See Sarah Spin

Motherhood Manifesto

2011-03-08T23:47:00.000-08:00

For tomorrow night's Collective meeting I'm facilitating the topic of Motherhood, with my lovely co-host Sierra. One of the exercises we came up with was to create our own motherhood manifesto...or mantra, or vision statement. My content is original and personal, but in no way can I claim the design--I'm unabashedly inspired by the work of Aardvark on Sea, found via this blog post from Alphamom. I look forward to creating a family manifesto as well, with the help of Max, Beck and the Mister.

Meatless Monday: Gary's T-Night Tacos

2011-01-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

We did it again! Continuing on the New Year track we vowed to stay meatless on Mondays--even the Mister, who planned his lunch around Fresh-n-Easy offerings, and snuck in a chicken thigh at 11-something last night.

Tonight's recipe was awesome, and direct from Laurie David's Family Dinner cookbook. We are a taco-lovin, bean eating bunch so Gary's T-Night Tacos seemed a perfect match. Using two onions (Shhh!), black beans and the secret ingredients of maple syrup and tamari, this hearty filling made fantastic tacos (and burritos for the boys).

For toppings we used thinly sliced cabbage, fresh avocado, chopped tomato and cucumber, Greek yogurt and shredded cheese. Instead of the dressing suggested for cucumber salsa, I used a lime cilantro dressing I had already made for another recipe. The boys ate theirs without the dressing, but with most of the other toppings.

Max ate about 2/3 of his, Beck finished his off, and, well, the pan is now empty. I consider it a success!

Oh, and after dinner we got all cuddly and weepy watching this awesome cover (from some locals) of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home".

Then, this great studio clip of the real deal...

Meatless Monday: Lettuce Wraps

2011-01-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

I usually greet January with a long list of goals and measurable objectives--the same type of parameters that I resent being judged by in my 9-5. This year I've put nothing in writing...yet. That said, when creating this week's menu plan and grocery list, I decided to make my first 2011 resolution: Meatless Monday.

Last fall I had the desire to cultivate our family dinner time, and perfectly coinciding with this was the release of The Family Dinner, by Laurie David and Time for Dinner, by former Cookie editors, Pilar Guzman, Jenny Rosenstrach and Alanna Stang. I've been exploring these two new fabulous cookbooks, and as a result I have embraced a new level of domestic enthusiasm and organization. While I can save my book reviews and lady adoration for another day, I will share that it was Laurie David's book that made me aware of the Meatless Monday movement. Seriously, it sounded familiar but I just wasn't tuned in.

Meatless Monday actually started in World War I and was incredibly effective at changing the nation's eating habits. Somewhere between June Cleaver and the Great Bacon Explosion we seem to have lost our way. While I'm a proud omnivore and my boys drool at the word STEAK, we love all kinds of food and don't feel it's necessary to include a meat/fish/poultry product at every meal. The Mister is on board with my meatlessness and the boys are pretty good sports too. Any random night we might have tofu stir fry or a veggie spaghetti.

So why make a big deal about it? Well, I like the idea of a habit, a ritual, a conscious decision. I like the challenge of trying new recipes, and the boys are at a great age to explore new foods and ideas. For our first official Meatless Monday we used the recipe for Vegetarian Asian-Style Lettuce Wraps (without the dipping sauce) courtesy of Leslie's Home Gourmet. I doubled it and adapted it a bit, so maybe follow her link for the real deal! The left overs are perfect with chopped Romaine for a salad, or over rice warmed up. We served it with steamed broccoli and couscous just in case it didn't go over as well as hoped. For the record, the Mister gave it a thumbs up, Max ate nearly both of his wraps before deciding he didn't like them, and Beck ate everything on his plate, plus applesauce, and a second meal of pears, rice crackers and dried apricots. Hungry much?

Vegetarian Asian-Style Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Dipping Sauce (ADAPTED)

2 packages firm tofu crumbled
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 cup shredded cabbage
2 carrots, grated
2/3 cup (plus a little more to taste) of your favorite soy marinade (Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki)
1 tsp. fresh lemongrass, minced (Thanks KKJ!)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbs. sweet chili garlic sauce
Sprinkle of salt to taste
4 tbs. canola oil
2 tsp. sesame oil
1 medium head of Boston/Butter lettuce, washed and leaves separated

In a skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat and saute onion and garlic until it begins to soften. Season with a touch of salt. Add cabbage and carrot. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add tofu and lemongrass, marinade, sesame oil, and chili sauce. Cook another 5-10 minutes (until it thickens a bit), stirring often. Serve warm inside cool lettuce leaves.

Good Morning Granola

2011-01-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

When trying to come up with this year's (okay, now last year's) handmade holiday gift the boys expressed a VERY strong preference for cooking, versus crafting.

Cool. In order to guarantee the "handmade"part of the deal, I came up with granola. Easy enough for kids to measure, stir, and add their own creative ingredients (and mine). Two factors came in to play on this recipe...ONE, I wanted a granola that I could eat without feeling guilty. TWO, it absolutely had to be inspired by the granola at my favorite bakery--Bread & Cie.

Martha Stewart FOOD helped with requirement number ONE. As for inspiration from Bread & Cie.? That's where the Corn Pops came in. It's not even that I had this cereal as a kid (I didn't) or that I crave it as an adult (I don't). It's just that Corn Pops bring a bit of whimsy and surprise to an otherwise quiet concoction.

GOOD MORNING GRANOLA
makes 8 delicious cups

ingredients
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup toasted wheat gern
1/2 cup flax seed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pepita seeds
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups Corn Pops
1/2 cup dried berries
5 tablespoons robust molasses
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup water

directions
1. Heat oven to 300 degrees with rack in center. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, wheat germ, flax seed, cinnamon, ginger, seeds, and walnuts. In a small bowl, combine molasses, oil, and 1/3 cup water and pour over the oat mixture. Stir well until well coated. Spread evenly in two baking pans

2. Bake, stirring every 20 minutes or so for even cooking until dry and lightly browned--about 45 minutes. Let granola cool to room temperature, add Corn Pops and berries then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

The boys were liberal with the cinnamon, and added dried cranberries. I threw in the pepita seeds for extra nutrients and crunch. We used olive oil instead of the recommenced canola oil, and we added maple syrup because we had just watched Elf, and Elf puts maple syrup on everything....

In the end, we thought it was a huge hit. I even used it as a topping with Greek yogurt and our Orange Challah French Toast! If you are curious about how we packed it up, hop on over to Truly Fine to see the results...

Rx: Jonathan Adler + Starbucks

2010-11-17T20:48:00.000-08:00

(True Love)

This gorgeous new ceramic coffee grail dazzled me so much so that I almost, ALMOST missed Starbucks new price increases. Jonathan Adler, master of modern whimsy has designed a perky paisley tumbler just in time for the holly days. As if it weren't enough to be jump started by a grande quad latte each morning, this 16oz. vessel is the perfect antidote for a working girl's maladies.

Oh and about those price jumps...I may need to rethink my daily dosage.

Soundtrack for a Broken Heart (or not)

2010-11-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

I tend to really like songs about heartbreak. And not because I can identify, or relate at the time, they just are SO compelling. There are two right now that I'm SUPER into, which deal with a lot more than a broken heart...Kiss With a Fist by Florence + The Machine, Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna. Okay, Florence is AWESOME! I would rock her outfit, her fire, her 'tude. Love it.

On the serious note of "more than a broken heart," check out Eve Ensler's "Global movement to end violence against women and girls" VDAY and V Girls ...

Here are some of my choice selections, in no particular order:

Heartbreak Warfare, John Mayer
Love The Way You Lie, Eminem (feat. Rihanna)
Irreplaceable, Beyonce
Kiss With a Fist, Florence + The Machine (see above)
The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance, Sinead O'Connor
Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson
Breakin' Up, Riley Kiley
Sun Comes up It's Tuesday Morning, The Cowboy Junkies (Really, an optimistic one...)
Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis
Good Year For The Roses, Elvis Costello
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum
Every Rose Has It's Thorn, Poison
With or Without You, U2

SIDEBAR
Love The Way You Lie features a fine F-Bomb dropped by Eminem, early in the song. This was picked up quite clearly by Beck, as we worked on an art project in my office. Someone was up for testing me...

B: "Hey, he said some bad words" PAUSE "He said fu#kin'."
Me: "Yes, he did, so we'll skip to the next song."
LONGER PAUSE
B: "Because he said 'fu#kin' ?"
Me: "Yep."

Momofuko Milk Bar Cinnamon Bun Pie

2010-11-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Direct from Daily Candy is a breakfast treat I can't wait to test out. I won't pretend to have made this yet or written a bit, it's all from today's Daily Candy.

Photo: Janelle Jones via Daily Candy

Irresistible Buns
Momofuku's Pastry Chef Remakes Mom's Classic

You’ve got seasonal spirit, but you’re short on dough. Head to the kitchen armed with recipe riffs from our favorite bakers, pastry chefs, and chocolatiers, and you can bake, melt, and sugar-glaze your gifts this year.

Here’s a taste from Christina Tosi, who recalls the cinnamon buns her mother used to serve for breakfast on special occasions. (They were made with margarine and, well, “not so good,” she says now). Tosi took it upon herself to restore the doughy pastry to glory, and the (now) beloved swirls inspired the cinnamon bun pie (seen here) she created for Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City.

Christina Tosi’s Cinnamon Bun Pie
Yields fourteen pieces

Ingredients

For the dough
2½ tsp. dry active yeast
¾ c. warm water
1½ c. warm milk
6 c. bread flour
2 tbsp. salt
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. butter, at room temperature

For the filling
1 c. butter, at room temperature
1½ c. light brown sugar
2 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. salt

For the cream cheese frosting
½ c. butter
1½ c. cream cheese
½ tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. confectioners’ sugar
2 tsp. salt

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and milk.

2. Knead in dry ingredients. Add butter. Let rise for 45 minutes.

3. After the 45-minute rise, roll out dough into a long rectangle and spread butter over its surface. Sprinkle it with a generous amount of light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

4. Roll up the rectangle into a long cylinder. Cut into fourteen, 2-inch pieces. Place in a greased 9-by-13-inch pan or two 10-inch pie pans and cover with plastic. Let rise another 45 minutes before baking 12-22 minutes at 375°.

5. To prepare the frosting, mix butter, cream cheese, extract, sugar, and salt thoroughly.

6. While the buns are still warm, spread the frosting generously over them and serve immediately. Watch as they disappear before your very eyes.

Halloween Inspiration...

2010-10-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

As dressed for the Sunset Hills Halloween Carnival on October 15, 2010

MAX as Dracula

Bela Lugosi as Dracula

BECK as Luke Skywalker

Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker

The Brother Grim

2010-09-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Last night Beck shared with me a story he is working on at school:

SCENE
At the dinner table, discussing our respective days...in the most cheerful, one fish two fish wide eyed tone he described the storyline as follows without breath or punctuation:

"So it's a story about two dogs and they are running and running in a race that is taking like two days and they get so so hungry after running and running that the one dog eats the other one."

(Big grin)

The End.

The Moustache Bash (For Kids!)

2010-09-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

My post is a bit delayed, but I still wanted to document the fabulous fun we had at Max & Beck's 7th Birthday Party---The Moustache Bash on September 4, 2010.

I tried to keep the costs in check, so I made all the signage from old cardboard and splurged on cool ribbon from Michaels.

Upon entering the party, each guest was treated to a "Stylish Mustache". I bought these through Amazon. Unfortunately, the sweaty youngsters wore out the adhesive, so we resorted to an impromptu moustache painting station. It actually worked out even better (Salvador Dali!), though the fuzzy ones did look pretty awesome for a bit (Tom Selleck at age 7! Doesn't get much better.).

We bought brown and black felt and dowels (Michaels) and cut out cool 'staches for props...displayed in a cylinder of black beans. I also made but forgot to photograph some chocolate moustaches with candy molds I bought online. I'd say less than half survived my candy making (wrong type of chocolate? Uggh!) but those that did, went out the door as party favors. They were each on a lolli stick and wrapped in cellophane with black and white ribbon.

The party favor bags featured our moustache potato prints. Each guest got the boys' favorite Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, some type of quirky alien or monster or reptile item (boys), or bubbles or a notebook (girls).

I painted moustaches and sevens on some old canvas I had lying around, and popped them into quilter's hoops that we bought at the thrift stores. Then, I took images of the boys (used for the invitations) to Costco and blew them up for a little game of "Stick the Moustache on Max & Beck".

My cousin Morgan cut out some pretty rad 'staches (note the fumanchu!) to use for this game.

Next we played "Hot Potato Sac" which is a game I found online. It's essentially a pillow case stuffed with dress up clothes, and while kids sit in a big circle, music plays, the sac is fired off from kid to kid. The music stops, and wherever it lands, the kid sticks a hand in and pulls out something to wear. At the end, the kids vote on the silliest dressed player. They had so much fun, they asked to play again. Easy answer? Just let them rock the dress up stuff the rest of the party.

Next up, was our fantastic photo booth! Great for memory making, and fun to do. I took the boys thrift shopping a week or two before to pick out some special props to add to our own dress up stash. We found awesome finds in the early Halloween displays--top hats, bowlers, supersize sunglasses, vintage tennis racquets, and more. Super fun for all, and just wish I could have hung out here the whole time taking pics. I'm still in the process of printing some keepers, and sending out with thank you notes. I had bought a Selphy printer to print pics on-site, but lacked both time and talent for that one. I mean really, there were 22 kids (+ a good share of grown ups) there! It might have required two full time volunteers...

Another easy activity was the Graffiti Wall--I had the boys help comb through magazines and find pictures of faces (big, full ad type) so that we could add our own moustaches, and whatever else...set out a Jar-o-Sharpies and they had a gas deconstructing the glossy images.

For a little more free play we left out a pile of pipe cleaners, a bowl of bubble solution, and some bold chalk for the patio. This was a nice option for some of the younger party peeps. And the girls.

Unfortunately I was so rushed for the party beginning, that this is the only shot I have of the giant chocolate chip cookie. The kids devoured the single cookies from moment one, and frankly there were just crumbs remaining of the giant confection after the last of our neighbors headed out later that night.

The most awesome recipe for this? The one with loads of real butter that I followed by heart and did not substitute wheat flour or applesauce, or add flax or yogurt to? A New York Times feature recipe adapted from Jacques Torres. Secret to this? Make the dough. Refrigerate. Let the ingredients soak each other up. Holy Cuss. Delicious. Crazy good. For more on the potato print project and other fun party ideas, I'll be posting a companion story on Truly Fine Design. Happy Birthday Boys!

XOXO

Mommy

The New York Times

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from Jacques Torres
Top of Form

Time: 45 minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours’ chilling

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons

(8 1/2 ounces) cake flour

1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt

2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract

1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content

Sea salt.

1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.

4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes.

Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Picture Day

2010-08-31T21:38:00.000-07:00

I did my best to ensure that my children did not show up looking like total scrubs for Picture Day. My own First Grade picture was god awful. Like I was a hippie child booted from the commune after refusing food and sunlight for months. Truthfully, I think I had been out sick and no one got the notice that it was sparkle and shine time. Sigh. Other than convince Beck that a button up short sleeve shirt should not be worn with ONLY the top button buttoned, and persuading Max to NOT wear a long sleeve T under a short sleeve button up, we were good to go. They even had me put product in their hair. So handsome.

Testing 1.2.3. Vision Board via Scrapblog

2010-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Planning Camp Athena

2010-05-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the outline for next weekend's retreat with my gals from the Ax Collective...in the quest for some inspired material I came across fabulous camp crafts via Design*Sponge, which featured Derek and Lauren from The Curiosity Shoppe, one of my favorite online haunts. These images are ALL theirs...and I can't wait to forage some sticks and craft up some God's Eyes. Don't you think the leather wrap lanyards are way cooler than the old hard plastic ones?

Finally, for a bit more substance, I discovered this poem from one of my favorite authors:

For Strong Women

By Marge Piercy

A strong woman is a woman who is straining
A strong woman is a woman standing
on tiptoe and lifting a barbell
while trying to sing "Boris Godunov."
A strong woman is a woman at work
cleaning out the cesspool of the ages,
and while she shovels, she talks about
how she doesn't mind crying, it opens
the ducts of the eyes, and throwing up
develops the stomach muscles, and
she goes on shoveling with tears in her nose.
A strong woman is a woman in whose head
a voice is repeating, I told you so,
ugly, bad girl, bitch, nag, shrill, witch,
ballbuster, nobody will ever love you back,
why aren't you feminine, why aren't
you soft, why aren't you quiet, why aren't you dead?
A strong woman is a woman determined
to do something others are determined
not be done. She is pushing up on the bottom
of a lead coffin lid. She is trying to raise
a manhole cover with her head, she is trying
to butt her way through a steel wall.
Her head hurts. People waiting for the hole
to be made say, hurry, you're so strong.
A strong woman is a woman bleeding
inside. A strong woman is a woman making
herself strong every morning while her teeth
loosen and her back throbs. Every baby,
a tooth, midwives used to say, and now
every battle a scar. A strong woman
is a mass of scar tissue that aches
when it rains and wounds that bleed
when you bump them and memories that get up
in the night and pace in boots to and fro.
A strong woman is a woman who craves love
like oxygen or she turns blue choking.
A strong woman is a woman who loves
strongly and weeps strongly and is strongly
terrified and has strong needs. A strong woman is strong
in words, in action, in connection, in feeling;
she is not strong as a stone but as a wolf
suckling her young. Strength is not in her, but she
enacts it as the wind fills a sail.
What comforts her is others loving
her equally for the strength and for the weakness
from which it issues, lightning from a cloud.
Lightning stuns. In rain, the clouds disperse.
Only water of connection remains,
flowing through us. Strong is what we make
each other. Until we are all strong together,
a strong woman is a woman strongly afraid.

22 Days

2010-05-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

I received this gorgeous bouquet yesterday from my future employers...The New Children's Museum. Happy Mother's Day! Can you smell the lilacs from here? The scent fills our home still, and I'm nostalgic for my Midwestern childhood where backyards ran together like wavy green ribbons, rhubarb was foraged for homemade fruit leather and lilac bushes lined the back fence.

Here's to new beginnings...June 1, you're only 22 days away.

PS. Many of you know my favorite floral peeps, but this particular arrangement raised the bar. Well done Flower Child!

It Takes a Village

2010-05-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to a little handwritten note in orange marker on a scrap of recycled paper, set on top of my iPhone..."Love your Buney. To. From Beck" a few feet away (tripping distance) was a silver cash box with the word"open" written on it (I think I can get it clean). Inside another handwritten message: "I love you so much." with a little butterfly drawing. Yes. These are my riches, my treasures, my currency. Gobs and gobs of love. XOXO.

Book Studio

2010-04-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

[Delayed Post! Forgot to hit "Publish"]

This past weekend when the Mister was in Vegas, the boys and I set up a little book making studio in the dining room, and went to work on storyboarding their mini blank board books. I had them sketch out their story ideas with pencil on butcher paper, then use Sharpies and design markers on the final product.
Beck made a book about dots, titled "The . Book" it chronicles all the ways you can use dots to draw pictures.

Max had a very detailed plan about what Monsters do...by the time he got to implementing his design on the actual book, he was over it.

It's a New Year and I'm Feeling Lucky

2010-01-26T22:16:00.000-08:00

With a January birthday I'm blessed with an alternate new year. After losing my way on resolution road, I really embrace this opportunity for a new direction. I know it's only 3 weeks later, and really I do begin with the best intentions. But then I get a little lazy. And distracted. Then I turn another year older. Yikes! Focus. Here goes...

My life is not perfect, but it's perfect for me. We laugh and we yell. We kiss and we fight. This house of testosterone is a total blast and I'm so glad that I can be their queen bee. Even though I'm awkward and accident prone, I try to juggle about a million balls at a time. Do I need to tell you that it doesn't always work? Oh well. I gave up on perfection a while ago. I prefer eccentricity.

For this year...(in a nutshell): keep up the exercise. drop the diet coke. write. a lot. set aside time for truly fine. write some more. make some new money. nest. love. box. smile. drink damn fine coffee.

Navigating Change

2010-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

The most successful people

are those who are good at Plan B.

-James Yorke

This quote was brought to my attention on Monday, when I was at the Getty in LA for a an exclusive tour of their Rembrandt exhibition with the Museum's key donors. The special events manager shared this with me, and i felt it was perfectly suited for the topic at hand...

Did I mention before how honored I am to be included in the Axiology Collective--A smart and beautiful group of women? I'll be attending my sixth gathering tonight. Since I'm so very delinquent on my personal posts here, I thought I'd use tonight's topic of Navigating Change as my first blog of 2010. What about you?

For Reflection...

1. Do you generally embrace change or find yourself unsettled by changes that come about in life?

I think I take change in stride...

…though, changes I make I tend to embrace, while changes other people make I’m a little more hesitant to accept. I find it an issue of control when it's in the context of work, while I'm more open to it and often want to instigate change in my personal life…

2. Some changes we choose, others seem unwelcome. Is your reaction different toward each? Do you like the way you react?

I tend to get very inquisitive/curious when confronted with unwelcome changes. While I'm not always the most graceful person to accept change that I don't endorse, I do take pleasure in finding out how and why a change was made.

3. What does stability mean to you? When do you feel stable?

first thought: financial stability. tangible things...like home, husband, family. second pass: the path i've chosen for myself--my own intelligence, strength and peace provide me with a spiritual/emotional and physical stability that could carry me through a breakdown of the first layer.

4. Recall a moment in life when everything changed. A time when you knew in that instant that life would never be the same again.

this seems cliche, but it's a vivid moment in my meager collection of foggy childhood memories: My sister and I in the car on the way home from swim lessons (age: 9) and my mom tells us that she and my dad are getting divorced. My sister (age: 5) completely brokedown in tears, i was silent. I recall being relieved and disturbed at the same time.

5. As a child, was there a lot of change or were things seemingly stable. How do you think this affected the person you are now?

I have to stay that while she did the very best she could, after the divorce life with my mom was fairly disconnected. Four years later, we were with my dad and step-mom in a more structured environment. Of course this has shaped who I am today. I'm sympathetic to what happened at that time, and I know that there was unconditional support for my sister and I from extended family and friends.

this I gained an odd sense of confidence and independence, and at the same time an incredible set of insecurities; I have a solid work ethic, an appreciation for working class values, and I know the difference between a "want" and a "need". Finally, I have great empathy for families in stress, single parents, and most importantly, the children affected by this all.

Wish List

2009-12-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

This Christmas couldn't go by without a little wishing...it's tough because I love so many things!

From the Top Left and Around Clockwise:
GIANT PHOTO in San Diego...there are a few images of my own that I'd love to BLOW up HUGE, get mounted, and hang in the house. I'm not sure if they have gift certificates, but bet they'd accommodate if one asked...

Tiffany & Co. monogram pendants. What could be wrong with a little blue box? I love this in both silver and gold. Very classy.

Domino, alas, my favorite decorating magazine went under this year. Thankfully, before doing so, they published this book- Domino: the Book of Decorating. Love love.

Next up, my Belkin car adapter bit the dust, and I thought maybe I should kick it old school with this Monster tape adapter which with also play tunes off my iPhone. Whoo Hoo!

I know I've said it before, maybe on the TFD blog, but I really dig this 20X200 idea--which makes editions of artworks affordable for all. This work, Vogue JUL07:pg145 (Ripeness is All) is by San Fran artist Lauren DiCioccio. This and the other Vanity Fair MAY08:pg269 (and, incredibly, looking not a day older) are two together that would be LOVELY.

What gal doesn't need a good steamer to save on dry cleaner and make ironing easier? Just thought of it. Rowenta Ultra Steam Model, it even comes with the GoodHousekeeping seal of approval.

Something for writing just had to show up on this list. Keel's Simple Diary. How cheery is that yellow? It comes in a rainbow of colors and I'm quite sure it's available at Anthropologie, among other fine establishments.

Though I've never used one, the Yudu seems like a super cool and easy way to do screenprinting at home. I first saw it at Michaels then noticed it's major tele-shopping site. Weird, but so cool.

Rounding out this list is the ever magical Jo Malone cologne. Lime Basil Mandarin is soopa fresh, Jasmine Mint is a soft romantic note on my skin, and the special edition Dark Amber Lily and Ginger is so seductive. Yum, and yum. Saks, Bloomies, Nordstroms (online, but maybe not in the store).

I also really like pedicures, Starbucks, super dark chocolate, art supplies, time at home to myself, and someone to fold the laundry and clean house. I'm easy. Merry Christmas Santa!

Pumpkin Ginger Pancakes

2009-11-23T21:23:00.001-08:00

These Pumpkin Ginger Pancakes are THE breakfast hit of our house right now. I've been making them in double batches nearly every weekend for the past two months. I freeze the ones not eaten that day, and pop them in the toaster oven on weekday mornings. Personally I'm a huge fan of the ginger butter (that won't be a surprise to anyone who is already quite familiar with my ginger obsession). The boys can do without it and simply prefer honey or maple syrup. Best served with bacon, and a cup of hot coffee in a vintage boy scout camp mug (see above). Delish.

Thanks to Sunset Magazine for the recipe.

Pumpkin Ginger Pancakes

PREP AND COOK TIME: About 45 minutes

MAKES: About 8 pancakes; 2 to 3 servings

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Candied-ginger butter (recipe follows)

Maple syrup

1. In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. In another bowl, mix egg, milk, pumpkin, yogurt, and butter until well blended. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until evenly moistened.

2. Place a nonstick griddle or a 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat (350°); when hot, coat lightly with butter and adjust heat to maintain temperature. Spoon batter in 1/3-cup portions onto griddle and gently spread into 4-inch rounds. Cook until pancakes are browned on the bottom and edges begin to look dry, 2 to 3 minutes; turn with a wide spatula and brown other sides, 2 to 3 minutes longer. As pancakes are cooked, transfer to baking sheets and keep warm in a 200° oven. Serve warm with candied-ginger butter and maple syrup.

Candied-ginger butter. In a bowl, with a wooden spoon, stir 2 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger into 1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) soft butter (soften in a microwave oven on full power [100%] for 5 to 10 seconds). Chill until firm before serving. Makes about 1/4 cup.

Per pancake: 211 cal., 51% (108 cal.) from fat; 3.9 g protein; 12 g fat (7.2 g sat.); 22 g carbo (1 g fiber); 346 mg sodium; 58 mg chol.

Kandinsky for Kindergarteners

2009-11-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

I've taken on the role of "Art Odyssey" mom in Max's classroom this year. Even in this stellar school district we are without music and arts as curriculum mandatories. That leaves it to the PTA to purchase or develop (GULP!) programs which will supplement the standard math/science/reading drills. So sad. Anyhow, once each month I trot out a preselected poster-style image in a 20x30 frame and share a bit about the featured artist. Following the presentation I lead an art project.

This month we celebrated Wassily Kandinsky and discussed Night Storm (see directly above). Each student took a variety of shapes and traced them with crayons, layering and filling the page. Step two, each child dipped into their watercolor tray and went to town. Mrs. A played some lovely classical music in the background and I have to say, it was a fine exercise. Lots of great "stormy" drama and emo exploration.

Dear Santa...

2009-11-16T19:24:00.001-08:00

Beck’s Wish List for Santa
UP the Movie, 7 Candy Canes, Boxing Gloves, Batman Lego Set, (Skull) Jammies.

Max’s Wish List for Santa
7 Candy Canes, Star Wars Lego Set (Luke TonTon Darth Vader Death Star), Movie, 2 Castle Plates, Boxing Gloves, Pirate Boat Lego Set, Skull Jammies, Pirate Legos, Bouncy Ball.

Overheard: Beck & Max

2009-11-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

Image via brooke [at] inchmark [dot] com

To help me savor the choice conversations and comments from the boys, I'm inspired to write them down, and keep a jarful of such moments. Brooke, over at inchmark.squarespace.com shared this lovely idea. She always has great photography and is such a beautiful designer. Enjoy!

Beck: Aren't you watching the show of Me?
Beck: The Director told me to be right here for the show.

Beck: This one is a detonator.
Max: What's a detonator?
Beck: It's like a grown up bomb.

Beck: We're having a grand opening.
Max: What's a grand opening?
Back: It's for my birthday.

BAKE SALE: Cyclops Cupcakes

2009-10-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Halloween! The boys have never been more excited for this holiday. They are working on costumes for a Zombie and a Goblin, and last weekend we kicked off the countdown to ghoulsville at the Sunset Hills Halloween Carnival. A traditional school carnival, this spooktacular event featured a cake walk, old time carny games, a haunted house, and of course...a bake sale.

I spent an unnecessary amount of time getting a recipe picked, and by that time it was so freakin late that I chose Martha Stewarts One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes. I did splurge on the frosting, and made a traditional Swiss Meringue Buttercream because it is just that much better than powered sugar and milk. Martha also featured some fabulous creepy cupcake ideas that inspired mine.

I packaged them up in some funky paper containers I had been holding on to, and tied them up in cellophane bags with orange ribbon. I tried some as "mini's" and packaged for the cake walk in a paper egg carton with a ziploc baggy, stickers, and measuring tape.

RECIPES FROM MARTHA STEWART LIVING

One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Swiss Merengue Buttercream Frosting

Makes about 9 cups, enough for about 28 cupcakes

2 1/2 cups sugar
10 large egg whites
4 cups (8 sticks or 2 pounds) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

Place sugar and egg whites in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and egg whites are hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Test by rubbing the mixture between your fingers; it should feel completely smooth.
Transfer bowl to mixer stand. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until mixture has cooled completely and formed stiff and glossy peaks, about 10 minutes.
Add the butter, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated after each addition. Don't worry if the buttercream appears curdled after all the butter has been added; it will become smooth again with continued beating. Add vanilla, and beat just until combined.
Switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on the lowest speed to eliminate any air pockets, about 5 minutes. If using buttercream within several hours, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature in a cool environment. Or transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator, up to 3 days. Before using, bring buttercream to room temperature, and beat on the lowest speed with the paddle attachment until smooth, about 5 minutes.

Boys on Fire

2009-10-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Rockin' out at the New Children's Museum...

Whoaa

2009-10-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

My head is freakin' spinning. Maybe I have a month's worth of blog posts in my brain. What happened to the last 30 days? What have I been doing for crying out loud?

At work we launched a new member program I've been working on for the past nine months...The Gallery. In conjunction with the launch came a blog (I post once a week or so...) and new collateral materials. Whoo Hoo! We have 30 members to date...

I'm getting my feet wet as the mom of two kindergartners...in separate classrooms. The PTA is knockin', the Foundation is callin', and daily emails are delivered from room moms. I volunteered to be the "Art Odyssey" teacher for Max's class, and a helper for Beck's class.

I was invited to join a group called the Axiology Collective. This dynamic dozen is packed with intelligence and sincerity. It's been less than a month since I was introduced to the group, but I am truly grateful for the invitation and look forward to the monthly gatherings. And yes, there is a blog (find me there, too)! The ladies have done a beautiful job of designing and documenting the past year of topics with related resources, and now our collective commentary.

Oh yes! I finished up the logo and business card design for a fabulous new matchmaking business called Love Happens Here. Yea Kim! Fun project and wonderful connections...On this Truly Fine note, I was thrilled to be a featured designer at the VIP Grand Opening for Green in Hillcrest. My longtime floral friend, Carlos Franco gave Truly Fine Design a prime spot in his hot new shop.

Which reminds me...the Mister surprised me with a gorgeous floral arrangement from Green after we celebrated 9 years (of humor, of hip hop, of love, of friendship...) at Cucina Urbana near Balboa Park. We sat at the community table, met great people and had a fantastic night with lively conversation. The Basil Martini is a MUST, the egg and pancetta pizza was outstanding (with a Super-Tuscan red), and really, yes, the roasted strawberry frangipane is SO worth it.

Which brings me finally to the last big hurrah of the past 30 days. My very dear BFF Cindy (better known as Cynthia) accepted a job in Boston with Reebok. Last weekend we threw her a party at the East Village Tavern & Bowl. This Monday we'll have our last Muffy & Buffy adventure before she heads to beantown. Heavy sigh.

Legoland & Guinness Ganache Cupcakes

2009-09-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

For the boys’ 6th birthday celebration I skipped throwing a party for their friends and we went directly to Legoland for a raucous day of fun. {Photos Here} Beck & Max had their first REAL grown up rollercoaster ride! Immediately after the ride, they were like “I WANT TO GO AGAIN!!!!” We ended the day at Pizza Port, “the best pizza in the world,” according to Beck.

The boys requested chocolate cupcakes...so I made this recipe via SmittenKitchen:

Chocolate Stout Cake
Adapted from the Barrington Brewery in Great Barrington, MA via Bon Appetit

This recipe was originally intended to make a layer cake of 3 8-inch rounds. Upon many reviewers’ suggestions, I halved it and it fit perfectly in a bundt pan. The halved amount is below, and the icing replaced with a simple ganache.

1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
6 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons heavy cream
3/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Cake prep:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a bundt pan well; make sure you get in all of the nooks and crannies. (Some people even go so far as to brush the inside of their bundt pans with melted butter–you cannot be too careful!). Bring 1 cup stout and 1 cup butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Transfer cake to rack; cool completely in the pan, then turn cake out onto rack for drizzling ganache.*

Ganache:
For the ganache, melt the chocolate, heavy cream, and coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over the top of cooled cake.

Working Mom Guilt #398 Birthdays

2009-08-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

Oh No You Didn't!

In the first week of kindergarten, we received invitations for two birthday parties. Luckily both boys were invited to each.

Invite #1. A brother-sister event. The boys asked if perhaps the sister could wait this one out as she is a MAJOR irritation to them. Fine, we don't need to go to this one, they are not particularly close to the new pals. Yes, I am the mom that selects events on their behalf. Am I a snob? No. I'm just really particular about our family time.

Invite #2. An invite to the party of a pal they met last year in PEPP. Wonderful! Charming young girl, in one of the K classes. So when is it? WHAT? But that's a school day. I mean, that is in the middle of the day, okay 2PM, but on a school day! Grrrr.

What bums me out is that I would have been happy to make this party work...on a weekend. Or even a late afternoon! Seriously, is it so unique that both parents might be found working at 2PM on a Thursday? If I don't make it work, the boys miss out. "Oh we can't go, because our Mommy has to work." I simply cannot make an exception for this particular day because I have a major event that night. Sigh.

Kindergarten: Day 1

2009-08-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

August 20, 2009
Sunset Hills Elementary
Beck, Room 1
Max, Room 4

Folders, CHECK!
Snack in a disposable bag with name on it, CHECK!
Lunches, CHECK!
Sunscreen, CHECK!
Clean teeth and smiling faces, CHECK! CHECK!

In Boulder, Baby

2009-08-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Beck, Max, and I took a trip to Boulder, CO to visit the family. One last summer hurrah! We had a fabulous time in Grammy Em's garden, at the Silly Six birthday party for Beck, Max and Maya, and on the girls' trampoline at Tia Jessica's house. One afternoon we rocked Estes Park with mini-golf and a ginormous slide.

Chocolate Banana Bread

2009-07-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

Image Courtesy Sunset Magazine

I'm a very fortunate gal to have visited "the ranch" last year. Rancho la Puerta is the most amazing camp for grown ups. Of course, it's better known as a fitness spa, but let's face it...your typical spa does not offer morning hikes to an organic farm, craft workshops, drumming, Feldenkrais, and bingo night. From their own PR materials,

"We make healthy people healthier! You’ll return home stronger, with the healthful glow and spring in your step that comes from a vacation devoted to relaxation, good eating, learning, and exercise."

This is true, true, true. I've never been so genuinely blissed out and upon return, my skin actually DID glow! Erased quickly in a whirlwind of work-kids-reality. Sigh. Another time? You bet. After we sell our first born...

Okay, let's break it down. It's all about creating a healthful balance in our lives. Exercise, Healthful/Mindful Eating, Meditation/Spirituality/Reflection. La la la la la. Good. Now, one thing I love to implement is healthful eating! Cheers to any and all of the great recipes that come from that fabulous kitchen. This is a new staple in our house, and I hope you enjoy it too.

P.S. I have to get judgy here for a minute. A woman posted this on her blog, and KILLED the recipe by ADDING a bunch of sugar (both white and brown!) "because it wasn't sweet enough". Trust me, it doesn't need it!

CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus at least 1 hour to cool.

From Sunset Magazine:

This dense, moist bread, served to morning hikers at La Cocina Que Canta, tastes so chocolaty that you'd never guess it's made with prune purée instead of butter. It's adapted from Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta by Deborah Szekely and Deborah M. Schneider.

Yield

Makes 1 loaf (20 slices)

Ingredients

12 ounces pitted prunes
3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 medium)
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour or whole-wheat pastry flour (or 1/2 cup of each)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup banana chips, coarsely chopped
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation

1. In a small saucepan, bring prunes and 2 cups water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until prunes are very soft, about 20 minutes. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter a 5- by 9-in. loaf pan and line bottom with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit.

3. In a food processor, whirl prunes and bananas until very smooth. Add eggs and whirl to combine.

4. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir in banana mixture until evenly moistened. Stir in nuts, banana chips, and chocolate chips. Scrape the thick batter into pan and spread level.

5. Bake bread until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out a little chocolaty but not gooey, 45 to 50 minutes. Loosen bread from pan with a knife and invert onto a rack. Remove parchment. Turn bread right side up and let cool at least 1 hour before slicing.

Shortcut: Substitute 12 oz. (1 1/2 cups) unsweetened prune baby food for the pitted prunes, and omit water and cooking in step 1.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional analysis is per slice.
Calories:174 (41% from fat)
Protein:3.5g
Fat:7.9g (sat 2.7)
Carbohydrate: 27g
Fiber:3.2g
Sodium:153mg
Cholesterol:21mg

Deborah Szekely and Deborah M. Schneider, Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta, Sunset, FEBRUARY 2009

The New Napoleon Dynamite

2009-07-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

One of the ways we might pass our time at an extraordinarily casual dinner at home, is for Jarrod to show us all skateboarding or bike videos (on the laptop, at the table...GASP!). These 3-5 min. movies showcase serious stunts by average dudes.

Tonight, I got a special showing of Jarrod's latest find. In a word, sweet. I'm crushing on this Erik Elstran, who is a nouveau Napoleon Dynamite with sweet skills and rad music. Not your typical testosterone trickster, Elstran really rocks his bike in style and uses a bit of humor to keep you wanting more.

Check it out:

Erik Elstran - April 2009 from North of Ten on Vimeo.

Pump Up the Jam

2009-07-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

Blackberry...Apricot...Strawberry...Rose Tree...

Christmas in July! Today I received a big box of homemade jam. My mom rocks the homemade jam. Someday I will take the time to learn the Art of the Jam. In the meantime I will treasure and hoard these jewel like jars of sweet goodness.

Oh! And to make it a true twenty-first century care package she included a starter library of relationship books. Five, to be exact. The jam really sweetened the deal.

Ode to the Motherlode

2009-06-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm a relatively new subscriber to Lisa Belkin's Blog at The New York Times. It's called Motherlode, Adventures in Parenting. I dig this blog because Lisa just seems to nail the issues that I'm already thinking about, or want to be thinking about. Tonight I saw her recent post regarding the boy with cancer from Minnesota, the strip search of a 13 year old girl in Arizona, and Jon and Kate Plus 8, which I do not watch but have fair knowledge of (who doesn't these days?). I enjoyed this so I clicked through her links to an earlier post...and landed here: "What's Harder, Marriage or Parenting?".

Hmmmm. Lisa addressed this topic in the context of other "momversations" that were happening online (January 2009). SHOCKINGLY not all moms were experiencing the same challenges. Many moms are overwhelmed by today's parenting pressures. Others are struggling to manage their marriage. I know where I fall on this issue, as I said out loud tonight (with my watermelon margarita) "It can't get any harder than this." OY. Where are you?

Take a deep breath. One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish. Smell the marine layer, listen to Michael Jackson and eat a homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich.

Fresh Baked

2009-06-25T21:14:00.001-07:00

I love to cook. I especially love to BAKE. So, when the Mister determines he is a bit (okay A LOT) gluten-irritated (irritated because he's not ready to own "intolerant"...) I decide to explore the alternatives. I had a heap of blueberries on hand this week so I made a formal foray into the GF blog world. Gluten Free Girl offered this recipe...it includes lemon zest, which is fantastic because we have plenty of lemons right now. I only modified it slightly because I had soy flour, blue corn meal and an Arrowhead Mills GF baking mix. I used some of each. The Mister approves!

My first adventure in flourless baking was inspired by a bowl of (aging) cherries. One of my favorite flavor combinations is cherry almond so I proceeded to modify a traditional recipe. I used organic soy flour instead of traditional flour, and I used a cup of almonds, at least half of which I ground up into a fine almond meal. Since the cherries were fresh, I did attempt to dry them out a bit with paper towels and a pop in the oven prior to mixing. Of course, at the end I spinkled raw sugar on top...yum.

Pinky Dinky Don't

2009-06-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

Uggh. It finally happenend. Beck's love of the color pink finally fell in disfavor when his summer school mates teased him about his girly pink lunchbox. Right now Max and Beck are among the youngest in the group and I believe most of the boys are quite comfortable conforming to traditional gender roles. Poor little thug. He is quite sensitive now, though he is strong and has a fierce temper. I could have prevented this hardship by censoring his selections, but that can only last so long. If we teach our children (boys or girls) to stand up for their own decisions and embrace the things they love then they will be self assured independent thinkers, right?

It's painful, and trust me I know from experience, but I think I'm better for it. I learned by my own accord, and went through many years of generic conformity to avoid ridicule. I made myself invisible by blending in and making choices that went along with the crowd. So boring. Still, they were my choices. I hope Beck stays strong--loving all colors of the rainbow, asking to wear my Goody stretch headbands, and buying "girl" books like Pinkalicious at the book fair. He may be a twin, but to me, he's one of a kind.

Working Mom Guilt #327 "The Choir Concert"

2009-05-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

So...I thought I had it all down pat when I marked the calendar for the Kindergarten/PEPP choir concert. Thursday, May 21, 8:30 AM. I gave the light blue xeroxed flier to Jarrod, to hang on the fridge in the garage. Just a couple of days later I noticed the following "Uniform: White tops and blue jeans" written on this invitation. Hmmm. White tops. Do the boys have white shirts? Then onto...Packing lunches, making breakfasts, dinner, whatever. In. and then Out.

Cue Thursday morning at home: AHHHHHHH. The boys do not have white shirts. Of any kind or variety. What kind of sane mother puts her 5 year old boys in white tees? That is never worth the laundry headache. The mister offered to go to the store, and I admit, I did call Rite Aid. The lady at the store says yes indeed they carry boys white tees. According to the Mister, no they do not carry BOYS white tees. Grrrr. Cue to the boys getting dressed. No white tee??!!! Well, then I want to wear a "cool" shirt, said Max. Beck had his choice of the party clothes too.

I assured myself, really it won't be a big deal. How many other working parents or just plain busy moms are there? It will probably be about 60/40 for white shirt representation, right?

Not even close.

After swimming through the parental paparazzi, I found myself in the back row--me with my iPhone (forgot my other fabulous devices), and every other amateur film maker using tripods and video cameras to capture the glory. There they all marched in, white shirt after white shirt after white shirt. Front row arrives, the last of the students. Beck, then a few later, Max. Try....112 kids in white shirts. 2 in Hawaiian*. Rock on mom, rock on.

*I might have seen a striped white shirt, and one with some funky designs, but nothing, not even close to the Beck & Max show...

OMG Oatmeal Cookies

2009-05-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

These cookies ROCK! I actually followed the recipe and restrained from making them "healthier" with applesauce and flax meal substitutions. Maybe next time...

Alaskan Airlines Pilot Oatmeal Cookies
via "Baking And Boys!" Blog

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger and cloves (my tweak, called for nutmeg)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted, crushed finely
1 cup walnuts, toasted, barely chopped
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix together. Add oats, raisins, nuts and any other mix-ins and stir to combine. {They may seem a bit crumbly, but I used a tight little scooper to keep them together. Don't worry, they finish up rich and tender.} Bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 11 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen cookies, depending on size.

Overheard

2009-05-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

My very good friend, Kate McKay, is studying law in London. She overheard this in the library today: "The problem with my codpiece is that I can't find enough socks to stuff it."

Kate, I miss you!!!!!

Cheers to Chore Charts!

2009-05-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Yea! I think I've been able to cut my nagging by at least half since creating these chore charts. Mornings are easier since I began setting their alarm clock, and now the boys have stopped asking me what to do next in the getting-ready-for-school-drill. After school they need to empty and put away their lunch and snack bags, empty their school folders and wash hands. At some point before bed they need to hang up their hat, shower, brush chops, and get jammies on.

I've put the pages into protective sleeves, and posted them in the foyer. They use dry erase markers to check off the boxes as they go. While there are a host of different charts on the market, most are geared to older kids who can read. Using pictures and words allows them to take ownership of the list and manage it without our help. If they ever get stuck..."uuugh what do I do next?"..."Check your chart." "Oh, right."

I do need to add a box for book reading (homework) and possibly add a section for bigger chores like taking out the trash and watering the plants. If anyone wants a more generic version (no names or shower pics!) I can provide a PDF with a few fill in the blanks.

Bird's Eye View

2009-05-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

It's been my dream (since forever) to have a treehouse. Unfortunately, even growing up with oak filled lawns in the Midwest, I never had the opportunity to realize this vision. In the sixth grade we were given a project to create and design a dream house (these were my favorite type of assignments) and I created a treehouse. The plans were two dimensional of course, but my sky high fantasy was modern and earthy, sophisticated yet cozy. I am reminded of this because of a recent post by decorology on "Amazing Treehouses I Would Live In."

While I don't see a treehouse in the future of our landscape, I do think the view we have affords a similar sense of freedom and peace. Instead of pining away for the day I might have my own nest, I thought it best to explore options for visiting such marvels of architecture. This is what I found:

Cedar Creek Treehouse at Mount Rainer

Tree House Lodge, Costa Rica

Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Hainan Island, China

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California, USA

***Image at top of page is courtesy of Blue Forest***

Just because you have twins...

2009-04-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

does not mean you can trash the place.

Tonight Jarrod & I went out for dinner at our local sushi joint-sans kids. While it's famous for it's 50% off rolls, it's no dive. Next to us were two couples with a baby, then just a table away were two couples with a set of young twins--maybe 2.5 to 3 yrs. old. The tots were in restaurant high chairs and watching a portable DVD. Interesting idea. Anyway, it looked like they were making the kind of mess that many kids do. After dinner they all got up and made a rapid exit. What was left in their wake can only be described as the aftermath of a mixed vegetable earthquake promptly followed by a specialty roll hurricane.

Seriously. It was a SCENE. I wish I'd had the balls to take a picture. It's Saturday night, 730 PM, and the place was PACKED. Every server hustling their orders zipped by, paused slightly, grimaced, and kept walking. The area was not even approachable, and the patrons waiting for tables (it was a 4 and 2 top together) were pointing, staring, and commenting. Now let me say that the parents were completely NORMAL looking...like, they could have been our friends, and maybe even belong to twins club. However, none of my friends would have left a restaurant in that condition. Even with a ginormous tip, it's really unacceptable. That table was on lockdown for at least 30-45 minutes. I was embarrassed for the parents, and felt awful for the staff. I did have the nerve to ask our server if they left a big tip. She said with a smile "no--they have the babies."

I gave her a big tip.

Overheard

2009-04-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Like Mother, Like Son.

After announcing that I tripped on a dart gun and inadvertently kicked it under an unknown piece of furniture, I walked away and overheard the following...

Max: Beck, this is just a reminder, but don't leave your toys around the house. I know you know this already, but it's just a reminder. Okay Beck? Thanks.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

After discovering the package of dried blueberries was left open in the pantry I promptly told the boys they needed to seal up the bag or they would dry up...

Beck: But Mommy, they're already dried out.

Touché, my love, touché.

My Bunnies

2009-04-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

Beck and Max in their PEPP class at
Sundance Elementary before the big egg hunt.
April 3, 2009

Not my kids, but seriously, so funny....

2009-04-03T22:04:00.001-07:00

ToTaLLy RaNDoM II

2009-04-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Max: I'm SO active. No one knows my moves. And I have cool moves.

Max: Last night I dreamed we were building a banana beef tower.

Beck: I know all about meat. That's beef turkey.

Current Events

2009-03-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

These are just a few news items that caught my attention this week.

Stenson in his Skivvies

'I was only wearing two things when I hit the shot, my jocks and my golf glove," Swedish Golfer Henrik Stenson, at the WGC-CA Championship in Doral, Florida.

The Nobel Prize for Evil

Austan Goolsbee, a member of the White House Council of Economic advisers, on AIG: "It's almost like these guys should have gotten the Nobel Prize for evil." Watching Jon Stewart share this tidbit is unparalleled.

The Money Grab

Drug suspects led police on a high speed chase on the 805. To complicate matters they threw thousands of hundred dollar bills out the window...and yes, people stopped their vehicles ON THE FREEWAY and ran around IN TRAFFIC trying to grab it all up. No injuries, but lots of idiots.

The Super Friends are Awesome

2009-03-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

We are way into the Super Friends right now, after Max used gift $$$ to buy the All New Super Friends (1977) double disc set. Each of us have been assigned a Super Alter Ego: Beck is Superman, Max is Batman, Papa is Aquaman and I am Wonder Woman. I'm digging the old school graphics and costumes (yes, even though it's animated you can definitely timeline the shorty shorts and knee high tube socks). Each mini-episode is interspersed with magic tricks, safety hints (don't hitch hike (!), don't play with matches), and recycle tips. Finally--the ultimate gem--Ted Knight is the narrator. Seriously?

Mr. Universe

2009-03-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

I've always had a horrible time with historic timelines and events. It's just all sorts of people and places floating around in a spherical world of happenings. Totally non-linear thinking. I can usually cover this pretty well in general cocktail banter, but if it came to Final Jeopardy I'd be screwed. That said, I hope the boys inherit Jarrod's historical and political acumen. Admittedly, they are not there yet...

The world according to Max & Beck begins with Jesus, Santa and George Washington. The current debate (and it has been this for quite some time...) revolves around the physical strength of Jesus. "Jesus is as strong as Superman." "Jesus is stronger than Papa." "Is Opa as strong as Jesus?". Jesus, of course, has strength beyond his bitty biceps. He is magic. Otherwise, I might never have heard this one..."Jesus made me do it. He controls me."

Thank God Jesus is Magic. Really. Because if it came to a throw down with Santa and George Washington, my money's on the guy in the red suit.

True Love

2009-03-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

[Scene: A family room in suburban California, 8:09 PM. The Daily Show plays in the background, a married couple sits next to each other on the couch, cruising Facebook on their respective laptops. The FB IM pop-up follows...]

8:10pmJarrod

hey babe, do you want to do it? [ding!]

are you there? [ding!]

hey you? [ding!]

8:11pmSarah

Love you. LOL!

8:11pmJarrod

but i still want to do it

8:11pmSarah

Yeah but I'm triple multi tasing [sic]

ToTaLLy RaNDoM

2009-02-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

On the topic of being President
Me: What kinds of qualities in a person make a good President?
Max: Someone who eats their healthy food without their mommy telling them to...Someone who picks up after themselves without being asked to...someone who shares
Beck: Someone who listens...A Farmer...A Soldier

In the car, on the way home from wherever
Max: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Me: What book should we read tonight?
Max: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
[pause]
Beck: Mummy, mummy--I think, hmmm this is Beck...I think I want to read
Max: HEY! I WASN'T FINISHED TALKING...BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH
Beck: Mummy...This is Beck...tonight I want to read Harriet and the Rollercoaster.
Max: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

"This is Beck" ? Yes, I know it is you, you are sitting right behind me love...

I Heart the Oscars

2009-02-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

I heart the Oscars...mostly because movies are a wonderful part of our culture and provide a visual and emotional escape like nothing else. Well, that, and the red carpet (OBVIOUSLY!) Following are some of my 2009 Oscar thoughts. Unfortunately, I see way fewer movies now than I did pre-kids. Aargh.

Slumdog Millionaire
I really loved this movie. And to think, at first I wasn't going to see it because I heard it was (at times) "really hard to watch." Then I learned that my Grandma had seen it, and was up for it again. Okay, right. If my 80-something year old Grandma can hack it, I sure as hell can. Not to mention that the soundtrack kicks some big booty as well...

Kate Winslet (The Reader, Revolutionary Road)
Total. Girl. Crush. While I didn't see either one of these movies, if I could pick someone to play me in my life story, it would be Kate. Hands down.
Wall•E
Wall•E stole my heart. I loved his complete devotion to Eve and his menagerie of artifacts...

The Dark Knight
Unbelievable performance by the late Heath Ledger. Christian Bale is an outstanding Batman, and I'm quite smitten with Maggie Gyllenhaal

Random Honorable Mention Goes to:
Quantum of Solace and Daniel Craig's White Pants

P.S. Wish I'd seen Milk
P.S.S. Why didn't Bruce Springsteen's The Wrestler get nominated?

The Case of the Missing Waffle Fry

2009-02-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

I took the day off today. I was going to workout, clean my office, create, hang out with my mom on her last day in San Diego, drink coffee and surprise my children with an early pick up after their big field trip to SeaWorld. Today was going to be a glorious day. I did get to hang with my mom and I drank coffee. However, at pick up, I learned that B was {again} not well behaved at school. Uggh. Gone were my dreams of special treats and Superfriends. I spent the afternoon saying no, giving time outs, and being whacked and popped by {one of} my 5 year olds. More Uggh. That was my LOW.

My HIGH follows:

Scene: Our Dining Room
Menu: Pulled pork sandwiches/tacos, apples & clementines, waffle fries, red cabbage & carrot slaw.

6:33 PM
Max: I'm going to take 3 waffle fries. That's enough for me. Papa, you can have more because you're the biggest.

6:45 PM
Jarrod: Max--What is that outside? [Jarrod reaches over and nabs one of three untouched waffle fries.]

Max: I don't see anything. What is it?

Jarrod: Hmm, I don't know, must have been my own reflection.

7:00 PM
Max: I have to go potty. I mean, excuse me, I'll be right back. [Max leaves the table.]

7:15 PM [Max returns to the table, all are STILL seated]
Max: Hey! Where is my waffle fry that I haven't even eaten yet? I had three. There are only two here!

[Silence from all at table, while Max frantically looks on the floor, under his plate...]
Max: Have you seen it? It looks like a pick axe.

[At this point in time, I completely lose it and bust out laughing, shaking with tears. "It looks like a pick axe?" This only angers Max further, and inspires me to say...]

Me: Well what was it wearing?

7:20 PM
[After 5 minutes of speculation on real magic, invisible dogs, and potato eating tulips, Beck comes clean...]

Beck: I think Papa sneaked it, ate it and is really just lying. He's lying and he ate it.

Max believes that The Case of the Missing Waffle Fry remains unsolved...

I C U ! DO U C ME?

2009-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

These super rad sunglasses came courtesy of the eye doctor, in their first visit, which lasted a record 2 h. 20 min. in an afternoon without a nap. Oh yeah, and they had their eyes dilated. I have bruises on my shins from Beck's massive physical resistance to the drops. The visit was a referrel from their physical last spring. Yes, I put it off that long...sorry? I didn't really want to deal with the possibility of glasses during summer and new school. I know that's lame, but whatev. So finally we went. And. They have crazy awesome perfect little healthy eyeballs. Pray it keeps, because my vision sucks!

Final Gem: When the Dr. asked Beck if he goes by any other name or would like to be called something else, he took a great pause, and said "Bumblebee".

What I Didn't Buy Today

2009-02-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

I don't believe I've mentioned Simply Lovely, a gem of a site that I discovered in some of my blog wandering. Again, on the theme of consumption, author/hostess Joslyn has this little thing going called "The Spending Hiatus." I've joined the support group, so now I can post things like "What I Didn't Buy" which will still serve my consumption drive (in a virtual sense) and inspire me to spend some time reflecting on all the things I'm doing, instead of buying. Like experiencing the WiiFit while my whole family sits there and watches me...doing a tree pose...getting soccer balls and shoes thrown at me...crashing on a ski slope. Yeah, that's quality family time baby. Welcome to unprecedented times.

But dammit, Paper Voodoo would have come in really handy today...

Overheard

2009-01-30T09:53:00.000-08:00

I mentioned to someone recently that I have an uncanny ability to overhear odd conversations (usually one-sided) in public places. I'm beginning to document these gems...

“No, seriously, I totally slipped on a hot dog, and I nearly died!” (TARGET: Electronics)

"I use it to wash my butt, vagina and pits." (TARGET: Health & Beauty Aids)

"Well, it hasn't really healed. It's just an open, gaping, wound." (Henry's: Cereal Aisle)

Disneyland

2009-01-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying I've never been a real Disney fan. Walt Disney as a concept...no. It's not the amusement park thing, I love rolllercoasters. It's the "Disney" thing. Especially after a Women's Studies major at UW-Madison where my senior video project was an "intervention" on a campus screening of Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. Truth be told, I did visit Disney World at age 7 or 8, and distinctly remember Space Mountain. I recall NOTHING else. Really, nothing. Except that I was deathly ill on that trip to FL and received a big pill in the rear in a doctor's office late at night. Such a VIVID memory. Seriously.

So, having lived in SoCal now for more than 8 years, and having kids above age 5, it does marvel people that I still have not been to Disneyland. At times I'm actually irritated by the level of mirth and wonder it generates in adults who plan trips there WITHOUT children.

Today, on the eve of my 37th birthday, I'm setting all of this aside. I accepted an invitation from my very dear friend to celebrate this occasion with Mickey and the gang. WITHOUT children. Oy! It's time to break out of my bubble and have some old fashioned fun. I'm also doing reconaissance for a trip there with the boys...come on, they DO have a Jedi Training Academy! I hope to have some fantastic photos, great girl time, and an amazing roller coaster ride. I do love rollercoasters...

It's a Beautiful Day...

2009-01-19T21:01:00.000-08:00

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

-Emily Dickinson

Being Nice is Lots of Fun

2009-01-16T06:31:00.000-08:00

So I received an e-mail from my gal pal mom Michelle Obama the other day {she and I are tight!}. Essentially, it was a call to service (on behalf of P.E.B.O.), encouraging me|us|citizens to volunteer for our community. Embedded in the e-mail was a link to USA Service, a website for inspiring us all to change our world, starting in our community. In response to this, Starbucks launched the "Take Five" initiative, asking java heads to pledge 5 volunteer hours to create more than 1.000.000 hours of community service. Free Tall brewed coffee!

I've been pretty passive on my own volunteerism since moving to San Diego, and it's not something I'm proud of. Since I work at a non-profit, I sometimes feel like I AM volunteering {I realize this is selfish}. In SD I've been on the twins club board and served for the PTA, but before we moved I volunteered at the Parental Stress Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Their mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect. I worked with children of families in transition and stress and I miss that experience. It taught me a great deal and was personally rewarding. I obviously have less free time now, but would like to give back again, and this time include the boys or the whole family. For now, we are going to drop off toys and books at the Children for Change event in Scripps Ranch on Monday. I found this event via USA Service and it seems a good first step.

To support this personal initiative I've found THE ACME SHARING COMPANY. In their words, Acme "is a place where parents can find activities for spending family time with meaning. Exposing our children to cause-based adventures is a wonderful way to make giving a part of their lives now and for the future." I love this. There are blog tags for finding activities for certain age groups {4+}, ideas on teaching gratitude, and book recommendations. Hurrah!

Last but not least, I discovered Operation Nice. The founder is a graphic designer and crafter. Of course! She created a blog about 7 months ago dedicated to acts of kindness. I've always said, it's about the little things--being thoughtful and courteous is not reserved for special occasions. From founder, Melissa Morris Ivone, "If everyone was a little bit nicer to the folks they encountered each day, perhaps the world would be a more pleasant place. Operation NICE was initiated to remind you that a little NICE goes a long way." Yes, indeed it does.

What Did You Buy Today?

2009-01-14T23:37:00.000-08:00

I heart my SIGG water bottle too. Illustrator Kate Bingaman-Burt has the most fabulous and eccentric project going on. She has created Obsessive Consumption. Bingaman-Burt began to document all of her purchases in 2002 and subsequently created a brand around the related illustrations and images. She is hand drawing all of her credit card statements until they are paid off, and illustrates a purchase a day which is displayed tenderly on her blog, aptly named What Did You Buy Today?. Totally quirky, a bit psychotic, and a truly original take on consumerism. Love, love, love.

SoCal Sunday Dinner

2009-01-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

In honor of this fabulous SoCal weather (79 degrees) we're cooking up some fish tacos tonight. I ran across this recipe in Domino last summer, and immediately whipped up a serious batch of the watermelon margaritas. {Outstanding!} Now is the time to try the tacos. The only thing is, my heart lies with a red cabbage slaw from a defunct restaurant of Madison, WI. Tacqueria Gila Monster was the most sophisticated yet simple Mexican food I've ever had. Nothing compares. To my knowledge only three recipes from this restaurant are floating around...the slaw, a tomatillo sauce, and a cactus mushroom soup. Three cheers for my alma mater The Isthmus, for reminiscing this lovely food memory in a 2007 post by Linda Falkenstein. I made this slaw at the boy's Fiesta Birthday a few years ago, then promptly lost the recipe. Found it!

Red Cabbage Slaw

1 head red cabbage
1 pound carrots
1 bunch cilantro
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder

Quarter and core red cabbage. Slice thinly by hand or in food processor. Peel and grate carrots. Chop cilantro. Toss all ingredients. Let stand one hour before serving. Toss again. Serve as a garnish for tacos, as a side dish for sandwiches, or as a picnic salad. Makes 3-4 quarts.

From Jill Watson, Taqueria Gila Monster Restaurant.

We'll see if I have as lovely a photo, and if the children eat ANY of it.

Proud Papa

2009-01-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

So, at dinner last night, Beck announced that he is going to name his {future} baby, Lulu. Remember, this is the young man who asked Santa for a watermelon. After the announcement he emphatically expressed that I record this information..."Write this down mum-MEE. Write it down." The boys sometimes refer to me as mummy, as opposed to mommy. They also both say: bee-nok-lee-ers instead of binoculers; bak-set instead of basket; am-blee-ens vs. ambulence; and hocks-pi-tal instead of hospital. Back to Lulu. The reason this is such a kick, is that if we had a girl, she was going to be named Lulu. Well, Luella Blue to be exact. And Sophie Parker was baby girl #2. Pretty interesting.

Trim the Fat

2009-01-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Yee Hah! Again, I'm trying to be more thoughtful about my (our) spending. We need to cut back (wallets and waistlines), and I have lots of room to improve in this area. Especially, I find it very easy to justify extras at the grocery store. Okay, yes, I'm a foodie. And I can be a real food snob. And I'm really conscious of organic, trans fats, HO's, bleached flour, refined sugar, whole grains, etc. etc. etc. But since it's FOOD, it's okay. I was taught, if you are going to eat it, then fine, buy it. No crap. And don't waste it. I seem to put food (all kinds) into a "needs" category rather than a "wants" category. Especially briney garlicky olives, creamy goat cheese, dark chocolate... Very creative, huh? I came across this tidbit, and it seems like a nice place to start...

Supermarket impulse buys: Put any items that are not on your shopping list in the shopping cart's child seat. Before checkout, choose just one item from the child seat. If you find a great bargain, take something off your list to accommodate the good deal.

Are you cutting back? How?

A Good Exercise

2009-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here I am, putting it out there. It is said that you are more likely to stick to your goals if you share them with friends and family. Really. Do I have to?

Yes. In 2009...

I will spend more time outdoors. In my backyard, on a trail, up the mountain, at the beach.
I will exercise 4 times/week. Including spinning, which I love.
I will be flexible in my definition of exercise. It is a walk with a pal. It is yoga.
I will be more realistic with myself and my expectations of others.
I will eat really excellent food. In moderation.
I will plan {more} meals with enthusiasm and creativity.
I will listen more. Judge less.
I will make time for my business each week.
I will paint and write and read {books. not magazines}.
I will create and stick to a budget.
I will get my oil changed regularly.
I will reduce my carbon footprint.
I will show my love in new ways.

Obrigado

2009-01-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

Cristiane Oliviera
1976-2009

xoxoxoxox
Beck, Max, Sarah, Jarrod

For a variety of reasons I am not up for talking about this post.
This blog was created to document my life, our life, the life of my boys.
And this is part of it...

The March of the Headless Plush Toys

2008-12-31T19:04:00.000-08:00

Your life story would not make a good book. Don't even try.
-Fran Lebowitz

2008: It was a very good year...

boys
I'm so utterly in love with ages 4 and 5. Always have been, always will. Max & Beck are completely in their own heads most of the time and it thrills me. Creative, sensitive, bossy, witty, imaginative, adventurous, passionate. SO completely full of life. Unfiltered. On the other hand they can get super distracted and frustrated which ultimately ends in one (or all) of us growling, screaming or swearing.

work
I held out for advancement in my Museum career and worked to earn a promotion to a position that is both rewarding and challenging (especially in this economy). To boot, I am now surrounded by some fabulous women with great energy and humor.

art
I kept up with Truly Fine Design after a late 2007 launch. LOTS of room to grow. I had other ideas so I took up painting as well..

passion
I'm married to a Scorpio. We're still having fun...I think.

politics
Obama. Sarah Palin. Tina Fey. Last, and so not least...Jon Stewart. Heart, heart, heart.

friends
I do have some terrific peeps. They may not all hang together, or even be in the same state, but I love them each truly, madly, deeply.

Is this even interesting? I'd love to know what my mom was going through at 36. She was divorced with a 14 and 9 yr. old I believe.

This year I could not get my game on for regular workouts. Fuck. Why is that so hard? Doing the usual job-wife-mom-juggle...not a great strength of mine, but I do put up a good front. When I think of all the things I should be doing, like oil changes, eye appointments, oops, bill paying, video returning, oops, running, writing xmas cards, oops, having a really lovely family photo taken, oops and oops. This is how I feel:

"A week after my drugs ran out, I left my bed to perform at the college, deciding at the last minute to skip both the doughnut toss and the march of the headless plush toys. Instead, I just heated up a skillet of plastic soldiers, poured a milkshake over my head and called it a night. "
-David Sedaris

Go Royals.

2008-12-29T07:12:00.000-08:00

Can I just take a moment to explore the current trend of revisiting high school and grade school friends and pictures on FaceBook? Friends and frequaintances are spending serious time scanning in old high school photos of their pals back in the day. This trip down memory lane makes a number of stops at big bangs and puffy sleeves. Everyone seems to be lovingly nostalgic and reconnecting with others at breakneck speed (yes, I'm observing with a careful eye). Truthfully, I'm not that nostalgic for the 80's. Or the 70's for that matter. I've maintained contact with my BFF and when curious, have shared an email with a few key peeps. I'm thrilled to have survived The Breakfast Club, the cliques, the "Senior Steps", homecoming hazing and spring break frenzy.

My life as a grown up has been far more rewarding than the awkward days of HHS. A message to my boys: Kids can be cruel. And being a teenager is hard--downright painful at times--but you will make it through the drama. On the other hand, if you are the class president or the royal hottie or the soccer star, Hurrah! Enjoy it at the time, but be kind to the dorks and please don't get too big a head over yourself.

Santa Baby

2008-12-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa, Beck admits that he is probably on both the Bad List and the Good List this year. Max is "only on the good list." That said, they would still like to submit their Wish List for your thoughtful consideration.

For Beck:
An Angel
A Candy Cane
Pajamas
Some Presents
Superman Costume
A Watermelon
Batman Mask

For Max:
Robot
A Candy Cane
Jammies
Teddy Bear
Wind-up Christmas House
Remote Control Airplane
Small Drum
Ratatouille Book

Saint Nick, we know you are awfully busy this time of year, and that certainly, times are tough. Any presents you give to us will make us happy and be a great surprise.

Love,

Beck & Max

P.S. Don't forget, we are staying at our own house this Christmas Eve! We will leave you cookies and milk and for the Reindeer--carrots.

P.P.S.
Max: "If I was Santa I would give people whatever is on their wish list."
Beck: "I I was Santa I would give you a remote control Christmas tree."

I Heart Brussel Sprouts

2008-12-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

Indeed, I love brussel sprouts. I just found this recipe and I can't wait to score some pancetta to get my brussels on. This is perfect winter food, and I'm glad the boys refuse to eat them because then there is more for me and hubby. Damn the grams in this recipe. I need a translation.

From the Blog: Sweet Paul

500 g brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut in half

200 g pancetta, cubed

2 tablespoons olive oil

50 g almonds

salt

pepper

Heat the oven to 200C, 380F.

Place brussels sprouts, pancetta, oil and almonds in an oven proof baking dish.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts are al dente and the pancetta is golden.

You need to stir every 5 minutes so that the fat from the pancetta covers the sprouts.

Take it out, taste with salt and pepper.

Serve warm.

Happiness is...

2008-12-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

Happiness is...Coffee, Best Friends, Responsible Ecological Choices, and Great Design

I had the pleasure of spending great BFF time with KT in Minneapolis last weekend. While my original gift idea was to locate a quality version of the old "Best Friends" necklace, with the charm split in two, we found something better.

In our shopping excursions we located a sophisticated, yet utilitarian item already on my holiday wish/give list:

I Am Not A Paper Cup
James Burgess, 2007
An eco-friendly alternative to disposable cups, this double-walled porcelain version with a pliable silicone lid keeps beverages hot and doesn't burn your hand.

Found in a variety of locations--momastore.org, thinkgeek.com--we found these at Paper Source in Uptown Minneapolis. I heart mine.

The Max & Beck Lexicon

2008-11-30T18:19:00.000-08:00

I realize this blog can and should chronicle as much as I have NOT included in the lovely baby books still sitting politely on my shelf. Reflecting my own obsession for words, I'm going to document bits of their inventive vocabulary or oft used phrases.

Vol.1.0
Mugger or Nugget: A bad guy or someone who really makes you mad.
JuJu: Something super big. Usually in context of a big bear hug. Also can be for a kiss and currently reserved for Mommy.
Xixi (shee-shee): Portuguese for pee. Often abbreviated "I have to go (sheesh)".
Coco (coh-coh): Portuguese for #2. Recently abbreviated to "I have to go (coke)".
Real Magic: Anything particularly special or extraordinary. A term used BROADLY at age 5.

***

Smell the Dairy Air

2008-11-25T21:09:00.000-08:00

While I grew up in Minnesota, I lived in Wisconsin for nearly a decade. The years I spent there were some of the best--my 20s. The new golden age right? I have great pride in this state, home of the Friday Fish Fry, Ancora Coffee, Farmer's Market, Isthmus, weekend road trips, and of course, the Badgers. My Big 10 Alma Mater. Home to my husband. As much as I love California I get quite nostalgic for memories of Madison . It would both thrill me and send me to the poor house if the boys someday chose UW-Madison. If not that, I'll settle for Berkeley. Go Wisco.

Super Random

2008-11-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a few to remember...

Beck (with a tight spring clip attached to his middle finger): Mommy, this feels awfully good.

Max: I want to stay 5 forever.

Beck: When I grow up I am not going to marry my brother, because that just doesn't work.

Max: When I grow up I'm going to be a police artist. And live with a police girl. And buy a police truck, and a police motorcycle.

Beck: When I grow up I'm going to be a guy who takes pictures.

Max: When I grow up I'm going to live in London.

Beck: When I grow up I'm going to live with my wife. In San Diego.

Panic at the Disco

2008-11-12T21:09:00.000-08:00

Uugh. I had my first ever panic attack today. After a stressful end of day meeting (which I bailed on before it was over) I ran to my car (late to pick up the kids), and started hyperventilating. I could only gasp for little bursts of air and I couldn't determine if I was going to throw up, pass out or burst into tears. No one ever said this was easy.

Duck for President

2008-11-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

Phew. I was beginning to get quite elitist in thinking that "real" America was just a bunch of morons.

Such a process is difficult to explain to 5 year olds. To give perspective to the situation, we settled on a book that's been in our collection for a while...Duck for President. It's by the same author as Click Clack Moo. Long story short, the Duck ousts the Farmer, then moves up the civic ladder--seeking easier jobs-- finally winning the Presidency. In the end, Duck bails on the Presidency and goes back to his work on the farm. On election day, we tried to explain the voting process. Jarrod broke it down real quick: You're voting for the Donkey or the Elephant. Which one?

Long Pause...

Max: The Donkey.

Mom: Yesssss. That is correct.

Later in the car, Beck informed me that they will vote for the Donkey now, but when he's a grown up he's voting for the Duck. Max put in his vote for the Cow.

Make it Work

2008-11-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

For those of you that know, I have a little side gig called Truly Fine Design. I've struggled with the blog part of it, which I know can be a critical part of building the business. Now that I get the whole blog thing, I've moved my Truly Fine blog from the business site, to here. This is where you'll find more of my design and art inspired musings...the personal stuff stays here.

Top Disappointment

2008-10-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, last blog for the day. Just finished Top Design, (warning...spoiler ahead) and while my vote lies with Nathan, I was so disappointed to hear the desperate whining from Andrea, married to Silver Spoons hearthrob Rick Schroeder. She made it to the top 5 but kept bitching and moaning about missing her family, blah blah blah. Finally, they gave her the option of staying or going. She was like "Oh...I don't know...Ondine, what do you think?" Ondine is probably thinking "quit your whining and go home, because if YOU don't go then it's ME!" Her last words, through tears were "I'm really a mom first." No, really you are YOU first. You are an individual, a human being, who can be a wife, a mom, and still be a great ________ (fill in the blank). Follow your dream dammit!

You Must Be So Proud

2008-10-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

On the Beck note...just here to report that he has successfully managed to work "shit" into his everyday vocabulary. As in "Oh shit, I forgot to..." or "Oh shit, what was I..." Well done sir. Just waiting for Max to bust out the F-bomb...or better yet! Repeat "Christ on a stick" which came out in my recent string of curses upon learning that all 8 of the very due library books were removed from the foyer and placed randomly into 4 book storage locations. Awesome.

Workin' It

2008-10-22T18:42:00.001-07:00

So I signed up for the Work From Home gig today because Beck was rockin' a runny nose. (P.S. WFH-is that an official acronym now?). Jarrod came home and asked if I'd actually gotten work done, and I really DID. We marveled that 10 years ago that never would have happened...shared documents, servers, emails, teleconference (TC?). Anyway, it was good. I'm glad I could make it work. My office is clean right now, so it's a joy. Well, I won't go that far. I was doing my "real" work, not the fun stuff for Truly Fine.

This does remind me though, of a recent story on NPR about the negative effects of multitasking. Recent scientific studies assert that we are not actually doing several things at once, but that we are just extremely quick to switch our attention from one thing to the next. Hmmmm...Does that mean that I cannot email and talk on the phone at the same time anymore? Oprah told me that was rude anyway...but what if you are emailing the person you are talking to? Trust, me there are times this is absolutely necessary.

Eco-Living

2008-10-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

OMG and Double Yikes. I'm not not talking about being green or environmental impact, I'm talking about The Economy. I have my own form of eco-friendly changes I'm making, which will hopefully make an impact on the bottom line of our budget.
Here goes...
#1 Make-up
In my quest for affordable mascara I tried out this futuristic tube of LASH BLAST Volume Blasting Mascara by Cover Girl. I love the orange and silver packaging and the high tech wand. Best of all, it works! And it's less than half the price of my total favorite Too faced Lash Injection mascara. Still love Jo Malone scents and haven't found a decent replacement for Nars bronzer...
#2 Food
Did you know that two packs of extra firm tofu costs a total of 3 bucks? AWESOME. So much cheaper than organic chicken. Jarrod said he'd eat it at least once, maybe twice a week at that price. Bring on the ginger broccoli stir fry!
#3 Library
I have a book weakness. I love to buy the boys new books. Me too, actually, but I try to only buy them at thrift stores. This month we got a library card. I'm not sure why it took me this long...we only read three of the 8 books. Still, it felt right.
#4 Thrifting
This is not new for me. I love it. In fact it's like Eco x 2. Anyway, I buy a lot of the boys clothes at thrift stores...of course this gets balanced out by their bi-annual Nordstrom shoe trip. Can't have it all I guess...
#5 Cancel Stuff
We really don't use the Y, except for swim lessons 3 times/year. In fact working out there made me depressed and everytime we took the boys there for recreational swim someone had pooped or vomited in the pool. DONE, and more DONE.

Sigh.

Material Girl

2008-10-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

So I hate to confess the moments when I am shallow and obsessed, but here goes...I really, really, really miss my iPhone. It was stolen (along with my I.D. and other key elements) on Saturday night. I had become so attached to it's chic little body. Bright, shiny, white plastic. Muffie von Phone. I waited in LINE to purchase this little device. Even giving blog time to a phone seems ridiculous. The boys have offered to help the police find the bad guys. They suggested I write them a letter and that we follow clues for it the next time we go to the Children's Museum (it went missing at their gala...). Uggh.

Duped!

2008-10-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

In my appreciation for free enterprise I made the mistake of allowing a frickin' Kirby vacuum salesman into my foyer to clean the carpet. Grrrr! Honest to god I did not even think such a concept (or product) still existed. And, obviously I knew it was a promo, but I thought it was for a SERVICE, which is a SERVICE that we would be in the market for...Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!

Open for Business

2008-09-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

Today I took the day off to be with the boys on a "FREE" day. We had a hike on Black Mountain, and then off to run errands. TORTURE. The trade off for the post office, bank and dry cleaner run, was lunch out. Okay, true confessions. We went to Carls Jr. - MAINLY because it was so completely convenient and the boys have been drooling over their play structure for a year. I'd actually never been before--don't get me wrong, I heart my burgers, it's just that I'm true to Hodad's and In-n-Out. Whatev. LONG story short, we got to talking about burgers, and monsters, and so on. The result: The boys are going to open a food joint called Monster Burger--Beck is going to build it, and Max is going to paint the floors--diamond shapes. Also, Max is going to do his art, and Beck is going to put it on the walls, and people can come and buy it. It will only be open for lunch.

Happiness is...

2008-09-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

In this stressful time (globally) I'm making an effort to be more grateful. I've always been driven by the "little things" and feel it might provide me a better perspective if I make these acknowledgements known.

I'm thankful for the beautiful view from my backyard, classic fragrances by Jo Malone, great children's books like The Big Orange Splot, by D. Manus Pinkwater, and man-size safety glasses that turn boys into super-heroes.

The Anti-Sarah

2008-09-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Words cannot express my total disgust for the nation's apparent lust fest with Sarah Palin. I wouldn't hire her to be my goddamn intern. WTF?

Name That Tune

2008-09-14T19:23:00.001-07:00

Today at Von's the boys were behaving so badly, that when we got back to the car (and the situation had escalated to a high pitched chorus of screams) the guy next to us offered to take my cart back. He looked at me with empathy and said he'd heard that song before.

Kenley Bugs Me

2008-09-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should have just named this blog Pulp Fiction. By writing my thoughts here, it's as if I think they have importance and meaning outside my head. Not a good plan according to Eckhart Tolle (I'm almost done, Oprah!). Well, I can only take so much enlightenment at a time. That's why I have Project Runway, Top Design, and Entourage to fill in my spiritual gaps. Oh yeah, and The Daily Show, The Office, and possibly Lipstick Jungle and the Rachel Zoe Project. Reality Slut! This is when I start referring to the characters as my peeps. And frankly, Kenley really bugs me.

5 Golden Years...

2008-09-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

So, it's a perfect time to reflect on being mom. Just over 5 years ago I was bursting with Baby A and Baby B. 39 weeks and more than 15 lbs. of baby later, I was gently surprised to have two BOYS. Good lord. They are totally off the wall and I love it. Except for tonight. This is a warning to my PQ pals: I think there is crack hidden in the G-Spoon mini servings.

True Confessions: I'm Really Disorganized Right Now

2008-09-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

This always happens before the boy's birthday...it's fall, back to school time, and i need to plan and execute a great party (of my own high expectations, of course). This is also the time i realize that i need to catch up on bills, my business!, exercise, filing, piles of shit, other. Basically everything i've ignored all summer. How did that happen? We didn't spend THAT much time at the beach. HOW DO YOU DO IT? I need more time in my day. I need less reality TV. I need to commit to my priorities. UUUgh. Are you feeling this? How DO we do it?

Double Yikes

2008-08-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

The boys were cruising around the house all weekend squealing "Double Yikes" as inspired by 70's most revered role models Scooby and Shaggy. Honestly, I'm still questioning the underlying reefer reference, and the whole Scooby Snack phenomenon. Mystery Van? Really? As Jarrod pointed out Fred looks to be at least 30 years old, and I think he looks like he hitched a ride fresh off the S.S. Minnow. Just a thought.

Obsessive Aesthetic Disorder

2008-08-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a new disorder. And yes, I'm afflicted with it. It's called Obsessive Aesthetic Disorder (OAD) and is characteristic of people that notice all varieties of aesthetic details--for better or worse I might add. Yesterday I became freakishly obsessed with all things ugly broken or in general disrepair. Crooked signs. Dust. Wilting flowers. Misspelled words. Chipped formica. Dreary, homely people placed in very "public" oriented jobs or posts. It's so beyond my control, and therefore so very frustrating. Frankly, quite disappointing. I would like tomorrow to be filled with little aesthetic miracles to make my mind mellow. P.S. I'm adding this one to the lexicon...

Word Clouds

2008-08-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

I heart wordle.net.This fabulous website, which i found through my required dose of Daily Candy, creates little word "clouds"--a montage of your text. You can change the color, the layout and the font. So fresh.

My Little Nonconformist

2008-08-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of "real" school for the boys. They are in the PEPP class, which is essentially a half-day kindergarten. For this first year, they will be at Sundance, where they are all Wildcats. Or mostly all...after Beck told me that school was "Great. Pretty Great." Max politely informed me that he had fun, but he is not a Wildcat.

Sun Your Buns

2008-08-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

Today I savored the last day of summer with the boys. They start school tomorrow so we headed to Fletcher’s Cove for some R&R. Something that continues to amaze me is the high body confidence of Europeans. Of course, this is a generalization, but honestly...aside from Mr. Phelps, what American guy is sporting speedos on the surf? His wife had the juiciest bottom EVER, and her bikini did not even come close to covering her assets. This tanned twosome had to be at least 10-15 yrs. older than me. Gutsy!