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:

Right Now

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.

Right Now

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?

Right Now

Feeling groovy at FAO.

Attitude of Gratitude

January 2010*

I am grateful for tourists. 

No, not because they walk so slow and take up the entire sidewalk.  No, not because they come in droves and block every turnstile to get onto the subway.  And, no, not because they talk really loud on a full train about how rude New Yorkers are.

Why do I love tourists?!  Because they remind me how amazingly wonderful this city is.  They walk slowly, looking up, gazing at all the great sites and huge buildings.  There is a bit of innocence, reverence, awe that they study their maps, check their guide books and are too scared to ask anyone for help.  They get completely confused by the subway system.  They view the city through a camera lens because it is such a photogenic city.

As I see these annoying enthralled tourists enjoying the city (and all its awesomeness) I remember.  I remember my innocence.  The way my heart would beat faster and my senses awaken every morning when I would step outside my apartment building.  I remember how every neighborhood, street, and corner held new treasures.  How I studied subway and bus maps daily.  And snapped mental photos of cabbies fighting in busy intersections.  And how I was in awe of tiny grocery stores with merchandise stacked perfectly to the ceiling.

I love New York City and I'm so glad the tourists remind me how awesome it is to live here!

*Something I can't quite comprehend is that New York City is completely normal to my kids.  This is their life, their home, the only way they have lived.

Simon: 3 months

Sweet Simon loves to devour his hands.  He smiles, smiles, and smiles some more.  Occasionally we can get a good squeaky laugh out of him.  Isabella works pretty hard for a few of his rewarding giggles.  Simon squirms and squeals with delight when I bend over to pick him up; sure signs of a third baby--completely elated to have any bit of attention.  He rarely cries anymore, just kind of complains at times.  His bouncy seat has become his preferred place to chill and watch all the commotion.  He loves to watch me cook and loves to dance with his daddy.  Morning naps are awesome and last about 3 hours.  The rest of the day is iffy until the house is quiet and dark, then he will often settle down for the night and sleep 4-5 hours at a time until all the commotion begins again.

Simon summed up in one word: perfection!

Attitude of Gratitude

I have the best friends ever!  Last Wednesday I turned 33.  We had celebrated my birthday the weekend before while in Connecticut.  When my actual birthday came and it was kind of a blah day.  The kids hadn't slept much for the last several days and I was completely tuckered out.  One amazing friend invited me and the kids over to her home for a delicious birthday brunch and made me cry with her sweet praise.  Another amazing friend stopped by unexpectedly and dropped off some delicious birthday cookies and a much needed hug.  Then another (yes, another!) amazing friend and two of her adorable children stopped by after dinner with an awesome birthday cake.  I was already in my p.j.s and not looking too hot, but they brought tears of joy to my eyes and much needed cheer into my home.

I have so many other stories of such sweet friends weaving their love and compassion into my life.  I love all of you amazing, wonderful women!   You strengthen me, uplift me, and make me laugh so hard.

I am forever grateful for my amazing friends!