Unique New York

Broadway & W 72nd St.  You never know what is lurking in the sewer!

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Soaking up spring.

Homeschool Preschool

Last fall all of Isabella's friends began preschool.  We choose to not pay for private preschool and she did not get into any public preK programs that we applied to (via a lottery system).  I decided I would do some homeschooling for preschool.  But then September came and we travelled all over the country for a month.  When we returned home I spent 100% of my free time looking for a new apartment.  Then we moved.  Then I had a baby.  And the holidays happened.  And we are just finishing with Brian transitioning between jobs.  Wow-zah!  Life has been busy!

What I had planned to begin in September is just now finally happening!  Way back when, I came across a cool program called Five in a Row.  It's a literature program that uses children's books as a foundation and then incorporates a wide variety of learning opportunities based on that book.  We started with Before Five in a Row, which is a little more open and relaxed approach.  One thing that really sold me on using this curriculum was that there are a lot of bloggers who are using it and post loads of inspirational ideas.  Delightful Learning has been a major inspiration so far.

This week we started the program with the book, Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?  It is a fun book, full of sweet rhymes centered on what a little bear will wear throughout the day.  The kids and I really enjoyed reading the story every morning and then doing a few related activities.

Here are just a handful of activities we did last week:

coloring fun

matching rhymes

whole wheat bear pancakes

just cute

identifying shapes in the book and then painting

more painting

a teddy bear picnic--almost the same lunch Jesse Bear ate--the kids actually tried the celery with sprouts

Isabella really enjoyed the picnic

this is the lap book with a lot the activities we worked on

Liesl & Co.

I don't consider myself a seamstress (sewer? sewist?) by any means.  But I have learned to sew a bit these last few years.  My mom taught me the basics when I was a teen and I sewed a few items, but never really liked what I made.  Since a friend gave me an old 1930's Singer I've attempted to make a few items for Isabella and I've loved it.  Other than coaching from my mom (and a bit from my sister) I owe my sewing success to the Oliver + S patterns created by Liesl & Co.  I have loved everything I have made.  I so wish I had more time, money and space to make more of these adorable clothes for my children.

Last Saturday Liesl was part of the Crafternoon at the New York Public Library.  Last minute I decided to head down there with Isabella to make super cute paper dolls.  It was a pleasure to meet Liesl and thank her, in person, for teaching me how to sew.  She was fun to talk with and generously held Simon almost the whole time as she met and talked with a room full of crafters.

Here are the clothes I made from the Oliver + S patterns.  I really want to make more...

The 2+2 blouse and skirt.  I made the mistake of making the top green.
She only wore the top twice because it was green.
The skirt got plenty of use (with a purchased pink top).

The bubble dress.  She'll wear this again this summer.

The lazy days skirt.  Super-duper easy!  I plan to make a few more this year.
Click on the link for the free tutorial.

The tea-party sundress.  Isabella's favorite!  She still asks if she can wear it.
It's too small & has been in storage for 2 years now.

Attitude of Gratitute

I recently read how simple play activities help prepare kids for their
future. For example, play-dough. While forming and shaping play-dough
kids are strengthening their finger muscles and overall dexterity.
Those same muscles will be used to hold a pencil and write when that
time comes. Thus play-dough now helps with future writing skills.

I'm grateful for simple playtime and how rewarding it is; in so many ways.

Isabella-isms

**Today Isabella was making a fuss about having quiet time (as usual).  I told her that after quite time we could make cookies or go to the museum.  She perked up and said, "Oh, those are really good options!"  And then settled right down.

**Lately everything is about "cheetahs"!  And it is all very exciting!  She's as fast as a cheetah.  As strong as a cheetah.  As hungry as a cheetah.  She recently exclaimed, "I have as much money as a cheetah!"

**Isabella is always begging to watch a movie and eat popcorn at night (instead of going to bed).  One evening, after the kids were asleep, Brian and I enjoyed a movie and popcorn, just the two of us.  First thing the next morning Isabella sat down at the kitchen table, pointed to the last few remnants of popcorn in the bowl, stared at me and in her scratchy morning voice, said, "Seriously, Mom?"

**While Isabella and Oliver were painting Isabella started to criticize Oliver's work.  I attempted to teach her the adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  She was thoughtful for a minute.  She then looked at me, perplexed, and said, "So, I can't talk to anyone?"

Sweet Simon

Since our cd drive wasn't working for a while I was unable to view the photos that the amazing Maria took of Simon when he was just 4 days old.  It was so fun to see these photos for the first time, now that he is over 3 months old.  It's amazing how quickly he has changed!  Here are a few (of many) favorites:

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Word on the street is Obama's in town. Some of the caravan headed into
the museum. Not something you see in NYC everyday. It's all very
curious.

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Preparing to have a cyst removed from her gums. She is so brave!

Update: After the operation she was a bit loopy and it was quite hilarious!  While still in the doctor's office she kept announcing, "I want to live here!"  And we stopped into Williams Sonoma, she lied down on some stairs, feet higher than head, and said, "This is so much fun."  Even after the drugs wore off she is still a bit euphoric about the whole experience informs us, "The doctor was so NICE!" or, "It was so fun!" Brian and I had some good laughs!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ~belated~

I had this post ready to go then I got distracted (can you imagine?!).  And then the computer was off to the shop, getting a new CD drive, since the last one wasn't working.  (Because silly iMac designers put the card reader right under the CD drive.  Don't they know that exhausted mothers, trying to upload photos of their cute kids, might accidentally slide the memory card into the cd drive?!)

Brian starts a new job on April 1st, so he's taking these next couple of weeks off!  It is so much fun having him with us as we explore the city.  The weather was glorious and this is what we did on St. Patty's Day:

Waiting for me to return home from a morning run.

Enjoying a "shamrock shake": protein, fruit, veggies, and green food coloring.

A bit of bluegrass  in the Times Square subway station.  I loved them!

Pausing to see the workings of a photo shoot in Soho.

Practicing his scooting skills in Soho.

Munching on very yummy corn on the cob at Cafe Habana.  He must have gotten some spice.

Sweet & Savory Sausage Sauce

Some friends have requested more of my go-to recipes and suggested I post them here, on the blog. This has been a favorite recipe for a few years. The sauce is cram-packed full of flavor that is so delicious! It's not a difficult dish to prepare, but it does take time to simmer and cook.  I will often double this recipe and freeze some for another day.  If you do double the recipe don't double the white wine and chicken broth otherwise the sauce is very liquidy (still delicious though).

Sweet & Savory Sausage Sauce

adapted from The Figs Table

1lb sweet Italian sausage, taken out of casing and crumbled
6 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 Spanish onion, chopped
1 cup white wine
3 cups chicken broth
2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
two 28 oz cans whole plum tomatoes, drained and hand crushed


Place a large stockpot over medium-high heat and, when it is hot, add the sausage. When the fat begins to render, add the garlic and 1 teaspoon each of rosemary and thyme.  Cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Discard any excess fat. Add the onion, lower the heat to medium, and cook until it it almost caramelized, about 30 min.


Add the wine to deglaze the pan. Add the broth, and cook until reduced to a thick syrup, about 30 minutes.  Add the anchovies and tomatoes and the remaining 1 teaspoon each of rosemary and thyme.  Cook until the flavors meld together, about 20-30 minutes. Serve over medium shells or orecchiette.

Oliver helping me hand crush the tomatoes.

Restaurant: recipe

During Brian's vacation we have been going out to lunch at some new places.  recipe is our new favorite spot.  We've been there twice this week.  All the dishes we have tried are so tasty.  The vegetables are amazing: fresh, crisp, flavorful.

The lunch menu is a steal!  

We've tried: chestnut soup (special), pumpkin gnocchi (special), duck leg, lamb ragu, seared scallop (special), striped sea bass (special), mussels, pulled pork sandwich, and the chocolate pignoli tart.  Oh! and the bread basket too!  yummm....

We really enjoyed everything we had, but our favorites are the pumpkin gnocchi and the braised lamb shank ragu.  I'm seriously craving the lamb!

yummy striped sea bass

pulled pork 

Right Now

Determined to get every last drip of that strawberry shake!

Attitude of Gratitude

I'm grateful I can throw a bunch of veggies, fruit and dairy into my
blender and call it dinner. Oliver is on his 2nd glassful with a side
of whole wheat bread. Easy, guilt free, after church dinner, that the
kids enjoy, is priceless.

(today's batch: spinach, carrots, cucumber, tons of bananas, milk,
plain yogurt, whey protein, and a tablespoon of orange juice
concentrate.)

Right Now

Anyone know where we are in NYC on this glorious day?