Loving Lately {Valentine's Edition}

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon and I couldn’t be more excited.  This weekend I plan to layout the menu for my family’s Valentine’s meal.  This has become a tradition of ours since we blended together in 2008 and it’s one that we all look forward to each February.  Also on my Valentine agenda…finishing up my DIY cards, mailing them and gathering last minute details for my class’s party and the one I host for my daughter’s second grade class as well. 

Printable Valentine's Bingo, laminated and ready for use with candy conversation hearts as markers.

Remember these?  Fortune teller Valentines complete with matching envelopes.

Pretty paper tags that say "I Love You" to everyone on your list...

What special projects/meals/desserts are you indulging in for Valentine's Day?       

Loving Lately

Just when the cold temperatures get me down, I find a mid-winter pick me up at my favorite store.  This winter white quilted Hobo International clutch sat in plain view on the clearance rack, just waiting to be taken home.  I love the size and color, perfect for brunch with a friend or a night out on the town with my husband.     

Grilled cheese sandwiches are soothing on a cold winter day.  Adding a wedge of Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb cheese to the mix creates an extra punch to an otherwise comforting lunch. {Snowman plates are fun, but optional.}   

Fred and I have been married for two years now, but over the holidays we were surprised by his uncle with this wine bottle chiller/vase.  It was hand spun on a wheel by a couple who has created pottery pieces for over thirty years.   

A recommendation from Laurel, my yoga instructor....this tea is a great substitute for that afternoon coffee urge.  Not only is it delicious, it contains natural herbal ingredients such as green rooibos tea, ginger, cinnamon, holy basil, cordyceps, chili and black pepper and was created to help increase the body's metabolism and resistance to stress.   

I really love a day home from school, but I think my buddy loves it even more.  He was my shadow throughout the course of the day on Monday...not wanting to miss a trick. 

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

In an otherwise uneventful week, my husband managed to "wow" me one night with his pretty arrangement of chips and salsa.  So much so, that I just had to take a photo of his creation for all to see.     

I have to give props to those who can give up dairy because cheese is quite possibly my favorite thing.  It is especially delicious straight from the cheese state itself, Wisconsin.  I've been loving this aged cheddar served simply with walnuts and dried cranberries.  

My birthday buddy at school brought in treats to celebrate my half birthday since my real one is in the summer.  She made another delicious recipe from Pinterest that's perfect for any chocolate lover {such as myself}: Oreo Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache...{the photo doesn't do the cake justice}...

Finally, I am loving that it's Friday.  This was the first 5-day week we've had in a while and I'm exhausted.  My family has a few things on the agenda this weekend such as a trip to my in-laws on Sunday.  It snowed the day we initially planned the visit over the holiday break so we're making it up now.  I'm also looking forward to a few good runs and some relaxing time at home.

What are you loving lately?    

 

   

Loving Lately

There's nothing better than finishing a run when it's blustery and cold.  Days like that build mental toughness unlike no other.  

The new year always puts me in the mood to start fresh, and it all begins with reorganizing and decluttering.  Once the tree comes down, I plan on starting anew by exploring my home, room-by-room, and making each one more efficient and comfortable for every member of the family.  To start this process, I created a few new boards for inspiration on Pinterest.  Check it out…maybe even give me a "follow" or "like" too…

My sister always gives the best presents and this one is up there with some of my favorites…a Kate Spade necklace in vibrant yellow and pearl trimmed in gold.   

Hot tea is definitely a way to hydrate during the winter months.  Check out Tetley Tea's “Turn Over a New Leaf” campaign for inspiration and support on getting healthier in the new year.  Join Tetley for live chats, daily wellness tips and chances to win prizes such as Amazon gift cards.  The campaign launched on December 17^th and will run through February 2013.  For more information about this exciting campaign, visit their Facebook page or follow Tetley Tea on Twitter at @TetleyUSA.    

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

Every year Fred purchases a poinsettia from one of the many fundraisers at his schools.  This year for some reason, my flower didn't do so well.  To compensate for the drooping stems, I snipped them off and created this colorful centerpiece using a store-bought bouquet of lilies and mums.  The final result was beautiful on my Christmas table.   

The sales after Christmas can be downright amazing.  I picked up this entire bag of clothes for my daughter at the Gap for under $50...five shirts, a dress, a skirt, a pair of tights and a hat.  It was a "score" in my opinion... 

For years, I've been trying to stall my daughter from getting her ears pierced.  My grandparents treated me when I was eight years old, so my mom and I thought it was time for her to have them done.

Flexible wire whisper bracelets {here} add a whimsical touch to a chunky gold watch.   

Banana chocolate chip biscotti from here...perfect to use up ripe bananas. 

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

Wrapping gifts with pretty paper and sparkly ribbon can sometimes be a chore, especially when you have a lot to do.  But once they are finished, the fruits of your labor sit charmingly under the tree for all to admire.     

Hot chocolate on a chilly night is so cozy and relaxing, but a touch of peppermint schnapps makes it even better.  It’s like a Peppermint Patty in a mug.  

A simple wreath made of cut-up white garbage bags tied around a bent hanger makes an adorable holiday gift from any child.  

My hometown {Bethlehem, aka "The Christmas City"} decorated for the holiday is stunning.   

Pretzels and chocolate, salty and sweet…a winning combination. 

After a day off from school, my class left me this note.  I was sent on a scavenger hunt around the classroom.  So cute...they were showing their love!

Let it snow!  The Parent Teacher Association in Connecticut wants the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School to be greeted by a winter wonderland when they head back to school in their new building.  They are asking children and parents from around the country to create unique snowflakes to decorate their school.  The snowflakes are due by January 12^th and you can send them to this address:  

Connecticut PTA

60 Connolly Parkway

Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT  06514

Loving Lately

Christmastime is my absolute favorite time of year, even though I feel frazzled and exhausted.  Our downtown is simply stunning and the local running store’s window display caught my eye.  This wintery scene just about tops last year’s “leg lamp with a running shoe.”

It’s always fun to try new restaurants so the other night we noshed on noodle bowls from One Third Asian Cuisine.  I ordered the chicken noodle bowl with whole wheat udon noodles and Fred ordered the beef version.  Delish!

A night out with girlfriends is needed for the simple reason of laughter, sarcasm and pure enjoyment.  We met at a local restaurant run by the culinary students of a local community college.  A few bottles of wine and delicious food made for a good reason to celebrate the Christmas season, sans children.  

While shopping for presents the other day I picked up a little something for myself.  These gold bangles are enough to make any LBD merry and bright.

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

Hello!  I found this unique wooden tree the other day and was drawn to it immediately.  Even though I didn’t need to purchase yet another holiday  decoration, I had to bring this little guy home with me.  It looked rustic set on the side table in my dining room, but color was missing.  Taking inspiration from my friend {Katie}, I created this flower garland made from printed paper.

My Dunkin Donuts pumpkin coffee is now tucked away for another year, but their new peppermint mocha is a nice change for the season.  Even though I  highly recommended the pumpkin, this cup of joy is worth the money, even for decaf.  

I honestly find gift-wrapping to be a relaxing experience, especially when I have pretty ribbon, fun gift tags, and silk flowers to complete the packages.  The other day I found this string in an assortment of colors and I think it will make a nice finishing touch to food or candy items that I package up to hand out to friends and family. 

Combinations of fresh greens and holly placed in a planter come together nicely for the holiday season.  A few lit faux branches add the perfect finishing touch on any front porch or entryway.       

This past weekend we all headed to the open air mall for our annual Santa visit.  I particularly love this place because I can take my own pictures of the girls with Santa, along with some pretty family photos with their decorations in the background.  It has become an early December tradition every year.

And every year while there, we have coffee and Toll House Cookies from the cafe...

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

Education is top priority in our house, especially since my husband and I both have jobs in school districts.  This week my daughter had her first diorama assignment and we used this project to bond and have a little fun while being creative.  We molded, painted, and glued all inside a little shoebox. 

A creamy bowl of potato soup can't compare on a cold day.  What makes it better?  Bacon, of course. 

  
My Wegman's grocery store sells Italian cookies by the pound, self-serve no less.  I've been wanting to try them for a while, so I picked up a sampler of a variety of types.  I cut them in little pieces and we all were able to decide which we liked best. 

Christmas season can begin, now that my Food Network magazine has arrived.  I can't wait to dig in to all of the festive recipes for the upcoming holiday season. 

I always talk about my friends from work and this week was no different.  We held a tailgate party on Wednesday for the kids to celebrate the Easton - Phillipsburg football game on Thanksgiving day.  It's the oldest high school rivalry in the country and the whole town gets involved, all the way down to the elementary schools.  Newman, the Red Rover mascot, made a visit to say hello to all of the kids.  He especially loved the football!

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

Based on yesterday's post, you can probably guess that I'm excited that it's Friday.  Relaxing tonight, followed by a tailgate football party tomorrow will make for a nice weekend. 

First things first...one of my recipes was featured in Runner's World's food blog, The Ravenous Runner.  This site includes great recipes that are both delicious and nutritious for runners, and I chose to submit my Caprese Farro Salad.  It combines the classic flavors of the caprese salad {tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil} with farro.  Check it out to see more!

Breakfast out with my daughter is a special treat for us both…especially when a carrot cake muffin is involved.  When we split a baked good, our deal is this: one of us cuts the cupcake/cookie/muffin in half while the other gets first choice of the half they want to eat.  It works every time. 

How good do these cupcakes look?  They were a part of the tailgate at Moravian's football game last weekend and I love the vibrant blue.  It’s always fun to add color into food!

Halloween and pumpkin season is past, but these two painted ghourds were featured at the door of a restaurant.  What a cute idea for any tailgate or sports party!

The other day I groggily walked into my dark classroom to a life-sized Freddy Krueger cardboard figure.  I can’t say that I was loving this disfigured serial killer in my room on an early, rainy morning, but I do love the fun I have with the colleagues I work with.  

 

For a little extra fun at school, we have our 4th graders create "turkeys in disguise" with their families.  The completed turkeys are then hung in the hallway for parents to view during parent-teacher conference week.  One of my students decided to make a "Mrs. Harris" turkey, complete with blonde hair and a chalkboard.

What are you loving lately?