It has only been a week, well, a little over a week and I feel like it has been almost a lifetime since I last posted.
Last week was both full to bursting and quiet all at the same time. My step-son and his wife were visiting and we had a lovely visit both joyous and sad as they realized that it may well be the last time they visit us in the Hudson Valley. And this was sad for us as well, as we reminisced about shared history. Even knowing this the right thing for us now does not make the sadness of preparing to leave our home of 30 years fade away.
Among the good things was being able to spend time with my daughter-in-law, shopping, getting a pedicure, stopping for a mojito and just chatting. These are activities that our visits here or there have rarely seemed to include time for, usually because visits have been too short, too packed with activities, too stressed. We dined out with friends. We also dined in, mostly for very casual meals. No fancy cooking marathons for me on this visit, perhaps I will save those for a future winter visit in our new home.
This simple lunch of smoked salmon rolled around arugula leaves and mascarpone cheese flavored with herbs and scallions was inspired by a recipe in Jody Adam's cookbook In the Hands of a Chef. I didn't have enough arugula to use as a salad we used fresh local spinach and sugar snap peas instead.
I also purchased a few things for myself on our shopping expeditions even as I told myself that I have enough to pack. Luckily the things I did buy have already become mainstays in my summer wardrobe. My new rule is that it gets worn or it goes back; no saving things for "better". I picked up this purple/periwinkle linen tank top on sale at a store in Rhinebeck. It is by a company called Flax, and I really like it as it is very cool and breezy, which has proved to be important this week as the combination of high temperatures and high humidity are pressing in all around.
The top is very simple and I think I can copy it easily. It is a nice length and shape and think it will become a kind of hot-weather basic, and possibly a layering piece if I play with fabrics. I am actually looking forward to replicating this, either when I get settled, or if I come across a tempting piece of linen while I pack, as a brief diversion and respite from summer heat and the trials of sorting, discarding, packing.
In the photo I am wearing the tank with NYDJ straight-leg white jeans, natural espadrilles, and a linen blend scarf which was purchased a few years ago from Banana Republic.
I wore the same outfit again early this week, except that I figured out the scarf looked better wrapped and draped around the neckline of the top, not just dangling down. I felt it needed something at the neck though, something small, and I fished this single blue pearl out of my box of things I rarely wear. Almost perfect.
When it comes to jewelry, I am attracted to statement pieces and the small pieces seem out of scale or not me. As a result it seems I have a box full of pieces that all scream "look at me" and hog all the attention. I am only just beginning to appreciate the subtle joys of those quieter pieces. I see that I could actually benefit from having a few things that can be mixed and worn together in different combinations. This is something I think I need to explore a little further.
Comments
11 responses to “A Brief Pause”
I love that soft purple with the bright white — and I like both stylings of the scarf. lovely.
I get the impression from “it may be the last time” that you are not yet letting go of your home to move to your new digs. Is that right? Whichever, I’m glad you had such a rich, full visit with your family this week, and I wish you the best through this big transition
Mater, actually we are moving and letting go of this home, but with the market right now, I dont know that this home will be sold before that home is ready. We close on the new place by mid December, and I dont know how soon after that we will move. I am thinking I am going to want a more complicated paint job than the builder will be able to handle for example, many similar tones of colors on the varying walls in the open spaces. Until I have the final plans in my hand it is all a little vague in my head. At any rate, we have a few more months here.
Glad to hear the visit was successful.
I have resolved the dingle dangle jewelry by simply selling it away.
I too wish to wear less jewelry, but then it has to be good.
Enjoy your warm weather!
Mette, I think of you whenever I look at the jewelry I dont wear. Doing so bolsters my resolve.
The pearl, beautiful on its own, will also layer beautifully. Flax perfect “heat wave” wardrobe; nothing cooler than linen. The dresses have become too voluminous to atttract me but the tops and the Flood pant are staples.
I have a friend who makes those arugula thingies, and always pray they are on the menu. Lovely visit; we found our social life slid to nil once the For Sale sign went up.
I didn’t realize you live so close to Rhinebeck, one of my favorite New York towns. I moved in 1990 (to CA) but recall a wonderful cinema there.
The wrap-around scarf styling goes perfectly with the tank top. I wore a scarf and tank with a similar styling recently and really liked the way it looked.
You do a beautiful job with colors and accessorizing. I get inspired!
It’s always sad to leave a place you’ve lived a long time. I’m so glad you enjoyed reminiscing with your family.
Oh I think a tub of mascarpone and a mojito would be my favourite lunch of all time.
I really like this outfit put together. The lavender is a good color on you, long and sleeveless a good proportion, the scarf works, the jeans are cool, and the pearl is as you say, that little touch of extra. It seems a very hopeful set of clothing. Perhaps you feel that way about your move, despite the inevitable sadness about leaving a long time home, in a beautiful area.
I think my comment disappeared into the ethers just now. Your home looks so lovely, it’s so bittersweet leaving a place–but sounds like you are enjoying every last moment. Love your pretty new outfit, looks so cool and breezy for summer.
xo Mary Jo
I’ve taken to buying smoked salmon. It seems expensive but I’ve noticed that it never sits around and goes bad.
Usually I put it on a cracker or a bagel and it’s a quick bite.
Hi nice to meet you, Jody here. Came through “Privilege” You look lovely in this outfit, the lavender bohemian chic scarf is wonderful as is your necklace!