hope

i thought it fitting

to share our holiday card here

this blog has been such a cathartic space for me

most especially in 2012

thanks and love to each of you...

and hope.

hope for 2013.
....

just seeing that this is my 500th post!
how fitting- looking back, moving forward...

happy list, december

the end of the year got away from me...

many, many good things

a few of which deserve more than a single picture in this round-up, but it will have to do, as it's time to move on...

a collection

of the little things that have made my week

(started here)

...

foolproof

the new pawtucket brewery, started by my high school friend and classmate is up and running. 

and it's goood.

puppy love

these sisters have settled into their new life. 

and they love it.

watching the snowman

with little ones, during a big snowstorm

the sledding

that follows...

simple pleasures. rediscovered through a child's eyes.

hot cocoa

with extra whipped cream. 

it's really the best part of a snow day, right?

nestled, knitting...

remembering our boy

and the year that was his.

...

here's to a happy 2013.

oh christmas tree...

one last christmas post-

tay came for a visit the week between christmas and new year's...

we love decorating cupcakes together

and she wanted to bring something festive home for her family to enjoy

so, we decided on:

christmas trees!

we had a blast and they were ADORABLE!

christmas 2011

a little late-december catch up before officially moving into 2012

...

we hosted christmas here

in providence-

the official christening of our sweet home

and though i didn't manage to snap too many pictures to prove it

the weekend was lovely

our mantle

decorated with handmade gingerbread houses

and fresh cut greens

christmas morning, stocking excitement!

daddio, looking dapper in his new scarf

evening light

and dinner (beef wellington, which i don't have one picture of- boo!)

was topped off with

baked alaska:

(thin flourless chocolate cake, topped with a boule of alternating layers of strawberry and pistachio ice cream, covered in piped swiss meringue and just scorched in a broiling oven)

yumm.o.

family. friends. food.

christmas perfection

...

to you and yours...

signed, sealed, delivered

i simply adore
holiday cards

sending, receiving...
every december day's mail
literally feels like christmas

seeing family and friends
favorite family pictures from the year
printed on beautiful paper
with great graphic design
a little gift in each envelope

ours finally went out today
and i am so pleased with them
each envelope sealed
with a bit of washi tape
....
xoxo

the last of last year

before i officially move into the new year here

i need to play a little catch-up

a share some favorite christmas pictures

...

it really was SUCH a lovely holiday

filled with everything you dream about when you think of christmastime...

*decorating our home*

(with our first christmas tree together!)

*baking*

*crafting*

traditional cloves and orange smell SO good!

*celebrating with friends*

don't you love seeing other people's decorations!?! ...from a friend's xmas-eve eve party

and

*coming home to family*

my niece and nephew showing off their annual mamma-made christmas pjs. too.cute!

the MAC DADDY of all the holiday pictures.
grama reading the night before christmas to evan.
his face?
PRICELESS.

good daddy elf putting together anya's dollhouse the night before

and christmas dinner.
waldo-style
where the food always rocks your world.

oh, and 15" of
*snow*

especially lovely when enjoyed in fleece pants over waffles, smoothies and piping hot coffee.

i hope your holidays were just as memorable!
now, onto 2011!
xoxo

merry, merry!

i hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your families and friends...
be back next week with loads to share.
xoxo

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

one of my MOST favorite

family traditions

is that every year on christmas eve

while eating fondue by the fire

we open one gift.

an ornament

that has to do with something we have done that year...

this was from the year i learned to surf.

(and no, i couldn't hang ten that first year. i still can't... someday?)

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

nellie's favorite treats

my mom always jokes that nellie has more friends than most humans.

it's true... she is one social dog!

she wanted to do something special for all her besties

so this weekend we baked up a batch of treats made from all her favorite things...

organic peanut butter, apples, carrots and cranberries are added to the mix
(nellie begs to lick the bowl, just like a kid!)

they smell good
so best to cut with a bone cookie cutter just for clarification!

here is our recipe:

i picked up these martha stewart gift boxes on sale at jo-ann's
and they are the perfect size for a dozen or so treats
martha makes it so easy- labels, ribbon and parchment squares included!

boxed and ready to be delivered!

make up a batch and let me know what your pooch thinks!

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, throughout the season, of a festive corner of our home...

waiting for the mailman's daily visit

to bring a new batch of cards

from family and friends

is truly one of my very favorite things

during the holidays!

home for the holidays

... a snap a day, through the season, of a festive corner of our home...

(yes, the reindeer's antler was mauled by the cat)