Gratitude......

I have never been one to make new year's resolutions.....

I guess I dislike being limited to making a change to just once a year.....

or maybe I don't like to set myself up for failure - ugh, probably

more likely.

But, at this time of year, I find myself taking stock of where I am in life and what I 

wish for in the new year {not technically a resolution, wink*wink}.

It's been a big year for our family, so many changes!  The changes

were sometimes difficult, heartbreaking,

 scary and challenging {oh so challenging}.

However, the changes were also joyful, wonderful and welcome!

My husband faced job loss and was successful in securing a position

with his company in our home state, we sold and bought homes in one

of the worst housing/mortgage markets our country has seen, 

we moved our daughters away from friends and public schools they loved and

felt at home with and then enrolled them in Catholic school {gasp!}, and

then, momma went back to part-time work!

But guess what?  We survived, we thrived and above all else we are happy!

When I think about the past year and where I sit today, the word that immediately

comes to mind is GRATITUDE.  I know I feel it, my goal for

2012 is to show it!  How about you?  What is your word/goals for 2012?

No, this is not our home.......

This awesome "Who-ville" themed home is on my route to and from

the soccer fields, where I take my big girl at least three times

per week.  I always smile as I pass, mostly for the neighbors

decor, a simple message of "Ditto" with an arrow!

I only wish I was that clever......

Well friends, I am signing off until after the holidays.

My parents arrive tomorrow and my brother and

his wife on Friday - we will enjoy a full house this year!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a 

Happy New Year.....see you in 2012!

Make this!

We had company over {wow, totally sounding like my mom in 1973 tonight!} this weekend.

I wanted to make a festive dessert but lacked the time {or energy} for 

laborious Christmas cookies......I am saving that for later this week.

While doing a simple search on the internet, I came up with this oh-so festive bundt

cake recipe.  Not only does this pretty cake impress, it also tastes delicious.

I knew I had to share the recipe with all of you!

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

{courtesy of food.com}

1 package devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup sugar

1 package {4 ounce} instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 {8 ounce} container of sour cream

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies

Heavily grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan and set aside.  Combine first seven

ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat at low speed until combined.  Pour mixture in 

prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or till a toothpick

inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool pan for 15 minutes then remove cake

from pan and cool entirely on wire rack.

For frosting, stir together powdered sugar and enough milk to make a dribbling

glaze consistency.  Drizzle frosting over cake and sprinkle with peppermint candies.

May the peace and joy of the season be found in your home!

Meg's Cottage ~

Reconnecting with my friends in Portland has definitely been the highlight

of moving back 'home'.  While I had hoped that my friendships, that had

been nurtured over great distances, would be resumed, I also set

realistic expectations that those friends may have 'moved on'.

I feel so fortunate to have basically 'picked up where we left off' with

so many fabulous women!  Woo-hoo!

This week I went to lunch at my friend Meg's cottage.  Meg's family

recently bought this adorable updated 1940's cottage that oozes

charm and coziness!

Lucky for you girls, I remembered to bring my camera!

With Meg's permission I snapped away!

Her kitchen is HUGE!  The former owners were both cooks and created

a kitchen that accommodates two cooks.  This means

there are two refrigerators, two sinks, two dishwashers and tons

of storage.  The pine cabinets and loads of windows just add to the charm

and warmth in the space.

Meg is one of my flea market hunting friends - she has great taste

and is so good at incorporating just the right vintage 

finds into her home.  This big, rusty Dayton scale 

found the perfect spot in her kitchen.

The living room is cozy and has a mixture of flea market finds, 

mass market and catalog purchases!

Don't we all dream of a tree with just white lights?

That's World Market's industrial coffee table pictured above!

Here we are back in the kitchen, serious discussions were taking place!

I love the Restoration Hardware pendant fixtures!

{Hi girls, I know you will love having your pictures here!}

Girlfriends are awesome, girlfriends with inspiring homes are the best!

Thanks to Meg for letting me share her sweet cottage with all of you!