it's beginning to look like christmas.

...loved that we got an early start, stuck to it, and had our tree up and the rest of the house ready for the holidays by 1:00 pm today. it helped that marc was up at five and had a 9:30 am tee time :-)

but not at all to diminish the lovely day that was yesterday. fun times cooking, eating and making new friends.

1. pumpkin bread pudding, 2. german apple cake, 3. pear & cranberry crumble, 4. relish tray, 5. two kinds of cranberries, 6. applesauce, 7. roasted vegetables, 8. pears and cranberries, 9. bread pudding prep 2

happy thanksgiving.

...much to be thankful for!

(photo from yesterday's early morning walk in the park)

journal your christmas.

...an email from shimelle was sitting in my inbox this morning. reminding me the daily prompts start in only FIVE days. a big to-do for me before monday is getting my supplies together. I didn't decide to commit to the project until I walked with sara last weekend. and she told me that last year's album was the best I'd done (I think she's right!), and she was going to be really disappointed if I didn't do it again. (wow!) so this year, I'm going to focus on photos and journaling, and less on the pretty paper. at least that's the plan right now!

and one for katie.

(thanks to chessa and recent post on paris)

for sara.

...who was hoping we'd order something good for lunch at bistro vg. we did! soups, mussels, crab fritters, the spinach and proscuitto pizza. and for dessert,

tiramisu
and apple tarte tatin with caramel ice cream.(sorry you missed it, you would've enjoyed every last bite...just like we did!)

family photo fun.

...getting everyone together always means "let's take pictures".

the group shot.


a few more.

1. figuring out the light, 2. just sheffields (expanded), 3. birthday gifts, 4. lunch at lucia's, 5. cicio girls, 6. posing the shot, 7. sheffield originals, 8. just sheffields, 9. pooped

and my favorite.

celebrate!

...an early dismassal made a great excuse for lunch out.
and dessert!
followed by a long walk in the park (mary & sara) and a nice, very relaxing evening in (marc, mary & sara). my parents sent a lovely card and a CD of songs from 1983. wow, 1983 was a LONG time ago! and today, another card from marc's mom, and a beautiful plate and bowl (sorry - you'll have to wait to see it in person!). reflecting, 1983 was a very big year for me...and 2008 is big, but in a much quieter way, I guess. and maybe it's just part of life that the milestone years stack up, but this year, and next year and 2010 seem especially important to me.

p.s. have added details about the upcoming week to the sidebar (at marc's request!) I can't complain, right?, at least he a) reads the blog and b) looks for calendar clues (love you! when you read this!)

birthday, briefly.

...from the impromptu party my dear friends had for me on monday. I so enjoyed a bit of grownup girl time!
and I also enjoyed the family girl time from the weekend. and have many, many wonderful memories of the food, the conversation and the lovely gifts. but sadly, no photos.

my history.

my history
Originally uploaded by mere2007

...the first photo of me and both my parents. age one week. journaling is here.

fall love.

...from this morning's very chilly walk in the park.

twist collective.

...have you seen this on-line pattern magazine? the second edition is just out. my favorites are these two:
sweatpea by kate gilbert
kingscot by norah gaughan (I've heard a lot about her patterns and would love to knit one!)

paper love.

...actually paper source, but if you know me and the way I feel about pretty paper....

the official opening for the new atlanta location is november 22. sadly, I don't think I'll be able to get there then. but a trip is in my plans for november 26 (assuming my mom and dad are game :-)

[eta - katie pointed out I mis-read the web-site - the store opened back in october - so at least I won't be missing anything next weekend!]

coeur de pirate.

...was just thinking that I hadn't found any new music in a while. and then I found this on chelsea's blog. love it! maybe it will help my french, preparing for paris, too!

fall.

...finally. the second weekend of november. there were definitely signs back in september, but this weekend it was all around me. at the park and in the kitchen.

and we are in love with the barefoot contessa's newest cookbook. oh my!

mere et filles.

...a birthday, a lunch out, a dinner out, multiple photo opportunities!



(click on photos for details)

happy birthday.

...to sara - wow, 17 years. the time has flown by. I've been blessed to watch you grow up into a lovely young woman. can't wait to see what dreams you grow into. looking forward to celebrating today! xxoo, m.

a dinner invitation.

...it's been too long since I've seen katie, so I invited her to dinner this week. hope this site will get her to agree!

so basic, so ina.

...makes me want to throw a cocktail party (or at least bring home figs and cheese from my next harry's run). you can see house beautiful's whole spread on ina's new barn/guesthouse here thanks to laura for the link).