Well here we are skirting the end of summer and we’ve gone from a crazy rainy start to the summer to mild drought conditions by the end. Weather is crazy. But it looks and FEELS like we have some rain in our very near future, maybe any minute or maybe not.

Anywho. It’s been a fun summer. Lots of paddleboarding—-and a few paddle board repairs—granite rocks meet 10 year old boards. A little fix up and we’ll be back out in no time to hang with the loons.

Lots of biking. Moderate hiking, but new places and amazing views.

Camping!!! I know. Right? With another trip planned in 2 weeks. Who am I???

And a YouTube channel. Take a peek and subscribe!

We almost bought an old farmhouse. But it wasn’t meant to be, so looks like we have a room conversion project on the books for this year’s project! And then…..we can have proper visitors!!

We took our anniversary trip in the White Mountains—-separate blog needed for that but man, it was awesome! I had a trip to FL. We visited Boston and hubby’s boyhood town in MA. Our girls visited (one this coming week and one earlier this summer) and I have my annual mother/daughter trip coming up mid-September. One of my oldest friends is coming to visit this fall. A full heart, indeed!!

Life is good. We’re staying summer-busy and trying to soak up the sun before the winter dark comes—-and she IS coming.

Until next time, Peace! XO

Summer.

Kicked off with Memorial Day and here in the NE it’s still raining. According to weather reports, 2/3 of May’s days had rain. Pretty much all of them falling on weekends. 1/2 of April’s days had rain, again falling on the weekends. I mean it is GREEN. And wet. Happy grass, trees and flowers but some grumpy people. Me. I’m people.

And so….I was fortunate enough to sneak away to FL for a few days to hug my people, my kiddos and grandbebe. And see the SUN. It still exists, all glory to God! The sun promised me he’d make it back to the Northeast again, no ETA. And apparently not this weekend, but it was a delight to see Mr. Sun for a few days!

Since we’ve had enough weekends of ick forcing us to spring clean, organize, complete projects, start other projects today we were just bleh. And bored. And a little stir cray. So what did we do?

Barn sale.

In the rain.

Scored two old windows to finish up our front porch project for $20. Got a little wet but worth the trip. Now Hubs can get to work. Chop, chop, babe.

Coffee shop/bakery for tea and kill some time since the museum we were headed to was closed. Rude. We’ll try again another day.

And now, I’m heading down a rabbit hole with ChatGPT and YouTube to see if I want to start a little somethin’ somethin’. Or maybe just grab a nap.

To be determined….

enjoy the weekend!

Peace.

Hard to believe that we are just finishing the first week of February, the afternoons are staying a wee bit lighter, a wee bit later, so before we know it, spring will be springing!! Let there be light—-these dark winter months are no joke.

In the meantime, we’ve been making the most of winter. The snow showed up much earlier this year giving us an earlier window to skiing, much to Hubs GREAT JOY; he has a personal best on #of ski days this year so far!! I’ve been participating in a women’s ski clinic once a week and must say, I feel like I’ve had a lot of growth. I’m still never going to be the fastest—you will ALWAYS be waiting on me, but I’m feeling less fearful and more confident. Last week I had the ski shop tweak my boots with new inserts and learned a fancy trick to taking my boots OFF—-windows are OPENING y’all!!!

We had a beautiful addition to the family with the sweetest baby girl and my heart is just exploding watching my oldest and his little family and him holding his baby girl. It is beautiful and wild and I can hardly wrap my head around it most days, but what a blessing.

Last winter, we had a house project to help pass the time productively during the short, wintry days and put planking across the kitchen ceiling. We were so pleased with the outcome, we decided to do our 2nd annual winter project and give the kitchen a little freshen up. So far we (Mostly Hubs) have painted the cabinets and changed out hardware and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! Next up, strengthening the drawers with new tracks and adding some pull-out under cabinet storage. Having a couple more recessed lights added—initially the kitchen had exactly ZERO lights, we added two and decided two more would really be best. Finishing up with a new countertop, backsplash, sink and lastly…..flooring. Phew. We should be done by spring.

We’ve been taking in some hockey: Dartmouth and pond hockey in Winnipesaukee. Snowshoeing when we can. Finding covered bridges. Drinking hot tea and taking naps. Baking sourdough and sourdough chocolate chip cookies. This is how we get through winter.

Until next time,

Peace!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. With our Christmas card I included a link to our family photo video as a little something different. With kids spreading their wings and empty nest in full mode I’m toying with a little something different and this is the 2024 version.

If you didn’t get the password link in the Christmas card, text me and I’ll send to you.

We continue to enjoy New Hampshire and all the seasons. There is something quite fascinating to experience the year in quarters, DISTINCTLY marked from one season to the next. It gives the year a lovely rhythm.

Kiddo update:

• Ian and Jacquelyn are doing well and expecting a sweet baby girl by the end of December. We are beyond thrilled; they are going to be precious parents!
• Brendan and his girlfriend Kimberly are entering a new season with career changes and two sweet kitties.
• Abby and her boyfriend Kevin were engaged this summer and entertaining a future move to St. Louis, MO. Time will tell! Wedding date, TBD.
• Sarah graduated from Radiology school this summer and is working full time and hoping to start Nuclear Medicine school Summer 2025.

Hubs is still with MMA and looking forward to the annual NH rendezvous with the boys—and I get to an enjoy a day of shopping with my girlfriend(s)!

I’m still doing CT and supervising the department. It’s a pretty decent gig but if that money tree comes through, I’m out. Heehee

It was a good year:

• We started the year off visiting the kids for a late Christmas and it worked out so well, we’re definitely doing that again! Especially now that we’ll have a new grandbaby to snuggle.
• We skied a lot this winter, with my form improving—still not at Hubs level, but I’m not aspiring to be, I just truly enjoy the beauty of the sport and the winter scenery. We snowshoed on local trails and overlooks enjoying multiple seasons of the mountain.
• The kids came up in the winter, the spring and the summer and we love exploring new places, taking in hockey games, enjoying our hikes and lakes with them and basically scheming to get them up here permanently. One day!
• We were in 98% totality for the Solar Eclipse which basically felt like a big storm cloud went over for a bit. But it was cool to see the moon on the leaves and the ground.
• I joined friends in cheering on their girl at the Boston Marathon, such a fun event.
• Lots of hiking and exploring every chance we get.
• I got to see the Northern Lights in Florida this May, grabbed a beach walk and an airboat ride with friends at sunrise on the St. John’s — lost count of how many gators we saw.
• Hubs and I renewed our vows for our 30th anniversary trip in Stowe, VT and enjoyed a stay at the Trapp Family Lodge. Highly recommend!!!
• We checked off another bucket list item with a Bruins game in Boston. A win and a seriously BOSTON experience. Great day!!
• House projects are winding down. Our previously garish green garage is now New Hampshire Barn Red and much improved—especially against an incredible sunrise! Our upstairs now has a lovely barn door for a little privacy. And our “winter project” is a kitchen reno, starting with painting the cabinets. Hubs is coming along nicely as a crafty and handy guy! My project list is growing as his skills improve!
• Thanksgiving was spent with other misfit friends who are far from family. It snowed like crazy and dinner was delayed due to tough travel times for our friends. But in the end, it was a fun dinner with a yummy citrus brined turkey, homemade cheesecake and all the traditional sides and a fantastic Indian dish from one of our friends.

Now the tree and house are decorated, we have a few parties to enjoy along with our church’s beautiful Sunday vespers and weekly candlelit Mass on Thursdays. It’s a gorgeous way to enjoy Advent, soak up the season and wrap up the year.

Much love to you all and wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year ahead!

And now…..the video link (7 min so grab a cuppa and enjoy!) NH 2024