Sunsets and Saltwater

 

Isn't it magical how golden hour can make you feel so alive and full of life?

Add in a hazy evening that makes everything look a little dreamier and some choppy water that catches the light just so, and one can easily forget the rest of the world and all their worries. Everything close by looks bright and alive, and everything in the distance is so soft. The ambiance is something hard to match. It can make you feel like you're in a world of your own, far away from any worries, anxiety or sadness. How could you be anything but blissful when you are in the middle of a golden world?

This little dock just before sunset is one of the places I feel like I could live my entire life without ever growing tired of it.

Newport, I love you. So dearly.

Have a beautiful weekend. I'll be chasing more sunsets.

Nearly in Bloom

You might remember this post from last year about the daffodil field on Cape Cod that a man planted in memory of his beloved wife.

Well, this beautiful patch of land on the side of one of the most scenic drives along the length of the Cape is nearly in bloom.  

Well, at least it was roughly two weeks ago. By now, I'm sure it's a field of golden dreams.

I am so in love with this place. Perhaps it's the beautiful story of an undying love between a man and his sweetheart. Perhaps because you can't look out at a field of golden yellow without a smile on your face. Or perhaps because this field signifies so much more to me. The beginning of a season of good things. Things that aren't visible to anyone except for at their peak for a few precious weeks out of the year. 

Most people don't know this field exists unless they happen to drive by during one of those weeks. But there are some of us that do know what's beneath the green grass, the leaves after fall and the snow in the winter. We know there is promise for a beauty that we can only see briefly, yet it exists beneath the surface year round. 

These blooming beauties made me see the brightness among all the grey even though their golden glow was barely visible until you walked among them. They haven't been at their prime in nearly a year, yet here they are. As lovely as ever. Ready to bloom. Ready for big things to happen.

A Winter Stroll

Well that was a very unintended little hiatus from my little space. Sometimes I get too busy living life, but that's a good problem to have. The last month has had precious few slow moments, but it has also been filled with so much happiness and fun. I guess that's really just the pace of my life, not just the last month, if I'm being honest. Sometimes it exhausts me, but I wouldn't change a thing. To have so many loved ones to visit, afternoons filled with laughing and fun, and late nights catching up with friends is a beautiful thing.

The few quiet days I've had lately have been just as wonderful. Catching up on sleep and taking long walks have been my favorite way to pass time this winter. Even with the frigid cold and high winds, fresh air can really renew the spirit and reenergize you. 

These pictures were taken at the end of February when temperatures hit a high of 40{!} here on the Rhode Island coast. Although signs of spring have been more and more present since last week {we were in the 50s this past weekend!}, it seemed as though the subfreezing temperatures would never end. I don't think I've ever been more ready for spring and sunshine! But beautiful February days like these would refresh me and ease my impatience for warmer days!

Looking forward to catching up with everyone over the next week. It's hard to believe it's already April - as always, time is flying by me! 

From the Old Country

 I've found heaven.

In the right-off-the-boat-from-Italy kind of way.

I first heard of DiFiore Pasta Company from my mother who knew the wife of the owner in high school. She was always posting scrumptious sounding Italian delicacies on Facebook, and each week, my mother and I would look through the mouthwatering pictures and declare that we have to make a trip down to Hartford ASAP. So {finally}, after months of saying we were going to investigate, we finally made our way down to the Italian heartland of Hartford. Y'all, this place is what Italian dreams are made of.

For starters, they have a vinegar and olive oil bar. Hello, people. That fact alone sold me. I could have been happy having the nice people working there filling bottle after bottle of olive oil for me.

Not to mention the freezers full of homemade ravioli, tortellini and stuffed shells that were filled with mouthwatering ingrediants such as buffalo chicken, lobster, and sausage, onions and peppers. Oh and if you are a cheese addict like me, the piles of mozzarella and pepperoncino asiago might make you weep.

Pasta: Very well may be some of the best I've ever had. Even compared to meals I had in Italy. Although frozen, the quality of the pasta and ingredients is noticeable when you take the first bite. Let's just say I don't ever want to go back to the regular store bought pasta again.

Sauce: Wonderful. I had the puttanesca and pesto sauces and fell completely in love with them both. Can't wait to get my hands on some of their others.

EVOO/Vinegar: I took home a raspberry balsamic vinegar and rosemary infused olive oil. I'm almost out of both after only a month and a half {which obviously means I have to make another trip. Stat. Soooooo delicious, I could just dip a loaf of bread in both for every meal and be satisfied.

Bottom line: If you ever find yourself in Connecticut,  DiFiore, its worth the visit.