the best day

yesterday was one of the good days.

one of the very very good days.

it should have been a normal thursday. well slightly better than normal

because it was mom's birthday

but we didn't have plans to celebrate until saturday.

the docket looked like this

work

yoga

home

relax and knit

and enjoy having the house to myself for a few hours.

what happened instead was far better.

here's why.

I called Mom to say Happy Birthday in the morning. She had missed my earlier calls

so I message her on Facebook and she said she was enjoying the day at home.

But it was strange that my call didn't come through.

After looking for my call she found a voicemail with some VERY good news!

She's starting her new job in the Hull School System in March and has what turned out to be a great transition plan from BMC!

She called me all excited!

The day was off to a good start.

At some point in the day, Mom and I were talking again and she said she had a $400 credit for Jordan's furniture that needed to be used up by the end of the month. She and Dad didn't need anything. Did I want to go look and see if we could find something for my new craft space? Sure! Why not!

Mom picked me up at the train. We made a quick detour to Lumber Liquidators so I could order my flooring. Cork. This stuff! Pretty cool right?

From there we headed to Jordan's. At first we weren't finding anything in the Clearance Center, but we were still having fun. Then, we found this gem.

It swivels and its wide enough that I can tuck my legs up beside me if I want to. Its a gorgeous linen fabric in a neutral which I can easily jazz up with a hand-sewn pillow and perhaps a knitted or crocheted afghan? :)

I thought I loved it but I wasn't 100% sure and we still had "money to spend" on that coupon. We found out the credit could be used in the regular store too so we browsed up there. All the while I was terribly anxious that someone was going to get "my chair" so I was absolutely sure this was the chair I wanted! We were almost out of the store and heading back to the Clearance Center when Mom noticed this table.

It's bar-height and has a decent amount of storage underneath! It was great.

But expensive!

And off-white (wouldn't match my walls at all).

Still, we snapped a photo and schemed about how we could convince Dan to build it!

We wandered back downstairs and found some bar stools that were considering for a bit, but one didn't have a price. When mom turned around to flag down the sales associate, she saw this:

The same table- in a stained finished- not painted! The chairs are different, and the price was drastically different. As in half priced!

It fits my intended dimensions perfectly and has a leaf that makes the table 5x5 square if I needed the extra space. Its perfect for sewing or scrapbooking or almost anything really!!

The lighting was a little wonky in there so here are 2 photos from the website:

(I didn't get those fabric covered stools- though they are fabulous looking!)

It was too good a deal not to get the chair too and my urge to protect my "property" at the store confirmed my gut that I loved both of these things, so we found a salesman and checked out! I was one happy camper!!

We swung into Christmas Tree Shops to look for fabric but found none. I did find a really cool green fabric ottoman that's small (yet has a storage inside) and may just be perfect (and if not, it will be returned). From there it was time to eat! It was after 7p, and we headed towards The Chateau (so I could use up a gift card-- making progress on those 2012 goals).

Its a charming place. I'd never been there. And boy the service was fast. We ordered our dinner and in 10 minutes it was at the table!

And as if dinner wasn't good enough,

we met up with Dan, Shawn, Jollsie and Jill at Spazio for a glass of wine.

It was a ridiculously and silly time (as usual).

Mom and I Skyped with Jeff, Riley and Garret from the bathroom (because the bar area was too dark). The kids thought that was just hysterical- we kept shutting off the light and they'd laugh and laugh.

Yes, it was a day for the record books.

Fun, productive, delicious, silly, fantastic!

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you to the moon and back!

3-fer

On Wednesday February 9th, we celebrated 3 big February events- Mom's Birthday, Jeff's Birthday & Valentine's Day! Just the immediately family. Mom, Dad, Jeff, Melissa, Riley, Garret, Dan and Me. We ate pizza for supper and then after much begging from Riley (who was finished with dinner first) it was time for cake.

We pieced together as many number candles as we could find and delicately balanced them on the cake.

29 (Jeff) and (55) Mom

Pretty idn't it?

And what's a birthday without some party hats?
We sang to Mom first! Happy Birthday TO YOU!
A little help blowing out her candles...
And then it was Bud's turn. 29 years old! Holy Cow!
Then it was time for Valentine's Day! Riley was so excited! She'd already let the cat out of the bag [the moment Dan walked in the door] that she'd gotten candy for us and had made cards. Super sweet. But of course Grammy's presents for the kiddos were the sweetest. A Cardinals Logo fleece hat and mitten set. OH BOY!
And the hand-sewn piece de resistance- I HEART Grammy pajamas! I love them! In fact, before they were even finished I requested my own pair [it makes sense after all, as I reminded mom. I love my Grammy too!]
A pink fleece top to go with the pants.
And a heart on the front. I Heart Grammy- perfect for Valentine's!
And a hat for Garret too!
Such a handsome dude.
So much love to celebrate! Happy Day!

Celebrating Nana's 87th Birthday

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mom, Dad, Jeff, Riley, Garret and I piled into Dad's van and headed up to Marie & Lindsey's to celebrate Nana's 87th birthday.

It was a lovely, low-key afternoon, with these two cuties rightfully stealing the show most of the day. Jeff had the idea of wearing our new Lassonde University t-shirts (which Jeff/Melissa ordered for us for Christmas). Here's Garret rocking his:

Riley had a ball with Aunt Maureen who was coloring with her and giving her crackers (she's a well practiced Auntie :)

Oops. I dropped one.

Nana with her angel, Ricky.

After appetizers and a lot of chatting, it was time for dinner. A very relaxed, lingering meal full of conversation and laughs. We ate in shifts, helping out with the kids and making sure that everyone ate. As dinner wound down, Riley wanted to take some pictures with my camera. This is one of her shots. I love it!

Then it was time for dessert. Riley was first up to the island and ready to go.

Nana's birthday cake. Handmade by Aunt Marie.

"Happy birthday to YOU!" Miss Riley was belting it out :)

Are you ready to make a wish!?!

A little help blowing out ALL those candles!

An attempt to capture all that school spirit in one shot :)

Thanks Jeff & Melissa for our collegiate gear! I think we look darn good. Cheesy as all hell, but we are Lassonde's thank you very much. This is tame in the grand scheme of things.

Nana's little helper was also on hand for gift opening time.

A set of Murano glass rosary beads from Venice from Mom and me.

And it just wouldn't be a birthday photo with Marie's signature bunny ears!

Happy 87th Birthday Nana! We love you!!!

One final shot saved for posterity: Uncle Lindsey entertaining 2 babies and a baby doll! I think we've entered an alternate universe!

Happy 2011

Dan and I officially rang in 2011 at Dana & Sheri's house after a nice dinner at La Scala. We played Apples to Apples for 3+ hours {{loads of laughs}} stopping only briefly to do the traditional countdown with the rest of the East Coast watching Times Square on tv. It was a great night out, especially since I'd been so sick that week and the stir-craziness had started to set in.

Then on Saturday we packed up the car and headed over to Mom's for her Annual Christmas Open House. Mom and Dad host this huge event every year, usually on the Saturday after Christmas, which this year fell on New Year's Day. And so it was a chance to ring in the 1st day of 2011 with about 90 of our closest friends and family.

The Lassonde's came (from Northern MA, NH & even Vermont!). I was so excited to meet little Marley for the first time. She's such a cutie. And it was great visiting with the still sort of newly-engaged Megan and Evan.

For the first time, my friend Ryan came to the Open House- knowing that my parents throw a killer party and curious to see all those Christmas Trees for herself!

*ryan, jen & meggsie*

It was great having the Fortin clan there for the day too. Sometimes this party falls on the weekend when they traditionally do Christmas with Doug's side of the family, and even amongst the 100 some-odd people it always feels a little empty without them.

*megg and dan*

we had fun exchanging gifts with one another. Mom bought Will and Oisin "Woody" pajamas that are just the cutest {{check em out}}

*Sigh, look at that cute little belly with his skinny little legs! But what's even cuter is that the pjs have the look of the cowboy boot built right into the leg*

The boys went nuts over them, and I can't say I blame them!!

It was Garret's first Open House too. He was dressed for the occasion, and so happy with all the other kids to play with, and the Christmas trees to mesmerize him.

He and Miss A get along so well. Its adorable. They were hugging each other in front of the tree, though unfortunately I missed that shot!

Aila looked so cute with her new jewelry from Auntie Diane, a gift brought home from our trip to Venice this fall.

As you can tell I didn't take many photos this year. Even though the total number of guests (or at least those who signed Mom's new guest book) were fewer than normal, it seemed I was always getting pulled here or there into a new conversation. That made for a GREAT day, of course, but I didn't click the shutter as many times as I'd have liked.

Fortunately Megg pushed me to take some photos and I'm so happy I have these!

Such great memories with some of my best friends.

And so, a very belated Happy New Year to all my readers out there.

I hope 2011 is a year of peace, happiness, health and stability for you and your families.

I love you all!

merry merry

another christmas day has come and gone. but this year was just as lovely as ever.

and while i don't have all my pictures ready to go (a Christmas cold is limiting my normal energy), here are some thoughts and memories from Christmas 2010.

Christmas Eve
I started the morning with a visit from 2 of our favorite neighbors, DJ & Amanda Dauphinee, who wanted some nice photos to give to their mom for Christmas. We had fun catching up and riding around Scituate looking for the perfect shot for some photos. After we got a few favorites edited and off to print, I got back to some last minute knitting. I probably could have called it quits but I just needed to get to a few finishing touches.

Around 5p Dan and I headed to the Stenbeck's for what's always a rockin Christmas Eve party! This year was especially nice because Aunt Lillian and her clan all joined us which was a first. The highlight of the event was the annual Yankee Swap. There was much fighting over a 12 pack of Magic Hat beer and a flash light sets. Always a hit! :) And for the second year in a row I managed to select Uncle Charlie's contribution- a book from the Scituate Historical Society and for the second year- Dan's cousin Fred took it! Too funny. But I got some champagne instead. Not a terrible consolation prize. Dan (purposely) picked an old wine bottle that had been melted down into a cutting board. When that was taken away, Dan was left with a Dunkin Donuts gift pack-- which Chris Litchfield smartly got in an after-swap trade, leaving Dan with the cutting board he wanted! So all's well that ends well.

The swap was followed by a heated game of Left Right Center. It came down to Larry and Amy but in true Left Right Center fashion the beginner won and Amy took away about $60! Merry Christmas!! :)

The real treat, however, was something we hadn't ever experienced- the much discussed Nana Card Game. Normally AnnaMay whisks her grandkids up to her apartment to play this much anticipated game, but this year they played right at Larry and Leslie's kitchen table. Nana deals out all the cards from one deck, and then keeps a second deck for herself. A few prizes are put on the table (supplied by Nana) and then whoever has the card she flips, gets to pick a prize. When all of the prizes are gone, the cards keep flipping and then prizes can be taken from your cousin or brother. And then it gets loud (hence Larry normally banishes the players from his house). It was really funny watching them fight over chapstick and flashlights!!! :) True family fun. What a great tradition!

Around 9p we headed to the Tighe's house for the second Christmas Eve bash. Mom was sick so it was sad not having her there, but of course Sue and Joe always put on a great party! Riley sang and danced, entertaining the crowd in Aunt Lillian's livingroom for about an hour! It was great seeing lots of old family friends and the kids we all grew up with.

Christmas Day

Dan and I enjoyed a little lazy time before getting up and out to see our families on Christmas Day. We loaded our car full of toys and other gifts and arrived at Matt & Krissy's around 10am. We had such a lovely morning with them and GJ. The kids loved their gifts from Santa- Willy playing with his new car and truck set with tracks and of course his new train Diesel, and Aila showing off her very own seat (a little armchair with her name on it).

Dan and Willy played a card game. Aila and I snuggled on the couch to watch Polar Express for a little bit. We ate pancakes, bacon, eggs (Aila ate all of that plus cereal, yogurt and english muffin as well lol).... We opened gifts a few a time... the cutest was Aila who was prancing around the livingroom in her gold lemay shoes, a cute argyle dress, and then her Christmas gift accessories- a purse from GJ, another purse from me, a knitted necklace, knitted and bangle bracelets, and a knit hat with a flower that I made for her. It was so funny!! :) Such a girly-girl, that one :)

One of the best parts of the day though was that Aila said "Auntie Jen" for the first time on Christmas Day! How special!

The morning flew by and before we knew it, it was nearly 2p and time to head to Mom and Dad's for Christmas part II :)


We had all the regulars for Christmas dinner- Mom, Dad, Jeff, Melissa and the kids, Karen, Steve & Isabella, Grammy, Aunt Milly and Uncle Richie. Grammy made sauce, and we had lasagna, macaroni, meatballs, eggs, sausage, eggplant and artichokes. Delicious! Grammy said grace before dinner while Riley was saying aloud "I don't know that prayer..." lol so she said her own after Grammy finished "Dear God. Thank you for this wonderful day and our family." SOOO stinkin cute! :)


After dinner we opened presents for what seemed like hours- taking a break for dessert and then getting back to it later. Riley was so cute opening all her gifts. She got a shopping cart full of fake food from Grammy and Pepere and then a stainless steel play cookware set from me- which of course she wanted to open right away... "Why do you need to open that? You have SO many toys open." To which she answered "I need the pots to COOK the food." Hello people! :) Hysterical.


Though my personal favorite part of the gift exchange was when Gram threw one of my gifts at me (I think Dan spit out a little bit of his drink), and said "Open this!" Well, it was a hat in this beautiful turquoise yarn that I had also used for a scarf... A scarf she assumed I was keeping for myself- but later found out I was giving away as a Christmas gift. "So I had to make you a scarf to go with the hat before Christmas!" Now there's the Christmas spirit!!! :) hahaha. Gotta love Gram.


Dave came over and spent a couple hours with us which was so great! I almost didn't recognize him with his hair so short.


And so another lovely Christmas Day passed by. Good family and friends. Great food. The cutest kids! Lots of Christmas cheer.

Litchfield Family Reunion 2010

things i want to remember

about our 2010 vacation to new smyrna beach florida
june 30-july 7, 2010


the big party we had at our condo. krissy made "shrimp scampi" aka alfredo and we filled our house with a lot of love and smiles and laughter.



the reunion t-shirts from leslie and larry, cheryl & john and aunt nancy!
happy hour on the beach.

every night!

larry's famous--- strike that-- infamous jungle juice (the f'bombs that accompanied it- soo funny)

our ever-expanding circle of beach chairs

that there's nothing like sticking your feet in the sand, with a drink in your hand at the end of the day (even if it wasn't a stressful day at all)

how much the kids enjoying making sand castles.

[willy and sienna with some help from karl or "kar-ul" as willy says]

and how even when willy got bored, the "big kids" just kept on building anyways.

aila playing in the sand. learning to point her toes like a little ballerina.

playing a giant, all-family game of Duck! Duck! ...................
GOOSE!

keep running!!!

that willy is not the only litchfield who keeps his tongue out most of the time!

and how the kids just laughed and laughed about how funny it was.

fireworks on the beach. and their more tame relatives in the explosive family.

and, how we learned that Uncle Thad, mistakenly put a firework in his carry-on, and they let him on the plane with it!!!

two cute kids cuddled up in bed together :)

Uncle Thad's 75th Birthday!!!

Seeing how happy Uncle Thad was to have his granddaughters there to celebrate with him.

this hugely adorable floppy hat.

the girl is also adorable, but she was having a stubborn moment.

fitting really- she is a litchfield ;)

hanging by the pool with the girls.

how all of the big kids really embraced playing with the little kids.

sunny, bright, poolside flowers

and grasses that just scream Florida to me.

seaweed and jelly fish. lots of both to be seen.

the palm house.

our almost-condo rental.

many hours spent fighting with Beach Realty- NEVER RENT FROM THEM!

cheryl and john's new paint job. gorgeous isn't it?!

love this boy.

love my new camera lens that allowed me to capture this shot so well.

dinner out with the whole gang.

and how willy thought he was soo cool to be sitting with his cousins.

a vacation "triangle"

water, margarita and rum bucket!

nothing says vacation quite like a bucket of rum!

how cute and silly aila is at this age!

how awesome leslie is for planning this whole she-bang, getting everyone together for such a memorable trip!

that i scored a litchfield reunion t-shirt after the original plan (that you had to be a litchfield or married to one) was thrown out and the "sleeping with a litchfield" addendum was added in.

other fun things i want to remember:

running around bealls shopping for bargains with becky, leslie and lillian

going on the hulk with chris at universal studios

daily walks on the beach

that john's fish inspired me to eat seafood! three times in one week. i'm officially converted and extremely grateful for the expansion of my diet and my pallette.

drinking wine with krissy watching old movies and the end of the nascar race in the peace and quiet late night of july 3rd into 4th

dale jr. winning the busch race in his dad's #3 car

the story/reenactment of the lady at Daytona International Speedway who was looking for the time and instead just looked straight at Chris' crotch.

visiting with Meagan!!!