A glass of bubbly for you. And for me.

This weekend, we took our nephew to Granville Island and stopped in front of this bakery:

Outside was the usual busker, in his tuxedo, playing a perfectly timed La Vie En Rose.

We danced.

It was one of those moments that make the whole day feel new.

Like a little January 1 on a January 3rd.

And that’s how I plan to spend my year.

Something about this red pick-up in the snow sings Merry Christmas to me. Maybe it’s the little face peeking out the back window.

Merry Christmas to you all! See you in the New Year!

Love, Jen

Photo by Cig Harvey via Frolic

Every oppprtunity to drink a mimosa was seized.

The palace was oddly devoid of people, which made it easy to find pool-chairs and make Ash play fun games like Papparrazi/beach vacation.

I bought a funny greeen hat that made me feel like doing touristy things, such as writing love notes in the sand with my toe.

I formed a special bond with the ladies who blow their whistle while pouring tequilla down your throat.

Ashleah got very tan and hunky.

I couldn’t stop looking at the colours.

More colours.

I fell in love with a pier.

I got wrapped up in very important business.

And yes, I am happy to report, we danced on speakers.

All in all, the whole trip felt like this. That’s what being married to Ash feels like too.

Goodbye.

Via Anything Goes

I have been quoted in the last four weeks saying things like:

“Otra de la mismo!”

(This means “same again, please” and can be used in reference to margaritas, mimosas, kisses)

“Do you think we’ve lost the ability to hold up our own heads?”

(17 days poolside at an all-inclusive will do that to you)

“Hi, husband. You’re hot.”

(Endlessly fun to say right now)

But never have I been more correctly quoted than on the appropriately sleek and rustic new website of Traflagars Bistro. Check out the pull-quote at the top of both their profile and community pages.

Now that deserves a glass of champagne!

Happy to be back.

J

Well, this is it. My last blog post as Miss Hargreaves. 

Today, Bill, the Facility Manager at work (not to mention, the loveliest Scott you’ll ever meet - perhaps, even, a gift from my Nanny) - brought me a very offical nametag reading “Jennifer Wilson.”

Yes, I am beginning to feel like someone new.

I’ve written and erased about a hundred sentences trying to capture the sum of experience for this medium. But those thoughts will stay in the journal beside my bed. Instead, I’m taking Frost’s sage advice. 

See the door on my little atelier?

It says, Ferme. 

And if you’re lost enough to find yourself

By now, pull in your ladder road behind you

And put a sign up CLOSED to all but me.

Then make yourself at home.   

Here are your waters and your watering place.

Drink and be whole again beyond confusion.

Hasta Luego,

Jen

Like poetry, sometimes places or people ring true in the depths of you. And that is how you know.

It’s how I know one day I must go to Little Sparta’s Garden so my soul can keep growing.

It’s how I know to marry Ash this weekend and claim my glimpse of the sea.

And it’s how friends know to send notes like this one on the eve of a life:

“Work must be KILLING you this week. All my good hair/skin/nail thoughts are with you. I just ate some salmon and dedicated all the fish oil to you.”

Thanks, Alice.

Enough champagne to last a lifetime of Wednesdays

(and sometimes Sunday mornings mixed with Orange Juice)

Jen

And I can post a sickening number of headshots if I want to. And I do. We were looking through old photos last night (sipping on a tidy, piccolo of Henkell) and we found so many pictures of us that we haven’t seen in ages. Do other people like to sit at the kitchen table and watch flickr slideshows of their trips? Is that normal?

Oh Paris! I am busty in this shot! Thanks for the lift, Ash!

And, of course, my other true love. My eternal sidekick, Whiskey, who perfectly balances me in more ways than I can say. As excited as I am for Mexico, I already miss her. She loves her new dad.

And finally, my favourite shot from the summer:

Who doesn’t love a man who can appreciate a nice baguette?

Jen xo

I would love to write something not related to the next 5 sleeps.

But I can’t.

I’ve got one thing on my mind.

He’s tying his tie in the hallway mirror.

Jen

xoxo

PS: Photos of postcards contained in The Little Box of I Love You, currently for sale at Chapters for $15.95 and now, our guest book.

…Champagne Wednesday as fiance and fiance , we plan to spend alone. 

I suggest you go to the Libra Room and listen to live Jazz over a Roasted Beet Salad with Boursin ($7) and a bottle of Il Mionetto ($18!).

As Ash tells me people in the smoky underground Chicago Jazz clubs say: 

That’s it Charlie. You got it Charlie.

Jen