random product placement here

I am not big on advertising but I just found the most amazing product.  Before getting it in my hands, I was reading through my blogs quickly and saw this post.  I thought...goat cheese, my fav so I went into the website of Belle Chevre and found that they have BREAKFAST goat cheese.  Hello, goat cheese, breakfast, and figs? Yes please.  Oh and cinnamon?  Come on! So I decided to see how much it was.  It was about 5 bucks for a tub of breakfast goat cheese, so I put the cinnomon flavored one in my cart.  When the shipping was calculated, I realized the shipping was 3 times the price of that tub because they iced it all the way to your house! Darn, I couldn't spend $23 on this tiny tub so I left that site quickly.  The next day, I was in my local grocer and there was Belle Chevere Fig Breakfast Goat Cheese sitting on the shelf, waiting for me!

And voila!  It really is the little things...

I was greatly in need of a restful weekend.  We didn't even leave the driveway on Saturday.  And I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast!

i heart sewing

I think I have told you that my newest hobby (addiction) is sewing.  I learned early last summer.  A friend of mine started a business teaching sewing classes right near my office.  I took a tote bag class and before I knew it, a sewing machine was in my dining room ready to go.  I have taken several classes with Melissa since.  It is a great way to get together, chat, learn, and create!  I have made quite a few handmade gifts since that first tote class: table runners, placemats, cloth napkins, fabric buckets for the smallest nephews, a paint brush holder, and a few totes.

Reversible!

I made my first quilt, baby size, for a friend's little one.  

I just finished a bag and table runner for moi!

With lots of pockets!

I think the pancakes look so much more appetizing with Lotta Jansdotter fabric underneath!

{this moment} but with a few words

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.


Just a few words here...this moment was incredibly important this week.  I moved into a new office this week so my office is completely unorganized, piles everywhere, tripping me as I walk around trying to find my work.  Then, I was fighting with construction workers all week, who were smashing cement in my office hallway so I was inhaling cement dust for 3 days.  It is a long story, not for here.  But I finally carved out some time for this yesterday.  Ahhhh...

Jasmine pearl tea break

{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!