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Buttermilk waffles, chocolate chip cookies, snowy walks, afternoon naps, and multiple pots of coffee.
Pretty much perfect.
Like a lion
Above: Bryn Mawr, yesterday
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Another quiet weekend in preparation for a busy Spring.
Reading: Training for Triathalons at an Older Age by Elizabeth Olsen. “There’s a dramatic shift taking place because more older people are adopting the attitude that I can — not that I’m unable because I’m older,” said Colin Milner, an expert on aging, who urges physical activity to stave off disabilities that often trouble seniors.
Listening: snap judgment podcast; Peter, Paul & Mary Pandora (after watching this excellent documentary)
Making: These pancakes (twice), this bread, this soup
Welcome, March! Please bring us some warm weather.
“There are glories in the shadows.”
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It has been a busy start to the year, with projects, deadlines, enjoying the company of friends and family, freezing temperatures, occasional snow, reading under wool blankets, and dreaming of spring. Today we took time to appreciate the quiet and the light.
Above quotation from here.
Citrus sunshine
We just ordered 20 pounds of ruby red grapefruit and honeybells from Florida.
How do you celebrate winter?
It’s a New Year!
Above: Sunrise on January 1, Cape Cod
We are back in Pennsylvania after a restful vacation at home. It is difficult to transition, but it is also rewarding to work and enjoy our lives here. I am devoting this year to presence—being in the moment and looking for the beauty in the everyday. There is so much beauty and meaning that surrounds us. It is easy to be swept away in the emails, driving, and meal preparation. However, even these “chores” have something to teach us, if we focus our intention.
Below, a note on a patient’s fridge:
We are continuing to unpack and look at our photos from break. We are also taking the time to be patient with ourselves and look for inspiration. Below are a couple of interesting links you may like:
“Healthy Body, Unhealthy Mind” by Pico Iyer. “We run and run in search of contentment, Pascal wrote in his “Pensées,” and so ensure we’ll never be settled or content. We mindlessly race away from the one place where happiness is to be found.”
“How Exercise Keeps Us Young” by Gretchen Reynolds. “Active older people resemble much younger people physiologically, according to a new study of the effects of exercise on aging. The findings suggest that many of our expectations about the inevitability of physical decline with advancing years may be incorrect and that how we age is, to a large degree, up to us.”
Our yearly review (in photos!)
We started January at home. The time we spend at home over the holidays is very special to us. We celebrated the new year on the Cape:
We said “bon voyage” to friends:
In February, we hosted a Super Bowl party…
…and cleaned up after many snowstorms:
March was still cold, but we resumed our Jersey rides and continued our game nights:
April brought welcome signs of Spring:
Tim defended his dissertation in April! Definitely a highlight of our year! Below, Tim and his advisor, Joe:
May’s major event was Tim’s graduation. We are all so proud of you, Tim!
June brought sunshine, cycling, friends, and flowers:
In July, we celebrated at a beautiful wedding in Washington:
In August, we visited Annapolis for a getaway weekend…
…and headed home for Tim’s graduation party and some fishing on the Cape on the new Suzy Q:
September brought the new semester and weddings, along with our first century ride:
<a href="https://offcape.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_0932.jpg
In October, we celebrated fall in Bryn Mawr, at home, and at our second century in Virginia:
November brought birthdays and Thanksgiving:
We finished the year at home with family and friends:
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This year was a challenging and joyful one for us, and we are looking forward to new adventures in 2015!
Portland!
Instead of birthday and Christmas gifts, Tim and I go for an overnight or weekend getaway. It’s a great way to make memories and enjoy time with each other. On Monday, we went to Maine!
When you live in Maine, you ride in your convertible in December. In the rain. When it’s 38 degrees.
We headed up to Portland. We left the car at the hotel and walked over to In’finiti Fermentation & Distillation. The bartender was super nice (like most people in Portland) and we had some great beer and a local cheese plate:
We (I) had been drooling over Eventide for a year now. Oysters? Yes, please! Tim had a brown butter lobster roll. I had a half dozen oysters with kimchi ice.
Every time I eat oysters, I think of this book.
On Tuesday, we went next door to Standard Baking for a morning bun (very good) and then over to Holy Donut:
We had a chocolate sea salt donut that did not disappoint.
We went for a walk around the Eastern Prom to work off some of our breakfast. Below, some photos:
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It was a great getaway. Portland is so wonderful. The people are very nice, the food is incredible, and the atmosphere is calming. We can’t wait to go back!
Happy birthday, Andy!
Happy birthday, brother Andy. We hope you are having a great day!
With love,
A&T
Weekend
Reading:
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. Be still my heart. A tidbit: “…tidying must start with discarding. We need to exercise self-control and resist storing our belongings until we have finished identifying what we really want and need to keep.”
“Abundance without Attachment” by Arthur C. Brooks. “First, collect experiences, not things.” An interesting article, especially considering the author’s occupation.
“Given the way he prepares, Tom Brady won’t be slowing down anytime soon” by Greg Bishop. “Our method relates to being physically fit, emotionally stable and spiritually nourished.” Thanks, Andy.
Listening:
“The Sacred Art of Listening” and “A Generous Heart” by Tara Brach. I listen to her free podcast (available on iTunes) on my way home from work. Thorough, multi-faceted, thoughtful talks.
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This weekend was a quiet one for us. Today we went for a ride in sleepy New Jersey. The muted landscape reminded us of a Wyeth painting.
This week we will spend time with friends and coworkers before heading back to Massachusetts. December has been peaceful and calm. We are enjoying the quiet.
“To honor his memory, I donate this ring.”
This story is so beautiful.
Photo by the Massachusetts Salvation Army.
