Dear Mom + Our MOST Exciting News Ever!!
Dear Mom,
From you, I've learned the value of a strong work ethic, tenacity, and the importance of leading with a warm smile. From you, I've learned the value of cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those friendships with love and care. From you, I've learned when to let things go that aren't important in the scheme of life and thatyou can never please everyone.
From you, I've learned to enjoy the indulgence of a Belgian chocolate, a fine pair of Italian leather shoes, freshly cut flowers, and a strong cup of coffee, with cream, in the morning. From you, I have seen the life-altering power of faith, generosity, living with integrity, having a signature perfume and 'keeping it classy'.
Date Night: Al Fresco Dinner At Home for Valentine's Day
It was an unusually warm Valentine’s Day this year. Scott had the brilliant idea of ordering in from the Chico gold standard, Bacio Catering, so that we could thoroughly enjoy our evening. Turns out this was the perfect way to enjoy a stress free date night and an al fresco dinner at home.
Creating a "Sunny Escape" for Our House Guests
Scott and I had the pleasure of hosting house guests for the long weekend. It was late summer and the weather was picture perfect for poolside lounging and some outdoor fun in Chico. My sister, Dorie, and her guy Michael, were up from Newport Beach for the weekend and I wanted to create a “sunny escape” for my special house guests. My first step is to prepare the guest room. Freshly washed linens, fluffy towels, candles and fresh flowers are a must. For this visit I added some lovely dark calla lilies to the mirrored bedside table.
Mother's Day Bouquets Made With Love
I always look forward to Mother’s Day weekend. I get to celebrate my favorite women, far and near, and there is usually a flower graced springtime brunch involved. Our tradition is that my family comes to our house in Chico for the day, and it’s such a treat to host.
Motherhood Day and Celebrating Us
Happy 'Motherhood' Day to all! If you have birthed a baby, adopted a baby, fallen in love and became an 'insta' stepparent, been a nurturing auntie, or stepped in as a grandparent to care for your grandchild, you are part of the motherhood in my book. Motherhood can encompass all kinds of nurturing and care. I see it everyday as a school psychologist. I am surrounded by an army of nurturing, caring teachers, clinicians, nurses, administrators and staff.
Scott and I used to whisper it to each other over the years: “We aren’t really cruisers.” We happily schlepped our way through cobblestoned Italian hill towns, wandered along Mediterranean seafronts, and checked into luxurious beachfront resorts, proudly proclaiming ourselves land‑lovers through and through. But after one too many grueling European trips spent hauling luggage from place to place every few days, we realized that small‑ship cruising deserved a place in our travel repertoire.