this life...

some days are so hard, and so sad.  you don't usually know the last time you are experiencing
something until it's already over.  changes are constant.  you won't know the last time you will
get to hug someone until you are grieving the loss.

life often hands us challenge and loss and pain.

life is long, i like to tell myself, but of course, this isn't always true.

how does the knowledge that nothing lasts forever and that all of our time is limited, change the way
we approach the world?
it should remind us to live our lives fearlessly,  and to reach for the big and the beautiful moments.
my heart is heavy today for my brother in law on the heart breaking loss of his sister.

Jeanne was determined, always, to find meaning and purpose in the time she had, even as her disease chipped away at so much of what she loved.  even as her own journey was coming to an end she was determined to make every moment count, and she did. i see her now in my minds eye, and i know i will remember her always as a woman who knew all there is to know about living in the moment.
this process of loss makes us profoundly aware of our own fragility.  there is barely a soul among us whose life has not been touched by cancer.  we have all lost someone or supported a loved one through dark hours. there is no remedy for the sorrow of losing someone, nor should there be.  but our only answer to sorrow is to live. look back and remember the ones we have lost, but always moving forward.  move forward with hope and possibility, and love, that is what they would truly want us to do.

rest in peace Jeanne, you will always live in our hearts. xo

love sent, xo
   

never forget.

congratulations mr. and mrs. cosentino

yes bill, you did it.  we love you.  wishing you and margot many many years of dancing together.

yes, there was rain and then there was magic.

loved the best mans speech.

we had so much fun.

hope all your dreams come true.  xoxo

thanks for everything.  xoxo


love sent, xoxo

synonymous with comfort

                  this is what i want you to do.  tell someone you love them, and that dinner is at 6.

      this has been the loveliest of summers. weekends seemed to get the best weather and there was
      so much to do.   it was really a memorable few months.  with school starting a great way to introduce
      a new season is to fill your house with the atmosphere of everything this new season brings.
      light candles, grab a sweater (maybe not tonight) pile up the wood on your firepit, gather around the
      table.  times will always be changing and times are always changing all of us.  the time around the table
      together really, really, matters.  i feel so blessed that i get to do this often.  this house has a soul that loves us all. the time and effort i spend feeding people with food and love is very special to me, i am so blessed. i hope you will linger around the table tonight and enjoy all the small moments. embrace all that is new and toast to today. toast this new school year whether you have kids or not.  remember to enjoy everything that is new and different and exciting. remember to just be in the moment.
                 

   
                                               and then make this awesome cauliflower dish.  

cauliflower au gratin

1 lg head of cauliflower cut into florets
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup grated gruyere swiss cheese
1/2 cup of grated white cheddar
salt and freshly cracked pepper
5 slices of cured ham
1 tbsp chopped chives

pour an inch of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  place a steamer over the boiling water, add the cauliflower cover the pan, and steam for about 5-6 minutes.  in a separate sauce pan melt the butter, then whisk in the flour.  add the milk a little at a time stirring constantly to avoid lumps.  add the cheese and keep stirring until the cheese is melted.  add extra milk if you need to thin the sauce a bit.  season with salt and pepper.
place the cauliflour in a nonstick baking dish and pour the sauce over it.  bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  while the cauliflower bakes fry the ham in a dry pan until it becomes crispy.  break into pieces. remove baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the ham and chives over the top.

enjoy.

love sent, xo