How long do you let your decorations linger?

Some people (like my mother, sorry Ma!) don't let the Christmas decor hang around too long after the holidays. I know she gives my dad a few days to let our Christmas tree glisten a little more in the corner of the living room and spread out the holiday season. How about you-do you stretch out the holidays and let the festive knickknacks, Santa hats and angel statuettes linger or do you sweep it all away right after New Years? I have to admit it's been hard to box up my ornaments, lights and move into the dreadiest months of winter...

Today

"Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry"

Again, a special shout out to Lavinia who shared her favorite quote with me...I thought it was so appropriate for an uplifting line to make us all take in the day. Happy Thursday blogger loves~

Exciting Things in 2011

I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful, supportive and loving people I have surrounding me in my life. This year I want to make sure that I take it all in a little more, savor the little moments and put more emphasis on all of the great people-family and friends in my life, rather than the things I have or things I am missing because after all they are just objects.

The Carta Family is growing as B and I tied the knot in September and Carey and my bro will be getting hitched in August up in Rochester, NY. So excited for them and thrilled to be in the wedding. Just ordered the dress yesterday...

Look for me August 27th in this hot dress :-) --minus those clunky shoes and the weird bracelet...I better get my tan on!

Engagement Pic-so love this one

Cherry Blossom Festival in DC

Some things I'd like to work on for the new year, I don't really believe in so-called, "resolutions," because I feel that these things should be part of your every day living but there are definately areas I need to work on:

~More patience and understanding

~Organization, Organization, O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N

~Email clean up {work and personal}

~More resistance to buying more stuff, that being candles, clothing, bags--all the fun stuff, I should just say!

~Lots of love and support for my honey as he continues his job search and finds something exciting for himself to take hold of

Exciting news worth noting....

Blog time

Ms. Lavinia's new blog that she said she started to write about her design projects she is working on, what her friends and family are up to and also an outlet for her obsessive reading of the NY Times anddd she has a new camera so it is going to be quite something, I am predicting :)

Lavinia and I go back to high school and I we crack up thinking of how I befriended her (the new girl in school) who came into our auditorium during an assembly and I invited her to sit with me, the rest seems like history. I feel like she can do anything and everything and I look up to her for the person she is-she makes clothes, sings Opera so beautifully it can bring tears to your eyes--I was lucky to have her sing during Communion at my wedding, all I can say is WOW, she speaks fluent Spanish, is friends with everyone and when I think of her, she represents home to me. She is an amazing person-so unique, full of life and laughter, there is something very infectious about her presence-you feel so welcome and cared for around her, she is outgoing with this loving warmth that surrounds her, a true friend to the core and I view her as a sister and family member. We have been through a lot together and she has always shown her true colors--of gold. I love her dearly.

Check out her blog here

{Livvy said I inspired her to start this, truly touched L xo)

looking glam, always..

holding my hand while I get ready for the big day...

Friends getting married

Sarah and Will-set to tie the knot on June 18th in PA

Lisa and Nate-set to tie the knot on July 30th in New Jersey

Kaitlyn and Nick-set to tie the knot on August 20th

(exactly a week before my brother and his girly love)

This year will prove to be busy with weddings, lots of fun, cooking up a storm-making more bread from scratch, laughing, kisses, and memory making and great adventures for my man and I as he finds a job he loves and we figure out the next step and hopefully get....

a king charles cavalier

L.O.L.A

On our mini-moon to Nantucket we say this king charles in the ferry waiting room and I thought she was the cutest and heard her owner call her Lola and since she was the type of dog I love, adore the name Lola (and no not the famous song) and like that the name will remind me of our sweet moon to an island that is close to my heart.. I hope that this year we get our own little Lola to love on :-)

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, I know I did :) This year was my first Christmas with my B (we've been together 7 years) but have never spent a Christmas together, until now as three month newlyweds! This Christmas has been nothing short of magical as I share in traditions with him, spend time with the family and on this day after Christmas and am enjoying the blizzard that has swept across Connecticut. I am perfectly fine nestled in my parents lovely home, enjoying a mug of apricot tea, cuddling up to my husband and stretching out Christmas a few days longer. This Christmas has showed me all that I have to be thankful for and how blessed I truly am.

Holiday Decorating & Gifties

a card display I came up with...

love anything candles...

in love with the sweet snow globe my dad gave me last Christmas

wrapping gifts to send to CA for B's grandparents and parents (my new in-laws) :-)

the gorgeous McKenzie Childs box a great friend gave me! love it

Happy 91st Birthday, Garcy!

Happy Birthday to one of the classiest woman I have ever met! It has been such an honor and privilege having you in my life, Garcy (B's one-0f-a-kind grandmother) Garcy has been like a grandmother to me from the very start of my 7 year relationship to her grandson and from the very beginning she treated me lovingly and filled my life with care, generosity and has taught me how to appreciate all those little moments and how important family truly is.

She is an inspiration to all and all of our lives are that much more richer and special for having her in it. I struggle to put into words what this woman represents and how loved she is by her family, friends and those who only have met her recently or for a few seconds but the impression she leaves on your heart is forever.

pre-Shaw's wedding

a Thanksgiving 2009 shot

laughing with grandson at Shaw's wedding

Cuddle Weather

Today the district found itself covered by a few inches of snow which made everything quite lovely and picture-perfect. I was very much in love and can't wait to get home as I feel the holidays approaching and can't wait to hopefully have a white Christmas with my parents, grandmother, brother and husband :-) I couldn't help but think how today's snowfall brought cuddle weather with it and I just wanted to spend the whole day in my favorite pjs, sipping on B's homemade drinking chocolate, watching re-run Seinfeld episodes and other must-have's...instead I got to enjoy the evening while taking in this cuddle weather :-)

Tonight my hubby and I watched one of our all-time favorite shows, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and I cooked up a cozy meal to enjoy on the couch (I know, breaking our 'dining room table dinner only' routine) and I have to say it was quite nice to eat a meal I cooked all on my own.. and snuggle up to my love over a great show.

Recipe: Ellie Krieger's Fried Rice with Scallions, Edamame and Tofu

Reviews: Very good, next time-- would cook the tofu to get it nice and brown and crispy and add in some Sriracha for more kick (which is a hot chili sauce, if you don't own some already I say you grab some, it really enhances the flavor of some many dishes. it truly is a must-have product).

This was in its 'still cooking state' but trust me it was quite tasty

I have to say the colors are nice and bold, especially to cheer you up on a Winter's night