Wednesday, March 30, 2011

good morning...

hi there,
you...the one who might have a cup of coffee in your hand and a little bit of sleep left in your eyes.
i'm with you, friend.
and as we start our day, i just want to say that i'm glad you're here on this page and in this world.
i know that you check in from time to time.  sometimes in the middle of all our ordinary
we can lose sight of forever. so i'm whispering in your ear, to your heart again, that because
of who you are it makes you extraordinary.
nothing can change that--not time or circumstances or even the mistakes we make.

nope, underneath it all that still stays:    i'll never forget that - never.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

my wish...

playing on repeat...



xxoo

Monday, March 28, 2011

and then there were three...

29 years ago today i became a mom for the first time.  it was an unexpected day  i
was suppose to have 2 more months to prepare.  however, you had a mind of your own.
hmm... i think you still do.   you did most things at your own pace.  you were a late walker,
i  remember being worried that you were 14 months old and not walking.  i mentioned this to
the pediatrician and  he said i think it might be that you hold him a lot.  :)  
i still don't want to let go.
we've come a long way you and i.   as you continue on life's journey, just remember where ever your path will lead  i will always be two steps behind cheering you on.  today,
 i thank you for making me the mother i am, and teaching me along the way.


                           

                                                                                                                              words by kal barteski


                                    happy happy birthday love, may all your dreams come true.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

on the sweet side of life...

it's no secret that i love to eat. dine in, or take out, healthy, or not so much, it is all amazing to me. 
i guess you could say i am passionate about food.  i take pictures of food every chance i get. most people ask what i  do with all these food pictures.  well... they inspire me.  i feel eating is
such a pleasurable experience. i like nothing better than to linger over a nice dinner with wine, talking with friends.
 in restaurants i feel really weird sneaking out my camera for a photo...but sometimes i just can't resist. after the flash the waiters sort of look around like oh no is this a food critic, or just a weirdo.  thought you might enjoy some of the photos.  fair warning tho  -  they will make you hungry.
                                                      
ahi tuna...


                                                                             sesame beef

molten lava cake


                                                                             short ribs
                                                                   veal and lobster

                                                                  strawberry short cake
                                                                         bon appetit

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

a stretched out long goodbye...

i wanted it to last longer. i hate goodbyes. it was over in a blink. here we are back to reality, back to routine.   on monday we woke up to sunshine and flip flops and went to bed wrapped in a fleece blanket. we arrived home to a spring snowstorm, flakes swirling around us like crazy. but, the trip was divine.  long days by the pool, the blue skies were bliss.
 

each day was 80 degrees.  there was even karaoke to keep us entertained poolside.  i tell you when the elderly belt out tunes -  it is entertaining.  there were blooming bushes of sweet scent everywhere.  we got to eat grapefruits  picked fresh off the tree in the backyard.

dreamy as dreamy gets. mom was so happy.   we did some shopping,  spruced up her house a bit,  but just being together was my favorite part of all.  we attended the parade of parades for st patrick's day.  i am telling you these people know how to party.  i only wish my dad could have been there with us. this was his favorite parade,  we had always seen pictures, but the pictures didn't do it justice.   we drove down to winter garden to visit family, had some laughs and swung in the hammock while mango momma's were served up. but now it's back to getting caught up in regular life.  but definitely rejuvenated...

Sunday, March 20, 2011

a favorite poem...

DO IT ANYWAY

by Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may cheat you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, someone could destroy overnight;
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it will never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

i am so lucky...

"remember that a little love goes a long way, remember that a lot goes forever, remember that family is a wise investment, life's treasures are people together, realize that it is never too late, do ordinary things in an extraordinary way, have health and hope and happiness, take the time to wish upon a star, and don't ever forget for even a day, how very special you are."

i love you guys so very much! xoxo

love love this quote...

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."


~Jack Kerouac

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

happy wednesday...

playing on my ipod...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

leaving on a jet plane...

i have so much to do before tomorrow.  when i am stressed about getting stuff done - i do something totally unrelated.  like hang up new curtains in my living room...  how crazy is that??? i love vacation.  but i hate to pack. i am so bad at it.  i tried last night.  there are piles all over the place. i didn't get very far.
so this morning i decided to start with my purse.  these are the essentials i decided on.
it made me realize i have an entire stash of stuff in my pocket book  i really don't need.  and
all the stuff i think i need to pack in my suitcase....  i don't need that either.  great i feel freeer
already.

Friday, March 11, 2011

stuck between seasons...

today it's rainy
the snow is pretty much gone
sitting in front of the fireplace no longer holds my attention
i am tempted to crawl back into bed and wait for spring
i am rearranging the house to transition to spring mode 
picking up rugs and making the mantle spring like
mic is home for spring break - yeah
we really need some sunshine
i have a busy weekend ahead
and so much to do before my mini jaunt to the sunshine state...
but i know it will be worth it.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

winter fling...

i know, i know,  everyone is looking forward to spring and frankly so am i. i am totally looking forward to longer days and lighter clothes.  but... for one last chance to feel the biting cold on your face and forget all your troubles for a few hours, head over to the (if you are local) cambridge community ice skating rink. feel like a kid again. all the info here.  get lighthearted and fill your heart with smiles.  let it wash over you and breath it all in. 
when you find yourself getting tired, head over to one of the local restaurants (all within walking distance) and have some dinner.  or maybe just a hot cocoa or drink of choice.   after burning all those calories you can surely
eat one of these.  
i am not even a dessert person but this was the best apple crisp ever topped with salted caramel ice cream. 
p.s. double bonus -  right now at evoo this week and next,  it's restauraunt week,  3 courses,  with wine $55. 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

march means....

spring is just around the corner -  we have almost defeated another winter.  i want to think we have anyway.
when you look outside and see the size of some of those snow banks it makes you wonder if they will
ever melt. but soon the snow will be melting and the sidewalks will be bare.  spring is on the radar now.
i am really looking forward to a day with no jacket.  or better yet a day where i can wear flip flops.
and in two weeks that is surely what i plan to be doing.....   so of course this makes me shop.
things i am loving...


simple sweater ...


simple tops and basic shorts   for warm days



 
yesterday it was 88 in florida....  bring on summer...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

follow up on the wine...

Winemaker Notes

ChocoVine is a fine French Cabernet subtly combined
with a rich chocolate from Holland, paired together to
create a decadent, silky smooth drink. It can be served
on the rocks or as the main ingredient to an array of sinful cocktails.

oh yeah.....