dreaming of a white christmas

or maybe I don't have to dream...

It's snowing here in Massachusetts.

And there's absolutely nowhere I have to be

but home,

homemade cocoa... see the cinnamon stick? :)

 with Matt upstairs and my little bunny by the tree.

Is it snowing where you are?

xoxo

Welcome Benjamin Charles:)

Hello friends!

I just wanted to post an update that sweet Benjamin Charles came into the world yesterday, 11/22/2010, at 7:57 pm, weighing 9 pounds! He's healthy and we're all doing well, getting as much sleep in the hospital as we can. We'll be home just in time for a cozy Thanksgiving dinner and we have a lot to be thankful for.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday. I'll post pictures of the little guy soon:).

xoxo

waiting:)

Benjamin's due date came and went on the 14th without a sign of the little dude. I guess he's super comfortable in there. What he doesn't know is what he's missing out on out here; the fireplace heating the home daily, homemade apple crisp and chicken pot pies, Christmas music being played a bit too early, a snuggly black pup (who seems to think that the nursery was decorated just for her; we've been finding her laying in there almost every morning).... it will be worth the wait for him, we'll make sure of it:).

This first half of November has consisted of hibernating & nesting in our home in the woods. The nursery is coming along nicely. There are a few things missing, including a book shelf that my parents picked up at an antique shop, some photos & artwork for the wall, and of course, the little guy, himself. Here are some photos of the progress to date:

My old baby blanket to carry Benji home in

A swaddled frog... good practice for Benjamin

A closet full of hand-me-downs

xoxo

photos taken with love

Happy weekend! I hope that you were all able to enjoy an extra hour of sleep this morning:).

Benjamin's nursery is coming along... there are a few final touches that are needed, which may or may not happen before he decides to grace us with his presence. I wanted to share with you some lovely photos that my oldest & dearest friend, Amber, took to decorate his walls. The rest can be seen here at her blog. They're the perfect blend of retro, fun and little-boy-but-not-overly-so. I love them and know that the little man will too:).

Thanks A:).

xoxo

gratitude

Happy November.

This month has always been a very special treat for me, for it's the perfect blend of fall and winter, with the excitement of the holidays folded in, generous dashes of family gatherings and beautiful decorations, rounded teaspoons of leaf piles, dustings of snow. I get giddy just thinking about it.

I think back to my childhood Novembers, which were always packed with a flurry of activity, family, delicious foods and smells wafting from the kitchen, pumpkin-anything, cozy nights in front of a holiday movie, with a roaring fire in the background. My parents raised us in a home wrapped in love and happiness and I can only hope that my children will feel and know the same. 

This November, we'll be spending a lot of time in our home, getting to know this little baby, who is still quite comfortable inside me, I might add;). We feel like we're as ready as we'll ever be to welcome this little guy into our home. A home that we built on love for each other... and now a love for this little boy (and Luna too, we must not forget her:)). I look at how Matt is preparing for 'the big day' and it nearly brings tears to my eyes. He's already a proud papa- it's so sweet. He's so protective and attentive and he won't let me do anything around the house. He rubs my belly every day with such a proud look on his face, something that Benjamin will never see, at least not from this perspective, but something that I get to see every day, and will cherish forever.

I'm full of gratitude this November. Gratitude for my past, for our future, and for today.

Happy November:)

xoxo

Try to remember the kind of September

 Where did the month go? To me, this is the most lovely month of the year, yet it flies by in the blink of an eye. How has your September been? Filled with apples and cinnamon, the precious reds, yellows and oranges of foliage and cool evenings tucked under blankets?

This month has been insanely busy, though wonderful, nonetheless. We've been living in a home that's being renovated, so it's a bit chaotic at times, but only a few more weeks left... I promise to post photos once our house is put back together. Right now it looks like it's been hit by a tornado.



 We spent some time at the Cape early this month, our babymoon, as we called it, and it was the most relaxing vacation we've ever had. We read, slept, grilled, had fires on the beach and enjoyed the end of summer/ 'welcome autumn' weather.

Mattie windsurfing.... Luna looking longingly at her love;)

Renovation in progress....

We've had some very special visitors this month, despite the house being in shambles, including one of my very dear friends, Amber, and her brood. We went to a local farm, where her babes got to admire the farm animals and, along with the joy of seeing the farm through the eyes of the happy little sweet one, we also treated ourselves to some homemade cider donuts. They were completely and deliciously fall.

adorable family:)

This past weekend I turned 30. Matt brought home some peanut butter-chocolate ice-cream cake (he knows me too well) and we spent a relaxing time with our families in Connecticut. A much mellower version of the big three-oh than I've always imagined, but just perfect.

I've been growing daily, or rather I should say that the little guy has been growing daily. We've taken to calling him Benji. And I have to say, I think this Benji's a dancer.

I hope that you are all enjoying every moment of this beautiful month and I look forward to sharing the sweetness of the fall here in blogland with you.

xoxo

Today's Sweet Pleasures

Cucumber and tomato salad, with vegetables pulled fresh from our garden

The smell of apple crisp wafting from the oven

A cool breeze coming in through open windows

An afternoon nap with hubby & Luna

A pumpkin-scented candle
Laundry hanging out to dry on the clothes line

Peanut butter and pumpkin spice spread on whole grain toast

The name Benjamin- soon to belong to the little guy inside of me

Baby kicks tickling my belly

The anticipation of what September, my favorite month, will bring

Knowing that today is the first of a three-day weekend

Dinner and an outdoor fire with friends this evening

I hope your Saturday is full of sweet things:)

xoxo

nursery ideas from etsy

We're renovating our second floor starting next week to make room for the little one on the way (a yet-to-be-named baby boy:)). For the nursery, I'd like to keep the style simple & clean (something he can grow with), with some vintage accents. I couldn't think of a better place to hunt for this style than etsy. So, perusing I did, and here are some of the items I adore (clockwise from upper left):

** farm animal baby blanket from BubblesandSqueaks; * french market basket from sadieolive; * vintage wooden blocks from sadieolive; * bird clay tag from marleyandlockyer; * grain sack pillow from jillbent; * vintage floral banner from jillbent **

Aren't they adorable?? :)

My plan is for an all white/ beige nursery with the occasional red accent. My mom found a sweet little rocking chair on the side of the road, which we snatched up and I will be painting a fresh coat of red. Once the renovations (on room and furniture) begin, I'll post some photos.

Happy Wednesday:).

xoxo

baby and chipmunk

Yes, something is most definitely growing in there. Something that has a sweet tooth, I may add. Or maybe that's just my excuse:).

On the garden front, this evening I spied a little chipmunk in the garden. I'm not 100% sure if he is THE tomato thief, as I didn't catch him in the act. But I'm a little suspicious....

I hope you're all gearing up for a lovely weekend;). It's almost here!

xoxo

more from france

It's been a very hot July in Massachusetts. I have daily thoughts of turning the back sprinklers on and running through in my bathing suit, much like my childhood summers. Maybe this weekend we'll see some sprinkler action:).

Here are some more photos from our France trip, specifically Saint-Malo. Yes, there were activities that occurred outside of taste-testing fabulous french desserts;).

This was the view from our hotel balcony... just breathtaking. We slept with the door open to allow ample flow of salty sea air:).

And here are some perspectives of the old walled city of Saint-Malo, La Ville Intra-Muros.

A sweet little creperie overlooking the English channel (delicious banana chocolate crepes served here, with a stunning view:))

And tucked away inside the walled city are rows of fabulous little cafes, shops, vendors.

And a little sneak peek at the baby bump visiting France:)

I hope you're all having an enjoyable July. I'll post some photos from Paris soon. Until then, stay cool, wherever you may be:).

xoxo