Two anniversaries and a giveaway

I've just returned from Newport, Rhode Island, where my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. More on that in later posts.









On May 31st, I'll celebrate a different sort of anniversary: the first anniversary of my blog.

Two anniversaries marking two personal journeys. I was married straight out of college. I hardly understood what it meant to be an adult, never mind a married adult. Together, my husband and I learned how to be grown-ups, how to manage the daily details, how to weather storms, how to celebrate joys.

A year ago on Monday, I wrote my first blog post. My blog has charted both my family's experiences in New England and my own journey as a writer and photographer. My first entries featured photos taken with my iPhone. I had no idea what blog stats were or if I should respond to my comments. In short, I was clueless. I'm still learning and developing my voice and my images. Just as my husband and I, after twenty years, are still learning and growing as a couple, as parents, as partners.

To celebrate my first year blogoversary, I'm planning a giveaway. Tune in on Monday, May 31st, to see find out more about it. I hope you'll like it.

Blue Hills

While Pretzel Boy and Will wheelied and flew over ramps and had much boyish bicyclish fun, the girls and I explored the Blue Hills Reservation. It's hard to believe that Blue Hills are so close to Boston. Seven thousand acres with 125 miles of trails to explore. It makes me want to lace up my boots, grab a water bottle and gorp, and go.





We circled Houghton's Pond, winding our way through shaded trails, walking on felled tree balance beams, and peering into the pond for fish.



I stumbled across the tiniest sproutling growing out of a felled tree trunk. But darn! I need a macro lens.



We ended up at the Houghton Pond beach. The girls promptly shook off their shoes, rolled up their pants, and splashed into the tea-colored water. We all ended up damp and sandy and happy.

Pretzel Boy wins!

Mr. Picky will now and forever be known as:

Pretzel Boy



This was Pretzel Boy winning the limbo contest at the 15th annual Blue Hills Mountain Bike Discovery Day this past Sunday. We had gone on a last-minute whim. What a blast! Guided trail rides, a bike obstacle course, and bicycle skills contests, all hosted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Blue Hills TrailWatch, and the New England Mountain Bike Association.

Pretzel Boy won a very nice Camelbak, donated by Dave's Bike Infirmary. He was so flushed with pride. That Camelbak didn't leave his side for the rest of the day. I'm surprised he didn't sleep with it. It went with him to school today.



And as a mom, my heart sang right along with his. You see. He's one of those kids. One of those who, for whatever reason, never finds his or her niche in mainstream sports. Their shelves are bare of soccer (or baseball, basketball, football, hockey, tennis, swimming) trophies. Except maybe for one or two small momentos from the peewee leagues. So for him, this was the buzzer-beating shot. The game-winning touchdown. The ace down the line for the game, set, match. He'd never felt that rush of victory before. It was new, and it was sweet.

Ride on, Pretzel Boy.

Mosaic Monday

Spring blooms from one of my very favorite Boston spots: The Arnold Arboretum. Such a peaceful place to take a stroll and get lost in your thoughts. Also fun to bring the littles for a rousing bike ride. I last visited a month ago when the lilacs were just bursting into bloom. The scent of lilacs blanketed the air. Amazing.



Lilacs are so foreign to me. A result of growing up so far south. This spring was a gentle reminder that I'm new here. Unfamiliar flowers blooming from what had been frozen branches and earth. Tulips proudly bearing their bejeweled colors. Lilac branches laden with blossoms, gently nodding in the breeze. This spring was one of discovery. Learning what bulbs populated my house's garden beds. Discovering new colors and scents.

I found an old friend at the Arnold Arboretum as well. The familiar shape of the Texas redbud pulled me to it. A welcome reminder of my old home.



I love finding the more exotic examples of flora at the Arboretum. Like this one with the unassuming blossoms and beautifully sculptural leaves.



Or this threatening-looking specimen with its branches like a dinosaur's claws.



This is my first time participating in Mosaic Monday. Thanks to the little red house for hosting. I'm learning so much about New England and about blogging. It has been...and I hope will continue to be...an amazing journey.

iSpork

You've heard of an e-reader. Now comes the revolutionary e-feeder.

The iSpork

Available in Wi+Fi
or
Wi-Fi plus 3G for unlimited roaming while dining



The best way to experience food. Hands down. Or up. With its built-in accelerometer, the iSpork always knows which way is up. You'll never miss your mouth again.

It's hard to believe we could fit so many ideas into something so thin. A spoon. A fork. Imagine being able to eat anywhere or anything. Soup to steak. All with one device. iSpork has a 6.5" length with remarkably precise Multi-Touch tines. And at just .3 ounces and 2 mm. thin, it's easy to carry and use anywhere.

Thousands of apps made just for iSpork. With more coming every day. You'll find thousands of apps on the App Store specifically designed for iSpork. The current top-seller, iConductor, enables you to conduct a virtual orchestra using your iSpork. (Warning: Do not use iConductor in close quarters as unintended lacerations may occur.)

iSpork with Wi+Fi plus 3G. The best way to stay connected. Now you can take your cuisine with you wherever you go and enjoy superfast scarfing speeds on iSpork. Enjoy dining anywhere, even in areas without Wi+Fi.

A magical and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price. iSpork.