Happy Fourth

Hope everyone enjoyed some fireworks and the day off.

Lake Time

House is open. Boats in the water. Summer is here!

Celebrity subway spotting

I had my frost celebrity spotting (that I know of) yesterday. I was pretty excited that a) I recognized that she was indeed a celebrity and b) that I figured out what movie she was in before she got off the train three stops later.

Turns out her name is Malin Ackerman. I recognized her as the bitchy younger sister in 27 dresses.

I attempted to take a picture while being indiscreet but her head was down.

I guess celebrities do take the subway!

Friday Photo Dump

I must admit - I've been awful at keeping this blog going. And it's something I want to be have  - so I can share experiences with my friends and family, take time to reflect on things, and have them to look back at later on. 

One thing I am good at doing, is snapping pictures. So my goal for now - is to post photos on Fridays. Otherwise known as the Friday Photo Dump. 

(from left to right, clockwise, unfortunately not in order of occurance)

1. Jamba Juice after Pure Barre class. I started Pure Barre this week, and it's been challenging. Last night I rewarded myself with a little treat on the late train home. 

2. Chris and the UHaul! We moved him into his new apartment Sunday, which is very exciting! 

3. Mori! (at Hiro's Japanese Hibachi Grill in Albany) This dinner is always a treat - we got take away after the move. Such a nice reward - and the BEST leftovers on Monday. 

4. Saturday night we saw Chris' niece in the play Thoroughly Modern Millie. She was MILLIE! and she was fabulous and adorable. It was a lot of fun. 

5. Me ... in the mirror in my Christmas present from Chris. LuLuLemon workout pants and top. I wore this to Zumba this week. My mom and I started Zumba last week, so this was out second week there - and I'm so proud of her! 

6. Maybe the best thing about this week! My best friend Erin and her husband DJ welcomed their baby boy Benjamin early Tuesday am. He is SO precious, and I got to hang out with him twice this week. 

Here's to the weekend!  

  

South Beach

little bit of Inspiration

When waterskiing one early morning this summer, I spotted a boat house out of the ordinary and one I've never noticed before. Not a normal adirondack log cabin boathouse, but more BIG-esque. Similar to the Copenhagen Harbour Bath.

Of course the house(s) belonging to this dock were nothing like anything else on the lake either. Green roofs, sliding wood screen facade, and shifting volumes. I immediately fell in love and have been intrigued since.

Enjoy the design and beauty of this compound of structures ... I'm using it as a little bit of inspiration.

More Pictures: Arch Record Slideshow Here

contractor diagram

Diagram showing animal drinkers (exterior and interior) at my project.
2 valves or 1?
That is the question.

fig recipe

I can tell you how much I love figs. I swore I did a post of them, but I can't find it. To give you an idea, i go out and buy a pint of fresh figs and ear them one (quick) sitting. Must be something with my sweet tooth. :)

Well, today I came across this recipe for figs with ricotta and honey and I cannot wait to make them!

Early May At the Lake

Can you see the lake behind us? We were the only ones on the course that morning. 

Big tree down on the way to the beach

shower

 At the end of April, I headed down to Philadelphia for one of my best friend's bridal showers.  

 The Bridal Party

 the mothers + bride! 

She got some great presents! But aren't these cake toppers adorable! 

disabled red jeep in the middle lane

of the Bronx River Parkway southbound. 

my first car accident. 

No one was hurt. That's all that matters, but my poor car. :( 

fly me to the moon ...

let me play among the stars ...

Chris' flying lessons!

What a handsome pilot!

the rest of florida

We hug out at the beach with the kids. 

How cute is this shirt?! and the boy. :) 

Found some fun shells and rocks all with little holes in them. 

A lot of pool time. 

Playing with Jasper in the pool.

A really a good game of I SPY before it was time to leave. 

So saaad. 

But such a good getaway. 

quick trip

We hitched a ride to Florida in March for a just a quick trip. 

Yup, on that. 

With these awesome people.

Don't be fooled, they did not look like that for the majority of the trip. 

We had those ear buds in for a reason. 

We stayed in Orlando the first night and day. Two days before we left on the trip, Kate and I realized we would be in Orlando at the same time! It was such a nice treat to hang out with the DeSantis in Florida. 

This is the kind of architecture you see in Orlando. Who actually designs this stuff? 

We went to a water park! I haven't been in years. It was a ton of fun! There was one ride I wouldn't go on. It was called the Bomb Bay. You stand in a little room, and the trap door beneath you opens, and you fall down a 76 foot vertical slide. Yeah - I don't think so. Chris brings it up all the time. Of course he went down it. After the water park fun, we met up with Kate's Chris and grabbed some lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. 

 It was hard saying goodbye to Kate not knowing when I would see her next, so we had a little photo shoot to make it easier. 

star gazing

The unlimited void that is our outer space is such a fascinating and mind blowing concept to me. I can stare at the night sky for hours, allowing myself to see new depths of space and wondering what the heck is out there. I would love to be able to visit some day.

So, back in March (we're going to play catch up), Chris and I decided it would be fun to go to the planetarium to learn more about space. The closest one to us is the Vanderbilt Planetarium at the Vanderbilt Museum.

I believe the last time I was at this, or any, planetarium, it was in the 80's for a school field trip. Well this one had not changed since then. Outside, while we waited for the previous show to end, we perused the dioramas and informative displays. Inside, there were these amazing red velvet seats, none of which had any spring left in them. After some technical difficulties, the show started, and we were star gazing inside. It was fun and somewhat informative on a very elementary level.

At the entry

Afterwards, we wandered around the gold coast era mansion and grounds where William K Vanderbilt II lived.

He traveled the world after making his fortune, and brought back and collected an eclectic variety of things that are now housed at his mansion.  

Next time we go back well take a tour of the house. And the planetarium is being renovated, opening spring 2012, making it one of the best planetariums in the US. We will let you know!

snorting at the warthog

shenanigans in the well