#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

The Christmas Flu

December 18, 2008 · Narrative

MadelineEvery year, every December, without fail, I get sick.  Last year, I managed to escape with just a cold.  Usually it’s more like the walking dead … you know the kind … in bed, covers pulled up, lights out, full do not disturb mode.  Yesterday it hit.  The small meal I just had for dinner was the first time I have eaten since yesterday morning.  It was that bad.  But now, thankfully, I am starting to feel a little more human again.  At the very least, I’m sitting upright in a lit room without holding my head.

It’s always the week before Christmas, when I need to be at my absolute best, because there’s still so much left to do.  I still have Christmas cards to get in the mail (although I do have all the pieces done), cookies to bake (now slated for Sunday), a Christmas Eve menu to decide and … yikes … Christmas shopping left to finish!

Last weekend, we took the kids (and dog!) to go get the annual Christmas picture taken.  After spending about half an hour with the photographer, I was completely convinced that we would not be getting any usable shots.  When he saw Eli (the dog), he asked if he was going to be in the picture (um, yeah, we usually just wander around the store with our 120+ dog).  Then he wanted to know if Eli’s fur was real.  The Husband and I just looked at each other.  He followed that up by asking everyone’s names … twice, and what picture combinations I wanted … twice.  And then he wanted to know if I had any ideas for what I wanted him to do.  Seriously.  Folks, common sense just ain’t so common anymore.

Since it was one of those while-you-wait places, we killed some time by visiting with Santa and then headed back to check out the pictures.  Surprisingly enough, he actually took 5 very good pictures, so no more judging a photographer by his conversation or retention skills, or lack thereof.

And that picture up there of Madeline?  I took that right before he told me that I couldn’t take pictures inside their studio.  Yeah, sure.  If he had been taking pictures of the kids at that time, I would completely understand.  Not so much when he hadn’t even set up or unpacked his camera.  Must’ve been afraid I’d get a better shot and wouldn’t want his.  Puh-leeze.

So … back to cookies.  Nicholas and I are going to be spending the entire day Sunday baking cookies for assorted cookie trays and gifts.  I think the plan is to make 5 different recipes total, and then we’ll divvy them all up for assorted bags and platters.  I know we’re definitely making Mexican Wedding Cookies and a Cinnamon-Nut Spice Cookie that is still my favorite cookie thus far, but what else?  I need help and inspiration.  Help a poor girl out!

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Darius T. Williams says

    December 19, 2008 at 12:25 am

    Inspiration…heck, I need some too – lol.

    Reply
  2. Patsy Kreitman says

    December 19, 2008 at 11:45 pm

    how about jam thumbprints, snickerdoodles, gingerbread men, peppermint bark (no baking required!), peanut butter suprises, peanut butter kisses… just to name a few ideas! ;)

    Reply
  3. claire says

    December 20, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    I hope we get to see a finished product of these pictures! Sick time is no fun…I know I was just praying that I wouldn’t get sick last week during our Christmas program…I don’t think a sick Mary would have been very good!
    You could do some fudge or those peanut butter balls you’ve done before. Molasses cookies always seem to make my family happy. I also think that the peanut butter cup cookies/tassies are good…and who wouldn’t like a Nicholas-decorated sugar cookie!

    claires last blog post..Tagged – edited

    Reply
  4. Kristen says

    December 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    I’m glad to hear you are feeling better, Cate!
    Those picture places stress me out… I hire them to know what to do and to have the ideas. Grrrrr.

    Kristens last blog post..We Are Having a….

    Reply
  5. Nate says

    December 25, 2008 at 3:55 am

    I’ve not really seen a photographer who is good with kids at places like those.

    Glad you’re feeling better. Merry Christmas to all!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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