Kenya

I just realized that I still had quite a few photos that I had never posted from my June trip.  Looking back, I realized I had only posted Tanzania previously.  So I figured it was about darn time to add some from Kenya.  Sadly I didn't take any photos with the guys from the office or the fun peeps I joined, so the Masai Mara wildlife will have to do.

Elephants in the distance

The last thing (besides a cheetah) that I had not seen was lion cubs...then the day I drove out of the Masai Mara, we came upon this pride of 7 that included 4 wee-ones.

These Ladies were so close to me, I got a little shaky...I could have reach out the door & touched their backs. 

Lake Nakuru... sans flamingos (sadly)

The Big Chill

Photo by Julienne Schaer
This past Thursday night, I went with Bryan to see the Big Chill in Brooklyn Bridge Park.  It is such a great place to go for a movie, because the scene behind the screen is fantastic.  But I had forgotten how much I love that movie and I don't think I once looked to the city to appreciate the view.  I would never have included the Big Chill on my "top 10 movie list" before, but seeing it for the third time (or...maybe it was the fourth) did it - it has moved into the top 10 for sure; maybe even the top 5.  I can't say what it is that I so love about that flick, but I do love it.

Vacation day in Brooklyn

What differentiates a "vacation day" from a normal day off of work?  

Is it great company?  

Is it great food?  

Is it being a bit tipsy at 3pm?  

Is it exploring new places?  

Maybe it is a combination of all of these things, or maybe it is just one.  I'm not sure.  

But what I am sure of is that I LOVE vacation days no matter how you define them.  

The adventure started in Manhattan with tasty ginger barbeque brisket and pulled duroc pork sandwiches from Cambodian sandwich shop num pang - there is no better way to start an exploration expedition.

Then it was off to Dekalb Market for a bit of retail therapy, which soon turned into Toasted Blue Point Lager therapy.

We wanted to buy this tee shirt for Lucy.

With no set agenda, it's great what one finds while searching the streets for ATMs. 

We eventually made our way into the Fort Greene area and the real wandering began.

Oh how we both fell in love with the quiet, tree-lined streets.

Sprinkled in with some lovely drinks - this one from the Cornerstone.
St. Rue's - a lovely combo of gin, St. Germaine, lime juice, simply syrup & sauvignon blanc.

 

This little gem got the dreams started, as it was for sale and not at a bad price...

 

The candlelight sneaking out of an ajar door made me notice this little hidden gem.  I simply pointed it out for it's visual appeal, but within less than 60 seconds, we found ourselves at the bar awaiting our perfectly crafted cocktail.  

And of course when there is a Juniors right by the Subway stop home...who can resist a late-night visit?!

Headed home a tad bit tipsy and happy with full bellies,
we both considered it a fantastic "vacation day" (a.k.a. Saturday).

Thoughts to think about

Source: inspiredbybeatriceclay.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Eloquence

Painting, a photo by CGoulao on Flickr.

Eloquence is a painting of the thoughts."

--Blaise Pascal,

Sometimes Monday mornings can feel like this...

Source: piccsy.com via j jump jennifer on Pinterest

Let's try to remember to do this...

Source: plus.google.com via Josie Feather on Pinterest

LONG weekend in LONG Island

 We started the long weekend Thursday night with pizza in the village.

 And right before we were about to leave, the storm of the month decided to pay us a visit to make the drive so much more enjoyable.

 "Bar" in our hotel room filled with bottles and bottles of wine (and gin) for the weekend.

 Wine tastings on Friday.

  I'm such a sucker for rock beaches.

 Walking with our feet in the ocean.

 Ferry to Shelter Island.

 We felt so lucky to have decent weather on Friday when we had expected rain all day.

 The only "all-sparkling" winery on Long Island - Sparkling Pointe.

 Oscar's creation from our bottle.

 Sunset from the outdoor bossa nova concert.

 And what visit would be complete without lobster, oysters, mussels and Blue Point Toasted Lager?!

 Montauk Lighthouse.

James' warning. 

 Farm stands

 With fresh baguettes.

 Mexican lunch on Sunday afternoon.

Agua Fresca 

Bubble Blowing Contests on the way back to the city!

What a great weekend!

Source: shop.uncovet.com via Bright.Bazaar on Pinterest

Monday Motivation

Source: modernhepburn.tumblr.com via Shelley on Pinterest

Happiness

happiness, a photo by barrypangilinan on Flickr.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a fantastic weekend planned - I know I do!

Project Happiness

Tonight, I watched a documentary with some people called Project Happiness.  While the film was good, I think it will be the written companions of the movie that are going to be of more interest to me.  However, the very last bit of the film ends with the following amazing quote.  As I contemplate changes in my life - this is exactly what I needed to read, so I had to share it with you.