We are Thankful!

A couple years ago, I cut out a bunch of leaves from 

autumnal-colored card stock, strung them together to

form a sort of Fall Leaf Thankful Garland.

I hang them around the window by our kitchen table.

Every year since, we talk as family, about what we are thankful for and then

I write each of those things on a leaf.

Hard to read, but the list includes things like:

Home-cooked food, sunshine, Teddy, crafts, our dogs and cat, ice cream, our cousins, 

aunts and uncles, our schools, clean water, the beach, grandparents, mountains, birthdays, 

snow, trees, the park, our bikes, Santa Fe, our friends, chocolate, chewing gum, 

art supplies, books, chess, red wine and coffee... 

(ok, those last two things belong to the parents!)

But its fun to add on new ones every year and see what were thankful for in past years...

certain things tend to repeat every year, but that is a good thing!

This year we added Duct Tape to our Thankful Garland...

The kids LOVE duct tape...Luca made this awesome duct tape collage.

I think I might frame it.

I am thankful for many, many things but mainly I am thankful

for my awesome kids and my wonderful husband.

Have a lovely and warm Thanksgiving holiday!!

A Great Fall Weekend...

We had a really nice Fall weekend full 

of fall colors and delicious home cooked 

meals shared with friends.  

For dinner Saturday night, 

I braised turkey drumsticks--in an Osso Bucco style-- 

served over Parmesan Polenta...on the side, we had

grilled Radicchio, that we topped with gorgonzola and a balsamic reduction.

The turkey was garnished with a pine nut gremolata with lemon zest--

which helps to brighten flavors.

Really, this was one of the best meals I have made...EVER!

Collection of wonderful recipes here.

I also brought a little bit of fall foliage inside--which is always fun and dramatic...

I sent Greg out to poach this branch for me...

 It was also Magda's last soccer game--she played awesomely!

(She looked good too...)

Great team work!  Go Girls!!

Number 7 in action with her fancy footwork...she is good!

It was a gorgeous day, the girls won their game 

and finished the season with cake.

I love this time of year.

Election Day! Big-Big Day!!

I brought the kids with me to vote this morning. 

We brought them when we voted in last Presidential election 

and it was very important to me that I take them to this one as well...

It is a huge responsibility that I take very seriously--to show the

kids how the democratic process--in which we elect our leaders--works.

Crucial--extremely crucial...To me, the right to vote should

never be taken for granted.

Hopefully, we are raising them to be good citizens and to

respect this great Democracy that we are so fortunate to live in.

For them, it was a great opportunity for them to hit up the bake sale...

and get donuts!

But whatever...we voted and it feels great!

and it will for you too...

SO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!!