Perhaps you have a favorite Thanksgiving you’ll cherish forever or a stretch of years when it was most memorable. Maybe it was the years your grandparents hosted or after you got married and carved out your own traditions. For me, it was a long stretch of time when the women in my family would gather on Thanksgiving Eve to bake pies with Mom. So. Many. Pies.
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Pumpkin spice is definitely one of my favorite things about fall, so much so that I started making my own version. I use it year around but especially from September through November. I recently shared it during a girls’ weekend my by college BFFs. We used it in our morning pumpkin smoothies and afternoon apple cider mimosas! So good!
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I live across the street from an historical cemetery that captivates me especially during the fall season. I love how the fall foliage frames the green space with color. Later, when the leaves start to fall, the mighty maples and oaks stand proud, making a statement against the sky.
I don’t think of the cemetery as creepy or scary. It’s a comforting place filled with stories to be told about local history. I finally checked off my bucket list item when I “featured” the cemetery at a small gathering. I’ve been talking about hosting an autumn dinner party that would somehow include “something” with the cemetery for about 20 years (yes, really!).
This is my fourth year making this pesto. What makes this year extra special is the garlic scapes came straight from my raised bed garden! I must thank my brother-in-law Mark who has been growing music garlic and generously sharing his massive haul the past three years. Last fall, I planted cloves from his bulbs to try my luck at growing garlic. It’s been so fun watching them sprout and grow and finally transforming them into my homemade pesto. I have to admit, the pesto came out even better this year. I’m sure I’m biased, but frankly, I don’t care!
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For many years of discontent, when I’ve broached the idea for an interior paint refresh, my husband and I would always talk ourselves out of it. There was always next year. To be fair, though, I can only blame myself for not pursuing it; because if I insisted, it would have happened. The truth is, the thought of doing a full interior color reboot it left me feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
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I’m always looking for ways to make satisfying dishes that omit carbs while still bringing on flavor. I’ve been eyeing “egg roll in a bowl” recipes appearing on my social media channels and finally decided to make my own healthy version to find out what the fuss was all about. Let me tell you, you need to try this recipe! Not only does it make a huge batch, the prep is quick and everything comes easily in a large wok.
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Like reacquainting with an old friend, time spent at my local art museum always invigorates me. Even better is a visit during the annual floral exhibit that ignites my spirits as New England transitions into spring. I took advantage of the Flora in Winter at the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) in Massachusetts as a calendar catalyst to celebrate the start of March and my intention to jump into spring mode. It was just what I needed! To help you get on board with the arrival of spring, join me as I tour world-renowned art pieces juxtaposed with interpretive floral displays.
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I love visiting charming New England seaside towns during the off season, and a few days stay in Rockport, Massachusetts didn’t disappoint. Seriously, by taking a wintertime visit to Cape Ann you can truly appreciate quintessential New England without the crowds. The highlights of a girls’ getaway with my sister were soaking up the natural beauty of the coast on a relaxed timeline. We enjoyed up the harborside area of Rockport on foot and explored Gloucester with short car-ride excursions.
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I’m feeling energized and inspired with the new year ahead to make some positive changes as part of my annual goals. My biggest priority this year is to “lighten up,” which impacts many aspects of my life. I’m obsessed with my one one-word theme: dandelion. I chose this word to visually symbolize what I want to achieve this year: to feel lighter in mind and body. When trying to figure out my word, I was searching for the antithesis of words like weighty, heavy, substantial.
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It’s the truth. When I sleep at night, I often find my thoughts stray to adventures across the pond. It may be a slightly outdated version of London today, but the city I remember comes to life in my dreams. If I close my eyes, I can still vividly recall the nighttime city sounds when I lived there many years ago. How I long for my next visit.
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I’ve been deeply contemplating my 2024 goals over the past week. On the last day of 2023, I had an epiphany on my one-word theme to set the stage for the new year. Perfect timing! Before I get ahead of myself, let me explain my process with defining my goals that has evolved over the past few years. Now, I commit my goals in writing and track them in a daily journal. I no longer make New Year’s resolutions. In my experience, resolutions are usually short lived, unsuccessful and frustrating.
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Looking back at the holiday season from last year, I thought this blog post was worth resharing. Perhaps it’ll help inspire you as you prioritize what’s most important and how you spend your time. I can only hope I’ll look back at the end of this season and feel the same sense of holiday contentment as I did last year!
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