I probably shouldn't be writing this post right now because I'm feeling really frustrated--with typepad, which is still giving me issues with responding to your comments, making me feel very disconnected with all of you. And with firefox who insists on reinstalling every time I open it, and then takes me to some different version that isn't the one I was using before.

And while I'm at, the girls and I are all battling colds--nothing horrible, just not functioning at 100% which results in lack of sleep and lots of sisterly bickering.

But anyway, focusing on the positive......we had friends over this weekend for dinner. It was so much fun. Lots of good food, lots of laughing, while my kids moved from lap to lap and enjoyed being in the mix of it all--that's one of the perks of being host. Even though I have to work a little more (aka clean to get my house presentable), the actual entertaining part is so much more relaxing and enjoyable for me, when I can have people over to my house. I don't have to worry about my kids breaking things, or climbing on things, or getting too tired to hold it together.

My friend Kate, who came Saturday night is getting ready to take her hobby of baking to the next level and will be starting classes at the Art Institute in Philly very soon. She sent us an email last week with a list of about ten desserts, asking us to vote on which we wanted her to make. That's my kind of election.

Apparently, you get more votes when you're the hostess because my vote for the Toffee Cheesecake won out. And when I got it out on Sunday to nibble on after lunch, it looked so yummy, I had to take that picture.

I've also been meaning to share this sweet clutch of birds that Molly sent to me a few weeks ago. I absolutely love them, as does my husband, and my children. They'll be roosting in our Christmas tree very soon, and then they'll find their permanent perch somewhere prominent in our home. Molly, thank you so much. Your pottery is on its way. (check out Molly's new work with burlap. Oh my.)