December 31, 2018

Currently: December 2018

Currently December 2018

This month was filled with lots of fun/not-so-fun stuff.

I had a mammogram. (not fun)
I had a blood test (not fun)
I have to wait for more tests (send good thoughts)
I tried not to freak out over either of those two things
I sent out our holiday cards
I bought presents.
I decorated our house.
I made magic.
I went on a few adventures with my brother
I went to holiday parties.
I sent out food journals
I sent out packages to people who helped me this year.
I broke my pinky toe and had to wear sandals outside for almost two weeks.
I had friends visit
I visited friends

This was the first actual Christmas at my parent’s house since my mother died. Last year we were in LA and in total shock and this year, we celebrated together. It was nice and simple. My Mom would have been happy to see us all together, making her recipes in her honor.

I had to ask a lot of questions of myself this month.

Questions like:

What do I want to foster tradition wise?
What can go?
What will stay?
How much energy can I put into it?
How can I ask for help?
What would my Mom do?

December was a tough month for me emotionally. Christmas was one of my Mom’s favorite holidays so it feels so weird to not have her part of it. Christmas music can bring up so many feelings! I totally forgot. I am pretty proud of how much I was able to accomplish in a short period of time while feeling pretty low! It’s important to remember that the holiday season can be rough for other people. It’s a reminder to give yourself grace in the process!

my everyday life, Photography

December 30, 2018

My Everyday Life: Week 52

Here’s what this past week looked like: My Everyday Life Week 52

Christmas Eve at my parent’s house. My brother and his wife decorated my Mom’s tree. So pretty!

It was so bittersweet going through our ornaments without my Mom this year.

We started with Manhattans.

My sister Ali made an amazing cheese board.

We had Caesar Salad+ garlic bread followed by linguini + clams with lobster.

Our normal New Year’s meal turned into Christmas Eve dinner.

LISTS

December 28, 2018

I LOVE LISTS

I guess Pedialyte is a good hangover cure. Who knew?
Restaurant supply stores are my favorite.
I am going to start taking more baths now.
The winning photos of the National Geographic Photo contest are beautiful
Some people try to get even with robocalls.
Modern parenting is relentless.
How much of the internet is fake?
Classical art turned memes
Let’s go glamping in 2019!
I’d like to be a travel photographer. Take note.
My friend Liz can help you find your word for the year.
Instagram backpedaled this week. It was weird.
I would like to tame my inbox in 2019
Comedians discuss the jokes they regret telling.
To watch again soon: Catch Me If You Can
File away: How to Organize Your Financial Documents
Invite me over and put George Carlin on my cup. Thanks!
These photos make me want to go to the snow.
Film footage from the 1890s is mind-blowing!
I really need a salad right now.
According to this picky eater quiz, I’m 55 years old but emotionally 25. LOL
If you need a digital detox to start the new year, this book is pretty helpful!
There are more food journals in my Etsy shop if you wanna snag one!

my everyday life, Photography

December 23, 2018

My Everyday Life: Week 51

Here’s what this past week looked like — My Everyday Life Week 51

Made treats for the teachers this week. Honey Candied Walnuts!

This holiday season is NUTTY.

I also made 3 batches of my killer granola for the teachers and family!

I am the treat fairy!

It feels good to send out love!

Morning meditation on our deck.

Blood tests during the holiday season.

Raindrops on car windows.

Basketball Mom.

Finally had a moment to write in our calendar. I’ve been too busy to keep it up!

Here’s a calendar like it– I got it at Homegoods a few years ago.

Trying!

Petey is at it again!

We had a steak dinner this week.

Followed by bread pudding!

Foggy day on the way to Napa for a meeting!

Enjoying this little nook.

Couch envy.

My friend Emma took me out to Buttercream Bakery in Napa. what a treat!

Food journal on Emma’s coffee table 🙂

A concoction I am obsessed with. Will bring it to the blog, I think.

A corner of my deck I love.

Snugs for Ella.

Three generations.

Casey and his bro gave my buddha a light and I am so happy about that!

Soon this bush will be bright red and all the hummingbirds will be all over the place.

I CANNOT WAIT.

I reach out my hand when we are on the couch and he holds it.

Kind eyes in the Target parking lot.

I’m curious about this game for children!

When all else fails, NACHOS.

I catch him wearing my hat.

Went to see Becoming Astrid with Jessica. It was good!

The lights reflect on the building my brother loves.

My mom’s rosemary is the one on the right.

Yes.

Had coffee with a buck.

Where you will find us most of this week.

Made the Applesauce Cake from Now & Again. SO GOOD.

The last sliver of sunlight.

Our friends had us over for a yummy dinner! I ATE TOO MUCH.

And got to play with kittens!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 51 in 2017

Week 51 in 2016

Week 51 in 2015

Week 51 in 2014

Week 51 in 2013

Week 51 in 2012

Week 51 in 2011

LISTS

December 21, 2018

I LOVE LISTS

I LOVE LISTS:

favorites, Inspiration

December 20, 2018

Fun Gift Guide

For many years our holidays were spent with my in-laws (a lot of them moved out of CA!) and our family tradition included a White Elephant gift exchange. It was always one of my most favorite parts of our holidays. We would all gather around together and laugh/steal presents. Lottery tickets are always an exciting wild card to the party! Today I put together this little Fun Gift Guide if you’re last minute shopping (like me!) and need some of my favorite ideas.

Table Tennis Kit– we have one of these and it is AWESOME.
Shower Cup Holder – who doesn’t want wine in the shower?
Light Box Letters -got this at the white elephant gift exchange last year! I have it in my office and it’s awesome.
Karaoke Mic – if you follow my Instagram stories, you already know how much I love this.
Drinking Buddies – I bought these drink markers for my Mom one year. We still use them!
Rainbow Maker – give the gift of rainbows! I gave my Mom this two years ago and it’s still up in her kitchen making rainbows.
Amazon Gift Card – gift cards are my love language. They create opportunities to get whatever I what when I want it!
Tool Kit -these are always a hot commodity when there are dudes around. I think it would be smart to keep one in my car.
Cards Against Humanity– Always good for a laugh! I have fond memories playing this game with my Mom + Dad in Tahoe.

Happy gift giving!

recipes

December 19, 2018

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding!

For our family Christmas Eve celebration, my Mom would make a croissant bread pudding (Ina’s of course) and sour cream coffee cake for dessert along with a store-bought bouche noel (because she knew my brother Ryan liked it so much). Come dessert time, my Dad was always on coffee duty, my husband passed out on the floor in a food coma and Cooper in the other room, eyeing all of the presents under the tree, chomping at the bit to open one. We would always be so stuffed from appetizers (sorry!) and dinner when she served the bread pudding. My Dad would do his classic, “You gotta try this!” cheer to get us all to join in, while we all cried “MERCY!”

That didn’t stop me from taking a slice of her coffee cake…

Her bread pudding came back to greet us for Christmas breakfast the next morning paired with her oven baked bacon. If I close my eyes, I can see her crossword puzzle on the kitchen counter, the sound of the kitchen fan buzzing as I watch her SLOOOOWLY flip bacon over in the baking sheet. She would do it at such a slow pace that it would take all of my willpower to NOT step in and take over for her. We would sit down around the table, she’d sprinkle some powdered sugar on top and eat together in our pajamas while she stood in the kitchen in her Christmas day/I’m not a morning person haze. I am so grateful I had so many years of this exact routine.

I’ve been on a cinnamon raisin toast kick for the past few months. Problem with this new food obsession is that I am the only one who eats it in my house. I had a whole loaf in the fridge and was thinking about my Mom and her bread pudding so I put this little Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding together and made it for a special weeknight dessert. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread. It’s a great dessert or breakfast for that matter! Scoop with vanilla ice cream for dessert, dust with a little bit of powdered sugar for breakfast. Always serve warm!

In the process, I found out that Cooper is a fan of bread pudding, so that is incredibly exciting for us! Maybe I can start a new tradition with it in my own home?