Seasons Greetings!

Did you survive Tuesday? It’s always the worst day of the week (in my opinion). Did you do anything festive? I loved seeing cheerful Christmas lights adorning the houses on my drive home tonight.

My PB&J bowl filled me up nicely, but I was still hungry for a small lunch before heading to class:

• 1/2 whole wheat pita with hummus, tomato, cucumber & lettuce
• 2 satsumas – so sweet & juicy!
• mini Luna – Nutz Over Chocolate

Dinner…

I did not plan to have a red & green dinner. No…I would never do such a thing! ; )

• Trader Giotto’s Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli + Tomato Basil Marinara
• baby lettuces, tomato, avocado, chevre, olive oil + balsamic

Note to Self: Do not eat marinara at your computer desk. My laptop got some festive red decorations as well : )

Top 10 (SYTYCD) in T-5 minutes. Can’t miss it!

~ Hillary

Please pardon my late post. I was just having too much fun decorating for the holidays. I had Pandora blasting the Christmas tunes and a cup of hot Candy Cane Lane tea in hand. I worked up a sweat climbing up and down the stairs into the attic bringing down the precious boxes that had collected dust since last year. Decorating for Christmas has been a beloved activity of mine since I was a little girl. I can remember staying up into the late hours of the night with my mom putting each ornament in exactly the right place on our freshly cut Silver Tip tree. We usually sipped egg nog and had Daffy and Donald Duck singing Christmas songs – I think that’s still my favorite Christmas CD to this day : )

I’m glad I (finally) got around to warming up the house with a few festive decorations. I am excited for my dad to cut down our tree next weekend with the rest of the fam. It really isn’t Christmas without the refreshing scent of pine from a twinkling tree.

Anyway, to the eats…

Lunch was Thanksgiving leftovers: round 2.

(roasted winter squash, beets, red bell pepper, garlic, parmesan, parsley)

After folding laundry, a coffee visit with a girlfriend, and an errand with my mom, I made dinner for the ‘rents:

Taco Salads:

• romaine & butter lettuces
• organic black beans
• cheddar cheese
• avocado
• tomato
• red onion
• chipotle-lime (low-fat) ranch
• salsa
• flax seed tortilla chips

It’s been a truly wonderful week at home. I’m anxious for the next couple weeks of final papers and exams to fly by, so I can continue to enjoy “the most wonderful time of the year”.

Warm wishes to you and yours,

~ Hillary

T’was another day full of many things to be thankful for…

I ended up spending the majority of the afternoon baking in the kitchen with my mom. Between the two of us, we made three pies and two tarts – that’s a lot of flour & sugar. I did not get around to climbing into the attic to unveil the boxes of Christmas decorations, but since my travel plans have changed, I’ll be able to conquer that task activity this weekend.

Back to the baking. Check out my mother’s lovely pies (she’s done this once or twice):

2 Apple

1 Pumpkin

Our usual Thanksgiving group was thinned out this year (just 10 of us), but there was still enough food to feed an army.

I enjoyed a glass of homemade apple juice (really, everything is homemade in this family) as a pre-dinner “spirit”:

It’s tradition to have a green salad as a starter. This year was no different:

(mixed greens, satsuma, red onion, walnuts & simple vinaigrette)

Can’t forget about the homemade rolls. I managed to contain myself to just one this year:

Satsuma place “cards” are another commonality in our family:

My plate…yep, just one : )

• Turkey
• Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
• Gravy
• Roasted Winter Squash, Beets & Garlic
• Broccoli with Parmesan
• Cranberry Sauce

I couldn’t get enough of my aunt’s amazing veggies!

I often forget what I have to be thankful for, taking too much for granted. Today I was reminded about the things I am thankful for:

my mother, my father, my brother, family, supportive friends, running, clean air, education, my health and the health of my family, delicious food, a warm house, coffee, old pictures, sunshine, mornings, rain, hugs & laughter…

Hope you all were able to share the day with those you love.

Many Thanks,

~ Hillary