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

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

deep breaths.. you got this...

that is what i keep telling myself.
it's always that way -  when one thing happens,  more things happen and so on.

thanks to my super kind friends for monday night.  we always have such a good time.
you are the true meaning of friendship.  i know i can depend on you guys and you always
cheer me up, have my back,  and make me laugh.
so as my mom heads into surgery next week i am assured that she is tough and this is
a small procedure that she can totally handle. (thanks for reminding me how strong she is)
as i say goodbye to my sweet friend here at work i am reminded that she is only a
phone call away and i know that is true.  

i got this...

 i really do...

i think...


love sent,  xo

we lean in we lean out...

the air has changed all around me. on the outside with the new season, which i have fully embraced and on the inside with the news that my partner in crime here at work is leaving. i am not sure i have really embraced this news. certainly,  a few things need  to settle into the cracks. the news hit hard.
i took mental notes, i took real ones. i might be a little quieter as the week ahead creeps in, i know it will be a tough one. i am not - and never have been good at goodbyes.
we were so close to a different ending.

life happens in phases. they can be marked by jobs, relationships, the birth of a child, diets, changing hair colors, everything and anything. i notice that no matter how calm or chaotic or hard or easy my life is at the moment - it is always in constant motion and every change happens for a reason.
we have worked together for nearly ten years side by side. i have spent more time with her than my own family. we have navigated some pretty crazy days. we have shared our feelings through changing CEO's. entire leadership teams,  divestitures, acquisition's, all kinds of personal changes - graduations, weddings, the births of her 4 grandchildren, divorce, death of parents, surgeries, heartbreak, job loses, retirement and so on. she is honest and dedicated and loyal. i will miss our every day chats and so much more.
soo much more.

for her, it's a huge step. i am sure there is fear and uncertainty but more importantly it is filled with so much possibility. an opportunity to redesign the fourth quarter of her working years and i couldn't be happier for her.

when you see boundaries as opportunities, the world becomes a limitless place. positive change must come from the inside out. as i have gained experience and wisdom i know that change highlights the importance of each moment, nothing lasts forever. at any moment we can reset the stage, it is never to late to reinvent ourselves. we alone have this power.

i wish you all the best my sweet friend. i have been so lucky to have been on this journey with you for so long. thanks for making many of my days just a little bit brighter.

so long for now.


love sent, xo

capsule wardrobe and other thoughts

how was your weekend? we had a very productive weekend which i was really happy about. although when i look around it doesn't look that productive, but i did get rid of 4 bags of clothes, yikes, 2 boxes of shoes lots of other bits and pieces. now i just have to stay off line long enough to not buy replacements for what i just dumped. i am seeing all over the internet this new capsule dressing idea. where you actually only use something like 24 - 36 pieces of clothing including shoes and accessories for a three month period. ... hmm....this... is way past what i could manage. although i am trying hard to come up with a reasonable middle ground. the goal is to take the "thinking about what to wear" out of the equation, which would be super helpful to me in the morning. this past summer i actually bought several dresses which made things quite simple i must say. one and done. but of course it was also summer, and to me, much easier to survive with less items. i am  using this for motivation  it will take some planning but i think it would be worth it.
my goal is to pick out 36 pieces and box up the remainder without actually getting rid of it quite yet. then... see how it goes. i bet i won't miss stuff as much as i think. all of us tend to go to our favorite pieces over and over. and... just think, it would force you to become more creative in your dressing style. what do you think? would you try this? going through my clothes over the weekend i actually have like 50 scarves alone that i was trying to purge through. i tend to accumulate, shoes and scarves by the dozens. i am going to go with 36 pieces of clothing not counting, shoes and accessories and see how it goes. i am thinking i can try it for a month. i'll let you know how it's going. we didn't have as many trick or treaters as we have had in the past, so of course i now have way more candy than i need around the house.  i will be bringing it to work for sure. here is a nice guideline tho if you want to keep track of what might be the best option when you need a chocolate fix.
halloween candy exchange rate   why eat one almond joy if you can eat three mounds for the same
damage?

spending a bit of time at home this weekend was really beneficial in a lot of ways.  it gave me time to
purge things but also to catch up on mindless stuff like perusing the internet for fun stuff.
like this  and watching this crazy movie .
i also went through tons of pictures of france and can't wait to have a couple printed up on
canvas.   this site does an excellent job and its even 30 percent off

happy monday everyone. love sent, xo

ready for the weekend? definitely!

we have not been home on a weekend in over 2 months.  i am not sure how the time got so packed but it just did... it's all been super fun - catching up with people, attending weddings, going on vacation, girls weekend and so on. but this weekend you will find me just hanging out. we plan on carving up some pumpkins, enjoying all the little goblins and celebrating the youngest member of our extended families first birthday!! then, just like that, saturday is a new month! november feels like comfort. cozy. warmth. crackling fires and spice cider. brown, crunchy leaves, and chunky-knit sweaters. and it’s a time to be grateful. this will be a weekend of planning, reflecting and remembering how many great days are coming up.

    my favorite photo this week.

    my favorite birthday boy

   my favorite new product

  this amazing hand cream i picked up in france

  my favorite two little words

  what else?

 everyone can have bad days no matter how great their life may be.   there are these two little words that i find can be so comforting.  when your friend is talking about her worries, she's probably also wondering if she's annoying you. the best thing you can say to someone who's spilling her woes? "what else?" you'll show her that you support her and want her to share all her thoughts--as long as it takes. i remember when i got divorced  how desperate i felt, i would go on and on about my troubles and my friend Pat used to say :  ("mmmhmm, i know...what else?"), and  i cannot tell you how amazing it was. just those two little words  might make someone's day.  

 my favorite new cookbook

i am officially a cook book junkie

 my favorite read this week

 this is such a great message

 my favorite recipe find this week

 i have to host brunch to try this

                                                           
                                                           happy halloween everyone!!

love sent, xoxo

today my heart hurts....

as i type these words there is silence in the house, other than the rain pounding on the window.  the wind is really strong and it's still dark. it's a cold rainy day, it matches how i feel.   
i don't need this day to remind me that my dad is no longer here.   but for some reason on certain days all the sad feelings come flooding back.  so many thoughts go through my mind.  i remember exactly what i was doing, who i was with,  and how surreal it all felt the day i got the call.   sometimes i wish i could feel less.  not a day goes by that i don't miss my dad.  i miss his emails, his voice, his great laugh and his endless knowledge on everything.   but as the years go by i find myself more and more grateful for everything he taught me. 
last night my family all ate dinner together,  a rarity these days.  a very unplanned surprise. i mentioned how happy i was to have everyone together. i am sure there were rolling eyes.  to my dad his family was everything, he taught us the work of learning to embrace imperfect lives and still see all the beauty.  he taught me:  there is nothing to wait for.  all we need, we have.

i love you dad.  

sometimes we all need to have a good cry.




"but every memory is turned over and over again, every word, however chance, written in the heart in the hopes that memory will fulfill itself."

i love you to the moon and back, xo

roasted butternut squash and apple soup

                   the perfect dinner on a rainy, chilly, fall evening.   serve it with no knead bread.

                                                                   

roasted butternut squash and apple soup

yield: 4 servings

ingredients

• 1 med-large butternut squash peeled, seeded, and 1” chopped
• 2 medium firm, tart apples (i used honeycrisp) cored and 1” chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked salt
• 2 tablespoons  unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot, about 3/4-1 cup chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 3 cups stock (chicken or veg, i use chicken)
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• (1/4 cup) cream
• creme fraiche and honey roasted sunflower seeds for garnish (optional)
• fresh thyme for garnish (optional)

instructions

1. chop all your produce in the above list and heat the oven to 450°f
2. on a large sheet tray toss the apples and squash with the olive oil and one teaspoon of smoked salt. roast on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until fork tender.
3. while the veggies roast, melt the butter in a medium stock pot over medium-low heat. add the shallots, garlic, and a pinch of the smoked salt. cook until fragrant and translucent, about five minutes. stir often
4. add  the fresh thyme and simmer a couple of minutes. by this time your roasted veggies should just about be ready to come out. 
5. add the roasted veggies to the pot with the aromatics and top with the chicken stock, honey, and one more pinch of smoked salt. give it a good stir, bring it to a low simmer, and cook covered for about ten minutes to let the flavors mingle.
6. remove the lid, and, using a stick blender, puree the soup. 
7. once pureed, stir in the cream. taste and adjust the seasoning, adding additional salt or honey if needed. if you find it too thick for your taste, you can thin it with additional stock or cream depending on how rich you'd like it.
8. optional, top with creme fraiche, honey roasted sunflower seeds and a bit of fresh thyme.

love sent, xo

seasons of life.

on friday we sat outside and ate lunch.  we were in providence to celebrate a wedding and it was so warm it felt just like summer again.  the sun felt like it will never warm our skin like this again for quite some time.  then today, autumn had surely arrived.  it takes me a little time to get used to the idea of a new season.  new people, new seasons, new places,  i need to get to know them a bit, we have to bond before i can fully embrace them.  but lately i have been spending more time in the kitchen craving the warmth of the stove, it feels so comforting and i do love fall.  thick soups, piping hot, seem so welcoming on a cool day and there is nothing better than sitting by a fire on a chilly night. so today i closed the windows and walked down a path filled with crunching leaves. tonight i made that piping hot soup and it was a great way to end the weekend. i think i am ready to commit to fall.

we had such a wonderful time at the wedding.  it was such a beautiful venue.  it totally felt like we 

were at a tropical island.  the roger william's botanical gardens are truly beautiful.

spending time with my favorite people happened at this gathering. such a special time, telling stories, sharing love, so many memories, and so many more to come. all the best Meg and Brian it was such a beautiful wedding. xoxo

and all along i believed i would find you.

love sent, xo

mid october

beautiful golden october.

time, as usual, escapes so quickly.  i guess that's a good sign.
the days are full and my heart is happy.  this past weekend was such a gorgeous fall weekend.
i often think it's such a shame that the foliage can't last longer. but, that's probably
what makes it even more beautiful, the fleetingness of it all.  the days were sunny and crisp
and the nights were made for cozy anything.  in my world - the perfect season.

we had an extra day this weekend, one that was an added bonus.

i made lots of lists and i had intended to bake lots of things and then there were just so many outside places calling my name.
we had the most amazing risotto i have ever eaten.  seriously,  i have been dreaming about it.  it was that good.  i will try to duplicate it as soon as possible.  it might just have to wait a bit because we will be away again this coming weekend and trying to pull that off during the week can be a challenge with the length of time risotto should really cook to make it perfect.

if your travels take you to new hampshire for leaf peaking this weekend then here are a few places you shouldn't miss.

you should plan to stop at this vintage bakery  get there early because they sell out really
fast.  once you go you will see why.  there are different specials each day,  they are closed
on mondays and tuesdays.  buy some amazing danish or a ham and cheese croissant, enjoy a fall latte and don't forget....

to buy some breads to have later for your picnic along jackson falls. jackson falls is a beautiful peaceful spot that is worth visiting year round.  if you like photography, don't miss it. be careful climbing along the rocks as the water changes rapidly.  it's a year round gem, each season  holds its own beauty.

i can't tell you how many times we had past this restaurant  before we actually tried it.  of all the
years we have been going up north it was only a couple of years ago that we realized what an
incredible spot and it's practically in our back yard.  a city grade meal in a country setting
the atmosphere is rustic and romantic and the food is incredible.   they also have a great wine list. it is the exact spot i had the risotto. (you know the one i hope to duplicate)
if you can snag a high top table in front of the fireplace your evening will be complete.

i think i missed the restaurant because i was always so in tuned to heading directly into
the country store for the most amazing cider donuts i have ever eaten.  hot,  directly out of the oven.

they were pressing cider on saturday and it was really fun to watch.

another location in jackson that has so much old fashion charm is nestlenook farm.  walk the grounds, take a horse drawn carriage ride, go ice skating in the winter time.  it's a perfect spot, lots of fire pits throughout the grounds and it's a great place to spend some time just taking in the scenery.

the wentworth inn in jackson is also a nice place for dinner.
if you are looking for a place to stay this place is really beautiful 
if you are just looking for decent food and a great beer you can't beat this brewery

just remember as the wind brushes by, listen to the leaves.  too much is never enough.

love sent, xo

more things to love about fall...

1-  nesting

i love candles and the warm glow they bring to everything.  i use them all year round but
there is something really special about them when the weather gets cooler.

2 - cozy blankets

i love having piles of them around so you can just grab one and toss it on to ward off a
little chill, after all, who doesn't like to snuggle?

3 - fall wardrobe update
i am suppose to be trying to purge my closet.  but...

Of course I had to have these  and this vest  for those long walks i plan on taking

4 - beautiful cool mornings that turn into gorgeous blue afternoons
spectacular color is every where.  grab your camera and head out, you will be amazed at
what you find.

5 - all the comfy fall foods

i have piles of recipes i want to try. now with our recent vacation i really think i need to
try to master a croissant recipe.  but in the mean time we are using up all the great
vegetables from our garden.

roasted veggies

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups black rice
2 tbsp. butter
2 shallots, peeled and diced
1 cup pecan pieces
zest of 1 orange
2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 butternut squash, peeled seeded and diced
1 bunch of carrots (a colorful variety will make the dish more beautiful!)
4 beets (we found golden and red beets, but any variety will do)
1 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste

directions:
preheat the oven to 450ºF
wash the beets and carrots and trim off the greens, leaving a bit of the tips on the carrots. peel the carrots. place them both in a large stockpot with cold water and bring to a boil, adding 1 tsp. of sea salt.
once the water is boiling, let the carrots blanche for about 1 minute, leaving the beets in for another 5-7 minutes. (you can pierce the beets to make sure they’re tender before removing!). rinse both under cool water after removing from the pot.

for the butternut squash, i like to place it in the oven for about 5-10 minutes to get it soft enough to easily peel and chop. cut the squash in half and remove the seeds before placing it on a baking sheet to pop into the oven. just enough to get the tough outer skin soft.
once all the veggies are prepped, you’ll want to toss them in olive oil and sea salt before placing them on a baking sheet. the squash should be diced while the carrots can be cut in half, and the beets sliced. i added a bit of thyme and extra salt and pepper once they were on the baking sheet, then popped them into the oven for about 15-20 minutes—until the edges start to brown. you can flip them halfway through to get them roasted evenly. in the last 2-3 minutes add the pecans to one of the trays to toast them up.
directions: rice
put a saucepan over medium heat, and adding the butter and shallots to sauté for about 2 minutes. add the rice and toss to coat. add the water as directed on the rice package, and about 1 1/2 tsp. of salt. bring to a boil, and then stir and lower the heat to let simmer until cooked through.

once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and add the orange zest, thyme and cumin, then salt and pepper to taste. you can drizzle a bit of olive oil in with it if it’s become too sticky to mix well.

to assemble  lay down a layer of rice and place the roasted vegetables on top.  it's such a beautiful fall
dish.

enjoy, xo

hello, fall

we have officially said goodbye to summer and hello to fall.   we did get an extra dose of
summer in the south of france where it was still 80 degrees.  but we are home now and back to the grind.  but also back to our comfy bed and our routine,  which feels good.  fall is actually my
favorite time of year.  i love to throw on a comfy sweater and curl up in front of a cozy fire.
it's the perfect time to make great soups and beautiful fall desserts.  and of course apple picking and pie making.   we walked a ton while we were in france and noted that must
be how the french stay so  thin.  how could they be thin with all of those amazing desserts and
amazing bread always within an arms reach.?

while we were away i had this fantastic puff pastry wrapped pork that i was determined to
duplicate.   it was wonderful and i have to say,  i think i did a pretty good job at duplicating it. it's super easy.  your guests will never believe that you did not spend
all day on it.

puff pastry wrapped pork

1 medium pork tenderloin
2 tbsp chopped dried apples
2 tbsp coarse mustard
5-6 springs of thyme
salt and pepper
5-6 slices of thin prosciutto
1 sheet of puff pastry thawed for 30 - 45 minutes.

1 egg 1 tbsp water beaten (for egg wash)

slice the tenderloin in half.  take one side and turn it so that the bottom of one side is
now laying next to the top of the other side.
stuff the middle with the chopped dried apples.
lay out 5-6 pieces of prosciutto over lapping slightly in a vertical direction.
lay a piece of parchment paper over the prosciutto and roll over with a rolling pin so that
the prosciutto sticks together. remove parchment. sprinkle with salt, pepper and liberally with the thyme.
place the tenderloin on top of the proscuitto and roll it around it.
roll out the puff pastry to approx 12x16 rectangle spread with the coarse mustard.
lay the pork on the bottom end of the pastry and again roll it to cover.  fold down the ends
brush the egg wash liberally over the puff pastry.  Bake at 400 degrees for approximately
30 minutes until golden brown.  you must wait at least 10 minutes before cutting it so that
the pastry has time to solidify.
this is super easy and looks really elegant and  it tastes fantastic.  serve it with apple sauce, some
green salad and perhaps some roasted potatoes.
have creme brulee for dessert and you have a beautiful french meal that didn't take all day to
prepare.

so, unfortunately i deleted all of my iphone pictures this past weekend by mistake.  :(  my IT
guys tried to salvage them today but... they are gone.  i can be really bummed out about this
or chalk it up to c'est la vie...  so ... such is life.  not much i can do about it.  so you will have to take my word for it that the puff pastry wrapped pork is awesome.

sorry i lost all of my photos of the step to step.

apple picking was worth the trip.

"use what you have, use what the world gives you.  use the bright flame of fall before winters darkness. orange, harvest, amber, gold, cool nights and the smell of fire: our tree lined streets are set a blaze, our kitchens are filled with the smell of nostalgia.  apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself."

love sent, xo

thanksgiving

thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. a day to just enjoy the food and each other. a spacious day of togetherness where nothing else is expected.

there is nothing more comforting to me than to be surrounded by all the people i love. one theme i’ve become aware of during the holidays is the way things cycle, around in circles, back and forth like tides, waxing and waning like the moon. we all have stories to tell, words and thoughts that recur, the familiarity that makes us a family.  lots of things change, the menu, the table, the people around the table change too, but the love remains and each of us are creating our own memories. i hope you made some wonderful memories too.

 

i read once to "pay attention and your life will be rich."  this becomes more apparent with every passing year. 

i hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving too!


love sent, xo