Prepping dinner for fifteen is usually an all-day affair.
Continue readingAngel Hair Pasta
Angel Hair Pasta, barbequed chicken, and a Caesar salad make for an easy summer meal.
Continue readingOn the Road
Here it is the half-way point of the year and I’m not quite sure how we got here so fast. We’ve been on the road.
Sixteen of us gathered in Mont Tremblant to cheer on second son Maxwell while he competed in the 70.3 Ironman. It was an achievement on so many levels: he doing the triple athletic crown, us doing the summit get together.
There were times husband and I couldn’t string together a full sentence or think a clear thought, we were organizing and hosting all of it. Every moment as they say priceless.
Anyway, back in the USA now and trying to prep the country house for 4th of July activities. Went to two nurseries and almost all plant materials are gone, picked up what I could and decided I was just going to go for it. We have the full property to get ready for guests by the coming weekend, it’s full tilt go time. I know I do most of it for my own satisfaction, I also know that when family and friends arrive they expect the full experience, again, my total doing.
Here’s my thought: go with your gut and gather supplies in a color palette you know and love. When time is of the essence it’s hard to try new things. I chose red, blue, yellow, and chartreuse, all colors I wear on my body when not wearing neutrals. I chose the best plants they had on hand and leaned into making good things happen when I was deep down feeling anxious and stressed.
Anxiety and stress won’t get those plants in their pots. Head down, and dug in.
Home or away, it seems we’re always on the road.
Art Auction & Gala
Celebrating art and a fun night out.
Continue readingHow to Host an Outdoor Bridal Shower
Planning a party at home is worth every single minute of effort and expense you put into it.
Continue readingCoq au Vin at the Country House
Even though it can often take days of prep, cooking good food at home helps to keep the family close.
Continue readingWhite Dress and Ricotta Toast
Breakfast in bed for Elizabeth.
Continue readingWhite Denim, Steak Dinner
white denim, suede boots, striped tee and a great crewneck keep things easy
Continue readingElizabeth’s 23rd Birthday Dinner
Mary and Elizabeth helping to get Elizabeth’s birthday dinner on the table, it’s all hands on deck these days
Continue readingday 7
Last summer husband and I basically Marie Kondo’d the country house, nothing like having an on-site wedding to get you going, and now I’m feeling the urge to purge city-side too.
We were a family of eight living hard and large with kids doing all kinds of sports and activities. Most of them are launched, two come home this summer from college.
We built our house from the ground up and it was brand spanking new when we moved in. Like most things after fifteen years I’m feeling its age, and well-loved wear. I can’t do a complete overhaul, completely out of the question, so I’m taking whole days and some whole weekends and doing a clean-sweep.
It’s me doing the work, and it’s okay, and therapeutic. Started with the fridge and pantry because of course that gives immediate results. Clean fridge lends a cleaner mind. Actually, those are the first two things I organize when home from a trip. Kept on cleaning and last night I even washed down walls.
As for style when working at home I’m all about a favorite pair of blue jeans, these are boyfriend style, can’t really get on the high-rise kick, a tank for when it gets hot, and simple, easy cashmere pieces.
Every day dress, clothes: denim and knits, food: took my mom out to dinner.
Day 7, check!