Monday, October 28, 2013

Joseph's first Halloween!

My heart is so full from a weekend of pure goodness.   We had Joseph's first Halloween party with his Isis friends.  Ten 11-month old babies one dressed cuter than the next and some wonderful, as always, mamas who are reassuring, funny, laid back and just all around good people raising good kids.   I am so lucky to be part of this crew!

On Sunday afternoon, Joseph and I walked to the local park dressed in his "fear the beard" Red Sox costume.  It was the perfect impromptu, cold-weather, "costume" and a fun way for Joseph to take part in his first World Series.  

In between the Halloween festivities were some tasty home cooked meals, Italian wine, and lots of good sports.  It was perfection.  Our boy is pure happiness and life is feels so full.   Deep, deep gratitude for all of it.....  





Thursday, October 24, 2013

Marcel Proust

A few words to ponder by the literary genius, Marcel Proust.

“The only true voyage, the only bath in the Fountain of Youth, would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes, to see the universe through the eyes of another, of a hundred others, to see the hundred universes that each of them sees, that each of them is; and this we do [with great artists]; with artists like these we do really fly from star to star. ” 

“Desire makes everything blossom; possession makes everything wither and fade. ” 

“Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have of them.” 

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Veggie Risotto

Perhaps it was just a stroke of good cooking luck, but last night we put together a delicious, easy, veggie risotto that hit the spot!   I wanted to jot down what I did here so I remember the next time I'm feeling uninspired.  Feel free to give it a try.

Veggie Risotto
10 oz authentic italian rice
1 carton whole foods 365 veggie stock
1 tbsp butter
1 large onion
1 zucchini
handful of cherry tomatoes

Preheat the oven to 400.  Toss the zucchini and cherry tomatoes (or any veggie combination you have/like) in olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for ~20 mins or until soft.

Finely dice onion and saute in 1 tbsp butter until soft.   Add the rice and and stir for about 5 minutes until slightly toasted.   Add the carton of broth and leave uncovered over medium high heat until liquid is absorbed and rice is soft.   Stir in roasted veggies.  

I hardboiled some eggs (the baby's current favorite!) to serve along with it as a protein source.  You could also poach an egg and lay it on top of risotto or scramble an egg and mix it in.   A truly flexible easy weeknight meal, perfect for leftover lunch too.

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Fall Tuesday

I am so blessed to call New England my home ---- especially during this exceptional fall season. So grateful for the jaw-dropping foliage and sunny days and crisp nights.  It truly inspires and invigorates.   Thank you, autumn.  Your beauty is not unappreciated.  

Friday, October 18, 2013

The Kaaterskill

Nestled in the Catskills, this gorgeous country inn is high on our list.  Rustic, relaxing, charming.  I am drawn to the cozy wood paneling, fireplaces and jacuzzis in every room, and quaint setting.   I've got the travel bug.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

No sleep til Brooklyn!

We're heading on our first overnight trip without our little one in tow in a few weeks.  To say I'm excited is an understatement.   I've been dying to get on the road and explore --- it's been too long since we got away.   This trip will be short and sweet but there will be lots to do and see.   On our list, the famed Brooklyn Smorgasburg!  Yippee.    I'll start my "research" for a good dinner spot too.  

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Love after Love

Love After Love - Derek Walcott

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Child Friendly Iphone

How is this not a more well known piece of iwisdom.    Thank you Hither and Tither via Design Mom.  I'm a little smarter now....

Simply go into Settings and tap General>Accessibility>Guided Access to turn it on and select a 4-digit passcode (that you’ll have to remember to get in and out of the locked screen).
The next time you open the app (or start the video) you want to run for them, triple-click the home button and choose which restrictions you want in place. I usually circle the top row and bottom row of the screen so that all of the touch-screen options (like “share” and “pause,” etc.) are off-limits. This keeps him from accidentally pausing or exiting an episode of Caillou every five seconds. Or firing off random tweets. Or deleting personal photos.
To stop the session (even if it’s just to adjust the volume), you triple-click the home button again, enter your passcode, and select end. You can use the triple-click/guided access trick any time, once you’ve set-up the option in Settings.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Just Love

It's been busy here.  But today brings with it some relief.  Deadlines have been met, as they usually are. We had a great and uneventful weekend.  Yesterday we stayed in all day.  Just me and my guys.  We watched football and cartoons, sang songs, took a family nap and made dinner.  It wasn't a fancy weekend, to-do lists weren't tackled and wild trips weren't taken, but it was a weekend full of love and rest for our little family of three - couldn't have asked for more.





Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Yourself....

"Real style is never right or wrong.  It is a matter of being yourself on purpose" - G. Bruce Boyer.   Couldn't the same be true about life.   There are so many decisions and so much "stuff".   It can create an infinite vacuum of want.   There will always be a bigger house, a better job, a prettier girl....  But if you are content with your decisions and feel they align with your true self, shouldn't that be enough to just slow down and enjoy.   It's a work in progress but I believe it.  


Speaking of style.... yes, please.