On My Mind 7.16

Last week was pretty incredible. I booked an amazing acting job. A ________________!!! Directed by ________________!!! For ________________!!! In other words... I can't say anything about anything because I signed a big ol' contract saying I would keep my mouth shut about it. But it's thrilling, lovely, wonderful... and I feel immensely grateful. I feel like I won the lottery.


Our friends Jeremy and Tara came for a visit and Tara and I went wine tasting while the guys smoked some brisket. Kyle was up and grilling at 8 in the morning! That's some dedication.


More of our friends joined us for our Bastille Day BBQ and we celebrated in style. Vive la France!

Speaking of France... I haven't abandoned my Paris series! There's much more coming soon, I promise!


Kyle is an amazing griller (is that a word?). He makes everything with such care, from scratch, and it's so good!


I love baking cookies. It's been months since I've made any but yesterday I felt the need to whip some up, right smack in the middle of the day. Kyle and I had a mini cookie eating date during Gigi's afternoon nap. We watched a movie and had popcorn and cookies. The perfect thing for a Sunday. My recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies is here.


I've been doing so much better at simplifying things. Spending much more time outdoors, reading, resting, doing projects... and I'm so much happier. We go to the park a lot in the afternoons. Like me, G loves to swing.


I've been stepping out with friends in the middle of a "work day" to go for a relaxing glass of wine at great places where Gigi can run around and play. It's good for both of us.


Most of all I've just been taking more time to be in the moment. I'm not letting the stress of the day to day get to me. I'm recognizing that nothing is more important that enjoying time with my family. I'm learning to forgive and forget the undone dishes, the long list of errands, the big piles of laundry. I get to them eventually but I don't let them bother me, or make me feel guilty. Instead I'm choosing to have an expresso cup full of ice cream in the afternoon while I read a good book, catch up on my blog reading, take a few photos, or journal. I'm not getting as much done but I don't care!

And finally, there's this interesting new word that Gigi's learned...

I guess when Daddy's a brewer it's inevitable that she'd make that association. She also says, "hop", so.... oh, well.