santa claus is coming to town..

it's  9:51pm and i am thinking of heading to bed.  i stopped to look at my mantle filled with santas, 

all the santas i have painted over the years.  the same mantel i have tried to change up the past  couple of years.  i am faced with opposition from many places.  folks who remind me that it is tradition and it's part of so many christmas pasts.  i am out numbered in looking for the change.  i love it, i do, it's just that i thought it might be time for a change. a sweet friend sent me a picture tonight of a santa  that i had given her mom many years ago.  her mom passed away this past summer and it made me smile that she still has this small reminder of a different time and place. we shared so many happy times. 

this is a piece of my life.  

for a moment i could hear my dad calling us from living room to start his movie reel rolling on christmas morning. the past is part of all of us. the good times and the challenging times. then i thought of my sweet friend that has had such a tough go of it these past couple of weeks.  she rises to the challenge every single time and we still hope for another miracle.  i thought of  my brother in law who lost his sister just a couple of months ago and how hard it is this year for his family.  i thought of my mom boarding the plane to come home tomorrow for the holidays after her own successful surgery just a couple of weeks ago.  life can be so tricky and hard and happy and beautiful.  i stop and remind myself to see the good,  to hear the small sounds, to feel the big feelings, and to say thank you for all of it.

time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like real life.  "brian andreas"

love sent, xo

gift ideas/ women

20 ideas for the women in your life.  you'll see i find it super easy to find gifts for the  women in your life there are just so many options.

1.   for the love of your life who just happens to come from the west coast honeyandbloom

2.   for your healthy friend who cooks like a boss amazon

3.   for the traveler ssekodesigns

4.   for the outdoorsy one in your life. jcrew

5.   for everyone - hand designed by the most talented person ever high-tide-apparel

6.   because you can never have enough scarfs jcrew

7.   everyone needs a cozy sweater gap

8.   who doesn't love a little bling and at 40% off it's a win win  loft
9.   i was drawn to this just for the name :) think waves breaking, fresh air and sea salt nordstrom
10.  snow cloud slippers - enough said madewell
11. because everyone should start a fire victoriassecret
12. soo cozy restorationhardware
13. a moving tribute amazon
14. my favorite boots of all time timberland
15. for those bad hair days madewell
16. because now i can't live without mine lecreuset
17. so you can be as cool as your kids ray-ban
18. to carry all your organic veggies home from the farmers market food52
19. so her house can smell amazing yankeecandle
20. because everyone should own this book polar express

love sent, xo

gift ideas /men

20 gift ideas for the men in your life.  i always find it incredibly difficult to shop for men.
they always say they don't need anything and they never seem to be forthcoming with ideas so i
came up with a short list.  hope it helps you out.

1.    so comfy west elm   
2.    so cozy old navy   
3.    hilarious and delicious 
4.    totally waterproof terrain
5.    i love this for the outdoorsy guy jcrew 
6.    because who doesn't love birch trees  terrain
7.    to keep in the car for a spontaneous picnic jcrew   
8.    so he can be stylin jcrew
9.    non stop crystal clear listening west elm 
10.  super soft hoodie jcrew
11.  brass bottle opener need supply company 
12.  leather flask  jcrew  
13.  alarm clock horne company
14.  perfect weekend bag west elm 
15.  for the campfire picnic west elm
16.  because you can never take enough pictures urban outfitters  
17.  for the boy scout terrain
18.  for the oldie but goodie urban outfitters 
19.  for the designer terrain
20.  boys will be boys urban outfitters


love sent, xo

deck the halls...

indeed the season is upon us.

this season arrived with lightning speed. i think the snow last week accelerated the mood.
we got our tree over the weekend.  it is the first time we have ever gotten a tree before
december 1st.  everything about it was awesome.  the tractor ride, the snow, the sweet kids
the sound of the saw, the decision making process ( i always want a bigger tree than will fit
in the house) the beautiful fresh cut scent that still lingers in the car.
we truly had a wonderful weekend.  we have a tradition where we spend at least one day shopping going to lunch and just enjoying a free day together so we don't loose sight of all that is really important during all the hustle and bustle.  this time we had several days and it was really nice.

finish off the adventure with some european sipping chocolate - it  was fantastic.  (hint) you can buy some at trader joes it was better than my usual purchase at william sonoma.

we headed into boston on sunday (which was a really warm day) and had dinner in the north end
at a place where the line goes on for days and days.   this time because of the warm temperatures
we decided this was the time to wait in line.   it is a tiny place where the staff has most definitely
been there for years and years, it was like going to your grandmothers house for dinner.  while in line we got to talking to a guy that was just behind us.  he mentioned he was only here in boston over night.  after chatting a while he mentioned he was a pilot and was heading out in the morning.  he was such a nice guy and it was really nice talking to him,  it made the wait seem really short. it is amazing how a short conversation can remind you how many really nice people there are in this world.

yesterday on the way into work i heard one of my favorite christmas songs   i love this

it inspired me to remember to take time each day to pay attention -  so many small things are what really matter.  caring for each other is what really matters.
this season can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but it truly is a beautiful time of year.  i think the key is to step back and give yourself a break and remember that everything doesn't have to be perfect.



love sent, xo

post thanksgiving salad...

                        this was perfect for the day after all of that turkey consumption.

fall squash salad with apple cider dressing

1 (1 ½-lb.) butternut squash, peeled and diced into ¾ in. pieces
olive oil 
1 tbsp. pure maple syrup 
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
3 tbsp. dried cranberries 
¾ c. apple cider or apple juice 
2 tbsp. cider vinegar 
2 tbsp. minced shallots 
2 tsp. dijon mustard 
1 c. baby brussel sprouts, blanched
4 oz. baby arugula, washed and dry 
½ c. walnut halves, toasted 
¾ c. freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)
1/2 c  pomegranate seeds
1/2 c dried apples

directions1. preheat the oven to 400°2. place the squash on a sheet pan. add 2 tbsp. olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. pepper and toss. roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes. 3. while the squash and brussels sprouts are roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about ¼ c. off the heat, whisk in the mustard, ½ c. olive oil, 1 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. pepper. 4. place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, pomegranate seeds and the grated parmesan. spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten, and toss well. 
top with dried apples

sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

enjoy

love set, xo

let's love more... let's love bigger...

thanksgiving is always a time to reflect and be reminded of all that we have to be thankful for.

i am thankful for all the immense blessings that my life holds. for the health of my children, the steadiness of my husband, our financial stability, and our safe and warm home.

         




               our thankful tree

as i looked out my window tonight, the same window i have looked out for the past 24 years, i said a special thank you.   i see another season turning,  just a few days ago it was still fall,  today the yard is blanketed in snow, reminding me once again that time moves so quickly.   

  today our house was filled with animated noise, crazy barking dogs, deep love, and pressing demands.  so many things are different now, but as always, there is  so  very much to be thankful for.

i feel blessed and so very grateful.


"if the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough"
meister eckhart

love sent, xo

good morning thanksgiving eve

we are hosting this year so it's a mad dash to finish everything that needs to get done. i have
to say i think i have a good start.  the tables are up, the dishes are out and the cooking has begun.
there is a traditional thanksgiving eve party that our friends have hosted for 30 years and it always motivates me to get things done ahead of time so that we can attend.
hopefully i won't have to run out but that is usually the case.  let the eating begin!!

love sent, xo