Cape Cod Birthdays

At the end of February we took a little trip to celebrate a few birthdays. A long weekend at Cape Cod was just the thing for us overworked city-folk. And fortunately the weather cooperated.

We drove up from the city with Alison and Michael (and her dog Rupert, of course), Stephen drove down from Boston and Marisa drove up from the city later that evening. Things couldn't have started off better - we opened the fridge to put in a few groceries when we got there and look what awaited us...


Mom and Dad had been there a few days before we arrived and my wonderful mother, knowing how rest-starved we all were and how in need of a little R&R with our friends, left us 3 bottles of prosecco for celebratory purposes. It was The Best.

Friday night we just ordered pizza, had some wine and relaxed. I think we all went to bed pretty early. Saturday was coffee and toast and magazines and conversation in the living room for a few hours and then we went downtown to the Impudent Oyster for a fantastic late lunch. We strolled through downtown, popping into various shops, I swung by and got my bangs trimmed while the rest of the crew checked out some antique shops and bought some fudge and as the day drew to a close, we picked up lobsters for dinner. Lobster, corn and my favorite kale salad was a pretty killer dinner.


Sunday morning was a repeat of Saturday (with the coffee and the talking and the loveliness and whatnot) and then we headed to Hardings Beach for a walk.

(L-R) Alison, Geoff, Marisa, Michael (hidden behind Marisa) and Stephen


The Birthday kids...


Two of my oldest dearest friends from my early NYC days...


Rupert had quite the adventure at the beach. This is clearly not a water dog. But he had a great time.



Then we headed back to the house for a late brunch, as we were all starving. Alison set a lovely table (shocking, I know)...


We kind of made brunch up. I'd planned to make a whole wheat orzo salad at some point in the weekend, and ended up making it for brunch. Very easy - Whole wheat orzo with grape tomatoes, peccorino Romano cheese, lemon and arugula. I made up the ratios of everything and just kept adding things until I liked it. Stephen topped each plate with two poached eggs, because he is a kitchen wizard. And Alison made an orange & grapefruit salad with a little lime zest. Add some mimosas (OJ + that amazing prosecco -thanks mom!) and it was one fantastic brunch.


*sigh* I love traveling with other foodies.


And no, Alison and Stephen weren't on their phones during brunch - they were photographing their creations. Obviously.


After brunch I can't remember what we did. There may have been naps and showers and a bit of Downton Abbey watching and general down time. Michael's friends Jason and Jasmine made their way up to join us for the evening and once they arrived, we watched Chocolat before dinner. One of my favorite movies. Alison had promised Michael she'd make him a pie for his birthday - and make one she did. I believe this was a sage apple pie? Or a carmel apple pie? Or a caramel sage apple pie. Whatever it was, it was beyond delicious.


And Stephen made Alison a KILLER Guiness Chocolate Cake for her birthday. I think this even had a hint of orange in it somehow, which was beyond amazing. Alison promptly decorated it herself with things she found around the kitchen. She's resourceful, that one. (please forgive the horrendous lighting)


The birthday boy & girl


'Twas a lovely, lovely time. Lets do it again, please.

In Comes Company

Last night we went to the film premire of COMPANY, which I cast for the NY Philharmonic. Some of you may remember me mentioning in this post that in addition to the 4 live performances in NYC April, it was filmed and will be showing at movie theatres across the country in June. So whether you live in Austin TX, Boston MA, Denver CO, Statesboro GA, Richmond VA, Louisville KY, Honolulu HI, NYC, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Alaska or nearly any other state across the country, you too can see it. It's also being shown in Canada. The performances are great, and besides, Stephen Colbert and Martha Plimpton have a wrestling match right there on stage and what is better than that?? Click here to find out when it's playing near you. It's playing in most theatres June 15, 16, 19 and 20, but there are a few places with other date options I think. Plus, if you do go, thrill of all thrills, you can see my little name right there in the credits. It's small, but it's there. Note to self: Get an agent and get better billing next time so my parents don't have to squint to see my name.

AND, you can also see the cast perform one of the numbers from the show live on the Tony Awards this Sunday June 12th at 8pm on CBS. Think Stephen Colbert, Neil Patrick Harris and Jon Cryer in a kick line. I know, not to be missed, right? Set your DVRs for Sunday and book your tickets to the movie now!

The Barn Girls Take DC

It was all over far too quickly. This past weekend I skipped out on shooting weddings and headed to Northern Virginia for a girls weekend with the 8 ladies I lived with in college. I'm amazed every time I see them at how much we as a collective unit have dealt with. Good and bad. And as always, its good to feel known, supported, encouraged and loved for exactly right where you are. Not always perfectly so, but we don't strive for perfection, we strive for genuine relationships.

We're all quite different...in personality, in faith, in politics, in opinions, but I think it's safe to say we all take comfort, refuge and encourgement from being around people who want to really know you and who do their very best to listen, love and ask questions that help you to grow. I know I for one was HUNGRY for this weekend. I needed it. I needed to get out of the city. I needed a weekend with more than 1 day off. I needed time with girlfriends. I needed to be with people who have known me for almost half my life.

We spent a lot of time here:


Doing a lot of this:




And as I looked back through my pictures, we also spent a lot of time listening. Which I love. I love that I have so many photos of us listening to each other...







There were wonderful breakfasts, amazing margaritas, a zillion kinds of desserts, and a fantastic dinner out at a local restaurant featuring a tomato & feta salad that I will dream of for possibly the rest of my life. For serious.

There was this gorgeous butterfly who was digging hanging out with us in the backyard.


There were lemon & sugar facials on Sunday morning that were super simple and pretty stinkin' impressive. And came complete with a crazy instruction video.


And there was not nearly enough time with this guy.


Ali's youngest, Ryan, who is about 4 months old and possibly the most perfect angel child there ever was. He never cried once the whole weekend. And he makes the most amazing faces.




He even got in on the Listening...


And he's such a cuddler



I love these friends






Kate, Mary, Michelle, Courtney, Christy, Kathy, Becca & Ali


And yes, you are not mistaken, that is an Actual Barn near Courtney's house that we were able to take a picture next to. Come on...how perfect is that?


Girls, I miss you already. You can find more pictures (and an extensive photo shoot of Ryan) here. I'm already thinking about the next reunion. I'm thinking late summer 2011 at Cape Cod....who's in?

Better Late Than Never

My birthday was over 2 weeks ago. And I'm just getting around to posting the pictures. If that tells you anything about life these days. It was one of those magical evenings.....perfect weather, rooftop dining and a group of friends that comes from different walks and stages of my life, but who fit together seamlessly. There's not much better than that.

There was Classic Clay & Alison. Naturally.





For your Consideration in the "My Friends Are Pretty" Category




The Many Faces of Kory








A good time was had by all











Virtually everyone ended up in Kory's glasses at some point





I have no idea how we ended up with no pictures of The O'Gradys. They were only sitting next to me all night! Also not pictured - the lovely Marisa who had to dash out early to rehearsal. And Amanda, who had to dash home to a 4 month old who was really missing her. There's some pretty funny video too....I'll probably manage to get that up in another two weeks.

I love and am SO grateful for my friends.