Commonplace

Colors of My Day

Yellow.

This vase was a wedding gift and it lives on our mantle. Niall put it there, on the end next to the window, because he said he likes how it catches the light.

Me too.

And yesterday's color:

Blue.

If the shot was a bit wider, you'd see all the toys that usually live in that bucket spilled all over the floor.

Things that are exciting me today:

Counting down to Inauguration Day.

Niall is taking the day off and we are attending brunch at friends'. Quinn is too young to appreciate it but Jake is pretty excited. (Nothing like inflicting one's views on our children.) He seems to understand the significance and we're hoping to be present in a moment that is certain to become something we look back upon.

In the evening I'm planning to attend the opening of The Obama Show at Eyebuzz in Tarrytown. I don't know whether I'm more excited to see these in person, or to meet Tara who is one of my favorite bloggers.

Watching Jake perform.

Any mother knows what it feels like to watch their child be happy. It's an indescribable feeling that affirms your entire being.

My son has struggled, more than any ten and a half year old should, to be happy. He continues to struggle still. But when he is playing the keyboard or singing on stage, he is as happy as I've ever seen him. I love to witness this and tonight and tomorrow I will.

If you missed any of my video posts of him, you can watch them here if you're so inclined (he's the little one).

Making new friends.

Kathleen at Mamas Always Write has an insightful and honest style that encourages me to write. I have been compelled by her 'prompts' since my first visit. It only solidified my interest in her when I found out that she lives in the city of my heart.

Stephanie at The Letter's Edge writes with a straightforward and quirky voice that is just a little self deprecating and I want to have a cup of coffee with her. She has has recently posed a question that's got me thinking: what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? I'll be guest-posting on her blog and addressing that question later in the month.

Meeting both of these women and reading their accounts of motherhood, career decisions, marriage and creativity, further confirms my suspicions that I am not alone.

What is exciting you today?

Thanks for visiting.

Scenes From A Wednesday

Caroline over at Burrow House is hosting an impromptu color week. A one week project with no real commitment is right up my alley.

We started on Tuesday and the color of the day was: green.

Have you ever been to New York State in January? There's nothing green here except the pallor of the general population's skin. I gave up before the sun set. I did, however, dream in green. I dreamed that I was standing at the kitchen sink in my childhood home chopping peppers and parsley. I noticed a green ceramic plate on the counter (this plate actually exists in my current home but never did in that one). I suddenly realized that the sun was setting and that I was going to lose the light. I had to find my camera before the perfect 'green shot' disappeared. I can't tell you if I ever captured it or not.

Today's color is: red.

At first I thought I might just link to this photo from my last post. Obviously a cop-out but red nonetheless. On second thought, I was up for a little challenge. If I sat around waiting for color to come to me, it might only happen in my dreams. So I went for a walk. It's sixteen degrees today so it wasn't a long walk, but it felt good. And guess what I found!

Some green.

Thanks for visiting.

Day Trip

Today Niall, Quinn and I (Jake was with his Dad) had a spontaneous day trip. We went to the Saugerties Lighthouse on The Hudson. After a few false starts (read: diaper situations) we arrived at the trail head. Niall tied the baby on and off we went.

After a walk through the tall grass and reeds on a series of wooden boardwalks we emerged to these sights:

Niall especially loves a good historic landmark. But Quinn and I enjoyed this trip as well.

When we were hungry enough and really needed some bathrooms, we moved on to nearby Hudson, New York to go antiquing and have lunch. Lunch was Mexican which was perfect but antiquing was much less glamorous than it sounds. We were trying to locate the right sized antique door for our bathroom in Vermont. We did find one, (soon we'll all be showering in private) but I had to ride home with my knees pretty much in my chest to fit it into the car. No matter, the day was pretty close to perfect.