Prom 2016

Prom 2016

So fun to see these two off on a fun night! Honored to make their flowers! 

Memories of a lifetime! 

Enjoy!

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Today I Smiled

Today I opened my eyes to the morning light streaming through the drapes and smiled. I could see the rumpled sheets next to me of soft white down covers with sweet brown curls spilling out. I smiled because no matter how old the boys get they always find their way back to me. Whether it's one sneaking between the feathers and drifting off to sleep because he feels safe there. (They are only little once, let them feel safe and let them crawl in sometimes.) Still wanting your mom to hold you, needing a back rub or just needing some advice.... 

I smiled because I have everything I could ever need and most things I could ever want and those are not materialistic things.

That doesn't mean I don't have to trip over soccer cleats, rewash floors, replace screen doors, run home numerous times because someone forgot something, remind them that they are not allergic to toilet paper replacement duty, be a drill Sargent, rewash clothes that were clean but ended up in the dirty bin, gel their hair, teach them over and over how to be responsible, show them what good character means, what a bully acts like, how to be a good friend, explain why ya can't swear when your twelve, warn them to be careful, teach them to be humble, remind them to be kind, show them what good manners look like, leave work early to get them to practice, get up early to get them to games and make homemade food that sometimes goes uneaten while working three jobs.

I smile because even on my toughest day, I wouldn't change a thing...

Someday I'll miss tripping over cleats so for now I laugh and remind myself that it all goes by so quick. (Ok, sometimes I kick them out of the way and swear) 

Walk with them, talk with them... I don't care how big your child is, they are never to old to embrace and it's never to late to start telling them everything what's good about them. Even if the bad out weighs it.

Perspective is so important.

Being my boys Mom is the best thing I ever done. It's the toughest job in the world with no play book, no job description and no road map. At times it can feel like being dropped in the deep end and you can't swim.

So today is your day...

Love your kids and be proud of all that you have done and who you are!

Happy Mother's Day!

️xo celeste 

Saving the world one parking spot at a time

This is my take on saving the world one parking spot of the time.

We are all in on this you have either been the person waiting for them to park or the person flustered trying to parallel park their car...

I have seen countless people back in and out of a parking spot only to go nowhere as if they were swimming laps in a one way pool. I said out loud to my son "This is like watching the salmon run"

 I have actually tried to save drivers and offered my assistance to a young gentleman once who was so red in the face and looking for a life raft as if drowning at sea, mortified at his inability to park his car in the only spot left for miles. Meanwhile his date is embarrassed and trying to hide on the floor under the dash or wish herself invisible. 

So this is my good deed of the day after sitting waiting for my carry out. I watch several people attempt over and over to parrallel park to run in and get their carry out. It became a game between my son and I just to see how many times they would pull forward and back up and how many turns it took them before they actually got in the spot only to realize they were still three feet from the curb.

Here is visual aid...

 I can't take credit for my parallel parking skills. I owe every ounce of my parallel parking to my mother as she bestowed to me this gift and it has my boys in awe that their Mom can not only parallel park  but she does it with only one turn. They think I'm super human. Shhhh... Let keeps this between us:)

Here is the magic...

 I have witnessed so many people struggle with this driving skill so this is my public service announcement. 

I look forward to seeing everyone parallel park with confidence... It's the first of many steps towards World peace!

Your Welcome!

Enjoy this glorious day!

️xo celeste

Grilling and Chillin' Brunch!

OK so we are known for coloring outside the lines around here we make French toast 1 million different ways but today we put a fun little spin and threw a curveball on a regular French toast recipe so there is no recipe attached here. Just use your favorite French toast recipe and instead of cooking it in a regular pan heat up your grill pan cook the French toast on the grill pan. When you're finished, butter the grill pan sprinkle sliced bananas with cinnamon and sugar and grill them until they caramelized and brown top off your French toast... crush some slivered almonds and rock out your brunch!

And than go get a mani! Ha just realized my nail is chipped in this pic!

Lol

Have a glorious day!

Celeste ️XO 

Cherries in the snow!

Fresh summer cherries are right around the corner...

But util than cherries in the snow will have to do! 

Here in Cleveland we know a thing or two about rolling with the punches, bending like the willow and enduring and making the best of things... Sports teams like the Cleveland Browns and snow storms in spring can do that to a Clevelander! 

We don't discuss politics here but on a side note from the mouths of babes my son just said "Johnny Manziel is the Donald  Trump of football" I take it he's not voting for The Donald... 

funny kid... But we love it here... There is much to love in this city that you would be amazed, so put us on your bucket list once the snow melts if you have never been!

So today we celebrate this day... It's another day to plan the garden instead of digging it, a day of organizing your closet for when spring actually springs, a day that we can rest easy because we have a bit more time to squeez in a few more pull-ups and sit-ups before squeezing into that string bikini from last year and use this time be one with our yoga mat until then...

We brighten your day further with this yummy treat!

Cherry Chocolate Protein Shake

1/2 cup low fat organic chocolate milk

1/2 cup sweet dark pitted cherries ️frozen

1 Tablespoon flax seeds

1 Tablespoon almonds

1 Tablespoon protein

3 Drops almond and vanilla extract

Wiz all this goodness in your bullet blender, top with whipped cream or coconut milk, don't forget the sprinkles and devour!

We hope you enjoy!

Have a glorious day!

Celeste ️xo 

Next up on the blog 

Pan crepe-tortillas for easy breakfast borritos

Sunday Morning Crowd Pleasers

Best for a crowd! 

I substituted almond for the vanilla and cooked each piece in butter. Transferred to a cookie sheet, added a sprinkle of cinnamon (I left it out of the batter as it tends to float) I also added a bit more milk to the batter, added butter and syrup on top of the French toast and put the pan in an oven at 350 until the butter melted and the syrup bubbled...

All six boys said it was the best they ever had!

Celebrate with a few Bubbles

It's that time again to say farewell to a year of memories and jump full force into a brand new year of possibilities! 

And what would be better than celebrating with a few bubbles to tickle your nose?

Here are a few of our favorite champagne induced cocktails because just plain champagne wouldn't be creative enough!

*sidebar: Any of these can easily be turned into mock-tails by substituting your favorite flavors from http://www.lacroixwater.com/flavors/

Fresh is always better in my book but don't be afraid to use what you have in your fridge or pantry! And for gosh sakes don't forget to garnish!!! Fresh berries, sugared rims and drink stirs can make the drink!

Pink Lemonade: Pour 1 tablespoon lemonade and 1 splash of grenadine or pomegranate juice into each flute, then pour in 5 ounces of sparkling wine.

Tart and Sweet: Stir 1 tablespoon grapefruit juice and 1 teaspoon honey together in the bottom of a flute until the honey loosens and dissolves. Pour in 5 ounces of sparkling wine and stir very gently to incorporate, as the wine will continue to fizz.

Quick Bellini: Gently stir 1 tablespoon peach or apricot jam into a flute filled with 5 ounces of sparkling wine, taking care as the wine will continue to fizz.

Minty Berry: With the end of a wooden spoon or spatula, gently smash 1-2 chopped strawberries and 2 large, roughly torn mint leaves in the bottom of a flute to release the berries' juices and the mint's essential oils. Pour in 5 ounces of sparkling wine.

Rosy Raspberry: With the end of a wooden spoon or spatula, gently smash 2-3 raspberries and a small handful of rosemary leaves in the bottom of a flute to release the berries' juices and the rosemary's fragrance. Pour in 5 ounces of sparkling wine.

Happy New Year!

The best is yet to come!

Celeste ️xo