A break for Oysters

Last week as we upped the pace of our house yet again and prepared for a very special visitor to join us for the summer, or longer, I was starting to feel overwhelmed.   The head under water feeling was palpable.  I felt I was slipping and worse, knew life was going to get busier in the coming weeks.

Before I fell from the zen platform I'd been happily residing on for a few months, I called the nanny asked if she could stay a few extra hours and called my husband and asked if he could meet me at a pre-baby favorite spot of ours, a local oyster bar.   The weather was beautiful, we met at the bar, drank some beer, ate our first oysters of the season and just simply chilled.

And let me tell you, it worked.  It was just enough time to ourselves to take a step back, breathe and enjoy.  All was going to be fine - better than fine, all was really great.   A sign of my maturity, I suppose.  I no longer seek perfection or avoid difficulty.  They are just a part of the human experience.  The important thing to remember, as I've said so many times on this blog before, it's all part of the ride.  It comes, it goes.  Nothing, good or bad, is forever.

But lest me not forget the healing power of oysters and beer on a warm summer night.

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Omnivore's Dilemma: Part 1

I know I'm asking for it by reading this, but I've wanted to for awhile.  I'm finally digging in.  1) I like meat, chicken, pork etc. 2) I can't afford to only shop at Whole Foods for grass fed but I still don't think I should shy away from educating myself.  Just like with my review of Collapse, I don't want to get depressed about environmental damage or the state of our food industry, instead I just want to be informed so that I can use my consumer dollars to support environmentally ethical corporations, when I can.  Also, more meatless meals, farmer's markets and overall awareness of my consumption will not hurt me.

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Vacation Goals

A few more days separate me from a nice week long vacation.  Come to think of it, I haven't been off for a proper week since my maternity leave - 1.5 yrs ago.  It's long due - it's been a very busy few months.   We don't have anything spectacular planned, just going to take the time to get some things done around the house, do some shopping, bang out some appointments and maybe do a day trip here and there.  It will all be very unplanned, which is just what I need.  Nowhere to be, nothing to do.  Just go where the mood beckons!   

A few things I'd like to do: 

  Exercise - Fithouse and Yoga classes.  Every day. Ideally.  

  Eat Well - Cook real food.  Eat lots of delicious fruit and hopefully get out the juicer

  Shop - Two summers ago I was pregnant and last summer I wasn't feeling that excited to get a new wardrobe, which means most of my summer stuff is at least 3 seasons old!  Every morning has become somewhat dreadful as I rummage through which crap to wear to work today.  I'd like to freshen that up AND get my closet into somewhat workable order.   A lot to ask and sadly, not a favorite project of mine.  

That's all.  And rest, relax, enjoy!!    Oh yeah - and our first house party on July 4! 

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Sweet Potatoes in the crockpot

Could this be so simple?   I'm trying it out tonight - I'm committed to bring more lunches to work.   Stay tuned for the results.

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The Time....

I'm not here with a fresh and provocative thought.  Instead, I'm here with the observation that time/life is going so quickly.  I'll be looking for ways to make it slow down just a bit - or at the very least maximize the days so that we enjoy this very, very special time in life for everything that it is. 

I am reminded of one of my favorite passages by Rilke, "Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”   Lately, I feel as though we are living the answer.  So many far away dreams seem to be coming to fruition.   I am nothing, nothing, but thankful and happy.   It's all so very good.  

These two, seriously. 

 

25 steps toward success

Just a simple list, but some good ones to remember.

You are actually living a good life by recognizing these 25 signs:

1. Your relationships are less dramatic than they use to be.

2. You may not have as much money as you want but you live a rich life.

3. You’re not afraid to ask for help and support.

4. Where you live feels like home.

5. You’ve raised your standards.

6. You let go of things that don’t make you feel good.

7. You have moments where you appreciate who you see in the mirror.

8. You’re working on limiting your inner critic and consciously choosing more positive thoughts.

9. You’ve learned that setbacks and failure are part of self-growth.

10. You have a support system that includes people who would do anything for you.

11. You hear “I love you” often, from friends, family or a partner.

12. You’ve accepted what you can’t change, but change what you can’t accept.

13. You don’t complain much, but instead focus on solutions.

14. You don’t blame your parents, and accept them for who they are.

15. You stopped caring about what others think of you.

16. You’re happy for your exes when they move on.

17. You can celebrate others’ successes.

18. You allow yourself to feel your feelings and are comfortable sharing them.

19. You have passions that you pursue.

20. You’re able to accept compliments without deflecting.

21. You have things to look forward to.

22. You have goals that have come true.

23. You have empathy for others.

24. You feel connected to your work.

25. You love deeply and open yourself up to be loved by others.

(finding summer clothes that were packed away and forgotten about, a successful well-visit for J, summer plans) 

Lobster Bake

I love this idea and now that we've got ourselves a wonderful backyard, I plan to do it.   Casual, fun, tasty....   we'd go for lobsters since we're in New England.  We're hosting some visitors this summer, maybe this would be the perfect way to celebrate.

I love the cardboard trays to carry the loot. More inspiration here.

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(yesterday's delightful green juice compliments of work, R's flexible work schedule that allows him to bring the baby to the well visit and take some of the load off of me, the weather - this delicious, perfect weather.)