happy new year...

i'm keeping track of life.  i see what's important, what can not be measured, purchased, or checked off a list.  it must be felt through the hands and the heart of an awakened soul.  nothing else really matters at all.

here's to an amazing 2016. 

love sent, xoxo

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

i was dreaming of a white christmas but it wasn't meant to be.  it was crazy how warm it was.  we had such a great time all being together.  i hope you and your family made some great memories too.
my wish for all of you this Christmas season is hope because no matter where life finds you hope
can bring immeasurable peace.  xxx

have your selfie a very merry christmas.

mikey in his new police outfit.  this was his "i am in charge look."

we had such a great time with him, he makes everything so much  fun.

wishing everyone the happiest of new year's.

love sent, xo

and then it was the middle of december

i know i mention this all the time but time flys. i do have good intentions to blog. 
 i think about a million things to blog about then one day runs into the next.
i had to get back on here to update the header photos to make them more seasonal and i also needed to get that skeleton picture off of front and center as we are waaaay past that season.


i actually didn't skip over thanksgiving it was a wonderful day filled with great family and lots of love and yummy food.

i love all the anticipation and excitement of Christmas. the parties, the food, the cheer! it truly is magical. what i am really hoping for this year is a simple Christmas. i am looking for less of a holiday season filled with "stuff" and more of a home filled with visitors, loud bursts of laughter, lots and lots of delicious food, excited kids running around, and of course wine!

we are getting our tree tomorrow. last year it had already been up for 2 weeks.

alas, every year is different. my mom arrived last week so we are now ready to roll. it will be bittersweet as my brother joe spent a significant amount of time with my mom each year when she visited for Christmas. our hearts will always hold that heaviness. i think that is also my problem with getting motivated on this blog - joe was one of my biggest supporters here. :(

it's easy to get lost in the holidays and there is so much to do in december . i want to try and remember that there is a time after the holidays too. a long cold winter. a time to light candles, make food, invite friends over. let's just plan to have an amazing winter season.


love sent, xo

fun things...

on this dreary wednesday we were a little draggy in the office today.  these fun props helped to
brighten the day.

we have been having fun with twiggy all week.

my replacement while i was on pto last week.

she was working hard...

then there was scandal in the office.

hope you are having a fun week.  happy hump day...

love sent, xo

so much beauty surrounds us

my short list of beautiful things today...

i am healthy
the air in this changing season
the love in my life
my safe warm house
my morning coffee delivered with love
a warm hug
the scent of the fireplace

feel deeply, pay attention and notice everything.

beauty is all around us but sometimes we have to help each other see it.

love sent, xo

what you love is who you are...

so choose what you love accordingly.  "be open to whatever comes next."    i love that quote and it speaks volumes.

we never know what is around the corner.  i recently came across a note that said "start each day by writing down a short list of beautiful things."   choosing to see beauty does create more beauty.

this morning i had a super early start to the day, but then on my way to work this was the sky.  it was
even more spectacular in person.

i hope everyone had a great weekend.  ours was super busy but i loved it.  i love this time of year
when i can cook and entertain, it's my favorite thing to do.  we had a super fun brunch with the kids.

late sunday afternoon i went to see the new movie "the intern" with Robert DeNiro.  honestly, i loved it.  i laughed out loud loved it.  there are some really great lines. working in an office environment similar to the one in this movie is probably why i really enjoyed it.  i'm not sure it would have the same effect on say a teacher.  but honestly it is worth going to.  i think most of you would really enjoy it.

watch the trailer here


love sent, xoxo

goodbye september...

i can't believe the summer is over. but then wait... so is september.  since starting my new job and all the craziness of the summer this blog has really been put on the back burner.  i remember reading blogs and suddenly they would go silent and i would think wow that is awful why can't they just say they are taking a break. well no one intends that this will happen it just does, life gets crazy and before you know it months go by.
i used to blog in the morning now i leave much earlier and my work day is very different than it used to be.  and then there are times i miss this space so much.  but some things have to change and some times the stuff you love the most needs to take a back seat.
in any case,  i still love this space and want to get back to some semi regular posts.  i will try my best.
i am still posting on instagram and facebook.

                                       a super fall recipe that is simple and impressive.


                                                                   Pear Salad

5~Perfect ripe pears with stems attached 

2 cups Mixed greens

1 cup Arugula

1/2 cup Arugula, for garnish

1/4 cup pan roasted pecans, cooled and rough chopped

1/2 cup munchkin grapes (or use golden raisins, craisins, dried cherries, dried fig, etc)

1/4 cup bleu cheese crumbles

champagne vinaigrette (recipe follows)

6 thin slices of prosciutto 

honey, to drizzle

Champagne Vinaigrette

1/2 cup good olive oil (I use light OO for this recipe)

2-3 TBS good champagne vinegar

1 tsp honey

1/8 tsp dijon mustard

Mix well. Set aside

Cut your pear into four sections (you may have to cut the bottom a tiny bit to make it stand better. use an apple corer to core out the center of each section.  build the salad and volia so impressive ..

some fun links around the web
so you can plan that beautiful foliage trip

looking forward to this movie

loving the new fall jackets

Love this - such passion watch #10

my new favorite fragrance

love sent, xo