Spring Sale!

My *Asterisk* Life

Friends, Family, & Love Stories

  • Sweet Start to Spring

    What a wonderful few weeks I’ve been having. I feel like every week has been crammed with  one happy blessing after another. For example, my niece Angelina was recently named the “Most Improved Student of the Year” at her intermediate school. I am so proud of her. She works so hard and has come so…

  • Easter Wreath & Vacation

    Ahhhhhh spring! It has sprung! I love it! We just came back from some time in California (vacation for me, half work half vacation for Matt). It was a nice transition to spring, because I think (hope) while we were out there we missed the last of winter’s fury. We spent the first half in…

  • April Fool’s Day/Chicken Day for Mom!

    In case you didn’t know, one of my many jobs is an English Professor, so I love the fact that April Fool’s Day could be traced back to one of Chaucer’s most popular Canterbury Tales, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale, about a fox who plays a trick on a rooster.  You can check out the real…

  • Irish Potato Candies: Happy St Patrick’s Day!

    Happy St Patrick’s Day! Today my mom is making some corned beef and cabbage and I made some Irish potato candies for dessert. They aren’t actual potatoes, but cream cheese and coconut candies rolled in cinnamon to look like tiny potatoes just dug up from the ground. Irish potato candies are super-fast and easy festive…

  • Happy Birthday Nancy!

    Today is my oldest sister’s birthday. Nancy is 8 years older than me, which is a relatively large gap. The other day I found this BuzzFeed that really nails our relationship:   http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/things-that-happens-when-you-and-your-sibling-have-a-huge   For the most part, it’s all true. We never ever fought growing up, she was very motherly to me when I…

  • Why I Lost My Voice: Meg Took Me to See JT

    I don’t have very many friends, but the friends I have are simply amazing. Case in point: Meg. Meg and I are usually found humming along to Justin Timberlake songs at work and especially in the car. Her boyfriend Dave gave her tickets to his concert for Christmas (Meg has an awesome Boyfriend too), and she…

  • Birthdays and Weight Cake

    Last weekend we celebrated Dad’s birthday, and after weeks of keeping quiet we celebrated my brother-in-law’s surprise 40th birthday. Nancy was able to plan the surprise party without Ben having any idea. She themed the party “Fit and Forty,” and we designed invitations and favor labels to match. For centerpieces, Nancy used foam circles and…

  • Happy New Year!

    Happy new year! I hope your holiday was as blessed as mine! This year I was very excited to host Christmas lunch at my house with Matt’s family. It was the first time in a long time that all his brothers and sisters were able to make Christmas. Unfortunately we didn’t even think to take…

  • Last Minute Gift: Lottery Ticket Tree

     I wrapped all my gifts this weekend with the help of my friends Sara and Meg. We painted, stamped, and ribboned the massive amounts of brown paper I have for some really pretty wrapping paper. The last person on my list was Dad. Nothing like waiting for the last minute! My Dad insisted he didn’t need…

  • Getting Ready for Christmas & Some Sweet Treats from Pavonia Patisserie

    All the cards are sent out, but one! Every year, I save one of my Christmas cards for myself, and after New Year’s I write about the major events of the year in the card.   I had the idea during our first Christmas. I was so excited about sending out Christmas cards. I thought…