Father's Day . . .

Even though Father's Day was a little sad for me, the day got better when we met my husband's parents for an early dinner.

Cornetta's is a seafood restaurant that's been around since the mid 1970's.  It's located in the little town of Piermont, NY which is right on the Hudson River.  The food is delicious.  The decor has been the same for years which is something I like.  It's nice to see a piece of  your childhood still intact.  : )

 

 

My beautiful mother-in-law a.k.a. Mimi holding Megan after dinner.

 

I told my husband how lucky he is to have two father figures in his life (his dad and step-dad ). 

My handsome son Connor who gives me attitude every time I try to take his picture so I have to do it on the sly.  : )  We missed Trevor at dinner.  He went away with some friends for a long weekend. 

Another bratty son that doesn't want to pose for a photo . . .

so he ducks behind the sign . . .

but alas!!!  He's not quick enough to elude his fast shooting mother!!  A little out of focus but I'll take what I can get! : )

 
I hope everyone had a peaceful Father's Day.  Now it's on to the last couple of days of school!!


Many blessings for a happy Monday ~ Wendy

A Day Trip . . .

Yesterday, Jim and I managed to get away for a few hours for some much needed "Jim and Wendy" time.  It seems like it's been nothing but us in the roles of "Mom and Dad" lately, which is an awesome thing.  Don't get me wrong.  However, I've always needed that "alone time" with myself and with my partner as well.  I truly think it makes us better parents when we put ourselves first once in a while.   And I'm so blessed to be married to someone that I actually would be friends with even if we weren't married.  I always tell Jim he's my FWB (Friend with Benefits).  WINK!! WINK!!  : )

I've been wanting to visit a little town called Cold Spring, NY.  I've been there several times but never with Jim and he'd never been there at all.  It's about a 50 minute drive from our house and it's so worth it.

We were blessed with an absolutely gorgeous day!!  Bright sunshine, low humidity and in the mid 70's.  Jim took this photo as we crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge.  This flag is huge and they hang it from the span.  I felt the goosebumps come on as soon as I spotted it and I'm sure my husband did too!!

This sign was on a telephone pole next to where we parked.  Of course I had to get a photo of it!!!!  : )

Cold Spring is loaded with big, old houses with the most beautiful architecture.

I fell in love with this front door and the lace curtains.  There's something about lace curtains that I adore.  I think it stems from my visit to Ireland a few years back when I saw how many Irish windows were filled with them.  I ended up coming home with Irish lace and had it hanging in my windows for years.  I still have it and when we buy our new home I'm going to go back to using it.  So, so pretty!!

 

 

It seemed like everywhere you looked there were lush gardens and flower pots filled with the most brilliant flowers!! 

 After a wonderful lunch at Hudson Hil's Cafe, we walked around town and visited a few little antique shops.  There were so many beautiful things that I would've bought in a second if I was in buying mode but I've actually been in selling/purging mode.  However, it certainly doesn't hurt to look!!

I love jadite and the one antique shop we went to had the most beautiful pieces.  I fell in love with the bowl below.

And there was a huge selection of candy molds!!

My hubby found a bunch of old tools that reminded him of the ones he and his father used when he was growing up in  Tennessee.

I found this wonderful vintage pail that's used to keep fish in once they're caught.  I would've brought this home in a heartbeat if my father was still alive.  He was an avid fisherman and it would be the perfect Fathers' Day gift for him.  : (

Another one of my favorite finds of the day was this absolutely wonderful vintage wooden dollhouse.  It opened from the front as opposed to the newer ones that open from the back.  It had the perfect bones for creating the perfect dollhouse!!  The walls were bare and could be filled with vintage wallpaper.  The floors were bare and could be painted.  The shop owner was asking $100.00 for it and I knew it was negotiable.  The problem is that it's a pretty big piece and we don't really have the room for it right now.  Megan doesn't have her own room yet so it would just sit in the garage for a few years until we move.  I'm still so totally tempted to go back and get it!!!!!

 

A view of the Bear Mountain Bridge flag on our way home.

 It was a wonderful day and we look forward to going back again soon.  I think the next time I'd like to wander away from Main Street a little bit to see what else is going on around the town.  And to look at more of those gorgeous old houses!!!!


Many blessings for a happy and peaceful Saturday ~ Wendy
  

this moment . . .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

    Many blessings for a happy and peaceful weekend ~ Wendy

this moment . . .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 Many blessings for a happy and peaceful weekend ~ Wendy

Monday, Rainy Monday . . .

After a mostly gorgeous weekend, it's now a rainy Monday.  Truth be told, I absolutely love the rain.  I think I've mentioned that here on at least several occasions!! 

Megan was sick and sleep was intermittent but she seems to be feeling better.  Yesterday morning, I awoke to her looking at me while raising her eyebrows up and down saying "Hubba Hubba."  I can't begin to tell you how hard I laughed!!  It definitely made up for at least some of the sleep I was deprived of!! 

Sand in the hair + Stains on the shirt = A Very Good Day!!

I'm participating in the Photo-a-Day Challenge via Fat Mum Slim's blog.  It's not too late to join us!!

Photo of the Day for June 3 ~ "On your plate"

A Daisy on a Plate.

June 4th ~ "Close-Up"

Mr. Bigglesworth taking a nap.

Many blessings for a happy and sunny Monday ~ Wendy

a photo a day . . .

Yesterday, I discovered a fantastic blog called Fat Mum Slim .  Chantelle is the blog's author.  For the last couple of months she's hosted a "photoaday" challenge.  Each day, for the month of June, she's listed a topic for a photo for that day.  If you click onto her website you'll see the list of topics for each day and instructions on how to participate. I'll be posting my photos here, on Pinterest and on Flickr where my member name is ctb003. 

I've always wanted to participate in something like this and she has some great topics for the month.  Don't worry that it's already the second day of the month.  I'm just starting today, myself.  You're not being graded on this.  Just have fun with it!! 

My photo for June 1st that I just took today is of this morning's breakfast ~ homemade banana bread and DD coffee.

  

My photo for today, June 2nd, is of my "empty" breakfast plate and coffee cup.  Thought I'd combine the two photos since I got a late start on this challenge!!  : )

Many blessings for a happy and peaceful Saturday ~ Wendy

this moment . . .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Many blessings for a happy and peaceful weekend ~ Wendy

this moment . . .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

It's so hard to believe another week has come and gone!!  I'm definitely ready for the lazy days of  no school, staying up a little bit later and sleeping in just a little bit longer.  How about you??

Many blessings for a peaceful and wonderful weekend ~ Wendy

Snapshots of Chinatown . . .

Yesterday, I helped chaparone a class trip to Chinatown in NYC with my youngest son, Brendan's, class.  It was a wonderful day and there were so many different sights and sounds and smells (oh, the smells!!) to take in.  I could've taken a million photos!! 




 
 
 
  

In the midst of all the Chinese culture is a Jewish Synagogue.  It was absolutely gorgeous.

The synagogue was located right next door to a small Buddhist temple.  The children got to ask questions about all of the different things they saw and I was very happy when I was told it was okay to take photos.  : )

 

 

This is a prayer flag outside of the temple.  Probably my favorite photo of the day.

This is the FDNY firehouse in Chinatown.  We were lucky enough to catch them coming back from a run!!

  

I loved seeing the stars and stripes in the midst of everything!!

  

Tomorrow I'll share more photos including some of the fantastic finds we discovered.  Happy Wednesday!!


Many blessings ~ Wendy