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image via Kelly McGuill Home

I just booked my 3 day retreat from the world at Kripalu in the Berkshires.   One word to describe how I feel right now: excited!   I’ve been practicing yoga for almost 9 years.  The majority of the time was on and off, but for the past 2 years, I’ve been getting a very regular practice going and trying out many different styles which have lead me to seeing what Kripalu is all about.

The past few months have been a little difficult on me for some reason.  Could be the time of year, could be the decline in the real estate market, I’m not sure.  What I do know is that when I asked my parents to help me go to Kripalu for a 3-day retreat, I knew that this is where I needed to be.   Turn the cell phone off, no email and no television.  Heck, they don’t even have coffee there   Here is just a sampling of the things I will be doing:

•  Twice daily yoga classes: Kripalu Yoga & Vigorous Vinyasa Yoga
•  Meditation
• Origins of the Human Diet
• Ayurveda: A Life in Balance
• Guided hikes (weather permiting)
• Whole foods cooking demos

amazing photo was taken by Tanja Lippert

We are engaged!  Yaaaa!

I am so excited to be engaged to my best friend Raff.  What a wonderful Christmas Eve we had and we’ve been celebrating with family and friends ever since.  The outpouring of happiness that our friends and family have displayed is truely unbelievable.

Let the planning begin!  There are so many great resources out there that we can probably pull of a pretty awesome affair with some research and resourcefulness.  We are not sure where or when the great event will take place, but it will be New England!   Stay tuned for the upcoming details regarding the festivities!

I am becoming more and more a fan of mid-century residential architecture.  Maybe because I live in the land of Colonials and Capes, but this is my perfect dream.  I love the simplicity.  How the the details of the house are it’s features, not the items in them.   The way the outside is part of the inside.  Its perfect.

This Palm Springs home was auctioned off in May for $19Million and is back on the market due to the deal falling through.  The listed price:  $12.98 Million .  Here is complete slide show from the WSJ Real Estate Section.

I used to hem and haw over the menu for Thanksgiving.  Wanted it to be good food, but also a little unusual.  Due to lack of time and energy this season, I turned to Raff and asked him what he wanted to cook for the big Turkey-day.  His response:  Our theme this year should be “keep it simple”.  I couldn’t agree more.

Here is the menu:

Appetizers:  Antipasto w/provolone, procuitto, salami, artichoke hearts, pickled veggies.

Roasted Turkey via Alton Brown (Raff thinks he is a genus and we’ve been doing this recipe for 3 years now)

Huge bowl of Mashed Potatoes

Stuffing (courtesy of Mary Lou - we don’t do stuffing very well and she is the master)

Green Beans w/Shallots and Pancetta

Roasted Acorn Squash (cut into quarters)

Cranberry Sauce (Recipe on the back of the Ocean Spray Package)

Popovers (if I can handle it - didn’t come out too good last year.  I found out the secret is to pre-heat the pan)

Dessert:  Ricotta Pie (Another Mary Lou favorite that I now can’t live without) & Pecan pie (My first attempt at a pie, we’ll let you know how it goes)

What I am reading now….

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz talks about how simple it is to be happy just by being our true selves and following the “four agreements”

1. Be impeccable with your word

2. Don’t take anything personally

3. Don’t make assumptions (can’t wait to figure this one out)

4. Always do your best

I’m excited to start reading it, and feel that it is going to be a book I keep with me always.