Today we met Mrs. Barbara Bush. Niles became acquainted with her little dogs.
This is Mrs.Bush with Carol, her daughter, Grace, and my sisters.
Mrs. Bush asked what kind of dog Niles is and why he was on a leash. I didn’t tell her it’s because he had just urinated on someone’s beach chair. While they were sitting in it.
It turns out I like the 5th of July as much as the 4th.
I went to Zen with my sisters, Lylah and Caroline, in the morning. We found a black dress for me to wear to dinner that night and they made bracelets.
We checked out some of the shops, including Abacus, which is one of my all-time favorite stores. They have so many whimsical, unusual (and expensive) items. After, we grabbed lunch at the little store, H.B. Provisions and spent some time in the ocean.
Last night I went out for a very fancy dinner with Dad, Sarah, our cousins Tucker and Richard, and my aunt, Ellen.
The White Barn is a five-star dining experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Some of the dishes are in the photos above. My favorite was the duck with foie gras and a strawberry, all covered in some fabulous sauce. Three of us did a nine-course tasting, with wine pairings. We had so much fun and our waiter looked like Steve-o. Plus, we may be on TV as ABC filmed a portion of our dinner.
Today is for sitting on the beach, reading my colleague Tina’s book and generally enjoying a leisurely vacation.
Only 16 more days until that husband of mine returns from tour.
I love the 4the of July. Most years we head up to the beach house in Maine for a family barbecue and time by the sea. Jay, of course, is on tour in the UK, so I went with only little Niles by my side.
I was lucky to spend some time with my Dad, going to the grocery store and drinking beers on the beach while we soaked up some sun.
Each year there is a neighborhood parade. I helped my sister, Caroline, decorate her scooter and my cousin, Maddie, convinced my dad and hers to participate by pushing decorated lawn mowers. My sisters learned of my Dad’s former identity as a hippy while he tied an American flag streamer around his head and made room on the mower for his beer cup.
My Dad is the jam.
After we downed our burgers, we hid from the insane thunderstorm and proceeded to light dozens of sparklers once it had passed. Niles wasn’t a fan.
The fireworks were fine. I like them for bout five minutes and then I’m kind of over it. Unless I’m at Disney.
And, my friends, what better way to fall asleep than with the sound of the ocean’s waves crashing?
