Back to school, back to school...

Sigh.  Last time I stopped by here I was gearing up for vacation, and now it's already come and gone!  Fortunately I got to spend it on the Cape with my sister, my brother-in-law, my niece, and their loveable black lab.  We took lots of long walks, cooked and baked to our hearts content, and spent many, many hours snuggling with this little monkey (I mean, how could you not?!).

I miss them already!

Maintaining my sanity

In two short weeks I will be taking quite possibly one of the most relaxing vacations of my life. And I cannot wait. My cousin is in the Peace Corps in Honduras and the rest of us cousins are heading down to visit her. It didn't take much convincing. We will be staying in the most unbelievable beach house on the ocean with a view of the second largest coral reef in the whole world. I plan to spend all of my time in these hammocks or in the pool below...

Image via vrbo.com

Image via vrbo.com

Pictures of the trip to come in mid-July :)

See of Love Mother's Day Gift Guide

Haven't got your mom a gift yet? No sweat. Here are our top picks.

Happy Socks, to brighten her day (readily available on Amazon or at Nordstrom).

Images via Nordstrom

A fun melamine serving tray to get ready for summer and outdoor dinner and drinks. I like this one by Target.

Image via Target

A (dwarf) Meyer lemon tree, just in time to make pies and summer cocktails. (Thanks for the recommendation, Diary of a Locavore!)

Image via Special Magic Kitchen

To fulfill that guilty pleasure, a subscription to People magazine.

Or, if you're looking for something simple that you know she'll love, a beautiful bouquet always does the trick.

Image via Sawyer & Company

Don't forget a nice card telling her how much you love her!  :)

The Bunny is Coming!

OK, I know I might sound like a total dork for saying this, but I LOVE Easter.  My family isn't religious in the slightest, so for us, Easter is primarily a reason to be together and celebrate family, good food, and (hopefully) warming weather.  It's also a plus that the Easter Bunny never fails to show up after all these years, even though my sister and I are now graduated, certifiable "adults."

via good housekeeping

Every Easter, we celebrate with a big brunch.  The meal always has to include the innards from the blown eggs we dyed the day before, so this year I have plans for a frittata, a dish I have ignored until discovering that it is the perfect vessel for leftovers.  Here's a basic recipe.  Note that pretty much any veggies, cheese, and/or meat combination imaginable can be used here.  My most recent frittata had onions, mushrooms, shredded beef from some leftover stew, and ricotta.  Delicious!

HOPPY Easter!

Back to Reality

Happy Sunday!  While Liz was baking apple-berry crisps, I've been in Richmond visiting family.  I finally met my new baby cousin (I'm so in love!) and got a good dose of vitamin D.  Richmond is such a fun city and it's especially beautiful in the springtime.  Here are a few pictures from a previous visit - forgot my camera this time - so you can have a look. :)

Stopping for an iced coffee with Elspeth on Cary Street

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Hanging out by the river at one of our many cousins' houses

Tomorrow I have a 7 AM flight back to reality so...sleep tight! xo

In like a lion, out like a....

I don't know went wrong this winter, but March is certainly not going to end quietly in my neck of the woods, and I would not use the phrase "out like a lamb" to describe the weather we've been having lately.  Luckily, I am headed to Richmond this weekend to visit family, including my brand new baby cousin!

via jellycat

I would like to snuggle up with her and this funny guy...

via amazon.com

...and read this book (even if I'm the only one paying attention).