….and Everything Nice
A little late this year, but the Christmas tree finally came down this weekend. And just like that I shift to beautiful tulips even when it’s less than 20 degrees out and there’s fresh snow on the ground.
….and Everything Nice
The sun hitting the house today made these icicles on the branches outside my door look so pretty. I’m going to refer back to this beauty in about 3 hours when the blizzard hits!
….and Everything Nice
Happy New Year! It is January 1, 2018 and unlike most of the world returning to work this week, I am actually getting to take this week off. The industry I work in keeps me busy and the last week of the year tends to be one of my busiest weeks of the year. Fortunately I was still able to spend plenty of quality time with friends and family over the past week, but this is the week I really get to unplug and take a break. And I fully intend to do just that. If anyone is looking for me, try the couch and chances are you’ll find me there with a blanket, a cup of tea and one of these books. So many choices, where to begin?
….and Everything Nice
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
….and Everything Nice
I can’t think of better way to say goodbye to fall and welcome winter and the holiday season than with a quick weekend trip to New York City with some girlfriends. I spent Thanksgiving with my family home in Buffalo so I missed the parade here on Thanksgiving, but the day after Thanksgiving is just magical as the city turns on all the lights for the holidays.
….and Everything Nice
Spending the weekend in Java, NY at a closing retreat for a leadership program I’ve been participating in this year. First snow fall of the year, in mid-November, and I don’t mind one bit. Just an absolutely beautiful morning, and so peaceful.
….and Everything Nice
So many options for fall decorating! Can I have one of each please?
….and Everything Nice
A gorgeous August day in Iceland. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and a rainbow appeared over the falls while there!
Ireland is a pretty quick flight to/from Iceland so I had to make it part of my trip this summer. Ireland is the one place in the world I’ve always wanted to visit for as long as I can remember. I made it here for the first time two years ago and fell in love. Any time I get a chance to go back I will go. Everything is just so beautiful, the culture for the most part is very relaxed, the people are kind and it’s the closest place out of the country I’ve ever visited where I feel very much at home.
After time in Iceland and Ireland, I took a quick ferry ride “across the pond” and spent some time in Scotland exploring my Dad’s side of the family roots. Such a great trip that did not disappoint.
….and Everything Nice
A few weeks ago I got to spend a lazy Sunday morning with my incredibly adorable niece Nora. She is one year old and absolutely perfect in every little way possible. This photo of our hands together taken that morning is quite possibly my most favorite picture ever. So simple, so sweet and full of so much love.
….and Everything Nice
Beautiful fresh cut tulips on a cold & snowy February day with sun coming through the windows. The simple things.
….and Everything Nice
How is it really already the end of November? Once again today I’m reminded just how fast this life is moving and how every day really does count. While admittedly I have had a pretty lousy week personally, as I reflect today on Thanksgiving I’m so aware of just how much I have to be grateful for and fortunately the list is long.
I have an amazing family and close group of friends who I’d be lost in this world without. I have a home that I can rest in comfortably 365 days a year. I have heat and a warm bed on cold winter nights. I have a closet full of clothes and shoes for all seasons. I have healthy food on my plate every single day. I have clean water to drink and bathe with every single day. I have been able to see parts of the world I once only dreamed of being able to see. I have a career that I love in an industry that I’m passionate about, and work with some pretty awesome people each day. I finally paid off my student loans and I can now say I really did put myself through college and grad school. Those diplomas hanging on my wall were earned over seventeen years of hard work and dedication, not just six-and-a-half years of sitting in the classroom. While it was a struggle at times, this past year I realized just how much of a privilege it is to have had the opportunity to earn an education.
I find joy & appreciation in hearing my nieces and nephews play and laugh. The look on my 6 year-old nephew Jack’s face when we were playing with silly string in the backyard this past summer was easily one of my happiest moments of the year. I enjoy feeding my soul by sitting near the water, working passionately toward new goals, helping others, listening to music that inspires me in any given moment, watching the sunrise on my morning walks, watching the sunset after a long day, seeing a winter wonderland outside my window late at night, cooking a fabulous meal for friends and family, sitting around a full table to catch up, reading a great book, snuggling up on the couch for a movie, indulging in any one of my many creative outlets, and the list goes on.
Wishing you and your families a very happy thanksgiving and holiday season!
….and Everything Nice
A few snapshots of my time in Italy this spring. Someday I will go back to explore more of this beautiful country!
….and Everything Nice
Here are some great fall gift ideas under $20.00. These are great gifts for a special occasion or simple hostess, teacher and thank you gifts. I’m one who tends to go with the classics like flowers and chocolate, but they are classics because you usually can’t go wrong.
My list from left to right:
1. Gourmet caramel dipped apple covered in pecans with milk & white chocolate swirls. Like I said, I focus on gifts where you can’t go wrong! I found this for $8 at the Harvest Festival in Lewiston, NY and know exactly who it’s going to already. This is from AdamsApplesNY.com. They have a great selection of dipped apples including Cheesecake, Cookies & Cream, Apple Crisp, Toffee and more.2. A ready-to-go all natural mix for home baked Pumpkin Bread, another great find from the Harvest Festival. It comes with the dry ingredients needed for a loaf of bread and nuts & cranberries. The packaging is adorable and it includes complete instructions for $4.50. This is from LodgicalHomesteadCreations.com located in Hamburg, NY.
3. Next up is one of my favorite four letter words……….wine. Living in Western New York I often pick up wines from the Finger Lakes and Niagara Region. As the temps cool and cooking patterns change I like to give a nice Chardonnay or a Cabernet at this time of year and typically pick up a bottle in the $10-$20 range.
4. Who doesn’t love a chocolate dipped cream cookie? I found this 12-pack of Belgian chocolate dipped sandwich cookies at HomeGoods for $7.99. Not only is it a great gift, but it’s wrapped in very nice packaging and each cookie is individually wrapped in a fall color or leaf designed foil.
5. Flowers are about as classic as you can get. I love to have fresh flowers around my home and I love to give them as a gift. I picked up this beautiful fall bouquet at my local grocery market for $20.00. The colors & blend of flowers are just beautiful and add fall flair to any room in an instant.
6. Last but not least, I love this elegant fall candle in “Autumn Spice”. The packaging is beautiful, the scent is amazing and your gift recipient will be able to enjoy it all season long. This was another great HomeGoods find for just $9.99.
Happy Gift Giving!
….and Everything Nice
I am not a huge fan of candy corn as it’s just a little too sweet for my taste. I do however like the look of it and it’s definitely a staple of the Fall season. This year I incorporated candy corn into my seasonal decorating by placing an elegant off-white ceramic pumpkin on a deep brown table runner and surrounded it with candy corn. In less than 2 minutes I had a very simple and festive display for the season. The challenge now is going to see how long others will let the candy corn sit there on display!
….and Everything Nice
For as long as I can remember one of my favorite drinks has always been warm apple cider with a little bit of cinnamon. It is my favorite fall classic and I look forward to that first warm mug every year. On the quest for new fabulous fall finds I discovered a cute little tea shop that recently opened up on Main Street in Williamsville, NY. It’s called Tea Leafs and it’s a must see for all tea lovers.
I do not care for coffee, but I absolutely love a great tea. My grandmother is from Scotland and tea was her “go-to” drink. When I was a kid she would often watch us on Saturday nights. After my younger brothers and sister were put to bed she would let me stay up, way past my bedtime. She would make two cups of tea and we would watch The Love Boat and Fantasy Island, unless Mom & Dad came home early and she had to quickly send me upstairs where amazingly I fell asleep in an instant. Yup, I am blowing my Grandma in 30 years later! Great memories though, I’m pretty sure she will forgive me.
….and Everything Nice
Check out this building! This is an old mill in the Village of Williamsville, NY and just a couple miles from my home. Locally many refer to it as “the old red mill”. It was originally built in 1811 and operated as a sawmill until 1903. From 1903-1908 it was still occupied by some different milling businesses. In 1908 the mill started to be used as a facility for the production of apple cider, and in 1983 this building was deemed worthy of preservation and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is something about this building that I have always loved, even as a little kid. I don’t know if it’s just the bright red color, the memories of visiting as a kid with my Mom when we went to feed the ducks in the park just behind it or a combination of the two. Regardless, I am so happy to see it restored and operating with new life today. It has recently been under renovation by a new enthusiastic local owner and is now operating as Sweet Jenny’s Chocolate & Ice Cream shop and 1811 Comic Shop. Going back to the building’s historical roots, they are also now selling apple cider from a local cider mill. In one visit I got to take a step back in time to see this great big beautiful old building and officially kick off the fall season with my first apple cider purchase of the year and a little walk in the park near the mill. This my friends is what we call a good day.