Moving Mode: Yard Sale Highlights

Yesterday's yard sale was a huge success thanks to everyone who dropped by!!!  It began with a large crowd of serious shoppers, some drove up on motorcycles,  others proudly showed off their purchases in original Cocoon shopping bags.  The kids set up a lemonade stand and did their part in making everyone feel welcomed and hydrated.  The bromeliads and potted plants were a big hit, and the owl oil that I fretted about at one point will be going to a Maryland farmhouse.

The day felt more like an ongoing celebration with friends and blog readers stopping by to wish us well on our soon to be embarked on adventure.

A special thanks to H. & K. for all their help and especially for their friendship!

(Stay tuned to find out what happened to our patio set).

Farewell, New England: 7 Things To Do Before We Go

Just three months ago,  my husband and I decided to  move to California.  We have since sold our house in Cambridge, purchased one in Lafayette, Ca. and readied our children for the big changes ahead.  Now it's just a matter of days before we leave the place we've called home for 12 years.  I am so grateful for all the experiences, all the friends and all the special spots that make this area such a great place to live.  Over the weekend, while we prepared for an upcoming yard sale, we sifted through years of photos, clothing and tchotchkes that reminded us of how we got here, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.  We're anxious, as our children are, to begin our next phase but there are a few things I need to do before we leave:

1. Walk the Arnold Arboretum.  I interned there as a young horticulturist, right before Alex and I headed off to SF to begin our life together.  Taking yet another walk there with our children before we return to California would be so symbolic.

2. Eat a fig and prosciutto pizza at Figs in Charlestown, where we lived soon after moving to Boston in 2000.  We had a great apartment in a building where many great times were shared with new friends, one of whom is no longer with us and missed terribly.  Would love to go to Charlestown again and pay tribute to a place and time where so much began for us.

3.  Cocktails on our roof deck.  One of my most favorite home renovation projects, and one that continues to delight us morning, day and night.

4.  Take the kids to one of our favorite parks, where all of Boston's transit can be seen, heard and felt.

5.  Take dip in Walden Pond.  A magical place all year round, but especially on warm summer days.

6. Tidal pool wade at Wingaersheek Beach.   The perfect New England beach for kids.

7.  Spend time with our East coast family and friends.  this one is on going until the day we leave...

Time is moving rather quickly, but I will mark our goodbyes by fulfilling each and every one of the above.  Thank you, Boston/Cambridge for being such an exciting place for all of us to experience.

We will be forever grateful and nostalgic.

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Moving Mode: Another Look At Our California House

Now that all the real-estate hoopla is over and we're under contract with a scheduled closing, I can really begin thinking about what to do in our 'new' California home.   Although its architecture is interesting complete with a functional floor plan that easily flows from one space to the next, the brick walls, concrete floors and drop ceilings pose quite a design challenge.  A part of me wants to lighten the floors and paint the walls, brick and all.  However, because it's the same brick as the one on the exterior of the house,  maintaining a degree of cohesiveness will stay true to the time period it was built.  I often tell clients to "live" in their space before making any major changes to it.  It is my turn to practice what I preach, and I only hope that I can be patient enough to do it.  In either case, I'm very excited to work in the garden  (front and back).  Take a look below at the back of the house and click here for a mini tour of its front:

Moving Mode: Backyard Reflections

As the move nears, I can't help but reflect on how well our home has treated us.  Our tiny urban yard, big enough for a tire swing, entertained many birthday parties, hosted many grand BBQ's and was privy to many quiet Mommy moments.  I'm so grateful for all the memories and look forward to creating many more in our new home.

Images:

1.  Our yellow tire swing.

2. Rocks from a Rockport, Ma. beach.

3. Max and the push mower.

4. The black fence that surrounds the yard was our first home improvement project.  Euphorbia grows on either side of it.

Urban Or Suburban Part 3: Which House Did We Choose And Where?

I'm super excited to announce that we have chosen the mid-century house in Lafayette to be our new home in California.   Take a mini tour of our yard here  and keep posted for more photos and updates on our pending move.

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