Indian Summer In September.

For a while it felt like summer didn't  want to leave us and then the temps went down to the 60's and then last weekend they went back up to the 80's. Although it's autumn it totally felt like summer again and so we ventured out to Long Beach Island. If we had our bathing suits we would have gone to the beach and played in the water! This was truly an Indian summer and so we took advantage of the weather and walked barefoot on the sand, and the sun shine down on our face. Lighthouses are my thing and this is one of my favorites. It's sooooo tall and the location is perfect. We've come here many times to have picnics or just walk along the visitors trail. It wasn't crowded and the weather was perfect. I had fun taking pictures and hearing the sound of the waves. These kids just informed me today that they are total beach babies. They absolutely love the ocean! No matter the weather we will come here just to take in the sounds of the ocean and to capture this lighthouse in all it's beauty! 

Apple Picking On The First Week Of Fall.

When September rolls around particularly on or around my birthday we go apple picking. It is the best part of the beginning of fall and other holiday traditions. This time we were super lucky to have had a wagon all to ourselves. There was no one else on it and so off to the orchard we went to go pick some apples. I have to admit it was odd having the wagon and orchard all to ourselves. Truly makes you miss people. This pandemic has people changing on all different levels and on our way back from picking we had to stop to pick up 12 people who were picking pumpkins. It was nice seeing other people on the wagon, but they were all distanced from each other which is safe, but it's nice when someone smiles underneath their mask or nods their head. Although it was nice having the wagon and orchard to ourselves the sounds of other children laughing and parents helping their kids pick apples is a sight to see. Something I don't do anymore with my kids since they are too big too carry! It was unusually weird to have the orchard to ourselves but it was nice and we had fun. One good thing is that no one was able to hear me yell at my kid for throwing apples like they are a baseball. Every time Noah would pick a bad apple he'd throw it as if he was Derek Jeter. LOL! Good thing there was no one around for them to hear me yell like a crazy mom! Now for some happy pics!

49 Septembers!

Turned 49 today and it honestly felt a little off. Maybe it's because we are still living in the middle of a pandemic or maybe it's the fact that it's my last year in my 40's! Yikes! Nonetheless, my family made my birthday pretty special and because it fell on a school night celebrated it with pure simplicity. Although Jon worked we managed to have dinner at a decent time in the evening. My two oldest daughters including Lexie who is serving a church mission in Arizona called me today. Those phone calls totally made my day. Chelsea, who in all honesty hasn't written me a handwritten letter since like the 4th grade made, and wrote me the most brutal and loveliest letter! I laughed because she's so much like me, and I even got a bit teary-eyed reading it. I can't even imagine growing up in her era right now which makes me all the more grateful that I am living in a generation today where I can pretty much handle my own and teach my kids to be fearless, yet kind. Noah who is such a sweetheart has been so tired lately with having seven zoom classes a day and although he knew my birthday was today sort of forgot, but then after hinting to him that today is a special day he remembered! Crazy kid! 

A Farewell To The Summer Of 2020.

Although the summer of 2020 was not what we were expecting and just downright bizarre, I'm still a bit sad to see it go. But we made it work. We made it to the woods in Maine, and to the beaches of New England. We made it to the Jersey shore and spent simple moments outdoors as a family. We made it to the drive in theater and made numerous trips in the city that was once the epic center of the virus. Spent time in Dumbo and ate ice cream, shake shack, and Juliana's pizza. And the times we went the lines weren't long! Such meaningful and wonderful moments that will be etched in my mind for always. I do look forward to fall and hope for the best this season, but in some weird way summer of 2020 will always be remembered. Always. 

Here are a few photos from a bit of summer spent in one of my favorite spots in Brooklyn. They had a really cool installation in Brooklyn bridge park which is a reverberation bell which indicates that by pulling it summer is ending. 

A Day On The Upper West Side.

There's something about this city that even in a pandemic gives you the urge to go. Even before the numbers of Covid decreased we'd venture out to the city to sneak a peek at what it was like to be in an empty, quiet city. In spite of everything that this wonderful city has gone through she always manages to pick herself up and thrive. I don't think she'll ever run out of energy. Ever. NYC is a lot like me and I can relate to her. We have both been beaten up and talked about but yet never willing to give up. She's tough and strong and fearless. And this is why I keep coming back. The example I set for my kids is to be strong. No matter our weaknesses and the things that can bring us down I remind them to find ways to survive and thrive. Lift yourself up and never give up. I love this city and the more we come here the more my kids love it. They even wish we lived here. Even though its a lot less to rent an apartment in the city we love the fact that we are her neighbor. Maybe someday. But for now we'll continue to take the ferry into the city or drive and explore our New York. We love her and we will never stop! As long as we live close to her it's either New York or nowhere! 

Here are a few photos from another day in the city....

A Flower Flash In Remembrance of 9/11.

Often times I'll go walking in the city and spot what you call a flower flash. Now mind you I never knew about these because I wasn't aware of the person behind such a brilliant and unique idea of displaying flowers in NYC, but when I finally started following Lewis Miller Design on Instagram is when I get the beets on when and where they were displayed. His recent flower flashed was made on behalf of those who lost their lives on 9/11. His kindness and thoughtfulness in expressing his love and gratitude for those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 is admirable and contagious. I love that he does this no matter what day it is. And sometimes he just displays flower flashes randomly just because. To see flowers on display like this in the city is something I would love to take home! So happy to see these flower flashes on fifth avenue. They truly are inspiring and can truly uplift someone and bring sunshine on their dark days! Particularly our heroes families who died on September 11th.

9/11 Remembered.

 

Such a powerful mural by Kobra street art which is located in New York city. 19 years later and this day will always be remembered. We will never forget the 343 brave firefighters who sacrificed their lives on September 11. This day changed countless families, our nation, and the course of history forever. We must stand with those who have secured our freedoms at home and abroad. To love God and one another. And continually pray for our leaders of this nation. 

This mural is painted in honor of our firefighters and it was a very teachable moment for Noah. Although he knows what happened in 2001years before he was born it's a great reminder for me as well to remember and never forget what happened here. God bless the 343 firefighters and their families. 

Art Omi In Ghent, New York!

The more we hear all about the great things that New York has to offer the more we love it!! We heard about this huge art sculpture park out in the Catskills and we made a day trip of it and spent the entire afternoon here. It was the best. It was unique. And best of all...it was FREE! The visitors center was closed but all the sculptures are outdoors. They are all spread apart so social distancing was on point. We thought that Grounds for Sculpture was huge, but Art Omi covers more ground! It's also one of the biggest art parks I've been to so far so make sure you wear comfortable shoes cause you'll be doing a lot of walking. We covered most of the park and it took us about 3 hours. We walked at least 100 acres of it and boy were our feet tired! This was a perfect place for Noah to roam around freely without bumping into anyone. Poor kid needed to go outside more. Here's hoping for more outdoor trips especially when "homeschooling" begins! 

Now for some really cool art sculptures! I only captured a few in photos of some of my favorites. And you can see some videos of the house sculptures here and here!