Let's Look- Show Us Your Desks Edition

 Today is Erika and Shay's fun link up so I am joining them HERE

 

 

Today we are looking at our desks...truth be told I don't want to show you a picture of what my desk looks like right now....it still has my staples because I work here most days (M-F) but on the right side is a huge pile that keeps growing because it has acted as a catch all for everyone this summer....sigh...we are talking dance...soccer...medical forms...masks..you name it

 

 

Before school starts, I plan on organizing and purging but for now I am going to show you some older pictures so you can get the picture because my office is my favorite room in our house...it is my dedicated space...my little slice of heaven...my sanctuary :)

 

 

This is where I work, pray, research, pay bills...so much

After work hours, this is where I read and watch my favorite shows...most of the time, during those hours, I have some company ;)

When I need to get myself centered...grounded..focused...I come to my desk...or in my office...and make it happen...like I said, my little slice of heaven :)

Let's Look (Pantry Edition)

It's time for the monthly linkup with Shay and Erika.
Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE


This month, we are looking inside our pantries!
Oh what fun...truth be told, I wish we had a pantry but we don't...we have some larger cabinets that serve as our "pseudo pantry"...maybe in our next life?  Ha ha!!


Here are a few staples that you will always find here.....

Oats

Once in awhile I love to make a big ole bowl of oatmeal so always have these bad boys on hand...they also come in handy for various dessert recipes too! 

Cereals

My girls LOVE cereal...it is their #1 breakfast request and though my Italian Mama Heart is saying eggs...pancakes...I do want them to eat without a fight so most days, it is cereal and they know where to find it!

 Baking Ingredients


So you can always count on baking ingredients in my pantry cabinets as well....you will always find flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder and most of the time, chocolate chips as well.  I never profess to be a baker but it is convenient to have these items on hand for when the need arises!

 Rice


My girls are fussy but I do know the few things they will devour and rice is one of them....SO...to make a more healthy option, we go with brown rice and sometimes snag the ones that have quinoa and such mixed in.  I always go for the Minute Rice brand because God knows we are always rushing!!  You will find these stacked high too!

 My "Stash"

So above the large pantry-like cabinet, we have a smaller cabinet where we store wine glasses and such and always my "stash" as Rob calls it.  I keep a little chocolate tucked up there for when I am having a moment....you get it.  My favorite indulgence is the sea salt chocolate caramels from Trader Joe's.  I only splurge and buy these once/year or so but they do last a while and provide the perfect pick-me-up!  :)  I am sure you can relate!

 So there ya have it- pretty simple- it is probably best that I don't have a pantry because I would find the excuse to fill it to the brim- God knows our cabinets are full as it is!  So..what do you have in your pantries?

Let's Talk! Entertainment!

It's time for Erika and Andrea's Monthly "Let's Talk" Link Up!  This month we are talking Entertainment- yahoo!

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE 

So over the summer, Rob and I really enjoyed Vice Principals on HBO.  Season 1 just wrapped up.  We will have to wait almost a year for Season 2 and the bummer is that Season 2 will be the last.  They filmed all 18 episodes at once and agreed that was it.  I laugh so hard- it is wildly inappropriate and a true dark comedy but it is soooo entertaining!!

You should watch is On Demand- you will get through the first season very quickly- trust me!

and we have also enjoyed Ally McBeal on Netflix.

We are on the final season- we have agreed we are now ready for it to end- totally jumped the shark when Robert Downey Jr left- real let down.

and now, I am pumped because the Fall shows are starting!

Did you all watch the premier of "This Is Us" last week?  O....M...G....can you say new favorite show?  Just loved it and loved how all of the characters were tied together at the end...amazing!

 

 We also watched the new drama "Designated Survivor" with Keifer Sutherland...yep we were quickly hooked- as Rob describes it, "it is a cross between Scandal and 24."  

 I still am working my way through Kimmy Schmidt Season 2 on Netflix- with my crazy fall schedule, it is just taking me a little longer

Grey's did not disappoint last week either!

What do you think?

 This week, I can't wait for two more of our favorites to start, Scandal (ABC) and Younger (TV Land)

 and then waiting for more faves to start later this fall: Jane The Virgin (CW), Teachers (TV Land), Life...In Pieces (CBS) and The Affair (Showtime)

I am actually squeezing in a little reading too- that is usually unheard of during cheer season.  Each night, before bed, I am reading a little of "The Status of All Things."  It is a nice, light, entertaining read about Destiny and....Facebook Statuses ;)

For music, it is our cheer routine music most of the time.  We are in crunch time- trying to finish our routine and then clean it up- easier said then done when you are working with 7 and 8 year olds but I have the faith- they will pull it together!

Can't wait to see what is keeping you all entertained!

Let's Talk- FALL!

I am joining Andrea and Erika for their monthly link up "Let's Talk!" This month their topic is Fall.

I have mixed emotions about participating in this as I am still enjoying summer here in New England (my favorite season) but I couldn't help get excited when I started thinking about all of the things I love about Fall.  So....here goes nothing!

Linking up with the gals HERE 

Fall Fashion

I think Fall is the best season for fashion here in New England- the layers- the rich fabrics- the jewel tones- the plaid and the boots- it is really fun to put outfits together.  Here are a few of my favorite fall outfits that I "pinned" on Pinterest

Fall Recipes

Is there anything better than a warm dinner on a cold fall night? I have so many recipes to share and you can find them on my recipes tab on the home page.

One of my favorite fall traditions is having "Risotto Night" with my bestie Cass.  I make an "Autumn Chicken and Squash Risotto" and I love when Cass asks for more.  (as you probably already know, I love to feed people and it is the biggest way I show my love)

You can find that recipe HERE 

and a few other favorite Fall recipes include

The Pumpkin Cheese Ball- love bringing this to parties and LOVE that it calls for Doritos

Find the recipe HERE 

Pan Seared Scallops with Champagne Grapes and Almonds.  I made it for the first wine group I hosted two years ago.  Something about the grapes screams Fall to me- it is an elegant starter or even a wonderful main dish with salad

Find the recipe HERE 

and for the kiddos, there is nothing better to serve on Halloween Night than Mummy Dogs!

Find the recipe HERE 

Fall Activities

Since having kids, I can honestly say that Fall Activities have become so much more fun

Apple picking, pumpkin picking, festivals and fairs...you name it.

Some of our favorites include:

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence RI

The Milford Pumpkin Festival in Milford NH

and for Mama and Daddy, The Turf Bash Fundraiser at Searles Castle right in our little home town

There you have it!  Some of my fall favorites.  If you don't mind though, I am going to basque in the glow of our wonderful summer...enjoy some more golf time...beach time....outdoor time for as long as I can! 

Let's Talk! (Red, White & Blue Edition)

It's time for the "Let's Talk" Link Up Again and this month's category is a definite FAVE of mine!

We are talking RED, WHITE & BLUE!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika HERE

I love all of the festive decorations, recipes and outfits this time of year.  This time of year is time to celebrate the beauty and independence of our wonderful country.  The decorations that are up all summer remind us to stop and pause and realize how lucky we are!

We leave our American Flag up all year

I always loved the way it looked at a beach house, so when we bought our dream house, the flag was a top priority.  Rob and I will look and dream about beach houses and lake houses and we make a joke sometimes and say, "Oh but it is missing one thing-  the American Flag!"

 

 The bunting on our back deck goes up Memorial Day Weekend and stays up all summer- through Labor Day Weekend- I just love it.

I also decorate with patriotic touches all summer long as well.

Some of the patriotic recipes I have tried over the years, also stand out.  I will only share with you the ones that have been successful, because who wants to try a failure right?

Patriotic Jello Squares

Find the recipe HERE 

Red, White & Blue Potato Salad

Find the recipe HERE 

Blueberry Caprese Salad

Find the recipe HERE 

Watermelon, Feta, Blackberry Bites

Find the recipe HERE 

  

and Ocean Water for the kiddos!

Find the recipe  HERE

Disclaimer: I made these for my BFF and I one Memorial Day Weekend and I added vodka to make them more interesting for the adults ;)

I also love piecing together Patriotic Outfits for my girls and me; Rob always jumps in with a matching golf shirt too :)

Old Navy tends to be our go-to location for our red, white and blue gear!

I have to share this pic with you though

My BFF is also Diana's Godmother and she got her this beautiful outfit from the Gap when she was born

We christened the outfit during an overnight at Chatham "Down the Cape"

It remains my favorite outfit AND favorite picture of little Diana

 and this pic is of my girls on Memorial Day in 2014- Eva was only 1 month old

Here they are in their matching Old Navy Patriotic Dresses

 and this pic was snapped at the Memorial Day Parade in 2015

The girls are sporting their Old Navy Patriotic attire, Rob in his suit for marching and me in my navy ruffle dress from Just Madras

 So there you have it- Red, White & Blue is part of our summer lives here in New England

Can't wait to get inspired by all of your posts!