A Moment for Mousse

Some things just don't make sense.  Like how I was really hungry last night after dinner, but decided to make chocolate mousse.  Logical, right?  Can't eat it right now (Whole 30, Day #26 remember!?), already hungry, so why not exacerbate the situation.  I mean...that makes no sense!  I don't get it, so I don't expect you to get it.  

Said chocolate mousse was packaged up and delivered with hugs and love to a very special person--at least that part was logical!  Make it and get it the heck out of the house.  Logical, yes.  Without consequence?  No.  I ended up with a very disappointed 6 year old on my hands when she saw me deliver the entire batch.

So we applied more silly logic (wait, is that an oxymoron!?) this morning when, during our two hour delay, we whipped up another batch.  How else would you spend bonus time like that?!

Before you think we're real fancy or complicated, please let me assure we are neither.  This mousse is, in fact, delicious (I did eat it one time when I made it months ago!), really easy and seems much more impressive than the effort would indicate.

Wanna know how it goes?  It's quick--honest!  Don't miss it!

Take 1/2 of a cup of heavy cream and warm it up in the microwave for 1 minute
Add 1 cup of chocolate chips; I splurge and get Ghirardelli 
Mix those together until the chips melt and you've got a lovely, silky, chocolaty mixture
Set that into the fridge for 5-8 minutes to cool off
Whip 1 cup of heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks--4-5 minutes
Scoop out about 1/2 of a cup of the whipped cream to use as topping
Gently fold the chocolate into the remaining cream, incorporating fully
Place the mousse into whatever serving bowl you'd like (I've used stemless wine glasses and even Oui yogurt jars!)
Top with a little whipped cream and shaved chocolate

That disappointed 6 year old was quite joyful when I presented her with a Hershey kiss and a mircroplane and told her to get after it!  At 8:30am!  Then, why not, we popped a little bit into a bowl and tossed it into her lunch bag.  Go 'head, Girl.  Savor that treat in the elementary school cafeteria!!

You'll have to find your own helper, mine's taken!  But even if you're left to your own devices, I promise you that you can make this happen and might even have everything on hand right now!

It's long been a fact (right?!) that many of life's troubles can be cured with chocolate.  It's also long been a fact (stop doubting) that it's a super way to celebrate.  So versatile, this treat.  But hey, no matter how, when or why you have it, ENJOY it!  

xo,
Amy

The Halfway Point!

Here we are, a little more than halfway through the month of January...No Spenduary & Whole 30, too.  Yes, we decided to take 2021 by the horns.  Now, here's the thing.  It's really easy for me to lament all the ways I got here.  The poor choices, the "pour" choices (oye, the wine!) and the choice to simply make it through the long, dark  pandemic days.  Too often that meant a different shade of self-care, one that was, if I'm honest, merely temporary.  

It's easy to go there.  It's not as easy, but extremely important, to give myself a whole heap of grace.  And focus forward.  Which is what this month is all about.  How I got here is only important in so much as it's good to understand my thought process so I can change it!

So how's it going?  Well, it's going pretty darn well.  We're both on track and haven't cheated.  Okay, wait.  Let's put that into context.  There are a handful of items for W30 that are a little harder to come by, so we use what we have, especially when it's a scant amount.  Two tablespoons of flour in an entire recipe?  I use what I have.  Or bacon with no sugar?  I go for the one with the least, knowing I'm using 3 strips for a whole meal for four.  Yeah, I know I should have almond flour or zero sugar bacon or any number of other options, but....I'm willing to bend the rules a bit for something this minor.  

We are steadfast with the other elements; no beans, no alcohol, no grains, no dairy.  We're not supposed to weigh in, but I can tell you that someone has (ahem, not me!) and has seen results.  So that's encouraging.

But really--how's it going?  Okay, truth be told, I have moments where I'm hungry.  Then again, I have days where I almost forget to eat because I feel full/satisfied.  So it changes.  And I really do miss munchies, but heaven knows I had more than enough munchies the past 10 months--a 30 day break won't kill me.  I don't really miss alcohol as much as I expected to.  Mostly because I'm feeling far more positive benefits from abstaining.

I'm less achy, my joints feel better, I definitely feel less puffy---though, again, I've not stepped on a scale.  I'm also feeling more energized through the day--most days.  And I'm sleeping much better.  I've gotten back on track with drinking plenty of water---an easy thing to skip when it's cold out, I find.  And decaf tea and I are buddy-buddy!  

Stubbornness may be a negative trait most times, but it's serving me well right about now.  I made three meals, two batches of Rice Krispie Treats and a batch of cookies recently.  Not a morsel passed my lips.  It would have been really easy to eat a spoonful of each dish--you know, to test it!--but I stayed strong and packed them up to deliver to their recipients.  I'm not even sneaking nibbles from the girls' dishes.  Another easy thing to do, almost without thinking.  And insignificant as they might seem, those sneaky calories add up.

Plus, my thought process has changed and I'm careful about what I say.  Tough day?  Oh, pour a glass of wine.  Wait--that's not the only way to cope, right?  Pens back on the ice?  Cool!  Grab a beer for the game.  Hold up--is that the best choice?  The focus here is on healthy choices---all around, and for all of us.  Even the girls are getting in on the act, blessedly!

Bottom line, we've got 12 days to go and we're going to see it through.  From past experience, we stick to a good chunk of this even beyond Day 30, too.  We're not as strict, but we're also not so slack.  We recognize the effort brings results, and we're not so keen on ruining the results by Day 35.  We've not only changed our eating habits, but our thinking habits as well.  That's huge!

And No Spenduary?  Still going strong, however....we did have a few expenses.  One was a tournament fee for Abby, one was a small care package for my Mom and then there were the kitchen appliances.  The appliances were a long-time in coming, so while we made the purchase this month, the funding had already been set aside.  So maybe that one sort of doesn't count?  And maybe the crazy good deal we got makes it better, too?  Crazy....as in saved HUNDREDS and got better pieces than what we initially chose.  So yeah, we'll take a mulligan on that one.

The other expense we had was a KidPik for each kiddo.  Thanks to my inability to pay attention to the shipping date, they showed up as a lovely little surprise.  I was prepared to simply send them back, because they fall firmly into the "extra" category, but they were kinda on point--and not outrageously-priced.  Soooooo, Happy (early) Valentine's Day, ladies.  But this is a prime example of paying attention to spending habits.  I should have known this was coming so I could have suspended it further*.  Mindless spending, just like those mindless nibbles, can getcha!

No other extras.  No eating out/ordering in.  No drive-thrus, no popping into TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Home Goods--none of it.  No Add to Cart, no just because-s.  I guess being mostly homebound helps with that, but even our online shopping has been shut down.  All it takes is a glance at my bank balance (and the activity ledger that's pretty empty!) to see that this is making the impact we set out to make with this exercise.  

Twelve days to go (with two half birthdays, one REAL birthday and two report cards to celebrate!) and we're determined to hold the line, stay true to our goals and make the most of this first month of 2021.  After last year, flipping the script and trying new ways of doing things felt like an obvious and popular choice.  Cheers to however you're choosing to welcome the new year.

xo,
Amy

*The neat thing about KidPik is that there's no up-front fee and no return postage fee.   So I really could have sent the entire box back without paying a dime.  The girls LOVE getting mail and these packages are so well done, it's hard to squelch their joy!  Like I said, Happy (early) Valentine's Day!  

A List of Likes

My girls have this thing, lately, where they ask me for my favorite EVERYTHING.  Favorite song?  Color?  Movie?  Vacation spot?  Book?  Food?  Thing to do outside?  Thing to do inside?  And my answer is nearly always the same.  "I don't really have a favorite."  It all depends on the mood and the context.  

Favorite movie?  I could go with Keeping the Faith because of the memories it evokes (and its message is pretty cool, too) but I could just as easily point to Dirty Dancing when the need to mindlessly engage in nostalgia and fun music is the call of the day.  It depends.

With that in mind, I decided to curate a List of Likes.  Some would say "these are a few of my favorite things" and I suppose that could be true.  It's a random list, but here it is!  

Crabtree & Evelyn Tarocco Orange Eucalyptus & Orange ultra-moisturizing hand therapy.  I found two small tubes of this gem a week ago as I was cleaning out some baskets in my linen closet.  Smells very spa-like, feels awesome going on, lasts a good long while (even through frequent handwashing!) annnnnnnnnnnnd it's no longer available.  Because that is exactly "on brand" with the way things are rolling these days, right? 

The fact that it’s still light out at 4:57pm!  Who's with me?  Who's enjoying the idea that days are getting longer?  It's subtle, but it's happening.  And it's a lovely reminder of what's to come.

The luxury of curling up with a cozy blanket, a mug of tea and a good book.  Bonus if one of the girls curls up on/with me!  Extra bonus if it’s dreary enough to turn the fireplace on and really get the mood!  I'm determined to stay the course with my goal of at least 10 pages a day, so reading has returned to its spot on the TO DO list.  It still feels like such a luxury, but maybe that's the point?

Driveway visits from my Mom---with food!  So yes, COVID stinks.  And being apart from family really stinks.  Not being able to hug my Mom and Dad?  Ugh---temporary though it is, it's still a gut punch.  So when my Mom invents reasons to pop over for a driveway visit, we indulge.  And when the reason she invents involves bringing food, we're extra happy.  I really believe that no matter how old you are, having your Mom take care of you in big or even small ways is a huge blessing.

Supportive husbands!  He barely blinked when I declared January as No Spenduary AND another round of Whole 30.  And he could have.  He could have rolled his eyes and told me I was on my own.  But he didn't.  God love Mark, he dove into meal planning with me, committed to making the next 30 days really count and gave me a shot of encouragement.  I've always said there's a difference between being ALLOWED do something and being ENCOURAGED to do it.  I'm pretty glad Mark's along for the ride with me, because it's a lot easier with him in my corner, that's for sure!

Amazing friends--including those I've never even met!  Yeah, that's right!  I count myself incredibly blessed to have friends who cheer me on, talk me down, lift me up and bring out my best even when they've seen me at my worst.  And while the pandemic has done a banner job of limiting or eliminating our together time, our bonds have become even stronger.  

It's a 10 minute chat across the yard in the middle of a walk, a New Year's Eve tradition reimagined rather than altogether cancelled and the enthusiastic offer to support a work-related project that culminated in a Starbucks date where we sat outside, enjoying an abnormally warm December day!  It's the weekly TWOsday text train that's been going on for 5 years.  It's sharing books, sharing coping mechanisms for the heavy moments and sharing laughs.  Friends are rich treasures to be held close.  

And then there's this fantastic group of "pocket friends" (phrase borrowed from one of the lovely ladies in the group) that I was invited to join last year during Dry January.  I know ONE person in this group--my friend Sarah (the one I've never met in person, despite being friends for nearly 20 years...say whaaaaa!?) but that has zero impact on the value of this squad.  I'm so enjoying the humor, wisdom, support and perspective of this group of cool humans.  I could easily picture us all gathered around a huge farm table for a lovely brunch.  It's that kind of vibe.  And I'm grateful for it.  

Playoff football!  I've lost my dedication to the NFL, haven't watched many games in the past few years, but there's something about the energy of playoff football.  There's an extra urgency to each play, there's a level of stress that's just this side of too much--and I have tons of fond memories of watch parties at our house with awesome friends, food for miles and superstitions galore.  Bonus when there's some friendly trash talking going on with a buddy!  Good stuff!

And while we're talking sports....HOCKEY'S BACK!  As of this week, the Pens will be on the ice again and that just feels right.  Cozy nights watching them while wearing my lucky pants and listening to the girls go crazy when they score?  So.  Much.  Fun!

My job!  For so many reasons.  The normal ones--it's a paycheck, it's fulfilling, my co-workers are cool.  And then the other ones--it's a great way to teach my girls about giving back, about reaching for more, about being successful in more than one area in life.  About comebacks from setbacks and about the importance of being valued.  It's knowing that our work makes a difference in people's lives.  A real, lasting difference that often ripples outward, impacting more than we ever know.

Music!  There is no way I could ever pick a favorite.  Song, genre---nope!  A single one of my playlists includes everything from Frank Sinatra to Lauren Daigle to Blue October, Dua Lipa, Gavin DeGraw and even something from the Zombies soundtrack.  Honest!  But man does music do all the things.  Soothe my heart?  Yup!  Energize me?  No doubt.  Bring back amazing memories of a specific moment in time?  So frequently.  Via Alexa, Amazon Music or even good ole CDs, I'm forever playing something in the background.  

My Bellabeat.  I was fortunate to receive this gem as a gift, then sadly--it sat unused for way too long before I figured it out (eye roll, go ahead!) with the help of the lovely Kate.  Know I wear it daily and love the tracking, the gentle reminders to move more, grab water and even the 3:00 alarm that reminds me to pause and whisper a specific prayer.  There's a saying that your only competition is yourself.  With Bellabeat, I can see my daily activity levels and challenge myself to be better the next day.  It's a fun game, where even when I lose I win!  Plus, it's pretty and versatile, able to be worn like (because it looks like) jewelry. 

And finally, my blog! One of my 2021 goals is to write at least one post per week.  Sitting quietly (with music of course) at the computer and sharing thoughts or recipes or observations--it somehow both energizes me and calms me.  See?  I can't even pick a favorite emotion/response.  No matter.  I'll keep writing.  For one person, for a bunch of people.  For me, for an audience.  I'll keep writing.  Because that is, and has been for as long as I can remember, definitely one of my favorite things!

xo,
Amy 

P.O.P

A few weeks ago, I wrote about creating balance between making the holidays feel normal in the face of a pandemic that's made them anything but and making them feel radically different, almost brand new.

Gratefully, I think we were able to create that balance. And now, for New Year's Eve.  Ranks up there with Valentine's Day for me in the sense that there's so much hype around it and I find myself exhausted trying to live up to and and also ignore said hype.  So what to do on this last day of December?  Make it feel like every other NYE when it clearly isn't?  Or go a totally different direction?  Orrrrrrr, Option C; create balance!  

Cliché as it is, I do like the idea of welcoming a new year and having a blank canvas on which to paint whatever's next.  But first, we party.  It's entirely possible that this year, more than any other, will be ushered out in grand fashion.  I'm making a concerted effort to not only focus on 2020 ending, but rather 2021 beginning.  Equally important is acknowledging that there was good stuff in 2020, too.  Was it overshadowed by the bad stuff?  Sure.  Often that was the case.  But our perspective is a powerful tool in reframing what--and how--we see.  Right?

So the party!  This year, it'll be the four of us---and it's been that way before, this isn't new.  I think what's new is that it's the four of us because we really can't (shouldn't) include anyone else.  Story's as old as time; tell me I can't have something, I'll want it that much more.  Quality time as Rayman4 is a gift, no doubt.  But man alive we'll miss our friends. A lot.

Rather than focus on who isn't here and what we can't do, we're going to make tonight all about POP.  Balloons to pop, corks to pop, poppers, pop music and pop foods (popcorn, poptarts--homemade!, popcicles...) to round us out.  But there's a plot twist---because it's 2020---POP isn't more than a goofy theme dreamed up by a Mama trying to make NYE fun for her girls, it's a mindset.  It stands for Power Of Positivity.  A solid reminder to look for, focus on and draw out the positives.  

Spoiler alert--I'm not always sunshine and lollipops (oooh, lollipops--that's a good one!).  Not by a longshot.  I do, however, find a great deal of peace when I look at the bright side.  Sometimes that's easy to do, sometimes it's not--I'll grant you that.  But with practice, repetition and discipline, we can all do a better job of focusing on the good stuff.  Gratitude journals?  A Joy Jar?  Even a list on your phone (I have them going back 3 years!).  However you choose to practice, I invite you to give it a shot and be aware of how you feel when you're really in the groove of noticing the good stuff.

Tonight, we'll create balance; traditional shrimp scampi dinner in the dining room, using our Christmas china once more before it's packed away.  We'll play games and watch a little bit of Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve.  Maybe we'll Zoom with friends or family, maybe we'll pop champagne before midnight.  Balance.  "Old" stuff and "new" stuff.  All of it good stuff. 

Tonight, we're going to POP our way outta 2020 and into 2021.  Who knows--maybe we'll POP all year long!  Maybe I'll get into the habit of asking Mark and the girls "What's POPping" in their lives from time to time, reinforcing the amazing things that happen when we focus on what's positive.

Wishing you all that your heart wants and needs as we welcome a new year.  May hope, peace and joy be yours in abundance.

xo,
Amy

No Spenduary, Back Again!

At least five years--that's how long No Spend January (or, No Spenduary) has been a thing in our house, and I thought I'd share an update on how and why we do this.

Interestingly enough, I can't quite recall exactly how the idea came to be, but since its inception, my Mom and Sister have gotten in on the challenge and we've brought Mark and the girls along, too.  It's funny to hear Abby ask, "Does this count as extra spending?"  Really being thoughtful--and also trying to scheme her way into bending the rules just a little! She knows the drill, and we're glad that she's learning some good financial lessons.

November and December can seem like brutal months for your wallet and budget.  I know this is not the case for everyone, however, lots of little things pop up (and add up!) during that season.  Perhaps this year was different as gatherings were scaled down, or perhaps this year was different because indulging seemed like a good way to heal the hurt of those scaled down gatherings.  

January is a time of lots of new beginnings, right?  People make resolutions left and right, set big goals, vow to be/think/do/feel differently as the calendar turns.  Usually January is when those holiday bills come due and you're reminded of how much extra you added into your celebrations--many times, without really thinking too much about it in the moment.

In the spirit of new beginnings, January seems like a great time to examine spending habits.  Maybe you'll be pleased with what you find or maybe you'll have an eye-opening moment that requires some adjustments. 

For me, this No Spenduary is about making a new budget for our family and a plan to really stick with it.  We haven't made many revisions for a while---and things have changed.  I have a new job, my parking fees are gone, our insurance is different, we no longer have tuition payments for Alyssa...time for a financial check-up.  And we've got some goals; but we all know a goal without a plan is merely a wish.  And wishing isn't going to cut it.  Getting detailed about the goal, the WHY and the HOW will make a huge difference.

What exactly are we talking about here with No Spenduary?  Well, it's pretty simple---nothing extra.  We pay our bills, grocery shop and get gas.  That's it*.  No random take-out "just because."  No "this is new, let's try it" at the grocery store.  No frivolous Amazon orders because "Add to Cart" is so darn easy.  Back to basics.   

We've made exceptions over the years, like the year we needed to make an emergency repair to our garage door.  Not something that could be put off.  But that's the beauty of No Spenduary--that kind of expense stings a lot less when (a) you realize that's all you've spent money on for the month and (b) you've got "extra" in your account because of the no spending!

I'll be eager to see if this year feels easier to stick to our plan because of the many restrictions we're facing.  Going out to eat isn't really an option, random errands on a Saturday morning aren't happening which means no quick coffee on the go and no "but I like it!" purchases at my favorite spots.  

This past year has provided wonderful reminders of what's truly important and taught us that we can, in fact, do more with less.  Was it always easy?  Heck no.  Did I miss dinners out with my family to celebrate report cards and birthdays?  Heck yes.  But I've loved being home more so I can cook and enjoy yummy meals around our own table.  One thing I didn't stop spending?  TIME!! 

Bottom line, it's ONE month of being hyper-aware, disciplined and determined.  Fortunately, the effects last longer than a single month, and we realize that while we don't see ourselves as frivolous, sometimes we are and our wallets know it.

Cheers to keeping up the tradition and cheers to you if this is your first crack at No Spenduary!  Feel free to leave a comment about your plan, ask questions about ours or check back so we can share updates on our challenges and successes!

xo,
Amy

  *Gift cards purchased/received prior to January can be spent--but not a penny over the gift card amount!  

Dinner & Dessert

Dinner and Dessert; because life's about balance.  Even when things seem super off balance, out of kilter and upside down.  A bit of cozy comfort food and a sweet treat that holds special memories is a pretty good place to seek refuge.  Yes?  Yes!!

How about this for irony--finding a yummy slider recipe that's great for a crowd when you can't have a crowd over to enjoy them.  Ohhh, 2020...you're such a delight.

What is a delight, truly, is this easy recipe for Parmesan Chicken Sliders.  We had one of those Food Rut weeks where we were tired of all the "standard" recipes from the coveted Make Again pile, so we searched Pinterest for some inspiration.  Found it!  (thanks, iamhomesteader.com)  

To make these, we used Brioche slider buns from Aldi (so delicious!) and Chicken Fries, also from Aldi.  I baked those first, then cut them in half so the sliders were easier to bite into.  It made a difference!

What You'll Need:
King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Chicken tenders
Marinara sauce
Provolone cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Basil

Layering is the key to making these mini Chicken Parmesan sandwiches. Be sure to preheat the oven to 350°F. You may have to reset the temperature after cooking the chicken tenders ahead of time.

In a sprayed baking dish, lay down the bottoms of the Hawaiian rolls and add the cheese, chicken, marinara, cheese, and basil.  Bet you could brush a little of the butter topping on the buns before you lay on the cheese....mmm! 

Put on the tops of the rolls and smother them with the butter topping.

Butter Topping Ingredients:
Butter
Sea salt
Garlic (we used garlic powder)
Parsley
Parmesan cheese

To make the butter topping, simply mix all the ingredients together and brush it all over the rolls!

Cover the sliders with tin foil for the first 20 minutes. Then, bake them for another 5 minutes or so until the tops of the rolls are a golden brown. These are messy but SO good and easy!

Have a cup of marinara on hand for dipping.  Enjoy!

And what goes better with a cheesy, gooey dinner than dessert?  And this isn't just any dessert.  This treat has been dubbed the Official Cookie of Santa by my girls.  And who could argue?

I remember eating one of these for the first time and knowing, immediately that they tasted familiar, but not sure if it was cheesecake or chocolate or what.  I just knew they were good.  Mind blown when I realized they contained just three simple ingredients!

So I started making them myself, once I figured out what they were, and they've been a staple in our holiday cookie line up ever since.  Everyone gets in on the process; Alyssa crushes the cookies, I roll them, Mark melts the chocolate* and we all throw the sprinkles on them.

They really couldn't be any easier.  Ready?  Okay, here we go...Oreo Truffles.

*Okay, this part isn't easy--or at least it wasn't initially.  Dear GOD the fury of ruining chocolate before we figured it out.  It's a running joke now, and frankly part of the fun!

What You'll Need:

3 dozen Oreo cookies
1 8oz package of cream cheese
White chocolate candy discs
Sprinkles

What You'll Do:

Pulverize the Oreos in a food processor
Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer with Oreo crumbs
Mix together until incorporated
Scoop and roll into small balls
Chill, on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
Melt chocolate and dip truffles in to coat 1-2 at a time
Place back onto cookie sheet and dust with sprinkles
Chill again to set before placing into a container
Store in fridge (or consume immediately, whatever--I'm not judging!)
Makes about 3 dozen or so--depends on the size you make them.  

  

Okay, there you have it.  Dinner & Dessert.  Cheers to you, cheers to trying something new to bust out of that food rut and mad props if you exercise any level of willpower around either of these things!

xo,

Amy

Once Upon a Time

It was maybe early May a couple years ago when I asked Abby if she was looking forward to her birthday.  She was 8.  Her birthday was still two-ish months away, but the kid loves her birthday.  She thought for a moment and finally admitted that she was excited to turn 9 because it would be her last single digit birthday (gulp!) and wondered what the party theme would be.

 Happy Birthday!

I asked if she had anything special on her wish list.  Her face broke out into a huge smile and she recounted her 8th birthday and the adventure she had with a good friend.  I took them to the movies, making a quick stop at the Dollar Store first where the girls got $5 each and 5 minutes to get WHATEVER treat they wanted.  The giggles.  Oh the giggles!  Then it was off to the movies, then back to our house for cupcakes, wishes and tons more giggles.  That is what mattered most to her.

That's when I knew, for her 9th birthday (and Alyssa's 4th) the emphasis was going to be on experiences and adventures over things.  Not all gifts come wrapped in paper and bows, neatly tucked into a box or bag.  Some of the best gifts are tucked into your heart.

  

In Central Park, on GMA!

That summer, the Rayman Four celebrated two amazing birthday girls with a fantastic long weekend in New York City.  With help from a handful of knowledgeable resources, we scheduled a bunch of MUST DOs while leaving plenty of room in our itinerary for "whatever we feel like doing--or not doing!"  Reviewing the complete list of what we accomplished makes me tired to this day--and heaven knows we barely even made a dent in all that the City has to offer. 

Ask the girls what they got when we were there and I bet they can't tell you.  But I can assure you they'll describe, in detail, the surprise of seeing Camila Cabello in concert!; seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time from afar; the subway adventures (and misadventures!); the incredible view of the Freedom Tower from    our hotel room; eating pizza and stopping at the exact moment Abby turned 9 to sing Happy Birthday, the whole restaurant joining in the chorus; catching up with my Aunt & Uncle who treated us to a super cool performance of School of Rock;      Alyssa's birthday pancake and another serenade from a restaurant full of people; somber moments at the 9/11 Memorial and so much more. 

The view from our hotel room

All smiles on the ferry to see Lady Liberty

 

The adventure was so awesome that we booked a whirlwind surprise return getaway last December.  This time around, we had a few new tricks up our sleeves to make things easier---and the memories were every bit as rich.

We packed a lot into our quick visit, this time celebrating Mark's birthday (at Junior's...yes there was cheesecake and yes the entire restaurant sang to him, too!), visiting with Santa, getting a pretzel, checking out the Plaza, stumbling into a cupcake ATM (!!) and seeing The Tree.  If it's cliché to describe this trip as magical, well then please allow me to be cliché.  

  

  

  

Why on Earth am I rehashing two trips to NYC a year (and then some) after the fact?  It's because I'm feeling some kind of nostalgic for them.  For the idea that we could just pick up and go.  I'm fairly certain the December trip was planned in a matter of days--super spontaneous.  I'm jonesing for the energy around the planning, the fun of surprising the girls (we told them as we were zipping along the PA Turnpike!) and the excitement of pulling it off.  Once upon a time---a time that will return eventually.  It will.  

There was a lot of chatter about going to Chicago--what's with these Big City girls?--for the girls' 10th and 5th birthdays.  Sadly, the pandemic took that off the table.  But surely, we thought, surely come December we'll be able to go.  Nope.  So it's still on hold.  And today, I'm feeling a little sad about that.  So I looked at the pictures, smiled as I remembered taking them and I wrote.  That has me feeling better and hopeful that soon enough there'll be a post detailing our adventures in the Windy City.  Stay tuned...and stay safe, wherever you are! 

xo,

Amy