We have all been there…… Its late, we worked all day, we’re tired, kids screaming, and then get asked the biggest question of the day “What’s for dinner?” Our brains scramble to come up with something nutritional and something they will actually eat- which is the hardest part. Well here’s a quick recipe to satisfy everyone, from hungry kids to hungry husbands.
Sweet and Sour Kielbasa (4 servings)
Ingredients: 2 kielbasa links-sliced, 3 cups of ketchup, 1 cup dark brown sugar, and 1 can of pineapple chunks. Optional ingredients can include: 1 jar of cherries, 1 green pepper – sliced, and 1 small white onion- sliced.
Directions: In skillet add sliced kielbasa, ketchup, sugar, and pineapple. (Also add in any optional ingredients you choose at this point) Stir together. Simmer for 15 minutes, with occasionally stirring. Then serve!
This is the perfect quick dish for anyone on the go or any last minute party planners!

There are so many great places to travel in New England during this time of the year and eating out or grabbing food on the go can be costly. Before you head on out to the parks, beaches, and lakes you’ll want to pack up that cooler too so here are a few easy picnic items to bring on your trips.
Warps or sandwiches are always easy and ready to eat. Try something classic like your favorite cold cut with cheese or chicken and tuna salad. Try using large pieces of roman lettuce and tooth picks instead of bread to avoid sogginess.
Chicken or steak skewers are an easy to eat and pack and a yummy alternative to those everyday sandwiches. Marinate in your favorite dressing for about two hours grill up and let cool and wrap in tin foil. You can even add peppers, onions and mushrooms to get your veggies in too!
Don’t forget the salad! Pasta, potato and tortellini salad are wonderful picnic items and make great side dishes to almost any lunch on a nice day.
Here’s a list of a couple of easy snack to pack for the between time:
• Carrots , celery, cherry tomatoes and dip
• Pretzels or chips
• Hard boiled eggs
• Cubed cheese and crackers
• Berries or cut fruit
Be sure to bring plenty of water and drinks to keep hydrated.
Now grab the Coppertone and your stylish shades and enjoy the next couple seasons in New England!

Signs of Spring!

I love spring. I love how the season warms everyone up. I love how you can start wearing no coat, then no sweater, then just long sleeves, and I am happiest when it is jeans and t-shirt weather!

But the best signs of spring are the flowers! It starts with the crocuses, which I love to see pop up, usually in spite of the snow that is still to be found. Then come the daffodils, which are my favorite flowers by far! Then the tulips! And don’t even let me get started on the hyacinths, which somehow I can never seem to grow. I love that you plant the bulbs in the fall and forget about them and then are pleasantly surprised by flowers in the spring. And as one kind of flower follows another, they bring us into warm weather. <img src=”{filedir_2}crocuses_in_the_snow.jpg” alt=”” height=”170″ width=”216″ />

That is how I track the changing of the season. Not by the dates on a calendar, but by the blooming of the spring flowers!

As some of you may know, I have recently moved to Maine from Florida. It is common to see a more tropical themed décor in most Floridians homes. Ya know the palm trees, the dolphins, and the beach scenes. I had not participated in this form of decorating as I was never really into my apartment looking like the ocean. What I have seen more and more as the warmer months approach is Maine’s version of the coastal décor, and I LOVE IT! It’s a more nautical themed style which makes you feel more like you live near the ocean and not under it. I really like the oversized anchors, oars, and mermaids!

I have become so obsessed with the cute items available that I have decided to do a complete make-over of our bedroom and bath. What’s even better is that the boyfriend is on board (pun intended). I have started looking everywhere for fun, cool ways to bring the beauty of Maine’s coastal life into our Falmouth home. (By the way, we reside at Princeton’s Foreside Estates in Falmouth, and love our apartment!) I wanted to share my findings with everyone, just in case you are in love with this décor as much as I am. The location with the best accessories I have found so far is Pottery Barn. They are on the pricier end but with the special offers they have and the high quality of their products your money is well spent.

I’ve grown especially fond of the more weather worn and rustic looking pieces. Like this wooden carved whale.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/carved-wood-whale-wall-art/?pkey=cart&

And looking on Pottery Barns website, you can see they have everything from throw pillows to picture frames to display shelves.

Now that I have you hooked (more puns!) on this style, you can also find similar pieces at bargain prices at TJMaxx, Home Goods, and Marshalls. If you are looking for more unique items, I strongly suggest checking out your local consignment shops. You never know what you may find there, and you’re supporting your local businesses.

And of course, any ideas or places you know of or find, please don’t hesitate to share with me! Happy shopping!

As the weather is finally starting to warm up, I’ve turned my attention outdoors… in particular, to my patio. While daydreaming about the changes I could make, I came across an article loaded with inspiring patio and balcony photos: http://www.shelterness.com/25-cozy-balcony-decorating-ideas/
Check it out! I promise you’ll get the itch to remake your outdoor space, no matter the size!

I’m resisting the urge to spend a fortune and entirely remake my patio. A potted plant with bright flowers, a fun pillow to add to a tired patio set, a small outdoor rug… it doesn’t need to be something big to add a bit of happy to an outdoor space!

Our weather here in Nashua is forecasting temperatures in the upper 60s for at least the next 10 days, so get outside and start decorating!

There is beauty in the most unlikely of places sometimes. Following a random link on a weather site, I came across this photographer’s online gallery and there is something wonderful, peaceful and enchanting in his pictures of deserted French chalets and castles. Check them out at: http://www.thomasjorion.com/category/ilots-intemporels-thomas-jorion/italie These images make me want to buy a ticket to France just so I can go exploring in these abandoned places of beauty. The juxtaposition of man-made beauty and encroaching nature is entrancing. They make me feel like a little girl in a fairy castle!

<img src=”{filedir_2}house.jpg” alt=”places of beauty” height=”964″ width=”640″ />

These incredible pictures sent me on a treasure hunt of other images of beautiful, abandoned places. And in my search I came across the blog of Francesco Mugnai. http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2013/01/30-of-the-most-beautiful-abandoned-places-and-modern-ruins-ive-ever-seen/ It seems as if I am not the only one who finds these images awe-inspiring. He has collections of abandoned spaces and separate ones of castles from all over the world.

<img src=”{filedir_2}castle.jpg” alt=”castles from all over the world” height=”963″ width=”640″ />

This picture is actually of a ruin in the woods of our dear own New Hampshire! Even though I know some are photo-shopped they still bring light and wonder to my day. So whenever you feel like life is too ordinary, go on an image treasure hunt. You will be amazed at that you may find!

<img src=”{filedir_2}church.jpg” alt=”wonder to my day” height=”959″ width=”640″ />

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? We are Boston, we are strong. Our people are fighters, always have been. Bostonians are known for being a little rough around the edges, a little heavy on the language, and a little pushy and crass. We love our sports, we love our chowdah, but over all, we love our city.

The events that happened this Boston Marathon Monday shook us to the core. But we are Boston. We rocked a little, but it only made us stronger. As I sit here and wait to hear the President talk about our steadfast hometown, I know I will be moved to tears. I have seen an out pouring of love and support from those all around the country.

Text messages, emails, phone calls, and Facebook messages flooded my life on Monday afternoon, friends from far and wide checking on me and my family. My brother sent out a family text message, making sure we were all safe. Everyone knows someone who was there, who was affected, who was going to go, who walked those streets the day before, like my mother and my sister did.

I have seen pictures of those runners, spectators who ripped off their shirts and held them against those who were injured… Store owners in the area who pulled people in from the streets to safety and used brand new clothing off their shelves to cover those in need… Police, military, fire fighters, hospital staff, off duty workers, and common every day people, running towards the explosion and helping to carry people to safety.

My heart has been broken, touched, moved, over and over again. Now we need to heal. We need to help all of those that were there that day. All those who were injured, witnessed the horror, helped those in need, ran for their lives, watched from their homes, they need our help now. To those runners who were diverted, stranded, finished, involved… I tip my hat to you and we are proud of you. Your day was over shadowed by a black cloud created by cowards. Your hard work will not be forgotten.

My words can not do much at all. They can’t bring back lives, they can’t heal bodies, they can’t help nightmares of that day be pushed away. What they can do is be there and remind us not to forget. They can remind us all in a month, six months, a year, why we all became “Boston.” I hope this blog serves as a reminder, despite whatever we find out in the next few days, to stay strong, to stay connected, to pray, to be kind, to love.

We are strong, Boston strong. All of America has become Boston. To those who are hurting and scared, we love you and we will help you heal. To those who are loving us right now, Thank You, we need your support more than ever. I am proud to be from this town. I am proud to call this place my home. I am proud to be Boston.

Our beloved city of Boston is going through heartbreak after the horrific incidents that occurred on Patriot’s Day. A classmate of mine I’ve known for over 20 years was one of the victims who was critically injured in Monday’s attack. I ask that all of you keep Jeff Bauman, the courageous victim from my hometown of Chelmsford, MA in your thoughts as he recovers from losing both of his lower limbs. If anyone is interested in giving back and helping Jeff and his family, a fundraiser called “Bucks for Bauman” has been set up by his close friends. Below are two links where donations are being accepted (the second link doesn’t require Paypal)!

<a href=”https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Y8FDWV553VW8N”>https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Y8FDWV553VW8N</a>
<a href=”http://www.gofundme.com/BucksforBauman”>http://www.gofundme.com/BucksforBauman</a>

In continuing with my favorite movies and books theme, the movie <strong>Pretty in Pink </strong>is another favorite.

As in <strong>The Outsiders</strong>, the story is told of teens divided by social status, trying to become friends with each other, without losing their current circle.

<strong>Pretty in Pink </strong>was released February 28, 1986, written by John Hughes and included such stars as Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts, James Spader and Andrew McCarthy. Under John Hughes some of these actors became household names in the 80’s as the “Brat Pack” took hold.

Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) had really cool fashion sense, inspiring many an outfit among me and my friends. The soundtrack had songs like, “Pretty in Pink” by The Psychedelic Furs and “If You Leave” by Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark. Cool clothes, great music and a timeless storyline about friends trying to find their place amongst each other… makes for a great movie that I still watch today when it comes on TV.

It’s that time of year again…..time to attack those dust bunnies and wipe down furniture. So as we begin the ritual tossing of unwanted items into donation bins, here are a few tips to help make the process a little less painful.
Tip #1 Dryer sheets aren’t just for making clothes soft, they are also great for wiping up dust from tables, bookcases, ceiling fans, and getting pet hair off the couch.
Tip #2 Newspapers. If they are just sitting around taking up space, use them to clean your kitchen sink. Just crumble some of the dry newspaper and rub it against
the stainless steel basin and it will soon sparkle like new.
Tip #3 Get containers! Plastic or cardboard containers are easy to stack, label, and create an organization system that will benefit the whole family.
Tip #4 Year rule! If you haven’t used it, opened it, worn it, or moved it in a year’s time, it’s time to get rid of it!
Don’t forget – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure- so donate all that unwanted stuff!