happy labor day!

 I hope you enjoy the day, summer's last hurrah!

*taken at Bantam Lake over the weekend 

have a lovely labor day weekend

It's been such a busy few weeks, I am not sure where to begin, but I know that this weekend,  I am going to take some time off from everything and enjoy the last official weekend of summer. I know it's hard to reflect on something when it is still so close to you, but I have had a wonderful summer, with amazing new clients, beautiful weddings, and  the sweetest little babies and kids. I know I say this a lot, but I am truly blessed to be able to do what  I love.

I am never ever ready for summer to end, and seeing the hydrangea turn a pinkish color, reminds me that fall is on the horizon, and though it doesn't officially kick off for another few weeks, I feel a little bit of longing for summer's passing already. Time marches on before my eyes. Maybe that's why I feel the need to document everything?

What are you up to this weekend? I plan on staying put here in Litchfield Country with the exception of going to see Brett Dennen with my sister on Friday night (I can't wait). Have a lovely labor day weekend, and enjoy the last days of summer.

have a peachy weekend

These are freshly picked from March Farm in Bethlehem, CT, and they are so magnificent! There is nothing like a freshly ripened peach that drips it's sweet juices right down your arm.  Now is the time for PYO peaches, if you are looking for a fun activity for you and your sweeties! Have a lovely weekend, & some fun links to check out over the weekend.

Twenty things to do with your kids in Litchfield County this summer // Peach cobbler recipe + a farewell to summer. // On a more serious note, the heroism of this woman this week was unbelievable. // You can't help but be happy when you hear this version of Blurred Lines. Huge Jimmy Fallon crush. // Some great rules here for being a good house guest. I'm a Big fan of #11.

summer memories pt. two

Summer is getting away from us. Each day that passes this week reminds me that fall is just inches away from us in New England (I saw an orange maple leaf). Here are a few iPhone pictures from over the weekend. We went to the Bridgewater fair, and it smelled of hay, and cotton candy, we ate friend dough, and watched the small-town fireman's parade. I savored every moment this weekend. 

“summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. for those few months, you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. you can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. summer just opens the door and lets you out.”- Deb Caletti

summertime (and the best of intentions)

Doesn't it seem like summertime is flying by? I had the best intentions of posting more wedding images for you this week, but time got away from me.  I seemed to have gotten lost in summer. In the mean time you can keep up to speed with me elsewhere on Facebook and Instagram where I usually post sneak peeks. I also have some pretty exciting changes coming to site and blog, which I am looking forward to sharing with you. Here are some summer links for you from around the world wide web.

Top ten ways to cook all that kale growing in your garden. // The easiest salsa ever. // An amazing all natural face mask all found in your kitchen! // The best summer hair products to control frizz. // My new favorite color for summer from Essie. //  How to make homemade ice cream without a machine! // //How to pack the best summer picnic. From Food 52 // And a song for your weekend. Don't you worry 'bout a thing! // 41 camping ideas worth your read! Have a lovely weekend~

AUGUST

Here we go! August is upon us and July has come and gone. Doesn't it seem summer passes faster than any other? My garden seems to mark the passage of time for me. In little ways; the hydrangea are in full bloom, and the peonies + roses have come and gone, and it is just a gentle reminder that as each new month comes and goes, there is always something to look forward to (or miss).

cucumber salad with lemon verbena & mint

I stopped by the farm stand and picked up some baby cucumbers over the weekend. It has been so hot, I really can't even turn the oven on in my kitchen. On a steamy day the last thing I want to do is cook. I've been looking for cold salad /meal ideas I can make with out too much effort. With some inspiration plucked from my garden I added a twist to my great grandmothers cucumber salad recipe. It is amazingly refreshing!

Ingredients

1. Cucumber, one large (or two small)
2. 3/4 cup white distilled vinegar
3. 1/2 cup white refined sugar
4. 1 or two leaves of fresh lemon verbena
5. 1 or two leaves of fresh mint
6. approximately 1 tablespoon of fresh dill.
7. A pinch of By The Sea Salt
8. 1/2 of a small white onion.
9. 1/2 cup water

Here's how you do it:

Cut cucumbers into thin slices. Cut onion into small slices and seperate. Set aside.  Mix vinegar and sugar. Toss together the cucumbers and onion in a large bowl. Combine the vinegar, water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and pour over the cucumber and onions. Stir in dill, cover, & other herbs and refrigerate until cold. This can also be eaten at room temperature, but be sure to allow the cucumbers to marinate for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled, garnish with mint leafs. Tip; It gets better the longer it sits.

summer breeze

I have been so busy with work, I wish I had more time in the summer. Taking a quick break in-between editing and photo sessions to savor the little moments is so important to me. In the winter it seems I have all the time I need, and suddenly we are halfway through summer. Sigh. I caught a quick breeze in the shade on this large old-fashioned wooden swing in my yard. Just what I needed. 

"Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future...A day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for."-Maya Angelou

Have a lovely weekend

I hope everyone can find a nice spot to cool off this weekend. But should you chose to stay indoors and keep cool in the a/c, here are some fun links to check out over the weekend.


1. Swimming with pigs.  seriously, does it get any cuter than this?
2. Ten amazing tree-top hotels Honeymoon?
3. Diary of the most chill bride ever.
4. I love this "naked" wedding cake.
5. Beat the heat with homemade popsicles 
6. In case you miss the exhibit Rain Room  at  MOMA (it ends July 28th) you can check out the video here. How cool is this?! And if you are on Instagram, look for the hashtag #rainroom for some amazing pictures.
7. A nice mellow song for your weekend.
8. I don't know about you, but I have been living in easy-brezzy dresses the past few weeks. This one is so pretty from Anthropologie!
9. These cute matalletic ballet flats would be great with the dress too-in lieu of my leather sandals.
10. How to make the perfect cold-brewed coffee from Food 52.

Enjoy your weekend, and stay cool! Image taken two weeks ago at Crane Beach.

blueberries for miles

Blueberry Galette

blueberries with homemade granola

It is blueberry season here in Connecticut. I live right down the road from a huge blueberry farm, so every year, I pick basketfuls. When ever friends come to visit (especially city friends) they love going berry picking too~we usually end up with more than we know what to do with. So I thought I would share a few classic recipes with you below.

1. The best blueberry pie you will ever make (from Martha Stewart).
2. A rustic blueberry galette (I used fresh/local Arethusa ice cream to top it off).
3. Classic blueberry pancakes.
4. From Ina Garten- Homemade granola-top with blueberries and cream if you are feeling indulgent (it's been my daily breakfast ).

* A few tips on the galette, since it was my first time around I made some mistakes I'd like to save you from making: don't roll the dough out too thin; the bottom crust needs to be thick enough to hold all the liquid from the blueberries.  Don't over-stuff it with filling, it will drip everywhere! And be sure to line the cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper to catch leaks!  Also, if you make individual ones for each person, it is much easier to serve (as pictured above). It took me 3x to get it right!

Enjoy! And of course, I can't mention blueberries without mentioning my favorite  summer childhood book, Blueberries for Sal. A must read for little ones before you go picking!

S & S

I'm kind of speechless when it comes to this wedding. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Sam is my cousin, and I feel like I have known Sasha for just as long. It was the first wedding I had been a guest at in a long time! They were married in the same spot outside where Sam's parents were married. The history of our family spans back four generations to this area in Connecticut.

And they danced under the full Supermoon. 

Eileen Smith Events

Dress: Sarah Seven

Catering: Adrienne’s

Florals: Michelle Stuart

Veil: bhldn

Tuxedo: Indochino