hot July

We've had some hot hot days this July in the DC area, and it has me very thankful for AC and iced coffee and cool summer plans.

4th of July waffles on our day off

For the 4th of July, some of our sweet friends invited us to join them on the top of their office building that happens to overlook the White House and Washington Monument.  The view of the fireworks from up there was stupendous.  And the free hot dogs, ice cream, beer, and great company weren't bad, either.

fabulous view, new dress in action

from @baholl's Instagram: bombs bursting in air

We also got to spend time with a good college friend and enjoyed Mint Juleps at the Willard (one of the best places to have a summer drink in DC, we think!).

never a bad day for Juleps at the Willard

what I've been eating lately

homemade pasta

egg and avocado sandwich

steak birthday dinner

olive oil crackers

toasted ravioli at Farotto's with friends

lots of citrus fruit and learning what it means to supreme a grapefruit

tiny triscuits in mom's stew

Blake's Frenchie-French toast

pear slices

coffee+milk

New Year Noodle Soup!

noodle soup, up close

pork chops and garlicy greens

tarte tatin (in Wichita, at Christmas)

happy heart day

so pretty and romantic, she looks like an oil painting -- the black label from ban.do

white and dark hearted brownies from Smitten*Kitchen

a table for two from house of brinson

heart-y breakfast from martha via say yes to hoboken

diy glittery heart banner from say yes to hoboken

on the eve of the new year

Blake and I were visiting my family in Carlisle, MA for New Year's, and instead of playing scrabble and watching the ball drop on the telly (though I am in no way saying that this is lame), we headed into the city with my brother for the eve of the big day to see the fireworks set off from Boston harbor.

fireplace in the bar -- Blake mean muggin, Elliott smiling big, per usual

walking across the icy pond in the Boston Common

light up hula hoops, anyone?

snacks

icy pond

party people

such a happy season

["You Are Loved" - Happy Holidays! from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.]

fall surprise

MA sent us a fun fall-themed package a couple weeks ago.  It was such a great surprise, and it's contents have been decorating our space ever since.  Hothands, little gourds, a fall 2010 mix CD!, caramel tootsie roll pops (yum), and a sweet note.  The leaves and gourds were perfect inspiration for our Thanksgiving festivities last week!

[fall mail from the SIL]

Thanks, sweet sister-in-law!

happy halloween.

Now that it is Halloween, I feel like we're really in the swing of things re: fall.

a cousin-carved pumpkin on the festive front porch

What a lovely season.

apple cider donuts... incredibly good!

Hope you're enjoying the beauty of it as much as we are!

my sweet sister's leaf collection

happy independence day!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July!

We'll be spending the holiday with family and my friend Kelsey, who is a true patriot.

Kelsey linked to this video in a recent post; it's kind of a goofy video, but it still fills me with gratitude and pride (and makes me laugh).

Also, check out the google homepage today for a double tribute to the birthday of America and of Rube Goldberg.