It's What's For Dinner- Week 9

Monday- Nanny's house

Tuesday- Grilled chicken, corn and mango salsa, salad

Wednesday- Fend for yourself night

Thursday- Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Friday- Jenn and Shane's wedding.

Oh, yes, it's ladies night and the feeling's right

I had a boatload of cliche titles for this post. But you just can't top a Tom Jones original.

The girls and I are headed out this evening for part 2 of Bri's bachelorette. After this dreary and depressing week, I think we are all looking forward to it. I don't think we'll even get carded and we may be paying for the debauchery for the rest of the weekend but we must send our bride out in style. And its a slumber party. I love slumber parties and hungover diner breakfasts.

Off to bake an authentic bachelorette cake. You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

"I got the ...."

UPDATE: More juicy bits on Danielle: http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/05/28/report-real-housewives-of-njs-danielle-staubs-criminal-past-revealed/ (Thanks, Jilli!)


For those of you, like me, who are addicted to The Real Housewives of New Jersey, did you catch Danielle's classy line outside of the restaurant during the world's most awkward triple date? Did she really say that? (If you didn't watch, she was mad because her man was being distant. She couldn't figure out why he preferred to hang out with his friends over her, "I got the p***y." I've cleaned it up...evidently that's not bleepable on Bravo.) She is a disaster. I can't wait for next week.

Memorial Day Weekend Wrap Up

I, like the rest of us working stiffs, love a 3 day weekend. In my case, I made it a 4 day weekend. There were many highlights and a few lowlights.

Here are the many highlights:

• Holding little Annabelle, Molly and Bobby's latest miracle. There's nothing better than the smell and warmth of a newly sprouted baby.
• Making sushi with Cory, while having a couple beers. Catching up with my husband.
• Watching Beatrice re-discover a whole collection of toys. As most parents do, we swap out her toys every couple of months. It's funny to see what she gravitates towards. This time it's an old fashioned doll (you know, the kinds we had when we were kids with those creepy, eyelashed bobbly eyes.) She hasn't put this doll down. She kisses her, washes her with a washcloth, feeds her (in her eyeballs... not sure why she doesn't aim for the mouth), and sniffs her when you ask if the baby has a poop.
• Planting the vegetable garden.
• Avoiding 2 torrential rain storms in Boston, then J.P. Mother nature, you will not beat us.
• Enjoying my first ice cream cone with my daughter. I am not one to share my ice cream with anyone. She's now the exception. And of course, I forgot my camera. I'm sure there will be many more ice cream treats this summer.
• Laughing as Beatrice went buckwild while my mom soaked her with the garden hose.
• Smiling as the children played together. Can you tell which one doesn't much like being the 'horsie'?

Here are the few lowlights:

• Getting stuck in traffic for 2 hours on Rt. 95. There was a major accident that required haz-mat suits and a shutdown of all but one lane. Just to add salt to the wound, my AC and radio were broken. I did have my dinky Walkman in my gym bag in the car. It got one one station--- the one station that prided itself on 9 traffic updates per hour. I was reminded of my dire situation 18 times. At least my car was kind enough to wait to purge its muffler until I pulled onto my street. My car is currently at the mechanic getting all of its insides fixed.
• Coming home the day after planting the garden to find out from the neighbors that the rain storm in the city was actually a hail storm here. Not thinking that's too good for a newly planted garden?!? Fine, Mother Nature, you win.
• Wincing every time Beatrice ran into garden hose water stream. My mother hadn't quite mastered her new nozzle. She was only utilizing the power wash blast mode... not really giving the mist option a try.
• Allergies. Not mine, Cory's. Poor guy is allergic to air. This is how he mows the lawn. Just in case the neighbors weren't already talking...

How did you spend your long weekend?

Baby's Breath

I am going to start a new weekly post dedicated to Beatrice. As she grows up and as we contemplate another child down the road, I am starting to panic that I won't remember all of the beautiful details that make up our memories together. My memory is junk anyways so this will be a way for me to chronicle some of the smaller moments that will for sure be lost in the recesses of my rotting brain. I have kept a baby book for her since before she was born but it really just focused on waiting for the baby, then the first year of major highlights. I'll tag everything here so that I can easily pull it up and show it to her when she's older.

Beatrice, a couple of weeks ago, while I was rocking you at bedtime, you pressed your face against my cheek. The only time you sit still or snuggle is when you are really tired. I kissed your soft little lips. You kissed me back, with your little wet tongue (you kiss like a little French baby.) Then I rubbed my nose against yours, back and forth, back and forth. You looked at me curiously, not sure about this sensation. Then you started to move your head back and forth and pretty soon we were in sync, Eskimo kissing the night away. You smooth skin smelled of a day of play and a cool bath. Your warm breath rested between us... so delicious.

Now on nights when I put you to sleep, we spend a minute or two Eskimo kissing. You've become a pro, holding my face with your fat little hands. I know this won't last much longer. The novelty will wear off. I'll try in vain to get you to rub that cute little nose against mine. There will be some inadvertent head butting until I finally give up and give in to the fact that this too has passed. And that's OK. I will patiently await our next tender moment.

It's What's For Dinner- Week 8

What a busy and fun long weekend. I am very tired right now but just remembered that its Monday so I need to post my menu for this week. This blog does keep me honest.

Monday- I'm very hungry and very tired right now. Cory and I have already had a couple of rounds in front of the fridge of "What do you want for dinner? I don't know, what do you want?" I have no energy to cook anything. Probably going to end up being a cereal for dinner night.
Tuesday- Turkey burgers and corn on the cob (Thanks for the corn, sister.)
Wednesday- Fend for yourself night
Thursday- Chicken sausage and sauteed cabbage. I know, cabbage, it seems odd. This is a major cabbage friendly house. Even Beatrice eats it. Well, she did a couple of weeks ago... who knows about this week.
Friday- Out with the girls

You're Pretty

My sister sent me this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Something to get you thinking over the long weekend. So true... what is beauty? I have to think it exists beyond airbrushing and touch ups.

There are some other great commercials on youtube as part of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. I just saw another one labeled "Beauty is a Product of Photoshop." That's a really sad commentary. Let's do better for our daughters.

Real, Fake? Who Cares?!

UPDATE: Thank you, Caitlin. I knew Dina looked familiar: http://www.bravofan.com/untitled-28/

Nope, not talking about boobies (or bubbies...we'll get to that.)If there's a bad show on television to watch, you know I'm tuning in. My latest guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives of New Jersey. They're my favorite group of crazy bitches so far. Last night's episode nearly had me packing my bags for Jersey. Wow, people like this exist? I don't care that its pretty much set up by the producers (though nothing can ever be as bad as The Hills or The City... not even I can stomach those anymore.) And I'll admit it, I kind of think the blond, Dina, is funny. And the old broad, Caroline, and her kids are entertaining. The cougar is a train wreck. The stage mom with the small bubbies is raising future generations of Real Housewives of New Jersey and the other one is just blah. I am loving every minute of this scripted season.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

I've been bitten by the craft bug. For the past month or so I've been changing/adding/removing things around our house. I have a long post on that but I need to upload the photos so that's to come. I know... you're on the edge of your seats.

In the meantime, I've been bookmarking a bunch of other projects I've found online. I love when fellow bloggers post detailed instructions. It's so nice!

I am loving this cardigan/jacket I saw on orangebeautiful.com. Its a bit ambitious but I might give it a shot. This tutorial on mightygoods.com offered some additional great tips. I have lots of extra material from other projects that would work great for this. I think I even have some satin from my wedding train (I didn't use the detachable train.)

I also love these key holders on designsponge.com. We have these cute key holders but they're not very convenient for grabbing your keys on the run (you have to delicately turn them out of the openings).

Maybe I'll start a project this weekend. In my fantasy life I would retreat down to my workshop for hours on end. I could spend days without food or sleep in Martha Stewart's craft room.

P.S. Ever wonder what the hell once bitten twice shy even means? According to UsingEnglish.com: If somebody is said to be once bitten twice shy, it means that someone who has been hurt or who has had something go wrong will be far more careful the next time. Learn something new every day. Great White, you were wise beyond your years. Click here for the rest of the lyrics and the video.

It's What's For Dinner- Week 7

Things are definitely going to be hectic around here for the next couple of months. From now until the end of the summer, we have lots of showers, weddings, parties, and BBQs. All great occasions for celebration! It will be challenging to stay on top of meal planning and cooking ahead but I'm going to give it a shot.

Here's what's we've got planned for this week:

Monday- Nanny's

Tuesday- Crockpot Chicken (chicken breasts, artichoke hearts, chicken broth, onions, garlic, capers, white wine, lemons)

Wednesday-Fend for yourself night

Thursday-Going out to dinner

Friday- Something on the grill. After all, it is the start of Memorial Day Weekend... it would be un-American to cook indoors.

Overheard at the Playground

We took the babe to the playground on Friday afternoon. She had a great time running around and even went down the slide by herself. She was doing a lot of independent exploring so Cory and I hung back while she sidled up to a group of 3 or 4 kids playing in the sandbox. She slowly waddled over to them and reached in to touch the truck they were huddled around. A little boy, about 5 years old, clearly agitated by her presence, shoots up and says to her, "You're gonna die." Beatrice, god love her, smiles at him, like he just said "You are the cutest baby I have ever seen" and reaches in to tickle his belly. (That's her de facto greeting for little people. She is not interested in personal space or getting to know someone before getting all sorts of intimate.) Cory and I give each other the horrified look and quickly usher her away. Them Southborough kids are no joke.

Mama's Day Wrap Up

I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day this weekend. Mine was spent brunching with the family. It was a lovely day. The best part was my card from Beatrice (Cory.) Actually the best part was overhearing Cory's attempts at coaxing her into the living room to give me the card. She did not get what was going on until I called to her and she came running, card in hand. Catching that first glimpse of your child rounding the corner, wobbly-legged and smiling from ear to ear, is quite possibly one of the best sights on this planet.

So I don't know if you can make out the writing in the card entitled, 11 Reasons You Are the Best Mom.* Some of my faves:

#3) You bought me a fur coat before my first birthday

#6) You let me play with sticks

#7) You carried me in your tummy for a long time

But my most favorite is #1 of course: You love me and I love you.

I am going to keep this card forever. Every time I look at it, I marvel at how very lucky I am to be Beatrice's mother and Cory's wife.

And to my precious little girl, thank you for teaching me how to be a mother. But more importantly, thank you for teaching me how to be your mama.

And finally I leave you with this special Mother's Day tribute: http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/digital-short-motherlover/1099491/

*Extra points to Cory for going green with the card. You can't make it out but in the bottom corner he wrote "card made from 100% post-consumer content." Does that man know me or what?!?

Another Steamy Night in Casablanca

I met a bunch of really funny girls this past weekend at my friend, Jenn's, bachelorette party. Rarely do you meet a group of 10 girls who are your kind of people.

One particularly funny gal was recounting a conversation she'd had with another girl... let's call her Mary. (By this point Mary had left the party.) So earlier Mary was filling them in on her recent trip to Morocco. She was laboriously describing the sights, sounds, smells, etc. and then slipped in, "I took a lover in Morocco." Evidently Mary said this dead seriously, like not in a making fun of herself kind of way. Another girl corroborated the story and noted that in a separate conversation Mary repeated that line multiple times.

That may be my favorite phrase (well, perhaps a close second to this one.) We then discussed that if you're gonna whip out a one-liner like that, its only allowed when your locale is Morocco. "I took a lover in Ashland" just doesn't carry the same weight.

It's What's For Dinner- Week 6

I am headed to Vermont for my brother's graduation from Wednesday to Thursday so we're taking the week of from the meal planning project. We'll eat leftovers and get creative with what's in the freezer and pantry. Cory will be on his own so I'm sure he'll be eating a lot of meat products and no sides. I'll be back on the planning next week.

Baby Mommas

Running around, doing lots of errands today as we are hosting Mother's Day brunch here on Sunday. Just a quick post today but I'll be back on next week.

If you are still in need of a mother's day gift, how about a donation? For the past couple of Mother's Days I've contributed to the Women's Lunch Place. This year I donated again, but for the first time took advantage of my company's matching gift program. I'd heard about this program in the past but thought the process would be really complicated. Turns out its not, you just fill out a form, send it to the charity, they fill out a part, mail it back to you, and then you send to HR. And my company will match up to $500 per employee per calendar year. I will be doing this for all of my monetary contributions this year.

Does your company offer a matching program? Do a little research, you might be surprised.

Twins

A couple of weeks ago, I was hanging out with my mom and the babies. The following conversation ensued:

Mom: "He [referencing my nephew who was wearing a white hat] looks like someone in that hat."

Me: [Silence... I'm waiting for a little more to go on before I reply.]

Mom: [Silence... I think she's waiting for me to wager a guess.]

Me: "Well, I guess he looks like his father?"

Mom: "I know that. I mean someone famous."

Me: [Silence... I'm gonna need a little more info here. Work with me, mama.]

Mom: "Oh, what's that guy's name? You know, the chef actor. C'mon, you know."

Me: "Um, Mario Batalli. [I'm just trying to make this conversation end. I've already lost interest but I know she won't stop until we figure out this 'someone famous." Maybe in her world my blond, 9 mo. old nephew resembles a 50 year old red-headed, flamboyant, clog-wearing chef? Who knows.]
Mom: "Oh, what's his name with the white hat? Ah, ya, I know. It's ah, oh what's his name. Oh ya, Don Louise."

Me: "I think you mean Dom DeLuise."

Mom: "Ya, that's what I said."

The woman may be nutty but she does have a point. Click here for the proof.

R.I.P., Don Louise: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/05/obit.deluise/index.html

And as I stare at Dom's photo, I note another striking resemblance. I don't want to start rumors but he and the Tax Man may have been separated at birth.

UPDATE: Cory just emailed me this link. Maybe my mom was thinking of him, not Dom? I don't have the energy to get back into it with her. We'll let her think Paul Prudomme and Don Louise are one in the same. R.I.P. Paul Prudhomme. In my mom's defense, I always thought these seasonings were from Dom DeLuise! That drawing looks just like him.

Cinco de Mayo

Happy Anniversary, sister. Happy Anniversary, brother-in-law.



To many more...

The Monthly Give- May 2009

Last night I baked cookies for the Salvation Army Miracle Kitchen. I dropped them off this morning on my way across town to a doctor's appointment. It wasn't my usual drop off time so I didn't recognize the elderly woman at the front desk. She accepted the box of cookies, asking me what bakery I was from. (Bakeries, restaurants and grocery stores often donate food.) I told her "Oh, no bakery. I made the cookies last night." She thanked me profusely, then reached across the counter, hugged me tightly, and planted a big red kiss on my cheek.

I was so moved by this woman's physical display of gratitude. People don't do that anymore... touch each other. We vehemently guard our personal space, keeping others at least 10 feet away. This woman's gesture didn't feel obtrusive or invasive. It felt tender and kind.

The warm and fuzzy feeling stuck with me all the way to my doctor's appointment. I walked up to the check-in desk where the receptionist greeted me, then whispered "You have lipstick on your cheek." Smile.

It's What's For Dinner- Week 5

Here's what's on the menu this week:

Monday- Nanny's

Tuesday- Lemon Pepper Shrimp, Zucchini, and Pepper Skewers, Salad
Wednesday- fend for yourself night

Thursday- Chicken Masala*, Basmati Rice, and Naan

Friday- Fish Tacos

*I'll make this in crockpot during the day. Here's the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Tikka-Masala/Detail.aspx (I'll omit the cream.)

Wear Shoulder Pads

The gals of the 80s had the right idea. Wearing shoulder pads will, in fact, give the illusion of a slimmer waist and narrower hips.

I read this article a couple of weeks ago and saved the link to post about it at a later date: http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_12227692

Stacy London, of What Not to Wear, is interviewed about, among other things, the show's approach to women's body issues: "... never once have Stacy and Clinton told a makeover subject that she's chubby, fat or roly-poly -- and never have they suggested that anyone come back after they've lost a few pounds. In fact, the pair is meticulous in avoiding any negative commentary about a person's weight. Instead, they accentuate the positive, labeling women curvy where others might simply see blubber. "

That comment really resonates with me. I, like many of us, have struggled with a couple (note the vague estimate) extra pounds most of my adult life. What do 5 or 10 extra pounds really do to you? Physically, they can change a pant size, emotionally, they can throw you into a serious funk. (For the record, I'm not talking about extra weight that poses a health risk.) My 'goal' weight has steadily gone up throughout the years to a weight that is reasonable for me to maintain but I feel like there are always those extra lbs. nagging me, taunting me. My challenge is food, mostly compulsive, night time, or stress/boredom eating. I've usually been able to keep the exercise part in check so food really is the culprit.

So until I figure out a way to eat only when hungry (who does that!) I will heed Stacy's advice and accentuate the positive because at the end of the day I think its about re-framing how you feel about your body today. It's about dressing for the size you are now, not the size you want to be. It's about knowing what styles/cuts look good on you. For me, I am broad-shouldered and carry extra weight in my chest area and arms so tube tops and spaghetti straps are not really my best bet. (As an aside and because I can't ever complete a linear thought... when Cory and I first started dating, he told me that I had a back like a swimmer. Did he think that was a compliment? And it was before this swimmer got popular, so no, he was not likening me to her.) It's also about eating healthy and with a purpose, exercising, enjoying a good meal, being active, breathing in fresh air, sweating , indulging and rewarding yourself (sometimes with a big ice cream sundae), and being comfortable in your own skin.

Here's what it's NOT about: It's not about dressing like a frump because you don't want to buy a larger size. It's not about keeping a closet full of clothes that will never fit you again. It's not about brow-beating yourself for over-indulging on occasion. It's not about negative self-talk (would you ever allow someone to say those things to you?) It's really not about the lingering extra pounds.

These are all easy things to type and easy things to say. Obviously the harder part is correcting your behavior each and every day. Some days I succeed and other days I fail miserably. And that's OK.

Truthfully, my closet is a mess. I know, in my heart of hearts, Stacy and Clinton will answer my prayers. They will knock on my door, hand over that $5K credit card, play raw footage of me in too-tight work out pants (even on days when I have no intentions of going to the gym) and I will embrace it. I will act surly and play fight with Stacy. I will make subtle passes at Clinton and pretend I forgot the 'rules' while shopping. I will feign intense concentration while Carmindy demonstrates how to correctly apply rouge. And then, after the big reveal, I will tear up and thank Clinton and Stacy for changing my life and I will promise them my second-born. I swear to God, I will do all of those things.