What a wonderfully busy couple of weeks it has been. It feels good to be back writing here. The break was needed to focus on all the things swirling around me. I seem to need that focus break when there is much on my schedule these days.
This last weekend ended in the best way. Marin and I hopped downtown to the Ohio Theater. It is one of my favorite places in Columbus. I have been going there to watch productions since I was a little girl.
Hamilton is here for two weeks and we were IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS for the third time. When I have a favorite show, I will see it as many times as I can. Sitting in a different spot every time. The show maybe the same but my perspective of it changes.
Ahhh…this one hits my heart and soul like no other musical. The messages deep, the music/vocals, choreography, the staging-a whole creative mind blowing package. Written and conceptualized by one genius. Seriously, I just can’t get over it. How it took an entire year to write “MY SHOT”… this, this is what I look up to. What I admire in humans. The gift, the drive, the never ending pursuit of creating something that touches the world.
This show is a true reminder of what our country was founded on. It also reminds us of what legacy truly is. It shows us how important it is to make the most of our time here on earth. Now is the time, take your shot…take up space, use your voice and by all means make your mark.
RACE RECAP
RUN WILD 5K
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this race!!
Starting outside the Columbus Zoo entrance and winding our way into the behind the scenes areas, the course was great!!
The 5k distance gave us perfect views of one of Columbus’ gems.
My favorite flamingos were out and putting on a beautiful pink show for us.
It was a hot, steamy and sunshiny run but there were plenty of water stops!! More than usual for a 5k.
Finishing with the wave pool in front of us was chefs kiss!!
Loved putting my toes in the water and spending time with friends post race!!
As I always say, the biggest part of the experience for me are the humans that created it, that support it and that experience it. The COMMUNITY!! Yep, that made it for me.
This one SOLD OUT this year and SOLD OUT fast! I highly encourage you to register quick when registration opens for next year…you won’t be disappointed.
TO REGISTER THESE EVENTS CLICK HERE
3rd and SYCAMORE HANDCRAFTED ESSENTIAL OIL SOAP-A staple in our house! LOVE this brand, also LOVE that it is a local to Columbus with two brick and mortars. With one shop close to us, I still seem to online shop their products. The online option is easy to navigate and ships quickly-especially locally. Our favorite scent is this LEMON MINT-it is fresh and light.
WATERFORD CRYSTAL-I am not a collector of things but if I were I would for sure be a WATERFORD collector. Marc and I started our “collection” when we were first married. Starting with the champagne flute Millennium Collection. We used the “LOVE” set for our wedding toast. The rest of the collections was purchased before they were retired in 2000. We registered for stemware and received a good portion of what we asked for. The Kelsey pattern is what we have. It is stunning. My Aunt and Uncle gifted us a beautiful bowl, it sits on a shelf in our living room. Marc was awarded a vase that is on our mantel, the sunlight hits it just right. Every year for Christmas, Marc gifts me a WATERFORD ornament. He has done this since our very first married Christmas. So if I am counting correctly I have 27 ornaments. I dreamed of having a special tree filled with just WATERFORD…I have that and then some now. I cherish that tree and the ornaments that tell our story, Marc thoughtfully has chosen them all.
BEST DELIVERY EVER! Who doesn’t love seeing this on their front porch? A special summer treat sent to us from a dear friend, who happens to love Jeni’s as much as we do!
Something in the kitchen I feel I can’t replicate…Jeni’s is chef’s kiss! Home grown, here in Columbus. The flavors well curated ,some out of the box and seriously amazing!!
Dairy-Free? Yep, they create that!! My fav is the Lemon Bar, close second is the Cold Brew. One spot where being dairy-free doesn’t suck.
Having Jeni’s in our freezer is special and the just right way to curb a sweet craving in the summer!
To get your JENI’S or to find a SCOOP SHOP near you CLICK HERE.
ALL THE STRIPES! The painting continues from the living room, entryway into the little hallway. I had painted these stripes before this re-paint. Measured and taped meticulously the first time. Colors were cream and a dark tan. Again very den, Ralph Lauren like. Cream became white and the dark tan became navy. I used very little tape this time. All freehand. The lines are not perfect, just what I wanted. Gives it a bit of texture, flow and whimsy to the small space. Next on my list-the kids bathroom.
GOING TO THE THEATER
I am super old school when it comes to going to the theater. I was very lucky to be exposed to live theater at a young age. My Mom made it a special and important moment in all the ways.
With this said, I really noticed on Sunday a shift in what “going to the theater” means today.
I noticed lots of causal wear, like real causal wear-sweats included. Not sure how I feel about that. I have always dressed for the experience. It’s going out, painting the town red…show up and show out!! Step it up a bit, have some fun with this special experience!
The Ohio Theater offers drinks and snacks for purchase. They have offered these for years. However, back in the day, they never allowed those items into the actual theater. The seats are covered in velvet and are quite old-both drinks and snacks are allowed in the theater space now. Something about that feels so casual to me. I know it is probably more about the theater making more money. I totally get that. But it is still hard for me to get used to.
The announcement prior to show start of course now includes a reminder to silence your phone. It also states, as always, not to take photos or video during the performance. With social media, it seems everyone feels compelled to share the entire experience. This often includes taking pics on phones during the performance. DON’T DO IT! It is an absolute NO NO. Take all the pics, videos you want before and after. This is creative property that we as the audience do not have the right to share. Also, it is extremely distracting to the audience around you. It can also distract the performers on stage.
Be thoughtful of patrons around you. Arrive on time, arriving late disturbs more of the audience than you may think. Stand up when patrons need to pass to find seats and make room for movement in and out of rows. Share seat arms. Lead with kindness.
Above all soak in everything around you, feel the performance and be grateful for the gift of live theater!
Summertime and the living is easy. Like super easy. Everyday doesn’t have to be a big event or adventure. It can be simple and make the same impact as something big can. Sharing another summer fun fav from when the kids were itty bits.
I think I bought this blow up infant bathtub from Babies R US- best money I ever spent!! We had a wonderful water table, but this bathtub was perfect for other kinds of sensory play. We used it year round. In the winter, I would put it on the kitchen floor and would put snow in it.
In the pic below, it is on our old patio. If I can remember, inside of it is DOVE soap that was “cooked” in the microwave. It expands and creates this really cool textured play experience. THEY LOVED IT!
We would make a few hours of play with this including a picnic at their patio table. Simple, easy and impactful. Living summer easy and fun!
