Hello 2017 ♥

Well, hello 2017! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a happy new year! Ours was lovely.  We saw lots of family Christmas eve & Christmas day and John couldn't have been happier with what Santa brought him.  He was up at 6 am on Christmas morning, which made for a long day for all of us. I think we watched A Christmas Story on repeat at least ten times!  We opened presents over cinnamon rolls and eggnog and I remember looking out the window (because it was still dark out) and being so tired but thinking to myself that he's only going to be 9 once so enjoy every minute.  And that's what I did ♥ 

in the wee hours of the morning ♥

breakfast table ♥

My parents came for dinner and my mom brought this delicious rum cake she ordered from our favorite bakery! It was amazing!!!

video games, train tracks, boxes, games....yup, the place was a mess :)

It's hard to believe it's all over.  As always, it went by too fast.  The best thing I did all season is take the week between Christmas and New Year's off.  It's my most favorite week of the year because of how peaceful it is.  After all the rushing around, we had one glorious week of sleeping late and afternoon tea. I think we all needed it, I know I did.  By the end of the week I felt refreshed and ready to face the new year....but did I make to midnight on new years eve? I wish I could say yes.  I tried, really I did ♥ 

I'm a party animal ♥

First meal of 2017,  baked blueberry French toast with bacon. 

So now it's all about getting back into the swing of things and settling into January.  It's been freezing cold here this week and we are expecting a big snowstorm tomorrow! The last news report I saw said we may get up to 14 inches on Saturday!  I'm glad it's hitting us over the weekend so I don't have to worry about driving in it.  We are perfectly fine hibernating all weekend!  I've invited my parents over for dinner on Sunday and I'm making a roast chicken (I've been craving one....that crispy skin...yum!) and a cheesecake for dessert.  The old fashioned kind with a sour cream topping.  I can't wait! 

As you can see I haven't made any radical new years resolutions about healthy eating. I'm not kidding myself : ) I've decided to just try to make better choices and do what makes me feel good. I already know I should eat better and get more exercise. I'll keep trying. Also getting more sleep is something I need to be mindful of.  One thing I have been doing for the past few weeks is substituting one of my morning coffees with hot water and lemon. Have you read about the benefits of this? It's very soothing and I'm enjoying it very much.

So as we ease into January, I have high hopes for this new year - a clean slate.  And lots of cake to share with you!

Have a cozy January weekend, my dear friends.  I'll be back soon! xoxo