Day 221 – Harborside Music

With school getting ready to start again, the nights getting cooler and the stores already rolling out fall and Halloween décor, I am feeling a real need to hang on tight to what remains of my summer. I have already done a winter here (the winter of 2015 no less!!) in New England- so I know what that means. Therefore, my summers are cherished now like never before.

So for today’s intention we went to enjoy some outside live music at a local restaurant called Salt Water. I’ve never been there before and it was really nice. The deck had many parts to it including a beautiful bar, tables for dining and beautiful couches, chairs and Adirondack chairs placed all around the edge of the ocean harbor that houses huge yachts all around.

The setting was perfect, the air slightly cool and misty with some fog and one of the best live shows I’ve seen in a while. The guy had the most beautiful voice and his spin on the songs was almost folksy (which I LOVE) and was perfectly relaxing and amazing! We had a chance to meet and talk to him and he told us where else he plays in town on other nights and I look forward to seeing him play again. #lovelivemusic #LOVELOVEsummernights #HGAL

Day 220 – Music and Cotton Candy

For today’s intention I took my mom over for a concert on the beach. We put our chairs out and were happy just sitting amongst the crowd listening to the music under the sun with the sounds of the beach, the ocean and true summer surrounding us. As I sat there I noticed a popcorn and cotton candy machine on the other side. I used to absolutely love cotton candy as a kid. I wondered why more adults don’t still allow themselves to enjoy this sweet treat.

I looked at my mom and said how I haven’t had cotton candy in so many years and that would make for a great addition to today’s intention. I walked on over and got a popcorn for my mom and a cotton candy for me. As soon as I started eating it I just started smiling. My mom was smiling and so were the people around us. It was so yummy and it made me feel instantly almost somehow silly. Sure enough I started laughing and joking around and my mom was just cracking up!

It was a sweet, nostalgic treat to perfectly top off a beautiful summer day. #HGAL

Day 219 – Martini’s and a Movie

For today’s intention I wanted to have a movie night. But really….what is a movie night without a nightcap to go along with it? So, I thought- Martini’s!! Martini’s and a movie- gitchy and awesome. Anyhow, my friend gave me a nice cucumber melon martini recipe earlier today – I gathered the supplies and as soon as I got home I started putting them all together. Thankfully I had the fresh mint growing in my herb garden which was a nice touch.

I made one for me and my mom as I started a cooking Mexican fiesta for dinner. Vin got home soon thereafter and I made him one right away. We all enjoyed our delicious Martini’s and then our dinner. Now it’s movie time! We got a Redbox (Focus with Will Smith) and are about to make some popcorn and enjoy the second half of this day’s intention. Cheers!! #HGAL

Day 218 – Are you ready for some football???

When I met Vinny, I did not watch any sports. I had gone to some games in person but I wasn’t at all a “stay at home and tune into sports” kinda girl. I started getting more into them when I met Vinny cause he is such a big sports fan. He was always up to watch anything I wanted to so I wanted to give it a chance. We  really do have a lot fun watching sports together. We don’t tune into every single game or anything like that but when we do watch, it’s fun. Now I can honestly say I am a hockey, football and even baseball fan (in that order). Obviously all Boston teams: Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox which takes being a fan to another level- lol.

I remember Heather making her bean dip, and snacks and we would be in the kitchen getting snacks ready while football was on. Anyhow, for today’s intention I decided to join Vinny’s fantasy football league with him. He asked me before but I never got into it. This year….it’s on! So, tonight we tuned into the game and I guess I better start paying better attention to the pre-season games because if I’m playing….I play to win. LOL #loveit #itsafootballkindanight #HGAL

Day 217 – Save The Peppers!

On our drive home from the Cape today, I realized we were driving by one of Massachusetts big flea markets. I asked Vinny if he minded if we stopped by even for just a few moments just to see if there was anything I could work on as my next project. It was getting late in the day so by the time we got there it was just starting to close down, in fact a bunch of the dealers were already gone. So we just quick walked through and happened to stumble on a lady (last vendor before we left actually) with a bunch of plants and flowers.

One happened to catch Vinny’s eye. It was an extremely large plant, in a bucket way to small, filled with peppers. In fact, there were so many peppers on it that the branches were beginning to break and all fall to the sides. When the lady saw us looking at it, she informed us that they were known as Portuguese “Candy Peppers”. In fact this lady was so sweet and cute- she had a very thick accent and told us that she was Portuguese and these were very good peppers for various dishes and if we took this one she would give it to us for $5.00. She told us how to take care of it and everything.

Well, I was still on the fence and told Vinny I just thought we should pass. Vinny couldn’t understand it- why I didn’t really want this plant. Upon thinking about it for another minute, I realized that I didn’t want it cause it seemed almost intimidating to me. That may sound weird and I can’t explain it but it is simply how it made me feel. I felt like I wasn’t sure how I would eat these peppers, and I surely didn’t want to be responsible if they didn’t make it.

Then I stopped and thought to myself- this would be a great intention. Taking a chance on something I normally would not. The herb garden at the house is going so well and I use them to cook a lot and love it. Why can’t I step out of my “norm” and save these peppers that are clearly in a struggle for survival and wanting desperately to be repotted and giving a chance to continue to grow.

So, we got it and the little lady was so sweet, she insisted we just take another plant for free. I’m not sure what it is but it is a pretty plant that will probably grow as big as my palm tree. The leaves are red and green and very lively and it appears as though it may sprout a flower of some sort. We stopped on the way home for a new pot and supplies. When we got back home, Vinny did an amazing job transplanting the pepper plant and fixing it up to stand tall and continue to thrive.

So in short…(not so much hahaha)…I am happy to have added this addition to our garden and am quite excited to have “saved the peppers”. #HGAL

 

Day 216 – Housewarming on the Cape

Our friends bought a summer home on the Cape and just closed recently. They are having some of us down to enjoy what’s going to be a warm and sunny beach weekend. Vinny and I are headed there and staying until tomorrow. For my intention, I am stopping to pick up a housewarming gift for them even though there is no way they are making this a “housewarming” get together in any way so surely will not be expecting anything. I am just happy to celebrate this with them and feel honored to be invited.

I just love this couple. Vinny has been friends with them for many, many years and they have always been so warm and welcoming to me. Every single time we get together it is nothing short of a blast. I look forward to what the day and night have in store. Cheers to a fabulous Saturday!!! #HGAL

On our way!!!!

 

Day 215 – Pedicab

All throughout Newport you see pedicabs here and there giving people rides. I noticed last summer that I have never seen a person on one not smiling. I’ve seen them full of children with the parents on another one behind them. I’ve seen the pedicabs full of people racing (that’s always fun to watch), I’ve seen couples snuggled in for a ride and I’ve even seen them pack 5-6 people on one!

Since last summer I kept saying that one day I wanted to take a pedicab ride.  Usually I don’t mind just walking were I need to go when it’s local- in fact I quite enjoy it. Anyhow, today my mom and I went down to Cupcake Charlie’s for a treat. On the way I said to her that we should ride a pedicab back to the house for my intention.

Soon as we walked up to the guy he was smiling and very friendly. My mom said she would take a picture of me on it and he was such a great sport and started making silly faces. I knew right then it was gonna be a fun ride- and I was right. He was hysterical- cracking impromptu jokes that he couldn’t have possibly planned cause they fit right in to the moment of stuff happening around us. Mom and I were laughing and before you know it, we were home. That was so fun and again I find myself happy that such a seemingly small intention gave me such a great big smile and laughs. #HappyFriday #HGAL

Day 214 – Gallery Night

I live close to many museums and galleries. One of them, The Samuel Whitehorne Museum, just around the corner from my house was having an open house as part of Newport Gallery Night. This is a period mansion that displays a collection of furniture from the colonial era. So, my mom and I went over to check it out.

We toured the house, the rooms and my very favorite…the gardens! As soon as we walked out of the house and into the garden, the fragrant aroma from the multiple blooming plants and flowers washed right over me.

In the home, we looked at and discussed various furniture pieces. I absolutely admire the craftsmanship and attention to detail of furniture pieces from long ago. I am always so impressed with what the people back then could accomplish to last and endure for such a long time with clearly quite primitive tools. It is so nice to be able to take the time to slow down and see and appreciate the effort, time and product of such hard work from way back when.

Anyhow, afterwards we headed to the beach for a walk, lobster rolls and beach time. #HGAL

Day 213 – Perseids Meteor Shower

So it’s been all over the news and social media that tonight is the best night to see the Perseids Meteor Shower. Due to the fact that on the 14^th there is a new moon, it is supposed to be a more visible show. I have never sought out a meteor shower of any type so for today’s intention I am excited to be a part of it. I am also so very happy to report that the sky was absolutely clear- not a cloud in sight.

Vinny, my mom and I went out to our side deck as it is not covered and since we are up so high it made the sky completely visible and unimpaired. I read that the key to a meteor shower is patience – so we headed out, made ourselves comfortable and just watched. I was all prepped and ready for my “shooting star” wishing bonanza!!

Within minutes we saw a little one (I quick made a wish)– minutes later a HUGE one went streaming long and far across the sky in front of us! Then we started seeing more here and there. The night air got a little cool, so I wrapped up in my favorite blankie and with my head back I just star gazed. We are actually still out there but I came in for a moment to write my blog. I am happy to have been able to be fortunate enough to have such a front row seat and look forward to getting back out there and seeing more. #lifeisgood #shootingstarsgalore #uhohnomakeupon #HGAL

Day 212 – Zzzzz’s

I have always been the type of person that is up with the sun. When I sleep too long it makes me feel like I am missing out on something…on life. So when the sun is up- so am I and I am blessed to be married to the same type of person. The crazy thing is we are both night owls as well. We usually head to bed somewhere around the midnight hour or later.

It is common knowledge that rest is an important part of staying healthy. So, although it is not in my nature or practice, for my intention today I am going to head to bed early. My goal is in bed by 10pm. I talked to Vinny about it and we know that more rest would be beneficial to us both. Therefore, in the spirit of the blog and trying new things- we are choosing to incorporate into our lives this positive and healthy night of rest and try to begin incorporating it into our lives more often as well. Take care of yourselves readers….we only get this once. #HGAL #nightynight #catchinmorezzzzstonight