Feasting and Giving Thanks

Well Thanksgiving was glorious as usual.  I was in charge of making the stuffing 

and setting/decorating the table.  

I had lots of fun with that part {thank you Pinterest for the ideas}.  

It's such a great Holiday that allows me 

to reflect on all of the things I'm grateful for and there are so many:

Family, friends, Sunday dinners, key lime yogurt{Oiko's brand - my latest obsession}, 

sunsets, early morning workouts, checking things off from my to-do lists, 

fresh clean sheets, smiles from strangers, nieces and nephews, books,

music, and oh so much more.

Truly my cup runneth over with all of the wonderful blessings I'm thankful for.

weekend in snaps

This past weekend I was in dire need of just doing some r&r...which I did.

Out to eat with friends, movies, retail therapy,

read by the fire, scrumptious Sunday dinner with the fam,

and last but not least

gushing over my nephew Odin.

I'd say it was a success, r&r achieved.

Can't wait for Thanksgiving this week!

Ben Harper cover.

I just had to share my brothers and cousins singing Ben Harper's

'Shall Not Walk Alone' they sang for my Nonna's funeral.

After the luncheon at the church we all sat around chatting,

reminiscing, and then some singing which is when we

asked them to perform their song again.

Here's Mr. Ben's original song which I love as well.

No joke

"Here's my phone number, that way we can be textually active."

I wish I could tell you I was kidding

and that this pick-up line was not used on me.

But not even I who am somewhat funny and witty could

come up with such a creative/ridiculous line.

Now had Mr. Gosling said it, well enough said...

image via

waterproof mascara

I bought waterproof mascara a couple weeks ago by mistake. I don't like the stuff, because it takes forever to wash off and I'm too impatient.

Life is funny sometimes, the waterproof mascara came in handy.

It started with my darling dad. He went into the hospital for a pulmonary embolism, not a good thing. He was admitted on a Friday so they could monitor his blood levels. By Saturday he got to come home.

That Saturday I went to my parents place to see him. While there my mom got a phone call from the rest home that my Nonna {Italian for grandma and what we grand-kids have always called her} was not doing well and would perhaps not make it through the night.

When it rains it's always followed by a downpour, no doubt about that. My Nonna did make it through the night, in fact she made it till Wednesday morning when she passed away at the age of 93. Everyone in our family gathered around to wish her a sweet farewell into the next life. Everyone of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren flew or drove in for her. Tuesday night the last grandchild drove in from California to see her, I have a hunch she wasn't going to leave until she got to say goodbye to everyone.

She lived a great life, married my sweet Nonno who was an immigrant from Italy. Together they owned hotels, vineyards, grocery stores and a ranch in central Chile. They moved to the states in the 70's and then traveled between the states, Chile and Italy. She was the typical Latin women, opinionated and blunt. But inside of her tough exterior she was a loving and giving person who was constantly pinching my arm to sit up straight, lived to play a practical joke and made the best homemade ravioli's I have ever had.

Nonna, your memories I will always carry in my heart.

Your legend will live on.

Your posterity will continue strong.

Until we meet again.

1. Nonna in her 20's, look at that outfit, love it!

2. My Nonna & Nonna & family, my dad's the baby.

3. My brother and nephew Odin, he belongs in a baby Gap ad...those cheeks!

4. The entire Santamaria clan.

A Superhero Halloween

As you can see Halloween was a superheroic fabulous time.

We had so much fun in our costumes and I'm thinking every year

should be a theme with friends, it makes it all the more fun!