Farewell 2010

Compared to 2009, one could say 2010 was a little dull. We didn't buy a new house, we didn't get married, etc. We did however get Lincoln, and life is never dull with that guy. And we did settle into our home, our marriage, celebrated our first anniversary, and hosted our first holiday. We took a bunch of trips and saw many of our friends get married. And I have to say, it's been wonderful.

So goodbye 2010, the ups and downs, the good and the bad. It's been fun. And now... a look back.

Mexico City, January

Lincoln's homecoming, January

Jarrett's 29th birthday

Our anniversary, August

Nicole's Wedding, September

Merry Christmas

I know, i am such a slacker lately. Per usual, December becomes a month where I just lose track of time. With the holidays and shopping and end of year/quarter at work...it gets very busy for this gal.

We had a simply WONDERFUL Christmas. Jarrett's dad came to visit the weekend before, then his sister and mom came for a few days before and after. We ran around, saw both sides of my family, and got to share my traditions with the Britt's as well as create our own. We (and really I mean Jarrett mostly) pulled off a successful meal with WAY too much food, but I loved every bite of it.

I thought I'd share some pics of our house and dinner on Christmas Day.

Kitchen Renovations Part II

Here are the pics of the finished kitchen. I am absolutely in love with all aspects of this kitchen. Someone told me it looks like an HGTV kitchen, and I blushed. I really think we picked fabulous, neutral but warm colors that make this kitchen rock!

A few shout-outs to the vendors we went with, and our contractor. Awesome, and highly recommend!

Bellew Tile
Hub Stoneworks

Kitchen Renovations Part I

I have some exciting news and pictures! The kitchen is *almost* done. We are waiting for the tiles for the backsplash to come in, and then we'll be done! The granite was installed, the sink looks AMAZING, and we changed the hardware. It makes a HUGE difference and I can't believe how much better the kitchen looks.

Strike a Pose

I am so lucky that I have friends that are talented. Especially when those friends become photographers and can shoot amazing work.

This year, I wanted to make really snazzy Christmas cards. I half-assed it last year, and was really displeased with the result. And given our handsome pups, I thought why not get a picture taken with the four of us by someone who knows what they are doing?? Capturing these four-legged friends looking at the camera at the same time proves quite challenging.

So I enlisted a friend, and former Bentley classmate--Brooke Allison Photography. I encourage you to check out her work. Not only does she do fabulous work, but she is a warm and bubbly person just waiting to take pictures and so easy to get along with!

We headed to Marina Bay in Quincy on a brisk fall day. So here are a couple shots of her fantastic work.

Sneak Peek. Kitchen Renovations

the house is a mess. I have cabinets on the floor, dining room, everywhere. I have no sink. I have no faucet. I have two dogs that don't seem to understand not to mess with the kitchen. I have leftovers because we were able to sneak in a dinner at Fat-Cat due to lack of kitchen.

So I share...

Cabinets in the living room:

Messy kitchen and ugly hardware:

PK 11.16.09

Today's post is a solemn one. Today mark's the one year anniversary since my aunt patty's passing (and my Nana's birthday!).

I've had a strange feeling all day. I feel like I should be sad. Then I think no no, stay strong. And then I feel like I could completely lose it. But I think it's because I have this sense of longing that will probably never go away. I find myself driving home some nights and going to pick up the phone to call her the way I always did. To update her on my life, work, personal, whatever it may be. She'd then of course give me her opinion whether or not I asked for it, the best part of our conversations. And of course her laugh, after I told her some ridiculous story.

Last year was a blur, I can't remember if I told her I loved her enough. Or if I thanked her enough. So here it goes...

Thank you Aunt Pat, for your amazing ability to listen and for your countless words of wisdom. Thank you for always being there and looking out for me, and my mother. Thank you for proving sometimes you have to give your mother a hard time because that's what daughters do. Thank you for believing in love despite hardships. Thank you for your ability to stay strong in the hardest of times...to never give up hope, to always believe, and to fight. We thought we were going to lose you 18 years before we did, and the world was a better place with you in it.

And thank you, to the man above, for giving us those extra years. Thank you to Dana Farber, Hospice and all of her best friends for supporting her, John, and my family through such a difficult time. I miss you every single day.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
Buddha