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A Year in Review: Favorite Recipes From 2013

January 1, 2014 by Morgan

Happy New Year!! Wow, 2014 here we are.

I’m a little in shock that yet another year has come and gone (I know, I know…), I look back at family photos and big moments from this past year and I can’t believe how quickly they have all gone by. It’s just all happening too. fast.

Most blessed moment of 2013 goes to our family expansion (most cuddliest moment and most ready to pop, too). Most thrilling perhaps to earlier in the year during the big reveal (and favorite video). Most champagne-worthy goes to Kevin’s graduation day in June after six years of studying hard (architecture degree now in tow), busiest to Kev delving into full-time entrepreneurship in not-architecture (some nail biting has ensued), most relaxing to our family vacation in Florida, most honest to my guest post on being a working mom. Favorite style boards for the year go to this post and this one. Most can’t-believe-this-is-happening to Liv’s first day of preschool. Most flower-child moment is probably when we attended Stagecoach (and I was uber pregnant). Best reoccurring moment goes to our semi-regular theater date nights.

And in between! Plenty of house remodel work, crafty projects, recipes to enjoy… so I thought I would take a few posts to share my very favorites in a sort of year in review.

Up first? Let’s talk food.

In all truth, Kev is the master chef around here. I’m so lucky to have found a guy who really knows his way around the kitchen and I’m always secretly hoping that he’ll take care of dinner each night (he’s soooo good! Even with a what seems to be empty fridge). But all of that said, I really love to cook. To bake and to cook. I even made an artsy video about my summer love of all things tarts.

So today I leave you with my favorite recipes from 2013 (well, not all are recipes. Some are just good eats.) See you back here soon with a round up of craft and home projects from our very busy 2013. Happy New Year!

Master Bedroom: Gallery Wall Update

December 30, 2013 by Morgan

The new gallery wall in the bedroom isn’t there yet, but it’s making progress. Last I left you, I was exploring wall layout ideas and had only committed to a couple of pieces of art. Here’s a post on my inspiration.

Most of my paintings/drawings/photos are framed and up! But I have a few spots that I’ll be adding to or switching things around (it feels like something’s missing to the right above, no? In the shadowy part of the wall).

Better photos to come soon when the project is finished finished. And I’ll share sources for anything that I didn’t create myself.

The plant below was moved from the office into the bedroom on the day of these photos. It’s actually thriving now, despite its shaggy appearance here. I’m also planning on upgrading that occasional chair there to the left of the lamp (and maybe the lamp?), but I’m waiting for the perfect find.

It still feels odd to have a TV in the bedroom, but after 3-4 months of having moved the older living room television into this space, I can probably count on two hands how often it’s been turned on. It’s nice knowing that if we ever want to curl up and watch a movie while already in bed it’s possible! Even if not probable :).

Gallery walls that come together over time feel more authentic. I love picking out pieces from around our house to display up here, or taking the time to shop on etsy or at local craft fairs for what feels like it belongs. It’s also nice to know that nothing is permanent and that things can change as we go.

Our Christmas.

December 28, 2013 by Morgan

How was your Christmas? Ours was relaxing, joyful, merry. It was good to be home this year and to start a few traditions of our own.

One new tradition is decorating our tree together (remember how I mentioned our slightly awkward tree? It’s looking awfully pretty these days, gappy though may it be.) Liv comes come from school begging to ‘decorate the tree’ each night!

Another is Liv’s advent pouches – she unwrapped a new piece of our nativity scene each day (which I kept in mini numbered burlap pouches), I love to watch her rearrange the little shepherds and sheep around Mary and Joseph.

We’ve been listening to a lot of Bing Crosby and Dean Martin these days (Swingin’ Christmas on Pandora via a friend’s recommendation) – that’s the blue screen there in the background. And here’s my merry pillow project from last year.

We play games in our PJs and sit by the tree talking about the real reason for the season. (Or trains).

And then, Christmas morning! A first for us in the Santa department.

A princess dress for Liv per her request. Wrapping paper for Taylor.

Santa is so thoughtful.

This Christmas morning was one of the best yet.

(If hair is any indication of happiness, nana & papa totally nailed it with the new puppet set.)

Post-gift unwrapping, Kev made us all an amazing brunch. Notice something new in the middle of the table? Kevin got me a new rack.

Wait, that didn’t come out right. Kevin’s Christmas present to me was awesome this year! (and they’re authentic). Hmmm. That’s still not right. Needless to say, my new antlers are finding a new home somewhere in our casa (or in the vicinity there of).

We were missing a few family members this year. Uncle Andy is over in Israel for a short time for school, our aunt and cousins arrived later that day, we’ll drive out to Arizona for Kevin’s brother’s wedding soon. But keeping it small is not always so bad.

Now back to a weekend of Christmas. The beauty about Christmas falling mid-week is that it’s sandwiched perfectly by two weekends – one for last-minute gifts, one for extending Christmas just a few more days.

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