This long, treacherous winter has me longing to skip spring altogether and jump into the warmth of a lazy mid-summer day. I've been dreaming of green - not scattered shoots of crocuses or the chartreuse of emerging leaves, but vibrant swaths of treetop and grass so lush that it begs for bare feet. Steinbeck wrote … Continue reading Mid-Summer Green
Photography
Telluride
A Surprise Trip to Tahoe
When I created this blog (my first post exactly two years ago), I never imagined it would bring a wonderful friend who lives 2,000 miles away in San Francisco. Domonique and I were introduced by our mutual friend Janet, my sorority pledge mom at DePauw. She knew that we held similar interests (Domonique pens the … Continue reading A Surprise Trip to Tahoe
First Snow
The first snowflakes of the season fell this afternoon, bringing with them a familiar mix of emotions. Like boarding the ferry after saying goodbye to a romance that was never meant to last, you know beautiful days lie ahead but you're still not quite ready to let go.
A Midwest Autumn
"Chicago is an October sort of city, even in Spring." - Nelson Algren Yesterday's blustery grey skies created a perfect backdrop for the Chicago Botanic Garden's jewel toned autumn landscape. Wind gusts scattered leaves along the winding gravel walking paths - a bittersweet reminder of the season's fleeting beauty.
Bagpipes and Bonfire
Each year when September comes to a close, Lake Forest families gather in celebration of autumn and our community's dedication to preserving open land. Set against the serene backdrop of Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, this year's Bagpipes and Bonfire included Highland games, fiddling, fly casting, wagon rides and a delicious harvest dinner. As the sun … Continue reading Bagpipes and Bonfire
Splendid
Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling, Give me juicy autumnal fruit ripe and red from the orchard, Give me a field where the unmowed grass grows... - excerpt from Walt Whitman's Give Me the Splendid Silent SunOur family made its annual trip to the orchard in Wisconsin where we have … Continue reading Splendid
Sunday Suppers with Bea of La Tartine Gourmande
A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of attending a photography and food styling workshop taught by Béa Peltre of La Tartine Gourmande fame. It took place over two days in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, much of it at the envy inducing Sunday Suppers space (I don't think a single person left … Continue reading Sunday Suppers with Bea of La Tartine Gourmande
Weekend in the Country II: Swept Away
Last weekend's highlight was a hot air balloon ride over farm-and-field-dotted country. From our fiery hot lift off to the scalp-tingling quiet at three thousand feet, it was an unforgettable experience for the entire family.
Morning at the Beach
all photos via the aesthete and the dilettante
the aesthete and the dilettante 