#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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Food and Life

Christmas List 2009

December 15, 2009 · Narrative

Christmas List 2009

Ever since Nick learned how to write, I have saved his Christmas lists.  Beyond just seeing how his handwriting has changed over the years, it’s fun to look back and see how his tastes and interests have changed from year to year as well.  This year, it took him seemingly forever to make his list.  He’s not the type of kid to rattle off a hundred things he thinks he needs.  He never has been.  He is very careful about putting together his list, thinking long and hard about what he wants, and going through catalogs for inspiration. Even though he might drag me in front of the tv to see the occasional toy commercial geared towards kids, I have lectured long and hard about needs versus wants, and it’s a message that seems to sink in with him. Although, of course, sometimes when you’re seven years old a DS game is a need.

So, this years’ list.  I can’t tell you how much it touches my heart that he, on his own, includes his sister (and this year, me) on his Christmas list.  He sat and thought about what Madeline might want or need.  One of her new words in recent weeks is “tights,” and she routinely decides every morning whether it will be socks or tights.  And let me assure you, what she decides goes, and there are no two ways about it.  He added cars because the two of them love zipping little cars around the floor when I’m getting dinner together.  Of course, that’s going on in the kitchen.  Under my feet.  And through my legs.  When I’m trying to cook.  But that notwithstanding, it’s something they’ve been having fun doing lately.  And the books for her?  That just goes without saying.  Story time is big in our house, with several books being read nightly.  Nick sometimes takes the leads and reads Madeline her stories, and I love that.  She loves it because it’s her big brother and she can usually push him for one more … one more … one more book.  I love it because it’s a great way for him to practice reading, and learn even more new words.

As for the presents he thinks I need … I love that if he can’t spell a word yet, he spells it phonetically.  You still instantly know the intention.  That’s how I knew the first word was magazines.  And sneakers.  I lost my pair in the move back in August (don’t ask me how we have a little list of “lost” items when the move was in the same neighborhood!).  I did without them for months because I knew they just had to turn up in a box eventually.  Right?  Yeah, not so much.  I eventually gave up last month and bought another pair, but I don’t think he’s noticed.  I love that he remembered something important to me was missing.

I have, surprisingly, finished 90% of my Christmas shopping, and had as of a week or so ago.  For some reason, this year, I’m more organized than ever.   I think it’s because knowing I have only myself to rely on to get everything done, I had to be more organized.  Whatever the reason, I’ll take it.  I love the feeling that I’m ahead of the game and can actually relax and enjoy the holidays.  It’s feeling very Zen and it’s certainly something I can get used to.

Christmas List 2008

Christmas List 2006

I know somewhere in the depths of the Sweetnicks’ archives, I have posts with Nick’s 2007 and 2005 Christmas lists, but now, for the life of me, I can’t find them.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. patsy says

    December 15, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    What a sweet list he made! Enjoy your “zen” holiday this year… it’s nice to have everything done ahead of time and not worry about all the errands that still need to be done.

    Reply
  2. Debbie says

    December 16, 2009 at 8:17 am

    So cute! I love his list! My youngest is 10 and all I’m hearing about are video games. We bought him two and that’s it. There is more to life than video games!!!

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    December 16, 2009 at 9:23 am

    I love that you keep the lists and that his are so conscientious. You have raised one very good child.

    Reply
  4. Ramona says

    December 16, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Nick is a great kid. I’ve told you before how I love that he spends time with Madie.

    Cute post.

    Reply
  5. Barbara says

    December 16, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    What a sweet boy you have to think of things both his mother and sister want and need. Love cookbooks on your column, Cate. Can’t fool him!
    I like to see books on all the lists. So important.
    Mine are all grown up and their lists are slightly more involved. ;) I’m through shopping too and am now planning meals for 10 days!
    Happy Christmas, Cate.

    Reply
  6. mandy says

    December 17, 2009 at 12:17 am

    That is so sweet and thoughtful he included you and his sister on his Christmas list. Its quite touching that he puts so much effort into compiling his list.

    Reply
  7. Shannon says

    December 18, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    you’re raising some amazing kids!! so touching :)

    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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