Yesterday was my birthday, and it was fantastic. We were included in the nasty Northeast snowstorm, which actually worked out to my advantage because the guys were able to stay home from school. Big silver lining.

Erick is so creative-during most of our celebrations he has led me on a little treasure hunts. He comes up with witty little poems that are clues to small gifts, which ended up bringing forth a Frappucino, Mac’s Kettle Corn, Junior Mints, and a Gift card yesterday. (Is he trying to fatten me up?) The BIG HUGE surprise from Erick, the boys, and his mom was an IPod Nano. An IPod! I feel so…hip, now. I can’t wait to save up for a docking station of some sort so I can fill the house with music. I love that we can have a tiny stereo that won’t be surrounded by a plethora of cds!

Mom and Dad gave me some spending money (Etsy, here I come!) and Jan Karon’s brand new book, Home to Holly Springs. I can’t tell you how blessed I felt yesterday. It was perfection.

I was also treated to tacos and sopapillas, (a favorite), and a delicious Deep Chocolate Almond Cake made by my lovely parents. Ack! Could I ask for anything more? I don’t think so!

To top things off, I sold some fabric on Etsy and am on a roll coming up with items to sell. Hold me to it, people…I’m opening up a new shop come Sunday. I can’t WAIT!

I had to mark the day with some pictures-we spent a good portion of the evening in front of the photobooth on Erick’s Mac. These are the only two E mailed to me last night-they sure are cute, though.

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!

I’m a Jan Karon fan, and in the spirit of the many conversations Father Tim and Cynthia bat back and forth about their likes and dislikes, I figured I’d post a few of my own. Mainly because I’m hungry and would love to write about food.

We are a family of pasta-holics, and I am infinitely grateful to Barilla for coming up with Barilla Plus. I no longer feel completely guilty about consuming straight semolina, because you really seem to get your bang for your buck with this good stuff! Protein in pasta? I’m game! Actually, I almost gag when I go back to the regular noodles anymore.

Another fave has to be Smart Balance’s Natural Peanut Butter. I’m definitely a convert from the fake stuff, and can do just about any Natural PB…however, my hubby won’t settle for many brands of natural except for Smart Balance. I love the chunky type. I was reading in one of his Men’s Health mags lately, and it mentioned that the regular PB we’ve all been used to for so long actually has the same sugar paste in it that icing does. No Thanks!

One more foodie item-if you’ve never had ABC’s Phenomenal Pumpkin Spice Cookie, you are sooooo missing out. They are a vegan company, and although I’m not a vegan, I could convert if all food tasted this good. They are at every health food store in our area. YUM!

Well, this could last forever-I have too many likes! No time for dislikes today. I just might make this a regular post. Go curl up with a Jan Karon, and be inspired yourself. You won’t regret it!