Cape Cod was blessed with a very snowy day yesterday! Today we took advantage and went sledding. Can you ask for a better view from your sledding spot?
4 happy, tired girls!
Happy Sunday! Go Patriots!!!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sundays in My City
Cape Cod was blessed with a very snowy day yesterday! Today we took advantage and went sledding. Can you ask for a better view from your sledding spot?
4 happy, tired girls!
Happy Sunday! Go Patriots!!!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cash Mob
Things are quiet on the Cape in the winter. Many, many of the cute little downtown shops close their doors for the long winter months of January, February and March. Some close up shop from Columbus Day weekend to Memorial Day weekend.
However, there are some hardy folks whom we are grateful for because they keep their shops open all year long.
Yesterday was the beginning of a new era for shopping in town. BJ one of the owners of Millie's General Store (featuring all American made products) came up with the idea for a cash mob. We all know what a flash mob is (and with any luck I will participate in one someday), there was even one on Modern Family. BJ's idea brought 17 brave pioneers to the elementary school parking lot yesterday afternoon at 3:30, none of us knew where we were going. We were told to bring $20 and the theory was to all walk into one store and spend at least $20. What a boon that is in the middle of winter for a store owner to make an extra $300.
The store of the day was Cape Fisherman's Supply. Cape Fish is a year round store that has been in town for a long, long time. They service all the commercial fishermen in town and in the summer serve the sporting fisherman, too. Well, 17 women were a little skeptical about going to Cape Fish and what we would find for $20. The new owner of Cape Fish was pleasantly surprised when we all busted into his store. There was laughter, chatter and many questions of "what is this?". Everyone walked away with something. People bought belts with fish on them, t-shirts, cleaning supplies and knives. Afterward some of the women went to The Red Nun (a local year round watering hole) and were treated to wings!
This is a fantastic idea that has bonded one little town and will hopefully grow to other towns in areas where winter is just a little too long. I anticipate next month's secret adventure to double in size and enthusiasm!
This is B holding up one of our purchases in front of the store. Not a t-shirt for her, but for the little bundle of boy joy that will be born into the family in June!
However, there are some hardy folks whom we are grateful for because they keep their shops open all year long.
Yesterday was the beginning of a new era for shopping in town. BJ one of the owners of Millie's General Store (featuring all American made products) came up with the idea for a cash mob. We all know what a flash mob is (and with any luck I will participate in one someday), there was even one on Modern Family. BJ's idea brought 17 brave pioneers to the elementary school parking lot yesterday afternoon at 3:30, none of us knew where we were going. We were told to bring $20 and the theory was to all walk into one store and spend at least $20. What a boon that is in the middle of winter for a store owner to make an extra $300.
The store of the day was Cape Fisherman's Supply. Cape Fish is a year round store that has been in town for a long, long time. They service all the commercial fishermen in town and in the summer serve the sporting fisherman, too. Well, 17 women were a little skeptical about going to Cape Fish and what we would find for $20. The new owner of Cape Fish was pleasantly surprised when we all busted into his store. There was laughter, chatter and many questions of "what is this?". Everyone walked away with something. People bought belts with fish on them, t-shirts, cleaning supplies and knives. Afterward some of the women went to The Red Nun (a local year round watering hole) and were treated to wings!
This is a fantastic idea that has bonded one little town and will hopefully grow to other towns in areas where winter is just a little too long. I anticipate next month's secret adventure to double in size and enthusiasm!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Still Playing After All These Years...
K and B have always played well together. I should bottle up whatever they have and sell it to people because it's much nicer having them play together than fight together. Need examples? You can check out proof here, here and here for starters.
Sadly, the dollhouses, Barbies etc have been put away for awhile. We just came off of a 4 day weekend though and I was anticipating the "I'm bored" by Sunday. (What is up with I am bored? I haven't been bored since I was..... hmmm..... never!) They threw me a curve though and the next thing I knew they were doing a photo shoot with each other. I guess they needed new Facebook photos. They set up the family room with a bench, lights, and props (guitar, giraffe, dolphin). I offered to take the pictures and they said, "NO, we can do it". They even had "costume" changes.
250 photos later, we were laughing while checking them all out and a Sunday afternoon was saved from the "I'm boreds"!
Sadly, the dollhouses, Barbies etc have been put away for awhile. We just came off of a 4 day weekend though and I was anticipating the "I'm bored" by Sunday. (What is up with I am bored? I haven't been bored since I was..... hmmm..... never!) They threw me a curve though and the next thing I knew they were doing a photo shoot with each other. I guess they needed new Facebook photos. They set up the family room with a bench, lights, and props (guitar, giraffe, dolphin). I offered to take the pictures and they said, "NO, we can do it". They even had "costume" changes.
250 photos later, we were laughing while checking them all out and a Sunday afternoon was saved from the "I'm boreds"!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sundays in My City
My Chilean daughter (P is with us for 6 months) and I walked out to the Stage Harbor Lighthouse the other day right as the wind was picking up.
Happy Sunday!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Nantucket Part 1
One of the perks of being "personal assistant to the star" is traveling. Yesterday, Lisa and I went to Nantucket for the day on a fact finding mission. Her next book is about autism and takes place on Nantucket.
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful January day! We took the high speed ferry which landed us in Nantucket in 1hour.
One of the places we wanted to see was the church tower at the Congregational church that offers tours in the summer. We hadn't gotten a hold of anyone there, but we were hopeful to find someone in the office. We looked up, found the highest church tower and headed for it. Standing to the side of the plaque, we confirmed it said "congregational". The nice lady in the office said she would be happy to give us a tour at 12:30. We went off and came back. The minister, himself, came to give us the tour. He was extremely nice and told us he was there for 2 years having come from Boston. He unlocked the tower door and we started climbing.
Hmmm, very steep steps, ducking under bars, safety hazards everywhere......could this be the wrong tower?
We got to see the very old bell....
and the view was beautiful....
but we realized that we were in the "wrong" church. We were in the Second Congregational church, not the First Congregational church. Ooops!
Hopefully Lisa can work this church into the story because it was beautiful and David the Minister was so nice and very helpful! They are in the process of remodeling the church, one word: gorgeous!
The inside ceiling and background are painted with the technique trompe l'oeil which basically tricks the eye into thinking that there are different levels in the painting. The wall was flat, trust me, I touched it.
Here is what the church looks like from the outside!
On a side note, I knew it would be cold yesterday and decided to wear my Sketcher furry black shoes mostly for the warmth factor. I FORGOT that they were technically "shape ups". We walked all over the place yesterday on and off cobblestones and climbed that huge tower. Today, my legs are killing me. Damn shoes, I guess they do actually work.
More tomorrow.....
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful January day! We took the high speed ferry which landed us in Nantucket in 1hour.
One of the places we wanted to see was the church tower at the Congregational church that offers tours in the summer. We hadn't gotten a hold of anyone there, but we were hopeful to find someone in the office. We looked up, found the highest church tower and headed for it. Standing to the side of the plaque, we confirmed it said "congregational". The nice lady in the office said she would be happy to give us a tour at 12:30. We went off and came back. The minister, himself, came to give us the tour. He was extremely nice and told us he was there for 2 years having come from Boston. He unlocked the tower door and we started climbing.
Hmmm, very steep steps, ducking under bars, safety hazards everywhere......could this be the wrong tower?
We got to see the very old bell....
and the view was beautiful....
but we realized that we were in the "wrong" church. We were in the Second Congregational church, not the First Congregational church. Ooops!
Hopefully Lisa can work this church into the story because it was beautiful and David the Minister was so nice and very helpful! They are in the process of remodeling the church, one word: gorgeous!
The inside ceiling and background are painted with the technique trompe l'oeil which basically tricks the eye into thinking that there are different levels in the painting. The wall was flat, trust me, I touched it.
Here is what the church looks like from the outside!
On a side note, I knew it would be cold yesterday and decided to wear my Sketcher furry black shoes mostly for the warmth factor. I FORGOT that they were technically "shape ups". We walked all over the place yesterday on and off cobblestones and climbed that huge tower. Today, my legs are killing me. Damn shoes, I guess they do actually work.
More tomorrow.....
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Uncle Bill's in My Pocket
There is a man who lives in town whom I call Uncle Bill.
I have 3 fantastic uncles of my own, but Uncle Bill is like a bonus uncle.
I met him probably 15 years ago when he would take my friend's son to story hour at the library every Saturday morning in the summer. It was so cute, how he would put Christopher in the stroller and walk to the library. My friend would only be here for the summer months and then go back to Colorado for the rest of the year.
Even though Bill was Laurie's uncle, all of us called him Uncle Bill. Since then, I bump into him every so often around town. He has a wife he affectionately calls "Dragon Lady" and a grown son who lives near Boston. He must be around 80 and has had cancer and a stroke, but keeps on ticking. He has such an infectious smile and is so happy when he sees me that I have even gotten off a float in a parade to give him a hug.
He is one of the most upbeat people I know. Seriously, if you could take lessons from him in gratitude and kindness, it would change your life. I saw him in the grocery store yesterday and I hadn't seen him around since before Thanksgiving. He dropped his basket in front of the deli department and gave me the biggest hug. I asked him how things were going and he said, "So much better now that I have seen you today!".
That is the kind of person you want to keep in your pocket to give you a boost in self esteem whenever you need it. Do you have an Uncle Bill? Do you want to borrow mine?
I have 3 fantastic uncles of my own, but Uncle Bill is like a bonus uncle.
I met him probably 15 years ago when he would take my friend's son to story hour at the library every Saturday morning in the summer. It was so cute, how he would put Christopher in the stroller and walk to the library. My friend would only be here for the summer months and then go back to Colorado for the rest of the year.
Even though Bill was Laurie's uncle, all of us called him Uncle Bill. Since then, I bump into him every so often around town. He has a wife he affectionately calls "Dragon Lady" and a grown son who lives near Boston. He must be around 80 and has had cancer and a stroke, but keeps on ticking. He has such an infectious smile and is so happy when he sees me that I have even gotten off a float in a parade to give him a hug.
He is one of the most upbeat people I know. Seriously, if you could take lessons from him in gratitude and kindness, it would change your life. I saw him in the grocery store yesterday and I hadn't seen him around since before Thanksgiving. He dropped his basket in front of the deli department and gave me the biggest hug. I asked him how things were going and he said, "So much better now that I have seen you today!".
That is the kind of person you want to keep in your pocket to give you a boost in self esteem whenever you need it. Do you have an Uncle Bill? Do you want to borrow mine?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sundays in My City
I know, I know, it's been awhile... sorry.
B had been sick all week long, so yesterday I took her to the beach for some fresh air. It was obvious she was feeling better!
Then, my sister and baby R showed up. As you can see, R rules the beach. By this time, the moon was up.
Baby R is so cute and so serious!
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