Thank you, Easter Bunny

Joy, oh pure joy! If there is something better than a blue speckled, chocolate egg at 7 a.m., please let me know Mom!

Oh the Fun We Had

And yes, too much to talk about.  But here's a little glimpse into some of the fun we had!

Vermont: Serendipity Around Every Turn

So, my husband is convinced I'm never leaving Vermont. He may just be right.  There is a fresh fallen snow today and the scenery is white, beautiful and inviting.

Every day, I've discovered one or more wonderful aspects about our new life here.  One day it's a bakery.  The next it has been a great children's store with European fashions.  The next it has been simply a road on the way to somewhere with scenic vistas and big bright, red barns.

I'll share them with you over the next few days but couldn't wait to show you this suzani fabric chaise lounge and desk chair that I bought at a charming boutique, Chez Boheme, in Shelburn.

Don't you just love them?

Vermont: Mom, please may I go out and play?

Stefan's not quite talking yet but I just knew what he wanted to say the other morning as he looked longingly out the window at the snow and the tree house.

He's been experiencing pure joy and delight here in Vermont, with the puddles, heaps of snow, ladybugs on every window, tree house and so much more.

We're expecting 8-12 inches here on April 1st. Yes, you read that right.

And so, we'll be out there in it.  Skiing. Sledding. Tumbling.  And squealing with delight. 

Yes, you can bet there will be lots of laughter and more echoing in the hills of our new neighborhood.

Vermont: Day 4

There are some white, fluffy, soft snowflakes falling now. The kind that were lovely to walk through this morning with Abby at 8 a.m. along our babbling stream.

But did I tell you about our lunch in Burlington the other day?  Yellow, lovely yellow, was the color of the day.

With some springy daffodils.

At our favorite bistro in Burlington.

With a perfect espresso and latte to end the meal.

Vermont: Day 3

Okay, folks, it's officially day 3 here in Starksboro, Vermont. Population? Give or take 1,900.

Today, we met the very helpful town clerk (Cheryl), talked to the lovely owner of the local coffee shop (Kerry) about horseback riding lessons for Abby in June and discovered wireless internet at the coffee shop in Hinesburg. Not to mention that we had a 1/2 cord of wood delivered to the barn and stopped at the local hardware store for few goodies.

It was a very fulfilling Vermont day.  Topped off by tiny, ever so tiny, snowflakes tonight.

Here's a little ode to our lovely, historic house.  At sunset last night.

Thailand Trip: Missing Thai Beaches

We walked down the long dusty steps longing for that blue/green water in the distance.  Down, down we went.

And then suddenly the sign appeared.  Simple. Concise. Straightforward.

Welcome to the beach. 

It was a perfect Phuket beach day. Warm blue/green water. A few very cold Singhas. A spicy, green curry chicken at the beach shack overlooking the beach.

 
And then we made our way to this beach for a perfect sunset and an icy, minty mojito.

Missing Thai Food

I sort of know what it feels like to be a foreiger in the U.S. and not like the food.  It's something that has always bothered me when I've worked with political party officials and others visiting the U.S.

But after my recent trip to Thailand and just plain good, fresh food everyday, I feel a bit like a foreigner longing for a home-cooked meal.  Something with fresh cilantro.  How about some glass noodles and peanuts with chilis?  Or I would even bargain for some freshly cut watermelon or pineapple.

It's not that we can't get that in the U.S. -- heck, we ate Thai takeout twice last week. I've been known to cook up a spicy green curry chicken.   

But just look at these beautiful fruits and vegetables.  Isn't there something deliciously exotic about them? 

Thai Tranquility

This is how it started. Being led down a simple boardwalk. Amongst bamboo and ferns. Away from the entrance and traffic and bustle.

 To a simple teak house.  With 2 simple beds. And a simple breeze.  Following a simple path that others had traveled before us.

And then 2 calm women arrived. With delicious smelling creams for our faces.  And their hands, simply. For the rest of us.

Until the journey began.  And then all was simple in Phuket and beyond.

Until the sun set.  And we were transformed.  Able to go back to our lives with some simple thoughts about what makes life easier and more calm.

True Confessions of a Spa Addict

I have a confession. I've kept this secret for a very long time. 

The last time I was in Bangkok I did it.  I paid a lot of money.  I snuck out of my hotel, went alone and didn't tell anyone where I was going.

I went to the Espa Spa at the Peninsula Hotel for a Thai massage and relaxation room. 

It was overly indulgent and magical at the same time.  It was relaxing and exhilirating at the same time. 

'My true friends will understand why I don't really feel all that guilty.  They would have and probably have done the same.

In retrospect, it was worth every last baht.

A Lovely Bangkok evening

What a lovely, lovely evening.  Of serene, oh so serene faces.  Beautiful accessorized Buddhas. Yellow flowered bracelets. Many, many bottles of wine. And much, much laughter.



A New Get Away...in Vermont

Here's the exciting news.  We are closing on a get away home in Vermont.  We've been looking for three years without luck.

More than a month ago we walked into this 1795 beauty and quietly said to ourselves, "this is it."  

Take a look and let me know what you think.

A few of my favorite (Vermont) things

I am trying to put my finger on it. Why? Why do I love Vermont so much?

City market in Burlington...fresh local bread, milk,
pies and just about everything else you can spend money on? And I did! Just one of the many places I love in Burlington.

The snow...for sledding and skiing and running in with Abby! We spent part of an afternoon pretending we were polar bears!

The drives...bucolic, scenic...what other words come to mind. I must be a sucker for fresh red barns, grazing cows and white steeples. I am transfixed.

Sleepy Hollow...our little x country area. Just perfect this weekend.

Friends...we are lucky.

And enjoying it all with our kids...they make it all special and magical.

Happy Birthday, Precious Abby

It all began with an innocent first date.  Just a good contact.  But then something happened. We fell in love.  We got married.  And not so long afterward, we had a beautiful baby girl. 

We named her Abigail, thinking of another strong woman in history who had forged a path for women. We knew that she would be special.

And she is.  Happy 7th birthday, my beautiful, special Abby.

Vermont Infatuation

I love Vermont. That's my confession this week. The small town feel. The charm of the countryside. The fresh, organic food.  The friends we've made there. 

I even love the cold (sometimes) and the way it hits you when you walk out the door.

And I loved this picturesque farm, where they raise over 100 goats, on our way to visit our friends Lise and Jimmy further south. We "talked" to the goats and even got to see them being milked.

Somehow, it didn't matter that our car broke down and we were 90 miles from home. 

I guess that's why I love Vermont.

Foodie Finds in Australia

You know me. Always on the hunt for a good meal. Well, a great meal.  Not the touristy places. The places I feel lucky to be dining.  The places that have great ambience. Great fellow diners.  An amazing wine list.  Unusual deserts.

Here are a few finds in Sydney:

Baroque: My friend, Anya's, friend Ollie owns it.  So I wanted to like it.  But I really liked it.  The ambience is great. The desserts, particularly the macaroons, are to die for.  And the outside deck is a great after dinner watering spot.  Throw in a few hip, 20 something Australians, and it made for a vey fun Friday night.

Sailors Thai: On George Street in the Rocks. Down a flight of steps and then onto the back deck overlooking the back of the big Sydney passenger terminal.  The presentation of prawns in banana leaf, crispy pork with quail egg and beef salad with oh-so-fresh mint was perfect.  Thanks for dinner James and Tim!

The Hyde Park Cafe: Just outside of the Hyde Park Barracks museum, I almost walked right on by.  But then I noticed the prawn salad someone was eating and the nicely shaded outdoor tables.  I had superb meal with a pinot grigio and then something they called chocolate pudding, which was actually a chocolate molten cake, with white chocolate shavings on top, citrus oil and a dark chocolate ball on top.  Need I say yummy?

Happiness Down Under

It's been an intense work week down under. Back to back meetings.  Receptions. Strategic planning.  Presentations.  I've managed to squeeze in a bit at the end of the trip.  Here are a few highlights.

What more can one say about the Opera House at sunset?

And I loved the beach town on Manly -- a short hop away from Sydney.  Good vibe. Great waves. And a wonderful day spent with a former colleague.

The flowers and vegetation at the Botanical Gardens in Adelaide were amazing.  I only managed a short walk on my way to a reception at the National Wine Center...but wow!

And if we are talking amazing....can you believe these pastries that you look at in awe at Baroque.  Dear Anya, thank you for introducing me to this treasure in The Rocks.  An evening well spent in so many ways!

And finally, Darling Harbor. This picture does not do it justice.  Last night, we were feted with fire works at 10 pm over the harbor.  Another wow moment.

Australia...again

Here I come Australia. Tonight, I'm flying V Australia. I'll let you know what I think.

For me, these long flights mean two things. Sleep. Movies.  It's like my own, private date night.

Goodbye Los Angeles. Here I come Adelaide.

Halloween Indeed

It was quite the Halloween.  And now my world is upside down or at least sideways.  I have no idea why...but hopefully you can see my little cuties!