seventeen

Fifth child’s birthday is always New Year’s Day, this year she’s seventeen. As usual, it was dinner in: family and friends gathered round breaking bread. We turned up the heat with some three-chili harissa chicken, added a little of the morning’s bacon fat to the corn bread, made some beans in a great little vegetable broth, sautéed all kinds of greens, and put twelve grapes on skewers for a champagne cocktail in hopes of twelve months of upcoming sweetness.

We’re always flying a little by the seat of our pants, woke up on New Year’s Day and realized we just didn’t have enough chairs in the house to fit everyone around one table, so off the rental company we went, and threw in square plates and black napkins. On the spot decided on a silver and black theme and had kids and houseguests glitter up some silver place cards.

No resolutions or best of here, we go for the every day: every day make the bed, get out of the gym clothes, put on a little make-up, spend time with those you love, make some dinner, enjoy a glass of wine. Tomorrow it’s the first Monday of a new year, and I’ll be driving eight minutes down the road to our design studio. Oldest daughter just boarded a flight so she can start her week in Hong Kong, god speed.

Happy Birthday Lizzie, and wishing everyone near and far a year ahead full of all good things. xoxo