one more day …

… to enter the giveaway! Good luck to everyone who entered and anyone else who is interested, leave a comment on the last post.

Going against my general no kid posting policy, I was just too proud to let this one go. My baby girl had her Spring Concert this week. She was in the general orchestra, auditioned for and made the Chamber Orchestra, and was chosen for Ensemble, the top 8 students who performed on their own. (That sound you hear is me patting myself on the back for not complaining when she practiced over and over, even when it sounded like cats on a fence.) She did Chorus too, and that was very cute.

At the beginning of the assembly, she did the Pledge in sign language with her Girl Scout troop, and they sang the National Anthem too. And at some point, the rest of the violins in Ensemble stopped playing (they missed the “repeat” signal), and it was pretty much the “Katie Clark Show”, with Cello.

My grandmother is back home, and doing better in many respects but the hospital stay took it’s toll. So we’re watching and checking up on her constantly, and she has someone with her at all times.

My friend persuaded me to ditch work yesterday and head to the beach. It was 97 here, but 77 and breezy at the beach. And today is cool and rainy. Hmm … strange weather this spring. But we read, talked and had lunch, returning home in time to get the kids from the bus and go to my son’s lacrosse game. They lost, but he did great.

I will be back in a couple of days with the winner and some weekend/Memorial Day wishes … and, oh, to put in my two Idol cents – I like Lee, but Crystal definitely out sang him on Tuesday.

Best,

Stephanie

it’s here!

The 200th post!  (The second 100 took less than half the time of the first hundred, so I guess I’m doing better now.)

OK – for the giveaway … there are two choices - the winner can choose all three Taschen style books below … Bahia Style, Provence Style and Greece Style.  There are gorgeous photographs of gorgeous places in all three of these books, and they are constantly out in my house.   You all know by now how much I love to travel, and how much I love Greece and France especially.  So I hope you’ll like these as much as I do. 

 

The second option is the Dawn of the Color Photograph, pictured below.  I just got this book for Mothers Day and love it so much already.  If you didn’t know the back story, when color photography first came out, Albert Kahn financed thousands of photographers to travel all over the world and photograph its people.  He thought that if people could see other cultures around the world, there would be more peace and understanding.  The resulting photographs are stored in a museum in France, and many are reproduced here.  Absolutely captivating for anyone who loves photography and history. 

So those are the choices. I hope you like them.

Here’s how to enter.  Leave a comment on this post by Friday letting me know which of the two options you would pick.  Tell me if you are a follower, and you will get another entry.  And if you feel like blogging about it, let me know that you posted about it and that will be another entry.   A winner will be selected at random.  

Since we’re at post 200, thanks to each of you for stopping by here, and especially for all your kind words and support.  You really are the best!

And a little grandma update – she is still in the hospital but doing well.  Thanks to all who left a kind comment!

Best,

Stephanie

UPDATE:  Just to avoid any confusion – Choice 1 is ALL THREE of the style books, and Choice 2 is the Dawn of Photography Book!  Good luck!

 

bad blogger, part deux …

I think I’ve mentioned until you’re all tired of hearing it how busy it is here in the spring.  Add to the usual madness bronchitis (me) and a hospital stay (my grandmother) and you have an extra crazy time of it.   So I have not been posting much, but next week, my very next post, is post 200.  And as promised, there will  be a giveaway.  So I am glad to have that to leave you looking forward to.  I hope you all like what I chose.  

So I will leave you with warm wishes, a promise to catch up on your pages today, and of course, a photo.   Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and don’t forget to check back next week for post 200!

Best,
Stephanie 

i’ve been a bad blogger …

We’ve been busy, but not the kind of busy that leads to tons of things to blog about.  Just regular stuff.  Katie got a new bicycle.  At nine years old, we had to switch her to a ladies size bike.  I so was not ready for that.  I tried to talk her into this one: 

But she wouldn’t go for it.  It is a perfectly adorable soft blue, not that you can tell from the photo.  But it is seriously covet-worthy.  With a basket in front? Please.  I cannot take it.  But no, nothing would do but the metallic green one.  My fault for trying to talk her out of the pink one.  (The husband says I should just stop being a baby and get the bike already. Maybe. I do need a new bike…) 

But other than that, and a stunning weekend  - which was filled with baseball, softball, parties and friends - there has not been too much to blog about.  I’m still busy with work, but much less than what it was the last few weeks.   So I had enough of a breather to catch up with my photography class, and have some friends over last night for a little party.  

I won a party from Shutterfly for myself and 14 friends to make photo books.  I got to make 2 books, and everyone else got to make one, and take home a Shutterfly tote and pen, PLUS twelve free cards.  Not bad, right?   I think everyone had a nice time, and the books really come out great. 

So that’s it from here.  Just 2 posts until number 200 so stay tuned! 

I hope you all have a great week, and that something fabulous happens to post about soon! 

Best,
Stephanie

happy weekend!

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very happy weekend!   We finally have 70’s and sun here … and I plan on enjoying it.    I hope that you get to enjoy it too.

Best,

Stephanie

a few more shots …

On a rainy day, and cold too, what is better than sunlit gardens?  Hard to believe it is 45 degrees in May! And last week was in the 70s …   The sun was really too bright here at certain points, but they were closing so I could not wait for better light.  And these are all unedited, so there was no adjustment for the light.  I will definitely be going back when the rose gardens are in bloom.  Anyway – without further ado … the gardens …

Best,
Stephanie 

   

back to Old Westbury Gardens …

I know I posted some older Old Westbury Gardens photos just recently, but I had no idea I’d be back there so soon.   My daughter has an “About Long Island” project, and had to visit with her partner from school.  I love it there.  From the grand approach, to the quiet corners to sit and enjoy the beautiful views.   Take a stroll around the grounds and relax a while …

The girls had a lot of fun running through hidden paths and posing for photos. 

There are gates and walls and terraces separating the different gardens…

And a few hidden forts and a playhouse for the children of the house…

And as you circle around past the back of the house …     

there is a path to the pool and the lake … which looks different in every season …

It’s been cool here, so the gardens are not full yet, but there is something lovely around every single corner.   They have been able to save over 150 of the original 300 acres, and make it very accessible to the public.  While we were there, we saw many people relaxing, reading, taking photos or just strolling along.  I have some more photos of the formal gardens to post later this week.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.  Remember, just a few more posts to go until 200, and a surprise!

Best,

Stephanie

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day and much love to you all!

Best,

Stephanie

hello, again!

I’m back!  I’m more than halfway through the work that has been consuming all my time, and will definitely be catching up on your blogs over the weekend.  (I told the clients they had me all last weekend and I was not working this one!) I’ve missed you all!  I did finally get to take some photos, because I had to take my daughter to Old Westbury Gardens for a school project.  So once I get myself a little together, I will be posting those.  I haven’t even looked at them until today, and that was just to grab this one and post it. 

In the meantime, I just wanted to say “hello” and have a happy weekend to all my blog friends.  I’m leaving you with a sweet song, below.   If you like it, you can download it free on Amazon.com.  I love Amazon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Stephanie

*No copyright infringement is intended by the posting of this video.  If the owner wishes it removed, please contact me and it will be done immediately. 

still feeling lucky …

I won I won I won!  Our church had a fundraiser on Saturday to benefit of the kids of the parish.  Everything from Sunday School to the youth groups.  There was dinner, which was donated by several local restaurants and was very good, and dancing, and lots of nice people.  So we went and bought a bunch of raffle tickets, and I won a large bottle of Jo Malone perfume.

And then I won a $100 gift certificate to a new restaurant that opened nearby - Bar Frites.  My husband really wanted to win that one, so he was thrilled.  The same family owns many restaurants and I am sure this will be as good as the others. 

I also entered a contest to win a Shutterfly House Party.  So 14 friends and I will get together and make free photo books in about 2 weeks.  (Sure hosting the party will cost me more than the photo book would have, but hey, it’s all fun!) YAY us! 

Other than that, it was a work and baseball filled weekend.  I haven’t had a minute to take a photo all weekend.  And I really need to.  I’ve been working an extra 20 hours over the usual lately,  and it is starting to get to me.  But at least there are plenty of good things to balance out the negatives. 

I hope something lucky and fun is coming your way too!

Best,

Stephanie