#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

Countdown to Thanksgiving

November 23, 2010 · Narrative

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Some bloggers start writing about Thanksgiving recipes weeks before.

I am not one of those bloggers.  Have you noticed?

I’m just not that organized.  Not ahead of time.  It comes from being a long-term sufferer of FlyByTheSeatOfMyPantsitis I believe.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Although I know exactly what our menu is, when it comes to giving you ideas ahead of time, well, you’ll just have to forgive my shortcomings.

But today is Monday, and I can give you a few suggestions in case you have a few gaps on your menu.  And I can give you a centerpiece idea.  A placecard idea or two.  And even a craft idea.  That’s good, right?  I’m going to picture you nodding your head vehemently in agreement, so here we go.

Our Thanksgiving menu over the years has remained largely unchanged, and I love it that way.  It has slowly evolved into a menu that features family favorites, old stand-bys and good old-fashioned comfort food.  It’s a menu I truly look forward to every year.  I make so many new recipes, that it’s nice to count on old favorites this time of year.

Spinach Cheese Squares

Appetizers:
Spinach Cheese Squares, Cheese Delights and Sausage Cheese Balls are all part of our starting line-up, along with a Brown Sugar Almond Brie.  The Spinach Cheese Squares and Cheese Delights are recipes that my Mom made for us growing up, and they never fail to disappoint.  I love that our kids (mine and my sister’s) are eating things that we ate as kids ourselves.  The recipes are easy, and delicious and take just a few minutes of prep, exactly what you need on the big day.

Sides:
The appetizers and side dishes on the Thanksgiving table are always my favorite parts.  We have Cranberry Conserve (if you like cranberries, you’ll love this one, and if you don’t, I can almost guarantee it will make you a convert), Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Broccoli Salad and, of course, stuffing.  I’m a fan of an Emeril version, though I leave the oysters out when making it for my family.

Dessert:
This year, we’re going with cute cupcakes for the kids, pumpkin pie from Costco (the best bargain for $5.99 and delish) and a Caramel Walnut Cheesecake (from one of the kids’ recent fundraisers), so dessert is uber-simple.  An old favorite, if you need a suggestion, is Paula Deen’s Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle, one of her few recipes that don’t contain a stick of butter or cup of mayo.  It looks so pretty in a clear glass trifle dish and is perfect for both kids and adults alike.  I just may make it over the weekend to get our trifle fix on, since it’s not hitting the holiday table.

Oh right.  The turkey.  The Overnight Turkey was one of The Ex’s specialties and I do miss waking up Thanksgiving morning to the smell of roast turkey.  If I had the energy, I would do it myself, since it’s something we had for some 12 years running, but I don’t, and as much as I loved it, I think it’s a tradition best left in the past.

Gratitude Tree

Centerpieces:
I started this gratitude tree last year, and we’re bringing it back this year, with each family member adding a leaf to the tree, sharing what they are grateful for.

Placecards:
An easy way to bring a little bit of formality to Thanksgiving.  Just a little.  I”m using the ones I made last year, but there is also this alternate version that I did for a recent Disney article.

Playdoh Turkey

Crafts:
When Nick was much younger (just looked up the date when I grabbed the picture, he was 4), one Thankgiving my Mom pulled out the play-doh and together they made little play-doh turkeys.  Too cute, and a low-stress way to keep the littles entertained while you’re putting the finishing touches on your feast.

Etiquette … before I forget, allow a slightly related vent.  With this being the holiday season and all, party invitations are likely to start coming your way.  When people are kind enough to invite you over for a get-together, be it large or small, please RSVP.  RSVP means respond.  It’s ok if it’s a no.  Be honest if it’s a maybe.  And yay if it’s a yes.  But respond.  Would you believe I had a get-together this weekend with over 100 people that didn’t even bother to respond maybe, yes or no?

Project 365
November 22, 2010, Photos #228, 229, 230, 231 and 232

Caramel Brulee Frappuccino

Starbucks has unleashed a new flavor in their Frappuccino line-up – Caramel Brulee. I think it just may have replaced my stand-by of Mocha Frappuccino, and my Spring favorite of Honey Frappuccino. I meant to take a picture when there was, you know, a drink still left, but I had a sip to taste it, and before I knew it, it was gone.

Super Shopper

This little monster (and yes, today her and her big brother were little monsters) is a super shopper. Before you know it, there are new hats on her head (complete with gloves still attached), a too-small jacket on her little body and a $1 basket filled with little goodies that she has picked up along the way. Not to mention everything she has tossed into the cart when I wasn’t looking.

Mixer Ornament

Our house rule is a steadfast “one holiday at a time,” but I couldn’t help but peek to see if Target had any new food ornaments for our special kitchen tree. And they do.

Toaster Ornament

Popcorn Ornament

Cranberry Broccoli Salad

December 29, 2009 · Narrative

Cranberry Broccoli Salad

So now is about the time that we push ourselves away from the guilty eating of the holidays and start clearing the path to shiny new food resolutions for the new year, right?  Even though it’s the dead of winter, salad recipes start to appear and we begin to think about eating lighter, better, different.  And why not?  A new year signals a fresh start, a clean slate and endless possibilities to a new and improved us.

If you’re heading towards salads and lighter eating, this one might not be the one to necessarily start with because of its bacon and mayo, but it’s still a winner and worth making again and again nonetheless.  I got it a four or five years ago from the Cooking Light Bulletin Board, and it’s made a regular appearance at our Thanksgiving table ever since.  No doubt because I always have cranberries leftover from making the Cranberry Conserve.  Thanksgiving aside, I make this salad many times during the year as well … it’s too good not to.  Why banish it to just the holiday table?

When Nick was a few years younger, he used to eat this one.  Now, not so much, so I usually reserve it for when we have company over.  Company or not, Thanksgiving or not, it’s a quick recipe full of crunch and sweet, and a perfect way to get your daily vegetable servings present and accounted for. …

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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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