OK, I swear this isn’t a placeholder post, even if I am still trying to get my photos from the beginning of our trip off of my camera. (Who knew the battery needed to be charged to do that?? OK, maybe the people at Leica and those that read the manual, but I digress….)

So, Mondays. I think we can all agree they can be a bit of a drag. Especially the Monday you are coming back after two weeks of (chilly, windy and at times rainy) bliss. I find it very difficult to be productive on a Monday. And for a long time, my mood after work on Mondays was kind of low, feeling like I had simply wasted a day, leaving myself with even more to do the rest of the week. Not a good feeling.

Then one day a few months ago it hit me:  Make Mondays about getting other people rolling. So, I decided to make this the day of the week that I meet with each of my direct reports to go over their progress, what they need from me, and give them direction on what to focus on, what to hold off on and the like. And you know what? It works like magic! Seriously, I sit in my office and answer questions and catch up with some of my favorite people all day. And when each person steps out of my door, they leave knowing what to do (I hope), and I leave the office feeling as if I got tons done. That’s a much better feeling.

Now, I know that not everyone has a job that includes direct reports, status meetings and the like, but I think what is really at play here is the feeling that you are being productive by getting things in motion. And if your Monday To Do list is filled with things like “Talk to So-and-So about next steps on X”, it is actually a little easier to accomplish than the line item that says “Renovate House”. “Renovate House” is going to be on your list for quite some time. “Talking to So-and-So” may really get crossed off Monday.

Yikes! I have another meeting.

xx

(Photo: Some Cozy Night)

A quick snap of Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and said to be his favorite of this and Central Park (which he also designed). I love this park and on a beautiful day, nothing is better than taking our terrible terriers out for a walk through its winding paths and open fields.

So, just a little reminder that you don’t always have to go far to get away.

xx

(Photo of Friday’s walk: Some Cozy Night)

Very English weather today, but armed with hats, wellies and a map, we set out on a five mile walk around this beautiful estate, Gravetye. There was rain. There was mud. We may have taken a wrong turn or two, but we made it back quite pleased with ourselves.

Given the rather challenging terrain — many hills, rocks, and stiles (more on these later) — I came to believe that we were entitled to two treats for our efforts. First, we hit the pub…

I didn’t care that it was all fried. It was just what I required, including my Half Pint. However, that Half Pint along with the walk made me a touch sleepy and an Epic Nap ensued. But my body is now fully on English Time, and I woke up just a few minutes before 4, just in time for Treat Number Two, tea…

Served by a nice fire…

The perfect ending to a rather perfect — and filling — day. Now it is upstairs to pack, and down to our last dinner of this wonderful trip.

More to come.

xx

(Photos: Some Cozy Night)

xx

(Photos: Some Cozy Night)

This was the most sun we had while there, so you can imagine my deep need for tea when we got back. I’ve become quite addicted to tea here, as I have always been a scone head and the little sandwiches are delicious. So I am taking today’s tea as a reward for getting my English on and walking through the weather rather than giving up the goat. (Or is it “ghost”…whatever.)

I DID NOT eat it all, or even half, but it was delicious and now I am ready for my bath (showers appear to be a No Go here) and a nice evening out, including treacherous driving and some dinner.

xx

(Photos: Some Cozy Night)

Above, some of the gardens at our hotel in Bath. Sitting out here for tea is heaven.

Below, a bit of a pink Japanese Maple on the grounds of Kingston Lacy. A most beautiful property. And trust me when I tell you it is impossible to capture the actual shade of pink…for me, anyway…

A view on the grounds of Whatley Manor, where I had one of the best meals of my life (from a list that includes The Bristol, Chez Panisse, Per Se and Franny’s). And yes, it is in England.

The view from one of our windows in Cliveden, where I am still pinching myself that I am actually here…

And some of the grounds of Grays Manor, where even the cows were beautiful.

Tomorrow we have a longish drive to Highgrove, where Prince Charles has created one of the most interesting Gardens I Must See. Naturally this requires proper footwear, which Mr. H and I were able to conjure up without having to take up too much room in our suitcases with full blown wellies…

More to come!

xx

(Photos: Some Cozy Night)

The sky is cloudless. It is almost warm. And all the bulbs that were planted last fall in our front garden are in full bloom. Lovely.

Naturally, Mr. H and I won’t be around to enjoy this glorious time at home. No, no…we are headed to England, where it has been known to rain somewhat frequently. But our bags are packed…

And to be truthful, we have a wonderful itinerary planned, including visits to all the gardens and manor houses I’ve been reading about these last couple of years, and a morning of learning the fly a hawk. So, rain or shine, we are going to have ourselves a little adventure. Definitely worth the trade off.

xx

(Photos: Mr. H and Some Cozy Night)

So there are days when you feel like you Just Can’t. Alas, you have to anyway. May I suggest that you put on something that makes you really, really happy and feel pulled together? I believe it takes the edge off.

Today I decided on these crazy black and white floral jersey pants with my favorite slingbacks and Hipper-Than-Me gray overcoat. Feeling better already.

Don’t give up the ship! Or at least be dressed with confidence so it doesn’t feel like you might.

xx

(Weird photo of my new favorite pants: Some Cozy Night)

xx

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Completely old school and totally cozy…the perfect antidote to my unreasonably bad mood. No doubt, the Whiskey Smash at Bemelmans, with Chris Gillespie playing our requests** and those cheese things I cannot stop eating had an essential Mellowing Effect.

Did I mentioned the Whisky Smash? Yes, it was good. And Mellowing.

Then we were off to dinner at a place I haven’t been to in forever: Jean Georges. And OMG, Mr. Vongerichten — the man who completely changed the face of my chicken stock — was there, hanging out at reception. So I got to say a little starstruck “hello” before we were taken to our table…

And well taken care of…

This all put me in an awfully good mood. As did the lovely sky that night…so pretty, even if it was a tad moody. (Who am I to judge?)

Alas, the moody night sky turned into the kind of barometric pressure day that gives me a migraine, which I woke up with. This was unacceptable. I needed to be in good shape to celebrate with Mr. H and the rest of our team, and wear this dress, which I had picked specifically for this occasion:

So, I took two excidrin migraine tablets and rather than hole myself up in bed, went for a walk in the park with Mr. H, that may be better described as a “sit” with a bottle of cold Poland Spring pressed against my head. And either through sheer will to wear that dress and be merry, or a change in pressure combined with those magic pills, I was feeling better by the time we hit our favorite lunch place for some much-needed carbs. And then we got ourselves tidied up and off to Celebration No. 2. Which I have to say, was very nice, mostly on account of being able to cheer for my Mr. H and celebrate with all the people who make our company as interesting and fun as it could possibly be.

It is kind of funny to have a birthday and something like this so close to each other. Each little event was kind of begging me to think about “what I have accomplished” in my life and in my work. And I have to say that as I think about it now, as frustrating and challenging both can be (not just for me, for all of us), on the whole, it is very much worth celebrating.

xx

(Photos, which I insist on taking myself or getting Mr. H to take because I am IP Sensitive: Some Cozy Night)

* Even though I was truly, truly thrilled that Mr. H was among those being celebrated.
** Yes, we go there a lot. And have for along time. And yes, I am only 42.