress - but it pulls at you and makes you want to see it complete. You know you should not be feeling that entitled, but you cannot help it. It tests your patience.

I still look at kitchen and dining room boxes that have yet to be unpacked. Thankfully they are out of sight - or I would have them open and spread out everywhere.  I will admit, I am quite convinced, that I will find things I do not need at all - or that I cannot even remember I once owned and frequently used.

I sound like a broken record. When we started our renovations we did not intend on building our own kitchen. But we kept coming back to the same thing. We are hung up on a kitchen in an old home renovation magazine. Scratch that. I am hung up. And I guess it is fair to say, Michael is a little hung up, too.

And because Michael is super talented in the building department and because he has more tools than most people know what to do with - we hit the jackpot! 

We (and with that I mean Michael) are building our kitchen. It may take a little longer but, boy is it worth it.

So here we are today. This has been a lesson in the present. Being OK with where you are right now and not focusing on tomorrow or yesterday.

These are some of the cabinet shells -

Doors are done but waiting for hardware to arrive from Rockler.

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On another note, for those of you who have been reading "my slice" for a while, you may remember the euro slicer (Feb 6, 2010 Only in America posting)

Well, I have to admit. I broke down. Kinda.  Michael and I were in Building 19 - a one of a kind discount store - and they had one.  The whole enchilada.  The 4 piece deluxe set for $20. Seriously.  You know I bought it. I mean really have you ever seen veggies cut this perfect? Though I admit it is hard to clearly see with the distraction of the orange Halloween plastic plate.  Just believe me.  You can take this infomercial to the bank. 

Growth

One of my favorite things this summer is our garden. So Fresh. So Simple. So Perfect. So Unpredictable and Predictable all at the same time.

I always delight in "harvesting" our vegetables. I am always amazed at the growth. I seems obvious that plants grow. But I get stuck on the miracle of it. How one day there is no tomato - the next I am eating it right off the vine. That the freshest of vegetables are now on our plates.

It is the stuff that prayers are made of. Bless us, oh Lord, for these thy gifts we are about to receive through thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Maybe it is because I work in a catholic school and church - and that this blessing is said at every meal, but I feel blessed to have the bounty. I have a spotlight shining on my bounty and how fortunate I am. We are. We are fortunate for the growth. And it goes far beyond the vegetables.

The spotlight has shined on a lot of this week. I have had to pause and take a deep breath. I am seeing my own growth amidst a very difficult situation. I have been tested. I am still in the middle of the test.

I know in my heart that I will grow. No - this is not life or death, no this is not illness, no this is not my worst day with MS, and Yes, I will get through the valley. Maybe only after I see the gift in it.

Crab Hunters!

Summer is in full swing! We are blessed with wonderful friends and family and together we have enjoyed many full days of swimming at the beach, boating to the spit, and splashing at the pool.

I remember days like this from when I was younger. I spent day after day at the beach with my cousins. We would spend hours hunting for crabs in a large rocky section of the beach in the town I grew up in.

We would build crab hospitals - we would search in the tide pools for the perfect location. We would lift up the rocks and hope for the movement of the water underneath - a sign that a crab was burying itself further in the sand. As if that would stop our young hands from grabbing it.

When we got one we would keep it in the tide pool and we would feed the little fella mussels that we would smash open with rocks.

I can still remember the feeling of the rocks on my feet. The excitement of walking out on the rocks and the slight fear as I wobbled on a seaweed rock. Gripping the rock with my feet to keep steady and avoid a fall. The anticipation of lifting - almost prying up the rock - and looking for the perfect crab. The joy of calling out to the cousins that we found one.

My kids are at the "crab hunter" stage. They get as excited now as I did when I was younger to find and pick up the perfect crab.

And though we go to a different beach now, they have found "their rocks" - they have found their special place of building castles, searching for crabs, and enjoying the ocean. I still get excited when I hear them call. I almost feel that Melissa or Ricky, my cousins, will pop up to see for themselves and join in on the fun.

In a few weeks we will have that joy. The next generation of cousins will be in town to celebrate our cousin's wedding. We will hopefully have a day at the beach - and our kids will share great times together just like the joy and fun the older set shared.

I look forward to laughing and sharing our stories. And I am happy they will have the chance to build their own "cousin stories" as I know first-hand how important they are and how much they fill your soul.

Summer is Officially Here!!

"Star Spangled Cake!!!"

Summer has come in like a lion.  The weather is perfect. Sun, clouds, slight breeze. These are my favorite days. I don't love it when it is overly humid - it feels really crummy on my legs. Thankfully, we will be sunny and breezy this glorious 4th of July Holiday weekend!

We have fun plans this weekend.  Tonight we are boating with our dear friends to see the fireworks in a neighboring town. And tomorrow we are celebrating the holiday at a cookout at the same dear friends home.  They are the most wonderful family.  They have blessed our life with friendship. True. Friendship.  It is not often that you connect with a whole family.  We became friends when our kiddos were in Kindergarten together. They are now entering 4th grade.  Time is passing too fast. I am happy to share these passes with them.

My friend is an inspiration. She can tackle everything. She can plant a bunch of trees, grow a beautiful garden, make a gourmet meal, raise a big family, and still have time to put herself together to turn heads.We have laughed so hard sometimes my sides hurt. I am looking forward to heralding in this wonderful American holiday with them all.

And I would be remiss if I did not mention the "Star-Spangled" Cake she makes. All of the children gather around and sing the "Star-Spangled Banner". Does not get more American than that. And of course, I am crying. Well tearing. I don't want to make a scene with the cry Oprah coined "the ugly cry."

Oh, and speaking of American, my guy is playing baseball this year.  He played in the spring and is now on a Friendship Travel Team.  It has been fun watching him grow and take on this new challenge with such enthusiasm and drive.  He has pitched. I have watched with my eyes half shielded by my spread fingers but wide enough so a can see his smile and leg lift when tossing the ball. In case you are wondering, I remove my hands when he is not pitching.

That makes me sound very competitive. Not in the sports arena. As long as my kiddos have fun, do their best and be team players, I feel that they have already won. I win when they have the courage to get in the game. To me, that is what it is all about.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy 4th! I should probably get more followers since I will be able to tell you all this in person. And even though you ALL are enough - my goal for the second half of the year is to get some advertisers on the blog. Who wouldn't want to share in this slice o'life?

What a Day!

I typically carry my camera with me.  Today - on this beautiful day full o'activities I did not have it.  And I felt it.  I caught myself thinking about it.  How it would be great to capture these moments. 

I started the day early at an appointment. Up and out before the crew even got up.  I then cleaned a little and put away laundry.  Ok, no need for the camera. 

My mom, Maddie and I then went to the Arts Festival in town.  I filled my soul as I reconnected with two people that have truly made a difference in my life. 

I first bumped into a woman I met right after college graduation.  She was running for State Senate and I volunteered to work on her campaign.  The energy of her grass roots campaign electrified me.  I connected with young college grads with the same goal to get this woman into office.  I saw first-hand a bright woman who had her share of adversity in her life go for it.  She was strong in her convictions, smart, educated on the issues, and she was not afraid to take a stand. She did not win. But it confirmed what I learned from my parents.

I grew up in a family that recognized the importance of participation. Of volunteering.  Of stepping up. My parents to this day serve on many boards between them. I don't remember them ever missing a voting day. And though I do not ever remember a time that they told me to participate - they did not need to - they led by example.

I then bumped into a woman near and dear to my heart.  I first met this woman when I worked at Talbots Corporate Headquarters.  I was young.  She took the time to listen. And she probably does not even know, she inspired me.  She was professional and positive, caring and true to herself

Flash forward many years later, we moved to the same town she lives in. I was able to reconnect with her. I delighted seeing her in the grocery store. Even for a minute.  A little laugh in the aisles. 

She is the head of the garden club in town. When my Michael started 3rd grade, I was delighted to see that she offered a Junior Gardener's Club at his school.  Michael loves to plant, so it was a natural fit for him to join.

In the Spring, she was travelling with her husband and she got into a very bad accident. The kind that makes the Today Show.  Her dear husband, another wonderful person, did not make it. It was not certain whether she would.  She did.  She spent months in the hospital states away from here.  The entire community prayed for her and the family. She proved to be one of the strongest women I know.

My dear son wrote her a note.  I was not sure if I should send it at first. I did not want her to be upset.  He wrote it all on his own and it was truly from the heart.  He said - and now as the months have passed - it still gets me.  "I am sorry for your loss.  I know what it feels like, my dog died in November.  I am here for you. Love, Michael"

I sent it because it was so pure.  When I saw her today I asked if she got it.  She said it brought her laughter and tears - because it was so true and so from the heart.  It meant the world to her. I hope she knows she means the world to so many.

And finally, in this long-winded post we had a great beach and boating day! How spoiled are we in this town straight out of a novel!  We are watching our friends sons tonight and they offered to let us use their boat.  Perfect weather to load the kids in the boat and take the brief ride to my favorite beach,  Open to so many  beautiful surroundings. Yet private as you have to arrive by boat. The space is between the town I grew up in and the town I currently live in.

It is directly near the place my grandfather and I used to go clamming.  I clearly remember digging for clams with him for the big clambake he used to have at their home.  The memories are vivid. So close to the surface.  Of all days, today was the anniversary of his funeral eleven years ago. Easy to remember as it falls on my grandmother's birthday. Today she is 91.      

I sat there on the beach thinking what a great day for photos, yet I did not even know how I would capture it. 

I stopped and took mental pictures.  The sea grass blowing in the breeze.  My son and his friend skipping rocks.  My daughter eating watermelon. I even flashed back to some pictures in my mind.  I wondered what my picture would look like today. Would it be the ten year old clamming or the thirty nine year old watching her family run in the sand?  Today I am going with the clamming.