Sparks is a quirky dog

Adventures with Mr.

I looked forward to the summer to spend time with my favorite person, my bestie, Mr. We have been all over this summer, trying new restaurants and appreciating NYC. This is crucial- because it is easy to hate this town, to be frustrated and inconvenienced in every way
But when you have an evening eating gourmet sandwiches on the freshly renovated Lincoln Center lawn, listening to the Met Opera sound check and then top it off with gelato and impromptu opera scenes; you have to say "only in New York".

Summer 2010

We have been finally able to take Sparks places to watch us eat. We have always been terrified that he would eat the food off the table and bark his head off and we would have to leave. But he has been practicing at our favorite breakfast place, Mila Cafe, and now he is ready for Georgia's Cafe on Broadway!
Sparks and I spent a lot of quality time together which was so wonderful. He helped me with a lot of cleaning and organization projects. Throwing out old magazines, sorting yarn, and having a stoop sale. We mercilessly threw out tons of junk.
We also cleaned the outside closet. This space is unofficially our garage and was piled with stuff we hadn't looked at for awhile. I cleaned all the tools and sifted through every screw, nail and bolt. It was incredibly satisfying. We also sat in front of the air conditioner.

Chestertown, MD

We had the last of the wedding series. Our friends E. and R. were married last weekend in Chestertown, MD. We stayed in the adorable White Swan Tavern, which dated back to the 1700's and hosted George Washington.
We reserved the most amazing room- the colonial kitchen which was the oldest in the building. But, I slept horribly, it was creepy in the dark!
There was something about this wedding that was just...wonderful. So, so fun! Friday night started with the sound of hammers cracking open crabs. And we went swimming.


This is the amazing mansion that the couple rented for the weekend. It was sprawling and had amazing views of the Chester River. But I think the thing that made this wedding really special was the couple. They were so relaxed and happy and we all had a chance to really chat with them. Most people will agree that a wedding is funny, because often the couple are so busy, so torn in every direction with every good friend and family member needing them. This was just a great time from start to finish.

San Diego

I went to a teacher conference in San Diego and it was...fun. I mean there was a lot of time that we were in workshops, but I cannot complain about west coast weather.
Ms. P. and I had a lot of fun, going to beaches and exploring the SD public transit.
Mr. T. and Mr. N. also joined, but weren't quite as into the beach. They had no reservations about milkshakes, burgers, fries and onion rings.
The last beach on the last day...Coronado.

North Carolina

We did many things on our trip that were not saved for posterity, namely: hanging out, visiting, helping with computers, eating and eating and eating. We managed to visit the Farmers Market and I brought 4 bags of grits home. We also strolled around the Grove Park Inn.
It was really fun and I hope it will become a family tradition. But I am afraid that Delta Airlines have made my parents weary of returning.

North Carolina

I never realized what an ice cream fiend my mom was until this trip. She could have eaten scoops of peanut butter chocolate and nothing else.
And Dad wouldn't have minded.
Downtown Hendersonville.
Trapped.

North Carolina

My parent and I went on a lot of excursions that the inlaws had already experienced such as Chimney Rock which overlooks Lake Lure. Unfortunately, what usually would have taken about 1.5 hours took like 4 hours. Part of that time was spent in a tunnel waiting for an elevator and the rest was spent hiking down the mountain...

This was another lovely and long excursion. The Biltmore House tour. Wow, that place is just huge. My parents looking like Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt on their loggia!

North Carolina

I had a lot of plans for the summer vacation and I also planned to get back in the saddle and post about them...and look here- it is late August, I feel the crush of work looming and I am going to try to cram in a bunch of posts to catch up. Above, my parents in North Carolina. We went to visit Mr.'s family and my parents joined us. They have not been to western NC and I knew they would like the scenery.


They got a cabin room at the cutest place, Highland Lake Inn. There were many options for relaxing right there- a lake, goats, gardens and porches. My mom looks right at home!
They also went to Connemara, Carl Sandburg's home and toured it. Mr. and I have been to the property, but not inside. My parents loved it, as evidenced by the many photos they took, which I am sparing you.
He pappy on the porch in the ubiquitous KU hat.

The entire clan together, sans Mom who was taking the pic.

Team Babs

My sis's hubby and son and Mr.

My parents and aunt.

White Christmas!!!!

I cannot remember the last white Christmas I have had. In fact, the last few years, Christmas has brought strangely mild weather. Mr. and I barely made it to Kansas before a Christmas Eve Blizzard hit. Here are the gentlemen digging out my sister's van.
Isn't she cute? Here are her funny cleaning slippers.
We packed in a lot of celebrating on this trip. My mom turned 70 on the first, but I could not get away to be with her. So we planned a bowling party! My sister had these -shirts made and they are soooo cute.