Hope everyone is in the full swing of the holidays and loving and cherishing every moment of it! I have been! It has been an emotional few weeks over here. The emotions have been caused by a variety of different reasons – like this being our last holidays living in this home and in Buffalo for that matter. Of course the sad tragedy of last Friday and the loss of all of those sweet innocent babies hit me just as hard as I know it hit most everyone else. On top of all of this, our family has been dealing with a terrible accident that landed a family member in the hospital the Friday prior, he is in serious condition but very lucky to be alive. Please send if you would, your positive thoughts, prayers, healing vibes, etc. his way, he could certainly use them in his long road to recovery ahead.

 It has been a lot of happiness and sadness for a short time, but it has all made me appreciate the magic of life and love that much more! Life is fragile, every moment a blessing and the only way I know how to embrace that is to live each day to it’s fullest, grateful for all that I have. I hope you are all doing the same, hugging your loved ones a little tighter this holiday season and counting your blessings whenever possible. Love and light to you all!

As you will see in the photos, this week has been spent full embracing the holidays, shipping out the last minute orders for Hero, shipping gifts to out of town friends and family, packing boxes and squeezing in as much family and friend time as humanly possible!

Our Christmas tree got an update with this custom made (and hand sewed) bull terrier tree skirt made by our friend, Joanne.

Here’s a close-up of it! So what, we are a little obsessed with our dog!

Got together with the family on Sunday and made TONS of baklava using my late Yia Yia’s recipe. I may not be able to eat it but it makes for great holiday gifts for friends!

It is a pretty labor intensive process. You place each layer of phyllo dough, one at a time, and brush with butter. There are 15 layers, then nuts and spices, 10 layers, more nuts, then 15 more layers. Layer by layer, sheet by sheet! I love making it and hanging out with my family, even without the satisfaction of ever taking a bite!

Me and my sister Vicky, spreading the nuts layer.

Pouring the syrup over top of one of the finished trays. Smells soooo good!

I started my Christmas wrapping earlier in the week! It may be my favorite part of the holiday and the gift giving.

My final giftable recipe for my series this month with Free People. Look for the recipe on Sunday.

 

Took a break last night from packing and organizing for the move to relax! My relaxation involved a roast chicken from our farmer, a glass of bourbon and Christmas music.

I cut up some of the delicata squash leftover from our CSA with porter farms. I tossed it with some olive oil, maple syrup and spices and added it to the chicken in the last 35 minutes.