The Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA

I don't even know where to begin - so apologies if this is long-winded!

This past weekend Paul and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary a little early (real anniversary is May 26th or 29th if you go by our marriage license - we forgot to get it for the wedding!!) It was the perfect weekend to get away together - so quiet since most people stay local the weekend before memorial day festivities.

Personal thought:

I hear that the years you have to watch out for in a marriage (for being the toughest) are 1, 7 & 25. I'm feeling pretty blessed considering our first year was pretty much awesome...sure we had arguments but overall it was just FUN. 

Crane Estate:

Back story on why we chose Crane Estate to celebrate: our wedding was at the Crane Cottage in Jekyll Island, GA - this was the Crane Family's winter home.  The Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA was their summer home.  Very thankful for the Crane family being loaded. And really help tie in the whole North/South theme I had for the wedding.

Northshore:

Paul is a planner. When we go on trips he researches the town extensively - and the surrounding towns as well (almost to the point of being annoyingah) .  By the time we get to our destination he has multiple reservations all over town, options for daytime activities and knows the areas we want to spend our time in. It works out well since my style of traveling is basically showing up and spending half my time wandering around trying to figure out what to do. We spent a lot of time eating at great restaurants all along the Northshore.  A few highlights below:

Salt (Ipswich, MA): The place to be on a Friday night in this little town with no traffic light.  The atmosphere is cool but low key, with chalkboard menus and mason jar candles for lighting.  Locals fill up the place and everyone is happy to be there.  You must try the burger!! http://www.saltkitchenandrumbar.com/

Duckworth's (Gloucester, MA): It everyone's FAV restaurant up there....and it should be.  Really hard to get a reservation (heard the lady booking one for July 26th while we were there) but we managed to get a spot up at the bar (which is honestly one of my fav places to sit - you get a great view of the restaurant and you are closer to each other than when you sit at a table).  There are probably 10 tables total and 6 seats at the bar.  The food is SUPER local.  The bartender is friends with the lady that brings in the fresh greens from her backyard for the salads; and everyone knows and loves the guy that catches the lobster for the restaurant.  The menus changes daily and the chef is also the owner (Ken Duckworth).  If you are looking for amazing food in a small setting and personal attention from the staff - this is where you want to be! http://www.duckworthsbistrot.com/

Ceia (Newburyport, MA): Beautiful decorating and aesthetic feel.  Great menus (both food and drinks).  Great restaurant for brunch with girlfriends or dinner with parents/in-laws.  Their choices from the wine glasses (so important) to the seating were wonderful.  Newburyport is a great little town (reminded me of Salem without all the witchcraft) - head to Simply Sweet after for dessert! http://ceiakitchenbar.com/ 

Now some pics from the weekend:

The Inn at Castle Hill:

{we stayed in the Winthrop room of 10 rooms total)

{breakfast is served here every morning}

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate:

{the Grand Allee behind Paul}

The Crane Estate Grounds:

{my tour guide/travel agent}

{living in the city makes me appreciate trees so much more}

{remains of the rose garden}

The Crane Beach:

{it was much sunnier on Saturday - the day I didn't bring my camera}

Some Wildlife:

{turkeys everywhere}

Some Personal Pics:

{Paul loved this tree - anyone know what it is?}

ta-da! Now I need to go write my last few thank you notes - only 6 days left! #procrastinator

Peanut

{my dear friend Marcia and her sister, Anneliese}

A couple weeks ago I was given the privilege of photographing a baby shower.  Marcia, my old roomie in the North End, threw her sister a baby shower.  Everyone came together to celebrate this new little life and it was so fun to capture it for them.  I have over a hundred pictures for her of that day, but these are some of my favorites to share with you! 

I'm more comfortable taking pictures of food and flowers (aka still things) - but it was fun to challenge myself to take pictures of people, movement, and expressions - whole other ball game!  

{I love the lambs ear in the arrangements - soft and sweet for baby}

{shower favors}

{such a cute idea - guests signed building blocks to help him learn and grow}

food/beverage details.....

{Marcia and her boyfriend, Ty}

{gifts for peanut!}

{I was introduced to the baby product line sugarbooger - def will be using this - so cute!}

Her mom has been saving her baby gown all these year for Anneliese to be able to use as a mother.

{I'd say it fits!}

{baby love}

{tooked a group photo of all the cousins - lovin' the love}

Neon Extreme!!!

 Hello!! Feel like putting some good out in this world today??  Want to be a part of something amazing? Then read along... :)

{can you find paul?? - I married a hippie at heart!}

THIS FRIDAY, Paul and  I will join 10 friends (team TWO!) to compete in the Cape Cod Ragnar Relay, a 24-hour/190-mile running race that stretches from Hull, MA to Provincetown, Cape Cod.   Paul will be running a total of 13.1 miles and I will be running 19.7! So excited for the challenge and to be celebrating health, life, and a good cause with our friends!!  There are few things in life more rewarding than being involved in something you are passionate about and GIVING BACK - Paul and I feel so lucky to have become active participants in this event/non-profit organization. 

{at a fundraising event in early April - NEON!}

This year, 72 members of Team Neon Extreme (total of 6 teams, Paul and I are on team 2) will be running in support of Project ReMind, a charity organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to advance Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) research.  FTD is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that affects areas generally associated with personality, behavior, and language.  An estimated 60,000 Americans are affected by the disease which represents between 10-20% of all dementia cases. 

Research for FTD clearly lags behind that of Alzheimer’s.  Although research during the past 10 years has contributed much to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of FTD, little progress has been made in the development of effective therapies for the illness.

Project ReMind’s mission is to continue to expand our knowledge of this disease, increase public awareness, and aid researchers in their extraordinary efforts towards finding a cause and a cure.

Each team has set a goal to raise $17,000 ($100,000 collectively).  Please donate what you can as every cent makes a difference.  Help us reach our goal! 

CLICK TO DONATE TO TEAM 2!!!!

To see more on the charity and the history of this fundraiser please visit www.ProjectReMind.org.

Every dollar counts and we would really appreciate your support!

Lauren and Paul

Life.

Yesterday reminded me that life is a precious gift.

So many times I only look inward and focus on what is happening to me,

instead of looking up and out.

I want to be a creator of good instead of just a recipient.  We saw so much of that yesterday with strangers running towards those in danger.

I am not going to focus on what that caused all of this - but instead I'm going to refocus my attention and thoughts on the hundreds of Good Samaritans.

My prayer is that only strength comes from this - stronger community, stronger families, and stronger faith.

Wilting Wisdom

It happens to me all the time, I buy the freshest bunch of hydrangeas I can find at Trader Joe's (they come in a set of three) and the next day at least one of them has wilted. I don't know why? I clip them immediately when I get home, place them in fresh cool water, but it always seems to be too much for at least one if not the whole bunch.  sooo frustrating!!  

But there is a solution! Clip (again) the stem of the wilted hydrangea, add fresh water, and place in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.  The cool dark space is this flower's happy place! {credit for this wisdom is due to my mom - the flower whisperer}