2012 TO DO LIST!!!!

I finally sat down and wrote a few things in my notebook. 

Things I'd like to accomplish this year no matter how small or silly they may seem. A couple of them are carried over from last year.

Here is last year's list if you missed it the first time.

It keeps me focused.

This is what I have so far.

1. Chalkboard paint and frame out the bulkhead in the kitchen.

2. Reorganize my Pinterest boards.

3. New curtains in the dining room.

4. New hummingbird feeders.

5. Laundry room renovation

6. iPhoto overhaul. Delete/Albums/Save

7. Empty at least 2 of Iris's "old clothes" containers.

8. Grow some of our own food.

9. Update/Reorganize some blog stuff.

10. Tap the maple trees

Much shorter than last years.
I may add a thing or two, but then again, I may not.
I've got a jump on some of these things.


#2. I've started juggling some things around, deleting some pics, and generally just trying to make it make more sense ...
 to me at least. 
I even added a new board. 
I'm one of those Pinterest users who actually uses it the way it was intended, to remember ideas, recipes, products, fashion, and the occasional visual and verbal inspiration.
I've noticed with it's growing popularity that some people post total nonsense. No one that I follow, just stuff I see on the "Everything" page.
It's just one of my peeves.
Done ranting.


#8. I pulled out my seeds and some containers. We live in the woods but our back deck gets lots of full sun so it's an ideal spot for container gardening. I have a small herb garden in the front yard. G. (who is a stone mason) built it for me some years ago. 
I even called my local Borough Hall to contact the manager of the community gardens in our town.
Danielle and I belonged when we were in our early twenties and it was a blast. We grew some outrageously good tomatoes amongst other stuff.


Here's Nuggie watching Daddy move a small tree that was about to shade out my herb garden.
Don't you just love that sweater. 
It was hand made by her Aunty Allison!

If you look behind her you can see my herb plot.

A little worse for ware at the moment.

#10. Well, I got my supplies so I just have to tap.

That needs to happen soon.

So there it is. As promised.

The 2012 TDL.

What's on your list this year? I'd love to know!

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Nugget and Uncle Richie in the play teepee!

Day 8-9

Thought I'd add a little... challenge to my home practice.

She sure had a good time.

So did I.

Giggling away as I moved through asanas...

I finally made it off the floor.

I was grateful that G was there to snap these shots.

I know when she's all grown up we'll look back at these pictures and giggle together!

Day 2-6.

In case you're just joining me here, I am participating in a 30 day yoga challenge.
I'd be lying if I didn't say, that if I haven't been in a yoga class, I've been doing the bare minimum on my
own.
That. Needs. Work.
I am so grateful to be able to move my body again. It was a slow start, but working through all those crunchy, creaking, cracking bits has been liberating.
Coughing and hunching over for 2 months can really take a toll on your body.
I still have some soreness and tightness in my right ribcage but it gets better everyday.
It's not agonizing to sneeze anymore.
Yay!


My fast begins in just over a week and it's time to start prepping myself (body and mind).
Those chocolate chip cookies need to disappear.
I also want to plan out G and Iris's meals for the week so I don't have to spend too much time cooking things I won't be able to eat.
If you read this blog regularly, you know I love food.
LOVE.
I don't necessarily feel like I have a bad relationship with food but with any relationship, you need to work on it.
Personally, with all that my body has been through these past months, I feel like this is what I need.
I am looking forward to the challenge (and oh what a challenge it will be) and all the benefits that come along with it.


To learn more about this fast and fasting in general please click the  button below.

Valentine's Day & Yoga

Monday night was enjoyed with our bestie Danielle, some good wine and oysters.

Oh oysters, how I love thee!

Danielle whipped up a mean blood orange mignonette.

Then, her and nugget snuggled on the floor.

And yes, that is Christopher Walken on her shirt.

Tuesday, I whipped up a batch of cookies for my darling husband who had been requesting cookies for some time.

Recipe from here.

And dinner. Oh the dinner!

 More oysters. 

Why not?

This is the meal that won my heart so many years ago.

G.'s famous homemade Caesar Dressing, Filet au poire with Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce, and Roasted Beets!

To. Die. For.

It was also Day 1 of my 30 day Yoga Challenge. Oh what a day to start but I did my 10 minutes.

Admittedly, my mind was more on shucking those oysters and cracking some champagne than on sun salutations.

Today, I will also be practicing at home but will definitely be getting my head in the game.

Two more weeks until my fast begins so this will surely be the last decedent meal for a while.

It was a special occasion after all!

Random Things.

So much going on. Mostly in my head.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. But that doesn't interest me. 

What does interest me is the 30 day Yoga Challenge I'm starting tomorrow.

Yoga everyday, in some form, for 30 days straight.

This coincides nicely with a 10 day fast I'll be participating in the first 2 weeks of March.

(See sidebar button to learn more.)

Don't worry. I'll keep you with me every step of the way.

My personal renovation is in full effect.

I'm still working on that 2012 To Do List as well.

I think this year's will be much shorter than last year's.

It will go nicely with my newly adopted mantra...

Simply. Slowly. Gently.

Just a few home projects and maybe a goal or two.

I still haven't shared with you my latest completed project from the 2011 list.

I'll give you a hint. 

You can sit on it.

Did you guess?!

All will be revealed in time!

Working on a few sewing projects as well.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. 

Well for the sake of some eye candy... here ya go...

It's an oldie but a goodie.

Namaste.

Florida.

I'm gonna keep this one simple.

Please enjoy this photo journal of our trip to Florida.

Struttin' her stuff by the pool.

Pedicure. It had only been 6 years since my last one.

Still admiring my toes.

Bubbles.

Nick and Johnnie's Palm Beach.

Nugget,  Aunt Nicole and Grandmom

Palm Beaching.

Time to feed the Kitty!

Unpacking.

More unpacking.

That about wraps it up.

Please.

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100.

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Poppop and Nugget getting ready to feed KittyKat.

Ok, I'm going to break rules...again...and say a few words.

This is my 100th post.

If you're reading this now I want to thank you for visiting.

I've never been one to write in a 

journal or diary(paper that is). 

It just seemed strange (to me) to write something to no one.

I know a lot of people who do journal and I think it is a wonderful and therapeutic practice (just not for me).

I love blogging because it allows me to journal our day to day while sharing it with family, friends and even strangers. 

In the same breath, being a blog reader has helped me through many situations and feelings. 

It helps to know that we're not alone in this journey. 

So, I would also like to thank all those blog writers out there.

To wrap it up, I have learned a lot about myself, being a mama and about how to make those things flow a bit easier in my journey through writing this blog.

Thank you and Happy 100th to me!

Another Quick Update.

Sorry for the sorry excuse for a post. 

But I love having readers and I'd like to keep you reading. 

We made it home from Florida safely and without incident save for a short wait on the tarmac on the flight home due to a security breech in our terminal at Newark (some guy decided to rip his shirt off and run through security...that's the rumor anyway). 

Iris barfed a few times while still in Florida and once when we got home. She manage to hose down Grandma's car, Grandma and Daddy in three days time.
THANK GOD she didn't puke on the plane! 
In fact, she was perfect on the plane.
She just snuggled in her carrier as I showered 
her with kisses and songs.

My feeling is at this point...ear infection. 

We're headed to the doc this afternoon to confirm. 

With that and the unpacking I will have fresh and full posts for you on Monday. 


In the meantime, please enjoy this photo.

Iris, Aunt Nicole and Grandmom.