Holiday happenings {late}

I'm having battles with my computer and it's winning!

My holiday photos are late but I wanted to get them on my blog for family to see and memories to be held.

We had a great 4th of July! It was relaxing with no pressure and filled with family time and catching up with old friends. 

The day began with a festive overnight french toast bake ~ sooo yummy!

Bentley was happy to oblige with his holiday bow tie. Not so much, he tried to chew it off!



A blueberry mojito. Cheers!



Having everyone involved in the kitchen is secretly a favorite of mine. The conversation flows and silliness escapes creating fun
memories.




The cute pail idea came from none other than Pinterest. I filled them with a few fun goodies, candy, sparklers, and necessary tools for the lobster dinner. I made crab sugar cookies in two different sizes. The larger one on the bottom was dressed in polka dots. These were a cute addition to the table and a great take away.





Dinner was New England style ~ lobsters, corn on the cob and a roasted potato and pepper salad.

We had mini fruit pizzas that Morgan and Nicholas made in the pictures above.



It was a fabulous being with family and friends. To top all the greatness off, I snuck in a quick afternoon nap ~ pure luxury!

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Crazy Train

You know it's been too long when you have no idea where to begin. I've been on the crazy train for months. It just doesn't slow down long enough for me to jump off!

I'm going to throw in some pictures, a few blurbs, and hope you can read between the lines and get the big picture of what's been going on in my little neck of the world.

Nicholas came home to go skiing in Vermont then headed down to spend a few days with me. Time with him was just what I needed! As a nice suprise, he was making dinner for me when I got home from school one evening. Such a sweet boy! We had a great time together, I really enjoy spending time with my son. I'm very proud of the man he is becoming!

We had quite the snowfall ~ blizzard! It lasted two days and left us with almost 3 feet snow. It was beautiful! I'll be honest, it was nice to be snowed in for a few days with no schedule! I was able to tackle many projects that I've been meaning to get to. Nicholas was bummed that he was back in North Carolina and not up here to take advantage of the fresh snow cover.

I made a few goodies for my friends and family. It wouldn't be a special day if I didn't make sugar cookies and homemade candies. This year I made heart hand warmers for my teaching buddies. If you worked in my school, you'd appreciate the need!





I have to be honest, Valentine's hasn't always been a holiday I've looked forward to or enjoyed. I've always done special things for my son and students but didn't really like all the hype for adults ~ expensive dinners out, the expectations of flowers, or expensive gifts and so on. My husband began the tradition of making dinner for me at home several years ago~ as in shopping, cooking and cleaning the kitchen. It's the greatest gift. Now I LOVE Valentine's day :)





I'll close with one of my new recipes ...




I've been experimenting with overnight baked oatmeal. The one pictured is apple and cranberry ~ yum! This is part of my new plan of eating cleaner. I'll go into that other time since this is getting rather long.

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Change of Seasons

I know, I know, it's officially fall but I'm just not ready to accept this minor seasonal detail.

Remember when you were a child and everything was the best because you were young and carefree? Well, I had one of those summers. It was the best! 

I've been really bad about posting so I'll have to do a highlight of the season. Our summer was filled with fun times, great friends and family ~ a recipe for the best summer ever! :)

We spent a fabulous day at the Americas Cup Series. It was a gorgeous day. The weather was absolutely perfect! There was a light breeze, it was sunny and low humidity. It was so nice to have a laid back day with Kevin.

*I learned the hard way of the importance of good {as in not the cute and fun ones} sunglasses after spending the entire day in hazy sun reflecting off the water. I burned my retinas and am still paying for this many weeks later!*

We celebrated holidays and many special times. 

My sweet son surprised me with a package of Lilly goodies.  It was filled with all the important essentials for days at the beach! Yup, I raised him right :)

I'm going to miss dinners on the patio with fresh farmer's market goodies. Not to mention my favorite summer sipper ~ ruby red grapefruit margaritas. 



We were so fortunate to spend lots of time with good friends {welcome baby Graham} attended local events, and got away for a great vacation compliments of my husband planning.



Best of all, was the time I spent with my family! I love them tons. If only they didn't live so far away.  Nicholas wasn't exactly "feeling" like photos after his day of golfing {and they say girls are the emotional ones ~ Ha!}


The weather hasn't made too big of a shift towards fall yet so I'm trying to hold on to the warm sunshine filled days and ignore the reports that we are in for a cold snowy winter. 

Yes, denial is my best friend! :)

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Celebrate

My handsome son is celebrating his birthday today!


I wish I could spend his special day with him but I'll see him soon and we'll make up for it up then!


He is a kind and considerate young man ... a mother's goal come true. Each day I am inspired by his determination, ethics, and compassion ~ the tables are starting to turn and he is now beginning to teach me life lessons. 


Yep, I think it's pretty neat!


Have a FABULOUS birthday sweet boy! 
I love you tons and tons! :)

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Thankful Heart

When my blog friend Heidi proposed the Thankful Heart Project, I knew I wanted  to join in on the fun. I had high hopes of featuring one of the many blessings in my life each day with you during the month of November. Well, as you can tell by the date, I haven't exactly achieved that goal. So, instead of stressing out, I'm going to bend the rules just a tad and do what I can with my crazy schedule this fall.

I am so thankful that I was chosen to be Nicholas' mom. He has grown into a wonderful young man. Now that he is an adult, I have the pleasure of enjoying a new, and different, role in parenting. No, he isn't finished growing or learning but he is well on his way and my hard work of parenting in his younger years is paying off!  Whew!

Nicholas was home a couple of weeks ago for fall break. His visit was nothing short of  fabulous. We had a great time together filled with family fun. I'm planning on sharing his visit in the next few days {read I'm really behind on blogging!}

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A Day of Celebration

{This was taken while he was attending Montessori. He loved "his" school! They called him a miniature Mr. GQ ~ we still giggle over this and remains one of my favorite memories.}

Today my sweet boy {now a man} is celebrating a special birthday!

Regardless of his age or height he will always be my little guy.

I vividly remember the day he was born.

He arrived with a full head of white blond hair and the biggest blue eyes. Even the doctor comment on the amount of hair he had for a little blondy.

So sweet and cute!

Nicholas weighed in at 9lbs 2oz

They called him a moose {in a most loving way} in the nursery.

He loved to snuggle and the nurses were sad to see him go.

When they put him in my arms he had a smile on his face which remains in place to this day. Many compliments have been expressed at his happy go lucky, bright and smiling personality. This too is still in place ~ a delightful character trait.

Many of the characteristics have remained while other wonderful qualities have developed. It's been a delight watching him evolve into the person he is today.

The time has gone by so {too} quickly. I've barely had time to catch my breath from the non~stop activities of raising a child.

Today

On this very special day I wish him much happiness, loads of love, and lots of hugs and kisses.

Nicholas reads my blog while he is away at school {so sweet!} to see what we are up to here at home.
Today, Nicholas,  we are celebrating your special day made just for you!

Love you tons and tons~
Mom

I wrote Nicholas a letter to commemorate this birthday that I will share soon. Because it is personal, I wanted Nicholas to read it first before I shared it here.

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Parenting

This week I've been greeted with the reality that parenting doesn't end ... ever. Well, it's not a new revelation exactly. Parenting changes as your child grows but the rules don't. The love intensifies, as do the worries, while each stage of growth ticks by. They require fewer boundaries for safety yet greater guidance.


Each morning I gaze out at the welcoming lines at school and I silently say to the parents of the young, enjoy the days when a kiss or hug will solve a major crisis, a battle over mixed matched clothing isn't worth having, and the reassurance of an afternoon pick up calms their child's world.


Those were the days!


It's a little more difficult {read lots} when they become older. As in young adults older. When they live many states away yet still need their mommy and daddy {sometimes} but don't want to admit it or don't know how to ask at the moment. They feel lost and want to be scooped up into our laps where we tell them everything will be just fine. However, there is such a level of, self imposed, pride, that they don't tainted. Yet what they don't understand, at this age, is that asking for help is a sign of maturity.


They also don't realize the toll it takes on us {parents} because we can no longer jump in with our Super Hero Cape on and save the day! No, instead we must allow them to fight their own battles so that the sweet victory is all theirs and the reward is self-confidence! Something that cannot be given and must be earned. It's a required lesson in becoming independent. I've had to trade in my magical cape for prayer. Lots and lots and lots of it I might add. God and I are bestie these days. He is on my speed dial and hears from me quite often.


With a few more years of life experience on my side, I know he'll be fine. We {parents} recognize these trials as mere speed bumps on the rough road of life. Oh, they were painful when we passed over them so many years ago so we understand and commiserate the pain. We too thought our world was ending or least drastically scarred and would never be the same. If only I had a video tape to replay and prove that yes, you will survive.

What my sweet son doesn't realize is that we, as his parents, are hurting with him and share in the pain because it hurts us to see him hurting. It's hard to stand silently on the sidelines of this game called life.

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Fall break and a special visitor

I am so far behind in postings. Life has been crazy busy in our home. I'm looking forward to popping over and see what you've all been up to the past few weeks.

We recently enjoyed a wonderful visit with my son Nicholas. He came home just in time to enjoy the amazing beauty of a true autumn in New England. We were delighted to meet his girlfriend, Lauren. She is a lovely young lady inside and out.

For a little behind the scenes information, when Nicholas was growing up I felt it was very important to have his friends in our home. This provided me the opportunity to see the types of friends he chose to spend time with as well his behavior around them. There are a couple of sayings that I've heard over the years. They go something like ... your friends are the reflection of who you really are and, show me your friends and I'll know where you're heading in life.

I often hear parents of daughters say that they want to meet the young men their daughters are dating to "check them out" and make sure they will "treat her right." Well, I feel that should apply to both daughters and sons. When Nicholas began dating ~ sorry I have to laugh at this because he really didn't date that much in high school. He was always hanging out with his group {great kids} of friends. Anyway, I felt it was important for Nicholas to bring the young lady to our home for the very same reasons. Secretly, I think he also wanted our approval.

He brought Lauren to Connecticut to meet his family and show her around the area. I assumed that we would share snippets of time between their other outings with friends. I was thrilled that they spent almost all their time with us. It was simply delightful!

They arrived Saturday just time for the Fall Festival. They literally walked through that door and I put them both to work. Without missing a beat Lauren jumped right in as though she had visited before and knew the drill.




The weather was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was bright with just a little nip in the air. We met a few of our friends there and spent the entire day grazing on our gourmet picnic and laughing.



Later that night we built a fire on the patio and enjoyed hearing stories about college life. I am going back to school ~ they've got the life!

Check out Nicholas' sunburn. Who would have thought of bringing sunscreen in October?



To help Lauren feel welcome, I made here a little tray and placed it in her bedroom. I took this before I had a chance to place all the goodies. In it's original state it was black with spaces for photos. It really wasn't my taste so I painted it white and put scrap book paper in the photo slots. There was a letter of welcoming and few items to make her comfortable during her stay.



In the course of conversation, I learned that she had never been to an apple orchard, never tasted cider, nor had a carmel apple. Hmmm, we needed to do something about this and quick. After all, you can't visit New England and not check these off your list. Mission accomplished when we sent them back to North Carolina.



One of the last apple presses. The cider is amazing! The doughnuts, fritters, and pies aren't bad either ;)






 A sweet little shop and sitting area to enjoy your apple and pumpkin goodies.





I love this old iron fence.



Freshly picked pumpkins from the patch.



While the turkey was on the grill {dinner request from Nicholas} we busied ourselves with making carmel apples.



We had several different toppings. I went with the mini chocolate chips and crushed pretzels. Yummy ~ sweet and salty! I caught my husband licking his fingers after "taste testing" a few of the leftovers. I think we'll need to make a few more before the season is over.
Helpful tip for sticky carmel ~ use the non stick aluminum foil



Nicholas wanted a couple of photos with the dogs. Let me just tell you that this is no easy feat. I thought it was hard to photograph small children but I think I may have found more challenging subjects. Thank Bentley and Bozley for offering a little comic relief ~ ugh!




This is the best we could do before they had to be on their way.

It was GREAT having my little guy home and I had tears running down my face as I said good~bye. I am so proud of the young man he has become and I was very impressed with the gentlemanly manner he exhibits towards Lauren. I think it's a goal of all mothers with sons that they become true gentleman.

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I've got the blues ...

The Carolina Blues


My sweet boy {who really isn't a boy any longer} returned to North Carolina for fall session a few weeks ago. Is it wrong that I've been checking off the days until he returns for fall break? :)

He loves being there and all that it has to offer. I can see it in his face and hear it in his voice. I'm happy for that. Really I am.

That doesn't make my missing him any easier though.  

 {jokingly posing for his annual back to school shot}

He was born with a smile on his face {but not that scruffy beard that I don't care for :)} and even when he's upset, it isn't long before the corners begin to creep back up into their natural state.

There is an unwelcoming silence each time he leaves to go back to school. This year that silence is so loud, it's deafening! I'm really having a hard time with his absence. I miss the daily interactions in our home and the casual conversations that ensue.

Nicholas has the ability to change the disposition of a room just by entering. His personality is big and lively and all encompassing.



He is kind and generous. Over the past few years I've really enjoyed our conversations as he begins to form his own personal thoughts and feelings towards the "hot topics."  We may not always see eye to eye on every topic {and that's ok} but he is growing and finding his way in this very big world with so many challenging hurdles. I value his perspectives and am humbled at times by his wisdom at such a young age.  His fortitude is strong and will carry him well through his adventures in life.





Never to be the follower, even as a toddler, he is a leader and steps out of the way for those that choose a path he wouldn't consider. Before doing so, he takes the time to share with them the possibilities of where their choices may lead them and the consequences that could follow. I marvel at his strength and smile within knowing that he was listening to us during those formative years and tucked our words away for safe keeping.

 

 Nicholas is often my right hand man when we have parties or large gatherings.Willing to jump in and help without being asked. He knows exactly what to do and is on the spot even before I have a chance to form the directive words. He cooks, hosts, converses and the best ~ he helps clean up after the last guest has left! He has even been known to change his plans for the evening and take over the kitchen just so that I have the ability to enjoy my guests.



Nicholas, always remember that you are my greatest accomplishment. I expect great things from you as your life unfolds and you continue your journey through life. You are an amazing and talented young man.

I am SO proud of you!

I love you tons and tons,
Mom

I hope he knows just how much I love him. I tell him every chance I get but does he understand the depth of those simple words?

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It's been tough

 

{Mom and Nicholas 2008}


My heart is aching for my son.
This weekend he attended the funeral of one of his friends. He was killed in an auto accident. It was late at night and the driver hit a tree. According to the reports, he was killed instantly. The following morning the news broke with the fate of this young man. I cannot even begin to imagine the horror his parents have been going through. They have been in my prayers all week.
Honestly, I'm not sure I'd have the strength to go on.

When Nicholas called to tell me the news I knew he was upset and wanted to talk. Not necessarily about the accident but just talk. I think he needed the connection of home and safety.
As his mom, I wanted to pull him onto my lap, wrap my arms around him and keep him there, safe from life. Obviously, this isn't a reality on many levels.
Both his father and I took this opportunity to talk with him about choices in life and the consequences ~ dire at times.
We shared with him that youth is not invincible.
 Nicholas is a wonderful and loving young man. His father and I are so very proud of him. He is doing very well in college and we want him to enjoy all the experiences that come with this "right of passage."  However, there will always be a tomorrow and his choices dictate how he will face it.

I made sure I called him several times this week. I'm still a little concerned about his health. He is feeling better but not up to full speed just yet and his throat is still sore. I also wanted to provide him the option of sharing his feelings if he needed to.
During one conversation he got a little weepy {my heart was crying for my little guy} and expressed his fear of what had happened, how he had never lost a friend, the void he felt without seeing him this week, and how this is affecting his life.

I sent him a note of encouragement as he faced the day of saying goodbye forever to his friend. I reminded him that I was only a phone call away if he needed me. I made sure I had my phone with me at all times on Saturday. Nicholas called me not once but twice; before and after the funeral. Nicholas shared that the hardest part of the service was when the younger brother spoke of what would never be between him and his brother due to his loss and when his mother greeted him with such grief and emptiness in her eyes. I had {and do now as I type this} tears flowing down my cheeks for the loss that this mother will carry for the rest of her life.

 Nicholas thanked me many times during our conversation for always being there for him and expressed how much he loved me.

My son had to face a very difficult life lesson this weekend.

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Update and Reminder

*Thank you for all your very sweet comments, prayers and wonderful emails. Each and everyone has been truly appreciated and cherished. I shared them with my son and he was very touched. I think he was surprised that complete strangers to him would be so concerned with his well being.

He wanted to make sure that I thanked you and to let you know that he is doing better.

I've been asked more than once if it's been hard not being with him ~ Oh my YES!

His father was in D.C. on business so not only was he closer than me but, it was also easier for him to get down there due to his work schedule.

Nicholas is doing better but still in pain. I'm very concerned about this. I realize that viruses need to run their so called courses but, I would have thought that by now he would be feeling remarkably better.

He and his father have spent some time talking about his heath and it's affects on me :) If he isn't feeling any better by tomorrow he is heading back to the doctors. His father will be checking in with both parties and over seeing Nicholas' complete recovery.

I just can't thank you all enough ~ it's meant the world to me!

*Don't forget our book swap, it ends tonight. It's a fabulous way to recycle and save a few {or many} dollars while treating yourself to some great new titles!

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Always a Mommy

My "little" guy is really sick and in a lot of pain.

He called me late Monday night and asked what he could take for a sore throat.

My son was diagnosed with a severe dye allergy when he was very young. There is very little he can take and carries an Epi Pen just in case he ingests something {or some color} he shouldn't.

I ran down the list and he finally found a dye free med. Before you ask, yes, we always have him loaded down with the items he can take. The problem is that the bottle he had "disappeared" in his room.

While none of this may sound alarming to you, I should also add the distance currently between the two of us. I live in Connecticut and he is attending college in

North Carolina.

When I spoke with him Tuesday morning I couldn't understand a word he was saying. The only way we could communicate was through emails and texting. His throat was so swollen and sore he couldn't speak. He said it felt like pins were in his throat and when he swallowed it felt like razor blades.

I urged him to go to the clinic. He told me his whole body was achy and he didn't want to get out of bed.

{ summer 2009 upon his return from NC for the summer}

{It's very early in the morning ~ I'm looking a little out of it.}

I made a comment to one of my dear blog friends, Corey, and within seconds I had an email from her offering to help Nicholas in anyway she could. I can't tell you how touched I was, and still am. To think that a working mother of three young children would stop what she was doing to go help a child she has never met brought tears to my eyes! I'm truly blessed to have such amazing friends in my life ~ thank you!

By Wednesday I was getting very worried. I was vacillating on what to do ~ I'd already looked into plane tickets. After a short conversation, his father jumped on a plane and is now with Nicholas.

The wanted to hospitalize him due to dehydration but because his father is now there, they have turned him over to his care. He has a severe virus and is on something rather strong {I think anyway} for his pain.

I've come to the conclusion that NO matter how old your babies are, you will NEVER be able to take the Mommy out of the Mom.

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Cleaning out ~ Free fun!

This little guy adores my son. He lives across the street and literally waits for Nick to come home. When he does, the greeting is sweet and filled with such admiration and excitement.

When Nick came home from college this summer it was our little neighborhood town crier that announced the arrival of Nick's 4Runner in the subdivision. He sat in his front yard on a landscaping rock for the longest time just waiting to spy Nick's red truck. After getting permission from his mom, he hopped on his bike and was in our driveway in a matter of 1 second to greet his buddy.

Whenever he sees Nick in the yard, he yells over to him. He always manages to find something that they both have in common. Today it was their short hair cuts ~ now they look alike ~ how sweet is that!

He has even asked if Nick could babysit him ~ awwwh.

This afternoon Nick was getting a few things out of the garage attic. Next thing we knew, Julian was right beside him helping. Not long after his arrival, a pile of "treasures" was being set aside for Julian to take home. I, of course, thought this was a fabulous idea ~ sharing our wealth {aka cleaning out the "treasures" that couldn't possibly be thrown away so we stored them and now they are just taking up space in our attic} I'm sure his mother was just as happy as I (her receiving and my giving) when we had to help him across the street with his new found fun!

Bozley managed to get a new red ball out of the deal and join in the fun of squirt guns.

Half the fun of having an older neighbor boy to look up to is getting some of their cool stuff. It was so fun to watch the look on Julian's face as they went through the boxes and pulled out Nick's history as a boy.

When Nick was a little boy, he looked up to Pete. Thanks to Claudia {Pete's mother} Nick came home many a times with passed on treasures!

Fran, you can thank me later for the bike ramp.

We only visited the ER once ~ honestly! : )

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He's home!

He is home and I am thrilled!

Classes ended a few weeks ago but, he stayed down in the Carolina's

to do a little golfing, and spend some time with family before heading back "up north"

for the summer.

This may sound odd, but life is right again ~ my balance has been resumed.

I'm looking forward to summer and spending long lazy {humor me} days relaxing and just enjoying my time with my children.

His first words to me were ~ man it's cold here! Thanks Nick, I missed you too! :)

It's not the greatest picture of either one of us ~ Nicholas had been driving all day and I had just gotten home from school and changed into my bummy clothes

Nonetheless, I'm ecstatic to see my baby boy!

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Bottomless

How is it that after three meals, a few snacks in between, and walk by nibbles,

you can still be hungry at 9:30pm?

Nicholas and Shannon decided to make smoothies Saturday night.

I was thinking bed and they were planning their next concoction.

I guess I shouldn't complain as this was a

healthy choice.

Two growing teens is adding up to a very large

market bill!

Really guys, leave something in the refrigerator for the

rest of us :)

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