Pumpkin Cake

Because we aren't going to eat enough over the next two days, Stella and I baked a Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting tonight.  It's the most kid-friendly recipe, inspired by this post.  I added a little bit of vanilla to the mix and Stella added sprinkles on top (next time, I'd like to replace the sprinkles with chopped pecans).  It is so easy and so yummy and this Thanksgiving Eve, I am thankful for these sweet moments she and I share. 


This long holiday weekend I hope to find time to delve further into this book.  Have you read it?  It's centered around the round-up of Jews in 1942 Paris.  It makes me thankful that my great-grandmother escaped Kraków, Poland before the Nazis invaded.  So the story goes that her mother hid all of her babies under her skirt while fleeing, although I think long before the invasion.  But what if they had stayed?  It's truly amazing to look at Stella and realize that she would not be here, nor would I, had it not been for such brave acts so many decades ago.  (If now you're wondering, I have a Jewish mother and a Baptist father...I like to joke that I'm both chosen and saved.  And to really mix it up, I married a Catholic.)


I'm also thankful to have met so many of you through this blog. It's been so inspiring and a great escape. Thank you for your time, your kind words, funny musings, and for sharing a little bit of your world as well.  I hope you have the most delicious, coziest Thanksgiving tomorrow with your loved ones.  xo

Tiffany's Christmas Windows

I love the Central Park carousel inspired windows Tiffany's has unveiled for the holidays.  Oh, to be in New York during the holidays...it's so magical! 


For the news coverage:



Coin Purses

These coin purses are adorable and unique for a precious little person in your life...





Random Weekend Thoughts


Since Christmas has started earlier than ever once you step out your door (I hear the mall was packed yesterday), I'm happy to be inside watching Thanksgiving themed shows on the Food Network.  Even the Hallmark Channel has started airing Christmas movies!  I secretly like it a little and may have even set out my Santa mugs already...shhhhhh...don't tell anybody.

Mashed potatoes and a spinach casserole will be my contributions to our big family Thanksgiving dinner this week.  What will you be making?  All this talk about side dishes reminds me of one of our favorites that I found in Southern Living a few years ago, Israeli Couscous with Roasted Mushrooms.  We've never made it for Thanksgiving, but if you're looking for something a little different, it would be a good one.   


While I watch Thanksgiving Live,
Stella has set up office on the coffee table.


She still wears her princess dress every day.  She asks to put it on the minute she comes home from school and as soon as she wakes up on the weekends.  And then there are the dress-up shoes, tiara, and all the jewelry...(as you can see in her artwork, she's going through her "blue period" like Picasso)


If not in her dress, this is how she dresses herself:  color on color ("because it matches") and an expired holiday Hello Kitty t-shirt...



I love this smile...


Some fun discoveries...
We have little owls in our backyard. 
Found this Crew Cuts sweater for Stella for $2.99.  
Ski lifts, ice skates, and a plaid thermos...
wish they had my size!

 
Excited for the upcoming week. 
Have a good one! 

Ready To (not) Wear

I have a friend who has made it a tradtion to get Stella a pair of PJs from Hanna Andersson every Christmas.  Since Stella has become rather persnickety with her clothes, we thought it would be wise to give her the catalogue and let her choose.  We looked through it together and it became very clear that everything I liked, Stella did not, and everything she liked, made me roll my eyes and bite my tongue.  

I was having such a hard time shopping for her this fall because I've liked nothing in the stores.  You're hard pressed to find tops without words, illustrations, tulle, and glitter.  And then you have to deal with your little ones preferances...Stella detests leggins right now, making it even more challenging.  I finally turned to the internet and went on a search for corduroy pants that weren't in dreary mauves and grays or some hard-to-match blue.  Imagine my relief when I fell upon...wait for it...Osh Kosh.  I know, a little crazy that I forgot about this true blue staple from our childhood.  Here is what is shipping to me now or soon to be in my cart.  Tell me...do you have any brands you always go to for your little ones?  And I mean for the day-to-day/nursery school wear.  Are boys easier to dress...do they get persnickety?  


 I plan on getting a big monogram on this one...


Cords in bright, cheery colors...



How cute will this be in the summer w/ Salt Waters?!


   

        

Just Because

I snapped a few pictures of Stella this morning just because.  Just because it was a good morning where we had no wardrobe-related meltdowns (although, I did beg for her to wear a warmer coat).  Just because she looked especially grown-up to me.  Just because she's 3 and a half.  Just because I love her.



How To Really Love A Child


This is a good reminder...
especially for me since I had one crabby three year old yesterday. 
And she didn't just have a moment. 
It was an all-day affair. 
Today?  Couldn't be sweeter.