Valentines Day gifts!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Today...or tomorrow if you're hoping to catch some good sales, is the perfect time to dress your home up in lovey heart-shaped decor.

Here are a few things the hubs found me at Perch Home in Maplewood NJ:

YUM: Strawberry Brie cups

I just made these for a New Years party and they were not only quick and easy but also delicious.

Buy:
1 wedge of Brie
Strawberry jam
Phyllo cups

Do:
Cube the Brie and place it into the phyllo cups
Bake at 350 for 7 minutes
Remove from oven and scoop jam onto each cheese cup
Bake again at 350 for 3 minutes

Ready to eat in 2 minutes!!!! Crispy and delish!

Yay for our Holiday Party!! The 2012 edition.

This year, our holiday party was different for a couple reasons.  Medically, I was going through something that involved lots of doctor visits that could pop up at any time.  Try planning a party when you know that you will be under anesthesia "at some point" this month and on bed rest "for 3 days a week after the first thing."  It wasn't easy.  I had the party planned for the 15th.  Previous years, Jeff and I have held this party on the weekend before Christmas. I liked that it was becoming a tradition.  However, as the month of December approached, I discovered that the bed rest thing would likely occur on or around the 15th.  Clearly, we had to move the party.  We bumped it up a week and were pleasantly surprised that even MORE of our beloved friends could make it!

However.

OF COURSE, 4 days before December 8th, I discover that the anesthesia appointment will be happening ON Saturday.  AT TWO PM!!!! What the heck?!  The party started at 6pm!  Most people would cancel.  Most people would not wake up out of anesthesia, in a painfully bloated state, trek to Panera, go home, shower, get ready and STILL have the party.  I am not most people.

The party went off without a hitch and somehow I survived.  I am glad that I did it, too.  For some reason, a good Christmas party can be very healing for me.  It was truly just what I needed.  A night with good food and good family and friends.

YAY for Christmas!

OHMYGOSH! It's party time!!!

Damn candle. I swear it went out as I walked past it to take this picture.

 

Let's host this thing!

Christmas time!

Remy, sleeping in the midst of the fun.

Photobomb.

Well, SOMEONE had to wear it.

The hubs, the bro, and the neph.

Sisters.

Giggles.

Somehow, this makes sense.

Remy was not wearing his holiday garb. Party pooper.

Not sure why we ended up in the guest bedroom.

The food was pretty depleted at this point.

The cutest, newest Ms. Pacman player.

Mess.

Merry Christmas!
Laura

Holiday Fun: Mem Day

Happy Memorial Day!  

Truth be told, Remy was actually afraid of the flag...even after I told him how many brave men/women fight for his puppy freedoms!

I hope everyone finds their very own perfect sun patch to nap in today. 

xoxo
L

Holiday Fun: Happy belated Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth day with a meatless Monday!

Here's a neat-o article highlighting some benefits to going meatless.  

http://foodbabe.com/2012/04/22/eating-less-meat-can-save-the-environment/

Obviously, I eat chicken (as seen from my salsa chicken recipe post), but I still love to be informed.  Here are some things that I read and loved (in a depressing-but-I'd-rather-know-than-not kinda way) finding out:

• Feed more people – We have one billion people on earth already that don’t have enough to eat and a projected 3 billion more mouths to feed within 50 years. The fact that you can feed 2000 people the same amount of grain it takes to feed only 100 cows should help people wake up, but it hasn’t.
• Reduce pollution dramatically - The meat and dairy industry contributes 18% more climate changing pollutants than all modes of transportation combined.
• Save water -  It takes 60 pounds of water to produce one pound potatoes, but it takes 9000 liters to produce one pound of beef. A vegan can keep their shower running all year long and still not surpass the amount of water a meat eater consumes.
• Improve your health – Over-consumption of meat has been proven to cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes more than any other food we eat.  If you don’t believe me – read The China Study. Also, you can dramatically reduce your exposure to cancer causing dioxins which are found in chemical pesticides that are used to grow animal feed.

Check out her blog to learn more!  Happy Belated Earth Day! 

xoxo

L

Holidays are fun.

Happy Leap Day! 

Yours truly,

Remy

For Leap day Remy worked extra hard at bending his right ear that normally sticks straight up 365 days a year.  This photo is proof that with an additional .25 days a year, major accomplishments can be had.  Remy folded his ear...what did you do with your extra 24 hours?

Holiday wear - building lobby edition.

 Nothing is better than working in NYC during the holidays.   And I mean, nothing.  Ever. (So there!) 

Usually the city is plain CRAZY to maneuver through on the way to work.  There is an infinite amount of obstacles just waiting to take you down, but somehow when the buildings are all gussied up in their Christmas-y finest, getting body checked, trampled, and yelled at (by the one inevitably crazy lady standing between you and the lobby door) seems totally worth it.  And it is!  Because a) I have to be there anyway and b) these things make us more well rounded.  Right?  Body check, anyone?