The Father and Daughter Dance

Tonight my little lady and The Husband went to the annual Father and Daughter Dance hosted by an Ambassador level Girl Scout troop in our town.

It's too sweet for words.

The Kitchen Reader - Season to Taste

This months Kitchen Reader selection is Season to Taste by Molly Birnbaum chosen my Katherine Martinelli

Season to Taste is the memoir of Molly Birnbaum who loses her sense of smell, amongst other traumas, after being hit by a car while running.  Now one may think, "Oh smell, I can live without smell!  "It's better then losing this, that or the other thing."  but for Molly it's a great loss.  Without smell, there is no taste, and Molly needs to taste (and smell) because her dream is to become a chef. 

The book takes you on a journey through her loss, and her quest to learn if there is any hope she will ever smell and taste again. 

I found Season to Taste to be more about the science behind our ability, or inability to smell than it is about food and/or cooking, and for that reason it was just OK for me.  I found myself skimming over the science looking to read more about how she coped without tasting food, when she did taste something, smelled something, etc.  I found myself rooting for her throughout the book, fingers crossed she'd be able to smell and taste again and eventually become a chef.   

No spoilers here.  You'll have to read it to find out what happens.


I give the book 3 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to those who like a good memoir.


Next months selection is:  Dinner Roles: American Women and Culinary Culture by Sherrie A Inness (chosen by Liz of enter with love into darkness)


P.S. I will not be participating with The Kitchen Reader every month (which you may have noticed), if you are interested in the book selections and the members reviews, you can visit the blog here.  However, I am going to try and participate when the book selection is one I haven't already read. 

Happy Reading!

Deliciousness

My friend Liz recently blogged about her new panini press and after reading her post I decided to pull my out and make some delicious sandwiches!

Recipe from the February 2011 issue of Clean Eating

Goat Cheese and Kalamata Paninis
14 pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1  12-oz whole-grain Italian loaf bread, halved lengthwise
2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 1/2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1 large tomato sliced
olive oil cooking spray


In a medium bowl, combine olives, onion, garlic, basil, pepper flakes, and vinegar.  Place bread halves on cutting board cut side up, and spoon olive mixture onto bottom half of bread.  Top with spinach, cheese, and tomato.  Top with other half of bread and press down lightly to adhere. Using a serrated knife, cut bread into 4 equal pieces.


Heat a large skillet or (panini press) over medium high heat.  Coat with non stick spray, then add sandwiches.  If using the pan add weight to sandwiches by covering them with a sheet of aluminum foil, then top with something heavy (a stack of plates, another smaller heavier skillet etc).  Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until lightly golden on the bottom.  Remove, flip the sandwich, and brown the other side.  I'm not an expert on panini presses but the one we have has a light which turns green when the sandwich is done and of course you can lift the lid and take a look for yourself. 


So very yummy.  I enjoy meatless meals (and prefer them) but The Husband is a dedicated meat eater and he really liked it, so that's saying something!

Will It Ever End?

My poor little baby is sick again.  As my friend Jamie said "You guys are getting slammed this season."  And she's right.  I don't even know what to say or think any more? I feel as though it's a growing trend, year after year of sickness.  Being a mom and a worrier to boot, it scares me a bit.  Why all the sickness???  

Anyway, enough of this pity party it's time for me to get back to taking care of my little boy.  Time for me to encourage him to drink some more water and maybe I'll give him little back tickle (his favorite).  

Fairy Cottage

Last Saturday A and some fellow Girl Scouts went to our local nature center to create a "fairy Cottage".  

They each received the base for their cottage, a piece of tree trunk or large branch, which was cut to about a one and half inch thickness.  They then were able to gather their materials; beads, pine cones, shells, feathers, sticks, cork, etc.  (the little baby could be made to look like a fairy or you could leave her as is)

The instructor was wonderful. She guided them but let them use their own creativity and ideas.  What I especially liked was there was no "sample".  I personally dislike samples for children feeling it inhibits the child's natural creative abilities, stifling what they would have done on their own and bringing on thoughts of "It has to look like that, or it's not right".  Ugh.  My biggest pet peeve as an educator.  

And to prove my point, if only to myself, every girls looked completely different.  The only similarities being the materials used.

I should have made one too.......

6 Books for Foodies

I don't consider myself a bonafide foodie but I do enjoy food enough to consider myself somewhat of a foodie.  And I certainly do enjoy a good book about food.  So I was quite excited when I saw this post on Oprah.com.  Some books listed I have read and own, the others are now on my "to read/purchase list".  

Read this and have cooked from it after reading Julie and Julia.

I'm a huge fan of Julie Child.

Have taken this one out of the library several times.  A great cookbook.  

Very informative about how to cook with fresh, whole foods and how to find the best produce and ingredients.  I just love Jamie Oliver, he's a lovable scamp.

Jamie's Food Revolution Program was one I looked forward to seeing every week when it was on Friday nights. Sadly, I don't believe it airs any more. 

On my "to read" list

to read

to read

Read.  

If you have read anything from Michael Pollan 

you know how his words will change your life.

This post got me thinking;  What is my favorite book about food, my favorite cookbook?  What is missing from this list?

I know that Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl was one of the first books to change my entire perception of food, cooking, and books about food, so I would have to say Tender at the Bone is my favorite "food" book.  My favorite cookbook right now is  

Which I wrote about here

And I would add The Joy of Cooking to the list.  It's a classic cookbook which everyone knows about and if you happen to own an older copy you'll find some pretty interesting recipes, such as how to cook squirrel. (I happen to own an older edition) YUM, right?  Humor aside, it truly is a classic.  I feel everyone can enjoy reading and cooking from it.  I promise there are many recipes without squirrels and opossum!  

What's your favorite?

Would you add anything to the list?

Was there a particular food book that changed your views on food, eating, etc? 

Let me know.  I'd like to hear about others experiences and I always love to add to my "to read" list!

Happy reading and eating!

Cookies!!!

We had a very successful day.

We sold 185 boxes of cookies

made $740 &

received $56 in donations!  

Way to go girls!

The Simple Woman's Daybook :: Today

I found The Simple Woman's Daybook years ago but never participated online.  I did however use the prompts in my journals, dedicating one entirely to it.  It makes you stop and really pay attention to where you are in the moment.  By using the prompts, you have to take the time to look outside your window, to notice the weather, to think about what you are thankful for, and what you are wondering, just to name a few.  It's a nice way to give yourself  a few minutes to sit and think about you and to "notice".


So find a nice quiet place to sit, grab a cup of tea and start recording your own Daybook.


Here's mine:


FOR TODAY

Outside my window... clouds, a bit chilly, and damp

I am thinking... about reading (all the books I want to read next), girl scout cookie booth sale tomorrow, and dinner

I am thankful... for the time I had to get things done in the past two days

In the kitchen... bean and cheese burritos

I am wearing... comfy clothes: UConn sweatshirt and pink yoga pants

I am creating... nothing at the moment but have quite a list of things to make

I am going... no where (and I like it!!)

I am wondering... when the sun will come out again!

I am reading... Season to Taste by Molly Birnbaum

I am hoping... for everyone to stay healthy

I am looking forward to... Sunday when we have nothing to do!

I am learning... about Ayurveda

Around the house... hanging new shades in the bedrooms, some new bedding for J, staining our new book shelves

A favorite quote for today... "Ah!  There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort" Jane Austen 

One of my favorite things... Shopping for things for the house

A few plans for the rest of the week: Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale tomorrow morning

A peek into my day... here you are supposed to share a picture, I have nothing for today (I didn't even take out my camera once!)

Will you, or have you, participated in The Simple Woman's Daybook?

Project Linus Update

I have a very exciting update from my last post!  We had a total of 71 blankets completed last Saturday for our annual Project Linus event, we are now up to 75 blankets!  I have had quite a few little girls show up on my front steps with blankets they made at home because they couldn't make it to our event.  Can you believe the generosity?


P.S.  Home again the past few days with J who has been sick with terrible stomach pains. Fortunately, he's much better today and I think he'll be able to go back to school tomorrow. There has been so much sickness in our house lately.  I really hope this is it.

Project Linus 2012

We've just completed our annual Project Linus Event for the Girl Scouts in our area.  The girls arrived, signed in, received their Project Linus patch and directions for a no sew blanket, and got to work.  We had a total of 69 girls today.  With A making 2 extra blankets with Nana's help, we have a grand total of 71 blankets to donate this year!!  Not as many as last year but still a great amount which we know will be greatly appreciated by many families from surrounding hospitals.  
"Our girls" couldn't be happier or more proud.  I saw so many wonderfully giddy little girls today, it's a great feeling.  I honestly feel so proud of what we have done as a troop.  This year alone, we have created 20 Blessing Bags* for a homeless shelter, the 71 blankets for Project Linus, and we are in the middle of a Diaper Donation for a local community closet.  Today we received 30 packages of diapers (10 from one troop alone!  Every girl who came from this troop today to make a blanket, also donated a package of diapers!!)  Wow! 


The generosity is overwhelming.  


I am already looking forward to next years event.  


*I was greatly influenced by these blessing bags.  I shared the idea with my troop and we made a similar bag, containing similar items.

More Creative Uses for GS Cookie Boxes

That's my boy!

Do You Ever Get in the Mood?

To cook that is!!  Jeeze, your dirty minds!!  hee hee.


Today I was in the mood to cook.  I literally cooked the day away. And because I was so into it, I decided to use the time wisely by preparing some of our meals for the week instead of cooking all kinds of things I want to eat and then eating them and then, well, you get the picture. 


My new found favorite is this Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.  I can even remember when I purchased it.  It has to be seven or so years ago.  I bought it at a local bookstore which was closing it's doors when J was still a wee baby.  

I used it once and didn't like the meal at all.  It lacked flavor and because of that it has sat on my shelf for ages.  I recently asked my sister how she makes her spaghetti sauce and she was explaining it to me when she stopped and said "I use that cookbook you have there."  OH!  I guess I'll have to give it another try.  I made the same recipe for sauce as my sister and it was delicious.  Since then I have used it at least once a week for one of our dinners or a dessert.

Today I made:

• Quiche with sauteed mushrooms, onion, and some chopped artichokes (put in the freezer for another week)

• Spaghetti Sauce Italiano ( a different sauce then the first)

• Scrambled Egg Pizza (with bacon, mushrooms, zucchini and mozzarella cheese) 

• Brownie Pudding  (a recipe from a 1944 Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, which they included in the cookbook)

And not from the cookbook, but also made today, roasted veggies.  My new favorite.  I eat them on rice, on pita pizzas for lunch, in scrambled eggs or anything else I can think of.  LOVE roasted veggies.  So good.

I have also made:

• Tortilla-Black Bean Casserole

• Crunchy Catfish

• BBQ Burgers

• Spaghetti Sauce 

So here I am in love with a cookbook that feels new to me, even though it has sat on my shelf for the past 7 years.  I'm glad I took another chance on this one.

Do you have a go-to cookbook, a favorite?

An Amazing Rescue

One of my most favorite animals is the Dolphin.  (Yes I am an Owl Lover, but Dolphins were my first love)  When I came across this video today I was actually cheering on these very kind hearted people.  Yelling "You can do it!" and to "Hurry! Hurry!"


Thank the heavens the dolphins became stranded during the day with many people around to help.  If this had occurred at night there would be 30 dead dolphins.  My heart feels sad just thinking of the "what ifs".  Thankfully all these precious creatures were saved and I can't stopped smiling!


I have to admit, if I were there I would of hugged one before I pulled it back into the water. I would have to, I love them so.  

Take a look.

How to Build a Perfect Fort

Girl Scout cookie boxes, bristle blocks, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and a cape or two. Really, what else does one need?

This fort was created by C

More Sickness. Can you Believe it?

Seriously, strep again?  

All three kids have had it and one had it twice.  That's four cases of strep in this house in less then one month.  How The Husband and I have escaped it so far, is beyond me? Although my throat has been "uncomfortable' for many weeks now and I have ignored it.  Maybe I should go get it checked out? 


Anyway, C has it now and you would never even know.  He's happy and playful.  I took him to the Dr. this morning for a cough that was sounding a little funky.  When she looked in his throat she couldn't believe he hadn't been complaining about it.  He hasn't said a word about anything bothering him!  What a trooper!  


So needless to say, we'll be home again tomorrow taking it easy and I'm keeping my fingers crossed this will be it for awhile.  


Please oh please, let this be it!!!!

Being Gracious

After acknowledging several rants I've gone on at home as well as on the blog, I've decided to work on being more gracious.  For me being more gracious means being more in-tune to others, to listen more, be more thankful, more kind, more considerate, less judgmental.  I remembered I had written down ways to be gracious in my journal but where I read it and copied it from escapes me?  Once I found them, I read them again and yes, I need to be more gracious.  I knew when I was writing those words they would be there to remind me when I needed reminding, and lately I need some reminding!


Here are 10 ways to be gracious: (author and from where escapes me right now)

1. Being gracious is someone who is humble and desires to praise others.

2. Someone who is gracious would never seek out to embarrass another person deliberately.

3. A gracious individual is quick to say ‘thank you’ for even the smallest gesture.

4. Listening to the other person more than talking about yourself is gracious characteristic.

5. Not “one upping” someone or being spiteful is considered being gracious.

6. A gracious person makes a point of paying attention to others.

7. Consciously being mindful to say what is appropriate is a gracious choice.

8. A gracious person seeks out ways to make others feel comfortable and appreciated.

9. Being gracious means knowing you are not indispensable and respects everyone’s contribution.

10. To be gracious is to recognize the good in everyone and every situation as the first option.


Now comes the hard part. Being gracious when I haven't always been.  It's going to be a challenge.  One I will have to be conscious of every waking moment until it becomes my nature.  I've heard it takes approximately 30 days to make or break a habit.  30 days is not too long, no? 


(And quite a nice lesson for the children to learn too!)

What Ever Happened to The 10-Day Family Re-Charge?

You may or may not be wondering why I haven't mentioned The 10 Day Family Re-Charge, seeing as I have had it there on my side bar for over a month now.  The truth is, I couldn't get into.  This is completely about me and not about Erin who created the program.  I guess it didn't begin at the "right" time for me. 


Each morning I would receive an email from Erin with the days activity, thoughts, etc.  I would read them and save them.  As the days went on, I noticed I was not doing any of it or following through.  I knew it wasn't the right time.  I decided to print each edition and save it for when the "right" time comes along.  (I'm thinking maybe this summer?)


I've always noticed, even as a little girl, that my interests are many, and come and go.  They never "go" completely but there may be months or even years when a particular hobby or interest takes a back seat for another.  


Sometimes I scrapbook for days and days and then I don't for five months.  Knit and knit and then not pick up a needle for almost an entire year.  


But when I like something, even love it, if it's something I feel a strong need to learn (such as eating whole foods, the benefits of Yoga, how to knit, sew, or Montessori Education) I go full throttle.  I take it head on.  I read everything and anything I can get my hands on, I purchase materials to help gain a skill or accomplish whatever it may be. I want to talk about it with like minded people.  There is no "half way" for me when it feels right.  But there will be times when one of those are put aside for awhile while I learn something else or feel like "getting back" into something I'm already familiar with.


As a child this behavior used to bother me.  I'd wonder if it were "normal" to always be changing what I was "into" or collecting for example?  But as an adult, I find it wonderful and challenging to learn about new things and to gain new skills.  I wouldn't have it any other way.


I wonder, have or are, any of you the same way about a hobby or interest?  How does it make you feel?  


P.S. I hope to return to The 10 Day Family Re-Charge and blog about it when the time feels right.