Home Improvements

 

I was going to post pictures and thoughts about the various home improvement projects we took on in March and April.  They included the painting of the entire upstairs of our house (we hired someone to do that part...), moving around of furniture, hanging pictures and artwork on the wall, and some other minor changes.

But really, none of that matters as much as these bookshelves.  This is what started it all, and this is what makes me the happiest.  I've wanted floor-to-ceiling, built-in type bookshelves ever since we bought this house.  It's been sad to have my entire book collection double stacked onto my old college bookshelves all this time.

My neighbor Chris wins the award for neighbor-of-the-year for all the help and support he offered us during this project.

We were inspired by this website, and followed the Billy Bookshelves Hack pretty closely.  Amazing how well that worked and how much money we saved!

 I LOVE these bookshelves.  They have transformed the entire upper floor of our house and the best part is that we find ourselves using this space for reading, playing, and making music more than we ever have.

Meadowgrass

Festival season is underway!  I am absolutely never happier than when I'm at a music festival, surrounded by family and friends, tents, nature, music around every corner, and like-minded festivarians.   I never get tired of it.  But this is sure to be our best festival season yet.  Because we have the SCAMP with us!!!!

The Scamp has changed our festival lives.  Setup and takedown are a piece of cake.  We sleep well in a dry, quiet, warm place.  It's cute and fun, and attracts lots of visitors in the campground.  I'll continue to wax poetic about my love for our little scamp throughout the summer season.  But for now...I'll just say that it's making me beyond happy.  

We had visitors join us throughout the weekend.  My parents were able to spend the day with us on Friday, and our closest friends came to the festival on Saturday and Sunday with baby Grayson!

Oh how I wish all of life could be as simple and heavenly and beautiful as festival life is. 

Finnders and Youngberg

We definitely ended this spring's house concert series on a high note.  It was our first repeat performance, and it was by far the biggest crowd we've had yet, at nearly 80 people.  

After getting all our house concert chores done, we treated ourselves to a lunch date, and then a nap.  So we felt rested and excited by the time the crowd started showing up.

Our last house concert with Finnders & Youngberg was one of my favorites, and was the favorite of many of our attendees.  I always knew that if we had any repeat performers, it would be this band.  They are SO talented, so charming and engaging, and the songwriting in this band is some of the best in the business. 

It actually worked beautifully to have so many people in the house.  It was such a great night of music.  And quite possibly the best post-show jam we've ever had happened afterward.

As I always am after the last show of the season, I find myself thankful for a break for the summer.  But I know that without fail I will be ready to start up again by fall. What a lucky life we lead to get to host these concerts in our home and to know these lovely people who make such great music.

Weekend of Women

My lovely cousin Haley is getting married at the end of June, and I was so thankful to be able to join her for a "bachelorette" weekend in the mountains of New Hampshire.  My sister-in-law Mari and I left Denver on Thursday morning, and of course had to treat ourselves to bloody marys on our way through DIA. 

Southwest Airlines never disappoints...my favorite airline of all time.  Airplane yoga led by the flight attendant.  And everyone participated!

And we got off the airplane, and there was cousin Casey waiting for us at the bottom of the escalator..just like always.  We followed the explicit directions Haley had emailed us the day before.  And somehow made our way via public transportation to the subway (the T) platform.  We definitely felt like country kids let loose in the big city. 

But soon Haley found us, and we jumped on the T to work our way to the house she shares with her husband-to-be, Greg. 

Haley and Greg live in Somerville, near Cambridge, in the most charming neighborhood.  I've never spent any time in Boston or Cambridge and am absolutely in love with this city!!!

Greg is just the loveliest man, and I'm so so happy that he's joining our family.  It was great to spend a little time with him during the trip. 

By Thursday night, another cousin, Ali, had arrived, and we settled in to catching up and enjoying each other's company.  These girls are my sisters, and nothing in the world makes me happier than when we're all together. 

Massachusetts was in full bloom and was gorgeous!

We ate so well while we were in Boston, including my favorite meal at a place called Sofra.  The most deliciously perfect little breakfast/lunch. 

 

Then we picked up our cousin Emily, and a couple other friends, and we were on our way to New Hampshire.  The rest of the weekend consisted of lots of visiting with a group of really cool women (about 20 in total), lots of good food, fresh air, drinks, games, laughing, fireplaces, and lots of restful time around the beautiful cabin we were staying in.  Just lovely.

And then we were on our way back to Boston.  Unfortunately in the midst of all this loveliness I got rear-ended while driving a rental car.  No fun. 

But then I found my dearest, closest, most favorite, best friend in the whole wide world....and all was right with the world.  And we had fancy drinks and dessert and a couple hours to soak each other up. 

And it wasn't nearly long enough.  BUT...I'll be going back in a few weeks to spend a few days with her before Haley's wedding and I cannot wait!

What a great trip we had.  I am so thankful that I have so many beautiful, brave, smart, strong, fun, funny, and interesting women in my life.