The Bell Tolls

Time marches on for us all. But it is best appreciated with a stylish tick-tock whether it is being marked on one's wrist or in the home.

I am quite fond of antique clocks and am fortunate to have several.

Here are three of my favorites...


A lovely French mantel clock in brass and enamel from Japy Freres...

An English grandfather clock circa 1800...

And a Connecticut mantel clock from the early 1800s...

An interesting note: we have a time bandit or clock ghost living in our 1741 home. I have come to this conclusion because every clock we have, no matter how many times my clock repairman comes and does his thing, soon ceases to function properly. The chimes don't match the little hand, et al. It is as if, literally, time is standing still. And that's okay. I rather enjoy the illusion that time alone is immaterial...an abstract concept in and of itself...that bears little importance in comparison with its enjoyment. In our minute-managed society and world, where the time-stamp is proof that we exist, it is a comfortingly indulgent whim, this ignoring of the stuff that life is made of.

Time to fly,
ABL

My Aerin

She is my girl...but I am so proud of her. Last night's Cotillion at Radnor Hunt she was the belle of the ball, in large part due to her lovely and winning ways and her social IQ.

This is the first year (after 5 years in Cotillion) with no white gloves and no curtsying. I am bereft...the years of the little bob as she met elders are over.

She is now the tallest in the class (with heels 5' 8 1/2") at age 13, and not finished yet. Most importantly, she has lovely character and is developing into a strong, good young woman.

To my Aerin...

Born in my heart and always,
ABL (Mommy)

"Where ya been, Anne?"

Yes, I know. We're now strangers once again. It's been THAT long since my last post back in June.

I apologize to all, and can only offer an excuse that sounds suspiciously like a plea for sympathy and unlike my usual more refined use of the King's English: my summer--as my kids would say--sucked.

My husband had three knee surgeries. (The third was two weeks ago.)
He has been on crutches, needing all the wifely support (including trays and chauffeuring) one can imagine.
My dog broke his leg and had surgery. (That was three weeks ago.)
He has been in a splint, needing all the momly support (including bowls and carrying) one can imagine.
Another dog died.
We miss him.
My convertible got flooded out.
We had to get a new one. (Not a convertible.)
Our son went off to college.
We miss him.

This is the complaint department, right?

Sigh.

In the meantime, you have probably moved on to bloggers whose lives are as lovely and decorous and devoid of drama as mine once was.

Before you defect, know that I am coming back.
In fact, I AM back.

Amidst the fall of leaves and its reveal of trees' natural bone structures, the silly fun of Halloween and the onrush of holidays, I am taking a contemplative pause. (But not a blogging one. That one is over.)


The pool is closed down.

Fall wreaths itself at every door.

The porch is cleared of its welcoming white wicker and potted blue hydrangea; only the nascent floor shade remains as a tease of warmer days way ahead now.

So much to catch up on...
please come back again...

Missing you too,
ABL

Porch and patio

Now that the summer is in full swing, so are our various patios and porches.









Here's to outdoor living spaces!

Sunup to sundown,
ABL

Convertible weather

We love this for horsey events and going out to dinner...

Here in the mid-Atlantic area the weather has been nothing short of spectacular of late. Summer is here in all its glory, and so are the days and nights of the convertible.

I am a confirmed convertible girl. Nothing is more freeing and relaxing in the warm weather than getting around with the top down (so to speak). The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the interchange with Mother Nature with no barriers as you go about your daily driving...nothing beats it.

We love all our convertible vehicles, each different and unique. Each serves a different purpose...


The Wrangler is such fun...great for the beach...



And this is our go-to for sporty fun and non-boating beach visits...

Topless or bust,
ABL

Beaching it

Lilly beach blanket

After two weeks of Nurse Nancy detail, Spousey whisked me away to the beach for a little R&R. Since we can't sail this summer thanks to his recent knee surgery, we will be beaching it more where he was able to hobble around on terra (somewhat) firma.


A great beach read


Moi, slightly over-baked, in JMac and Meg Carter sea dangles


Fabulous lobster dip


Spousey, knee brace notwithstanding, at the bar at the super Blue Coast


Beach walking at dusk


Shark! Poor thing had been caught and discarded



My Miss Trish of Capri bee sandals


At dinner at Nantuckets


Nursing a Dark 'n Stormy, a fave and reminiscent of our Bermuda honeymoon and getaways


A summer purse...tres old and retro


Back to the grind,
ABL

Annie's Anniversary

It has been faaarrr too long since I last posted, due largely to Spousey's recent bike mishap resulting in a full quad tear and major rebuild surgery. I have been in the unaccostomed position of chauffeur and Nursemaid for my 6' 4" mate. He will be in a leg brace for 3 months, so it's going to be a different kind of summer.

Oh well.

In the midst, we are celebrating another anniversary and are bound for the Delaware beaches, crutch and brace notwithstanding.

I look back on June 17th all those many years ago with great nostalgia.









Happy us,
ABL