weekend to do

around the house
play catch-up on laundry
dust and vacuum two weeks of absence
out with the christmas tree
down with the lights

begin "the january cure"


Happy New Year! Welcome 2016. Looking forward... xo

island time

we had a glorious christmas at our little cottage in the woods.























peace. love. joy.

weekend to do

crunch time!

way back machine

I can't imagine what our little neighborhood was like 60 plus years ago. but here's a hint




on ebay

happy hanukkah

on this, the fifth night of the festival of lights.

scenes from the evening

last night...

90 attendees.  youngest 3 months to eldest 87 years.  original owners and a family that moved in a month ago.  all faiths, all political leanings.  together.  sharing food and conversation.  humanity. hope.

weekend to do

*

ice skating with friends
visit with Bella

around the house
holiday lights!
shelving in shed
turkey wildrice soup



*our annual "we're all dressed up so let's get a photo!" photo :)

thankful.

once again john, you're a "damn fine" cook xo

our pie list this year:
pumpkin x 2
chocolate pecan
banana pumpkin
rustic apple
brown sugar cranberry

post-hallowe'en bake

our street is usually hopping hallowe'en - but this year, with the holiday on a saturday, many of our neighbors went to parties and left dark doorways that didn't draw the trick-or-treaters down to us. and so we were left with a bag of mini reese's peanut butter cups. we usually donate candy to the operation gratitude halloween program, but they don't take chocolate. what's a mom to do? ;)

of course I turned to google. and found this. (and this. and this. and this.)

with a bunch of very ripe bananas in the fruit bowl, and feeling that this was at least kind of healthy, I went with the banana bread...





it smelled amazing. looked great. but ended up with mixed reviews. d liked. k didn't. e kinda. they all said they prefer my traditional banana bread. (I'm on a restricted diet right now, so didn't get a chance to try it.) in the end, I was just glad to get the candy out of the house.

ambitious kitchen - peanut butter cup banana bread

Hallowe'en 2015

we had a jam-packed holiday weekend, working the ranch's Haunted "Down the Rabbit Hole" House on Friday...

preparation for Queen of Hearts


Cheshire Cats



and Trick-or-Treating and a big neighborhood party last night!

skeleton


Rainbow Dash


Yabba-Dabba-Boo!


I asked K over the weekend if she ever wished our house around halloween was a little calmer, and we just went out and bought costumes. i got a resounding "no!". so glad they both share my love for this holiday. they helped design and prepare the ranch, and last night's costumes. K was very particular about her costume and how she put it together. (shout out to D for his skills with fabric paint and a glue gun!) and E did all her own make-up both nights.


hope all had a safe - and fun! - Hallowe'en. and hello November!

easter (monday)

such a treat to have today off. technically, it is because today is ceasar chavez day, but it is also easter monday, and i am reminded of the holidays of my own childhood.

we try to keep it simple. baskets filled with a few high quality sweets and something that they'll use. when the girls were little, a small toy or game, but now that they are older, a book, or last year a ceramic mug and this year a sweet monogrammed ring dish. (the bunny brought me the gin truffles!)



yesterday felt springlike and full. quiet time together, very good eating, noisy friend-filled traditions, and time with their horses. perfect.


hope you had a wonderful weekend. xo