Mr R.

Happy Anniversary, my love.
{tumblr}

sweet dreams

Rest well, my darlings;
it is well deserved.
Congratulations to both of you...
you are DONE!
{flickr photo by Anna Amphigorously}

conquer

You are almost to the finish line!
Good luck today!
{flickr photo by Baywhale}

on your wish list?

Doesn't this contraption look like something
Thomas Jefferson would have invented?
So when you are weary from studying,
my two turtle doves, and can't lift another book,
you don't have to--
just strap on one of these!
{consider it an early gift!}
{flickr photo}

freshness

To prepare for Christmas we have been
winter cleaning.

I like to deep clean our home twice a year;
in the spring and before Christmas.
We pull out each piece of furniture,
scrub and polish it,
shop vac each nook and cranny of every room
and then return everything to its rightful
or new place as I like to mix up and
rearrange pieces and lamps.

After the windows are squeaky clean,
in and out, we open them
so our home is fresh and clean.
Then we are ready to decorate for Christmas!
Hallelujah!
{all flickr photos: 1 by BigBean; 2 by such pretty things; and 3 by Abby Lanes}

for today

fingers crossed for good luck

You and me, Mr R.
I am thinking of you every moment!
kiss, kiss, kiss
love, love, love
{flickr photo by phillgirand photography}

good fortune

Round two...
All my love!
{this applies to numerous situations}
[google image]

Chantilly lace dress

This little black cocktail dress
sold at auction to an anonymous bidder
for nearly $100,000 on Tuesday.
Blessedly, half of the net proceeds go to the
Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.
Lovely on all accounts!

high stakes

I have thoroughly enjoyed each episode
of this season's "Top Chef".
I think the caliber of the chefs in
each culinary challenge has been top notch.
I am excited to hear this season's winner.
My picks?
Kevin
Bryan
Michael
in that order.

starry nights

I believe one of our lovelies would like to be
served this umber ring.

It's a high percentage return our other sugar plum will
enjoy all facets of this topaz toggle bracelet.
Both items from Spool No. 72.
Happy studying!
Happy shopping!

winter clutches

Sassy ruffled winter wristlets
in black and frost gray.
They can be found in Murwati's etsy shop.

sleep in peace

To the loves of my life...
"When you have accomplished your daily task,
go to sleep in peace.
God is awake."
- Victor Hugo
{flickr photo}

yummy...peppermint bark

I discovered this super delicious and easy recipe by Alice on her blog Sweet Life.
Yum. May I repeat? Yum, yum, YUM!
And easy. Easy, easy, EASY!

Peppermint Bark Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag of chocolate chips (any kind you like)

1 bag of white chocolate chips

24 mini candy canes, crushed *do not crush using a food processor – place candy canes in a zip lock bag and use a hammer to crush into small pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Pour (brown) chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave chocolate chips in increments of 30 seconds stirring the chips each time until chocolate chips have completed melted and mixture is smooth. Spread melted chocolate as evenly as possibly into lined pan. Place pan into freezer for 20 minutes. Repeat the same melting process with the white chips. While chocolate is still smooth, stir in half of the crushed candy cane mixture. Allow the white chocolate to slightly cool for a minute. Remove pan from freezer and spread white chocolate/crushed candy canes mixture on top of the chocolate layer. Spread white chocolate as quickly as possible. Top off with remaining crushed candy cane and gently pat down with the back of a spatula. Return pan to freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from freezer and gently lift the whole mixture from the pan with a butter knife. You should now have a solid sheet of peppermint bark. Remove parchment paper and break into pieces. Store any left over bark in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer. Enjoy!

*if white chocolate chips do not melt smooth, stir in 2 tablespoons of shortening.

I hope you and your family have a way good time making, sharing and eating this peppermint bark!

~recipe and photos from savorysweetlife.com

softness

Today...
our first snowflakes of the season!
{flickr photo by jpetralia}

pages of Shakespeare garland

I know a beautiful fleur-de-lis iron fence
in New Orleans
this garland would decorate well for the holidays!
{etsy bookity}

To all three of you!
love, love, love
{google image by Simona T.}

*mwah*

As our girlies lovely heads are filled with laws
and facts and figures as they prepare
for finals and write papers the next two weeks,
we share some yum-tious snacks.

For Emily, her favorite
...macaroons.

For Jessica,
her favorite refreshment...Izze's.

Good luck!
Love, love, love
{both flickr photos}

The first thing for which I am grateful was actually meeting
Mr R in the airport from his international flight that arrived
on time. I am usually one of optimism but was doubtful we
would connect on this, the busiest travel day of the year.
{I was sooooo much more happy after I had checked my
bags and box....I had one suitcase with linen napkins
and a Thanksgiving centerpiece....a h-e-a-v-y box of
--it's a secret-- and my own carry on bag.
I do feel I still know how young mommies feel
lugging all their gear, car seats, strollers, etc; my
encumbrances now are just different. Wish I had met my
captain before I had hauled all of it in by myself from
long term parking, through the airport, etc
but this is life so one must roll with the suitcases,
even with bad knees. Grateful I have knees and legs.
I had tip money all ready for a sky cap whom I knew would
whisk my bags and box to the counter;
but alas, no, not one in sight.}
After checking my items, find one another
Mr R and I did and the rest was a breeze!
Even though it was quite late upon our arrival
it was a JOY
to have our girls and their pup meet us at the airport.
So fun to all be together!!!

Loved walking through Audubon Park with the
moss hanging from all its trees

with Emily and Miss Tulip.

They have water fountains for people as well as pups
which makes everyone happy and tails wag.
Glad Mr R and J could put in a few very long training
runs for the upcoming Mardi Gras Marathon in February!

Mmmm, delicious food including this lovely tart
that was delivered to the girls door by a dear friend.
{thank you- it was tres bien!}
Speaking of food...on Sunday Mr R and I team taught one of
our daughters Primary church class; children ages 3-8.
We were talking about blessings
and for what we each are grateful.
I asked them if they had eaten pie.
"Pie?" they responded in their southern accents.
I inquired what type of pie they had partaken,
thinking I might hear some pecan, not pecan but pecan in southern accent,
amongst apple or pumpkin.
No.
Down the row of miniature chairs, each responded,
"Sweet potato pie!"
And grits.
We loved it!

Thrilled we could continue our annual tradition of seeing
the "Nutcracker" as the Moscow Ballet was in town
for a benefit performance for the Kingsley House
and enjoy these fountains outside the newly reopened
Mahalia Jackson Theatre.

I loved that Jessica pointed out the bananas growing
on this tree in the back yard next door.And for Miss Tulip {reading the Wall Street Journal}
we are so grateful--for her fun and frolic!
Very glad for the twenty four hours we spent with the rescue
pup we were hoping would come share our home with us.
She is a total sweetheart but with her lame leg just would not
be happy maneuvering our stairs or winter ice storms.
Tulip was so gentle with her!
We had a most wonderful time sharing our blessings
together at our girls' table.
Thank you, lovelies.
You are our greatest blessing of all!

Photos of our Thanksgiving trip...soon!

Welcome December,
wondrous month!
{I hope we celebrate with LOTS of magicial snowflakes.}
[flickr photo by ook00]