Bidding farewell to 2010

Yes, I have emerged again, after a five month hiatus..but this is not a comeback, it's a farewell to the blog. I may start up another one someday in the next year, or I may not, but this one is coming to and end, along with this year of change, heartache, tears, screaming, laughs, smiles, heart warming moments, signing my name more times than I can count...and finally hope.


On Christmas Eve morning I was sitting in a parking lot waiting to meet my lawyer for the final exchange of papers and I couldn't help but reflect on the past year. I went from being scared, overwhelmed, sad, mad and disheartened to being happy (truly happy), content, strong, relaxed and myself. The people that I have had by my side this year are more than I deserve, I couldn't have made it through some days without them. People that have been in my life for years stood up for me, stood by me and believed in me and gave me strength. People came into my life this year that would not have if my life hadn't taken the course it did this year. I am so grateful for everyone of the amazing people in my life. I am happier than I have been in years and I'm me. I'm surrounded by people who love me for me and who allow me to be myself, an amazingly comforting feeling.


So, thank you if you have followed this blog all these years. Thank you if you have been by my side this year, thank you is not even a big enough word. This year has been full of change and I am so thankful to be where I am today.

A couple of my favorite shots from our shoot with Grethel Van Epps this fall...she does some amazing work!

Happy..

And content...

Cooking lesson #5 - Eggs

The search for a potJill starts the egg boiling

That's right - it says "for professional cooks"
Perfect!

First poached egg ever

Cheers!

If you missed the first installment with the cooking lessons recap, click here, it's worth the read. So Jill and I had had some egg discussions. She needed to learn how to do deviled eggs and I needed to learn how to do poached eggs. So we found some recipes and turned one crazy Saturday night into egg night. The day started with my quest to find a spider strainer, I was convinced I needed one for my poached eggs, found one and it wouldn't fit in the pot I had to poach the eggs in. Oh well, now I have it and I'm sure I'll get tons of use out of that. Anyway, Jill came over here for cooking which was an adventure in itself. I don't cook so I don't have very much useful cookware. The first laughing fit was over my pots and pans cabinet - which consists of 100 cookie cutters, 17 cookie sheets, 12 cooling racks and 3 pots/pans. After some girl talk and a little wine it was time for the deviled eggs. There was some personality conflict between Jill's "these have to look perfect" attitude and my "just peel the damn things" attitude, but all in all, they were a big hit, we ate the entire plate full! Around 11:30 PM we finally decided to attempt poaching, once again our creation - Eggs Florentine was a huge hit! We toasted to eggs and friendship with a couple mimosas and ended another successful cooking lesson!

July 3, 2010

Hannah's acting debut

Hannah went to a two week drama camp this summer (among other camps!) which ended with a production of Beauty and the Beast. She was a plate and a wolf and I could not have been more proud of my beautiful niece! The family headed to Red Lobster after for a celebratory dinner!

July 2, 2010

Well, I tried. Sort of

It lasted less than a month and produced zero tomatoes. I got sick of watering it, no surprise the tomato plant died without ever giving me a tomato.

The family celebration

My birthday week would not be complete without the celebration with my family. Mom made ribs and my fav chocolate chip cheesecake and I was showered with gifts!

June 27, 2010

A celebration among friends

This was one of the best birthday celebrations I have had; surrounded by some of the people that I love the most. A few were greatly missed, but we made up for it at later dates! It started with sushi at Surin, and the rest of the night consisted of: some killer high heels, some drinking, some dancing, even some singing, lots of hugging, lots of love.

June 26, 2010

Splashing in Buck Creek

June 26, 2010