health education master.

please join me in congratulating slim

on finishing his masters program!!!

i am beyond proud of him.

to celebrate mr. smarty pants, we went to seed

a new hot-spot in the big city of marietta!

as a surprise, we had the menu customize to celebrate 

slim and his HUGE accomplishment.

o my gosh- it really is a personalized menu!

the baby came to celebrate too!

my folks joined us also!

as a bonus, our fabulous cori joined us & surprised slim

with a delicious cake!

the cake was also very personalized!

way to go, my darling. 

i'm so very proud of all your hard work & dedication to learning!

dear ned...

cara turns 30 tomorrow.

no pressure!

mazels.

juliana, a sweet little thang i first met when she was

4 got bat mitzvahed this saturday. i babysat juliana

and her sister for years before going away to college.

i love these girls so much & they're growing up so fast!

juliana shared her day with a friend, so when two 

are bar/bat mitzvahed it's called a b'not- double celebration!

juliana read her torah portion perfectly.

she did her mitzvah project with team in training & raised a

bunch of money. she's a real cool kid. 

me with the beautiful bat mitzvah girl!

she's 13. can you believe it?

slim's 1st bat-mitzvah!

me & the little one, sophia.

she's a fireball of energy & spunk & attitude.

mazel tov, juliana! so proud of you.

elly's best day ever.. part 2.

we now pronounce you....

elly & tate johnson!

elly's parents watching the first dance.

the newlyweds danced to ray's you are the best thing

which was super special bc that was slim & i's first dance too!

elly's dad is a wonderful dancer- they shagged it out!

i just loved this lady's hat.

i don't know who she is, but she was stylin'!

best day ever!

us.

super cool vintage cake topper.

elly changed into a hot lil white # & we danced our

hearts out to the awesome band.

elly was like let's get this garter off & let's go to mexico!

bow chicka- bow bow. 

it really was just the best day ever!

the bride & groom left under a shower of sparklers

and hopped into a sweet hot rod and off they went!

congrats to the johnsons! xoxo

juliana.

we just received a bat mitzvah invite for an 

amazing little girl, juliana i used to babysit for in high school.

she was 4 and i was 17 when we 1st met.

her mom, wendi is one of the major reasons i wanted to 

become a social worker. wendi is so strong, so smart

and an amazing advocate, mother & friend.  

i can't believe juliana is being bat mitzvahed!!

makes me feel a bit old...

groundhog day.

it doesn't even feel like we've even had a winter yet...

i really like bill murray.
enjoy your day!

dirty shirley.

first drink after the whole30.

yum.

merry xmas!

jimmy fallon's mad libs christmas reading

 featuring stud-muffin brian williams!

i hope everyone has a wonderful day! 

xoxo

4th night.

another fabulous hanukkah celebration with our family! 

dr. naderi joined us too & brought delicious wine and great convo.

check out this amazing cake my mom made-

it doesn't get anymore symbolic of our people than this!

*it tasted just as good as it looks.

here's the recipe for the 

north carolina cherolkee village brown sugar pound cake

*longest cake name ever, right?

i love this old school menorah.

we've been using this one forever!

happy happy!

the shed & church

i turned 27 on the 17th.

i had a fabulous birthday!

me & the baby- how pretty is she- omg!

the baby surprised me with 2 vintage pyrex pieces!!

lea, jared, jeff, tj, me, raffy, slim & brian williams made up

the most exciting & loud table at the shed at glenwood

*thx for the recommendation cori! it was amazing!

i take making birthday wishes very seriously.

it's a homemade birthday ding-dong!

.d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.

handsome jared- still glowing from his safari.

we went to a bar called church..

(sister louisa's church of the living room & ping pong emporium)

slim kicked some major hipster ping pong booty!

the art was amazing & cringe-worthy.

xxx.

thanks to everyone for making my birthday so special!

thxgiving

trying to play catchup...

we had a fabulous thanksgiving at my in-laws.

we started off the day with the macy's parade and hot chocolate.

and then we baked... and baked and...

stella was a great baking companion.

spiced heirloom pumpkin pie.

and we added a toasted meringue top.

mom created a super sweet pound cake.

thick.yum.tummy ache.

roasted fruit trifle w/ caramel sauce, sherry smothered lady fingers & love.

owen & my pops chillin & being silly.

mom surprised owen with a cute turkey cupcake.

lea & oliver sitting in a tree...

oliver was all smiles & snuggles.

those buckert boys are too cute!!

the baby aka baking badass.

hope everyone had a fabulous and warm thanksgiving!