moved my mirror from the corner and mounted it on the wall, with a peek at my new dresser. |
new dresser. |
new hardware. |
moved my mirror from the corner and mounted it on the wall, with a peek at my new dresser. |
new dresser. |
new hardware. |
a january mood. |
Hello! Yes, I'm still here, and I'm fully embracing the concept of a gentle january (which honestly, is so much better than trying to attack a new year with aggressive energy and being burnt out before the month is over with). That's not to say I don't have any big plans--I definitely do, and some are already being chipped away at, but I'm also giving myself a little grace. January through March are tough months, and if I need to sleep a little longer in the mornings and maybe not have a smoothie for breakfast, that's okay.
The end of 2022 was a whirlwind, but was really nice. I spent the holidays with family, and was able to make it up to Quebec between Christmas and New Year's, which was perfect--so cozy and so many croissants.
I'm working on some condo updates and also am trying to figure out travel plans--I'm definitely going to Colorado this summer but might need a bigger trip. Europe? We shall see. And I'm also trying to get back into running shape--I ended up deferring the Chicago marathon last year due to multiple injuries and have been going to PT, so I'm hoping it's in the cards this fall.
In case there was any doubt, Mabel continues to be a delight and an absolute sweetheart.
I'm hoping you're being gentle with yourself as we start 2023, and I promise to not be a stranger.
weekend trip to Miami. |
a cousin trip to Chicago. |
sibling weekend visit which included an amazing dinner at fore street. |
covid! |
york harbor weekends. |
a visit to prince edward island. |
a trip to quebec city. |
dinner at twelve. |
sister surfing lesson on scarborough beach. |
mabel and her favorite daycare friend, leonard. |
I knew after Olive died I would get another frenchie, and Mabel came from the same breeder. I think part of me anticipated having an Olive 2.0, but Mabel has proven to be anything but (aside from being a total sweetheart of a dog)--where Olive was a really low-key, cuddly potato, Mabel is super dramatic and super energetic. Her nickname is the bug (because she is a lovebug but also looks a bit like a bug with those bulging eyes), and I'm so grateful to have another little dog in my life.
detroit-style vodka pizza |
press on gel manicure |
scratch-made pasta |
Gosh, this is a tough one to write.
On November 2, 2021, I put Olive down. She had suffered a number of seizures that couldn't be controlled with medication and the vet thinks it was a brain tumor. While I didn't realize it in the months leading up to that day, it's clear now that something was up and she wasn't her usual self. Putting her down was both the hardest and easiest decision I've ever had to make: I'm so grateful I was able to take away her pain in a humane way but it was so incredibly difficult.
And that's the thing about having any pet, isn't it? You know your life with them is finite, but it's still such a massive gut punch when their time is up. I'm so, so lucky I had the ten years with her that I did. She was such a funny little dog--she loved to sleep, was always up for a snuggle and there was nothing she enjoyed more than splaying in a spot of sun or lying up against a heater to get cozy. She was with me through five different living situations, four jobs, a couple of breakups and every major and minor life event in between.
I still feel like a piece of me is missing--December was a really hard month and there continue to be times where I find myself looking for her or wondering if there's anything I need to grab for her when I'm running errands. And it’s just so quiet.
I miss her so much.
So here's to Olive: the sweetest, noodliest dog I've ever known. She will always have a piece of my heart.
everything you didn't know your Caesar salad needed. |
Judie's Restaurant in Amherst, MA was the best. Known for its giant popovers and extensive menu, it was the go-to spot for me and my sister the summer of 2016--we made a bunch of trips to western Massachusetts to visit my grandmother since she was sick, and Judie's was a comforting spot to get nourished and reset.
I'm super bummed that they've since closed due to the pandemic, but I've been recreating one of my favorite things on the menu at home: the Caesar salad. Judie's Caesar isn't your typical Caesar--the basic version includes the addition of artichoke hearts and hardboiled eggs (which is delicious on its own) but I always loved to order the stuffed portobello with bacon version: it took the salad to the next level with the addition of grilled portobellos, roasted red peppers, bacon and warm gorgonzola. While definitely not traditional, this combo of flavors totally works together and will keep you full for a very time.
And if you're really feeling ambitious, make your our dressing: you can't go wrong with Julia Turshen's.