feeling lucky

After a week that seemed like a page out of a doomsday novel. . . earthquakes, hurricanes. . . life in Washington has quietly settled back to normal. We were lucky, very lucky, considering the scope of the destruction wrought by Irene along the east coast. My heart goes out to all from North Carolina to my home state of Maine. My family is safe and well, but there are so many others who are not.

Every morning I walk past the Newseum on my way to work. Lining the entrance are daily copies of the front pages of local newspapers from all over the country. There you can find the local interest stories sadly lacking from The New York Times, or on CNN. Entire communities wiped out or stranded by flood waters that continue to rise. Historic buildings and bridges washed away by water. Many tough, but tired people. It is summer now, but these folks will soon be headed into a cold New England winter. It's hard to think about.

But, here are some ways to help on an immediate, local level:

* American Red Cross of Vermont & New Hampshire Valley
* American Red Cross Connecticut Region
* The Preservation Trust of Vermont

And here in Washington, the National Cathedral sustained several million dollars of damage in last week's earthquake. You can help the repair effort.

If anyone has additional suggestions for local aid organizations, please add them in the comments.

Here's hoping you are all safe and well.

a day in virginia

A bit more from our day in Virginia, visiting Stratford Hall. The apple trees were in full glory, braches straining under the weight of a bumper crop.

P.S. All are fine after the 5.9 earthquake here in Washington.

Be well. Be safe.

an apple a day

A lovely weekend! Clear, warm days interrupted by a thunderstorm or two (with enough drama to be interesting, but not so much to cause serious damage). The gentleman and I decided a field trip was in order, so we hopped in the car on friday and drove down to the northern neck of Virginia to spend the day with a bit of history (more on that to come). There was a touch of fall in the air, which always puts me in a good mood. The apple trees were laden with fruit and the corn stalks so tall they obliterated the horizon. A few yellow leaves were stirring in the wind. Nothing like some fresh air to clear a foggy mind.

But, then there were papers to organize, an apartment to clean, and laundry to do. . . so back to reality. Oh, and the gentleman and I are working on an exciting project I hope to show you soon.

Cheers.

And happy monday.

trouvée: a kiss

My parents were married 44 years ago today. And after all those years, they still enjoy a good kiss. (This is not them, but if I'd had access to their wedding album. . . I would have pilfered a photo). Happy Anniversary to one swell couple. xo {click image to view larger}

Happy,

happy

weekend all!

(the gentleman and I are playing hookey today, shhhh)

quiet mornings

It has been a busy week. And not quite half over! With the weather cooling off a bit, the gentleman and I have started taking early morning walks. The streets are still quiet and the light is beautiful. We don't talk much, both still wiping sleep from our eyes and dreaming of caffeine. But, he'll hold my hand, and we'll stop occasionally to silently admire a building or peek through a garden gate. Sometimes the best part of being with someone is not having to say anything at all.

Some things:

* 5 Beekman Street (thanks Anne!)
* bread from Gran's Kitchen
* and Always With Butter

Enjoy!

trouvée: the picnic

No date. No inscriptions. Just two lovers in the woods. My favorite photo find of the year. {click image to view larger}

Some beauties today:

* From the Winter Woods
* Bucks Mill Cabin
* and 3191 gets a makeover!

Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

I have something very nice planned. . .

. . . but before that, the gentleman is taking me out to dinner.

xo

in the wild

While we were in Maine my parents held a lobster bake so that the gentleman and I could celebrate our marriage with family and friends in true New England style. We were tasked with gathering wild flowers for the centerpieces (such an awful job, right?), and so trotted off with baskets in hand. Besides masses of the ubiquitous Queen Anne's Lace, we managed to scrounge up some pink clover, yarrow, mallow, early golden rod, and wild sweet peas (my very favorite discovery) !! Along the way we snacked on wild blueberries as the bugs snacked on us.

Ahhhh, fleurs. . . .

Happy tuesday all!

fields of yellow

Buttercups. The next best thing to Queen Anne's Lace.

I want you to know that I ran gleefully into this field to get these shots, only to emerge covered with slugs. Ahhh, what price beauty? Bugs and slugs. And an army of Japanese beetles. I'm always amazed at the wild life that crawls out of an armful of wildflowers.

Anyway, just a bit of yellow for now.

Until tomorrow. . . enjoy.

an evening in maine

Drinking wine and watching the sun set through the Queen Anne's Lace. That's about as close to perfection as one gets.

Oh, my gosh:

* these beautiful flowers

* this photograph

* and this one

* Kate in Tennessee

* and some risotto (the gentleman is cooking dinner!)

Cheers all.

Have a good weekend.

xo

a breath of fresh air

Hello all! We are just back from Maine, happy from our time in the salt air and sunshine (and not at all ready for the furnace-blast of hot air that greeted us on our return!).

A random list of things today:

* The Invention of the Past (already on my wish list)
* a house in Belgium (oh, the gardens!)
* and a bit of architectural archaeology

Lots more to come from Maine in the next few days.

Hope you are all well. . . cheers!