#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

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day {2012}

December 25, 2012 · Narrative

Well hello there! I didn’t plan on taking a break over the last few days, but it ended up being that perfect little thing that was right. What a whirlwind the past few days have been… full of new traditions, old traditions, shouts of glee, kindness for strangers, thoughtfulness, love, and so much, much more.

We are very blessed indeed.

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Santa called! They're on the "nice list!"
Santa called the kids over the weekend, and they were both relieved to find out that they were on the “nice” list. As if there was ever any doubt.

One of our new traditions this year was to go to the 10 pm Christmas Eve mass last night after our big dinner. As I walked into the church, with the adult choir singing before mass even started, we were greeted with smiles from one of the parish priests and the joyful holiday decorations. I felt a giant exhale and knew it was the right place to be at that moment.

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I feel it merits an entire post on its own, but Madeline has become fiercely religious with the start of her new school this past September. Last night, I smiled while watching her try to follow along. And smiled even bigger as she recited the Our Father. I didn’t realize she knew it, and it was just the most adorable thing ever. She caught me looking at her and gave me the biggest grin ever.

And then we had a debate about whether she could or couldn’t get Communion.

I won.

The service ended with Joy to the World, which is my all-time favorite holiday song.

Our Christmas Eve dinner? Regular readers know that we do the Feast of the Seven Fishes (for our Italian background) and thirteen desserts (as is the French tradition). A few days before our meal, I conferred with my mom. I wanted to buck tradition a bit a lot, but only if she agreed. We have done those traditions for as long as I can remember. Well, at least since I’ve been hosting Christmas Eve. Although I love it, I didn’t want to do it if it was a tradition out of a sense of obligation. So this year, we did something different. I made two lasagnas, one more traditional and one that was seafood (recipe coming soon). So a slight nod to our former fish feast, and a huge nod to our Italian background. I made another Zucchini Pie, both because it’s delicious and easy, and because I was determined to replace the picture I originally used in this post. My sister brought an assortment of appetizers, I added garlic bread and my Mom brought dessert (a few, not 13).

And it was perfect.

Because although it’s about the food, it’s also about coming together and being in the moment.

And it so was.

Christmas Day, after the kids opened their presents, we headed to my parents’ house for Round 2. And then from there, Nick and Madeline went to their Dad’s house. Which means that they will be exhausted by the time they get home tonight, poor things.

And even though it’s been four years, I still hate that they have to do that, and we’re not all together.

A few weeks ago, after picking Madeline up from school, she hopped in the car and said, “Mom, did you know that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday?!”

Why yes, yes I did.

And so, one of our new traditions this year was a birthday cake for Jesus. She carefully helped me choose what she wanted me to make, and we scoured many stores to find just the right topping. Of course, by the time it came to have a piece, she ate it as fast as she could to scurry from the table and go play with her cousins.

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But I love that she was so exuberant about this from the get-go.

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One of my favorite things on Christmas Eve is when the fire truck brings Santa around with candy-filled stockings. Of course the kids know that this is Santa’s “helper,” for the real Santa is far too busy.

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When we were at mass, the kids were concerned that Santa wouldn’t deliver presents if they weren’t home. As soon as we got back a little after 11 pm, Nick quickly checked Norad to find out where Santa was. Once he found out he was in Canada, they high-tailed it to bed, willing themselves to fall asleep as fast as possible.

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A super yummy dessert on my Mom’s Christmas table – cannoli chips, with the filling as a dip.

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My Mom’s very gorgeous tree this year.

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Madeline was beyond thrilled to see the Baby Butterscotch Magical Show Pony at her grandparents’ house, which one of the things she wanted most on her list.

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When Madeline opened up a package at home that contained Justin Bieber’s movie, a Bieber backpack, and a poster, her response was “Oh no you didn’t!”

She is too much.

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The kids waiting to be let into the present room at my parents’ house.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Christmas

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    December 25, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    Merry Christmas! So glad you had such a great one. Looks like the kids really enjoyed themselves.
    Sarah Caron recently posted..Raspberry Walnut Buttermilk Bread

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    December 26, 2012 at 9:11 am

    I was excited to hear what you ended up making for Christmas Eve! Sounds like it was a great meal. So glad to see you had such a happy Christmas :)
    Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Broccolini with Tofu, Sesame and Coriander

    Reply
  3. patsy says

    December 26, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Looks like everyone had a fabulous Christmas! I can’t wait to see that seafood lasagna recipe!
    patsy recently posted..Are You Ready for 2013?

    Reply
  4. Meg says

    December 27, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    Oh, looks like so much fun — and the kids are too adorable. Also, the cannoli chips?! Heaven help me, I wouldn’t be able to control myself around those! Happy New Year!
    Meg recently posted..write meg!’s 2012 reading honors

    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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