dpp 2013 / 12.10.13 / snow

very early this morning i was reading updates on facebook.  in doing so i saw many local posts about snow.  i peaked out the window and sure thing....there is SNOW!  gorgeous, white, and magical.  paul and i love snow.  we would run outside to play in fresh snow while living in seoul, the only place we had lived thus far that had real snow.  it was so much fun.  i remember one of the first nights it snowed after we were married.  paul had yet to see snow in seoul.  when he realized it was snowing, he threw on clothes and a jacket and ran downstairs.  he was giddy like a little boy.  i watched from the window as he ran around and made a phrase in the snow, "i love you".  it was so sweet and thoughtful.  

dpp 2013 / 12.9.13 / beer

we eat out a lot.  it makes us happy but there are occasions where we do eat at home.  tonight was one of those.  i decided to make our friend Amy's chili and cornbread recipe.  this cooler weather is perfect for it.  while cooking i had a beer, harpoon winter warmer.  it's yummy.  has notes of cinnamon and nutmeg in this copper ale....so tasty.  paul had one at work the day before thanksgiving and we've been on the look out for it since.  we wanted some for our fridge and i wanted to try it.  a nice tasty evening at home with chili, cornbread and good winter warmer beer.  now if the plumbing would work all would be good.  

dpp 2013 / 12.8.13 / movie date with the hubs

the hubs has a birthday later this week, but we celebrated today.  i was able to ask a friend to watch james while we went to see a movie.  we watched the first thor movie yesterday at home since we were going to see the second thor movie today.  after the movie, we napped at home before walking two blocks to have dinner as a family at city house.  it was fabulous!  two of paul's favorite activities to celebrate his birthday - going to the movies and eating out.  he was thrilled.  at dinner, we had head cheese as an appetizer and i actually liked it.  i was super nervous to try, but knew i needed to get over it.  a nice family day celebrating an amazing husband and father!  we love him.

dpp 2013 / 12.7.13 / geeky christmas tree

friday night i went to the preview market of the porter flea holiday market with a friend.  it was fun and i got to do some of my christmas shopping while there.  this tree is for paul's stocking.  it won't actually go in it, but it's sitting on the mantle above our stockings.  i saw it and immediately thought of my geeky husband.  it's perfect.  he might even take it to work this week to sit on his desk to spread some holiday cheer.  i love that our house is christmas-y feeling.  paul and i love this time of year.  

dpp 2013 / 12.6.13 / oompa loompa hair

trying to be brave and do something new with my hair.  it is crazy how it does this.  i call it my oompa loompa look.  it's fun!  

dpp 2013 / 12.5.13 / wassail

i found a wassail recipe online that uses the crock pot.  it simmered all day and made the house smelled amazing.  apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, honey and slices of lemon and orange.  crazy good and nice warming drink on a cold, wet day.  

dpp 2013 / 12.4.13 / little picasso

james has been dying to use pens, pencils or markers he finds laying around the house.  so i got him his own "my first" toddler crayola markers and crayons.  he was so happy.  i also got him a drawing book to use.  we are working on not putting the crayons and markers in the mouth, but he loves to scribble and draw.  

foodie post -- pinewood social

the goldberg brothers have done it again.  today was the soft opening for pinewood social.  it's a restaurant/bar/coffee shop/bowling alley.  it's amazing.  the space alone is quite impressive.  the interior is large (13,000 sq ft) and spacious.  the open floor plan is well designed, lit and trendy.  there's a large bar in the middle with unique cocktails being served up.  the six lane bowling alley is at the back of the space.  there are various seating arrangements -- tables, bar tables, couch and chairs and seating in the bowling area.  it's a great set up.  feels very hip, not too loud and just spacious.

the food lives up to the high standard that these brothers are known for.  the joint is open from 7am until 1am serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night nibbles and then brunch on the weekends.  the menu is concise and lots to choose from.  we were there for dinner.  paul chose liver and onions, but sans the onions.  i had the american cheeseburger which was also served with fries.  paul loved his dish and i loved mine.  the burger was quite good and darn near perfect in my opinion.  the fries were thick cut which i am usually skeptical about.  not these though they were crispy on the outside and like mashed potatoes on the inside.  awesome.  they were quite tasty if i am honest and there were just the right amount.

this place is easily now one of our favorites and we will be back.  from 4pm onward it's more of an adult place so we won't be going to dinner again with james, but the day time services are welcome to kiddos.  so pinewood social will definitely be in our lunch rotation and a must for brunch on the weekends.

http://pinewoodsocial.com/

dpp 2013 / 12.3.13 / sweet sleeping baby boy

oh sweet baby boy.  i love him so much.  had no idea that i could love a little guy so much.  today was a day that i was actually awake before him and already out of bed.  he was sleeping soundly.  this was taken just before i woke him to go out shopping with a friend.   

dpp 2013 / 12.2.13 / sugar cookie

mondays are our rest days here for james and i.  we don't go anywhere and usually stay in our pajamas much of the day.  sometimes we will get dressed and walked to the bakery on the street over for an afternoon snack.  we did that today....went over for a snack.  mama had a sandwich and james had a sugar cookie.  the cookies are amazing.  this one was especially soft but firm.  it was perfect.  he loved it.  

dpp 2013 / day one / fav drink

tonight we went to dinner at noodles & co.  every time we go i have an izze sparkling peach.  it's so good.  i don't buy them at the store anymore b/c i really don't need the extra sugar, carbs and calories, but i do get one when we go to noodles & co.  a nice end to a long weekend with my little family.  

cannot believe it's already december.  we put up our tree yesterday and i hung the stockings.  it's fun b/c we have a fireplace this year so they are actually hanging on the mantle.  we aren't doing outside lights this year b/c the plug is around the back of the house.  i am hoping to dress up the mantle a bit though.  going to get some garland and hang silver bells with the stockings.  i also want to make a pic display for above the mantle on the mirror to display the santa pics and christmas cards.  so fun!  

later this week i am going to a mama's nite out craft edition and plan to make an upcycled sweater wreath for the front door.  must make a trip to goodwill for sweaters.  so fun!  we love this time of year.  

here we go again....

i am attempting to breathe life into this blog again.  i always get inspired this time of year with the december photo project.  so here we go.....
hope you will join and stick around for the adventure.