celebrating with the ones i love!

My oldest son and his family came in town for a long weekend, so we decided to have a little Valentine's Day party with all the grandkids last Friday night.  I had some little helpers in my craft room that morning, so we made bags for each of the kids.  That night each child went around and dropped their valentine's into everyone's bag.  They had so much fun and with that many cousins, ended up with quite the goody-bag full!  (Some of my grandkids go to a really small school and were laughing that they had to make more valentines to share with their cousins than with their classmates!) We missed those that weren't here (my son in Chicago with his wife and grandbaby number 20 due this summer and my daughter in Belgium), but it was wonderful to all be together!  Family is the best!

Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!

The moms all needed goody bags, too! 

Grrrr, group pictures.  Oh, well.  We tried.

happy valentine's day!

"All I really need is love, 

but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"

- Lucy Van Pelt in "Peanuts"

I've spent the day with some of my granddaughters crafting away to get ready for the little valentine's party we are having at my house tonight.  My craft room is a mess, but they sure had fun in there!

I hope you are doing something special with all the ones you love!

essence bakery

Have you been to the new Essence Bakery yet?

I used to drive out to the one in Tempe and then they ever so nicely opened a new bakery location just across Indian School from the Willows.  Too kind of them.  And a little dangerous, too...

I tell you, good things are happening along Indian School in Phoenix.  Lots of great local places popping up right around here.  And I am all about supporting the locals!

Back to Essence...  everything that comes out of this little french bakery is to die for.  They have the absolute yummiest (and prettiest) macarons.  Their pastries are amazing (I'm partial to that almond croissant...  just typing that I want to run over and get one).  And their breakfast and lunch items are delicious.  Most recently I had their Signature Sausage Turnover and Eggs...  just go treat yourself to one.  You will not be disappointed.

So, if you haven't been yet, stop in for a latte and croissant, meet a friend for lunch or grab a box of macarons for your next party!

Baby's first croissant.  As big as her head.

our holiday party

Once again for Christmas, we had our adult holiday dinner that I host at my home.  (Like I said, it's been a crazy year and I'm a little behind...)  It's wonderful to be able to spend some grown-up time together during the holidays.  We have drinks and appetizers, sit down for dinner together, have a gift exchange, play games, indulge in dessert and just have a great time laughing and talking and being together.  This year my best friend, Laurie was able to come from California to help me decorate and get all set up for the party (and to join in the festivities, as well!).  We have so much fun doing this sort of thing together!  It was a great night with ridiculous games and lots of laughs!  Even though it was almost two months ago, I thought I would share some pictures now anyway.  

Better late than never, right?