aloha friday

well we have worked through all the thanksgiving leftovers and the christmas tree is up, so i think we are off to a good start to the holiday season. marc, justin and i had a fantastic dinner last night at rangoon burmese kitchen. the fermented tea leaf salad was such a bright different flavor. i also had two wonderful leisurely lunches with friends looking over kahala beach which was just dreamy. the weather is so beautiful i hope to get out and do some walking this weekend at ala moana park.

~ the new season of the marvelous mrs. maisel starts december 5th. love this show.

~ podcasts i’m enjoying:

~ if one of your hobbies is genealogy research this site has really interesting free webinars with great tips on how and where to research.

~ good books i’ve recently read:

~ caroline’s house on unfancy is just charming.

~yotam ottolenghi’s recipe for slow cooked chicken with crisp corn crust sounds mouthwatering.

enjoy your weekend! kai



many ways to spend thanksgiving

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“an optimist is a person who starts a new diet on thanksgiving day.” irv kupcinet

it’s a busy time with everyone around the country and other places who celebrate thanksgiving this week. when i was a child i think there was more a singular version of what the perfect thanksgiving was. the classic turkey dinner with family, the idyllic norman rockwell style get together. today it’s incredible the way the holiday has expanded to include and embrace many different ways to give thanks.

whether it’s a grand formal event, or enjoying takeout for one, they can all be enjoyed in the same way. by the way my secret fantasy thanksgiving for one is, early in the day doing some exercise outdoors to assuage the guilt for all the food i’ll be eating later in the day. ordering takeout and also stopping at a bakery and picking up a freshly baked pie, all the while giggling inside that i’m not cooking a thing. enjoy a glass of wine while i change into my pajamas, and start a good movie. then i eat in reverse order starting with the pie first and work my way back if i have room! perfect.

~ this looks like a delicious menu for a quick and easy dinner for one or two.

~ this new york times article shows how 15 families from across the US celebrate their beautiful and diverse thanksgiving food traditions.

~20 great thanksgiving movies to watch with your family.

~how to set a basic, casual, and formal table setting.

~ Want a low-alcohol Thanksgiving cocktail that drinks like a wine?

~ having thanksgiving dinner at daniel in nyc sounds devine.

happy thanksgiving. kai

experiences not things

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it’s the beginning of the holiday season and it seems that the buying season starts earlier and earlier in the year and many sites are already ramping up the “what to buy” lists, sales, and reviews. let the games begin. i’m not immune. last week i went down a black hole on my laptop trying to convince myself why i needed this pair of jeans that was on sale. almost every fashion or lifestyle site i subscribe to were talking about this sale, it’s the first time they went on sale, they were only on sale for another 24 hours, they were fantastic, entire posts on reviews of them, i was hooked. i went to the site and read through the details and as gorgeous as they were, saw that the rise of the jean was too high for me because i’m 5’2”. i even already own a pair of jeans with a rise that was lower than these and they were still too high for me so i definitely knew they wouldn’t work.

that didn’t deter me. there were were tons of reviews on the site so i patiently read through them looking for reviews from petite woman saying how fabulous they were. i went to other bloggers who i know had reviewed them in the past and read their reviews again. i was literally trying to convince myself that i needed these jeans! half an hour later i finally snapped out of my trance, thankfully before i purchased them.

i do love the holidays and want to enjoy all the wonderful things that go with them but i will try and take a breath and move slowly through the consumption part of it, and try to focus on the people and experiences that are the important part. i’ll try to keep the idea of hygge close and be mindful. i’ll try to create an atmosphere that works for me, at this time of my life, without trying to adhere to the pretend perfection that we see in marketing and sometimes on social media. and if you see me in public with jeans that are too high waisted for me, know that i am still trying…….. :-)

~kai

aloha friday

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we’ll be shopping along with everyone else this weekend for thanksgiving. always a little gardening and a few things on netflix i want to catch up on. enjoy your weekend.

~exercise, exercise, exercise……………… :)

~these are some powerful women with parkinson’s. go ladies!

~the free eat more plants cookbook -if you’re looking for more ways to incorporate a plant based diet, leo babauta from zen habits has graciously put together this free downloadable cookbook with some terrific simple recipes.

~ rock on michael j. fox and all who raised money for parkinson’s at the #foxgala.

~ rules of civility by amor towles - i’m almost done reading this book and loving it.

~ this butternut pumpkin pie from stella parks looks incredible.

savoring walk

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marc-e-marc and i like to pick a new neighborhood and take a walk. it can be a residential, commercial, even industrial area. we park and walk and really try to notice all the different things going on. it’s fascinating what you see, hear, and smell. even areas that we’ve driven through for years take on a completely different look when you walk it and really take notice of all the details. sometimes it’s nice to go into zen mode with your headphones on and walk but this type of walk is stimulating whether it’s in nature or in an urban setting.

so when i was listening to a podcast called the science of happiness, the episode talked about a ‘savoring walk’ which is the habit of taking a walk outside and really noticing the things around you and how impactful it can be in our stress levels. the walk takes on a completely different feel than when you walk and tune out to things around you. so how about a 20 minute savoring walk today?

let me know if savoring walk is something you do and if you find it beneficial.

~kai

aloha friday

nighthalks ~ edward hopper

nighthalks ~ edward hopper

this week was a pretty mellow week. i did my usual meals on wheels delivery which i love to do and saw the new version of a star is born with lady gaga and bradley cooper. both are super talented and it has a great soundtrack on spotify that i’ll be listening to all weekend.

~ the art institute of chicago just put over 44,000 works of art online in high resolution for free. they also have information on each piece and artist. i can’t wait to get a cup of coffee and peruse….

~ enjoying the audiobook “bad blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup” by john carreyrou. it’s a fascinating account of the rise and fall of the firm theranos, the multibillion-dollar biotech fraud startup headed by elizabeth holmes.

~ when life gives you parkinson’s is terrific new podcast from larry gifford.

~ i started following islandlivinglisa on instagram. beautiful photos and lots of positive parkinson’s inspiration!

~ goodness these keyboard shortcuts are fantastic.

~ i can never have too many recipes for pumpkin bread and this one with maple butter sounds delicious. happy weekend!

“anything one does everyday is important and imposing and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful” ~gertrude stein


october beauty product review

here are the skincare and makeup products i purchased this month and how they worked for me. i haven’t purchased much makeup lately so i needed to stock up on a few things.

paula’s choice vitamin c super booster - i’ve been using this for about a year and it’s become a staple. i’ve read that vitamin c can quickly degrade so i keep mine in the fridge and it’s the first thing i put on in the morning with a clean face. you put a couple of drops on and it instantly absorbs. the other thing i like about the website is you can read up on specific ingredients you hear about and it gives a description and a rating.

urban decay eyeshadow palette in naked2 basics - what i like about this palette is that they are all mat shades which i like better for mature skin.

ulta eyeshadow palette in soul - i was looking for a plum palette to go with fall and winter but didn’t want to spend too much since i usually prefer neutrals, so this was a fantastic price at $12. the dark plum is great to set my eyeliner with.

laura mercier foundation primer - this primer goes on very light and doesn’t have that gloppy feeling or pill up like some others that i’ve tried. i do notice a difference in my makeup lasting longer, so it’s definitely a keeper.

urban decay eyeshadow primer - it has a doe foot applicator and helps my eyeshadow stay put for longer, and helps prevent it from settling into the creases in my lids. i also put a tiny dab on the inner corner of my eye where i also put concealer.

looking forward to playing with the purples and plum colors this fall!

aloha friday

photo courtesy of justin ornellas

photo courtesy of justin ornellas

i’m looking forward to having game night this weekend as well as a visit to mom’s. I hope I also have time to watch a film noir this weekend on tcm called follow me quietly. the architecture, the clothing, the interiors, and oh yeah the acting.

this week i had a partial loaf of this incredible sour dough bread that i bought from breadshop in kaimuki and so i made a test run of stuffing with it. i don’t know why i make stuffing only once a year at thanksgiving because it’s so gd delicious.

how to seed pomegranates without looking like a murder scene - finally an easy way.

i’m listening to this song playlist of sade. what a beautiful and ethereal voice she has.

if you take daily medication take a peek at an app for your cell phone called pill reminder. it not only reminds you to take your medications but it can also give you a report that you can use for doctor visits. it’s so much easier than my previous system of using my phone reminders or logging it manually.

to kill a mockingbird was named best american novel. i’m one of the few people who never read it but definitely on my tbr.

i’ve been looking for dark grey or black jeans for a while and settled on these from everlane. i’ve never ordered jeans online but i’ve done my research and so fingers crossed they fit. i’ve loved everything that i’ve ordered from everlane so far.

great article on michael j. fox foundation blog about testing of drug for parkinson’s.

enjoy your weekend!





aloha friday

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this weekend i’d like to see the movie colette with keira knightly and maybe have a scrabble night. exciting stuff, i know, but it sounds perfect to me. i’m getting a garden bed ready for some kupukipu ferns that i’ll be planting in them soon so i’m sure some gardening will be in order. have a wonderful weekend and live your best life now!

- interesting article about new study on light therapy to help parkinson’s non-motor symptoms.

-won’t you be my neighbor - a charming documentary about mr. rogers.

- an american in paris - i saw this classic movie again this week. no wonder it’s one of the 100 best movies of all time. gene kelly’s dancing is heavenly.

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- slow roasted spiced pork - i made this for dinner this week and it was delicious and easy. you can eat it as a roast the first night and shred up leftovers for pulled pork tacos.

- the dream podcast - i love true crime and there are so many good podcasts right now. this is an interesting new one.

- a rule against murder - mystery novel by louise penny. i’m halfway through this and really loving this series about charming inspector gamache in a quaint canadian town.



a meditation a day....

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keeps all sorts of things away. i’ve been meditating off and on for the last couple of years and i do notice the difference when i meditate more regularly. i feel calmer, more grounded, and i think the most amazing thing it does is to give me just a second or two more of being present in a situation before i react to it. i’m more able to catch myself and think it through, than automatically react. that has been helpful not only in how i respond externally with others but how i react to myself particularly in dealing with my pd.

i meditate for ten minutes a day, most days in the morning, but anytime will work. i do try to time it when my medication is in high gear as during off periods, it can be difficult to focus. on not so good days, even five minutes is helpful.

the good news is there are so many fabulous ways to meditate. here are a few apps and sites to get started.

insight timer - this is my favorite app right now. it has tons of choices and you can choose the time you have, the teacher, and the subject, all for free. it also has a free course on learning to meditate if you’re new to the practice.

headspace - this app is also a good one. the first ten sessions are free and then you pay after that monthly. it has some very good animated clips on helping to learn and stay on track and all the meditations are narrated by the same person which headspace fans like.

here are two videos on learning to meditate. the first is from pick up limes and the other from dan harris. give it a go and let me know what you think.

aloha friday

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it’s a beautiful morning in hawaii. our family room looks out over pauoa valley and our neighbors huge avocado & mango trees. the trees in the morning are filled with a variety of birds and they make an extraordinary symphony of chirping that i love to hear. it’s such a joyful way to wake up.

this weekend we are having friends over for dinner. the menu is a chicken curry and rice pilaf dish from nigella lawson that i’ve been cooking for years. it’s great for entertaining because you can make everything in advance and i serve it with lots of different condiments including mango chutney, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, & bacon bits so everyone can customize to their tastes.

pumpkin skillet coffee cake - stella parks is an incredible baker and these look like a delicious way to kick off the fall season.

my parkinson’s team - this a social network for those living with parkinson’s. i just signed up and look forward to meeting new people.

losing touch, finding intimacy - a powerful and touching piece.

can’t get comfortable in your chair? - really interesting article about how most of our chairs make us sit incorrectly.

blinc mascara - loving this mascara. never runs and super easy to remove.

book i’m enjoying - nonviolent communication by marshall b. rosenberg

simplify - my favorite podcast right now.

have a terrific weekend and live your best life now!


trading in my to do list

photo courtesy of justin ornellas

photo courtesy of justin ornellas

most mornings as part of my morning routine, i make a to do list for the day. i have a been a big list maker for years and they run the gamut on how they were organized. it’s so fun for me to cross off those items after they are completed.

but i’d like to add a new list called my “joy & meaning” list. it comes from a book i’ve really enjoyed called the gifts of imperfection by brene brown. in it she describes how her lists in the past many times included things that were linked to mostly professional accomplishment, acquisition of more things, monetary goals, and so forth. i have had those same lists and they can be important things to focus on, but most of them required making and spending more money.

the joy & meaning list are the ingredients of how we would like our lives to look like when it’s at its best. it will of course change over time and incorporating all of them is a lesson in progress and perfection but it’s a wonderful exercise and once you start thinking about it, you cant take it in all sorts of creative directions if you’d like. here is my list:

-sleeping well

-cooking delicious & healthy meals

-doing exercise that i enjoy

-gardening

-spending time with family & friends

-being present with the people in my life

-volunteering or doing something for others

-finding time to play, ponder, and putter

-having control over our finances

-doing meaningful work that doesn’t overly consume me

tell me what’s on your joy & meaning list. enjoy your week!

aloha friday

 
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this week we saw spike lee’s new movie the BlacKkKlansman. it’s a super interesting movie done in such a creative way. definitely check it out. we stopped by murphy’s for some good old comfort food, washed down with an ice cold gin and tonic. this weekend i’m looking forward to reading royal flush by rhys bowen and the guest list by ethan mordden (goodreads gives it a terrible review but i purchased it from the library book sale and i’m going to give it a go).

the plants in the garden go bananas during the summer so there will be a lot of trimming of overgrown areca palms, a prehistoric ficus, and a neighbors overgrown avocado tree (it’s too bad it doesn’t bear fruit). the normal trimming rules for four seasons don’t seem to all apply in our climate.

i also excited to try my first boxing for parkinson’s class at orthosport.

my name is yeh - molly yeh has a beautiful smile and her enthusiasm for food is contagious. she is young and energetic, down to earth, and i think she is going to be a big star!

the great american read - this is an eighth part series on pbs about the top 100 novels as voted for by the public. each show interviews different people around the country and why they liked a particular book and if you like to read, this will explode your “to be read” list, and if you need some inspiration to read more, this will definitely get your juices flowing.

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I made a quick small batch of plum jam while the plums are still around. aside from toast, you can spoon it over ice cream or cake, add a little to a vinaigrette, and even as a condiment with pork chops or chicken.

its a simple ratio of half the weight of sugar to plums. so for this batch i had 1.5 lbs. of chopped plums to 3/4 lb. of sugar, and juice of 1 lemon. i put them in a saucepan and over medium high heat bring to boil. reduce and simmer for 20-30 minutes to thicken up, stirring frequently. i’m not preserving these for long term so i just transfer them into small mason jars, put one in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. simple and delish…

enjoy your weekend!



forever summer fashion

 

top from anthropologie


summer is eternal here in hawaii. we have two seasons, sunny and hot or rainy and hot! so while i see all of fashion blogs talk about all the wonderful cooler season wear, we will still have 85 degree weather most days. i’m not complaining because i love living here, but it does get challenging sometimes not being able to swap out seasonal clothing.

i also have much fewer clothing now that i’m retired and fewer opportunities to dress up, and since i spend most of my time at home, it has to be heat friendly (not to mention menopausal, but that’s a different post!).

i don’t have a capsule wardrobe per say but i do now like having fewer clothes to choose from because it makes it much easier to get dressed in the morning. i keep my selection for the season in the front of my closet and put the rest folded and in baskets or hung in the back so i don’t see them until the next season. i eliminate items that i don’t like but kept just in case, things that don’t fit, and most things that are not natural fabrics. now i like everything in my wardrobe and don’t often have that “can’t find something to wear” feeling.

what works best for me is to have a basic wardrobe of items i wear all year long. my favorite jeans, basic tees, and ballet flats. then in each season i add a few pieces to change it up. this keeps things fresh and i don’t get bored because i really do wear the same things over and over again so i have to really like them. the way i break up the seasons are Nov-Jan, Feb-April, May-July, & Aug-Oct. here are a few things i do to fake my seasons!

  1. each season has different color themes - i like neutrals but add in one different color for the season. this summer i added a few pink tops. i even have the breton top above with pink stripes. in fall and winter i add more darker pieces and this fall i’d like to add a new camel colored piece. during the winter, i’ll also add something sparkly for holiday events.

  2. change my shoe style and colors - again i choose the shoes for each season and put them together. they really don’t change in terms of style, except i may use a dressy sandal more in the winter because of the holidays and i’ll make an effort to wear more covered shoes in winter just because.

  3. jewelry - i use more casual delicate pieces in spring & summer months and will wear my more formal pieces even with casual clothes in the fall & winter. pearls are fun to wear during fall and winter with a button down shirt & jeans.

  4. makeup - dark lipstick and makeup does not work in heat and humidity but i do play a bit more with a darker lipstick in the evenings or a little more sparkle on the cheeks or eyes for the holidays.

  5. accessories - again it’s mainly the colors that change more so than style. so scarves and bags can be lighter and brighter in the summer months. i have a burgundy tote that i’ll pull out for fall & winter and put away my lavender purse.

  6. fragrance - changing your fragrance is a wonderful way to change up the seasons. you know, light and fresh in the spring and summer, warmer and spicier in the fall and winter. i’m loving everything roses right now with chloe rose perfume and jo malone velvet rose.

overall i think the key has been to break up my wardrobe and pretend there are seasons so that each time i put the wardrobe together, it feels fresh. it’s funny how quickly you forget something when you don’t see it and “surprise” it’s like shopping again when you pull them out. when i do have several days that i feel like i don’t have the right thing to wear, i’ll look through my stored clothes to make an adjustment and if i don’t find it there, then it’s probably a sign of something missing in my wardrobe and it goes on the shopping list. but through that process it has made me shop much less and gave me pause to see if i really need it.

if you live in a warm climate or have any tips on how to feel seasonal, i would love it if you would share them!

aloha friday

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this weekend we’ll be cleaning out the garden from the heavy rains this week from tropical storm olivia. thank goodness it wasn’t as strong as anticipated but it did do some flooding in certain areas. thoughts also for those in the wake of hurricane florence.

Perseverance: The Seven Skills You Need to Survive, Thrive, and Accomplish More Than You Ever Imagined- by Tim Hague - Looking forward to starting this book this weekend. Tim was diagnosed with PD at age 46 and is now a motivational speaker.

Lovely Day - Bill Withers - You’ve got to listen to this song in the morning. It’s a great way to start the day!

Did you know that the New York Public Library has more than 180,000 digital photos that you can download for free? Browse this amazing collection of anything you can think of. Here are few cool drawings that I printed out and framed for art.

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We enjoyed this beautiful and delicious cocktail with homemade brandied cherries and is a great way to kick off the weekend.

finding the rhythm of your day

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before i retired, the rhythm of the day usually involved waking up early, reading something motivational, look over my planner and plot out the day and week, and then off i went. i as many people do, had more things to do, than time to do it. and i enjoyed it. i felt productive, busy, important, and always had the next project or goal in mind. 

i also had the luxury of retiring over a period of time, giving me space to slowly get used to the pace of my new life. even with that, it has taken some time to find the daily routine that fits my current lifestyle. the physical and cognitive changes from my parkinson's including fatigue, and trying to reduce stress also play a part of how i spend my day. lastly i had to make a mind shift that the things that i do now have tremendous value, even though they don’t involve earning a living or adding to my career path. but enough time has passed and with the help of family and friends and the extraordinary PD community, i have transitioned from seeing what i can’t do but what i can do.

so i started with listing all the things that i could do during a day.

gardening

home maintenance

exercise

cook

read

listen to music

meditate

practice a 2nd language

research family history

volunteer

blog

journal

advocate for PD

meals or time with family or friends- whether that means in person, by phone, email, text, or social media

that’s 14 things and some items can be broken down further into sub categories. then i decided on the ones that i’d like to do daily, or at whatever interval is appropriate. then i tried experimenting throughout the day to see what worked out best for me.

i found that still getting a good morning routine helped me set the rest of the day in a more positive tone. i also found that i exercise much more if i do it first thing in the morning before i get too fatigued. i have coffee and read something inspirational or motivational whether it’s a book or podcast, and sometimes it’s reading a story from the davis phinney foundation website called moments of victory. then i review and plan my day, read my emails. then do some exercise, have breakfast, and some gardening.

after the sweaty work is done i like to get cleaned up and dressed. even if i’m staying home all day i find that showering, putting on makeup, and getting dressed (even if it’s shorts and a t-shirt, we are in hawaii after all) i feel better and ready for the next stage of the day. i try to make my appointments in the late morning to early afternoon. in the afternoon when i’m back home i pick one or two things from my list to do depending on how i feel.

i’m sure that rhythm will change over time and I’ll make adjustments as needed. i’d love to hear what the rhythm of your day is like. oh, and i forgot there is one more thing to add to my list when needed. a nap!

aloha friday

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looking forward to digging in my garden this weekend and going for a walk. the weather is gorgeous with clear blue skies which always brings me joy. enjoy your end of summer weekend!

burt reynolds - sad to hear of burt reynolds passing. he was a charmer, had a great laugh, and said of his life, "no one had more fun than i did"....hope to be as lucky.

without gorky - saw this interesting documentary on netflix about the family of Abstract Expressionist painter Arshile Gorky and how his life and death impacted his family. for some reason i've been on a documentary kick about families and their interesting dynamics.

embracing the present moment - when i have a tough day, this is a good reminder.

a tree grows in brooklyn - i just started reading this classic book selected as one the top 100 books of the century by the new york public library. it's a wonderful book and i'd love to hear your thoughts if you've read it.

a blast from the past - i've been watching these old videos on youtube that show all about different thoughts on lifestyle. this one is a crack up about how young people should take care of  their clothes in the 1940's.

 

 

the only royal palace in the US

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yesterday we took a tour of iolani palace. the modern hawaiian monarchy was formed in 1810, when king kamehameha I consolidated rule of the hawaiian islands, until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown and queen liliuokalani was deposed. the palace was built by her brother king david kalakaua, during his reign in 1879. it's a beautiful little palace in the center of town and it's been such a joy to drive by and see most of my life.

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it's a lovely mixture of hawaiiana and western culture. the native koa wood furniture and staircase just glow with a patina. the dining room table is set with original tiffany silverware gifted from napoleon III from france and crystal from what was called bohemia (now the czech republic).

each room features a different color filled with artifacts and period furniture, many of which were repatriated over time.

in 1893 the monarchy was overthrown and sadly queen liliuokalani was forced to abdicate and eventually imprisoned in one of the bedrooms in the palace for eight months. after her release she lived her remaining years in a residence called washington place, which was until recently the residence of the governor of hawaii. 

eventually hawaii was annexed by the united states government and became the 50th state in 1959. the palace was used for many years as various government offices and had come under disrepair. the group the friends of iolani palace was created to lead the effort of its restoration.

it's a wonderful tour and i'd recommend it to both visitors and residents. bravo to the docents and other guides who were wonderful!

aloha friday

photo courtesy of Justin Ornellas

photo courtesy of Justin Ornellas

this weekend my inlaws are visiting from hawaii island (we call it the big island), so we are looking forward to spending time with them. we are also stopping by the made in hawaii festival that showcases locally made products. enjoy your weekend!

~between two ferns - zach galifianakis' show interviews famous people and is a total crack up. 

~beneath the scarlet sky - enjoyed this book. i'm not usually a ww2 book fan but the personal story was very moving. based on the true story this is an epic tale of one young man's incredible courage and resilience during world war II. pino lella is an italian teenager but his days of innocence are numbered. when his family home in milan is destroyed by allied bombs, pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the alps, and falls for anna, a beautiful widow. in an attempt to protect him, pino's parents force him to enlist as a german soldier--a move they think will keep him out of combat. but he is recruited to become the personal driver for general hans leyers, one of the third reich's most mysterious and powerful commanders. now, with the opportunity to spy for the allies, pino endures the horrors of the war and the nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.

~aware in care kit - many people with parkinson's or a chronic illness will have a visit to the hospital at some point. this is a great kit to have ready that will help hospital staff know about your condition so they can incorporate the knowledge into your treatment.

~ everlane linen box tee - this has been my favorite t-shirt this summer. it took me through the blazing humid road trip on the southeast coast and i've been wearing both the grey and navy colors constantly. i'm also only 5'2" and the length is perfect!

~ homage to the queen of soul - sad to hear of the passing of aretha franklin. she was truly one of a kind. however we are lucky to be left with her incredible music to enjoy forever. 

 

road trip here i come

For the last few weeks we were on a road trip. San Francisco, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York! Marc and I have never driven many of these southeast states and we had a fantastic time. We had a lot of wonderful conversations with people we met. Everyone from our Lyft driver to random folks on the street, and along the way ate some incredible food.

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San Francisco –the weather was blazing hot everywhere we went except in San Francisco. The skies were sunny with cool breezes and we stayed in an airbnb in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, and enjoyed a wonderful little cafe across the street called Precita Cafe & Grill.

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Golden Gate Park was in full bloom and has lots of interesting things to see including the Conservatory of Flowers.

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Lolinda restaurant in the Mission. A bustling Argentinian restaurant with mostly small plates, melt in your mouth shortribs & provoletta which is melted provolone cheese drizzled with a chimichurri sauce. It was all delicious.

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Redwood Regional Park in Oakland is a great place for a walk, hike, or picnic. The bed of green below are clovers and it was wonderful to soak up the nature. We will definitely be back for a hike.

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Atlanta - What a terrific city. It was vibrant, tons of great places to eat, bustling businesses, and was the start of the incredible southern hospitality that was to come. A few highlights were the Ponce City Market, One Eared Stag, Piedmont Park, & The Lawrence.

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This incredible place is called Wormsloe in Savannah Georgia. Savannah is just overflowing with old Southern charm and the antebellum architecture was just stunning. B. MathewsA.Lure were two restaurants we enjoyed.

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Charleston, South Carolina has a great buzz to it. It's a beautiful mix of older homes, newer buildings, and lots of young people moving into the city for opportunity. I loved it! We stayed at the Andrew Pickney Inn which was right in the heart of the historic district and walkable to great shopping and restaurants. Although we had many fabulous meals, one of my favorites on the entire trip was at Husk. If you visit, it's a must.

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More to come in my next post with Charlotte, DC, Philadelphia, & Brooklyn!