The Frugal Traveler on how to book the cheapest flight

Great post today from Matt Gross, the New York Times' Frugal Traveler, about how to book the cheapest flights.



Go forth and save money!

We are the World....for Haiti

Nothing has moved me as much since January 12 as this video did.



Watch. Pray. Donate. Give. For Haiti.

Going to Haiti...and Then Back Again

In the whirlwind early morning hours of January 13, I learned I would be on the next plane to Haiti, packed my bags for the deployment, booked a one-way ticket with an unknown return date, and said goodbye to my husband who was on a flight later that day to Uganda for a month-long course on social medicine and global health. Phew!

* * *

Flash forward a month. I'm back in Boston, expecting a blizzard this afternoon, and trying to catch my breath after a crazy busy month of work. Double phew!

Am grateful to be safe and to be home with my husband again - but am also grateful for the opportunity to work with World Vision and travel to Haiti, to help give a voice to the voiceless there. Hoping to post more pics soon, but here are just a few.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Groth!

Well, two down, two to go. My "little" sister got married last weekend in a gorgeous wintry white, snowy, candle-lit service on January 9! (And can I just say that my Dad is a saint for raising FOUR daughters?)

The week was full of family, parties, errands, and a few tears - but it all ended with a wonderful wedding and a new brother-in-law!

Happy Christmas Birthday New Year's Wedding!

The Cusumano house has had one crazy year -- and it's about to get crazier!

B and I will be home in early January for my sister's wedding (Congrats to Katy and Matt!). Such a special time! That week will also be our family's belated Christmas celebration, New Year's Day, my birthday, my other sister's birthday, Katy's bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and *breath* the WEDDING!

I can't believe one of my "little" sisters is getting married! But what a wonderful celebration of their love; I think they are both well-prepared to enter thoughtfully and wisely into marriage, and my prayer is that they will grow together and closer in the Lord in the coming years!

And now, a few fun girly wedding things to share:

Our dresses (similar to this style from Target) - super cute and inexpensive!



My shoes (Got them in silver - great party shoes - and I found them on sale!)



The flowers - pink Gerber daisies and deep red roses:





But of course, the beautiful gown is a secret until the big day!

Thanksgiving dinner decorations

Here are a couple of pics from my Thanksgiving table setting - I was so excited about how it all turned out!

Thanksgiving Dinner ideas?

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year -- and really looking forward to having different friends and family together for a community meal! We'll probably end up having between 10-15 people in our little apartment. I'm working on the big bird, homemade rolls, and a caramel apple pie - and everyone is going to sign up to bring different dishes.

I have been looking around for some yummy recipe ideas -- and cute decorations. As much as I hate to admit it, Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving ideas are pretty great.

I want to use golds, creams, browns, and oranges for the decorations. Here's what I'm thinking so far for the table setting ---

I like the look of this simple centerpiece -- and I'd add a cream table cloth and brown satin table runner that I'm making from a piece of scrap fabric I found for $3 at Monroe Sale Works in Arlington.



I'd also like to paint some of the pumpkins and gourds in gold and cream to add some sparkle to the table.




Plus some Paper Source paper placemats



And Martha Stewart name tags



Any other good sites out there? Or creative ideas? Send them my way!