When I was still pregnant with Jane, my family was joking around and asking me if I had a theme for her first birthday party yet. Oh, they joked, but I honestly already had been thinking about how fun it would be to get to throw birthday parties for her. Over the last year, I tossed around idea after idea, and finally settled on a theme fit for our sassy, funny, little daughter who loved to say RAWR: dinosaurs. Jane loves books about dinosaurs, the toy dinosaurs at our local library are the first thing she crawls to when we visit, and she believes that all animals, no matter how big or small, say “roar” just like the dinosaurs. 
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It’s been a month since I shared a download post with you guys. This year, holidays flowed into snow days and then into my birthday, and in a blink of an eye the first month of the year is halfway over. So let’s get right to it, there’s lots that’s been going on, which means there is lots to share! 
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Thirty-three! Isn’t it funny how when we’re kids and teenagers, our current age seemed so darn old? Thirty-three to 18 year old Kate sounded ancient. And now I’m here. It doesn’t feel so bad. I always think of the wise words of my dark-humored grandmother, who scoffs at people that complain about birthdays and aging. She says: “Isn’t it better than the alternative?” Heck yes it’s better, how lucky we are. 
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I have not jumped into 2018 with the fervor and energy of years past. Is it the weather perhaps? I’m typing this while huddled underneath a big blanket with a piping hot cup of coffee nearby, and yet it’s still freezing. The first big snowstorm of the season is barreling down, and while I wish I had bounding energy to write down goals and plans for the new year, I kind of just want to snuggle up with a good book instead. Sometimes though, a good book is just the motivation I need to get started. I thought it would be fun to round up a few of my favorite reads over the past few years that have inspired me, helped me make changes and resolutions, and a few that are on my reading list right now to tackle this month!
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Well, happy, happy new year! I took a little unintentional holiday break from the blog and internet over the past two weeks, and I have to admit to you: it was blissful. The end of the year was madness as I pushed through tons of work deadlines, holiday commitments and errands, and juggled a sick baby who had ear infections, a bad cold, and was cutting her first four teeth — yikes! To say that I needed this holiday break would be the understatement of the year. We traveled to see family and celebrated Jane’s first Christmas, we took on a big house project and painted our living room (which I can’t wait to share!), and we closed out the break with a really fun New Year’s Day brunch party (and an unfortunate New Year’s Day hangover). I even got to relax a bit and read a book, a whole book!
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Please note: This post was created in partnership with Marshalls; all opinions are my own.
It’s that time of year; we’re staring down the long road of the holiday season filled with errands and entertaining and events. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays! But this season gets busy and it can be hard to take a moment to catch our breath. Add the madness of working for myself, I’ve been spending lots of nights and weekends putting in extra hours – this is a busy time of year for a food and entertaining blogger!
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I am continuing on my mission to create to tasty recipes that are toddler-approved, while still being enjoyable for the adults at the table too. Jane, like most kids (and adults), is a big fan of macaroni and cheese. I recently made my classic homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and stirred in some leftover butternut squash pieces and a few dashes of cinnamon while the pasta and cheese were still piping hot. The butternut squash melted into the sauce and created a sweet, seasonal spin on my favorite pasta dish. It was such a hit that I made it again for a family party this weekend, and it was a hit with both the kids and the grown-ups at the party.
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Okay friends, it’s Friday! We made it. Pour yourself a glass of wine, make yourself a nice little cheese plate, and put your feet up. I’ve got some recent blog posts and links for you to read as you unwind and get ready to kick off the weekend!
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Dinnertime can be a challenge on a good day, but add an infant or a toddler to the mix and it can be down right exhausting. Our daughter is 8 months old and diving head first into the world of solid foods right now. More than anything, she always wants to be eating what my husband and I are eating, which is great, as long as we’re eating something that’s appropriate for a toothless baby.
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In my mind, things are supposed to slow down after Labor Day; where is that moment of respite in those early fall weeks before the holidays start? I don’t think it’s in the cards this year, but my motto is: “busy is better than bored.” So what have we been so busy with around here? Well, for starters, I got the chance to spend a week in New York working on some fun blog projects, attending my favorite annual blogger event at Better Homes and Garden’s Stylemaker conference, and jumping head first into fall family activities.
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