Back in the saddle...

Well, hello there, long lost friends!

I know, I know...I've been letting this blog slip through the cracks these past 2 months.  I've been nothing short of neglectful. I have a very good explanation though: Life.  Life got super busy and I chose to enjoy every second of it.

So, I thought for my first post back in the saddle, I'd catch you up on all the fun.


First of all, Ty and I got engaged (totally super exciting)! He proposed on our usual Saturday morning run to the North Beach lighthouse, along lake Michigan and TOTALLY surprised me. Wedding plans are already well underway.

He even brought his phone along for the run, because he knew the blogger in me would
 want to properly capture the moment with a selfie! What a catch :)

A week later, Thanksgiving arrived. Flights back east to upstate NY were outrageously priced, so we packed up the station wagon and drove 12 hours east to visit my family.  It was Ty's first time meeting everyone (all 25 of them or so).  We even went out on the town with my cousins in Troy!

On our way back to the mid-west, we stopped at a Tree Farm in Buskirk, NY to cut down this beautiful blue spruce. 

** Buyer Beware: Blue spruce is a BEAUTIFUL choice for the
 holidays, but it was the prickliest tree I've ever touched. Ouch!

I left my ornaments back in Boston when we moved.
So, I had to improvise.  Ribbons+sea shells+ lights=Beach-mas tree.

December flew by, and before we knew it we were flying westward to Washington. First up: the Winter Solstice party at Ty's parent's house (GIANT bonfire, hot buttered rum, and loads of fun).  

10 foot tall bonfire to keep warm on the winter solstice,

After the Solstice party, we hit the road to explore Bellingham and gorgeous Chuckanut Drive for a day. The view of the San Juan Islands was so stunning.  I really can't wait until we move out there this spring so I can explore it all!

Next up: Christmas! We cooked, ate too much, opened gifts, and spent the day with family, celebrating.  Here is my favorite photo from Christmas Eve: Tyler and me in his family's kitchen making my family's snowball cookie recipe.

You measure, I'll mix.

We flew back in time for New Year's Eve, which we spent at home.  I literally cooked us a feast. Ty suggested we don our fanciest duds for dinner (a welcome chance to get out of my sweatpants and into a party dress). So fun!

Appetizer:
Vermont Chevre, French Camembert, Italian Genoa Salami, Mrs Potter's
Crackers (Cranberry Nut)

Salad: Boston Bibb lettuce, grape tomatoes, petite herbs, Cabot aged
cheddar, Meyer lemon dressing

Main Course:Petite filet with red wine jus, butter seared sea scallops,
butternut squash puree with fried sage and steamed haricot vert

Dessert: Southern Butter Pecan Ice Cream with Warm Baked Apples

Tiny bubbles...

All dressed up with nowhere to go.

The following week I traveled to Florida for work...always a welcome break from the harsh reality of winter. As soon as I returned, two of my dearest friends came for a weekend visit (one of them with her brand new baby in tow). It was so fun having girlfriends in town and catching up (not to mention how sweet it was meeting Baby A)!

These two photos break my heart...so stinkin' cute!

Finally, it was time to visit my parents in South America! We arrived just in time for Ty's birthday last weekend and a long overdue engagement celebration with my parents.  Again, plenty to keep us busy: swimming, paddle-boarding, hiking, beach running, and my favorite, sun bathing!

Home base: Praia da Vigia

Praia do Siriu

Nightly run along Garopaba

Hike to Pedra Branca (complete with a swim in the waterfall)

My favorite pizza and cocktail in the world.

Relaxing on a rainy day with cribbage 

So there you have it. 2 awesome months.  I am looking forward to sharing some new recipes, fashion ideas and DIY over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Cheers!

Bee