Thanksgiving Tablescape

All Ina

The Young family know how we love cooking, and how we love the Barefoot Contessa. So for my birthday Alexa and Drew sent me two cookbooks from Ina. I got so excited when they arrived, and we cooked all Ina recipes last week before Thanksgiving. Recipes to follow.

One More Birthday Post - Bday Karaoke

From office celebrations to an after hour bday party the day was full fun. Jennifer, Johnny, Morgan, and Melissa all joined for dinner at YaYa's then off to sing at Koto! What a birthday party!!! Thanks everyone!!!! Love the bracelet, love the scarf, love the bag, love everything!!!

Favorite song of the night - Duet - Sweet Caroline - in honor of Jim - Go Sox!

Buttercup and Lily

While living in Boston, Jim and I went away together for a nice weekend in VT. There I learned to snow ski for the first time, and was introduced to the wonderful world of Cabot Cheese.


When Jim found a B&B that had 2 golden retriever puppies featured on their site - we booked a room right away. I anticipated our arrival to goldens greeting us and sitting with us by a cozy fire.

Imagine my surprise when we arrived to find no goldens. I keep thinking, but the website clearly told me to "come meet Buttercup and Lily". What do I do?.....

Well, I ask, "Where are Buttercup and Lily and can I meet them." I asked several times. Finally after we made friends with the owners - mainly through Jim listened to what seemed like hours of stories about birds and bird watching - we won them over and they agreed to let us see the dogs. The moment arrived.

After breakfast, before we left for skiing, we were told to go wait at a certain spot, and they would bring them to see us. We wondered why it was so hard to just let us see the dogs?! Something must be up - but what?!

Rustling, thuds, and more rustling is what we heard from inside the house while we waited in the snow by the side door. Suddenly the door flung open, and out came Buttercup reared up and muzzled. She was soon followed by Lily who looked the same. Jim and I didn't know what to do. We sorta patted them and let them retreat to wherever it was from whence they came. Although we don't have a picture, we can still vividly picture that moment, and have a laugh at the thought of Buttercup and Lily!

While the Birds Nest Inn is no longer around there are some other B&B's either friends have stayed at and enjoyed, or I found in researching and have on my list of places to stay on the next Vermont visit such as Twin Farms, Fan House, and The Huntington.  And the Von Trapp family have a place in the area.

Two restaurants we enjoyed while in Stowe were the Cactus Cafe and Michael's On The Hill.  It was too cold to have Ben and Jerry's, but VT is it's home so it's nice to have that if it's not too cold.

Our Little Maple

Two years ago we transplanted what we thought was a maple only to realize it was a "Gumtree." My Nonnie said, "Dig it up." We did and this past spring transplanted a maple from my Mom's. It was the size of my tiny finger. It did well in the new location, and we loved when it changed colors. Our little maple!

Fall at the Duncan Firm

Fall Days

21 bags of leaves

It's one of those projects you dread - you hire someone to do - or break down and do it yourself. Jim raked this weekend, and I helped him bag leaves. Bo rolled in the grass - as much as he loved romping in the leaves I think he was glad to have his grass back - just in time for the holidays.

Family Tree

"Bo" got his name from our first home - Boston. We both liked that name, and got excited when the Obama's named their dog Bo too. When deciding on a middle name we went with hertiage and named him after his grandfather.

Boston Branwell Bartolomei

"Bo" officially came into our lives on November 14, 2008.

Here are a few favorite moments:

Family Birthday Lunch

I've always loved Mexican - so mom made chicken enchilada's and rice (like Trio's recipe) along with beans. D-Daddy made my favorite cheese dip and salsa. He also made me my lemon bday cake - it's tradition! Ashley arranged the table so beautifully!!

Flowers Nonnie picked for me from her yard.

Me with my great grandmother "Gram."

I was wearing the flower that Jim picked from the garden for me.

Cards and Gifts