Musings and Wit

If we were playing Family Feud this certainly would have made...

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:00:04 -0400

If we were playing Family Feud this certainly would have made the top ten. #mothersday

The old man is recovering from major dental surgery tonight....

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:29:33 -0400

The old man is recovering from major dental surgery tonight. What a trooper! #365240

This guy turns nine tomorrow! How is that even possible?!...

Sun, 05 May 2013 18:49:20 -0400

This guy turns nine tomorrow! How is that even possible?! #365240

She’s a beauty. #btv #365240 (at Battery Park)

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:20:06 -0400

She’s a beauty. #btv #365240 (at Battery Park)

My lunch spot. #365240 (at Greenway Open Market)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:54:58 -0400

My lunch spot. #365240 (at Greenway Open Market)

I’ve never made homemade risotto. Odd, since I cook a lot....

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:20:13 -0400

I’ve never made homemade risotto. Odd, since I cook a lot. I changed that tonight with this saffron, shrimp and asparagus risotto. #365240 #nofilter #dinner

My youngest son has had a best friend since he was four in...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:54:42 -0400

My youngest son has had a best friend since he was four in pre-K. Unfortunately, because life gets in the way (sports, school, family commitments), they don’t get to see each other as much as they would like. (They attend different schools now.)

I was privileged today to escort them on an outing to Shelburne Farms with my oldest son in tow (all three pictured above at the end of our hike). The best friends walked together, sometimes breaking out in a run, but mostly just talking and walking together. No matter how much time has passed since they last saw each other, it was if no time had passed. Isn’t that how true friendship is supposed to work? It amazes me that seven year olds just get that.

“I think we’ll still be best buddies until we are 105,” commented my son. “You know we will — or maybe just 99,” said his pal.

Best friends forever.

Thank You.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:44 -0400

Why is it that people have a hard time accepting compliments? I have struggled with this over the years myself. Someone tells me that they like my shoes, dress, car - whatever and rather than saying “thank you,” I feel I have to justify why I have the item.

I’ll be working on this over the next year. So… thanks.

Priorities include silly photo cuddle sessions before bed....

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:11:41 -0400

Priorities include silly photo cuddle sessions before bed. #365240

Noticing: How To Take A Walk In The Woods : NPR

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:53:56 -0400

Noticing: How To Take A Walk In The Woods : NPR:

Refining our capacity to notice is an act of reverence that we can bring to everywhere and everywhen. It’s an invitation, bringing the world’s most basic presence into view, opening our horizons and restoring our spirits.

Becoming more mindful and present has and continues to be a goal of mine. Here’s an easy “how to” for a simple act.

I did not have the jacket on all day, and I had grey heels. So I...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:01:27 -0400

I did not have the jacket on all day, and I had grey heels. So I did not look like an Easter egg all day- just while in public to my children’s delight. #365240 (at ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center)

From start to end, a pretty good day to turn 39. #365240

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:55:15 -0400

From start to end, a pretty good day to turn 39. #365240

#365240: A Year in My Life

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:42:00 -0400

This is my last year of being 30-something. On April 22 of 2014 I will turn the BIG 4-0. I’m actually looking forward to it. A lot has happened in the past decade for me, and in trying to sort that all out and really be present in each moment, I was looking for something to keep me more mindful over the next year as I march out of one decade and into the next.

I have chosen to blog for the entire year. Mostly through images, but an actual post with words my creep in from time to time. This is a big undertaking for me as I could not complete a 100-day blogging challenge that I set out to do with the lovely Kim DuBrul. She completed it. I did not make it a week.

If you’re on Instagram you can follow me at nicoleravlin and search #365240 (at present time I am the only one posting with this hashtag) for the images, or you can visit the blog as I will cross post. There may be other posts on the blog that are unrelated to my 39th year, but if you have read Musings & Wit, you know I am not a frequent poster.

On with year 39! Weeeeeeeeee!!!

A day early. Here we go… #365to40

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:18:43 -0400

A day early. Here we go… #365to40

In Search of the Best Burger

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:06:08 -0400

I get to travel a lot for my job. And, part of that requires eating out at some pretty great places. Though I love all types of food, there is nothing quite like an amazing burger. A really exceptional burger is hard to find.

This week in Florida I found - and ate - maybe the best burger I have ever had at The Office in Delray Beach. The Prime CEO Burger serves up sweet onion and tomato confit, Maytag blue cheese, Gruyere, arugula and bacon on a brioche type roll that is branded with the restaurant’s name.

Holy God, was it good.

This is the kind of place that you go out of your way to get to. If you find yourself anywhere from West Palm Beach to Miami, go.

It's GO Time.

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:11:05 -0500

I had tea/coffee with yesterday morning with two friends. One is business owner of a few restaurants, the other is starting a new job tomorrow as a manager of an environmentally focused foundation. The three of us discussed that though 2012 had treated us well, we were all looking forward to what 2013 would bring. We decided that this year would be the year of “GO!” - go, get it done. We could not even sit for an hour we were so antsy to get on with what we have to do.

It’s not that I don’t think I accomplished enough in 2012, but there is much to be done personally and professionally in 2013. And, as my eight year old often says, I have very high expectations. I’ll be goal setting again this year, however I will not be posting them like I did last year (of which I did pretty well on).

In order to “go!” properly, it will take a lot of organization and planning. So much of January will be spent doing that and outlining my five BIG goals of the year and a plan on what I need to do to achieve them.

I’m looking forward to this year. Ready. Set. GO!

Seeker of… (Taken with Instagram at Wit and Wisdom, a...

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:03:39 -0400

Seeker of… (Taken with Instagram at Wit and Wisdom, a Tavern by Michael Mina at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore)

So long, Summer

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:10:35 -0400

It’s really one of my most favorite times of the year: the in between season of summer and fall. School is back in session, signalling the start of the fall season. Summer does not officially get its swan song until September 21. The days are warm allowing for shorts and sleeveless dresses. The nights are cool enough to get cozy under a blanket. Ahh - good sleeping weather.

This year, we had a great summer - in terms of weather and activity. I can’t say that we squandered one moment of it. Though I will miss vacation days with the little boys, I’m ready to get on with fall projects: cooking and baking, waxing my skis, running without sweating SO much, more time with family, travel for work and for play.

Summer, you were a great guest. So long and see you soon.

That’s right. Cooler temps mean the pink fuzzy slippers ...

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:53:56 -0400

That’s right. Cooler temps mean the pink fuzzy slippers are back in action. Next up: feetie pajamas. (Taken with Instagram)

Fall Cleaning

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:04:09 -0400

Why is there no “fall cleaning” like there is “spring cleaning”? It would make more sense: you spend so little time indoors in the spring and summer. Why clean for it? In the fall and winter you are indoors a lot - why not clean for it?