a spring like no other

If there is one thing that I can thank our last long brutal winter for, it is the utter desperate compulsion I have had to get outside at least once a day, under all circumstances, so long as the temperature is 30+ degrees. 

And we've been out. A lot. Looking at this compilation of photos, you might think we cover a lot of ground on our walks. Sometimes we do. But 30 of the 32 photos below were taken within two blocks of our house. 

One of the most amazing gifts that toddlers give you is forcing you to slow down - waaaaay down - and observe every square foot around you. 

Weeds. Pinecones. Pebbles. Tiny divots and crevices filled with water. Tree bark. Moss. Bugs (we're talking every, single, tiny red ant).

And when May comes, flowers. Oh, the flowers. I observe and obsess over the flowers around me to begin with - but I find that I see so much more when I am looking with Colin's little curious eyes in mind. For instance, the color variations in the tiny wild daisies everywhere - some are hot pink!

I learn which spots in the sidewalk and in people's driveways collect the best rain puddles, and how truly awesome it is that you can see yourself, the trees above, and even an airplane flying overhead in its reflection. 

Colin is also trying to get me to believe that sometimes you just have to lay down in puddles to fully appreciate them - I am not so convinced. But I do know that the neighbors who don't edge the sidewalks in front of their homes harbor the best millipedes and roly poly bugs (or armadillidiidae, for any of you bug nerds out there) under the tufts of grass that hang over the cement. 

(Unrelated to our walks, I have also learned that 10 free minutes on the hammock at the tail end of baby's nap time is better than none at all, and who cares if a big tacky plastic turtle is staring at you while you savor that time. I sure don't.)

I have never felt more connected to the natural beauty around me since moving to Buffalo from Maine nearly twelve years ago. 

I'm so thankful to this little boy for slowing me down long enough to take it all in. 

XO, and Happy Spring, friends!

A successful Memorial Day

... defined here as plunging into freezing water and having a cheeseburger loaded with pickles.

 

Yes, that is the real color, and not an Instagram trick.

Jake helping me get ready to float in the mighty freezing Niagara. 

 Evan fetching the drink I left all the way down the stairs on the boat. 
These boys sure know how to treat a pregnant lady.

It was a hot, hot Memorial Day (90ish?) spent cooling off in the breeze of the Niagara River in Lewiston, catching up with one of our oldest Buffalo friends, now living in L.A. but home for holiday weekend. We decided not to actually take the boat out, but instead just hung out down on the dock. But I had to get in the water. Had to. Those who know me well know that this is really beyond my control - like a sickness.

Evan does not share my hydroholic tendencies, especially when the water in question is, say, below 70 degrees (admittedly, I have no idea what water temperature is considered comfortable by normal people, as you'll see).

Getting in the water involved a particularly ungraceful flop from the back of the boat, clutching onto a floatation device (see above) and then paddling with one arm back to the boat to hang on. 

There was no actual swimming involved - just a jarring mild paralysis as I waited for things to go a little numb, and then shimmied myself to a position where my belly fit into the tube's hole, with my backside basking in the sun and my front side freezing in the water. (One of my favorite things ever.)

It was the closest approximation that I have felt anywhere in Western New York to the frigid Maine ocean that I love and miss so wildly. I think Jake's dad said it was about 55 degrees, which I do know most normal people would find unpleasant, but I find - honest to god - refreshing.

We ended the day attempting to assuage a fierce craving with an epic journey through the 'burbs for the dinner of champions - cheeseburgers at Five Guys.  I suggested we suck it up and brave the mall location, so that at least we could maybe swing into the Children's Place to use a coupon on something - maybe pick out our first baby outfit together? (we both lack the obsessive baby clothing gene), to make the trip feel a little more justified. We got to the mall around 7 pm to find it closed, and proceeded to trek up Transit Ave to the other Five Guys, meaning that we probably spent more money on gas to get there than we did on the meal itself.

You see, Five Guys is one of just a few places in Buffalo where I can get a burger loaded with pickles actually on the burger. Maybe you are from a place where that doesn't seem like a big deal, like me. A place where getting pickles on your burger doesn't mean having to take the pickle spear they give you on the side, slice it crudely with your butter knife, and stick the ill fitting pieces onto the burger, constantly poking them back into place as they try to escape with every bite.

OH - and riddle me this - if you buy a hotdog from a hotdog stand around here, you can almost always get pickles on it. Whaaat? Seriously, Western New York - what gives? So, yes, I guess you could say this is a peeve of mine, and that the availability of pre-sliced pickles (regardless of their caliber) has pretty much become my benchmark for a good burger 'round here. 

*End of pickle rant. * (for now)

NYE, revised

Happy 2012 friends!

 View just before midnight of The Grand Ballroom, from the balcony.

pre-balloon drop

A slight correction to my post about New Year's Eve. As I am known to do on a regular basis, I spent a stupid amount of time planning my outfit (dress, shoes, accessories - everything) only to change it all up completely the morning of New Year's Eve. 

I won't go into all of the issues we encountered at the Ice Ball at Statler Towers (though if you are really curious, see here) - I will instead say that despite my last minute, holiday weight induced last minute outfit change chaos, and the many Ice Ball snafus, I had a wonderful time ringing in 2012. 

I had a blast wearing  black lace, vintage rhinestones, fishnets (now apparently called "tulle net hosiery" - how classy), glittery nails, and peacock blue suede peep-toes all at once. So, a more subtle kind of garish than my originally planned outfit - but still garish nonetheless.

I took in the beauty of the recently renovated Statler Grand Ballroom and lusted after the chandeliers.

I was beyond grateful to welcome 2012 in the company of great friends, a handsome gent, in a fantastic city. 

Now, 2012, make me proud and show 2011 who's boss. 

lake and sky

Just wanted to share an image I captured before leaving my office in downtown Buffalo a few weeks back. 

. 

The cloud line was so dramatic and there was an intense glow on Lake Erie from the reflection of the setting sun. It's views like this that make working on the most intensely windy corner in Buffalo worth it.