From McCartney To The Mundane, It Was A Sensational Summer!

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Although autumn arrived a few days ago, my mind still lingers on summer.  It was all the things summer is suppose to be- lazy, crazy and full of wonderful memories.  And though I did intend to take a break from blogging  for a month or so,  somehow it turned into the whole summer. It went by in a blink.

It has also been an adjustment period with many changes occurring in a very short period of time for all members of the household. But  most significantly, this was the first time, in years, our family has had this amount of consecutive time together.  So other than attending to my design work,  my only focus was to savor every single day, every single minute possible with the ones I love.


Scenes from our summer, from the mundane to the magical...

Spectacular giant urns and...

and  Limelight hydrangea have been on my wish list for some time. Lunch on the patio of 
The Red Fox Tavern in Middleburg, Virginia.

So inspired by the above, we added a new little garden of our own with Limelight's this year.

It wouldn't be summer without my blue hydrangea, and shrimp tossed with fresh garden herbs.

Summer is always a great time to catch up on your reading, especially for those attention mongers.

A stop in a favorite local flower shop to visit,  which just happens to be just a few doors away from a favorite French bistro.

As I reviewed my photos, I couldn't help but notice, this breakfast from one of our trips 
shares the same colors as the flowers above.
 I swear I didn't use all that butter!

At a little European inn we visited in June.

And  a visit here....

And a few steps away here. 

Then in July...This was my birthday present!!!!

It was an amazing performance and exciting show. Sir Paul's voice sounded remarkably the same as I remember back in his Wings days. A truly memorable evening, put it on your bucket list!

Like these people did! Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

Which usually looks like this.  GO NATS!

Later in the summer we headed up the east coast to swim with the sharks. Kidding, the fin on the left belonged to a beautiful, friendly dolphin in a school swimming within feet of my husband.

A spectacular spot to enjoy ocean breezes,  watch passersby and....

indulge in a frozen coke and hotdog with cranberry slaw!

Benches everywhere to enjoy the beautiful gardens and pool views.

As well as stylish, comfy chairs to sit and have a cocktail before dinner.

Some meals were a bit more refined: scallops, lobster tail and fresh produce.

While others were not!!!
This was waiting for us in our room upon arrival. Very convenient to toss in one's beach bag! 

After sun, sand and surf, we collapsed here. 

A view from our seats at the Kennedy Center before the crowds piled in for The Book Of Mormon
in August. It was  a great show, very funny!

I am going to miss the intoxicating scent of my Gardenia topiaries, but am looking forward to the fall season and spending time with my blog friends and readers once again.
Hello again, how was your summer?

Working With Models...

Models are high maintenance.

Not happy with the outfit,  photographer or freezing temps.

List of demands from model for 15 minute photo shoot:
A handful of baby carrots- organic.
A spoonful of peanut butter- Skippy All Natural.
A couple of biscuits- variety box from Trader Joe's.

Head shot

Profile

Out take



Diva



Strike a pose. Very nice, but give me more.



Looking good, work it!

YES, that's it!!!



I showed too much excitement. The model is demanding a bone--us for this shot.

The photo shoot is over. The model is bored.

Really bored.

I don't know what's worse, models or their owners shameless exploitation of them, all in the name of the Christmas card photo!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Fathers have many titles and are so often the unsung heros of familes. In our house Dad is often known as:

• The fun parent.
• The grill master.
• The lawn ranger.
• The dog walker.
• The ball thrower.
• The homework helper.
• The wisdom dispenser.
• The joke teller.
• The sports lover.
• The wrestler.
• The teacher.
• The vacation planner.
• The provider of unconditional love and support.     

Celebrating wonderful Dads everywhere!

Celebrations...

Our wedding took place on  a beautiful autumn day 23 years ago.  The following day we boarded a plane for the US Virgin Islands. If you are a Washingtonian, do you recall the strange thing that happened a few days later? While we basked in the sun, we later found out some of you had to pull your boots on to deal with a bit of unexpected snow!



Arriving at the reception relaxed & happy after a few glasses of champagne!


For anyone who has been in a great relationship for a long time, I think you may agree that there are few things more rewarding. It is both a gift and a privilege to love and be loved and share your life with someone special. Somehow over time you do become one in ways that are impossible to list or put into words.



The two shall become one. November 7,1987


This includes doing wacky things like giving each other the same anniversary card! Upon lifting the envelope flap to reveal the front of the card, I realized immediately we both had the same confused expression. It was only after reading the inside of our cards that laughter gave way when we realized what had occurred!



His & Hers 2010 Anniversary cards!



This also happens to be my 100th post! It's hard to believe I've sat in front of my computer screen clicking away on the keyboard 100 times to share information, a project, a tip, show something beautiful, or have a conversation about design. Lately, I've had some computer problems and I appreciate every one who took a moment to email me to say they could not comment because of  "malware" notices. A computer expert has since determined the cause and so I've had to delete the related blog sources and links to them in order to get things working again.  They were all blogs that were in a "dormant" state, but it pained me nevertheless as some were favorite bloggers and friends. I hope everyone understands and I look forward to the next 100 posts!

XO,
~Rebecca

All photos courtesy of A&A and may not be copied or reproduced.

Journey To Hogwarts Castle!

Last Friday, we left town for a little adventure. We arrived home last night weary from our visit to a magical, dream inducing place. 

Four Muggles took the train...

to Hogwarts castle.

In the village of Hogsmeade there was snow on the rooftops. The architecture everywhere was spectacular!

We began our journey with a tour of the the school. Our first classroom visit was the conservatory.

Whispers from framed portraits echoed through passageways and corridors.

Inside some warnings from Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Then off on a fast ride inside Hogwarts. We encountered some dark characters on the Forbidden Journey, plenty of thrilling excitement that included a harrowing Quidditch match...on our brooms at dizzying speeds of course!

And, there at the end, to congratulate us on a job well done then bid us farewell was Dumbledore!

After leaving the castle, the 3 bravest Muggles ventured onto the Dragon Challenge for some high speed, upside down, looping thrills. The other muggle waited instead, sipping Butterbeer, to let the Hippogriff take us all on a flight of smaller proportions and a far smoother ride back to the streets of Hogsmeade.

Through the skies we soared up the side of the castle and around Hagrid's hut.

Then off to visit Ollivanders to scour and hunt for the perfect wand.

Maybe a broom too?

Friends watching from above...

Oh, and if you need to use the powder room after so much excitement...Myrtle will be in there...moaning!

All pictures by A&A and may not be copied or reproduced.