christmas.

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for the first time ever, we had a white christmas!

it started snowing mid-day christmas day and didn't let up until the next day.

it was a soft, powdery, beautiful snow, the kind that makes good snow cream.

thankfully, it didn't hinder any travel plans and we were able to make it to and from our families.

i hope this snow is a sign of what the rest of the winter brings.

i. l.o.v.e. s.n.o.w.

cookies

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these cookies should be made in every household during Christmas.

they are delightful little wonders and are easy to make.

i whipped them up in a matter of 15 minutes and had them in the oven.

they are oatmeal crispies.

recipe taken from here.

make them.  i'm sure they will become a holiday favorite!

the winter sky

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sometimes winter sunsets can be just spectacular!

i see this quite often crossing over lake bowen.

on quiet, cold days the water looks like glass reflecting the horizon.

a perfect end to my days.



let the countdown begin

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less than a week away and santa will be here!

i'm excited!  how about you?

i still have a few more small gifts to buy but i'm pretty much ready.



the woman knows

that martha stewart sure knows a thing or two about cooking.

tomorrow at work we are having a goodie day where everyone brings their favorite treat.

and we graze alll day.

i'm known as the chef at work so everyone expects a bit more out of me than cheese cubes and crackers.

so this year i'm taking a chocolate poundcake with peanut butter glaze.

mmmm.....

it turned out so well!

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recipe can be found here.

i suggest you try this.

it's not too rich and the peanut butter drizzled on top adds just the right amount of umph.



bouchon

this past weekend was spent with a few of our good buddies.

we spent some time taking photos and munching on new food.

we had dinner at this fabulous french place on broadway in asheville, nc.

bouchon.

it was your traditional french menu.

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wonderful french bread and butter.

the atmosphere was very cozy, especially with the rain outside.

a nice glass of cote du rhone to top off the evening.

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their boeuf bourguignon was to die for. so rich and meaty.

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and the pommes frites with housemade mayonaise. unbelievable!
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i cannot wait to go back and sip wine and relax.

my wish list

i'm getting into the spirit of Christmas.

so here's my wishlist.

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picnic blanket

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lovely little bracelet

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simple garden markers

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whimsy bird nest

all above items from shoppterrain.com.

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these boots from frye.

love them!

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this cute photo album from anthropologie.

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mortar and pestle from sur la table.

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a white farmhouse with beautiful gardens.

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and last but not least...

plane tickets to ireland.

is that too much to ask for?

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homemade goodies

the craft bug bit me this past weekend.  i spent hours shopping around hobby lobby, husband in tow.

he was insanely bored.  poor guy.

but to me it was all worth it.

i bought miniature snowmen, snowy trees, a lovely fawn, fake snow, tiny tinsel ribbon, and a few glass domes and wooden bases.

i worked my magic and voila!

sweet christmas scenes!

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the supplies

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and the outcome!

today

i've been holed up feeling rather puney today.

it's raining. it's cold.

it's foggy.

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perfect day for movies and projects while sniffling.

so far i have created a topper for our tree.

i wanted something more than a star or an angel up top

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i used a wreath that had a few sprigs bursting out the side of it.

along with some white birds, feathers and glittery things.

i think it turned out rather nicely.

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next up i made hair decorations!

just a plain, cheap headband and attached some feathers to that.
so chic!

and also a little clip for my hair since i had a few feathers left over.

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mr. owl is proudly sporting the feather get-up.

and the rest of the day was spent lounging.

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oh yeah, i got an early Christmas present.

a new lens.

35mm f1.8

it's amazing!

thanks santa!!



back into the swing of things

after enjoying a 3 day hiatus from work for thanksgiving,

it's now time to get back to the daily grind.  ugggg!

but at least it's only a few weeks until Christmas! 

and i will get nearly two weeks off!

i hope everyone has a lovely thanksgiving!

i spent time with friends and family, ate lots of yummy things,

and smiled and laughed until my cheeks hurt.

the hubs and i put up our tree.  it's the first real one we have had together.

i love getting a whiff of pine every once in a while.

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tom

so after much debate and angst, we are taking the little kitty to have his "marbles" wacked off!

last weekend was supposed to be tom tom's last in our house.  the hubs was going to take him to the humane society.  but he decided to get all teary-eyed on me, so we compromised.  we're getting him neutered and if that doesn't calm him down, he's gone.  i seriously have been stressed to the max because of all the terror this little guy has caused.  let's hope for the best!

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the last day

my time in the city was spectacular!  i didn't want it to end.  i wish i could spend more time wondering the streets of nyc and discovering tasty places to eat, little nooks to people watch in and just soak up the hustle and bustle of it all.

but, of course, all good things must come to an end.  and my last day was nothing short of wonderful.

we hit the pavement and headed to the southstreet seaport and walked down to the staten island ferry.

it's a free half hour ride that takes you to staten island and then back, and you pass by the statue of liberty. 

lots of photo opps!

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we strolled around pier 17 and some of the little shops.  such a quaint, historic area.

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we ended our day sipping coffee and chatting over yummy desserts at cafe lalo!

this charming cafe in the upper west side is from the movie "you've got mail."

it is at the top of my list of favorite movies of all time and i was excited to be able to relax while enjoying my first cannolli and a slice of irish creme cheesecake.  there were seriously too many things to choose from.

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we ended our day by getting dolled up for a girls night out.

i was able to meet one of her girl friends from astoria.

we had a glass of wine at her place and then headed out to a trendy place called

locale.

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my drink, the smooch.

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and this is the lovely steff!

so glad to meet you and make a new friend!

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it was a memorable trip and i hope to go back soon and bring the hubs along too!