Balls in the Air

Good morning dear friends and hello to any new visitors, I welcome you and hope you follow me.

Spring is still not here in Vermont, not even a tease!

In my world there are so many balls up in the air, I am managing by taking things day by day and at times hour by hour.......that's not to say things are bad, in fact, everything is so happy and exciting just  a lot at the same time.  If you are in my age bracket you know by now that, that is the way it normally works, "feast or famine"!
We have renovation happening at our vacation home in Martha's Vineyard which is so exciting. We had our first peek this past weekend and I was bubbling with excitement verging on goofiness! I was a real HGTV person in awe of the job that had been done. I normally can't picture the way something will turn out until I see it, I'm a very visual person. I can show you a peek to get the idea.

This is the back of the house with an added sunroom and expanded kitchen area in green. So our 800 square foot house will expand to 1400 sq. ft.  Also being added is a bathroom upstairs.
"My MV McMansion"

Inside peek, there is a lot of open space and cathedral ceilings. Hard to explain in this state. Have to wait until summer for the unveiling.


This was all so thrilling to see, but now I have to purchase so many light fixtures and get them down in time so I don't hold them up!!  It's a 4 hour drive and a 45 minute ferry ride, the drive is a bit much but I do love the ferry.
We are doing all this because we hope to spend half the year there when we are completely retired. Island life is so great and Jack loves it!


Wedding countdown 80 days away!!! Fittings to take place, invitations out, bridal shower in 2 weeks, gift bags etc.....all good stuff but a lot. I manage with my lists and lists and checking them off  :  )

Look what happened when we were at the vineyard

                                                         How cute is this?


The bridal shower is on April 20th and I'm almost ready for it with the help of all the girls in the bridal party and of course the two flower girls! (did I say there are 9 bridesmaids) Yup that's right!
The shower is at a restaurant and will be very nice and festive.



Now about Jack, I took him up to the surgeon vet. in Burlington, Vermont an hour and half away. It was an early appointment so we were up early. Good news he does not need surgery!! Thank you so much for your thoughts and concerns for my boy! He had a slight ACL tear, but not necessary for surgery because he was getting better on his own. Thank you Jack, I feel 4 thousand dollars richer. Yes that what it would have cost, but Jack is worth it :  )
Burlington, Vermont is on Lake Champlain and is so beautiful, still frozen. Here's a photo and yes it was cold.

People are still walking on the ice, but not ME! The mountains in the background are the Adirondack's in New York.

                                           Jack resting on one of the sunnier days!



Well, my friends, I better get up and get something done, but wanted to talk to all of you! I won't be blogging as much as you can see, but I'm still here and will be reading all of your posts. Thank you for coming back post after post, I do love to see you and read all your comments.



xoRobin

                                                  Visitor on the ferry, it was snowing/raining






                                                 But that's end with a Spring Bouquet

Welcome Spring!

I say Welcome Spring with a wish and a promise because we do not have it "Yet"!!! Actually it is snowing on this first day of Spring. I will not loss hope because it will be here soon. See how optimistic I am :  )

I have been extremely busy lately with wedding plans as the wedding nears, only 3 months away. I have been shopping for MOB dress and found the perfect dress that I feel good in. It is long and navy blue and I am excited to wear it at Amy's wedding.  Bridal shower is next, April 12th, I got invitation out over a month ago and am now making buntings and gift bags. So many fun details, as many of you know. Sorry I can't show any pictures or ideas......shhhhh........it's all hush hush!

One daughter did have a big "30" birthday and I finished a quilt for her special day. Let me show you. It is tied not quilted and queen size.

 Working on binding. Jack always is not far away from me as you can see....love the boy!

                                                     Draped and binding done

                                                     LABELS.......love labels

                                           Displayed on my bed

                                          Folded and ready for birthday girl💕



Oh to be 30 again, it would be great but I'm happy where I am and have so much to be thankful for!

Next on this past weeks events, poor Jack was limping  and my Hb and I had to take him to an animal emergency here in our area. They think he may have torn his ACL (knee ligament). Oh dear, I have to take him to a specialist 1.5 hours away this coming Tuesday and may have surgery. Poor Jack, but he does have me bewildered because he is acting normal now and not limping!!!!

                                        At small animal emergency clinic


I will keep you posted after Tuesday's appointment.





This is what I long for again, hope you all are getting a taste of nice weather, spring flowers and lighter clothing!

Thanks for popping in and visiting me here. Love your sweet comments and visits. Be well 💕


xoRobin

Island Life

OK, I've decided Island life is the life for me!  Did my hints make you think of MAUI!  ALOHA was my secret 3rd hint!  Well, let me tell you it is one magnificent island! I'm an Island Girl for sure :  )
But the flight from Vermont is 13 hours and that is a long time.......turns out it is worth it, if you are lucky enough to have a long stay. We had 12 days so it was wonderful and enough time to forget the flight until the departure day. I took about one thousand pictures with my iPhone and my new Sony! I did love me new camera but there is definitely a convenience to the size of the iPhone.
My Hb had a conference in Maui, so we turned it into a vacation too. It was our Anniversary and  both of our birthdays close together, so lots of celebrating.

We snorkeled, did a whale watch, went to a Luau, saw a sunrise from a volcano crater (Haleakala volcano) and biked down the volcano, played golf, walked, swam, read, and ate so many tasty meals. But let me tell you it is one expensive experience, meals are so pricey but so elegant, fresh and delicious. Oh, did I mention the cocktails, so many special island drinks!

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton, "we had too", the conference was there, to bad right! The flowers, landscape and terrain are so green and lush. I was in photo heaven. So let me start with the slide show!




Approaching Maui, I was all smiles, ear to ear

                                                                    Whale watch

                                             Up close, so hard to get the ones I really wanted

                                                               Bamboo everywhere

                                         Flowers everywhere "Hibiscus"

                                             South American Cardinals, visiting our balcony

                           View from balcony, golf course 3rd hole and ocean in background

                                                    Banyan Tree with lights in front of Ritz's

                Catamaran for snorkel trip, so many colorful fish, coral reefs and one turtle

                                          Luau, they are so beautiful and double jointed!!!

                                                  View each morning for morning walk

                                                               So many orchids

                                                                      Surfers

                                             Visit to an Arboretum, so fun and informative

                                                   Peacock, boy was a lucky with this shot

                                                    Waterfalls and daredevils....not us!

                                                                      One Sunset

                                                               Another sunset

                                       and another sunset, we tried to see them every night :  )

                                                  Just Gorgeous views in all directions

 On top of the volcano for the sunrise, we got up at 2am, took a van to the bike location(to trail the bikes), drove to the crater (2 hours away) and got to see this magnificent sunrise! It was awesome. There was a couple who got engage just as the sun peeked through!! It was so sweet, everyone clapped and cheered!

 This is the map and the trail for our bike ride down. See the twisty roads, we were the oldest couple and we DID IT! I have to say I was so proud of us, It wasn't that hard, but we were definitely out of our comfort zone. Our hands got the most workout braking!!! It was the highlight of our trip. There were ten in our group, we stopped halfway and had a nice breakfast at a Lavender Farm, it smelled so wonderful. Then we proceeded down the volcano. We started the trip in fleece and windbreakers (jackets and pants) and started shedding clothes as we descended and ended up at the ocean in shorts and tops. We were back to our hotel at 1:00pm!

                                        The Ritz-Carlton, 3 infinite pools and Pacific Ocean

                                         I'm so happy to have had this wonderful experience



There are so many more pictures of flowers and food and trees and loveliness. I will probably have to write another Maui post, but for now this is a start.




I came home to a whole post office crate of mail and a lovely card and gift from Teresa! She makes the most beautiful crocheted hearts and I'm so grateful to have one hanging in my home.  Thank you so much Teresa, one of my longest blogging friends❤️

xoRobin            (Jack too.......see him)