goodbye CC. goodbye august.

I've been back from the Cape for just a couple of days and already I miss it so much! If I could make every week of the year the last week in August, I would. Here are some pics to recap the week:

Meet me at the Squire...

Me and Nell at Lighthouse Beach

Zan cooking up some BBQ!

Spending time with Grammy Jean...

Collecting seashells at sunrise...

New roomates!!!

Becca came for lobster!

Last day on the dunes of the cape... See you next year!

Chatham Bars Inn

Yesterday we had a girls lunch at the Chatham Bars Inn!! It was LOVELY! I was so excited to go because I have been driving past the CBI for the past 3 summers in awe of it's beauty. We were lucky enough to get a table right on the veranda overlooking the water. Gorgeous! The meal was good (I got a ham and gruyere panini w/ fries and lemonade)

but the real highlight of the lunch was dessert. 100% delicious.We ordered the berry pie with vanilla bean ice cream, creme brulee with mini macaroon cookies, and rich chocolate cake with berries. DELISH! The chocolate cake was so heavenly I ate the whole thing. It was so moist and chocolatey I wished I could have had another piece. YUM. After lunch, Lauren, Meg and I spent the better part of an hour sitting on white adirondack chairs chatting and catching some sweet summer rays. It was a great afternoon!

j.crew sale!

Browsing through the sale section on the j.crew website today I came across these a-dorable items:

I have always loved this little "Frenchie Slicker". Just couldn't get any cuter!

How precious is this clutch? LOVE!!

This shirt is simple, but the flower on the collar just adds a little touch that is so classic. I can just picture it with my dark trouser jeans. A-mazing.

Family Time!

Here's a pic of the whole fam out to dinner one night in Dennisport. We went to Clancy's, where the atmosphere is nice and the restaurant is right on a little river, giving you a little waterfront dining experience. This is pretty much your average restaurant (fried food, french fries, soups, bread and salad) but it's an overall fun time and very popular among the locals and tourists alike. We're all really enjoying the cape experience... never want to leave!!!

funny.

How funny is this picture? Brenda sent it to me this morning in an email with other pics from the end of the year. Hilarious! Me and Frankie on the bus on the way back from a field trip to the beach. Guess we were worn out from looking at all those crabs and snails.

map my run.

So while I was trying to figure out how long our bike ride was yesterday I came across this awesome website Map My Run. You can put in any starting point and then map your route, seeing how many miles you competed in total. Awesome! I've always heard about websites like this, but I'm not the most fitness driven person and so I haven't even tried to find a website like this until now. I hope to use it often though... it's really cool! Go ahead and check it out for yourself!

Here's the route Zan and I did today (almost 8 miles!!!):

Chatham Breeze

Here we are back in Chatham for our third year in a row. I just love this place. All summer I look forward to coming here, where I can kick back, relax, and soak up the end of summer. So far, we are only on day 3 so there is not much to report. We are renting a new house this year, which is absolutely GORGEOUS. It’s a little bit farther from the center of town, but I think the quality of the house makes up for that. There are high ceilings and a seashells/mermaid theme that is just adorable. The house is equipped with cozy couches and chairs, a back porch, a huge grill, bikes, a pool table, a variety of games and movies, and an outdoor shower (dream!). Zan and I took the bikes out for a test run yesterday and we ended up biking almost 5 miles-- pretty good for someone who hasn't been on a bike in YEARS. We rode down through main street, up to lighthouse beach, then over past the Chatham Bars Inn to the fish pier before heading back home. It was long and sometimes hilly but I felt like a champion when it was all through. GO ME!

Here's a view of the house from the upstairs:

Running of the Brides (and bridesmaids!!).

Today might have been the craziest day of my life. We did the famous Filene's Basement: "Running of the Brides" with Hannah to try to find her a dress for the big day. WOW. It was insane, but also very fun! I will try to describe the morning's craziness: I arrived at the site around 6AM and Han and the other girls had been there since 5:15. The doors of the event don't open until 8AM. Some brides and their posse's arrive as early as 3AM, some even camp out! There was already a ginormous line when we got there, and it continued to get longer as the morning went on. Eventually they let us inside to wait where it was air-conditioned, which was nice because of the humidity! Hot, hot hot! Around 7:30 you can feel the energy building up amongst everyone inside. People go all out for this event. Our team went pretty casual with matching teal beaters but some people wore custom made shirts, balloons and all kinds of funky headware. At about 7:45 people are so anxious to get inside to where the dresses are that everyone ends up pushing forward and mashing up against each other. I'm not even kidding. My heart stared to race I was so nervous I might get trampled. People die doing stuff like this. You know it's time when everyone ahead of you in line starts screaming and then everyone literally starts running,

I mean like, SPRINTING towards the doors. Now at this point I started laughing because I just couldn't get over how ridiculous it all was, but I also started running as fast as my legs would carry me. Heck, I wanted to grab some dresses too!!! Move over, people! I ran through the space like a crazy person, grinning like a fool and trying like mad to find some dresses. But as soon as I got to each rack other girls were pulling them down and taking them. Every single dress (around 3,000 total) was off the racks in less than 2 minutes!! Running of the Brides is riiiiiiDICULOUS. People were hoarding dresses and sitting on them. It was NUTS. The other bridesmaids luckily were able to grab some dresses and we traded with other brides for dresses that were Hannah's size and style. After about 10 minutes the insanity dies down and then you can finally get to business. In the end she found 2 dresses she really loved, and at $250 each, she bought them both!! Might even make more $ on the one she ends up giving to a bridal consignment shop. Super! Looking back on it all I would say it was a pretty great day. We found a dress, had a blast, and most importantly-- WE SURVIVED!!!

The bride, bridesmaids and moms

getting lunch after a morning of hard work!

my so called life.

My love for this show is so HUGE. I cannot even spread my arms out wide enough to express how much I love this show. So last year for Christmas my mom gave me the box set of the complete series (shown to the left). I love how my mom gave me this gift, because we used to watch it together when it was on TV back in the day. (I just looked up when this show aired and it was back in 1994. That was 15 YEARS AGO. I was a mere child at the age of 10. Could this be right? I think it's true!) I remember being in elementary school and not being able to watch 90210 and Married with Children like everyone else in my class, but I was allowed to watch My So Called Life because I believe my mom thought it was quality (and how right she was).

Now it is hard for me to pinpoint one exact thing that I love about this show, because I love everything about it. But one thing I think I love most is Claire Daines and her character Angela. I think she is one of the best actresses EVER. And I think this show is some of her best work EVER. I love how she narrates the beginning of each episode and the end (and sometimes here and there in the middle). Everything she says about life in high school is just SO true. When she cries, I cry. When she laughs, I laugh. When she loves Jordan Catalano, I love Jordan Catalano.

All the characters are just so classic. They're all just struggling to figure out who they really are and it's just so fascinating to watch. Whoever wrote this show was a real genius and whoever took it off the air was a real dunce. It's one of the best shows ever and I am proud to own the series so I can watch it whenever I need to get my fix. If you've never seen it, come over and I'll watch it with you. The quotes are excellent and they will never, ever get old... in my humble opinion.

Here are some of my favorite Angela Chase quotes:

"People are always saying you should be yourself, like yourself is this definite thing, like a toaster. Like you know what it is even. But every so often I'll have, like, a moment, where just being myself in my life right where I am is, like, enough."

"There are so many different ways to be connected to people. There are the people you feel this unspoken connection to, even though there's not even a word for it. There's the people who you've known forever who know you in this way that other people can't because they've seen you change. They've let you change."

"It just seems like, you agree to have a certain personality or something. For no reason. Just to make things easier for everyone. But when you think about it, I mean, how do you know it's even you?"

"If Jordan Catalano is nearby, my whole body knows it. Like one of those dogs that point. I'll keep talking and stuff, but my mind won't even know what I'm saying. I keep wondering if there's a term for this."

"It's good to get really dressed up once in a while. And admit the truth: that when you really look closely? People are so strange and so complicated that they're actually... beautiful. Possibly even me."

"Love is when you look into someone's eyes and suddenly you go all the way inside, to their soul, and you both know instantly. I always imagined I'd fall in love nursing a blind soldier who was wounded in battle. Or maybe while rescuing someone in the middle of a blizzard, seconds before the avalanche hits. I thought at least by the age of 15 I'd have a love life, but I don't even have a like life."

"Sometimes someone says something really small and it just fits into this empty place in your heart."

AND for the best scene EVER that will leave you cheering and grinning from ear to ear, check this out:

beach and lobster.

So we found this new beach in Gloucester this summer and it's A-mazing! It's called pebble beach (we think) and it's off the beaten path so it's fairly empty... which was especially great the other day when Good Harbor was packed with people and it was over 90 degrees!

And THIS picture is some of the delicious lobsties Zan and his brother Clark caught yesterday while we were on our trip to the beach. They were just as tasty as they look... and drenched in butter I'd say they were nothing short of wonderful.

French Toast.

This is a picture of the french toast we made for breakfast this morning. Deeeeeelicious. Actually, Zan made the french toast, so I really cannnot take credit for it, but I did decorate the meal, so I feel I should get some credit for that. This french toast was particularly amazing because it had fresh picked blackberrys on top, which I picked myself, so I guess I can get some credit for that too.

Best french toast experience ever: One time I tried cinnamon swirl french toast with cream cheese in the middle. It was like heaven in my mouth!!!!

John and Hillary get married!

So this weekend we went up to Cooperstown for the wedding of one of Zan's good family friends. I was super excited from the start because I love weddings and I LOVE dressing up. The wedding was at the Otesaga, one of the most BEAUTIFUL hotels I have ever been to. The day was absolutely magnificent and as most weddings go, sent chills up my spine. Zan's brother Erik was the best man-- he's been friends with John since they were 3 months old! The wedding was held outside on the back lawn, looking right out to the lake (and if you know me, there is nothing better than a lake in the summertime). The cocktail hour was held on a deck overlooking the water, and there were the cutest white rocking chairs with a blue and white striped cushions on them- ADORE! The reception was held in the ballroom, where the food was delicious, the drinks were flowing, and the dancing was merry. I think it's safe to say we all had a blast. Cheers, John and Hillary! CONGRATS!!

Here's some pics from the wedding:

Before the ceremony.. the lake was amazing!

Enjoying the cocktail hour...

Looking sharp!

So pretty!

Me with Zan and his brothers...

With the groom after the reception...

He's BACK!

Finally! After 15 days Zan and his family have returned from their river trip on the St. John in the North Maine Woods! Since there is no cell phone service up there I went for 2 weeks without knowing if they were fairing alright or if they were attacked by bears. Just have to have faith in these situations I guess! YAY for Zan's return!

Wegmans: the mecca of all grocery stores.

Wegmans is the best grocery store in the whole entire universe. I thought I would dedicate this post to Wegmans because I have been home in the Cuse for the past week and a half and living it up at this dream of a grocery store (if you could even call it that, to me it is SO much more). Where should I begin? How about with the produce? When I first walk into Wegmans in Dewitt I am always in awe at the immense amount of produce that stands before me. And if you're someone who likes fruit as much as I do, it's like you've died and gone to heaven. Then there's the whole restaurant section. DREAM! I personally like to get a turkey sub (white roll, mayo, lettuce, pickles, provolone.. delish) but I have also tried their chinese, pizza, salads and sushi and am a fan of it all. In the bakery section I often like to pick up a pizza bialy to enjoy while I'm shopping, or to take home for a quick, light lunch. The bakery section is also where you will find the one and only rye bread dip. I have tried to find this dip at other grocery stores in Boston, with no luck, no luck AT ALL. I could live happily off this dip and pumpernickel bread for the rest of my life. Glorious. There is an amazing cheese section, a pharmacy, a mini book store, a flower shop, a natural food section, and all the bulk candy you could ever want. I can only hope and dream that someday Wegmans will come to my town, where I could do all of my shopping in one place and be perfectly content for the rest of my life. Until then I will just have to make do with my occasional trips to Syracuse, where I soak it up as much as I can to last me until the next time I am back.

Thank you Danny, for creating such a truly special place.

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"

Just read Anne of Green Gables again this summer (not actually sure if I ever read it before, just remember being a huge fan of the movie in my childhood) and I truly ADORE this book. It is one of the most fun, heart-warming stories I have ever read. I just love Anne (spelled with an e), her big words, her desire for the ever so fashionable puffed sleeves, and all of her kindred spirits. It's amazing how much trouble one girl can get into, but she makes you laugh the entire time. You fall in love with each of the characters, even gossipy Miss Lynde and especially Marilla! And Matthew and her bosom friend Diana are so near and dear to my heart. I hope to read this book many more times in my life. Avonlea seems like a dream world and I just love visiting it.

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting." -Anne of Green Gables

View all my reviews >>

the Dinosaur.

The Dinosaur BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm home in the Cuse. Actually, the more I think about it, it's one of my favorite places to eat, period. It's that good. Waaaaay better than any BBQ place I've eaten at in the Bean, that's for sure. We went the other night for dinner and good food was had all around. I personally like to order the pulled pork sandwich with a side of macaroni salad and baked beans. Glorious. But I also know that the ribs are amazing as well as all of their other sides (my sister and Josh got mac and cheese and

coleslaw, my mom got this really good tomato cucumber salad and my dad ordered french fries with gravy slathered all over them... aaaa-mazing.) The picture to the right is our plates after we were stuffed silly from all the fixings. I still saved room for some peanut butter pie though, you just gotta.

Here's a pic of the whole fam (and Josh) living it up at the Dinosaur:

my tribute to MJ.

Jamming out in the jeep to Michael Jackson:

the ROC.

This weekend I hit the thruway and drove out to Rochester to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, Mo Hannan. We don't get to see each other as often as we'd like, so I take every chance I can get! The last time we hung out was around Thanksgiving so we've been due for another get together for some time now. This trip was great because we got a chance to catch up, go out to dinner and drinks, have a picnic, do some shopping at the outlets, watch a movie and order chinese food. All in one weekend! Here are some pics we took for the memories:

Out to dinner!

Mo is also a lover of headbands

(this is how I know we are kindred spirits).

We took Mo's puppy Scout on a picnic. He's so lovable!

Regal Paisley twist-front bandeau tank.

Today I purchased my first one-piece swim-suit since the 8th grade. It's super adorable and from j.crew: 2 things I require for most of my wardrobe. I decided to get the suit because it was on super-sale on the j.crew website. Awesome! Now, I have been wanting to get a one-piece for some time now, I could just never find the right one. I went last year with Hannah and Ali to try some on at L.L.Bean and boy was that a disaster. To put things simply I looked like I was twelve and wearing my old ballet leotard. I thought black would be slimming and flattering, right? Wrong. So after that experience I gave up on the whole one-piece idea for awhile, until my mom offered to buy me and my sister each a suit for the summer. I looked on the website for one I liked, but could not make up my mind. Plus this was pre-summer and all of the suits were close to one-hundo dollars. For serious. I could not bring myself to buy something I will only wear 3 months out of the year (only on the weekends plus that one luscious week in CC) for such a steep price. So up until now I have been making do with my last years suit, which is fantastic by the way (also j.crew), but I've still been yearning for that cute one-piece I've had in the back of my mind ever since they came back into style. Well, today I was randomly browsing jcrew.com when I came across this suit:

Isn't is great? I just hope it looks as good in person as it does on the website. I just love the print. I think it will look great on and will minimize imperfections because the print is so busy. The top of the suit is a twist front, which is the same as my two-piece from last year and I love it. Plus I like the strap that you can put around your neck if you'd like. I can't wait till it comes in the mail! It better fit/look good because I bought it on an impulse and it was final sale! Cross your fingers everyone... I'll let you know the final verdict when it arrives!!!

DMB 8.4.09

Well, folks, Dave Matthews finally made it back to Syracuse, NY. And I came home to take part in the thrill of it all. This concert marks Dave's first cuse experience since 1999, when he played at the Landmark Theatre with Tim Reynolds. Bet that show was phenomenal. My sister and I saw Dave and Tim play at Westpoint in 2003 and it was the best concert I've ever been too.

Anyhow, back to last night at Alliance Bank Stadium, what a show! Brought me straight back to high school and my days of dave-mania. The night was perfect, the company was quality and I just LOVED it.

Here was the setlist that he played:

We had a great time singing along and dancing it all out. My personal

favorites were Crush, Lie In Our Graves, and Grey Street. CLASSIC. Boyd Tinsley just ripped it up on the violin. Sweeeetness! Now I will admit here in my post this was my first concert in about 4 years. Shameful, believe me, I know. But I sure haven't forgotten the glory. Overall it was concert #17 for me... can only hope to go to 17 more!

I used to say back in the day and I'll say it again: DAVE FOREVER. Thanks for a terrific concert DMB... amazing as always.