hAPpy HapPY

happy birthday henry - today you are ten!

Henry's TOP TEN list...

1. you cried constantly when you were a baby ~

Grace called you "Crying"

2. your little feet are shaped like blocks..

been that way since you were born

3. you have a heart of gold

4. you still love to sit on my lap and give me hug

5. you adore eating anything that is white

(pizza, quesadillas, mac&cheese, pasta)

6. you are always "plugged in" to

games, music, tv, etc.

7. you still look up to your big sister

(remember when you were roommates?)

8. you are a people person

9. you were born on your grandfather's birthday

10. "you are a good man, Henry Brown"

OLYMPICS

In the spirit of the Winter Olympics (which are right around the corner), we took some time while in Utah to visit a 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic venue.  Home to bobsledding, luge, ski jumping.  We thought is would give us a true perspective and appreciation for these cool and crazy sports.  

Yesterday Matt Lauer interviewed Olympic gold medalist skier Lindsay Vonn to she how she was doing post knee injury and surgery.  Her fortitude to get back and compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics was amazing.  Confidence of steel.  Matt asked her how she is so sure she can do it.  She responded that she could show up one week before and be ready.  How he said.  Her reply was simple.  I know how to ski.  Wow.  Just Do It. 

Tracy

Luge

Top of the cold, icy, fast luge track

Future bobsledders?

Top of ski jump - yikes!

The Australian women's aerial ski team was

on site practicing.  The "Flying Kangaroos"

It's a Wrap

I was on the hunt for a Valentine's Day gift for my sixth grade daughter. (not a stuffed animal or box of chocolates - hmmm) Then, I spied this towel/wrap/dress at The Bath Junkie in our town. Perfect for a 'tween after her shower..provides lots of coverage, especially since younger siblings often pop into the bathroom while she is showering. (much to her horror)

Upon inquiry with the shop's owner, I discovered the towel dresses are handmade by a Grandma in Tennessee. (how cool is that?) The fabric is hand-picked for both child and adult sizes. In my mind, this kept getting better and better.. In addition to the shower, what a perfect item to have on hand at the pool and beach during the summer. 

Needless to say, Grace loved her gift. It may be my new go-to-gift, so don't be surprised if you receive one too. And, if you stop by The Bath Junkie, it can be your go-to-gift too.

tricia

Photo Friday 98 (on Saturday)

Red Sky in Morning

(sailors take warning)

in New Jersey

View of the Grand Canyon

from Above

SKI

Utah is described as having the greatest snow on earth.  Makes sense because the air is SO dry there is no moisture in the snow, thus powder.  We skied at three different resorts, each independently owned and here is how I would describe each:

PARK CITY

Best all around.  Mountain is very easy to navigate.

The View

Mining Town History

Fun Metal Sculptures

DEER VALLEY

Very high end.  No snowboarders allowed.

Beautiful houses all around the mountain.  Loved it!

Deer Valley Real Estate

Four person gondola with leather seats

A bluebird sky

THE CANYONS

Hip ... think T. Swift and friends hanging here

before the holidays.

Modern

Modern

Modern

No need to compare, contrast and pick a favorite.  They were all great!

Tracy

Birchbox Update

I have been receiving my Birchbox for a few months now and I adore it. The best part is the surprise factor..I never have any clue what will be inside. Who doesn't love a surprise? After the delight of spying my Birchbox in my mailbox, I eagerly open it to discover my treasure trove of goodies.

Some of my favorites have been perfume, face moisturizer, nail polish and shampoo. Little bits of products that were never on my radar. Beauty products are not my forte. (I repeat not my forte)

And, if you remember, I gave our mother (Tess) the gift of Birchbox for her birthday. We have fun comparing our contents over the phone ~ each box has different contents based on the recipient. This month, Tess got a beautiful gray/purple nail polish and I got bright green somehow. Definitely a blooper.

Tricia

WINTER

Fresh back from a winter getaway.  This year we traveled cross country to visit Utah.  I think it could possibly be the driest place in the country, thus the great snow.  I pretty much feel like a shriveled up plant that needs tons of water.  

On our travels, we flew over the Grand Canyon (very cool), we skied, visited Olympic Park from the 2002 Winter Olympics and got to explore the town of Park City.  Upon arriving in Salt Lake City,  you are totally taken back by the beauty of the mountains that hug the city.  It is really pretty.

Park City is an old mining town about 30 minutes outside of SLC.  There are 3 ski resorts within 15 minutes of each other.  All separately owned and each has its own unique vibe.  More on that later.

Old Town Park City is lined with great restaurants, shops and what looks like a good bar scene .  I wish you were with me sister to eat, drink and shop.  I tried to get out of the t-shirt shops as much as possible.  I somehow refrained from buying cowboy boots.  Hmm.

Tracy

Photo Friday (Night)

Auto Art in New Jersey

Metal Snowboard Sculpture

by Pennsylvania

Love is in the Air

How is your Valentine's Day going? It just dawned on me that Valentine's Day has turned into a child centered holiday much like Halloween. Parties, sing-a-longs and card exchanges at school, cards and gifts at home, everyone wears pink or red and it all concludes with a thoughtful dinner and dessert. What happened to a romantic dinner for two?

Here is how it is shaking down in my house..

a beautiful tray of cookies from a friend

thank you Colleen

made my day!

heart-shaped balloons for all of the

children in William's class

Emma's Valentine box

(always brings back fond memories)

and, last, but not least, the aftermath

Sometimes the heart sees

what is invisible to the eye.

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Tricia

salt & pepper

Did  you see the last page of the March issue of Elle Decor?  A collection of salt and pepper shakers to add a dash of style to any table. Usually, at flea markets, I come across the whimsical versions..think windmills or kittens. (no thanks)

FYI: the "pick of the week" owl is actually a salt and pepper shaker. --->
I bought a set, kept one and gave one to the other t for Christmas. Mine was still had pepper in it. Best of all, I recently came across the tiny, gold beauties pictured below. (gold is on my radar lately) Maybe the start of another collection? Who knows.. I am happy the Elle Decor article will help shape my stylish collection without any windmills or kittens in sight.

tricia

this&that

1. For starters, Jenna did NOT send me a $25 coupon in the mail ~ not even a $5 coupon. (insert mad face here) Grrrrrrr.

2. Grace's three younger siblings visited her middle school the other day. One walked around wearing a  red, clown nose and the other wore bunny slippers with ears that stick up. No joke.

3. I have been in a few battles recently..someone at the barber shop accused me of jumping the line (I didn't) and someone threatened to kick me out of a swim meet because I complained of overcrowding (it was)

4. Every year, I have to wrap a shoebox in paper for a child to bring into school for a Valentine mailbox. Why is it that even though I have done this dozens of times, it still takes me a hour to complete a relatively simple task? Ugh.

5. LOVED every inch of snow we got over the weekend. Wish it was snowing today instead of raining. Our snowman is hanging in there..

tricia

Photo Friday 96

Blizzard in New Jersey

Ice Slide in Pennsylvania

GUIDE

I too received my JCrew "style guide".  AND I received in the mail a note from Jenna Lyons along with a $25 gift card.  Shazam!  As though she needs to ask or entice me to shop in her store.

What to buy? 

Tracy

Come on Down..

Lately, my life has turned into a game show. "Come on down!!! You are the next contestant on The Price is Right!!!" Sticker charts seem to be everywhere and, of course, after earning so many stickers, you get a prize. Toys, candy, stuffed animals, shoelaces, and so on. Thankfully, no automobiles in the driveway. (not yet anyhow)

Why are kids getting prizes you may wonder? I am wondering too. One kid earns a prize for pooping ~ granted there is obviously a pooping issue, hence the reward. Another kid receives a prize for getting ready for school in the morning without a battle. I must admit, our mornings are going splendidly with no battles, tears or yelling. The prizes have improved life drastically on many levels. The only downside is the constant purchasing of "prizes" and the little voice in my head often wondering, "What the he** am I doing?"

Are you wondering what I am doing too? Do you dish out prizes in your house? 

tricia

* note: names have been kept confidential to protect the identities of the pooper and the one I battle with every morning. :/

Dear Jenna..

Dear Jenna,

I just received a new JCrew catalog. It was great to spy some hints of spring on the horizon. And, while I have your attention, I wanted to tell you much I enjoyed the recent 40% off final sale. Love an end-of-season sale.

Here's the thing ~ sing along with Taylor Swift ~ "I am never ever wearing mint green eyeliner." While I adore a fun trend just as much as anyone, a swipe of mint green (!) eyeliner is just horrible. Mint green clothing is bad enough, but adding eyeliner is another thing. 

Finally, I live in a quaint, main street town..the perfect setting for a JCrew store. Will you consider coming to Westfield? Please? I may even get on the mint green eyeliner bandwagon if you do. Maybe.

Best,

Tricia

Photo Friday 95

Foggy Morning in New Jersey

Photo by Jack in Pennsylvania