Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal.

Today kicks off my 31st year.  Farewell 30. You have been one of most favorite years yet….

I learned how to drive in the snow…

And decided I’d rather walk.

I learned how to casually cross country ski…

And thanks to a wrong turn, I raced downhill with wide eyes too.

I helped plant my first seeds…

And with a little patience, I saw some pretty fabulous things grow.

I road tripped around New England with my fly guy…

And ordered a croissant with a French accent in Montreal.

I ate and ate and ate…
And even stepped up my own kitchen game a bit.

I picked up my first “fancy” camera…

And fell in love with learning how to tell stories with light.

Ultimately I started following my heart…

And imagine that, there lie my happy place.

Here’s to living 365 days to the fullest. Because after all life is not a dress rehearsal. When will you get to be 31 again?

xo,
a.

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Turkey Three Ways – Cupboard Challenge

When we moved, we knew money was going to be tight 1) because the hardworking husband is now a hardworking student (paycheck not included) and 2) because rent in New England is no joke (well actually, the joke’s what you get for your money.  Our lovely rental by the river excluded). 

So as much as we hated to admit it we knew we would have to REALLY scale back on one of the things we love the most – dining out and doing it big.  Wah wah waahhh…

On the flip side however, this change has opened our eyes to something we have missed for years.  The simple pleasure in planning meals together, taking time out to cook together, and best of all finally getting creative together. 

What we figured out? We’re pretty freakin’ good at stretching our grocery dollar.  Only downside uncovered – it does get tricky trying to stay local and on budget. But, the challenge continues (and ideas are most welcome!).

In the meantime, here’s a sampling of last week’s menu incorporating our hot buy of the week, ground turkey. Bet you can’t guess the rookie’s plate up (aka mine)…

Roasted Jalapeno and Onion Turkey Burgers With Sprouts, Spring Lettuces, Avocado and Cilantro Garlic Aioli

 

Brown Sugar Glazed Turkey Meatloaf with Brown Butter Gnocchi, Fiddleheads, and a Spinach Salad with Fresh Cheese Curds, Bacon and Blueberry Vinaigrette

Garlic, Onion, Sage and Rosemary Turkey Meatballs with Homemade Classic Marinara Sauce, Fried Hartwell Polenta Over Sautéed Spinach and Cremini Mushrooms

Until we eat again,
A & H

Cut that Ribbon and Hit the Road

Just breathe…

That’s what I am finally remembering to do these days.  We both really are now that we’re finally settling into this (surprisingly hot as *&%& with no air conditioner) New England life. 

May was a whirlwind, a good whirlwind, but nevertheless. 

Let’s see…

We showed and showed and showed our house and then sold our house (with plenty of glorious punch list items in between).  Thanks for all of your help Cathy Bailey of Prudential Carolinas *plug, plug*!

Dramatization.... actual reaction less glamorous.

He worked and worked and worked and cooked and cooked and cooked at the family catering business (and successfully pulled off the largest event of his career thus far… cue confetti!).  

We had going away parties with friends that mean the world…AND also became the running joke for having so many going away parties (Are you SURE you’re really going?” they said)

He also turned 30 and I threw him a rockin’ surprise birthday party (in part because he said I never could).

Yep, that's about right.

Oh, and I ran around like a loony toon prepping for and promoting the big opening of my company’s new event facility, all while working on freelance projects in between. 

(Kind of) a dramatization...

May was a mutha… er, I mean a whirlwind.  But, a good whirlwind nevertheless.

It’s only fitting that May concluded with probably two of the (top ten) most special moments in my life. 

I was there to watch the ribbon cut and crowds fill the facility that I have been marketing before it even had a name (and my family was there to see it all).

Photo by Autumn Song Photography

And then, I put the final moving boxes in my Jeep and rode off the next morning with two of my closest friends to join my husband to kick off an experience we won’t soon forget.

June starts the journey, sure to be another whirlwind, nevertheless.