On The Road Again

Last week, Arabella and I made a quick road trip to Connecticut to visit family and so we could bring Auntie Lori back to Canada with us for a visit. We made it over Pont Champlain and the frozen St. Lawrence River.

It was the perfect day for a drive and what should have been an uneventful trip back to the States turned into a nightmare of a drive. We made it through customs and while Arabella was taking a snooze in the back, I decided to have a snack. But as I was eating an apple, I was hit with a severe case of gastro. I will spare you the details, but needless to say, it wasn't pretty and I had flashbacks to the night of my bachelorette party. After I was done getting sick on the side of the highway in Vermont, a State Trooper stopped to ask if everything was OK, which was comforting, and I felt better so I thought I could make the rest of the drive. However, it wasn't going as good as I thought it would. I had to stop again and when I made it to Massachusetts, my dad had to come and pick us up and drive the rest of the way. Thank goodness he was able to come and rescue us. Thank you Dad! I was totally wiped out and Arabella was being so good. We went to bed early and laid low the next day. Arabella did have a fun time playing with the cats at Grampy's and she even got to feed Patches, the turtle. She and Grampy had fun playing with Playdoh and she even helped load the dishwasher.


On Thursday, we had dinner with Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill. It was nice to be able to spend a little time with them before we went to Auntie Lori's for the night. We had fun having a sleep over at Auntie's house before leaving the next morning to make the drive back home. We made a few last minute stops and then we stopped at the Yankee Candle store in Deerfield, Massachusetts and it was perfect timing since they were having their annual warehouse sale. I was able to stock up on some candles which is always a good thing. From there, we hit the road and made it back home.



We had a great trip back, it was nice to have Auntie Lori with us and Arabella rocked in the car...she made the whole road trip (6 hours each way) with no accidents...I really think we have the potty training down. You are awesome Arabella!

Girl's Night

Last weekend, we had a D&B at my friend Carrie's house. We had a lot of fun sitting around eating lots of yummy food and wine. I made my now famous soft pretzels and Chocolate Merlot cupcakes...they we both so good! I will be making both again soon!


We also celebrated my friend, Christa's birthday! It was a great evening and it was nice to get out and relax. Plus, Arabella and Jay had a fun night before he left to go out of town for the week.
As a special treat, I made a cake for Arabella and Jay before I left for the night - they could hardly wait to try it! And I even brought home a plate of leftover treats, that they both enjoyed so much. It had rice crispy treats, shortbread cookies, sugar pie, and Toblorone cheesecake. I think they might be pushing me to go out the door to the next D&B real soon, just so I bring them home treats!
Yummy cake!

Very excited to have treats the next day!
Toblorone cheesecake...to die for!

Best Valentine's Day

Today was the best Valentine's Day...not because we did anything spectacular, but because it was low key and I really didn't have any expections for how the day would go. When I got up, Arabella and Jay gave me my cards and Arabella's was extra special with a very pretty drawing inside. She is such a budding artist. Jay asked a few weeks ago what I would like for a gift and I suggested more Bikram yoga classes or money towards a pair of Hunter Wellies. (http://www.hunter-boot.com/1/Welcome-To-The-Home-Of-Hunter-Wellies.aspx) I have been wanting a pair for a long time now and with all the snow that we have, when it starts to melt, I am going to need them. I also saw a necklace that I liked, but didn't think he would get it for me - however, he wurprised me and I will be picking it up later this week. But the greatest surprise of all was that in my card, there was the cutest sitcky note telling me that I could register for the classes that I have been wanting to take to go back to school! I was so excited and registered with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a health coach! My classes start in March and I can't wait to get started!

Arabella had a fun day and even received a few more Valentine's in the mail today. Again she loved opeing them and we thank all of our family who have sent them to her. She also received a new book and an outfit for her Love Bug that she made last week.





In addition to receiving Valentine's, Mother Nature also sent some snow, rain and sleet our way today. We now have a lot more snow that we had last year, but that is OK with us!





And just for fun, we all remember the conversation heart candy that we used to eat at kids right? Well, here are some in French - can you figure out what they say??


We hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love and that it was spent with those you hold most dear.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I think this little video clip of Arabella says it all....

They Are Hatching!!

Arabella was so excited when she got to do some of her grow capsules that Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff sent her. She loved putting them in the warm water and then watch them hatch!

Brussel Sprouts - 2 Ways

I love Brussels Sprouts, so when I saw fresh ones at Costco last week, I had to buy them. However, Jay is not a fan of them and I wasn't sure if Arabella would like them or not. Since there were so many, I was able to make them 2 ways and both were a hit! For the first option, I sliced the sprouts in half, drizzled them with olive oil and fresh ground pepper and sea salt. I baked them in the oven on 350 for about 25minutes and they came out nice and crispy.


The second way that I made the sprouts are courtesy of the Pink of Perfection blog and Bon Appetit. I sauteed the Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios....to die for! Arabella liked them, partly because of the pistachios and Jay thought they were pretty good, although I think her preferred them baked. I loved this recipe and this is all I had for dinner!

Here is how to make them:

3 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
1 tablespoon minced shallot
12 large Brussels sprouts (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed, leaves separated from cores (about 8 cups), cores discarded - (I actually sliced the spouts and it worked out fine)
3/4 cup shelled unsalted natural pistachios
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and stir 20 seconds. Add Brussels sprout leaves and pistachios, and sauté until leaves begin to soften but are still bright green, about 3 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Brussels-Sprouts-with-Lemon-and-Pistachios-241353#ixzz1DuG7dpN7

Friday Fun

Friday was a day full of fun. It started out with playgroup where all the kids had a great time playing and the mom's enjoyed June's famous lattes and great conversation. Our Friday morning playgroup is the perfect way to start the weekend.

Arabella and Cristina getting pulled around by Giacomo.
Arabella, Cristina and Christopher having a fun ride.
Enjoying a Valentine's Day treat, YUM!
Arabella giving Sofia some love!
When we got home, there were more Valentine's waiting for Arabella. One from Auntie Lori and a little Valentine package from Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff. Arabella loves getting mail and had a lot of fun opening her Valentine's. She was very excited!!


Checking out her growth capsules! She couldn't wait to try them out.

Waiting for the growth capsule to open to see what shape it reveals...



After a quick nap, it was off to swim lessons and Arabella had a really fun time playing in the pool before her lessons. She had a pretty good lesson and she is making great progress. I can barely get her out of the pool at the end, she is such a water baby!