A conference pulled the fundraising arm of our team to Glasgow, which meant a week exploring a new Scottish city (between conference sessions, of course) and then a weekend escape to my favorite Edinburgh locals.

Returning to Lake Como for a late-summer work retreat, quite the treat!

There are some trips that linger as more than memories, that slip into some space between bone and cartilage and provide buoyancy and support in the weeks and months to come — this was one such adventure.

In Lierna, heat was high and the lake was cool, so we spent much of the week lounging about, reading books and dipping in the dark blue waters that beckoned from just beyond our boathouse doorstep.

I suppose, sprawled beneath the red iron bed frame upon which I sit, lies hope in the form of paintbrush strokes.

Freddy had found an airbnb tucked into the northwestern hillsides of the island that had plenty of space for Obi to meander (and chase sunning lizards), a lovely outdoor breakfast and plenty of gorgeous nooks.

There’s something particularly excellent about seeing famous landmarks like the leaning tower with your dog in tow.

A short hike down through the olive trees and overgrowth, and we found ourselves amidst still quiet tourist streets, grabbed some pastries for breakfast, and made our way to the shore.

We watch sea snails slurp / Across shell-pocked coastline / Nose-kiss anemones / And cry hearty, salt-ridden tears

The flowers are all in bloom, the rivers are rushing, the food is scrumptious, and the streets are lively once again.

As the days grow longer and warmer, it becomes increasingly easy to find moments of delight — ice creams by the lake, hugo cocktails back on the menu…

Small farmers markets, quaint boutiques, coffee shops, pubs and the all-important central commons are as lovely as lovely can be.

Freddy and I had the rather wonderfully bizarre opportunity to chaperone a student yoga retreat to a spa resort located on Lake Thun, just outside of Interlaken.

Warmer weather means a constant desire to get down to spend time lakeside, letting Obi swim in the gorgeous alpine water as it laps across the rocks.

There’s something about the British Isles that always feels so good in my body; whenever I’m there, I feel a sense of homecoming that I’ve yet to experience anywhere else.

The vibrancy of the water is distinct and craves swimming in, or at least that’s what Obi was trying to tell us the entire time we were here, begging us to let him jump into the cool turquoise waves.

What a feeling of walking through history, hearing whispers of stories winding their way around the stone steps and across ancient, ivy-laden archways.

We found the most charming airbnb just a few minutes up the hill from the beach, and were delighted by the generous hospitality of our airbnb-host who treated us like her very own grandchildren

As the last dregs of winter clutched to our little mountain abode, we were delighted to welcome our first family visitor — Freddy’s dad — to our home for a quick whirlwind tour of our favorite things.

Okay, I think I finally get the “hype”! Freddy’s best friend came to town, so naturally we hopped in the car to check out some of the more well-known Swiss ski mountains on a blue-sky weekend.