Archive | home sweet home

preparing and planning

December 20, 2011 at 4:08 pm

As I write this, Elliott is following our handyman around our house as Mario gently pounds nails into our walls. As Mario speaks 10 words of English and Elliott speaks 25 words of Italian, they make a quiet duo. Lena and I check on them every now and then in between eating Cheerios, ironing wall hangings and quilts, and wiping a runny nose.

I’ve also been writing a loooooong grocery list in preparation for a shopping trip this afternoon. Elliott’s staff are invited to our home for a potluck Christmas party this Thursday, and I’m covering drinks and desserts. So far I’m thinking apple pie, pumpkin ginger muffins, peppermint bark, decorated gingerbread cookies (or maybe these fabulous brownies?), pretzel candy cane kiss candy, and definitely this fabulous cheese board!

I’m excited, but I haven’t often been the sole party hostess in my life. There’s a lot to think about and prepare ahead of time! I’m searching the internet for various inspirations, party games, and wassail recipes. Do you have any tried-and-true desserts or Christmas party suggestions? I’d love to hear ’em!

6 :: in holidays, home sweet home

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December 19, 2011 at 12:26 pm

It has taken us awhile to get our act together, but this weekend we kicked into gear and did some Christmas decorating around here.

This is our pride and joy: our book tree. I mentioned before that we might make one, and finally we decided to give it a shot! We chose all our favorite books for the tree, and for a tree topper I cut out a cardboard star and covered it with tin foil. Sweet and very appropriate for this family.

In the rest of the house, there are bows on our front door…

… and garlands on the staircase. (And a very cuddly snuggle muffin after her bath.)

We also have a miniature artificial tree that my grandmother gave us. It is originally from Switzerland and comes with itty-bitty wooden ornaments. So far Lena hasn’t reached either tree or the presents, but I wouldn’t put it past her.

This is the first time in our marriage that Elliott and I have had a tree or any Christmas decorating whatsoever. For our first Christmas, Elliott was deployed to Egypt. I left our little undecorated apartment to spend Christmas and New Year’s with him. It seems appropriate that we make up for it this year!

(Although… to be perfectly honest, I think we’re more motivated by peer pressure. Elliott’s vet clinic staff are coming on Thursday for a Christmas party and then my family arrives on Saturday. Just the inspiration we needed to deck the halls!)

4 :: in arts and crafts, family, holidays, home sweet home, hospitality

it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December 19, 2011 at 11:26 am

It has taken us awhile to get our act together, but this weekend we kicked into gear and did some Christmas decorating around here.

In the rest of the house, there are bows on our front door…

… and garlands on the staircase. (And a very cuddly snuggle muffin after her bath.)

5 :: in arts and crafts, family, holidays, home sweet home, hospitality

Monday morning sunrise

December 13, 2011 at 10:09 pm

Elliott spent over an hour (maybe two?) scrubbing all the pigeon poop off our balcony the other day. As a reward, we got to enjoy the sunrise outside on Monday morning. Thank you, thank you, sweet hubby o’ mine.

As we sat there sipping our coffee and enjoying our baby we heard cowbells. A herd of mama cows, baby cows, and even a daddy cow or two came ambling through the pastures below our house.

Great way to start the week!

1 :: in family, home sweet home, Sicily

Monday morning sunrise

December 13, 2011 at 9:09 pm

As we sat there sipping our coffee and enjoying our baby we heard cowbells. A herd of mama cows, baby cows, and even a daddy cow or two came ambling through the pastures below our house.

Great way to start the week!