Summertime, and the living is easy

I spent some time on Labor Day weekend to organize myself after such a whirlwind Summer, which according to my photos definitely made living easy.

For starters, and this one is 30 years coming, my Dad finished his dream to build a Babbling Brook which became a retirement project of sorts. Dad had a smaller version in mind back in 1980, but he likes to dream big for sure. This is why we love him. With the help of my brother, it really turned into a serene spot with water billowing over rocks and under a bridge into a small pond.  I can picture myself sitting there taking in a sunny day when I need to unwind or dream a little myself. 

Oh, and there were birthdays galore. 


I am proud to say I was invited in “the circle” once again this year to celebrate with this lady and her family. It was a late night, we had lots to celebrate…

Mom & my niece celebrated birthdays back in the Burgh.  My Aunt was also visiting so it was a really a treat to have her around.  We all wish she would move closer already! My niece has decided that holding out at 3 is better than turning 4, so she is 3…again.  I didn't get to go to the party, but I did help to pick out the dress!

Plus two 40th birthday celebrations.


We celebrated in style at Beauty & Essex and Stanton Social with my british jersey friend – we Americans were outnumbered for this one but held steady when it came to drinking, not an easy feat. 

Jersey girl

My bbf in the Burg had a nice backyard BBQ to celebrate. There were lots of kids, food and fun and the perfect summer night. 

Pin Up Poster Girl

As for me, I had a little happy hour rooftop shindig. It was very sophisticated until the whipped vodka showed up…you know who you are.  The evening was a dream(cicle), but the next day a nightmare.  But all was better when Yahtzee took me for my surprise! We spend a day at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, where we had a private room with sauna, dampfbad and Jacuzzi…topped off with a two hour massage from head to toe. That was heavenly.

Rock on Gold Dust Woman - Concert Night

Me and Yahtzee found some things locally to keep us amused. We took  a ride to Long Beach one afternoon to watch the kites and the surfers. I am always impressed at the patriotism in this country – it was not a holiday weekend but flags speckled the beach.

We saw Stevie Nicks live at Jones Beach and it was fantastic. I have loved her since I was a kid, and I still do now. She is a great storyteller and I love the way it comes out in her songs. Not to mention her independent spirit and bohemian nature. Stevie still rocks.

Naturally, I got in loads of Stella time. I put a few hundred miles on her just this summer alone.  Still getting comments about riding the man around town, but we take it in stride.  I got to pick up Yahtzee from work one night (after a little shopping), do you think this man loves me???? He’s adorable, right!

Yahtzee loves Dasha. Dasha loves Stella. 

And I am continuing with my guitar lessons, so am now thinking of writing a song about my love for Stella…and my husband.

We managed a few getaways too – in particular an awesome escape to Martha’s Vineyard.  We rented a house with two other couples who are not only great friends but wonderful housemates. 

Mastering the art of chillaxin'

The house was on Stonehenge Road and sat back in the woods. We kept the windows open and sat inside in the early evening reading, practicing guitar and cooking (well, not me but I provided some entertainment). In the evenings, we sat on the deck and enjoyed the company, the stars and a few drinks 

(should i mention Whipped Vodka again??)

I was not just relaxed, I was even lazy.

There was everything to do and nothing to do.

Yahtzee found time for running and golfing. 

I went for beach walks every morning and grew my rock collection. 

On the Ferry

And we were all on the search for a perfect lobster roll. Here we are at a local church as we watch on to the lobster preparations.

Without a doubt, MV requires a return trip.

Thanks for letting us in on your little secret, guys.

Me & Snug's BFF

The weather in NYC was a bit more unpredictable. Between an earthquake (I was off enjoying a ONE martini lunch and missed the seismic wave) and Irene, we EW left to question what is next. But we were in the safe zone for both, perched up high on the 5th floor. After the hurricane we took a look around and there was high waters and uprooted trees on the East River. But the sun came out shortly after the storm passed, and we had a little impromptu Jaggi-Q on the roof deck.

Speaking of unpredictable. Inabell is going to get 
married, but you would never guess it from this here photo.  Yes, this once conservative young lady really impressed us with her HEN NIGHT stunts ...Lets just say she put the Pop in Lollipop, and we keep it between us girls.

So as I said, Summer was a ‘happenin! 

I hope yours was just as long and sunny…

Shine on.

Postcard to Dene

Karlsruhe, May 2003

Hi Dene,


I was thinking of you today and the long summer days we used to spend at the Scholossgarden in Karlsruhe, playing frisbee and football, reading, talking and laying on blankets in the grass. You were always great about bringing us all together.  We were really carefree those days, weren't we?  Anyway, things are going ok I guess. There are days I sure miss you. It would be really nice to sit and talk together,  I could always count on you, Dene.  I never met someone who so actively listened and never judged me.  I hope I have told you more than once how much I appreciate your friendship! And I hope I was as good a friend to you.  You know, the funniest things remind me of you, like seeing a passing train, ordering a Macchiato, a Pink song on the radio, or white Cargo pants. Not long ago I sat next to a girl on a plane and she was just about your size, curly hair and wearing a baseball cap. I really cried to see her, I wanted so badly to be sitting there next to you. I slowly realize though that you are always with me in my heart.  I don't have to think too hard to remember your bright smile, or something you might say or do…


So I just wanted to send you a little note to remind you that no matter the distance between us, you are so special to me and never far from my thoughts.


Still, I wish you were here.


Love,
Stephanie

 

Everywhere is signs...

I have had a pretty special week and I want to tell you all about it, starting with the most precious of all. My good friends had a baby girl and man oh man, is she just adorable. Mama looks as gorgeous as ever and has fallen right into the role of doting mother.  I have never held a newborn before so this was quite an experience for me. Its amazing, at that moment I want to make sure I am doing everything right - is her head cradled properly, is she warm enough, is she happy. And so I can imagine for a parent this must be multiplied by one thousand right then and only increasing over time as the child grows. 

Me and Yahtzee were honored when we were asked to pick them up from the hospital for their homecoming. Yahtzee drove 10mph through Manhattan and over Queensboro bridge, ignoring all the honks and and explicits and focused only on the mission at hand, to get this little girl, her Mama and Grandma safely to her home in Astoria.

Thank you for sharing this special moment with us, we can't wait to watch this little New Yorker learn and grow and explore all the wonders of life.

Ok, but this is not all. I was also invited to fundraiser that was organized by four women (collectively, they established  MARA Society) that supports various Romainian organizations. One of those A's in MARA stands for Andreea, a wonderful smart and beautiful friend of mine who obviously has a very giving heart.  The event I attended was at the Essex House to support school children who lack financial means.  The night went off like a charm and was well attended, and I won my first item in silent auction - a signed copy of Before Sunrise, one of my favorite movies. Ethan Hawke was there too...with his wife...who is also pregnant.

Are these signs?






And this week we also got a surprise visit from our token Canadian friend who, we are happy to know, is moving back to the city with her husband and baby. Now HER little boy (there is a theme here, or ?) just learned to say "cheese" so you can imagine the photo-taking fun.  But this was one of my favorites.  Pretty darn cute.

The one in the middle is the biggest Jag of all!

We had a great night and got to catch up on work, life and love on Snug's deck.  It was great to jag around again, I sure missed that from our Soccer Days.

We look forward to many more fun times, YOU JAG!

Happy Independence Day

It was a beautiful night here in NYC, so we hopped on Stella for a ride to the West Side to watch the spectacular fireworks display.  These always amaze me, as do the conversations I sometimes overhear.  Tonight I overheard a family of three from Stamford, CT who first, they announced these were the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks in the WORLD, then commented on the new "technology" for the floating effects, and when the child lightly coughed, the mother told him to "do what you need to do sweetie, do what you need to do - cough it out" - whatever that was about.

Earlier this week we drove to Pittsburgh. We drove into the city for some Regatta action and after had drinks in Market Square with my brother and his girlfriend. Market Square was recently renovated and I am amazed at much space they managed to create there, even though with the upgrade came NYC drink prices.

Above all, we spent lots of time at the Compound and poolside with the family. My niece went underwater for the first time with the prodding of her mama.

Me and my sister shared ideas for project "neon sign" which will be unveiled pretty soon, along with gossip and a few vodka slushies.

We sat a lot on the porch - not just to BBQ and eat lots of good food but to share stories and chat and best of all, laugh.

This little guy was a hamming it up for us all the while. He even managed to call me Tante before the weekend was through.

Yahtzee shows off the iPad

We had such a lovely weekend. And mostly, we just feel very blessed to have so much love…

kind-of a big deal

Wednesday night we made our way uptown to celebrate the success of a guy who is "kind-of a big deal". 


This guy is my husband.


Yahtzee's hard work and many hours over the past months had a good end result though, and we invited a few friends to Kimberly Hotel rooftop to celebrate the occasion. 

I am very proud of my husband and even more - I am glad to have him back :-)  Mucho liebe Yahtz!!!

                                                                                                                                  

Glad you came

As a child of the sun ("I have desires and I was born inside the sun this morning" - some counting crows love!), I officially declare this my Summer Song





I hope you like it, LOVE IT, as much as i do

What to do with the rest of the day's afternoon - hey

One of the best things about summer time….

Outdoor concerts

We had a little escape this past weekend to Atlantic City for some good music and sunshine. The Dave Matthew's Caravan music festival hosted some great bands, and us, at Bader Field which was an old landing field and a great venue. 

Favorite Moments?

Two Step Encore with the drummer Leon Mobley

Sunshine and beers

Acting up

Poker table winnings

Dirty feet

…with muddy toes

Whiter Shade of Pale

One very cool sunset

Marlborough Experience

Dancing like children

And as always - good company, good friends

Friday night crowd

Saturday night crowd

But mostly

 Realizing the summer has only just begun

Our own private Paradiso

Private beach

Meeting Yahtzee in Florida this weekend was a spur of the moment decision – and one that I do not regret. I hope my husband agrees - though I am sure he would add that he needed a vacation just to support the effort to get me from NYC to Key West,
 an itenerary which included a 6am departure on 2 hours of sleep
, leaving car in danger-zone for ticket or towing, boarding flight for second leg of trip as my name was being called on terminal loudspeaker, breaking my camera, breaking my iPhone and loosing a new pair of earrings.

Lucky for Yahtzee, he has traveled with Dasha before and had well planned a cozy little house for us on an island called Sunset Key just off of Key West.  

Here were a few of our favorite activities

Romantic quiet moments watching the sun set

Finding inspiration

Spending hours in this hammock, mostly sleeping

Watching this guy relax a little (and swing me in above stated hammock)

Wearing this robe around the porch

Dreaming a little…especially of our house on this lot

Being together all day...

…and night

Boating

And eating oysters, listening to music and drinking beers at Schooners Wharf 

We ended the weekend watching a spectacular moment in basketball history, the Dallas Mavericks win over Miami The Heat.  It was worth it to see Dirk Nowitzki holding his trophy high, and to be among friends to high five and bitch around and celebrate, sometimes all in the same moment even.

Team NYC: Dasha, Yahtzee, Siby, Stefan

Thanks Yahtzee, i hope you found some relaxing moments in-between your wife's hectic moments. Even if for days, we had our own private paradiso and i loved it and i loved being there with you.