Floral & Spice Gift Box

Can you believe that Valentine's Day is around the corner? It seems like we just had Christmas dinner. To be honest, I still have my Christmas decorations up... Ugh, just the thought of taking it down makes my head hurt. It's not some much the taking the decorations down that bother me. It's trying to cram those heavy Rubbermaid containers back into the closet, but it has to be done.

We've been busy taste testing recipes for Valentine's Day. Our gift box this year is a collection of floral and spice infused sweet confections. In the box we have the following flavors; Rose Water Infused Pink Peppercorn Sables, Hibiscus Sables Breton and Raspberry Sables with Chocolate Drizzle. You can buy them here.

Happy Blogiversary!

Today over coffee, I realized that exactly one year ago yesterday; I posted my first blog post. Anyone who knows me, were completely shocked that I started a blog. I must admit that it is a challenge for me. I am not one to share, I am an extremely private person. 

I was never the kid with the "secret" diary. I kept my feelings to myself and rarely shared them. I had a coloring book (Strawberry Shortcake Coloring/Activities Book) and as I got older, my coloring books evolved into sketchbooks. Drawing and painting was my escape as a child and quite frankly, that hasn't changed much. So, "writing" about my feelings and thoughts is very, very new to me.

I must admit, the idea behind this blog was to promote my business. As I started posting, I felt kind of weird about hammering on and on about my business. With each post I started sharing a little more about myself, family, travels, and recipes. So, Sugar 'n Pickles became more of a visual journey of my business ventures (mistakes included) and family. Later, I found out that my aunt in Brazil starting following my blog. Again, this little blog involved into a way to communicate with family across the globe.

Like I mentioned before, my 2011 plan is judge less and share more. I will do my best to continue on that plan.

Home Sweet Home

For the past few days, we (my husband and I) have been in Amherst/Buffalo, NY and I kinda no, no...I truly miss home. It's not that I don't enjoy traveling because I do, but my husband is here for work. I'm stuck in our hotel room because it's been snowing, not to mention that I have a stomach bug/food poisoning. The sheets in the hotel room feels and sounds like I'm sleeping in a paper bag. So... yeah, I miss my bed (6 days, 2 hours, 45 minutes and 29 seconds), but who's counting.

I shouldn't make it sound like it's all that bad. Providing that this stomach bug/food poisoning goes away, I am actually looking forward to Saturday. We are going to an Ice Wine Festival in Canada. Did you know ice wine existed? I sure didn't and I'm excited.

The pictures are quick cellphone snapshots from my hotel window.

The First Day

It's Saturday morning (okay, it's really noon), and I'm sipping my first cup of coffee of the new year. Can I just say one thing...Wow! What a year. Sometimes it's hard to be retrospective, but the whirlwind of 2010 is over. Gratitude is what I feel as I reflect. There were some good moments and some bad ones, but nonetheless they were all great moments.

There were big changes and great adventures in 2010. Zugar Haus was just a thought a couple of years ago and a part-time adventure. In 2010, I completely left the rat race to focus on Zugar Haus full-time. It was a scary leap, but worth every unacquainted moment.

My husband and I, also had an amazing opportunity to travel to Europe. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Italy...it was almost surreal. I was forever changed by the people I met, places I got to see and food I got to eat (lots and lots of Brie...oh, I do miss the Brie from Liechtenstein). Most importantly, I was able to share the experience with my husband.

In a nutshell, there were accomplishments, adventures, mishaps, disappointments and travels. I don't know about you, but I never really make resolutions; I plan. For 2011, I plan to be true to myself, judge less and share more. What's your 2011 plan?

Oh, the pictures are from the December 26, 2010 blizzard. These were quick snapshots that were taken with my cellphone. Thirty-two inches of snow...yikes!

Happy New Year!