This past weekend was one of the best we've had in quite some time. Not much was planned, everything was low key- but it was filled with some of my very favorite things: a crisp breeze, good friends, great wine, and my family.

And, thankfully, lots of Soulcycle. Because to say we ate our way through this weekend would be a vast understatement. 

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Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary.  

There are few things I enjoy more than a Bloody Mary on a Sunday afternoon.

Yes, I enjoy a mimosa here and there, too- I'm only human- but bloodies are my go-to brunch accoutrement. Give me all the eggs, pancakes and bloody red libations, and I'm one happy mama.

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I don't know about you, but for us, summertime is synonymous with socializing: an endless string of beach days, BBQ's and weekend getaways. And, also for us, socializing most often equals consumption. Yes, folks, my family, friends, and I are consumers to-the-max.

One of my New Year's Commitments was to find a Food Philosophy that works for me, and my often hectic schedule as a mom and sometimes blogger.

One-third of the way into 2017, and I have to pat myself on the back for making some pretty big strides in this department. In the past I've gone on some drastic diets- restricting calories, depriving myself a little too much; and then eating all the delicious things in sight. Like, all of them.

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Rain, rain, go away! Has anyone else been cooped up inside the past few days? We certainly have. And we are just about running out of books and puzzles and Netflix to keep us occupied. So what else do we do on these bored and gloomy winter days inside? Why, head to the kitchen, of course. 

One of the many perks of raising our daughter in the very town we grew up in, is the ease with which we can share our favorite childhood memories with her.

Yes, my husband and I both grew up here in Connecticut. We even attended the same elementary school, though several {sorry, babe} years apart. And so we share so many memories of the same people, places, and activities that molded our youth; and are happy to be able to share them with Madeline in our daily lives. 

December seventh and I've already watched The Santa Clause half a dozen times. I've gone through one Frasier Fir candle. There are a hefty presents wrapped around the tree. And I've baked an embarrassing amount of peppermint treats {this one included.} Anyone with me? Or am I alone on this Island of Misfit Toys?

There's just something about this season that screams "Bake all the festive treats possible while listening to Christmas music!" So, bake I must

I'm the kind of person that always has a box of cake mix in the pantry. And generally speaking, this is something I'm not super proud of. I'd much rather be the kind of person that whips up a cake from scratch on the rare occasion a home-baked cake is needed; or the kind of person that didn't crave cake; or the kind of person that doesn't eat most of said cake in one sitting; or some combination of the three.

But being that I'm not, I had a box on hand yesterday. And on that cold and very rainy day, when my daughter was on a nap strike and happened to be fighting a cold- I've never been happier to be that kind of person.

The holidays are officially upon us. Giving us all plenty excuses to clank our glasses together while we spread that holiday cheer. While this season is perfect for a variety of libations, as an admitted wino I'm partial to a nice glass of red this time of year.  And seeing as my mommy-time is often comprised of a delicious glass of wine {or two} and a whole lot of Bravo, I figured no time better than to share some of my tried and true favorites. And I can assure you, a lot of research went into this guide. A Lot. So whether you're celebrating with family and friends, picking up a hostess or holiday gift, or family functions are getting the best of you- here is my guide to the perfect bottle of red wine for any budget this holiday season. 

Thanksgiving is just a little over two weeks away meaning a few very important things: Sirius's Holly station is now playing Christmas music on the daily; the Hallmark channel is running all the best cheesy holiday movies; and I am officially days away from cooking my very first Thanksgiving meal. Which, admittedly, is giving me just the tiniest bit of hostess anxiety.

Growing up my mom made two types of cookies that I just couldn't get enough of: Her Cowboy Cookies, made from a super secret recipe that I'm legally bound never to share here; and Nana's Oatmeal Cookies, a recipe she got from her mother {my Nana}, originally found in a Betty Crocker cookbook. She, of course, made countless other things I loved; but there's just something about these cookies that brings me back to that childhood kitchen.

Growing up my mother would always tell me stories of her own childhood holidays- recounting stories of hours in the kitchen with her grandmother, making homemade candies by the dozens. Its a sweet memory of hers that I cherish as well- one that conjures nostalgic images of a perfectly simpler time. Maybe a ham baking in the oven, adults drinking egg nog, Bing on the record player. No iPhones, no Sonos, no video chat. Just a little girl making memories. 

Every now and then Maddie Mae will give me a nice, long midday nap. And I happily receive them as a "thank you" for being her mama. Some weeks, these naps can be few and far between, but we're still working on her manners. But on those days when she does give me a little naptime "thank you," I enjoy a few extra hours of mommy-time: to fold that laundry, tidy up, get some writing done, and, sometimes, even bake a batch of homemade cookies.

When it comes to baking, I'm a "the simpler the better" kind of gal.  Meaning most of the time, if not all the time, you can find me baking some kind of cookie, or a simple bar, or brownie variation. Cakes, pies, and tarts, as delicious as they may be, simply being too intimidating for this novice baker. But with a kitchen full of freshly picked apples, I wanted to venture beyond my comfort zone and try sometime new.

So when I found the rustic, freeform pastry known as the galette, I knew it was the perfect way to spread my baking wings.

Because I'm the person that cozies up in a poncho + wants to bake as soon as there's the slightest hint of a chill in the air, I took advantage of the crisp sixty-degree morning yesterday and baked a batch of cookies.  

Sure, it was only in the sixties until roughly 8am, but those few hours of autumnal feels were bliss all the same. I'm not much of a baker during the summer- leaning more towards ice cream and rosé as my warm weather treat. But there's something about the last few months of the year that get my baking clock-a-ticking.

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air. 

I fell in love with the beach soon after I fell in love with my husband; his affinity for sandy feet and salty hair being infectious as they were. Despite growing up more poolside than seaside, he made a convert out of me- persuading me with clambakes, beachside corn-hole, summer sails, and sunset picnics replete with our favorite wines. 

And while corn-hole and sails come a little less often now that we are a party of three, the sunset picnic still remains a weekly tradition.  Living just a few miles from our local beach, we often throw together an impromptu picnic a few times a week- packing the essentials for a quick an easy weekday date, if only for a glass of wine and quick bite while the sun sets.