five things, November 30 edition

1. I think one of the worst things about this time of year is discovering all the things I want to buy as I'm shopping for, ahem, everyone else. Coat from Fossil (free shipping!)! Coffee table from West Elm! Rug and holiday dishes from Crate and Barrel! I can't decide if I need to hurry up and get everything done or step slowly away from the computer. Oh, and I still want a white Christmas tree.

2. I think it's pretty funny that Callum suggested that I monetize my blog so I can buy a house on Nantucket. Ha! The pageviews that would take = comic/out of reach/un-fun/ridiculous. But don't think I haven't been looking for real estate.

3. I think it's also pretty funny/sad that Violet was so happy to see us that she actually had a wipe out on our floor and hurt one of her back legs. Don't worry, she's fine. It's only prevented her from jumping onto the sofa (not allowed), and she's already much better. But it's nice to be missed.

4. I think I am so glad it's Friday. We generally build in a rest day when we come home from a trip, and by the end of the week this week I'm definitely feeling the absence of that day. On Monday, Callum's backpack ripped, meaning that even the simplest act of carrying his books to school has been rendered more difficult. On Tuesday Neel had a 7 AM meeting, and before midday he called to tell me that this particular group was meeting again at 5 that night. We've had meetings and baseball and tests and deadlines, your typical re-entry. I'm not complaining (really!), because our trip was so completely worth it. I'm just ready to rest a little, that's all.

5. I think this boat, the Lauren, represents one of my favorite stories from our trip to Nantucket. Before we left, I told Neel and Callum a bit about the trip to New England I took as a kid. Yes, you may have heard, we toured the Breakers. But one day we wandered down to the harbor area of Newport, RI which, as it is still, was rimmed with shops. It was another stormy summer afternoon. When the skies darkened, my dad and I darted into a toy shop. Right as we did, the power went out! Yikes! It was a tiny wandery little shop with high, cluttered shelves. We lingered during the worst of the storm, and when the rain let up my dad bought me a boat, a small wooden sailboat with a green hull (Never mind that the power was out! No power needed to pay cash and hand write a receipt.). I loved it. That evening, when I played with the boat in my hotel room bath (it floated!), I decided to name it the SS Mary Jane (after my mom). People, I was seven. Give me a break.

Well. My husband and my son could not have enjoyed that tidbit more. Guffaw, guffaw. Make fun of Mama, naming the boat the SS Mary Jane. And I still don't see what exactly is so funny, but anyway.

Fast forward a year or two, and here were are at the harbor in Hyannis. Lookee what do we have here, hmmmm? A boat named after another wonderful mother: the Lauren. Complete with a faithful hound. How do you like that boys?

I whipped Big Daddy out as fast as I could! Also drawn toward the boat was a tall young man. He turned to me as I was snapping a few shots, and we commented on the sweet dog in the prow of the boat. The young man's voice as lightly accented, and he laughed when I told him that I liked the boat because it was named after me (he knew I was kidding). Turned out, he was from Norway, but had been studying in the US, in New York City, for the past four years. Was he planning to stay, I asked him. Ummmm...maybe. His parents, here visiting, were meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time that weekend. That's a lot of pressure for Thanksgiving, don't you think? It seemed (are Norwegians subtle?) that his decision to stay depended a bit on that meeting. Once the boat had left the dock and we were well on our way, he saw me on deck and asked me to take a picture of him and his mom (and yes, I had a moment of freak out when he called me by name...how did he know my name?!). So what do you think happened? Our weekend was wonderful, but how was his?

The Breakers {life}

Thank you all so much for your kind comments on yesterday's post! I responded to each of you in the comment section.

I was first (and last) at the Breakers in August of 1977. I was seven. Yes, I'm that old. My mom and dad will have to chime in on the particulars of this vacation to New England that we took with my grandparents (apparently I have been to Mystic!) because let's face it, the memory dims. I do remember the specific month and year very clearly because it was during this vacation that Elvis died. I may not remember Mystic (sorry Mystic!), but I do remember lots. It was cold! We stayed in a hotel with an indoor pool, and my dad swam in it with me for hours, even after it was supposed to have closed. Memories get jumbled, especially when you're a kid, but it seems to me that it was the morning after we'd stayed up late swimming in that pool that we picked up a paper to learn that Elvis had died.

Another thing that stood out to child-Lauren was Newport, RI and the Breakers. The Breakers is one of several "summer cottages" built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by the American royalty of the era. During this time families such as the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers escaped New York City to their homes on the New England Coast. The Breakers, considered the grandest of these "cottages," was originally a wooden home when purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who extended the family fortune during his stint as president of the New York Central Railroad. Vanderbilt remodeled the original home into a 70 room Italian-inspired mansion. No detail was left unconsidered, including the steps on the staircase in the grand hallway with risers two inches shorter than usual so that ladies could glide down them in their ball gowns. Chandeliers were fitted with electricity (a new rage!), but had pulls that could convert them to gas should the fickle electricity prove tricky. Bathtubs all had four fixtures, two taps each for hot and cold, one of which ran with salt water which was considered curative.

We took an audio tour (which was different from when I was here before and the tours were led by actual humans), and sadly, no photography was allowed in the building. Gladys, the youngest daughter of Corneilus Vanderbilt inherited the Breakers in 1934. Gladys was a supporter of the Preservation Society of Newport County and to support the society she opened the home to tours. In 1972 the home was sold to the Preservation Society for the princely sum of $399,999. The house was named for the huge waves that crash upon the beach below. The day we traveled there when I was a child was quite stormy, and our tour guide, who had taken a liking to me, led me into the loggia first, (the loggia is the covered porch, see the 3rd photo from the top, there's a person peeking out of one of the windows!), with the rest of the group trailing behind and said, "On days like this you can hear it...listen," and we could hear the distant thunder of the waves on the shore. Running along the bottom of the lawn (see the 4th photo from the bottom) is Newport's famed Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile trail that runs between the mansions and the sea. Part walking path and part rugged trail, the cliff walk is an absolute must-do for me when we next head to Nantucket (sorry Megs, we're coming back!). I'm thinking if we pushed the drive a bit we could overnight in Newport, maybe?

It's a funny thing to go back to something you remember so distinctly from your childhood. The Breakers was different, for sure, but still, I wasn't disappointed. Decorated for Christmas, with lilies everywhere, the place smelled heavenly, and the crisp day was perfect for touring both inside and out. I always worry that Neel will be disappointed and Callum too, but no. We're ready to do it again. But which one next? Marble House? Rosecliff? Breakers again? All of them?

The Breakers {still}

Afoot and lighthearted :: Weekend in Review, Thanksgiving Edition, (Updated)

Well, we made it. It was wonderful. One of our best trips yet. And we've been on some good ones. I think there were a lot of factors, but Callum's age played a big role (wink), as well as our general relaxed excitement. The dogs however, Violet especially (1) were less excited when the suitcases came out. We got out the door at 6:30 AM (despite what the clock on my satellite says) (2), and quickly made our way up the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland (4-9). I made a decision before we left to relax about the camera, and while we were on the road I relied solely on my phone (thank you new iPhone!). It was the best decision! I love instagram, and I loved the ease of just whipping out my phone and not worrying. Don't worry. I got plenty of pictures with Big Daddy. Those will come later this week. The first part of the trip is very familiar to us. We make this trip often, most recently to see Erin and the Phillies. Once past Pennsylvania, we moved into NEW TERRITORY. This means New Jersey, and lunch at the PhiLy (one L) Diner.

After lunch we stayed in New Jersey, skirting New York City to head toward Connecticut. We gave the skyline a quick wave (4) before heading over the George Washington Bridge (3) and into the worst traffic we'd seen of the trip. Not wholly unexpected, but still a bummer. The last ten miles felt like it took the longest of the whole day. Our first night on the road was spent in Norwalk, Connecticut. I could not tell you much about this town. Barely remember it! Sad, huh? We tried to get to the waterfront for dinner and somehow ended up at a Brewery (6), which was not a shabby option. Callum had clam chowder, which pleased him very much and Neel and I had some beer-steamed mussels which were some of the best we'd ever had. Definitely gonna try that sometime. But really, Norwalk was a blip. We were up early, grabbing a quick breakfast, and out of town. Off to our friends. Off to Nantucket. Couldn't make it there first, without a quick stop along the way, a little detour in the Ocean State. Big Daddy came out at The Breakers (9-12), and I'll have more photos of that too.

We finished up in Rhode Island, passing acres of stone fences (1) before heading into Massachusetts and toward the Cape. On the way, we passed by Mystic, Connecticut (4), another place I always wanted to visit. Some nice scenic spots on this drive. And then, the ferry. I tweeted it right before we left. There is something especially celebratory about boarding a ferry for your holiday celebration. We were a bit early, which gave us some extra time to settle in and for some of us to take our Dramamine (ahem). I took some pictures and met a young man from Norway who'd been in the US for school for several years and was considering staying. His parents were here to visit and were meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time! Little snippets of so many lives. He was excited. The three of us (9), well, we were excited too. We sat outside for the whole of the hour long trip (Neel diligently staring at the horizon), saying farewell to Hyannis (10) and the mainland, and saying hello to Nantucket (12).

I have so much to say about Nantucket. Too much to say here. So I'll just say that some things never change. These kids are all like cousins (1, 14), and my friend Megan hates to have her picture taken (3), and and that these friends are so dear to us. We do a lot of things together really well, like eating out and sharing small plates (2), and cooking together (10, 12, 15) and just being together (16-18). We've done it in a lot of places and we always come back to how easy things are when we get together. Easy is good. And Nantucket? Well what can I say. Later this week, I'll let Big Daddy do the talking, but love. Getting on the ferry to come home and leave our friends behind (21) was hard.

I conned my family into stopping at Mystic Seaport (3) on the way back home. Lucky me. We had a great lunch in downtown Mystic, and if we'd stayed the night there we'd have seen the boat parade up the Mystic River (where Santa comes into town on a boat!). But too bad Mystic! We're chowing down on more chowder and lobster rolls, (5) and we're outta here. New York City here we come! When I was looking for a spot for us to land on our trip back home, it finally dawned on me that we could swing by New York. Callum has loved New York since a trip we took there a couple years ago, and even a whirlwind stop could be fun. We ended up at a Sheraton in Weehawken, New Jersey, right at a ferry stop (8) across from the city. It was a perfect solution, and when I discovered that we could get a room with a view of the skyline, well, sold. We only had a few hours, so we hit all our high points. Dinner at Callum's favorite spot (14), a tool around Times Square and then up a few blocks to ogle the lights and the (pre-lit) tree at Rockefeller Plaza (13). Back on the ferry (11) to the hotel, and by far the best part was watching the sun come up over that skyline (16-18).

We were meant to have brunch with some family we haven't seen in (literally) years on Sunday morning, but their daughter was sick so we had to give it a pass. Seemed like time to hit the road anyway. We had snacks and treats and listened to Ke$ha DJ on Cal's favorite station on the satellite (when Neel wasn't changing over to the Grateful Dead). Callum and I split shot-gun duties, and Neel (mostly) managed his Dramamine. We had no rain! The seas were choppy on the ferry ride back, and the boats got canceled the next morning. By Sunday, the road opened up before us. Almost immediately we were back on familiar territory. My favorite bridge in Delaware (3), farmland of the eastern shore on Maryland and Virginia (4-6), and our beloved Chesapeake Bay. It's not an island 30 miles out to sea, but it's not a bad place to come home to.

Since several of you have asked, here's a link to the route we took. It's an 11-hour drive and after that, a 1 hour ferry trip to the island. We hit traffic around NYC both times, but it was actually much more managable than we expected. We did it in 8/5 on the way up, with the stop at the Breakers and 5/7 on the way down, with a stop in Mystic, CT.

Monday Mash Up, Thanksgiving Week Lead Up

1. Yes, I have new black boots. Not exciting perhaps, but I have been looking for three years for them. And the ankle boots? Well, let's talk again after the holiday, okay? | 2. Chefs in waiting | 3. Chefs at work | 4. What they made us. | 5. Movie night | 6. Cafe a deux | 7. Bathroom run | 8. Lunch date | 9. Lemon garlic mayonnaise | 10. Clams | 11. Pumpkin cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. Yes. | 12. Easy Sunday morning | 13. Dark and Stormy | 14. Blustery tailgate | 15. Sunday supper | 16. This is a train. | 17. Nantucket for Thanksgiving? Yes, please. | 18. Gratitude

I have to say first that I was both heartened and saddened by everyone's makeup counter experience. Why does it have to be so hard? I don't have a problem saying "no" really, but the crushing disappointment that the makeup lady presented me with after I didn't buy that Dior pencil? I felt like I'd brought her a bad report card. The ladies at Sephora are just excited with whatever you get, but their selection of Laura Mercier wasn't as big. Oh well, win some, lose some.

When I said we have a heavy social calendar for the weekend, I wasn't kidding. If you include a date-night for me and Neel in that equation, that is. Callum slept over at a friends house, so Neel and I went back to the place I'd been to dinner with some girlfriends the week before at sat at the chefs bar. It's our favorite way to eat at this tapas joint. We watch the things come out of the kitchen and whatever looks good, we order. And it's so fun to watch the kitchen in action. We got there early, so all was calm. Chefs texting or chatting quietly. Just waiting for that rush of orders. Soon enough, things got busy. We ate some food, but that sandwich might have been the best. A crab club with bacon-friend chicken and a mango sauce. Nice. We also have a wonderful place here in Norfolk called Naro Expanded Cinema where you can see just about any movie that's ever come out and rent any movie that's ever been put into video. TV or film. See those rows of shelves? That's like a 10th of what they have available. So we hopped in and grabbed Midnight in Paris so Neel could laugh his dang fool head off. If Erin hasn't convinced you, you can trust me. It's a good movie.

We made what feels like our 20th run to The Home Depot for bathtroom stuff Saturday morning. We're almost there, and I'll have a full recap soon. Third time might be a charm with those pesky plumbers. Callum asked for extra time at this friend's house, so Neel and I snuck in some lunch before picking him up. (I've been eating some nice food lately.) And speaking of nice food. We had dinner with some lovely friends on Saturday night, old friends and new. That dinner will get its own full recap as well. All within the fullness of time, my friends. All within the fullness of time.

So by Sunday, Callum had been up until 2 AM Friday night and 11 PM the night before. He slept in while Neel and I did some work in front of the fire. I think we really got moving on the day by noon, and by 1:30 we were out the door again. This time to our friends' going-away party. Blustery and gray Virginia days are great for parties like these, and there was lots of food and kids running around while the grown-ups warmed themselves by the firepits. Saying goodbye is hard, isn't it? This is a Navy town, and we've gotten some used to it, but tonight Australia (and this particular Navy family is landing in Canberra, Catherine, to answer your question!) is feeling very far away.

You'd think we'd be done by now, but no. That's not how we roll. Not these days, at least. An impromptu dinner with other neighbors rounded out the evening. Through the force of our two kitchens we had salad, and wine, and pasta with puttanesca sauce. Sometimes it feels too much, and sometimes I think, connect. It's what we need to do.

And now we're at a new week, and Thanksgiving looms. This is my favorite season. Late November and the lead-up to Christmas. I'm filled with gratitude this year for our home and my family. For Neel's work and mine. For my dear friends here and for all of you who help make this space mean so much to me. I feel that gratitude not just this week, but every day. It's important to acknowledge it. To say it. To say how very much you all mean to me. We have a special week in store. Our holiday will be spent with dear, dear far-away friends this year. Friends who are close to my heart. We'll cook together and drink some wine. Our kids will hang out and everyone will be taller since the last time we saw them. After today, I'm signing off from SPL for a bit, to soak up the trip up the coast to New England and soak up my family and friends. To just be. We're driving up, and planning on relishing the experience. We have snacks for the car and books to read and a crate of clementines in case of scurvy. The dogs are already planning wild parties with our house sitter. I'm sure I'll be hanging out on the Gram and on Twitter as well, but I'm yearning for some time with my people. And Nantucket? Hello? I fully expect I'll stockpile a store of wonderful things to tell you all about when we return. I'll be back in this space in a week, next Tuesday, and in the meantime, know that I'm thinking of you all and wishing you the warmest of times with those most beloved to you.

five things, november 16

1. I think we're gearing up for another highly social weekend. And Thanksgiving next week? Well, that'll be pretty social too. Maybe I need to just wave the white flag of surrender until the end of the year. Callum has a sleepover tonight. We have dinner with friends tomorrow night (and this one I can't wait to tell you about), and then Sunday is a going-away party for our Aussie neighbors who are (sadly) heading back to their homeland. It's all good stuff, really good (except the saying good-bye part), but I feel mindful that it's a lot. Leah, I need to channel your calm. Send some my way, please.

2. I think I have mixed feelings about makeovers at make-up counters. If you follow me on twitter, you might have seen that I somehow found myself at the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstroms (ahem). I chatted with Theresa and Erin about this yesterday (on twitter, not, sadly, at the Nordstrom's make up counter). Make up counters can be tricky to navagate. Since we had an event that night (see #5), I let the gal at the counter go to town on me, and my feelings about the results were... mixed. The eyeshadow that I'd been scouting out was just what I was looking for, but her application? Heavy. For me at least. And then she pulled out the Dior brow pencil on me. Hmmmm. Do I need to spend $30 on a brow pencil? I didn't think so until I took off my make up that night. Now I'm not so sure. I'll take (less expensive, also awesome) recommendations. Erin suggested powder (?) and brushes (?). Hmmmm... Given that the pillows I'd just purchased for us were pretty much a bust, I'm feeling cautious.

3. I think I'm still undecided on those darn ankle boots. I don't wear leggings or skinny jeans really, and I'm short. Can I still get them? What do I wear them with besides skirts?

4. I think I'll (praise god, fingers still crossed) have an almost-finished bathroom remodel update for you soon! In the meantime, have you seen Nina's inspiration post for her bathroom reno? It makes me want to start all over! Wink, wink.

5. I think it was a pretty good week for us. Basking in Neel's reflected glory is not at all a problem for this family! On Wednesday he was honored with the Dean's Award for Achievement in Teaching in the Basic Sciences. It was one of several awards handed out at an annual reception hononring all of the faculty and staff at the medical school where Neel has made his career. It's a lovely event that has grown lovelier over the years. Last night's reception, Neel aside, was really nice. Personal and family like. Two women were honored for 40 years of service to the school... which was founded 39 years ago! Callum barreled through his homework so he could come along and see his dad get an award, and we sat with Neel's lab who gave him a standing ovation when he took the stage. For years now, I've given Neel a load of good-natured (I promise) grief for not mentioning me at his PhD thesis defense seminar. Last night he kindly honored both me and Callum for sticking with him through some tough and busy times. How could we not? And Wednesday night we got to see that his colleagues know about him what we've known all along. He's pretty special.

fireside supper #2 {life}

When I lit all those candles, I told you we were having a dark and stormy day. It was lovely. Callum's cross country season is over, but he's moved on to twice a week off-season baseball conditioning, so I'm picking him up late and we're driving home in twilight (not my fave, I'll admit). On Tuesday it was dark and blustery by the time we got home. We each went our separate ways, me to make dinner, Cal to finish his homework and Neel to light a fire. Someday I'll have a home where my fireplace is part of my kitchen/living space, but for now my cozy living room will do. This cozy dish is well-suited for a fireside supper. Warm brown rice, spicy cashew chicken, all cooled off with a cabbage salad chilled with rice vinegar and ramen.

We love this recipe, which is from Martha Stewart Living's Everyday Food: Great Food Fast cookbook and has recently made its way back into our rotation. I'll be the first to admit, however, more than a little frustration with Martha Stewart Living over the demise of Everyday Food. WTF? The other WTF? My friend Megan, who buys us a subscription for Christmas each year just got a bill for next year. For a magazine that won't exist. Way to stay classy, Martha. How's that raise working out? Oh well. Love her, hate her. Can't deny how wonderful this dinner (among other things) is.

Cashew Chicken adapted from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
1 T cornstarch
coarse salt and pepper
2 T vegetable oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
8 scallions, cut into one inch pieces (which we didn't have, obviously)
2 T rice vinegar
3 T hoisin sauce
3/4 cup cashews
rice, for serving

In a bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until coated and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken (in batches, if necessary, adding remaining vegetable oil). Turn often, until browned. Add garlic near the end, along with the white parts of the scallions, tossing often. Add the vinegar and cook until evaporated.

Once vinegar has evaporated, add hoisin sauce and 1/4 cup water, tossing until the chicken is coated and throughly cooked through. Remove from heat and toss with cashews and green parts of scallions (if you have 'em!).

For the Ramen Cabbage Salad, check here. I'm trusting you can handle the rice on your own.

fireside supper #2 {still}

candle light {life}

All you ladies are far better candle ladies than I am. I used to be one, and then I had a kid and dogs, and life got away from me. I was a better candle lady in our apartments than in the houses we've owned together. In truth, this house is well suited to candles, and I should have brought them back out before now. Those Diptyque Candles look amazing, but I haven't been able to bring myself to pull the trigger on one yet. What are your favorite scents? I'd love to know. And do they last forever? Cause, really, they'd almost have to.

But who needs Diptyque when you have Votivo? A few weeks ago, I was in Simply Selma's to pick up some product to photograph for them, and I thought I'd try being a candle lady again. The closest I've come was a Williams Sonoma candle that sat on my kitchen island for (ahem) years. And I do still adore it, but it's time for something fresh. Votivo had two scents that intrigued me. Amberwood and Smoke on the Water. Of course I got both. Amberwood is in the kitchen. It's scent is a little heavier, a little sweeter maybe. It's used to cover up that bacon smell when we don't want the kitchen to smell like bacon any more (Like when the bacon is all gone.). Truth be told, I like Smoke on the Water a bit better, and that's what I'll get again. It's smoky in the best possible way. The hint of a distant fire. A make-you-want-to-cuddle-up kind of smell. We have it right as you come in the front door, and I'm hoping it'll make you forget that three dogs live here. And a teenager.

The sky is gray and it's been raining off and on all morning. The wind is swirling and the temperature is starting to drop. I think I'll go light them now.

candle light {still}

Monday Mash Up, November 12

1. Hike | 2. Find the water rainbow | 3. Winter tree | 4. Walk | 5. Inevitable | 6. Also inevitable | 7. & 8. Photo Op | 9. My boy | 10. New favorite | 11. Ginger Bling Bling | 12. Tapas | 13. Urban Winery | 14. Celebration | 15. Cheese Plate | 16. Reunion Brunch | 17. Serious Comfort Brunch | 18. Perfect Fall Day

So, all I can say is thank goodness we're off school today to recover from the weekend. Oh, but it was a good one. I have to wonder, are you tired of pictures from my Friday hikes? #3 is actually of the (dying) tree in our front yard, but the place where I hike each Friday is so beautiful that I can't help whipping out my phone to try to capture it. Every week that we go, and these hikes are a true highlight of my week, there's some fresh beauty. Each weekend I want to get Neel and Cal out there, but it wasn't happening this weekend. Too busy. Didn't I say I wasn't going to do this anymore? Apparently not yet.

I have a horror of running into people I know at the grocery store (What's up with that? I like people?), which is where I went after Neel and I took a long Saturday morning walk. These need to happen more. We have a beautiful neighborhood, surrounded by water with gorgeous, quirky houses and yards. I look at the houses and Neel looks at the yards. We like to talk to each other too. I had to get a new phone. It was probably long overdue; it was long overdue. But because my phone wasn't actually dead, it was hard for me to pull the trigger and get a new one. But still. I was getting the black screen of death more and more often, and by not waiting until that screen became permanent, the nice people at the Apple store transferred everything from my old phone to my new phone. Right down to the last pages I'd been looking at on the internet. It was a chore I was simultaneously looking forward to and dreading, but it was all much easier than I'd anticipated. New phone means new cover, so of course hello, J. Crew. Poulet. In beret!

My friends at MOCA were teaching a class on Photographing Children and asked Callum to help them out. They had plenty of younger kids to use as models, but needed an older kid for the students to work on. Working with older kids is a very different bear than little ones, so if you're in a class such as this, it's good to have experience working with both. Cal's too easy! I'd just said to him a few days ago that we needed to get out to get some photos of him, so I dragged my camera along too. He's a good egg.

Oh, and hello Laura Mercier. I love you.

We had a birthday celebration Saturday night. Three of us started at a tapas restaurant I haven't been to in ages. To drink, I ordered a Ginger Bling Bling because I find that I'm drawn to cocktails that are "topped with champagne." After dinner, we met up with another girlfriend a new urban winery. More champagne! Cheese plates, wine flights, 80s music (the good stuff), and much laughter. Those are the things of celebrations, in my book at least.

Sunday was really special. (Aside from the call we got from our bank saying that Neel's debit card had been compromised. Yikes! Bottom line: I'm paying for everything until he gets a new one.) We drove to Williamsburg to meet a friend from college that we hadn't seen in nearly 20 years. Likely since our wedding 17 years ago! Seeing her again and meeting her young son for the first time was a delight. (She lives in D.C. and the bonus was that she wouldn't talk much about her work, so Callum thinks she's an assassin.) There was much catching up to do (and one of my favorite restaurants, bliss...), and we talked for hours before the boys headed over to William and Mary to throw the football. Perfect fall day. I'm so grateful for times like these. Old friends, present day friends. Wild (!) girls' nights, and quiet Sunday evening snuggles. I'm a lucky woman.

five things, november 9th edition

1. I think this is my favorite time of year with this tree. It's my view from our computer, and this time of year late in the day, the sun hits it just right and seems to just elicit the golden light from the upper branches. Not too shabby.

2. I think I don't usually post links but I found some wonderful things on the internet this week. Loving weather and clothes as much as I do, how have I not lived without this? Enter your location, you get the weather for the day AND what to wear. Sublime. Still looking for some cute winter shoes though.

3. I think also that this post says way more eloquently than I could everything I'm feeling about all of the hate I saw spewed on my Facebook news feed following the election. I'm not all that clever, really. I just thought "get a grip," and hit "hide" about a dozen times. At least. Debating some unfriending depending on how ugly things get. But. This post says all the right things and reminds us that even if your side didn't win, we're pretty damn lucky that we get to stand up and express our preference and our disappointment. As a woman, I feel that keenly.

4. I think I kinda can't believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. I'm freaking out about that just a little. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled too, but less! than! two! weeks! What are everybody's plans?

5. I think this weekend I'm excited to celebrate the birthday of a person who is most dear to me (there may be wine involved). My friend Catherine has a birthday today, and hope she knows that she's one of the most special people in the world to me. Happiest of days, dear. And many happy returns. You deserve it.

how the day went {still + life}

Wow. What a day. I'm exhausted and reeling and happy of course. And exhausted. We got up early yesterday to go and vote. The lines were shorter than last presidential election; we were maybe 20th in line, about 15-20 minutes before the doors opened. Behind us in line were two young women, college freshmen, who were voting for the first time. I have to say, it wasn't entirely smooth sailing. It took a minute to check me in and several to check Neel in, despite the fact that we've been voting in the same location for nearly ten years now. By the time we left the line had maybe 70 people in it, and as far as I could see throughout the day, it never got shorter than when we got there when the polls opened or right after we left. Despite all of that, it only took us about half an hour start to finish, and Callum and I had time for a morning snuggle before I carted him off to school.

My stint at the polls lasted about two hours. It was cloudy and gray and bittingly cold. Wind chill of 37°. Yikes! The line to vote was three times as long as when we were there in the morning. I couldn't find a place to park, so I left my car about three blocks away. And I left my gloves in the car. Not my best move. The woman who worked before me was an hold hand at volunteering and she wasn't pleased with our supplies ("Clearly a man set this up."). Right after I got there, a woman came up to us and said she had a blue plastic table cloth in her car and she'd bring it over because "Their table can't look better than ours!" And honestly? That was about as partisan as it got. We were there with a poll watcher with Organizing for America who had a sign to tell people how to ask questions if they had trouble with their ballots. With all the gusty winds that sign blew over again and again, and the Romney volunteers helped us put it up again and again. We joked with the Romney volunteers about how congress' next big push needs to be to move the election to a warm day in June. Oh, and sunny too. Someone brought coffee and doughnuts for the volunteers for both parties and then got in line to vote.

It was fun chatting with the fellow democrats in line though. I manned the table while a fellow volunteer went up and down the line with stickers and a sample ballot. Sometimes people would just nod and smile at me. Sometimes people would ask me for stickers for their kids. One woman, about my mom's age, came out and passed our table after she voted. She leaned into me, saying, "Good Lord, that was fun." I saw several neighbors, including some who have Romney signs in their yards right now. And I am reminded that, as always, we are all human first. I don't (mostly!) care who you're voting for. I'm just glad to chat with you for a minute in the line.

By the time I left, and really for most of the time I was there, the wait was about an hour long. Two hour waits were reported at the precinct next to ours. I was chilled to the bone. Absolutely freezing. I think I might still be cold, but it was worth it. After a dentist appointment, Neel and Callum drove past around 5 p.m. and there were two lines, doubling around the school. Throughout the night we heard stories of long lines at the polls all over, including Virginia. At one point, our state stopped reporting results to news outlets so that people could continue to vote. I even heard that lines were expected to take up to 11 p.m in parts of the state. And apparently turn-out exceeded that in 2008. I guess if there's an upside to how bitterly divided our country seems to be, it's that people are involved and participating.

We had this chili for supper and hustled Cal along on his homework so we could watch the results roll in. I was honestly never worried, but it took some work to talk my 13 year old off the ledge as those early results came in. Wth a $5 bet on the outcome, he was pretty heavily invested! This is one of those times I miss living on the West Coast. At 10:30, Neel went to bed, but I just couldn't. Maybe bad parenting, but I couldn't make Callum go to bed either. We tucked in on the sofa, cozy in our jammies. Our state was a nail biter. Our guy for congress lost, and it was called pretty quickly which was a bummer. Senate took longer, but slowly, slowly the news turned good, and Callum ran upstairs to tell Neel. It felt pretty clear which direction things were going then, but still we waited. And then this.

I thought Mr. Allen's (he ran for VA Senate) and Mr. Romney's concession speeches were both very gracious. I thought President Obama's speech was brilliant. You can find the full text of it here, but this is one of my favorite parts:

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great.

I know that there are those of you reading here who are bitterly disappointed today. And I know that feeling well. Hello, 2000 election. What I hope we can all do as a country is take a cue from the people who helped me again and again set up that sign at the polling place, or the guy who brought coffee to all the volunteers. And take note of the grace in the concession and victory speeches. We none of us have all the right answers, really. And we all do better when we work together. Love and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great.

election day {still + life}

Finally it's here. Election Day. We've made a plan to get up early and head to our polling place to vote. We have no idea what the lines will be like. Last presidential election they were long. It was dark and drizzly, and Callum and Neel threw the football as I held our place among a jolly crowd before the doors opened. Callum has always come with us to vote, and he plans to come again tomorrow. After we (hopefully) vote in the morning, I'll run Callum to school and come back and work at the polls for a couple of hours. This is not my first time volunteering, but it is my first time doing so during a presidential election. My mom reminded me that my grandmother worked the polls for many years, and I'm so very proud to be carrying on that tradition.

We will cast our ballot for Barack Obama today, as proudly as we did four years ago. We believe in an active government that cares for all of us. From the strongest to the weakest, we all deserve a seat at the table. Is it imperfect? Yes. Is it lumbering and slow to budge? Yes. Do I get frustrated? Yes. Will there be abuses and fraud and mismanagement. Yes. But those things do not also mean that we don't have the best thing going. Ultimately, I'm patient and I have faith. Faith in the system. And faith in the people. What makes this system the best thing going is the people. I love it that there are those of you who will disagree with me, and I still call you my friend. And every four years we get to have our voices heard. It's the greatest day to be an American. Really! So ultimately, I implore you, my friends who are American citizens, go and vote!

I'm somewhat hesitantly leaving comments on this post open. I really do want to hear from you! I really do believe that we can civily disagree with each other in the political realm. But SPL is a mud-slinging-free zone, so if you come to berate me or my choice or, similarly, anyone else's choice, your comment won't make the cut. xo

Monday Mash Up, November 5

1. Waiting by the door | 2. Evening out | 3. Evening in | 4. Brown cords (told you so) | 5. Park | 6. Uggs | 7. Truly Red | 8. Elizabeth River | 9. Anniversary Dinner | 10. Sunday Morning Mellow | 11. Football Sunday | 12. Sunday Afternoon Mellow

People, it's gotten cold here in Virginia. We love it. Bring in fall. Callum's only complaint is washing his hands. It takes forever for our water to warm up. That, and our bathroom floor is I.C.Y. Brrrrr. I had to wear gloves on my Friday hike (hence, no photos). My friend Tracy was bundled and hooded and gloved. She's a Southern Californian at heart. I don't want to tell her that I think we're in for a cold winter. I went for a mall night with my friend Jean on Friday and that was quite lovely. Callum needed jammies. I needed things too, but Callum came up trumps. Dinner was a bonus. When I got home, Callum, Thea and Neel were snuggling in front of Passage to India. Have you seen it? Neel's been meaning to rent it all year because Callum has a teacher named Mrs. Moore. "Mrs. Moore!" You'll have to have seen the movie to get that, but there you are.

Neel got back in his garden this weekend, but we also had an unexpected trip to the park and lunch with some friends. Callum doesn't go to the park anymore, so he stayed home with some friends his own age. ;) It's funny standing in a park with a two-year old. How many times did we do that over the years? Up the ladder, down the slide. Up the ladder, down the slide. We never did it in the cold though. There was a special angel smiling over me when I gave birth in San Diego. Raising a small child there was easier. No coats. No mosquitoes. No rain. I finished up the switch over from spring/summer to fall/winter, and, as promised, a lot of brown and a lot of cords. I also pulled out my Uggs. Because I am still, apparently, a teenage girl.

Saturday night, Neel and I had our make-up anniversary dinner. We went to the Vintage Kitchen, where we haven't been in ages. It has amazing views of the Elizabeth River, and we got there just as the sun had set but still with a deep pink glow in the sky. We usually do small plates and share, and that's what we did last night. No dessert. Coffee though, but Neel still fell asleep on the sofa before ten! It felt good getting out and going someplace nicer than our usual family fare. We decided that we need to do it more, but that we need to do it as a family too. I think it's important for kids to learn how to eat out in nice restaurants. So maybe just us one month and with Cal one month. Until we run out of money.

Lazy Sunday. Except for Neel who moved the pad for the grill and the grill and created a whole new flower bed, but whatever. I had pictures of that but my phone ate them. My phone's been doing that lately. I cleaned. No photos of that. It was shivery cold and grey and if you looked outside, you'd think it was about to snow at any minute (really, it was like 50°!). Callum said today, "Really right now, I'm liking politics better than football." So when he wasn't doing homework, we switched back and forth. Two more days and it's time to vote.

And how are you, my lovelies? For my friends in the US, how does the time change impact you? I won't feel it until later in the week. But I love it. I love cozy time.

five things, november 2nd edition

1. I think that while it was fun, I'm not so disappointed that we've likely seen our last cross country race. I say likely because I doubt that the junior varsity team will travel to the state championships (fingers crossed). We're proud of our boy for toughing in out in a sport that's not his strong suit. He's not a natural runner, and I don't think he loves it. And yet, even in those hard early days when practice made homework run late and nights run later there was much value, not just in the movement but also in the feeling of being on a team. I know that this experience has been a large part of his early success in middle school. He did say that he's looking forward to more time in the evenings, and really, we all are. I'm not sure if he'll run again next fall, and for several reasons I'm not sure what he'll do this winter. All of our eyes are on baseball in the spring.

2. I think I have a problem. After Sandy skirted us and brought our first really cool temperatures of the season, I traded out my spring and summer clothes for my fall and winter clothes. This much I know. I don't need anymore cords. Or brown. I could use some black boots, and some trousers, some tops/sweaters and some COLOR. Help.

3. I think I'm very excited to be making our plans for Thanksgiving this year. All I say now is that they involve some dear old friends and a ferry ride (which, for Neel, means dramamine!).

4.  I think I'm both thrilled and terrified that I'm going to Food Blog South. I know, I know, terrified is a strong word. I'm pretty shy, and the thought of heading to a conference of foodies when I already feel like a pretender is pretty flipping intimidating. But, the thought of attending a conference of foodies is pretty thrilling too. I'm hoping to learn a lot. Norfolk has a lot of great food stuff going on, and I think it'll be pretty cool to start writing about it and photographing it.

5. I think we're coming up on a much more uneventful weekend than last weekend! Neel and I are finally going out to dinner for our anniversary, and we're trying a restaurant we haven't been to before. Other than that I have some shopping to do, and I'm hoping to rope my friend Jean into keeping me company (Come on, Jean! Callum needs jammies!). I'm going to tell you a little secret: I'm different from most of the country. I don't mind the time change. We push our clocks back an hour this weekend, and that's fine by me. Feels like winter and I'm ready for winter. We'll cuddle up with dogs on our laps and blankies layered on. Fires in the fireplace. Wood smoke, chili, sweaters and red wine. I'm all over it.

Update: It was our last cross country race, and Cal got a great time. Especially given, after Sandy's visit made it more of a mud run!

chili {life}

Every year we have chili at Halloween. Generally all the neighbors gather in one yard, consolidating candy and food, and await the kiddos. Sandy made it hard to plan, so we were all pretty much on our own. Plus Cal had homework. And don't even get me started on the science homework. At least not here. But still, I made chili, like I always do. And you're probably thinking, is she ever going to photograph anything besides soup? Maybe next week.

Lauren's Halloween Chili, slightly different every time

2-3 chicken breasts, cubed
1 onion chopped
cooking sherry
1 can cream style corn
2 cans great northern beans, drained
1 can white hominy, drained
add to taste:
   chili powder
   cumin
   brown sugar
   red pepper flakes
   garlic salt

Sauté onion in a bit of olive oil. Once translucent, add chicken cubes and sauté until golden brown. (Now. I wanted the chicken carmelized, but I also wanted it shredded, so once browned, I took the time to pull the cubes of chicken out to cool. You could just as easily leave the chicken cubed and in the pan.) Add sherry to deglaze the pan and reduce. Once the sherry has reduced, add corn, beans and hominy, along with the spices. If you've removed the chicken, shred it and add it back now. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for several hours so the spices meld.

Garnish with corn chips, cheddar cheese, and/or sour cream.

To my mind, the key to this dish is the sherry (always), the brown sugar (always), the cumin (always), and this year's generous helping of chili powder. It's always better when you put your own stamp on it.

chili {still}

Sandy {still + life}

We're here. We're fine. I almost hesitate to tell our story, given that it's so average compared to the untold destruction others are facing in the days and weeks ahead. Truth is, we're used to storms like these. It started raining on Saturday afternoon, and the lights flickered throughout Sunday and Monday. Callum and Neel didn't have school/work on Monday (but poor Neel worked through the day anyway). By far our highest winds came Monday afternoon and evening. And honestly, it's a miracle that the power didn't go out. As you can see, our neighborhood flooded. It always floods. Norfolk is essentially below sea level, and as I've mentioned before, we're rather prone to flooding. At various times the bridges and tunnels would close and reopen. Ferry service would suspend and reopen. We lit a fire and the dogs spent the day on my lap. It wasn't bad.

Midday Monday we went out and took these photos. Neel drove the car and Cal showed us how far not to go. I didn't want to risk the camera! We got off easy. Squarespace, the platform on which this blog is hosted, is flooded in NYC, and is going offline this morning. Not sure what that means for the blog in the next few days, but it might be a bit before you see me again. If you're inclined to offer support to the millions in need, here are some options for you: Red Cross and Portlight

Monday Mash Up, Hurricane Sandy edition

I can't get onto Photoshop, so please bear with me...I hope it isn't too hard to follow along! From Left to Right: 1. Friday hike | 2. & 3. Celebration Dinner | 4. Calm corgi before the storm | 5. Hand Crank weather radio (we've had it for ages, first time pulling it out!) | 6. Supplies: out | 7. Comfort food | 8. Comfort cookies | 9. Celebration Prosecco | 10. Brain food, Halloween Party | 11. Evening beverage | 12. Coffee nose | 13. Cafe Stella | 14. The Standard Four | 15. Rain-swept night | 16. & 17. Nervous hounds | 18. Rainy Anniversary

Usually I write these posts on Sunday evenings, once Cal has finished the last little bit of his homework and we're done with our Football Sunday supper. The Sunday night game is on and we're all cozy on the sofa. Relaxing and gearing up for a new week.

It's not quite 10 a.m. and it's raining steadily now. Winds are light but gusty and my twitter feed is filled with updates. Hurricane coordinates, tunnel closings, readiness tips, school cancellations (neither Neel nor Callum yet, although we anticipate it). We're not anticipating the true impacts of the storm to start to build until late this afternoon into tonight. With no direct hit for us, we're used to storms like these. Our weather folk on the TV will compare Sandy to past storms: more like Irene than Isabel. Not quite as bad as the 2009 Nor'easter. It gives you a frame of reference. Living here for ten years now, we feel well used to such weather events. (The dogs will never get used to them. At various points throughout the day they've been pressed up against each of us. When I got out of the shower this morning, Lucy-the-beagle was sitting on the bath mat.)

The most fun of these storms is the anticipation. I say "fun" when we don't have to really worry overmuch. I'm worried about my more Northeastern friends. They'll bear the brunt of this beastie and, unlike the coastal south, those states may be unused to events such as these. Ten years in, I feel old hat at it by now. We have water on hand at the start of every hurricane season. We check batteries. We have a pick-up-the-yard routine. Sometimes we board up the French doors (in France they just call them "doors") that lead to our back yard, and sometimes we don't. This time we didn't. I did my regular grocery run, but added some stuff. We pulled the cars deeper in the driveway. Yesterday I made soup and cookies and finally finished all the ironing that had stacked up.

Update: 10:30 a.m. Medical School closed Monday, now we await word on Callum's school. 2:05, Cal's school finally made the call.

Everywhere you go people talk about the storm. I had my usual Friday hike with my friend Tracy whose husband works in the theatre program at Regent University. You know, that Regent University... She got an automated message about straight line winds of 50-60 mph with this storm. And we had to wonder: did Regent get that message from the National Weather Service or straight from God? Several of us had a chat with a new neighbor about what to expect on the street, and Saturday morning found nearly everyone in their yards pulling in chairs,clearing gutters and trimming low lying branches.

We'd been meaning to buy a generator for months, and of course this storm forced our hand in the most annoying way! Neel and I dashed out Friday night before Callum's report card celebration dinner and every place we looked was sold out. Shipments coming in Saturday morning. He and Cal set out for what ended up being a rather jolly four-hour wait fest. The good folks at the Home Depot brought out chairs for the dozen plus folks who were waiting; someone brought hot dogs and popcorn for everyone. And now we have a generator.

We had a lot of fun Saturday night. A Halloween party thrown by colleagues of Neel's. I've decided that there are two kinds of people in the world. People who "do" Halloween and people who are "meh" about it. We're "meh." But! Lovely party. They do it every year and we've never been before, and when it's not raining there's apparently a haunted pathway and all sorts of fun stuff. In my book, the "fun stuff" was the smoked salmon that another guest brought. But that's just me! After that party we went over to Cafe Stella (my new favorite coffee shop) to Listen to The Standard Four, a jazz quartet featuring another of Neel's colleagues! It was really, really nice. The music, a little dessert, some nice and unusual beers and the rain and windswept streets outside. I like that kind of night.

And Sunday we wait. The dogs need reassurance. Neel gets extra time to write an exam. Callum is doing his homework, just in case there's school Monday, but the early part of the day has been quiet. So quiet, in fact, that it's actually hard to imagine that it's going to get bad here at all. But it will get worse; how much worse is the question. We will likely be spared the brunt of the storm, and it's my friends to the north that I worry most for. Please hold them all in the light.

If we do lose power, I will like be unable to update the blog for awhile (generator or not!). You can find me on twitter and maybe even instagram

Sunday evening update: after a rather unremarkable day, things are beginning to deteriorate this evening. As I'm writing this last bit, it's now just after 8 p.m. and our lights have been flickering and occasionally dimming for the last hour or so. We expect they'll go off overnight, but Neel promises me that our new generator can power the coffee maker (best! anniversary! present! ever!). I'll be back when I can, my lovelies. In the meantime, please hold those who are more directly in the path of this terrible storm in the light.