After living for
five and half years in a small southern town, where everyone had known everyone
else for generations and we were the perpetual “newbies” (there was never a
chance of running into an old friend at the grocery store) it is absolutely wonderful
to be back in a place where we have history, connections and many dear friends
rolling through Santa Barbara.
This summer has
brought a steady stream of people knocking on our cottage door. We now carry a deeper
appreciation for those faithful connections. Ben and Clara have become our official greeters— they love all the visitors and the side benefit of mom making lots of desserts.
We were lucky enough
to have the Gernhardt family with us for dinner as they made their whirlwind
trip down the coast. We hadn’t seen each other in nine years and every moment was treasured. The Bussells’ joined us and it became an old
school El Montecito Presbyterian reunion. Melinda and Leah cried as they said
good-bye, because after years of only e-mail, phone calls and Christmas card to
have a friend with you in the flesh is incredible and
bittersweet.
The “Blair Boys”
along with the fab Miss Heidi have mythical status at our house. The kids are
always in awe watching three boys running around and playing. Clara is very conscious
to give Heidi extra cuddles because she “has all those boys and no little girl.”
An afternoon at the Natural History Museum followed by a segregated dinner
(kids in the house, parents on the patio) made for a great day. Chad and Heidi
are always an inspiration because they have figured out how to be present
parents while pursuing their own passions and interests. I guess we all kind of
have a crush on the Blair Boys +1.
The kids trying
to be statues so a butterfly will land on them.
A little
butterfly whoopee.
