The Goings On Around Here

Good Sunday Afternoon Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying this rainy (???) winter day. I know some people don't believe that global warming is going to be an issue in our lifetime... but when I wake up to rain and 6 degree weather on January 13th... makes you wonder. ANYWAY, something about the rainy weather makes me want to clean and bake, so I did just that today. I cleaned the house and tried a new bread-like focaccia recipe that is currently in the oven and looks delicious. The recipe is found here, and here is a picture of it before it went in the over. 

Despite the rainy weather, I took E skating for his FIRST TIME EVER last night and we had the best time. Needless to say, we went to an indoor rink, but it was lovely nonetheless.

A little unsure 

It's hard to believe that he has lived in Canada for 7 years and has never been skating. But, it was time. I guess the feeling of being on ice comes naturally to me because I was in skates as soon as I could walk... but it definitely didn't for him. My stomach still hurts from laughing so hard. We had the best time though, and celebrated by going to our favorite restaurant Dolcetto and Co. in old Montreal.

Mama H is doing well, Baby & T are healthy and growing and we are... happy. Here are some pictures of what we have been upto lately. 

L turned 4... while Baby enjoyed the cake

I'm sitting here listening to the rain while the smell of focaccia fills the air. No better way to spend a Sunday. Well, I'm off... I have some 'Girls' to catch up on before tonight's premiere. Wishing you all a happy end to your weekend. 

With Love,

S

January 1st Is The First Blank Page Of A 365 Page Book. Write A Good One.

Good evening every one and Happy New Year!

First off, we hope that everyone had a great holiday season and an even better start to 2013. Our New Year's Ever was... perfect. Perfect because we got to spend it all together, and because we all managed to stay up until midnight. Even Mama H!

We may not have made it into the big city to watch the ball drop, or attended a wile house party, but we did throw quite the party in our little home in Hackensack. We played games, drank champagne, counted down from ten and watched the fireworks and the glow coming from the city. It was so magical, that I had tears in my eyes as we shouted 'Happy New Year' to fellow neighbors out on their balconies watching the sky light up with us. 

And what are my new year's resolutions? I have none. That's right. I don't promise to lose weight, or go to the gym every day. I don't promise to shop less or stop swearing. For the first time, I will not make any resolutions... because resolutions never last. 

I happen to love enjoying a nice dinner with my family, and a couple glasses of wine with E. I don't love the gym and, even though I go, I don't want to feel guilty about missing a day to hang out with my sisters. And you know what? Sometimes, no polite adjective or verb can explain how you feel and you just have to give in to your inner sailor (sorry Mama). So, instead, I will continue to do what I've attempted to do for the past little while. I will try and be a better daughter, a better sister, a better girlfriend, a better friend... a better person. 

I will continue to try my best to balance spending time with my family, and being a successful business woman. Balance pizza and wine with yogurt and granola. Yoga and jogging. Ying and Yang. There will be setbacks, but there will also be productivity. Of course, I always strive to be more organized, more efficient, and healthier. But resolutions imply deadlines, and I don't want deadlines. Improving oneself is an ongoing process; there is no start and end date. This upcoming year will bring many challenges but, I also have a sister who is engaged and a sister expecting a baby. Soon, we will have a new brother in-law and a niece or nephew who we can spoil and shower with love. Life seems to be that way; you can't have joy without a little sadness. But, until then, I will enjoy my family and do my best to become a better me. 

Today, we made a trip down to the Jersey Shore for a walk along the boardwalk.

 Despite getting lost at first (my fault) we had a great day. We walked along the water, felt the sea breeze, and just enjoyed the day together. 

It was an absolutely perfect day which ended with a nice dinner and a few games of cards. E and I head back home tomorrow and, despite the good time we have had, I leave with much sadness. It is never easy leaving my parents; my heart aches as I hug and kiss them goodbye and I usually spend the first 30 minutes of the drive debating turning back. The day that they come home could not come soon enough. Our family is not complete without them. However, I do not want to sound unappreciative for the time we have spent together... because, believe me, I cherish these times more than anything. But that doesn't make leaving any easier. So, until next time, think about what you would like to do with your 365 days because I know I will be :)

With Love,

S

These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New... Big Lights Will Inspire You

We've had another busy day here on our Christmas Vacation Extravaganza. Today, we split up the group and left Mama H at home for her to enjoy some "me time" and catch up with some friends. While T, K and their significant others headed to shop and watch football at my uncle's house... Dad, E and I set out to the big city. We walked... and walked... and walked... over 40 city blocks. Then we had lunch and walked some more. Despite the cold temperatures, we got to see everything we wanted to, and more. Here are some pictures from today, as well as some from the other night. 

A picture of the tree at Rockefeller than E took, sisters at dinner and the snowfall.

E and Dad in Time Square

The new Freedom Tower, and brunch at Lillie's 

Complete with Mimosas :) 

The boys at the Empire State Building, and at the Statue of Liberty

Needless to say, we've been making the best of this trip and have been enjoying every minute of every day. As I sit here typing, the men are in the kitchen cooking dinner, there is Sunday night football playing in the background, the sound of chatter in the apartment and I am... content. I am happy to be with my family and trying to suck up every last drop before we have to head back on Wednesday. So for now, I will go... but I will be back with a new year post. 

With Love,

S

Christmas in the City

Good afternoon everyone and happy weekend. We have been quite busy while away, so we never did a Christmas post, but we hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and spending it surrounded by loved ones. We have been in the US visiting my parents and, even though it hasn't been particularly 'relaxing', we are having a great time and are so happy to be together. Unfortunately, Gram caught pneumonia before our departure and was unable to come. We are extremely sad that she wasn't able to be with us, but we will celebrate when she is better. Mama H is doing really well, and we have been able to spend more time with her than we thought we would be able to. So, here are some pictures to show what we've been upto in the past week.

7 month baby bump. It's growin', movin' & shakin'!

 

We have been spending time just being together. So, I am going to go and do just that. We will be back with another post soon. But, until then, enjoy the Holidays because they will be gone before you know it, and another year will be upon us. So eat, drink and be merry. Until next time!

With Love,

S