#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

In Which I Turn 43

July 31, 2013 · Narrative

UntitledThis morning, as I peeked my head into the kids’ rooms before leaving for work, Madeline cracked one eye open and motioned me over to her bed. She sat up and threw her little arms around my neck.

“Happy Birthday, Mama!”

Oh thank you! I was so impressed she remembered on her own, from one day to the next, because, you know, five year old minds. All.over.the.place.

Last night, as I was brushing my teeth and she was stalling on bed time, she asked how old I was.

“I know! 22!”

I laughed and said no.

“22 is young right? You look young. You look great. Whatever old you are.”

22, or some anniversary of it, works too.

This morning, Madeline presented me with her jewelry box, the top of which she had handwritten a note to me. Inside was another note, a bracelet (courtesy of her grandmother’s shopping), three single dollar bills, and a handful of coins.

All for me.

Untitled

At first, she wouldn’t hear of me not accepting the money. Or her jewelry box. But we settled on the note, the coins, and the bracelet. And luckily she was ok with that. She is a child who would give you the clothes on her back. She has such a huge heart, and it’s on display each and every day.

Nick also gave me a bracelet and a card as well. They did extra chores today without me asking, planned a take-out order of dinner, and went to bed without fussing. Perfection.

So much has happened in the last year.

And sometimes, nothing happened and so much is the same.

Good stuff, bad stuff, and everything in between stuff. And when there is a birthday or holiday or new year or just an ordinary Wednesday, it’s always good to sit back, close your eyes for a minute and just reflect. Reflect on it all. Where you are, where you’ve been, where you’re going, and where you want to be going.

The past twelve months have been pretty darn good to us. Sure, there are things I’d change, or refine, but the bottom line? Life is pretty wonderful.

I had paragraphs and paragraphs of other stuff written here originally, but I scrapped it all. It’s good to go back to basics. This past year has been much of continuing to focus on positivity and keeping the door closed to toxicity. Which, I do believe, is the key to happiness. Choose joy, always.

I am the luckiest because I get to wake up with these two little faces every day who call me Mom. Who rely on me. Who need me. Who want me. Who love me. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Add to that a fantastic little village of family and friends, and, well, life is grand.

In short, 42 has been a pretty amazing ride. I like the place I’m in. And, most of all? I love the people I share it with.

And when you have that? Everything else is just a bonus.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    August 1, 2013 at 6:27 am

    I’m so glad to hear you had such a fabulous day! You deserve ALL the happiness!!
    Joanne recently posted..Speculoos Cookies {the leftovers club}

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      Thank you, chica! Glad you got your IG fixed – I was missing your pics!

      Reply
  2. debbie says

    August 1, 2013 at 8:30 am

    Happy Birthday to you! Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
    debbie recently posted..Change the channel please!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:23 pm

      Thanks, Debbie, it was.

      Reply
  3. Jenna says

    August 1, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Happy birthday!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:23 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    August 1, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Happy Birthday! I am 43 too. I think my forties have been fabulous so far. Something about being at an age where you can be content with the good, the bad and everything in between.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Thank you! I love the way you put that … and I’d also like to think we’re way wiser!

      Reply
  5. Meg says

    August 1, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Hope you had a wonderful day!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Thank you, I did!

      Reply
  6. Shannon says

    August 1, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    happy happy birthday!! sounds like a wonderful day, indeed. here’s to another fabulous year :)
    Shannon recently posted..Stuffed

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Hear hear!

      Reply
  7. Mandi says

    August 1, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    Happy Birthday Cate! Sounds like a special day with two very special kids.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      August 1, 2013 at 11:25 pm

      Thanks, Mandi, I’m a very lucky girl, no doubt.

      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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