my birthday skate date.

On Sunday I turned 36. Which makes me feel so old, to even say the number out loud is like chewing butter-less toast. Hard to swallow.

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so I thought I would mark this occasion with an evening skate date with friends. I was planning on a much larger crew, but things change. The ladies that did rally all had a great time. I have never giggled to much in my life.

(I love that you can see both me and maja's hands that had to come together to take this photo in all our sunnies)

Most of these photos were snapped with my iPhone, which was tricky since my phone was also plugged into my handy Nixon TPS (travel party speaker) which was tucked inside my Nixon hip pack. (true story!) So I apologize if they are a bit wonky.

What a group of beautiful ladies! And fancy skaters too. We ended the evening with pizza and beer. Such perfection.

I highly recommend you get yourself some skates and come join us. And a big thank you to Laura, Agatha, Maja, Vanessa and my mom, Joanie, for joining me.

roast some nuts.

I highly recommend you roast some nuts. It's pretty quick and easy, and very tasty. These tasty almonds would be great for a party or for the snack drawer. This was my first time roasting my own nuts (versus buying them) and I am convinced this is the way to go.

I found the recipe after some internet searches and then merging a few recipes and adding a few tweaks.

Rosemary Roasted Almonds

• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary (picked from my herb garden!)
• 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of chile powder
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• a few shakes of ground pepper
• 2 cups raw almonds. 
•  
• Mix it all in a bowl and spread single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet for 20 minutes at 325. They come out a little shiny, but it works out. Allow to cool to room temperature. So easy!

 Since I was bringing these tasty morsels to a party, I packaged them up pretty. And then proceeded to eat quite a few handfuls while I waited for my ride. (thanks Nicole for picking me up!)

Enjoy!

some easter photos.

It was a good day.

{four.for.friday} bunnies & rabbits.

Easter is finally here. Roll out the chocolate and jelly beans. Hunt for eggs and enjoy all that fantastic family fun!

 spring plate • bunny doll • rabbit lamp • hare hook

happy weekending y'all! Mine is already off to a super start, I won $10 at bunco last night. whew-hew!

{four.for.friday} time for spring & yardening.

1. patio chair 2. wooly wall pocket 3. tote 4. door mat

Ahhh, spring time: my total favorite. Time to freshen up the yard, plant some tomatoes and clean the bbq. Maybe I am such a big spring fan because my birthday happens to be in spring? Regardless, it's nice to keep the doors open and listen to the birds chirp.

I am hoping our weekend is filled with yardening and cleaning out the cobwebs and dead plants. Maybe I shouldn't admit how neglected the yard gets, but boy does it.

cheers!

mammoth trip.

 I am back home after a long and wonderful weekend in Mammoth. I am lucky that my husband works at Nixon, and that spouses were invited to Nixon family snow weekend.

The trip filled my soul.

Was it seeing freshly falling snow? The amount of Blue Moon I consumed? Making snow angels? Being up in the mountains? Trying something new? All those St. Germain cocktails? The Wii dancing? The sense of community? Feeling 26? The wives of the design department meeting? Acting 26? All the tattoo sharing? The snowballs thrown? Stalking David Duchovny (yes, he was staying at the same hotel)? All the giggling?

Maybe just a combination of all of the above. But what a memorable trip. Nixon really does employ some of the most beautiful people, on the inside and out.

And yes, I missed my kids like mad. And am glad to be home. But a weekend in the snow sure feels like magic. (there was even a full on rainbow sighted on the rainy bus ride home)

{four.for.friday} green with envy.

It's Friday and we're celebrating green for St Patrick's Day! Having three kids with Irish names, kind of puts the pressure on for this holiday. We have plans for green pancakes and a big family Irish dinner. And maybe a little pot of gold treasure hunting.

This past week as been a fun one, including a very well deserved night out with some nice ladies. Hopefully a new monthly tradition.

 (top left & clockwise: colorblock tote, crocheted pillow, dipped cutting board, time teller watch)

happy weekending, have fun and be safe. I hope everyone finds what they're looking for and feels lucky.