Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Day

Christmas here was amazing!! Here are some of my favorite highlights--

1. The boys played upstairs a half an hour before they came downstairs. When asked why they didn't come bolting down to see what Santa brought them they simply said said, because we are suppose to play quietly in our room in the morning.

2. Santa brought me the exact things on my wish list. I chatted with him earlier and told him, I always appreciate his gifts, but I'd rather have 2 things I really want and know ill love/use as opposed to 15 things I may not use or really like. I've really been embracing the idea of quality over quantity in my life as of late; rlationships, clothes, housewares, ect...

3. The matching Red Sox hoodies I got Royal and Margot!!

4. After starting my food preparations I was lured out to peek I to the living room-- I found Royal and Chaz building a Lincoln log fortress, Margot playing {on her own!!} with her kitchen and pots, and Richie on the stairwell playing with Margot's new farm and animals. It was a memory I'll always keep and treasure for ever.


5. The past 6 years have been really rough for my family. My parents were separated for a time, I had gone a whole year without speaking with my father, and honestly without Royal I don't know how I would gotten through it. Take it from me the man really knows how to comfort me and get me through stuff I don't always like to deal with. With that being said we've all been on the road to recovery for the past year now. My parents are under the same roof working things out and so I was honored to host Christmas dinner for my family; together.

6. Speaking of dinner I finally nailed my au gratin dish. This was my final attempt-- 4 failures was enough. This was of course the cherry to top of dinner all around. I felt like Thanksgiving was a flop and am happy to report that dinner was delicious and as the chef, fulfilling.



7. I also remembered to 1) make a toast and 2) take lots of pictures.

8. My favorite present from Royal was a vintage Boston rocker. The craftsmanship of this antique is simply gorgeous. I have already announced that we will never sell this rocker.
See-- when we left for South America we sold nearly everything we owned, including my rocking chair. That one was just from Ikea, but I still loved it and rocked all 3 of my babies in it. So when I saw that I had been given another one along with the style I couldn't help but think what a perfect way to start saving heirlooms for our children.

9. Last night after the boys were asleep and my family was quietly sitting around the fire I wrapped my new pottery barn throw around my shoulders scooped up my baby and sat down in my rocker. I hummed O Holy Night in her ear and gazed and my beautifully decorate tree and rocked my girl to sleep. It was the most wonderful moment if the day. I was so filled happiness and I thank my Savior Jesus Christ for all the amazing things that he has blessed me with this year.



10. While rocking baby girl and looking at the aforementioned tree I noticed that pretty much every ornament was in a different place than it had been originally put, but it still looked great. Such is life with my kids, and it is a wonderful life.

There are things I didn't get around to doing before Christmas like make the kids new jammy bottoms, deliver goodies to friends, or baking herds and herds of reindeer cookies. Instead I baked loaves and loaves of bread, and did other things with the family at our own pace. The most important thing I learned this year was that if we don't get to it-- it's not the end of the world and trying to cram stuff in last minute doesn't make anyone happy. It's best to just go with the flow. Instead do as I did and write yourself a little love note that says {don't be stupid...bake your pies the day before thanksgiving} and then proceeded to place it with the rest of my Thanksgiving recipes.

And now Christmas has come and gone and we will be enjoying the final bits of holiday pizazz before we carefully wrap the nativity and pick up all the trinkets to pack them away until next year. I hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the remainder of 2012.

Speaking if which...what is on your agenda for New Years Eve? Anyone going, or been to, Time Square?

xO- Etheline

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Chatting with Richie

Scene: making lunch in the kitchen--

Richie: Peanut butter is good mom.

Me: Yup

Richie: Why is it so sticky?

Me: I don't really know. Why do you think?

Richie: Cause they put a bunch of sticky in it.

Me: So sticky comes in a bottle and they mix it with the peanuts?

Richie: Uh-huh.


Sounds good to me!! Man I sure do love being this boys mama<3 





xO- Etheline 
 Ps. And a very big happy 1st day of winter to you all:)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Random Wednesdays

What do these 5 people have in common?








Absolutely nothing-- They all just happened to be in my dream last night and it was super funny. What's your favorite celebrity appearance in your dreams? Please don't tell me I'm the only one out there whom is has happened to?? xO-Etheline

Thursday, December 13, 2012

So you love to cook?

I highly HIGHLY recommend getting this cookbook!!



Collecting cookbooks is a dangerous road for me, but when we left for South America it was crunch time and in the end I only kept 2. Mad Hungry: Feeding men and boys and The Complete Americas Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2010.



We are, as Chaz would say, big time America's Test Kitchen/ This Old House/ Click and Clack fans in this house.

I mean how can you go wrong with good old fashioned tried and tested New England living?? Is there anything better?

I am bias??

Maybe a little-- Moving on--

Really though on a more focused point and setting New England aside--

I really fell in love with this cookbook back when I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago from Royal. I am very much a, "but why am I doing that" kind of cooker. Are any of you like that? I mean when I am putting a little bit of jam in my tomato sauce I want to know what the purpose is behind it all, and that's exactly what ATK does for you. It's not rocket science or lengthy just a short and to the point paragraph with simple explanations per recipe.









In the way back of the book they give recommendations for just about every kitchen appliance/tool known to man..

...and woman:)

I can verify a few of their "thumbs up" just ask if you need some advice.

Also included is a recommendation for product brands for this and that..which in my opinion isn't always needed, but when it is comes in handy:)

So enough ranting from little old me-- go start making your Christmas list and make sure you add this great item to it...and take it from me; it's a great gift to receive too:)





xO- Etheline



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

Holiday haul

I am not the kinda girl who is against thrifting around the holidays. The 3R's to me are reduce, reuse, and repurpose..lol. My nephews birthday is this week so its always the perfect excuse when I'm out with the kids and find something for them as well. I know I won't always be able to get away with this, but I figure while I can why not..

Today while we were out I scored some seriously cute girl stuff for Margot. Things that we really contemplated getting already. New they would have been at least $20 a piece. Instead I paid $4.50 {total} and they are in like new condition. I makes me happy when we can all help each other out. It really inspired me to set aside some time tomorrow and clear out our own things around the house. Not just to make room for what Santa will bring but for those who are in need. Is there any other way to help your child understand the true meaning of Christmas??

Yes most likely-- but I think this one is close to the top of the list:)

In other news. I found these for me--
Aren't they totally darling? I love holiday Normal Rockwell items.


xO- Etheline

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Behind the curtain of a woman

If you don't have a strong stomach skip this post..

Don't say i didn't warn you;)

Growing up getting sick {vomiting} was the most awful thing I could think of. It scared me to death. I don't know if it was the loss of control or...other things...but I detested it. Let's face it though I'm sure this is common for most kids. The problem with me was that as I grew older I didn't grow out of it.

While Chaz was still in my belly I would ask Royal..." what kind of mother will I be who can't comfort her child when he's sick" he would always look at me in that you are over thinking this way to much kind of way I've grown to love after almost 7 years of marriage. I distinctly remember about 10minutes before Chaz was born I got sick. That was the last time I ever took issue with it.

I've noticed a lot of things have changed after having a baby let alone 3. The thought of rolling up my sleeve to give a blood sample, knowing and not caring that other than my husband there are folks out there who have seen my who-ha, and my acceptance of my motherhood body. With 3 kids we've had our fair share of middle of the night sickness explosions, but only twice in our families history has it hit us all at the same time. This past week being the second time. Thank heavens little Margot was spared this time. I cannot not convey how grateful I am for my parents living by both times. They really saved the day in ways that are truly immeasurable.

One good thing I will take away from all this is no more baby pouch! Good trade off?? Maybe-- lol

Xo-Etheline