beach baby

Madison sent me a bunch of pictures from our visit to KY in July, and seeing them brought back fun memories of being there. {hello, Hacketts!} I haven’t seen Madison since then, but I’m hoping she is able to visit for Julianna’s wedding NEXT MONTH and stay with me again!

So… guess where the Bartos family is?! The beach! We are spending a few days at Myrtle Beach, and heading back to Charlotte on Sunday, just in time to pick up some fresh fish and celebrate Rosh HaShanah with friends! There was a lot to pack for this trip, even with just one baby. I have a whole new appreciation for my mom’s hard work in packing our family up to spend a week at Ocean Isle every summer! I think the carefree beach days are gone, but they’ve been replaced by responsibility, efficiency, and a firm intention to savor each moment here.

So far, Sophia LOVES the lazy river and the heated pool. She is curious about the ocean and determined to taste a handful of sand. She does not like Martin’s Restaurant.

Week at a glance: 

• watched “Singin’ in the Rain“ with Greg {a feature film, quite rare for us}… had the songs stuck in my head for days
• joined the Improving Birth rally on Labor Day to protest the unnecessary number of inductions and c-sections in the US. Our first demonstration… so much fun! besides waving signs outside Presbyterian Hospital, we got to catch up with Jackie Kuschner!
• purchased a Beaba Babycook on Craigslist… continued giving Sophia tiny amounts of pureed veggies at dinner time
• had a celebratory dinner with the Squicciarini family of grilled kosher sausages: not sure if we were celebrating Labor Day or Peter’s return from almost a week in Tacoma, WA
• made Tyler Florence’s Berry Trifle for the first time, with some assistance from Mary
• played a small part in hosting Julianna’s lovely bridal shower at Laura Guido’s home {got a turquoise Cuisinart immersion blender for Julianna, one of my favorite kitchen tools}
• spent a delightful afternoon with my cousin Sarah Stelzl {& received a delicious homemade gluten-free pumpkin pie from her!}
• went out to dinner with the extended Squicciarini clan {the fam + Josh & Isaac} at one of their favorite places, Arooji’s Ristorante in Southpark
• hosted an informal birthday dinner for Greg’s dad {Jet’s Pizza}
• spent a Shabbat day with the Bella Torah Community, then came home and read all of Howard Rutledge’s book “In The Presence Of Mine Enemies” {an inspiring POW account} with Greg
• celebrated our first Grandparents Day with Sophia’s first art project! We used ink pads to make cards with her handprints, and delivered them to Grandpa & Nonni in Fort Mill and Grandpa & Grandma in Matthews {thank you for the reminder, Mrs. Martin!}
• discussed conspiracy theories {9/11?} with Pete… saw a few eye-opening YouTube videos
• randomly saw Julianna at the new Whole Foods, did the 2nd Matthew lesson with my little Bible Study group, took Sophia to Southpark Mall for a quick errand, and… packed for the beach!
• drove to Wilmington in search of a gluten-free sweet cinnamon bread for Rosh HaShanah {mission: successful}
• shopped the Tanger Outlets and got Greg a few pairs of socks at Clarks {he couldn’t resist their lifetime warranty}
• yet to come: an afternoon on the beach and a quiet Shabbat by ourselves – can’t wait!

=)

a bridal shower

Julianna and Christine (& my aunt, Laura Guido) gave me a surprise bridal shower!

the story
So last Monday night, the day before Julianna left for Israel, they had told me we’d have a small going away party for her with our relatives. Greg and I showed up at the Guidos’ house right on schedule, and I walked into the quiet family room and almost jumped out of my skin when there was a huge shout of “SURPRISE…” It sounded like a hundred women, but later turned out to be more like thirty. I must have looked a little confused (in reality, I was thinking “it’s not my birthday…”) because they followed up with “Aren’t you getting married soon?!”

the setting
Aunt Laura’s house in Weddington, straight out of a Pottery Barn ad.

the scene
Aunt Laura is such a good hostess. She made everyone feel at home right away. My mom had prepared a few things to say about how “a wise woman builds her house” and she pointed out that there’s a lot more to setting up a home than having a great set of Calphalon pans – like building a foundation of Biblical principles, the true source of wisdom. Aunt Thelma gave a beautiful prayer for Greg and I; she mentioned how happy my grandmother would have been to see this occasion.

the snacks
Instead of a traditional cake, they served chocolate mousse in individual martini glasses and decorated the stems with ribbons… so pretty! My sisters, semi-professional food artisans, created visually stunning platters of cheese and fresh fruit.

the scoop
The presents were amazing, everything from home decor to appliances to lingerie! I got several pieces of my lovely Waterford crystal and some fantastic kitchen items that I’ve really wanted! My sisters gave me a really COOL picnic set (complete with pink striped neoprene Athleta bag). Aunt Laura used a mop and broom standing on either side of a large basket to make a “wishing well” – she clipped bamboo placemats across the top to form a little roof, and asked everyone to help fill the basket with tiny items like chip clips, measuring spoons, rubber spatulas, whisks, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I can’t believe how generous my friends and family are!

conclusion
I loved the shower!! It was fun and enjoyable but still sophisticated and elegant… everything I could have wanted!

=)