One of my New Year's Resolutions was to order less food delivery. There is an amazing array of delicious neighborhood cuisine available to be delivered here in NYC, and it has saved us eating pb&j for dinner on many an occasion, but it is time for me to admit that I over-rely on it. In keeping with my goal to prepare more meals from scratch, I have tried out a bunch of new recipes in recent weeks. Two of my favorites are from Mark Bittman's website: Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad and Warm Chickpea Salad With Arugula. They are both incredibly easy and be-YOND delicious. I've already made the quinoa at least five times ;)
It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home, wrapping and unwrapping, playing, cooking, eating, watching movies, and nursing a family-sized case of the sniffles. Today we were supposed to catch a plane to Miami to spend the rest of the holiday with Taro's grandparents and mom, but with a bona fide blizzard whirling away in NYC our flight was cancelled. We are sad not to be heading to see family in warmer climes, but with our sore throats and runny noses it's probably for the best that we stay inside for at least another day, cocooned in blankets, watching still more movies in our PJ's, all while on hold with the airline ;)
I love the whimsical design and peacenik message of Smiling Planet's Earth-friendly plates and bowls. Here are my favorites:
We sent out these digital invites from Pingg, designed by Lisa Rupp, and I was really inspired by the cute illustration to continue the carnival/bunting theme. I made some colorful bunting from my stash of fabric remnants, using this easy tutorial... 
I also continued the carnival theme with these adorable little popcorn boxes that I found at Michaels, which I filled with Kettle Corn...
Here's a shot of the whole table...
...and details of the cupcakes (festooned with DIY flags made out of toothpicks and Japanese masking tape) and beverages (the refreshments could not be considered complete without Costa Rican Pineapple Fizzy Lizzies, in honor of Liz and in reference to the fact that she and Andrew babymooned recently in Costa Rica!)...
An update on my little sister is in order: Erin is, in fact, doing much much better and is now home from the hospital (she came home on Friday). Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and prayers! 
