Hello Monday (January 23, 2023)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Snowy Monday from NH!

It is time for Hello Monday with Sarah and me.  If you blogged about your weekend, please join us by grabbing our graphic above and linking up with us below.

Here is what our little weekend looked like

Friday

The kids had no school...we got our first real snow...so that meant snowblowing for Daddy and playing in the snow for Eva...Remi was incensed and ran around looking out all of the windows to "monitor the situation" ;)

 That night it was Friday Night Pizza and Salad Night and early to bed- quiet and cozy.

Saturday

I started my day by meeting my bestie Beth Ann for coffee at my fave coffee shop- The Village Bean. It had been too long and we had so much to catch up on.  So good for the soul.

Rob dropped Diana off at the high school for an all day Choral Exchange Event.  They had rehearsals and fun all day and put on a concert that evening.  He then took Eva to half of her hockey game.  Then it was time for her next basketball game and we all met up at the school.

In attendance this week were Mimi, Papa Pete, Papa Bob and Zach AND so glad because not only did she score her first ever basket but she scored four- she was on fire!  We joked and said "there would be no living with her."  We were cracking up and very excited for her!

After that it was home for the day..snapped a couple of pics on my way home so you could see the snow up here...it is pretty even though I hate winter ;)

Later on, I started prepping dinner as the McLains were coming over so we could plan our Italy itinerary for our trip in August.  

 

While I was cooking, Rob and Eva headed to the high school to see Diana sing with her chorus

 

 

 

I decided to go with an Italian Feast- the appetizers included Marinated Artichoke Hearts in a Wine Sauce along with Bruschetta and Melon with Prosciutto

The main course was Lobster Risotto with Arugula Salad and Bread

For dessert, I had a cake shipped from Italy.  It is called the "Caprese Cake" and it is famous on the island of Capri (one of the areas we will be visiting) alongside Torrone (Italian Nougat Candy) and some Limoncello straight out of the freezer!

Remind me not to take selfies after a long day...ugh...ha!

So grateful that our friend Tom is so organized and good with instructing us on what to book and when.  We now have a plan which makes things more realistic for sure!

 

 

When the McLains left, Diana headed to a friends for a sleepover and we crashed hard.

Sunday

Daddy took Eva to her softball workout and I headed to mass with Papa.  When Diana got home, she got studying for her final midterm exam.  It was supposed to be on Friday but that day ended up being a snow day.  Since today is a "remote learning day", her final midterm has now been pushed to Wednesday. Anyway, I digress....

I then took her to the mall- she had a gift card she wanted to use and we snagged a few cute things for her in Hollister

Then we enjoyed lunch at Copper Door so I could use MY gift card :)

Then I dropped her off at the studio for a three hour YAGP rehearsal...it is getting close!

Daddy and Pidge headed to the Bruins with Papa and Zach.  It was Eva's very first professional sporting event and Bruins game.  Zach gifted them the tickets for Christmas!

So...what were YOU up to this weekend?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Friday Favorites (January 19, 2023)

 

 

Hi Friends!  Coming at ya from snowy NH this morning...kids have no school....and we are looking forward to getting to our weekend...one more work day and then we are there!

Linking up, as always, HERE and sharing some faves from our week!

Snow Much Fun!

Fresh Highlights

 

Clean Eating

 

 

MEMEs

The Girls

Diana is busy rehearsing for a Student-Directed 1 Act Play called "A Reason To Live".  She plays the Mom.  The production will be the first weekend of February.  She is also rehearsing for Mamma Mia which will take place in March! She is in the ensemble and having a blast (she was also the only Freshman to get a Call Back so she is hoping for bigger roles each year- she is working hard to get there!)

 

and she is rocking her first Midterms this week so I treated her to a sushi lunch one day :)

Eva is studying hard for her confirmation which will happen in May!  Once she completes this book, she will move on to the First Communion Book- we are on a mission!

She rocked "Crazy Hair Day"

and I got to see her sweet smile when I volunteered in her library period- she melts my heart!

 

Dancing Jesus

Misty just gets me :)  Ha!

 

Flashbacks

Winter Snuggles

Catching Up With Besties

 

and putting on a real outfit and staying on plan FTW

That's a wrap!  Wishing you a cozy winter weekend friends!

Carrot Fries

 

Ok friends!  You asked for it!  Carrot Fries are my new favorite side or snack and they are CLEAN.  I have to give the credit all to our air fryer.  It seriously makes things more delicious and in a healthy way!

 

 

So this is really a loosy goosey recipe.  That's typically how I cook and how I found the recipe on some message boards so stay with me!

 

 

Ingredients

 

Carrot sticks- pre cut in your grocery store

Avocado Oil Spray

Seasonings of Your Choice- I have used Everything But The Bagel Seasoning as well as Garlic Salt and Sesame Seeds.

 

 Instructions

 

Spray the basket in your air fryer

Lay the carrots down

Season them to your liking

Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes (the longer you cook them the crispier they become)

Enjoy!

 

Seriously...that's it!  Let me know if you try them and how you like them!