#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

We are Jersey Strong

November 4, 2012 · Narrative

Advance apologies if this post is a bit all over the place, but that’s kind of how my mind has been lately. I tried to corral the thoughts as best as I could. 

When Hurricane Irene struck last year, we had less time to prepare. And didn’t know exactly how bad it was going to be.

This time, with Hurricane Sandy, we knew differently. We knew it was coming, exactly when it would hit and where, and that it was going to be bad. Really bad.

We had a solid four days to prepare. Really prepare. The days leading up to it were eerie. People going through the motions of collecting necessary supplies. Schools closing before the hurricane even started. We were sitting ducks in the worst possible way.

Knowing it was coming, and just waiting.

There was no ambivalence. It wasn’t a case of weather forecasters downplaying its significance. They weren’t disagreeing. Saying all different things. They were united in one message.

Prepare for it.

js - 6

The hurricane couldn’t have been tracked more precisely. It was said to hit New Jersey land at 6 pm. At 6:01 pm, it struck. We heard the wind start to howl outside. Trees shake. Rain. At 7 pm, we lost our power.

I had prayed we could just make it to bedtime with power, sleep through it, and begin the steps to restore the next day.

We were prepared but we weren’t ready for all that was to unfold.

As I laid down with my kids that Monday night, in the center of our living room (the safest place in the house, away from trees that might fall on it), I tried to sleep.

Hell, I’ve been trying to sleep ever since. I haven’t slept since last Sunday. I don’t think I’m even running on fumes any more.

As I tried to reassure the kids that night, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. They said the worst of the storm would last for six hours. I watched the clock resolutely, counting down. Five more hours to go. Four more hours to go. Three… They were scared. I tried to be strong for them. I do believe that was the scariest thing I’ve ever gone through. At the very least as a mom.

Or at least in the top three for sure.

The next morning, we peeked outside. Luckily, this time, we were spared flooding. Oh how we prepared for flooding, especially after Hurricane Irene.

Thank God we received far less rain this time.

But the damage?

Heartbreaking.

js - 1

Traffic lights out (and still out). The air outside thick with silence. Heavy. As we were told to stay indoors. Stay off the roads.

Down wires and trees everywhere. Roads impassable. You (still) need to know sixteen different ways to get to where you’re going because there are so many roads closed. I still can’t make a left to go out of our town, seven days later.

js - 2

js - 5

We ventured out to meet up with friends at a diner for a warm meal. An hour wait. But friends that got there before us, and waited in line.

We sat glued to the news station that was on in the background. (The diner two towns over was one of only a handful of establishments that hadn’t lost power)

The next day we were at the mall, where rumor quickly spread that they had power.

Lunch at Red Robin. Where out of the entire staff, only one employee had power. They had called in all their resources to handle the overflowing crowd. Apologized for the 90 minute wait.

We didn’t care. Heat and warm food awaited us. I told them I would work for them.

…

Read More

October 2012 in Instagram

November 3, 2012 · Narrative

October 2012 in Instagram

You can see September 2012 in Instagram right here, and you can follow me on Instagram for daily photos (I’m cateomalley on Instagram).

We still don’t have power. Currently Day Six. The devastation, particularly along the shores of New Jersey, is heartbreaking. Although we still do not have power (and it’s projected to remain that way for another few days at least), we are certainly amongst the lucky ones. When we’re back in full force, I have many wonderful stories to share of how people have really come together. In the meantime, we’re knee-deep into gas rationing, relying on friends for hot meals, and sleeping on the floor of my office, which thankfully had its power restored two days ago.

I won’t be back regularly here until power returns, so updates will be spotty in the meantime.

Hugs to you all, especially my fellow East Coasters dealing with the after effects of Hurricane Sandy. xoxo

Checking in – Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

October 31, 2012 · Narrative

hurricanesandy
Just a quick post to check in so you don’t worry about us. We’re on Day Three of no power, but we are ok. Power might not come back until Monday, so it might be next week before you hear from us again. If you were affected by Hurricane Sandy as well, our thoughts are with you. Be safe. xoxo

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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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