Jersey

A few weeks ago, I went to visit one of my best friends in New Jersey. It was my first time in the state that included more than sitting on the highway in traffic. Although, we did hit our fair share of that too on the ride down.

I was seriously delighted with my little trip! We ate some pretty fantastic diner food, spent a gorgeous fall day cursing around Lake Hopatcong, and caught up on life. I was seriously impressed with this little nook in Jersey, and can't wait to explore some more of the state!

 

 {Seriously in love with this little Jersey diner}

 {Some much needed best friend time on the water}

 {Urban Table had an amazing California Burger. It gave you a hug from the inside}

{NYC Skyline...zooming by after waiting for.ev.er. to go through the toll}

P.S. To all my Jersey friends: thinking of you as you clean up from Sandy. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones made it through the storm safely and with little damage.

Frankenstorm?

Last Ocotber, around this very day, I believe, we had a terrible snowstorm that left much of the Northeast without power for a week.

{Halloween Blizzard of 2011. This was after my car had been cleaned once}

Now this year we are getting something referred to as a Frankenstorm?

Awesome.

While I, admittedly, enjoyed spending my workday in leggings and a sweatshirt, I spent all day waiting for the worst to come. The news keeps saying in a few hours...but the hours come and go and all we get is more wind and less rain. I'm praying that we have already seen the worst with a few downed trees and shingles missing.

Is this the new Halloween tradition? I certainly hope not.

To all those in the Northeast, I hope you are staying safe! 

Dear Life: You are Wonderful

{An all-too-inviting hammock at the local coffee house}

Dear Friday,

I have been waiting for you for what seems like months. 

All I want to do is curl up with a few good books, a pumpkin chai, and my puppy dog for a few days. No phone, no computer, no interruptions. 

Nada.

Alas, there are oil changes to be had, commitments that were made and work to be done. But as I think (with a huff and a puff) of all these things keeping me from mindless days and hours of sleep, my heart is happy. 

I remember that I have a beautiful life.

 That oil change is for a car that I'm lucky enough to own; that commitment is with a truly beautiful group of teenage girls that are part of the youth group I work with; and that work is for a job that I absolutely love, that brings me excitement, pride and a challenge every day.

All these seemingly pestering things that stand between me and my pillows are things that make me completely happy. I'd choose them over sleep any day.

Friday, you don't bring me rest, but you do bring me joy. I can't wait for this weekend.

xoxo M

It's OK Thursday

It's OK...

...to absolutely hate orange juice. So much, in fact, that you spit it out all over your kitchen and proceed to eat/drink anything and everything that will get the taste out of your mouth. Not to self: check that you didn't mistake your apple juice for orange juice next time.

...to need alone time to rejuvenate and reenergize yourself.

...to prefer wearing dresses when you are going to places where you know you will eat a ton of food. I don't need the "I wish I could undo the button on my jeans, but that would make me a creep" feeling. Dresses=comfort for me.

...that you have so many scarves, you keep finding ones that you didn't even know you had.

...to open your computer after a 14 hour day and realize you have no words left. There's always tomorrow.

...that your oil change needed to happen 1000 miles ago. Oops.

I hope you are having a wonderful week! :)

Friday's Letters

Dear week: The past five days seemed to never end and fly by at the same time. Why aren't there ever enough hours in a day? 

Dear weekend: I could not be more ready for a girls' weekend in Jersey with two of my favorites. 

Dear Jersey: Please treat me well. This will be the first time I've ever spent more than an hour or two with you. 

Dear parents: Thank you for everything you do for me. Specifically my laundry and having a nice dinner just out of the oven for me when I crawl home after a 15 hour day. Those little things are truly wonderful. 

Dear self: I know you've been exposed to absolutely scrumptious eats for the past two weeks, but learn some self control. The scale was not happy with you this morning. 

Dear cannoli(s): Don't tell the scale, but you were worth every bite.

Have a lovely weekend!

Wine Time (Part 2)

Little did I know how blessed we are here in New England. Apparently we have vineyards aplenty. 

While visiting my uncle in Newport last weekend, mom and I stumbled upon this gem. Nestled off the beaten track is Greenvale Vineyards. I must admit, my mother and I didn't know what to expect after seeing the tiny sign on the side of the road. However being lushes winos the wine enthusiasts that we are, we decided it would merit investigation.

What a lovely surprise! This vineyard is tiny, but it has breathtaking vistas of the ocean! A charming post-and-beam barn serves as their tasting area and bar. And a lively jazz trio serenaded us as we tried the portfolio. The staff behind the bar was wonderful and made us feel like were were guests in their home. I also loved how some of the wines were named after the Newport mansions. It was a perfect afternoon with my mother!

I also came away with a new favorite wine: Rosecliff Pinot Gris.

It has the faintest taste of rose at the finish - genius!

Wine Time (Part 1)

One Two Three weekends ago, my friend Kimberly came to visit me on the Cape. It was a cloudy, cool morning, so what better way to warm up than go to a wine tasting? Cape Cod is home to Truro Vineyards, a little winery with abundant charm! It is one of my favorite places to bring guests and friends. We had a perfectly lovely afternoon with a tour of the grounds, tasting 10 different wines, and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

I think all Saturday afternoons should be spend at a vineyard :)

Early Days of Fall

Last Friday, I was able to enjoy fall at its finest. The weather was in the 70s with cool breeze, the foliage was in full force, and the smell of fires from the night before still lingered in the air. 

I was in heaven.

I wandered around my town soaking in all the fall glory.

{Yellow leaves around the barn at my house}

 {Pumpkin cream cheese at my local coffee house. To.Die.For.}

 {Scarecrows on the town common}

 

 {A glass of vino on a beautiful autumn afternoon}

The wonderful thing is that autumn has not even peaked in my neck of New England yet! 

Keep it coming, Mother Nature.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Be sure to check out Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely!