Holidays 2017: New Years

Night Before New Years Eve Party
For the last five years my mother and I have hosted a “Night Before” New Years Eve party at our ranch partly inspired by Jeffrey Katzenberg’s “Night Before” the Oscars party. Though his party is all about raising money for The Motion Picture and Television Fund, ours is more about the avoidance of hosting a big New Year’s Eve bash and all that that entails. The night before the big ball drop doesn’t hold quite the same pressure for off the charts merry making and allows for a quieter, more relaxed friends and family vibe. We’re still celebrating the season and ushering in a New Year with joy and laughter just without all the popping champagne bottles, riotous countdowns and forced smooching. I look forward to it every year and start planning menus and decor early November.Continue Reading

The Great Escape: My 2 Day Getaway To Jackson Hole WY

Jackson Hole WY
As I write this I am sitting in a pretty little brunch spot called Persephone in downtown Jackson Hole WY…by myself…all alone…so so alone…and it’s amazing! I mean I’m not totally alone, I’m surrounded by all the other patrons. There are quite a few of them, this being a busy September weekend in Jackson. Yet despite the throngs of humanity that surround me, I am alone. Alone meaning, no husband, no kids, no companion of any kind. Just me, my chai latte and my brioche. I can’t even remember the last time I ventured into the world on my own. I haven’t sat in a cafe by myself since…I truly can’t even remember. I’m not gonna lie, it was a little unnerving at first. I was a bit hesitant to head out the door, but now that I’m here well…I feel a perfect and quiet contentment. I am free to do whatever I please in this moment. I could just sit here and stare out the window for awhile. I can write this post with total absorption for as long as the place stays open. I could eat two more of these amazing brioches and drink six more chai lattes. I have no dishes screaming at me to be washed, no children interrupting me every two seconds, no dogs to feed, no house to tidy. I am footloose and fancy free for this one afternoon in Jackson and it is just what my body, mind and soul needed. A chance to sit and breath. To indulge my own needs and desires and creativity in a beautiful place just far enough away from all the demands of my day to day life.Continue Reading

A Badlands Birthday!

Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl and Meg Heigl-Beltran
July is a month where I get to celebrate the two most important women in my life. My mother and my sister. With their birthdays just a week a part I kinda have my hands full planning parties, dinners or some type of celebration that honors them. This year my sister was able to make it up to the mountains to attend my mother’s party at the ranch and while she was here I managed to plan a fun pool day party to celebrate her birthday as well. Two parities in one week had us eating more than our share of cake but it was well worth it to get to show the women I love just how much they mean to me. Here’s a look at my mother’s party. I hope my ideas will help inspire your next fete!Continue Reading

What Came First?

Katherine Heigl collecting eggs from the chicken coop on her ranch
Growing up my mother created a tradition of omelets for dinner. I’m sure it was to give herself a night off from the more complicated gourmet dinners she usually made, though the omelets tasted pretty damn gourmet too. I loved it because it felt a bit wild – breakfast for dinner? Crazy! Yeah, I realize I wasn’t really living on the edge as a kid, but whatever, it was cool to me! So in keeping with tradition and my need for an easy, quick fix meal option, I’ve implemented the omelet for dinner night at the Kelley house. Wild, I know! Continue Reading