Blog a la Cart

Month: August, 2014

33/52

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“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Sunny: I suspect that she may start growing gils at any moment. This summer has turned her into a fish. She played and played and swam and swam in the ocean, and even purple lips and goose bumps couldn’t motivate her out of the water.
Kaki: Casual nose-picking. Such is the life of a three-year old. (She was very excited to sport her anchor dress during our weekend’s Cape Cod adventures)

More details about The 52 Project here. To view all the portraits in the series visit here.

Stockholm // Day 4

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Our fourth and final day in Stockholm came at the very end of our trip. We took a train west to Dalsland for the wedding, which I’ll recap separately, and then returned to Stockholm for one final evening before an early morning flight back to the States. We returned to the city mid-day after a morning train ride, and were graced with more stunning weather. We were so fortunate to have the most beautiful, sunny, humid-free environment for our travels. We decided to spend our last evening down by the water front in the Gamla Stan neighborhood (the old town).

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^^We first popped into a bakery and finally sampled Princess Cake – something Kimmy has been eager to try ever since she sailed with a Swedish scientist through the Panama Canal and had this pastry described to her in great detail five years prior. Princess Cake is a traditional Swedish pastry consisting of alternating layers of airy sponge cake, strawberry jam, pastry cream, and whipped cream, topped by green marzipan and a pink marzipan rose. It was a lovely, light summer dessert. Hopped up on sugar, we were ready to hit the streets for some final sightseeing.^^

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^^Finally a photo of the two of us together in Stockholm!^^

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^^Check out the Vasamuseet in the background (the red building with the tall ship masts).^^

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^^Sweet lord this city is attractive and nautical. Swoon! We ate our final Swedish meal on the outdoor terrace of the Grand Palace Hotel. We were channeling Momar, big time. This was the view during dinner.^^

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^^We walked all over the city prior to dinner on a hunt for the perfect Rodebjer kaftan. One of Maja’s wedding guests rocked one during the festivities, and we were obsessed. Alas, none of the flagship stores in Stockholm had any in stock, so I am patiently waiting to make the investment once our bank account has recovered from this trip. Such an easy, breezy, classy look. This was the one we saw firsthand. ^^

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^^We also had fun exploring the T-bana (subway) stations and all of their wild art and decor.^^

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^^Officially wiped from the week’s adventures, we watched our final Swedish sunset from Lassemaja’s stunning apartment view. Farewell, Stockholm. Hejdå Sverige!  We most definitely will be seeing you again.^^

Currently Reading

As someone who grew up in a Star Trek loving household, I was particularly moved by this blog post:

To that end, we’ve tried to make our literary dramatis personae more closely resemble the people of Earth. We’ve tried to include more people of African, Asian, and Southeast Asian ancestry than were seen in the televised and feature-film stories. We’ve tried to incorporate characters who hail from many cultures and viewpoints. We’ve tried to imagine a future in which people of all faiths have learned to live in harmony with people of other creeds as well as those who prefer to lead purely secular lives. We’ve tried to depict a future in which people’s gender identities are no longer limited to some arbitrary binary social construct, but rather reflect a more fluid sense of personal identity.

Sister, Sister

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This weekend, my oldest friend and her two little girls (and their Papa) joined us for Courtland’s birthday celebration. I just love seeing our girls spend time together, as it is a reminder of our own childhoods, as we and our two little sisters grew up together and remain close to this day. How special that we should each have our own pair of daughters that can play and grow up side by side. We may be a state apart, but I know that these four girls will come to see one another as extended family just as their parents have.

A Very Berry Birthday

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The weather could not have been more cooperative for our gathering for Courtland’s Third Birthday. We had both sets of grandparents, my sister, out of town friends from childhood and college, and two friends that live in town and their families over for the celebration. It was an afternoon spent lounging on the lawn of Cartwheel Farm, eating food and enjoying the company of some of my favorite humans on Earth. James and our girls camped out in a tent in our backyard, as our house was bustling with overnight guests. I’m still coming down from the high of having so many people I love altogether to celebrate our second born. It was also tremendously fun to get our growing broods of children together. So heartwarming to see everyone’s beautiful families.

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^^Courtland woke up from her nap just as people were arriving. Like her mother and big sister, she was slow to warm up post-sleep. Sunny did her best to cheer her up for a few pre-party photos in their frilly dresses.^^

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^^Auntie Kimmy won their hearts and attention with bubble wands. Then Courtland spilled the entire bottle down the front of her dress and turned herself into a frothy, bubbly mess. This was the beginning of her dress’s decline. By the end of the day, she had completely shredded the tulle and had berry stains all down the front. It was fun while it lasted, Momar! Girl sure knows how to show a party who’s boss.^^

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^^There were so very many delicious babies in attendance, and so, there was so very much baby snuggling. Doda, in particular, got his baby fix.^^

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^^There was present opening…^

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^^There was singing of Happy Birthday, and blowing of candles, and consumption of berry-covered Angel Food Cake…^^

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^There was swinging on swings and giving friends a hand swinging on swings…^^

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^^There was enjoyment of new presents…^^

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^^And, lastly, there were hilarious attempts at capturing all of the pint-sized guests together. So much chub. So much cute. I can only hope that they attempt to recreate this series in 20 years.^^

Gladdy is One

Happy first birthday to this ridiculous canine.

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She adds just the right touch of laughter and comfort to this family of ours. We are so lucky she was born just as our Ursa was getting ready to leave us. Gladden has kept that wonderful flat-coat spirit alive while bringing her own snuggly, goofy personality into the fold. And so we celebrated the day with fresh whipped cream and birthday crowns. Naturally.

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Currently Quoting

You – you alone will have the stars as no one else has them … In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night … You – only you – will have stars that laugh.

– Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Robin Williams

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Oh my heart. I don’t usually post about celebrity death but this man brought so much laughter and light to my household (and households around the world). It hurts to think that a person who made so many people so joyful could have been so desperately sad.

Robin Williams was a brilliant sun. Unfortunately, depression makes it impossible to see your own light.

Depression lies. It has taken too many people I love. Ask for help. (The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – 24/7). You deserve to feel safe. We all do. And Robin, thank you, truly thank you, for sharing your talents with all of us. You will be missed.

(I’m off to snuggle up with my girls and watch “Aladdin” and focus on all the laughter that he gave to us all).

Watermelon Whale

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Kimmy captured the sentiment beautifully: “When I die, I hope I go to a place filled with Watermelon Whales.”

Per my request, James spent Friday night turning a watermelon into a whale to hold the berry bonanza for Courtland’s third birthday party.

I supplied him with Dark n’Stormies and a pumpkin carving kit, and he did the rest.

At one point, he looked up and declared, “Ya know, I’m really glad that I’m married to you. No one else would insist on carving a watermelon whale, and it’s pretty awesome.” It may have been the rum talking, but the feeling’s sure mutual.

Do note the buck tooth grin and berry spout.

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32/52

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“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Sunny: Big sister held up okay (with a few pouty faces here and there) despite all the attention on the birthday girl. I mean, it was a weekend of ice cream and cake, so she couldn’t be too put out.
Kaki: Our Three Year Old

More details about The 52 Project here. To view all the portraits in the series visit here.