Gift Guide: Coffee Table Books

December 29, 2015 1 Comment

Well – hello! We are back online with plenty of good content ahead. I owe a hug debt of gratitude to my web designer Chris Carvache over at New Leaf Web Solutions for working double time this holiday season to get me up and running again. If you have tech issues or need a website designed… read more

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Merry Merry!

December 26, 2015 1 Comment

  We’ve been in a major tech snafu over here. The writing of this blog is the easy part – but keeping it up and running is the tough part! That being said I have chosen to see the shutting down of my host GoDaddy as a message from the universe to take some time… read more

Category: Opinion Add Comment

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers for Her

December 17, 2015 1 Comment

I’m feeling a little behind over here on the Christmas front. With just 8 days to go until the big day I am busy scouring the internet for something special for each person on my list. We are hug fans of stockings in our home and that’s often where I receive my favorite gifts. The… read more

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Farewell: John Anthony Pless Jr.

December 15, 2015 9 Comments

  My father-in-law passed away last Monday. He was a good man. A man who lived through some incredible and incredibly tough times. He loved life and his family fiercely. His health had been up and down for years but each time we almost lost him, he came back from the brink – making us… read more

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Read: In The Shadow Of The Banyan

December 7, 2015 Leave a Comment

I was a little late to the game on this one. In the Shadow of the Banyan, by Vaddey Ratner, was an international best-seller back in 2012. I found it amongst the books left behind by the previous owners of our home and recalled hearing it was excellent. Excellent is an understatement. This book twisted my… read more

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Inspiration In Between

December 4, 2015 1 Comment

It’s that moment. Right between Thanksgiving and Christmas we find ourselves in between. It’s not quite parka weather but there’s a chill in the air and a leaning towards cozying up by the fire. I’ve been layering up for cold mornings and warmer afternoons. Craving pie, warm drinks, and red wine. Here’s some inspiration for… read more

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Great Movie: Spy

December 1, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s the holidays people. Sadly that can mean some serious stress. The gifting, the cooking, the travel, the mess… I find that a good laugh is often the best remedy for all the mayhem and emotions that boil to the surface between Thanksgiving and Christmas. After a friend recommended my husband and I watch Spy,… read more

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Great Places: Jones Family Farms

November 30, 2015 Leave a Comment

You asked for it – so I am delivering. Every year I have at least a handful of readers who ask me where they can go to cut down their own Christmas tree. This past weekend we headed to the Jones Family Farms to chop down a beautiful Douglas Fir. It’s an understatement to say… read more

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Holiday Cooking: Spiced Nuts

November 25, 2015 1 Comment

This recipe is an adaptation of one created by the fabulous Ina Garten. I’ve added thyme and chose to use a variety of nuts instead of just cashews. It’s perfect for serving at holiday cocktail parties, and also makes a great gift for teachers or friends. Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted cashew nuts 1 cup unsalted walnuts 1… read more

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Dear John: A Letter to My Son on His Birthday

November 22, 2015 6 Comments

To my little prince, It’s hard to believe you came into our lives 1 year ago. At times it feels like I have known you a lifetime and at others it seems you just arrived. Having a son – where to even begin? People warned me it would be different but before you were here I… read more

Category: Opinion/ Parenting Add Comment