au revoir and bonne annee
The time has finally come for the clarks to set off on our very delayed honeymoon! We fly into Paris, spend a few days there, then fly to Rome for 5 days, where we'll spend New Years. The Mr. has ever been to Europe so this will be one amazing trip. We're bringing the point and shoot cam, the flip video cam, and my canon eos, so I'm excited to document our trip and take some fun pictures of our adventures and the culture. I'm so anxious to get there and to enjoy all the romantic spots, street cafes, wine and cheese, and the historical sites. Until 2011...we're out!
Merry Christmas!!!
It's christmas morning, and we're off to the races to spend time with our cherished loved ones.
The puppies love all of the wrapping paper and bows, so we should have a great time playing with them and watching out for eaten paper. I hope you all have a wonderful day with those who are most dear to you, and if you don't have anywhere to go, come on over. We have plenty of love and food to share.
This is our baby tree this year. Since we're leaving bright and early tomorrow, we didn't want to have to worry about a real tree dying/falling/burning etc, so baby tree it is. I think it's pretty cute.
Our matching stockings from my momma on our makeshift mantle...not yet filled with santa goodies.
Merry christmas!
5 days till honeymoon!
I am getting super super excited to leave for our trip! We spent last night making our itinerary for Paris and buying tickets for Versaille and Musee d'Orsay. We have everything all planned out for when we're going and where, but we also made sure to leave time for just roaming through the neighborhoods, sitting on the streets and people watching. Many of our friends have told us that we will have some of our most favorite times just relaxing and taking it all in, so we certainly intend to park ourselves on sidewalk cafes to enjoy some pastries, cheese and wine and just BE.
We have not made any reservations for our meals yet, and I was thinking that we would just pop into whichever random cafe looked good. Though I am told that the reservation in Paris is a necessity, and that restaurants in Paris do not leave a percentage of the room unbooked for walk-ins, and if the place is particularly small, they won’t let you linger until a table opens up. AKA...what should we do? Do I need to make reservations now? Does anyone have any suggestions?
My guidebook has suggested that a reservation, while valuable, is not an absolute necessity, and that when in doubt, ask our concierge to make us a reservation in the neighborhood where we intend to be that day. Or if we do decide to pop into a random cafe or restaurant then to avoid restaurants displaying multi-lingual menus and opt for the french only menu for an authentic, non-touristy, experience. I figure we can't go wrong, but I'd certainly like to do it right, so if anyone would like to recommend specific restaurants to us or steer us in the right direction, please feel free to comment or email me!
tonight we'll plan rome, and tomorrow we pack. Lots to do!
We have not made any reservations for our meals yet, and I was thinking that we would just pop into whichever random cafe looked good. Though I am told that the reservation in Paris is a necessity, and that restaurants in Paris do not leave a percentage of the room unbooked for walk-ins, and if the place is particularly small, they won’t let you linger until a table opens up. AKA...what should we do? Do I need to make reservations now? Does anyone have any suggestions?
My guidebook has suggested that a reservation, while valuable, is not an absolute necessity, and that when in doubt, ask our concierge to make us a reservation in the neighborhood where we intend to be that day. Or if we do decide to pop into a random cafe or restaurant then to avoid restaurants displaying multi-lingual menus and opt for the french only menu for an authentic, non-touristy, experience. I figure we can't go wrong, but I'd certainly like to do it right, so if anyone would like to recommend specific restaurants to us or steer us in the right direction, please feel free to comment or email me!
tonight we'll plan rome, and tomorrow we pack. Lots to do!
Lunar Eclipse
Last night I set my alarm for 2:30 to make sure I got to witness the total lunar eclipse that happened to coincide with the winter solstice this year.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon blocking the sun's rays and casting a shadow on the full moon, though some indirect sunlight still pierces through to give the moon an eerie reddish hue. This year the total lunar eclipse coincided with the winter solstice, so the the moon glowed bright red high in the sky. It was gorgeous! I had a hard time going back to sleep so I watched it for about an hour beginning when about 25% was covered and through the totality phase when the moon was completely immersed in Earth's shadow.
The last time this occurred was more than three centuries ago on Dec. 21, 1638 when Galileo was proclaiming that the sun was the center of our solar system. It will happen again on Dec. 21, 2094 according to the experts. I am so amazed that we were able to witness this and happy I woke up to my alarm!
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon blocking the sun's rays and casting a shadow on the full moon, though some indirect sunlight still pierces through to give the moon an eerie reddish hue. This year the total lunar eclipse coincided with the winter solstice, so the the moon glowed bright red high in the sky. It was gorgeous! I had a hard time going back to sleep so I watched it for about an hour beginning when about 25% was covered and through the totality phase when the moon was completely immersed in Earth's shadow.
The last time this occurred was more than three centuries ago on Dec. 21, 1638 when Galileo was proclaiming that the sun was the center of our solar system. It will happen again on Dec. 21, 2094 according to the experts. I am so amazed that we were able to witness this and happy I woke up to my alarm!
How to Cook Like A Top Chef
One of my favorite parts of my week is watching Top Chef on Bravo on Wednesday nights with Drew, endlessly googling every cooking technique they mention that I've never heard before, dissecting their dishes, and discussing the chefs and their creations with my best friend the next morning. She's an amazing cook and we can talk forever about the show and our favorite chefs and what we'd like to make at home. So yesterday I was christmas shopping in a little boutique by my house and I discovered this newly published book, "How to Cook Like a Top Chef."
I spent a very good 30 minutes skimming through the book, and I loved it, but didn't come home with it (what a good christmas shopper I am)! I know these books can be hokie sometimes, but I really liked that it included recipes from all six seasons of the show and Top Chef Masters, with a major focus on technique. There were sections featuring knife skills, sauces, plating and sous-vide, and little sidebar demonstrations and explanations by the chefs and judges.
I love that in addition to including some original recipes from contestants that I can remember them making over the past seasons, it also contains behind-the-scenes interviews, trivia, and tons of tips and tricks from my favorite chefs (ahem Carla, Wylie Dufresne and Eric Ripert)
I spent a very good 30 minutes skimming through the book, and I loved it, but didn't come home with it (what a good christmas shopper I am)! I know these books can be hokie sometimes, but I really liked that it included recipes from all six seasons of the show and Top Chef Masters, with a major focus on technique. There were sections featuring knife skills, sauces, plating and sous-vide, and little sidebar demonstrations and explanations by the chefs and judges.
I love that in addition to including some original recipes from contestants that I can remember them making over the past seasons, it also contains behind-the-scenes interviews, trivia, and tons of tips and tricks from my favorite chefs (ahem Carla, Wylie Dufresne and Eric Ripert)
Pasta with sausage, chicken, asparagus and cherry tomatoes
New version. A few weeks ago I made a shrimp and artichoke pasta and we loved it so much, I made another version with italian sausage and asparagus. I threw in a half a chicken breast for me because I wasn't in the mood for all sausage and it worked out perfectly. I've become such a fan of enjoying the wonderful flavors of the pasta and the seasonings and the vegetables, that I don't even miss the sauce.
Begin by removing the italian sausage from the casing and brown it in the pan with olive oil, chopped onion and chopped garlic. Add in the chopped chicken and your favorite seasonings. I liked thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper tonight. Once the meat is almost cooked through, add in the asparagus and let cook for 4-5 minutes. You want it to still be bright green and crisp in the middle.
Then throw in a pint of halved cherry tomatoes, cover and let cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. While that's sitting, go ahead and cook your pasta in boiling water until just al dente, then drain and reserve the salted pasta water.
Remove the lid and mash the tomatoes to squeeze out some of the juice. Then cover and let cook for 4-5 more minutes. You should start to get some nice aromatic juices in the bottom of the pan now.
Now add the cooked pasta directly into the pan, throw in some spinach leaves, because I love my fiber and folate, and really anything green (except olives...for another day). Pour in some of the reserved pasta water. I used about 3/4 cup, but you can do whatever makes you happy.
Stir it around over medium-low heat until the spinach leaves just start to wilt and the sauce begins to thicken. Then shave some fresh parmesana over the top, and add some salt and pepper if you think you need it.
winner winner pasta dinner!
Begin by removing the italian sausage from the casing and brown it in the pan with olive oil, chopped onion and chopped garlic. Add in the chopped chicken and your favorite seasonings. I liked thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper tonight. Once the meat is almost cooked through, add in the asparagus and let cook for 4-5 minutes. You want it to still be bright green and crisp in the middle.
Then throw in a pint of halved cherry tomatoes, cover and let cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. While that's sitting, go ahead and cook your pasta in boiling water until just al dente, then drain and reserve the salted pasta water.
Remove the lid and mash the tomatoes to squeeze out some of the juice. Then cover and let cook for 4-5 more minutes. You should start to get some nice aromatic juices in the bottom of the pan now.
Now add the cooked pasta directly into the pan, throw in some spinach leaves, because I love my fiber and folate, and really anything green (except olives...for another day). Pour in some of the reserved pasta water. I used about 3/4 cup, but you can do whatever makes you happy.
Stir it around over medium-low heat until the spinach leaves just start to wilt and the sauce begins to thicken. Then shave some fresh parmesana over the top, and add some salt and pepper if you think you need it.
winner winner pasta dinner!
Tis the Season for Giving
It's easy to get swept up in the madness of the holidays with all of the parties and presents and goodies, but it's nice to remember others that may be in need. For our girls christmas night tonight we are collecting gifts for a family that we adopted through Peaceful Paths, a local domestic abuse network for battered women an children. Naturally, it breaks my heart that these families cannot feel secure in their own home, and that they may not have the means to provide a positive holiday memory for their children this year.
Our adopted family has 2 young little girls, and their wish list included things like clothes, toys, household items, and gift cards. We all signed up to bring something off of their wish list and I had so much fun yesterday in Target and Walmart shopping for the little girls. I ended up getting a bicycle for the older girl and a push n' ride for the little one.
It warms my heart to think of the excitement these little girls will feel on christmas morning when they wake up to their new toys and clothes, and especially to know that we helped alleviate some of the mother's stress for the holiday season.
Last year, Peaceful Path helped 82 families and single women with gifts and food from donors throughout the area, and this year 2 families that were previous recipients of the program come back to adopt families themselves. I'm so glad we decided to take part in this wonderful program.
Our adopted family has 2 young little girls, and their wish list included things like clothes, toys, household items, and gift cards. We all signed up to bring something off of their wish list and I had so much fun yesterday in Target and Walmart shopping for the little girls. I ended up getting a bicycle for the older girl and a push n' ride for the little one.
It warms my heart to think of the excitement these little girls will feel on christmas morning when they wake up to their new toys and clothes, and especially to know that we helped alleviate some of the mother's stress for the holiday season.
Last year, Peaceful Path helped 82 families and single women with gifts and food from donors throughout the area, and this year 2 families that were previous recipients of the program come back to adopt families themselves. I'm so glad we decided to take part in this wonderful program.
Parisien Monday
I can't believe how cold it got last night!! The low was in the teens here, which is not a temperature that I am fond of or used to dealing with. I preferably would not have left my house at all yesterday, but I managed to tolerate a freezing sprint to the gym after work. After working out and picking up the pups, I sprinted right back into my house, immediately took a steaming hot shower and put on my hot pink leopard print flannel pajamas. Fierce I know.
Clearly I decided to make soup last night to warm up my insides, and inspired by our recent french meal in Savannah, I went with Roasted Zucchini Soup and complimented the soup with Ham/Turkey, Brie and Apple open face sandwiches. Ohhhhh boy, was it fantastic.
Zucchini Soup
Please, don't be afraid of green soup. Roasting the zucchini first gave it even more of an army green shade due to the browned edges on the zucchini and onions, which I know doesn't look as appetizing as I would have liked, but just accept it. It has such amazing flavor and it is so good for you!
Begin by chopping off the ends and slicing the zucchini lengthwise. Slice an onion in half and then into thin slivers. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast at 400 for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven hen the zucchini is tender and the edges start to brown.
Add the zucchini and onions, whole, to a soup pot over medium heat, and pour in enough chicken stock to just cover the vegetables.
Don't add too much, because you don't want it to be too thin. You can always go back and add more later.
Using an immersion blender, or transferring to a blender in batches, puree the vegetables in the pot until you reach a desired smooth consistency. Let simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper and a tsp of thyme. After simmering, when you're ready to serve, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or milk to round out the flavor.
Now let's work on those scrumptious "Le Parisiens." I bought some honey baked ham and smoked turkey from Heavenly Ham in anticipation of making these this week. You could, of course, use the cheaper deli-meat version from your local grocer, but if you really want to do these justice and truly appreciate the heavenly-ness, splurge on some good meat. It doesn't take as much if you get the good stuff.
Begin by pre-toasting some thickly sliced ciabatta bread in the toaster oven. Then spread on a tablespoon or two of good honeymustard. I combined 1 tablespoon dijon mustard with a tablespoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of light mayonnaise for a light and sweet honey mustard. Neatly stack your meats on each piece of bread.
Cut long strips or wedges out of a brie round and layer one on each sandwich. Then place the sheet of sandwiches back in the toaster oven and toast for 3-4 minutes to melt the cheese.
Then using a mandoline, or if you don't have a mandoline use a knife, to slice paper thin slices of apple. I recommend halving and coring the apple first and then slicing each half. Once you have a big pile of thinly sliced apples, gently fold them in half and layer them neatly on top of the melted cheese.
I'm so in heaven right now, and I was extra smart and made one ham and one turkey for each of us, so we ate half of each one last night and had half of each left over for lunch today. Genius! It took a lot of willpower to leave those halves untouched, let me tell you.
Clearly I decided to make soup last night to warm up my insides, and inspired by our recent french meal in Savannah, I went with Roasted Zucchini Soup and complimented the soup with Ham/Turkey, Brie and Apple open face sandwiches. Ohhhhh boy, was it fantastic.
Zucchini Soup
Please, don't be afraid of green soup. Roasting the zucchini first gave it even more of an army green shade due to the browned edges on the zucchini and onions, which I know doesn't look as appetizing as I would have liked, but just accept it. It has such amazing flavor and it is so good for you!
Begin by chopping off the ends and slicing the zucchini lengthwise. Slice an onion in half and then into thin slivers. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast at 400 for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven hen the zucchini is tender and the edges start to brown.
Add the zucchini and onions, whole, to a soup pot over medium heat, and pour in enough chicken stock to just cover the vegetables.
Don't add too much, because you don't want it to be too thin. You can always go back and add more later.
Using an immersion blender, or transferring to a blender in batches, puree the vegetables in the pot until you reach a desired smooth consistency. Let simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper and a tsp of thyme. After simmering, when you're ready to serve, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or milk to round out the flavor.
Now let's work on those scrumptious "Le Parisiens." I bought some honey baked ham and smoked turkey from Heavenly Ham in anticipation of making these this week. You could, of course, use the cheaper deli-meat version from your local grocer, but if you really want to do these justice and truly appreciate the heavenly-ness, splurge on some good meat. It doesn't take as much if you get the good stuff.
Begin by pre-toasting some thickly sliced ciabatta bread in the toaster oven. Then spread on a tablespoon or two of good honeymustard. I combined 1 tablespoon dijon mustard with a tablespoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of light mayonnaise for a light and sweet honey mustard. Neatly stack your meats on each piece of bread.
Cut long strips or wedges out of a brie round and layer one on each sandwich. Then place the sheet of sandwiches back in the toaster oven and toast for 3-4 minutes to melt the cheese.
Then using a mandoline, or if you don't have a mandoline use a knife, to slice paper thin slices of apple. I recommend halving and coring the apple first and then slicing each half. Once you have a big pile of thinly sliced apples, gently fold them in half and layer them neatly on top of the melted cheese.
I'm so in heaven right now, and I was extra smart and made one ham and one turkey for each of us, so we ate half of each one last night and had half of each left over for lunch today. Genius! It took a lot of willpower to leave those halves untouched, let me tell you.
BRRRR
Hello winter! It was freezing last night in G-Ville, but what better way to keep warm than snuggling with your hubby and puppies in your cozy bed? And who doesn't love waking up to these two snugglebunnies.
Holiday Party Central
These last two weeks have been jam packed with holiday parties, and we have one almost every night this week! This has definitely been one of the most fun holiday seasons that I can remember. Maybe it's because this is our first Christmas together as a married couple and we still have some of our newlywed sparkle, or maybe it's the excitement of our upcoming honeymoon trip, or the anticipation of 2011 and a new job and new experiences. Or maybe it's that I feel that I'm in a great place spiritually, physically, and emotionally, and we have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to. Or...quite possibly and most likely, the Glee Christmas album is playing, and listening to the amazing voices of Amber Riley, Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison and Chris Colfer would put anyone in the Christmas spirit.
This final song from the grinch was my favorite. The harmonies are beautiful, but I've definitely overplayed all of the songs on that this last week while I've been baking and cooking for our parties, just me and the pups rocking out in the kitchen.
I have a whole bunch of holiday goodies I've been wanting to make, so this is the week of holiday appetizers. On Saturday when I got back from Atlanta, I was a little rushed to get to our party that night so I needed to make something that wasn't going to take forever. I decided to go with Bacon Wrapped Dates and Artichoke Dip Mini Phyllos. The bacon wrapped dates are seriously dangerously good, and only took 15 minutes. The artichoke mini phyllos were a great last minute idea, as I was intending to do a shrimp and artichoke phyllo and believe it or not, publix was out of shrimp!
Bacon Wrapped Dates
24 pitted dates
optionally stuff with 24 whole blanched almonds or 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese
8 slices bacon *try wrapping with prosciutto and cut broil time to 2 minutes each side
I decided not to stuff them tonight. I love the taste of a date, pure and simple, so I'm leaving them be.
Preheat the broiler. Pit the dates and *stuff dates with almonds or 1/2 tsp of goat cheese.*
Cut bacon into thirds crosswise. Wrap each date with a bacon strip. Place seam side down on a slotted broiler pan.
Broil until crispy on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook until bacon is crispy throughout, 3 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Skewer them for easy bites and non-greasy fingers for your guests.
Spinach and Artichoke Mini Phyllos
I made a half recipe of my easy five ingredient spinach dip.
Scoop a tablespoon into each mini phyllo, making sure to get an artichoke heart into each cup, sprinkle with shaved parmesana and top with half of a cherry tomato. Bake at 350 for 25-20 minutes.
How about that for quick and easy? Nothing gourmet, clearly, but fast and tasty, and bitesize. And they looked pretty on one of my new christmas platters.
For tonight's party, we're doing a tomato and feta tart, vanilla almond sugar cookies, and a baked brie en croute.
For tomorrow's party...still deciding.
This final song from the grinch was my favorite. The harmonies are beautiful, but I've definitely overplayed all of the songs on that this last week while I've been baking and cooking for our parties, just me and the pups rocking out in the kitchen.
I have a whole bunch of holiday goodies I've been wanting to make, so this is the week of holiday appetizers. On Saturday when I got back from Atlanta, I was a little rushed to get to our party that night so I needed to make something that wasn't going to take forever. I decided to go with Bacon Wrapped Dates and Artichoke Dip Mini Phyllos. The bacon wrapped dates are seriously dangerously good, and only took 15 minutes. The artichoke mini phyllos were a great last minute idea, as I was intending to do a shrimp and artichoke phyllo and believe it or not, publix was out of shrimp!
Bacon Wrapped Dates
24 pitted dates
optionally stuff with 24 whole blanched almonds or 1/2 teaspoon of goat cheese
8 slices bacon *try wrapping with prosciutto and cut broil time to 2 minutes each side
I decided not to stuff them tonight. I love the taste of a date, pure and simple, so I'm leaving them be.
Preheat the broiler. Pit the dates and *stuff dates with almonds or 1/2 tsp of goat cheese.*
Cut bacon into thirds crosswise. Wrap each date with a bacon strip. Place seam side down on a slotted broiler pan.
Broil until crispy on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook until bacon is crispy throughout, 3 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Skewer them for easy bites and non-greasy fingers for your guests.
Spinach and Artichoke Mini Phyllos
I made a half recipe of my easy five ingredient spinach dip.
Scoop a tablespoon into each mini phyllo, making sure to get an artichoke heart into each cup, sprinkle with shaved parmesana and top with half of a cherry tomato. Bake at 350 for 25-20 minutes.
How about that for quick and easy? Nothing gourmet, clearly, but fast and tasty, and bitesize. And they looked pretty on one of my new christmas platters.
For tonight's party, we're doing a tomato and feta tart, vanilla almond sugar cookies, and a baked brie en croute.
For tomorrow's party...still deciding.
Pom Pom Scarf
Living in Florida, there are very few occasions when wearing a scarf is necessary due to weather, but many times when I want to wear a scarf because they are so cute, and don't want to have to explain WHY I'm wearing one. I'm wearing it because it's cute! When it's even slightly chilly out, I will take any chance I get to wear some winter weather accessories down here! I am obsessed with the Dupatta pom pom scarf by Matta.
It comes in so many colors and is hand spun and woven so it is especially soft and organic. If you’re looking for a holiday gift for one or more women in your life, take my advice and go for this! The Dupatta medium is my favorite, but they come in a variety of sizes and colors. The poms add the perfect amount of whimsy. My favorite colors are slate, mint, and sea, but azalea and coral are really beautiful too.
It comes in so many colors and is hand spun and woven so it is especially soft and organic. If you’re looking for a holiday gift for one or more women in your life, take my advice and go for this! The Dupatta medium is my favorite, but they come in a variety of sizes and colors. The poms add the perfect amount of whimsy. My favorite colors are slate, mint, and sea, but azalea and coral are really beautiful too.
IT's C-MOE TIME!
I am leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for Atlanta to attend the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas concert, featuring my one and only little sis, caitlin moe, rockin out on the electric violin.
This is her third year on the TSO tour, but the first year that they came close enough for us to go see her. She is on the West Coast group, but for some reason, the west coast is doing Atlanta this tour. Lucky for us! So it's a girls trip to go see her them...me and my other mothers.
I'm excited to see my little sis for a little co-birthday lunch, excited for some bonding time with my other mothers, and seriously infinitely excited to see her steal the show with TSO. They put on an amazing performance with crazy lights and sparklers, and it is definitely a cardio work-out for cmoe. She sprints in heels up and down the stage, and she does her signature backbend/dip move probably a hundred times a week under fireworks while playing the violin. What a champ! I'm so proud of her and can't wait for tomorrow night to get here already.
Baby Hats
I'm in that time in my life where tons of my friends are getting married and having babies. I have a few gifts that are my favorite little gifts to give at showers for brides and moms to be.
Baby hats happen to be on the top of my list for the little newbies. I gush over them and then when they get their newborn pictures taken, they have something so precious to wear!
I found this seller on etsy, who I have bought a few hats from. The bears are my favorite, but the striped hat would be so cute for a holiday baby!
My friend Georgina found this seller, Tippy Toppers, and she makes the cutest little owl and flower versions!!
I mean, is there anything cuter? Great gift for your mommy friends this christmas!
Baby hats happen to be on the top of my list for the little newbies. I gush over them and then when they get their newborn pictures taken, they have something so precious to wear!
I found this seller on etsy, who I have bought a few hats from. The bears are my favorite, but the striped hat would be so cute for a holiday baby!
My friend Georgina found this seller, Tippy Toppers, and she makes the cutest little owl and flower versions!!
I mean, is there anything cuter? Great gift for your mommy friends this christmas!
It's a Wonderful Life
Tonight I went to see our local playhouse's production of It's a Wonderful Life. It is one of my favorite movies, and the play was a one-man production. The actor who starred in the play was incredible, and I enjoyed it so much.
Of course the main theme of the movie/play is that when the main character, George (Jimmy Stewart) is at the lowest point in his life, his guardian angel, Clarence, shows him all the lives he has touched and the contributions he has made to his community. In the end, his friends all come together to help him and he discovers that it is indeed a Wonderful Life.
George finds a gift from his guardian angel (Clarence), an edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with an inscription from Clarence that reads, "Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love, Clarence.
I was especially touched tonight by this sentiment, and as if the actor knew what I was thinking, he handed me a copy of Tom Sawyer with that quote written in the front and signed by him, which I will keep and treasure for years to come.
Charitable Gifts to Give Back
Here are a few more gifts I found that give back when you purchase them for your someone special.
Marni Charity Project Tote.
Marni supports children with the project “Children’s Imaginary World”. Cotton canvas shopping. The front features one of the sketches made by children from all over the world, and the side and back feature a Marni print from Marni’s historic archive.
$175, available at Marni
Marni's "Children's Imaginary World" project will donate proceeds from sales of the totes to Mani Tese (an organization that fights world hunger) and the Vimala Association (an organization that aids abandoned children).
the Balm to the Rescue, $16, available at Sephora.
All net proceeds are donated to Pug Rescue, which saves dogs from euthanization and helps find abused dogs new homes. I will absolutely buy a bunch of these.
Special Edition High Definition On-Ear headphones, $229, available at Beats By Dre.
I know my techie dad would love these, and a portion of the sales of these headphones go straight to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa.
The Whistle, $44, available at Falling Whistles.
100% of the proceeds from Falling Whistles are used to rehabilitate war-affected children in Congo.
HSN Cares Sarah Jessica Parker 2010 Heart Ornament, $29.90, available at HSN.
Decorating your tree with this ornament will help the kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This would be a fun collection to start every year.
Kate Spade Hand in Hand Bangle, $48, available at Kate Spade. The engravings say "There's Strength in numbers" on the inside, and "hand in hand" on the outside.
25% of total sales from the bangle will be donated to Women for Women International.
My dentist hubby would love to support this cause.
AKMD Skincare Sweet Dreams Holiday Gift Set. $74 at AKMD Skincare.
Bring a smile to your loved one and a child's face with this rejuvenating skincare set. Proceeds from the AKMD nighttime kit go to Operation Smile, which fixes children's cleft lips and cleft palates around the world. .
Marni Charity Project Tote.
Marni supports children with the project “Children’s Imaginary World”. Cotton canvas shopping. The front features one of the sketches made by children from all over the world, and the side and back feature a Marni print from Marni’s historic archive.
$175, available at Marni
Marni's "Children's Imaginary World" project will donate proceeds from sales of the totes to Mani Tese (an organization that fights world hunger) and the Vimala Association (an organization that aids abandoned children).
the Balm to the Rescue, $16, available at Sephora.
All net proceeds are donated to Pug Rescue, which saves dogs from euthanization and helps find abused dogs new homes. I will absolutely buy a bunch of these.
Special Edition High Definition On-Ear headphones, $229, available at Beats By Dre.
I know my techie dad would love these, and a portion of the sales of these headphones go straight to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa.
The Whistle, $44, available at Falling Whistles.
100% of the proceeds from Falling Whistles are used to rehabilitate war-affected children in Congo.
HSN Cares Sarah Jessica Parker 2010 Heart Ornament, $29.90, available at HSN.
Decorating your tree with this ornament will help the kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This would be a fun collection to start every year.
Kate Spade Hand in Hand Bangle, $48, available at Kate Spade. The engravings say "There's Strength in numbers" on the inside, and "hand in hand" on the outside.
25% of total sales from the bangle will be donated to Women for Women International.
My dentist hubby would love to support this cause.
AKMD Skincare Sweet Dreams Holiday Gift Set. $74 at AKMD Skincare.
Bring a smile to your loved one and a child's face with this rejuvenating skincare set. Proceeds from the AKMD nighttime kit go to Operation Smile, which fixes children's cleft lips and cleft palates around the world. .
The Weather Channel
Well, looks like it's going to be a chilly trip to Paris! Snow makes me happy though! Still need to get a few more cold weather supplies before we head out. Fuzzy Ear muffs are ordered. Still need gloves...
Rome looks a little bit warmer, though that rain better not make an appearance.
Savannah Bridge Run
We spent last weekend end Savannah and we just had the best time. We got there late Friday night, just in time for the fireworks show on the river and then went for some tapas at Jazz'd. We went there the night after our wedding, so it was fun to be back.
Saturday morning I got up early to meet Alexis for the Bridge Run. I ended up not being able to run the full 15k because I couldn't get to the start line across the river, so I only did the 10k, and 2 times across the bridge was plenty!!!
It was steep and cold, but we had fun and it will definitely be an annual event. We spent the rest of Saturday morning shopping and walking around downtown Savannah. We had lunch at this wonderful French restaurant called Papillote. We shared Le Parisien, which was so amazingly delicious and was definitely was a little tease of our upcoming trip to Paris. The sandwich was Ham, Swiss cheese, brie and paper-thin slices of apple with a touch of honey-mustard on a slice of crunchy ciabatta bread. I can't wait to make this at home, with a side of Zucchini soup, like they served there.
We finally made it to the Savannah Bee Company where I stocked up on my honey staples and sampled some honeycomb.
Saturday night we went to our dinner at the Olde Pink House with my new work crew, which of course was wonderful, and afterward we went to a chocolate bar, where we all got chocolate martinis to celebrate my birthday. It was a special night, and everyone was so generous and fun. The hours just flew by filled with great conversations and laughter, and I enjoyed so much getting to know all of the new people at my new job.
Sunday morning Drew and I spent a few hours walking around the historic downtown Savannah, which I could do for hours. Every block has so much history and beautiful buildings, parks, and scenery. I took a few pictures as we walked around, and wish I could have taken more, but the cold front was moving in and I started getting numb. We called it a day around 2 and headed back to Gainesville to celebrate my birthday with the fam.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures I snapped.
This was one of the streets where we took a bunch of wedding pictures and had some tea.
I loved the ornate ironwork gates surrounding the manicured lawns at the Green-Meldrim House Museum on the West side of Madison Square. This house was constructed as a residence for Mr. Charles Green, who came to Savannah from England and made his fortunate as a cotton merchant and ship owner in Savannah. He had his Gothic villa built in the early 1850s by a famous New York architect, and is considered one of the most elaborate homes in Savannah. It cost $93,000 to build in 1850, which is is somewhere between 20M and 1B dollars today. The house served as the headquarters for General Sherman during the Civil War in 1864. The next door church now owns the house and has kept up the house, the beautiful lawns, and numerous original adornments in the interior of the home, including American black walnut woodwork on the main floor, elaborate crown moldings, marble mantles, matching chandeliers and large mirrors in gold leaf frames brought from Austria. A tour of the house is definitely worth it if you're visiting.
We spent Saturday afternoon in city market, where there is always live music and tons of people walking around. Many of the horse drawn carriages stop there and allow you to pet the gorgeous horses. It's a fun area, full of both locals and tourists, and we enjoyed sitting outside listening to the music for a while.
All of the historic squares were so beautifully decorated for the holidays, and I could just walk for hours admiring the sleepy majestic oak trees that cover the squares with their winding branches and drooping moss.
We walked down bay street, and I always discover something new that puts me in awe of the history of Savannah. This time we found these steep steps at the end of factor's walk, which was home to the original cotton exchange in the 1790's to 1800's where merchants would conduct business from the river front. The streets are all cobblestone and there are many steep stone stairways leading up from the cobblestone streets to the city level. It fascinates me walking along those streets and up those stairs to think that they are the same streets used 200 years ago.
Everything about our weekend in Savannah was perfect, and as usual, I just look forward to our next visit in the near future.
Saturday morning I got up early to meet Alexis for the Bridge Run. I ended up not being able to run the full 15k because I couldn't get to the start line across the river, so I only did the 10k, and 2 times across the bridge was plenty!!!
It was steep and cold, but we had fun and it will definitely be an annual event. We spent the rest of Saturday morning shopping and walking around downtown Savannah. We had lunch at this wonderful French restaurant called Papillote. We shared Le Parisien, which was so amazingly delicious and was definitely was a little tease of our upcoming trip to Paris. The sandwich was Ham, Swiss cheese, brie and paper-thin slices of apple with a touch of honey-mustard on a slice of crunchy ciabatta bread. I can't wait to make this at home, with a side of Zucchini soup, like they served there.
We finally made it to the Savannah Bee Company where I stocked up on my honey staples and sampled some honeycomb.
Saturday night we went to our dinner at the Olde Pink House with my new work crew, which of course was wonderful, and afterward we went to a chocolate bar, where we all got chocolate martinis to celebrate my birthday. It was a special night, and everyone was so generous and fun. The hours just flew by filled with great conversations and laughter, and I enjoyed so much getting to know all of the new people at my new job.
Sunday morning Drew and I spent a few hours walking around the historic downtown Savannah, which I could do for hours. Every block has so much history and beautiful buildings, parks, and scenery. I took a few pictures as we walked around, and wish I could have taken more, but the cold front was moving in and I started getting numb. We called it a day around 2 and headed back to Gainesville to celebrate my birthday with the fam.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures I snapped.
This was one of the streets where we took a bunch of wedding pictures and had some tea.
I loved the ornate ironwork gates surrounding the manicured lawns at the Green-Meldrim House Museum on the West side of Madison Square. This house was constructed as a residence for Mr. Charles Green, who came to Savannah from England and made his fortunate as a cotton merchant and ship owner in Savannah. He had his Gothic villa built in the early 1850s by a famous New York architect, and is considered one of the most elaborate homes in Savannah. It cost $93,000 to build in 1850, which is is somewhere between 20M and 1B dollars today. The house served as the headquarters for General Sherman during the Civil War in 1864. The next door church now owns the house and has kept up the house, the beautiful lawns, and numerous original adornments in the interior of the home, including American black walnut woodwork on the main floor, elaborate crown moldings, marble mantles, matching chandeliers and large mirrors in gold leaf frames brought from Austria. A tour of the house is definitely worth it if you're visiting.
We spent Saturday afternoon in city market, where there is always live music and tons of people walking around. Many of the horse drawn carriages stop there and allow you to pet the gorgeous horses. It's a fun area, full of both locals and tourists, and we enjoyed sitting outside listening to the music for a while.
All of the historic squares were so beautifully decorated for the holidays, and I could just walk for hours admiring the sleepy majestic oak trees that cover the squares with their winding branches and drooping moss.
We walked down bay street, and I always discover something new that puts me in awe of the history of Savannah. This time we found these steep steps at the end of factor's walk, which was home to the original cotton exchange in the 1790's to 1800's where merchants would conduct business from the river front. The streets are all cobblestone and there are many steep stone stairways leading up from the cobblestone streets to the city level. It fascinates me walking along those streets and up those stairs to think that they are the same streets used 200 years ago.
Everything about our weekend in Savannah was perfect, and as usual, I just look forward to our next visit in the near future.
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