{this moment}

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.

Visitors in Town!!

Amy and Todd and 2 of my nephews came to jersey to visit this weekend!  We had a lovely visit.  Amy and I escaped for some 'girl' time (manicures and window shopping) and then we all went to a zoo that is just 10 minutes away from us.  We saw cougars and leopards and an owl and awesome white wolves - just like the one in Fantastic Mr. Fox! Oh My!  We made a lot of delicious food, including a 3-lentil chili (inspired by Jessie) and homemade corn bread with all the good stuff mixed in.  Amy came up with a brillant plan for using leftovers for breakfast.  So - chili fritatta and grilled corn bread happened!   There was also a lot of chocolate milk and coloring green and orange spider men!  Thanks for coming to visit New Jersey!!

Nephews at the popular bright kitchen table

delicious breakfast creation

Awesome photo taken by Mike

lovely sunday too!

My friend Jessie came to visit for tea and crafting.  She brought delicious lunch and we made banners for our 2012 words! Mine is hanging just above my desk in the window.

Then Mike and I headed out for a surprise date.  I guess it is sort of a early valentine date and Mike had no idea what we were doing!  He just knew not to wear jeans and sneakers and we would be out between 4 and 10!

First up, reservations at Delta's, a fancy southern style restaurant.  Dinner at 5:30.  Then...theater tickets to see Red, a Broadway show that is now at a small theater in New Brunswick.  We had 2nd row seats!!  Mike guessed on the way there and just as we were about to exit off the highway, he guessed the show!  Fantastic show, delicious food, fun times!

2nd Row!!

new saturday

This Saturday was lovely.  I slept in late (very late), watched pretty snowflakes outside over breakfast, spent my christmas gift card at my favorite fabric/craft store, went to a chocolate cake and port tasting with Mike, and battled crowds at Whole Foods together.  We cooked a yummy new recipe with tempeh mung beans, baby broccoli, and greek yogurt.   Oh, and did I mention a heart shaped chocolate ganache cake came home with us from the tasting?!   We will be eating that very shortly.  Up and down, yes...Embracing the ups as they come by!

my saturday

Cancer doesn't feel so great the last few days.  It is Saturday and I woke up excited that I didn't have to go to work and thought of all of the things I wanted to do today. Cooking, craftying, cleaning, reading, walking, yoga, writing, copy/pasting interview data into excel columns... well, that last one wasn't actually something I really wanted to do but something I need to do.  I get excited about the weekend because I can cook without having to work for 9 hours and drive 2 more before getting to the stove.  I wanted to pull out those veggies and create healthy goodness for our tummies and do little things around the house.  Before long, I realized it was going to be one of those days, during which cancer was going to cause a little friction with my plans.  I found myselft feeling sick, trying to make things happen, only to realize I needed to lay down again and rest.   I had to shorten my to-do list, and remember my word.  Embrace. Yes, embrace.  I thought about my word for awhile, trying to find the things to embrace as I was feeling sick.  This is not easy some days.  I settled in for a little rest, a quick errand just to get out of the house for brief moment, made my favorite muffins (with dried cranberries and poppy seeds), and set out a little time for valentines.  I do love making valentines.  Then it will be couch/sleep time.  

Did your plans get a little off track?  I hope you embraced the new path.  Like I said, not always easy to do...