Looking back on these joyous moments has me feeling grateful for being surrounded by so much love and kindness.

Our tradition of spending our day tree hunting with the Yoder family & going to lunch always kicks off the season just right!

It was sunny, bright & beautiful. The crisp cold temps were in the teens…

Less pictures this year and more focus on the hunt.

 

 

This is how magical the day began prior to my annual gathering with my girlfriends.    

Every year I love to gather my girlfriends and treat them to an evening full of bliss.
It is truly a celebration of what they add to my life.

The evening started with a toast to friendship!




The Menu

We began with appetizers; sparkling cranberry brie bites, homemade tomato basil shooters with homemade parmesan crackers and spicy artichoke dip with veggies.


The main course:
Butternut Squash Lasagna with homemade sauce & spinach noodles.
Caesar Salad with homemade healthier dressing
Homemade italian bread
Roasted brussels sprouts

The Dessert Menu
Glazed Rum Cake
Chocolate Rugelach

A few photos preparing the special meal for my favorite gals:

I love to make gifts from my kitchen, garden & heart:
I made my homemade healthy granola, Herbs de Provence, and I feel good salt is essential to creating any great meal. So I made Himalayan Rosemary, Lavender Salts.
I also love to make the table, where we gather and spend so much time together sharing, laughing & creating memories special.
This year I did German Glitter Initials and Homemade Rosemary Wreaths. The fresh aromas of rosemary filled the room and when I smell it cooking today I think of this evening…
I smile as it truly warms my heart.

So many wonderful gifts from my gals that I will treasure:

Thanks to SuLee that is an amazing photographer grabbed the camera and took some fantastic shots.

In this moment and even to this day I’m full of joy for this evening we spent together.

We love our family tradition of going to a broadway show, play or a full day outing. Taking in the magic that surrounds us in the midst of the season.
We took my parents to Oliver at the 5th Ave theater.
We enjoyed a walk around the city.
So many were decked in their “Santa Attire.” The streets were bustling
with shoppers. We grabbed a bite at the perfect time.
We all shared how we loved the feeling of magic.
Oliver was a delight! We all throughly enjoyed it.

Christmas Eve was wonderful to visit grandma Glo & Bob.

We were thrilled that evening to get home and hop in our Christmas Jammie’s. Well all but one… My oldest son Jaden has decided he does not want to match us all.
Note to self; maybe same color scheme but switch up the styles.
Had a wonderful dinner, played games and listened to some of our favorite Elf-ism.

Before Bed the boys wanted to make sure santa was taken care of…

Many thanks to my girlfriend Deb, Yes Deb the baker for these scrumptious cookies and I was savoring one last cookie from my girlfriend Trish… Hard to share with Santa but the boys insisted!

It’s tradition to have brunch with my parents.
Pretty much the same menu every year.
Stuffed French Toast with homemade berry syrup.
This year was extra special as they were from our family produce garden. I canned blueberries in their own syrup with fresh lavender from our herb garden.
Homemade tortillas for Huevos Rancheros.
I loved that I canned spicy salsa & salsa verde – perfect toppings!
Spicy potatoes
Mimosa’s
It was truly a wonderful Christmas morning!

We had a few friends from out-of-town over the holidays.
It was wonderful to see old friends and new.

New Years with the family is my favorite ways to celebrate.

Games, movies & amazing meal brings me such joy.

We started the new year off right

Wonderful long walk on a crisp foggy day.

A blog I started following last year is beyond inspiring! She picks a word every year and incorporates it into her daily life. I started mid way last year… Just when you think things can’t get better-It does! Last year for me was “JOY” I still use it daily too. I have added  2014 “Embrace”

Embrace the moment, life, health, my body, surroundings, family, friends & much more!

This may be part of my posting Merry magical moments as it is almost spring. -Embracing my surroundings!

This means more to me than my girlfriend will ever know..tears of joy rolled down my face with the biggest smile.
I read it everyday as it is hanging in my kitchen.
Showing how you feel, saying it, and sharing is one of the greatest gifts that can me given.

*Quotes were found on Pinterest and internet search