TBB Asks: Relationships

Answering the Questions Above and Linking Up with the Lovely Ladies HERE

1. Who Is My Oldest Friend/How Did We Meet?

This is a tough one.  Are we talking real life or Facebook?  I love Facebook for many reasons but  especially because it enables me to reconnect with people from all phases of my life.  My oldest friend on Facebook is probably Jenn- we met in nursery school!

In real life, for someone who is in my life regularly, would have to be Cass.  We met when we became roommates in our 20's in Watertown and that was 21 years ago!

 2. Tell Us About Circle Of Support.  My People?

They are my People and My "Tribe" and I am blessed to have a rock of a husband, family, friends and colleagues who all lift me up for different reasons- my cup is overflowing.

My husband is my one true love- my soul mate.  Even when he is driving me crazy, I love him madly. 

My family loves me unconditionally-even when I make mistakes or I am being crazy- they show up.  I also am still in shock when my girls call me "the best mom ever" especially when I feel like I am screwing up every day.  I look at them in wonder how I got so lucky.

My friends, "my tribe," are mostly from the town we live in.  At this stage in my life, I have found this the most comforting- moms who are going through the same things trying to raise their kids the best they can....and most of us also work full time while doing that!  I have a special friend who I met at work too and as I always say it is such a blessing to love what you do and work for an amazing company BUT it was an added bonus when God put Janie in my life.

My colleagues, who I see on a weekly basis, are also such professional support.  This is so important in our industry.  I love listening to others and getting their advice so I never feel like I am on an island!

3. How did I meet my hubby?

At a bar!  His band was filling in for the regular band at a neighborhood bar on a Thursday night.  I was there with my friends from work and it was love at first sight- literally!

4. How is Valentine's Day Celebrated at our home?

Rob and I either go out for a romantic dinner or we cook in.  We are opting to cook in this year.  We also surprise the girls with Valentine treats at breakfast that day and dress them festively too!

5.  What is My Love Language?

It has to be food and specifically cooking for those I love.  It is the easiest way to show my love for others :)

6. Do I prefer receiving flowers or chocolates?

Both...ha ha!!  But if I had to pick, I would say flowers...flowers are one of my favorite things in life :)

7. What is the most meaningful gift I have given or received?  

It would have to be children XOXO

The Blended Blog Asks: Keep Me Entertained

Oh so much fun...love these ladies and all of their fun link ups...linking up HERE

Here goes nothing.....

Book I Have Read Multiple Times

Class Mom

and I will probably read it again...especially for this season in my life...I laugh all the way through!

Favorite Book/Author Of All Time

Elin Hilderbrand

Hands down!  I LOVE devouring all of her descriptions of Nantucket in most stories that she writes

Favorite TV Show To Binge 

Beverly Hills 90210

my favorite growing up and sometimes when I watch now...it just never gets old!

Favorite New-ish TV Show

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

and YES she won BEST ACTRESS at the Golden Globes and she certainly deserves it...I want to be Midge and wear all of her beautiful clothes...Rob and I binged this during the holidays...and now we have to wait a year for the next season- ugh!!!

Favorite Movie Of All Time

Titanic

Duh.....does that surprise you?  Probably not...can't help that I am a hopeless romantic :)

 

Movie I am Looking Forward To Watching

Crazy Rich Asians

I haven't even read the book yet but I am intrigued!

First Concert I Attended

Daryl Hall and John Oates at The Boston Garden- 6th Grade- will never forget it! 

Ultimate Concert (Even If It Can't Happen)

Bon Jovi WITH Richie Sambora back playing in the band and it would be really cool if 90's artists could open up for them including Debbie Gibson, Backstreet Boys, Live, Offspring and Pearl Jam- yep eclectic taste for sure!

Favorite Music Artist/Band

See above- Bon Jovi- fave of all time

How do I listen?  Streaming?  CDs?  Vinyl? 

We purchased Apple Family Music last year which makes purchasing music for entire family easy and so much cheaper so you will find me downloading most songs I want onto my iPhone 

What about you?

 

TBB Asks: Holiday Edition

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE

Oh so fun....here is what I enjoy

1. Candy Canes?  Yes or No?

YES!

I especially love the chewy candy cane candies- have you enjoyed those too?  For plain candy canes, I love putting them on drink glasses for a little holiday touch!

2. Christmas Morning.  Early Riser or Sleep In?

Ummm...I never sleep in...always an Early Riser!

3. Black Friday.  Did I shop?

I have an annual tradition with one of my best friends Cass.  We go every year now.  It is so fun to get an early start and shop till we drop!

4. Christmas Tree Up in November?  Yes or NO?

Yes the earlier the better! Wasn't always this way. I think my girls' ages have something to do with me wanting the holiday season to last- just so much magic to enjoy!

5. Do I get any holiday ideas from Pinterest?

Umm YES!  I get ideas ALL YEAR from Pinterest but love the holiday cocktail and app recipes and the decorating inspiration so a big YES

6. Christmas Glam or Ugly Sweater?

GLAM all the way!

7. Stocking Stuffers-Wrapped or Unwrapped

Unwrapped!

8. Traditional or Modern Christmas Songs

Traditional- the older the better-reminds me of my grandparents

9. Fruitcake.  Yes or No?

A big no- yuck!

10. Is My Christmas shopping finished?  Almost!

11.  Is there snow in December where we live?

Typically YES- we live in New England!

12. Classic Show: A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph?

Rudolph I think :)

What are your holiday faves?

TBB Asks: Giving Thanks Edition

Time to linkup with the lovely ladies over at The Blended Blog for a fun little November questionnaire and this month's theme is a fave and something I am very passionate about...GRATITUDE :)

Check them out HERE

Here it goes....

1. Have I kept a gratitude journal? 

Yes...actually...on this blog...and I need to get back to doing those Gratitude posts!

2. Hosting Thanksgiving at our house?

YES and I cannot wait!  I love hosting Thanksgiving and all that it stands for...love having the entire family home and the coziness of it all

3. Favorite Food from the Thanksgiving Meal?

I would have to say the "Mashed Potato Bread Stuffing" ...you can find our recipe HERE 

(it's a family tradition from my side and it never gets old!)

4. What one thing in nature are you grateful for?

The ocean

5.  Pumpkin Pie yes or no?

Actually not one of my faves- I much prefer a pumpkin cheesecake- my mom always whips up an awesome one!

6. Traditional cookbook yes or no?

Yes...all the way...love good all standbys combined with new and funky recipes I pull off Pinterest 

7. Oven Baked Turkey or Deep Fried?

Oven baked because that is all I have ever had...I have heard that the deep fried turkey is awesome and would love to try it someday!

8. Thanksgiving Leftovers yes or no?  

Umm YES!?  We like to make a Thanksgiving Sandwich the day after with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and a dollop of mayo- delish!

9. What is a household product you are most grateful for?

Lysol wipes!

10. Are you most grateful for home cooked meals or restaurant meals?

Home-cooked all....the...way....they always have some love sprinkled in :) 

What are your Fall Faves?

TBB Asks: October 2.0

Answering these questions and linking up with the The Blended Blog HERE

1. Favorite Fall Color?

Army Green

2. Apple Cider HOT or COLD?

HOT...yumm!

3. Caramel Apple YES or NO?

YES and while we are on this flavor, my Caramel Apple Martinis which will be making their debut this weekend!  You can check out my recipes HERE

4. Pumpkin Doughnut or Apple Cider Doughnut?

Pumpkin all the way- love the spice!

5. Long or Short Cardigan?

Long please!

6. Favorite Football or Fall Party Food?

I would have to say the Pumpkin Hard Cider Dip.  You can find the recipe HERE

This year I am also going to try Shay's Beer Cheese Dip with Pretzels.  You can find that recipe HERE

7. Orange or White Pumpkins?

All of them?  I do love the elegance of white pumpkins though :)

8. Hayride or Bonfire?

Both...can't choose...how about a hayride into the woods where a bonfire is there waiting for you and your hot cider?

9. Favorite Fall Baked Good?

Pumpkin squares and my Mom's Applesauce Jumbles

10. Most Anticipated Fall Activity?

Milford Pumpkin Festival this weekend! 

We will be checking off a few of our Fall Bucket List "Must-Do's" This Weekend....what are some of your must-do's?

 

TBB Asks: August 2018 Edition

I always LOVE TBB's fun linkups and questionnaires.  This month the topic is right up my alley since party planning is a secret hobby and passion...well not so secret anymore I guess :)

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE

Here goes nothing.....

1. Favorite Birthday Party as a Child?

All of the parties my parents threw my brother and me in our house in Stoneham growing up (always celebrated with our families together as our birthdays are a day apart- even though he is three years younger than me)...my mom always went all out....lots of food and decorations...pinatas....pony rides...you name it!  The "Train Cake" is a family joke too- my parents made this one year and it stuck....the year I was going off to college I asked for the train cake again...chokes me up!

2. Do I like to Entertain? Yes or No?

I LOVE to entertain....it is one of my favorite hobbies and being Italian...I show love through cooking for my family and friends

3. What Kind of Parties are my Favorite?

Any parties where I get to spend QT with my fam and friends

4. Big or Small Parties?

 I would have to say small...where you actually have time to talk to people...I used to love the big parties but I hate not being able to spend time with every guest

5. Favorite Thing To Do at Parties?

Talk to my peeps AND dance probably ;)

6. Party Food Favorites?

Appetizers and Desserts- FTW!  Seriously...you can't go wrong..gives you more time to talk and mingle AND you can taste fabulous bites of different things :)

7. Favorite Flavor of Birthday Cake?

It is a cake from a local bakery called Sugar N Spice....it is a half chocolate and half vanilla cake filled with buttercream and raspberry preserves and it is TO DIE FOR! 

8. Balloons?  Yes or No?

Yes...balloons and all kinds of decorations...yes please :)

9. Best Party Song?

 Cotton Eyed Joe...try NOT dancing when this bad boy comes on...dare you ;)

10. Do You Like to Dance?  Yes or No? 

Yes- LOVE TO DANCE!

TBB Asks What Are We Thankful For

The Blended Blog is asking us What We are Thankful For...Here is my shot at answering the above questions....

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE 

1. A New Friend= Nicole

2. Something Shiny= Bracelets from The Craft Fair

3. Someone Unexpected=  State Reps at The State House Surprising Diana and treating her like a celebrity because they know her Dad ;)

4. Something Ordinary= Apple Picking

5. A Person I Have Known A Long Time= My Hubby

6. Somewhere I Go Every Day= My Computer!

7. Someone Who's Taught Me Something= Janie

8. A Far Away Place= The Bahamas

9. Something That Is Saving My Life Right Now= Duh

10. Someone I See Every Day= My Girls

 11. Something I Enjoy Doing= Golf

12. Someone Female= My Mom

13. A Special Place = Portsmouth

14. Someone Male = My Dad

15. Something Warm= Our Home