Day 184 – Holy Cannoli

One of my all-time favorite desserts are definitely cannoli’s. Especially here on the east coast, there are so many Italian bakeries everywhere, I have been in cannoli heaven, lol. But today…today I stumbled upon a true gem. I decided for my intention to try a recipe I recently downloaded and attempt to make one of the most intimidating desserts (in my eyes) - my beloved cannoli’s. I don’t know why I have never been brave enough to attempt it. But when I saw this particular recipe (yes, you guessed it….on Pinterest!!) I just had to try it! It used sugar cones for the shell and looked so simple and easy, possibly even too good to be true.

So I gathered the supplies and made it as directed. I cannot believe how perfectly delicious they were! I made 12 and they literally tasted every bit as good as the bakeries. I am so super excited too because it took about 15 minutes to make, which on my busy schedule is such a plus. Happy Tuesday readers- do yourself a favor and make this recipe at least once, you’ll be hooked!! #HGAL

 

Day 183 – Blueberry Pickin’

Over the past years, I’ve been apple picking, strawberry picking, raspberry picking, and blackberry picking. But for today’s intention- I went blueberry pickin’! This was a first time ever doing that.

I picked my mom up and we went to a local farm called Sweet Berry Farm. This is the same place Vinny and I took Elijah last fall to pick apples and raspberries. Something about picking fresh food is so super cool to me. There is really something special about picking a piece of fresh fruit from its natural environment and putting it straight into your mouth to eat right then and there that feels somehow….like paradise. It signifies summer…it signifies life…it feels so rewarding and happy. Such a seemingly easy thing to do but it brings such a sense of accomplishment and joy. Anyhow, there were rows and rows of blueberry bushes with the sweetest, ripest most unbelievably wonderful tasting blueberries. The flavor is so vastly different from the ones in the market- they are obviously so much better in their raw and natural state!

Mom and I were amongst others out there picking away…searching for the biggest and ripest. The store had fresh strawberries for sale so we got some of those as well. Tonight for dessert, we had strawberry/blueberry shortcake!! This was a fun intention on another beautiful, sunny, summer day. #HGAL

 

Day 182 – Art Festival

Today was a perfect New England day. After Vinny and I had brunch and a brief stop at the beach- we picked up my mom and for my intention headed to a nearby art festival in Wickford, RI. I have been seeing signs for it around and have heard it was really amazing. Honestly, had it not been for this blog we probably wouldn’t have gone because today would have been a perfect day to just be a beach bum all day. But, I said I wanted to do this art festival for my intention and thank goodness I did. The beach will be there every day but this is only once a year.

So, first of all it was so much bigger than I thought it would be. There were hundreds of tents set up everywhere all up and down the streets of this quaint, rustic, beach town. There were beautiful bridges, water views, amazing architecture, live music and some of the nicest people ever! As we walked around we looked at the brilliant and unique art pieces, statues, sculptures, and even some clothes and jewelry. Vinny and I ended up getting our caricature done which was totally random and funny. We ended up buying a piece of art for our home that we both simply could not live without. To us, the piece we chose represents New England in such a fun and appropriate manner, especially these summer months. The moment we came home we got it hung up and it looks amazing with its bright, vibrant colors and happy vibe.

Here’s to another amazing blog intention on a fabulous summer day. #HGAL #summerlove

Day 181 – Kite Festival

Today for my intention we went to the Newport Kite Festival. It was out at Brenton Point State Park which is surrounded by water on every side. It is actually famous for kite flying so when I heard there was going to be a kite festival, I knew I just had to go! I personally don’t fly kites but have seen some so large being flown there that they actually require 2 people to operate.

Vinny had to run into work for a bit today so mom and I went to the festival ourselves, took beach chairs and after walking around a bit we put the chairs down and enjoyed the show. There were not only professionals flying kites but they had a bunch for sale so there were people everywhere flying them as well. All shapes, all sizes, all ages. It was the warmest day of the season so far here and not as much breeze as there usually is on that point but it was fun to sit in the sun, listen to the music and watch the performances being done. They actually had a guy that flew his kite synchronized to a song and it was neat to me that people can really do that.

Anyhow, after we left the show we went over to Fort Adams to look at one of the tall ships pulled into the bay. There was a surf fest going on so there were a lot of people there too. We went shopping around for a bit then met up with Vinny. We all went out to an early dinner and then to a movie.

This was a really good day. #summerdays #HGAL #kiteskitesandmorekites

Day 180 – Dessert Is Served

Tonight after dinner (chicken enchiladas and jasmine rice…yummy!)- Vinny, my mom and I went for a walk. The streets were packed with tons of tourists. The night air was perfectly beautiful. I was trying to figure out something to do for my intention tonight and when I mentioned that to Vinny- he suggested we go out for dessert to somewhere new. We went to The Mooring, an ocean side restaurant. We’ve been there for dinner before and loved it. But tonight it was dessert time – we usually go to The Red Parrot or Cupcake Charlie’s for our desserts but wanted to try here for my intention. We asked to sit on the patio- outside beside all the boats, beside the water and the beauty of the evening sky.

Vinny ordered us all Mai Tai’s. Mom didn’t want anything for dessert but me and Vin were all in on sharing two desserts. He ordered some sort of chocolate peanut butter pie topped with pretzel pieces and I ordered a twist on my favorite dessert Crème Brulee--- they called it Boston Crème Brulee. It was delicious- like a Boston Crème Pie meets Crème Brulee (heavenly)lol!

Just sitting outside talking, laughing, relaxing together and walking around town was such a great intention and a truly great evening. #TGIF #HGAL #Summernights

Day 179 – Lip Sync

Today I stumbled on a marathon of the LL Cool J hosted show called Lip Sync Battle. OMG I laughed so hard! It is so entertaining. This got me thinking about how much fun Heather and I used to have in the car bouncing around and singing to the songs playing on the radio. We used to grab random objects in the car or from our purse and act like they were our microphone. I have always been so into music and she was as well.

So, in the spirit of this – I decided for my intention to lip sync a song. I chose the song Cups by Anna Kendrick. When my nieces came to visit me in NC they showed me how to do the cups on the table. So I did the entire song while banging around the cups on cue as best as I could. Vinny got a real kick out of it and it was so much fun!! #funintention #HGAL

Day 178 – Beach Lunch

Recently I stumbled upon a very small beach in a nearby town. I decided today for my intention to have my lunch at that beach. There were only a handful of people there. I was by myself which was perfectly fine by me. Sometimes it’s just nice to take a breather, listen to some music and breathe in the beautiful day.

The air was thick with humidity which is probably a bit normal this time of year inland. Today was warm and muggy with one torrential downpour at one point (not while I was at the beach thank goodness) that only lasted for about 15 minutes. As I sat there eating my lunch from my favorite take out deli, I found myself lost in thought about the water and the beauty I was surrounded by.

I thought about how Heather and I used to go to this place in Phoenix called “Hole in the Rock” to just relax sometimes. It was literally a natural giant hole in the middle of a red rock mountain located next door to the zoo. I have a picture of us from ’93 from the inside of the hole looking out. Anyhow, there was usually some random guy up there playing guitar, always a handful of tourists and some of the prettiest, most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen in my life. We’d sit up there, talking and usually laughing or working out our life situations. I miss my cousin, my friend. Today was a good day and having a time out and enjoying my lunch at the beach was an appreciated intention. #HGAL

Heather and I at Hole In The Rock, Phx AZ 1993

 

Day 177 – Summer Cups

Today for my intention, I bought two really cute “to go” cups – one for me and one for my mom. That way when we are at the beach or walking about we have our own cups. They are simple but super cute. I know this isn’t a major intention but I was not going to get them at first but decided that this would be something I could do to celebrate summertime. My mom was really happy when I gave it to her.

Sometimes, the smaller intentions are every bit as awesome. My mom and I made mango cocktails, went out to the deck and played some music and just relaxed in the pleasant overcast breeze and enjoyed the night until Vinny got home from work. #Cheers #HGAL

 

Day 176 – Hula Hooping

Picture this:  The temperature is 73 degrees. The sun is shining brilliantly and there is a slight breeze. You’re standing barefoot in soft, cool, bright green grass- shaded by enormous, rustling trees- bright, healthy plants potted everywhere your eyes can see. There is a wooden, rustic swing nearby just beckoning your relaxation with a tree stump nearby to be used as a side table. Just like in a book or classic movie, a large tire swing hangs from a nearby tree. The air is clean and full of the most beautiful array of music of all genres. You’re surrounded by 4 other ladies- all of whom are smiling, laughing, talking and….

Hula Hooping!

I was invited to join my friend Lena for the class today. It was at a friend of hers house and it was marvelous! Two of the ladies are sisters and have many years’ experience with hula hooping. So she taught us many tricks and then we had time to freestyle. The class lasted for an entire hour. The hula hoops were weighted and it was quite the workout.

I was so excited to be included in this experience. I felt so happy and was finding myself thinking back to my years as a child with Heather and my sister and other friends- where we would hula hooping, double dutching, playing hop scotch and so much more. This was a truly heart warming and happy, happy, happy experience and I cannot wait to do it again. #HGALwouldhavelovedthis

 

Day 175 – Vacation Rocks

This morning after brunch, Vinny and I were sitting outside talking and relaxing. We were talking about ideas for an upcoming vacation. Our wedding anniversary is quickly approaching and it might be nice to slip away for a couple of days. Anyhow, I started thinking about vacations we have taken in the past. We have done so much together and with the kids, I feel quite blessed.

As we were headed to the beach today anyways, I thought what a great intention it would be to collect some rocks, paint them and write the names of the places we have been to together on vacation. I would put them in a dish and place them somewhere in the house. What a great conversation piece and subtle reminder of some truly amazing memories. So I brought a baggie with me to the beach and Vinny and I collected quite a few rocks. I was just a couple short but really close to collecting enough.

After the beach we came home and cooked and while we were cooking together we started listing the places we have vacationed. I did not include places we went “through” on our travels. I also did not include places I went without him (like Oregon to visit family, Mississippi to see my grandfather, etc.), nor did I include places we went to before we met.

After painting my rocks and writing on them with a pink Sharpie, I realized it’s definitely time to add to the collection. We came up with a really awesome place to visit that neither one of us has been to ever- so stay tuned cause it will be in the blog soon. I am excited to also say that I have also been invited to go backpacking through Europe with some really good friends next year and am extremely excited to see that through! Talks of Italy are in the mix so thank goodness I started back up on my Italian lessons….#embraceeveryopportunity #cheers #HGAL