happy new year!

well, in some ways, 2011 went by in a flash.  to close it all up this year, we had a wonderful, non-stop celebration for christmas in RI and mike and i are about to have an appetizer party for two, to ring in the new year.  i'm at the end of a cold and didn't want to push it so we are staying in our cozy home tonight and making: dumplings, quinoa gryere cakes, roasted chickpeas, and kale chips.  i may cheat and have a sip of bubbly (two sips, fine)!

2011 brought a lot of joy, a few new babies to our friends, a bit of vacation traveling (DC, DR, Cape Cod), and some serious cancer butt-kicking action.  i will be making black eyed peas tomorrow, in hopes for some 2012 luck!

Happy New Year!

this outfit is a long story!

someone getting the hang of opening presents

someone really loving presents

i ate Way too many of these!

stocking time for the barkers

cutie cheeks!

and more presents!

dad enjoying the wild joyous sound of happy kids!

{this moment} with my new fancy bundt pan!

Inspired by SouleMama:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

happy holidays!

see you in 2012!!

joy and cheer

I am feeling very festive this week.  I just recevied good scan news and now I am ready to celebrate! I have been doing a lot of shopping and making and wrapping and sewing.  I have been thinking of goals for the new year.  Mike found the best tree ever and our little home is all lit up.  I am hoping to do a little baking this week too.  Can't wait to spend some time with the family in just a few days! 

Merry Winter!

best tree ever

                                      

Homemade salt scrub for friends at work

                                    

Donna's holiday cheese art 

                                        

merry winter card making with jessie

{this moment}

A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

growing

I do love being an aunt.  Literally a few hours after posting the adorable, brief video of my two littlest nephews from a year ago, I was 'facetiming' on my iphone with both of my nephews, playing together.  Technology is bizarre! Here is a screen shot of our video chatting session! Look how big they are now!!  Kisses!

I usually participate in the Friday ritual of {this moment} but I literally did not take one photo this week...It has been one of those weeks...Instead, I decided to look back at last year in my photo files.  My sister-in-law started blog posts called "flashbacks" to see what was happening about a year ago. So I found a few photos of our pretty tree from just about last year, this week.  Then I found this short video of my two littlest nephews (3 days apart).   Look at these two little bald giggly babies!! They were just barely sitting on their own! Now, these two are running, talking, and being wild!!

tis the season already

Thanksgiving flew by.  I guess I have been stuck in the mode of enjoying the moment instead of documenting and posting here...which is fun too.  But I have been slacking with the camera these days.  We went to Mike's mom's house for turkey day and had a wonderful visit with the family.  The power went out for an hour thanksgiving morning, which livened up the party a bit.  We ate a ton of food and pie. We fulfilled one of the thankgsiving day traditions and went bowling that night.  (I think I need some bowling lessons...)  We went to see the Muppets! Then I got to spend some holiday crafting time with Jessie, making holiday cards and homemade moisturizer.

And all of a sudden, it is December, I really want a christmas tree, and I have a massive amount of holiday things to do!!  Mike and I started the season by making a home brew of spirited eggnog which will age for 3 weeks and be ready for Christmas eve.  We have a lot and it is really strong so be ready for some good spirits!