Secret Garden

This weekend, we made a trip to the beautiful Filoli Historic House and Garden, located near San Francisco. 

Tucked away in the rolling green hills of the Bay Area is the Filoli Estate. 

The public can tour parts of the mansion, including the ballroom, kitchens, and library. 

My favorite was the library, of course.

The gardens were gorgeous. 

I felt like I was exploring an enchanting, secret garden!

We bought some preserves at the garden gift shop. I'm looking forward to enjoying them with fresh bread and coffee in the morning. 

I love the blend of people and nature, of architecture and landscape.

~Jess

"Star Spangled Spectacular"

We started the 4th of July celebrations early this weekend at the "Star Spangled Spectacular," an annual concert and fireworks show put on by the local college. 

There were food trucks and frozen lemonade stands, activities for kids, and big band music. This song holds a special place in my heart. ( :

And, of course, there were fireworks! 

This 4th of July, I'll be celebrating all the many different people, past and present, who serve our American democracy: civil rights leaders, service men and women, educators, engineers, doctors and healers, scientists, builders, socially conscious policymakers, and all Americans doing their part to ensure we live up to our ideals. 

picture from Google images

Wishing you and your families a very happy 4th of July, friends!

~Nel     

Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

A few summer blooms for you, friends.

It might be sweltering, but summer is my favorite season here in Georgia. 

I love the symphony of frogs and cicadas and the sweet perfume of gardenias in the morning. I love the flickering fireflies and swooping bats at dusk. Even those wild summer storms--the thunder and lightening and torrential rains that seem to come out of a clear blue sky--hold a certain kind of electric magic for me. It must be the sweetness of summertime in the south. 

~Nel

It's All Greek to Us!

May seems to be the month when a lot of Greek Festivals take place. Our family loves to celebrate our Greek heritage with the delicious food...

festive dancing...

and religious art. 

This year, my brother treated my mom to festival tickets and a hearty sampling of homemade dishes.

In addition to the baklava and powdered sugar cookies (my mom's favorite), there was a scrumptious new chocolate dessert, which went perfectly with the rich coffee.    

My mom and brother admired the beautiful brick buildings, ornate lanterns, and paintings of two very special saints. 

I wasn't able to make the festival myself this year, but the pictures made me feel like I was there. Hope you enjoyed this little taste of Greece yourself!

~Nel   

Showered with Magic

My sweet colleagues at the university decided to throw me a baby shower last week, and I have to tell you, it was pretty magical. 

It was Harry Potter themed! 

The Harry Potter books are a treasured favorite. You can read about how me and Jess came to love Rowling's world of wizardry here. The theme of the shower was a total surprise, but it just goes to show how well my coworkers have come to know me!

Don't you just love these golden chocolate snitches...

The Ollivander pretzel wands...

And the polyjuice potion punch...?

My husband was able to join us for the party on his lunch break. We were so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who came out to help us celebrate.

And I think we've decided on a school for the little one... ( ;

~Nel