beauty secrets (?)

I have been a fan of MAC makeup for several years now.  Each Christmas, my sister-in-law and I receive a Macy's gift card for the intended purpose of purchasing makeup.  It is one of my favorite gifts.  Not only do I get to spend two uninterrupted hours with my sis, but we get to have our makeup professionally applied and walk away with a sleek MAC bag full of goodies.  Earlier in the month we had our annual makeup date, and I was introduced to this fab product.  If you, like me, have a slight blueish tint under your eyes, or carry some heavy "baggage" there (Hello, middle of the night feedings!) this is a great product to lighten the under eye. 

 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/153/15746/Products/Eyes/Primer/Prep-Prime-Highlighter/index.tmpl

 

 

If you know me well, you know that I have a slight lip product addiction.  Junkie might be a fitting description here.  It's no wonder my son would rather slather on "lippies" during doctor appointments as a special "treat" than suck on a lollipop.  I have been known to have as many as ten lip products in my purse at a given time.  In fact, I have a special purse pouch dedicated to my beloved lip products.  Some might call it excessive, I'd like to think of myself as prepared.  You never know which shade of nude, peach or pink you'll need on any given day.  Shimmer?  Matte?  Gloss?  Bold?  Just a hint of color?  Just check my pouch, I've got you covered. About a year ago I read an article in Parents magazine featuring "must have products."  Sara Happ's lip slip instantly caught my attention.  It's a bit pricey as far as lip products go, so I put it on my Christmas list.  Oh, what a gift!  Putting this silky, but slightly tacky lip balm on each morning and just before bed brings me great comfort and satisfies any need my dry lips might be having.  Ms. Happ's lip products make me quite happy.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sara-happ-the-lip-slip-lip-balm/3279417?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=441

 

The lip scrubs are also fantastic for exfoliating, and come in a variety of tantalizing scents.  I received the black cherry scrub for Christmas and love how my lips feel rejuvenated after a light scrub.  You may be tempted to OD on the product like I did the first time using it.  Trust me, less is more.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sara-happ-the-lip-scrub-brown-sugar-lip-exfoliator/3279370?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=516

My girl, Amy, another self-professed makeup connoisseur, introduced me to the magic of BB creams.  There are several on the market to choose from.  I surfed the aisles of Target to find mine, but they are a wonderful skin product providing light coverage, SPF protection, and tone correction.  Lately, I apply BB cream and MAC skinfinish for light coverage before adding a touch of color to my cheeks.

 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4180691&categoryId=cat170002


And, one final lip product.  Again, I have to give a shout out to Amy for discovering this smooth and sweetly scented lip tint.  Originally, a gift for my lip gloss loving little lady, I have now confiscated this gloss and keep it in my coat pocket.  Providing the perfect hint of color (16 shades to be exact) for an effortless everyday look, and you cannot beat its amazingly smooth application.  Highly recommend.



http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Makeup/Lips/Lip-Gloss-Balm/Colour-Riche-Le-Gloss.aspx?shade=Nude-Illusion

Do you have any favorite products I need ought to have on my shelves?

Fun with letters

You went to school to learn, girl
Things you never, never knew before
Like I before E except after C
And why two plus two makes four

 

ABC
Easy as
one, two, three
Or simple as
Do re mi
ABC, one, two, three, baby, you and me!  

 

- The Jackson 5

 

 

Sight word wall 





Big Cluster Maple Granola

recipe from Deb Perelman's The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

 

This crunchy snack was gifted to me on Valentine's Day by my dear sis-in-law in the most adorable glass container.  The cherries add a big burst of tart flavor to the mildly sweet granola. We enjoyed heaping spoonfuls over vanilla yogurt all week long.

 

 

yield: about 7 cups granola

 

Ingredients:

 

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 cup (or increase to 2/3 cup if a sweeter granola is preferred) maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg white

1 1/2 cups dried cherries or another dried fruit, diced

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Combine all ingredients but the egg white and dried fruit in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.  Whisk the egg white in a small bowl until frothy (a solid tricep workout).  Stir into granola mixture, distributing it throughout.  Spread granola in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  (I used two.)  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  About half way through the baking time, use a large spatula to turn over sections of the granola.  Rotate the pan if granola is baking unevenly.  When it is evenly browned and feels dry to the touch, transfer the pan from the oven to the cooling rack.  Cool completely.  Once cooled, sprinkle in dried fruit.

 

The granola keeps at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks or longer in the freezer.

 

* I omitted the cherries this time around, as we also enjoy granola with milk, and didn't like the idea of cherry chunks coated in milk.  The great thing about this recipe is you can alter the flavor profile based on personal preferences. 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - what is it about ceiling fans?



As they wake

Mornings around her start pretty early.  I know that we are not alone in this.  I have had the pleasure of exchanging text messages with dear friends well before 7 am.  For us, the hours between 5-7 am are a combination of quiet reflection and study, early morning app use, Ipad viewing, milk consumption, and coffee drinking.  It always amuses me to see our bed headed children quietly make their way into the office with eyes cracked and blankies held tight.  It has become one of my favorite times of the day, sitting quietly as a family of five. 

 

 

  Firing off his own early morning texts.

 

 

 

 Recently, the littlest slept in on a Saturday (think 6:30 am as opposed to 5:30 am), granting Jeff and I a "lazy" start to our weekend. Upon waking, I was both pleased and surprised to find the little lady and man sweetly chatting in bed together. 

 

 

She may be petite but she is strong. Showing a little early morning leg. 

 (For the Beyonce fans out there, I have bestowed upon her the nickname of Sasha Fierce.)





A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - gamer



the things they do

I Love You Through and Through

by:

Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

 

i love you through and through

 

 

i love your top side.

 

i love your bottom side.

 

 

i love your inside.

 

and outside.

 

 

 

i love your happy side,

 

your sad side,

 

 

your silly side,

 

your mad side.

 

 

 

i love your fingers

and toes,

 

your ears

 

and nose.

 

 

i love your hair and eyes,

 

your giggles

 

and cries.

 

 

 

i love your running

 

and walking,

 

silent

 

and talking.

 

 

 

i love you through and through...

 

yesterday, today and tomorrow, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

the wheels on the bus...

Guest blogger - Charlotte Marie Larson

 

 I went to the domes, and there were three domes.  The first was the tropical.  Then the jungle one and then the one with trains, which was very cool.  OK now, inside the school bus I liked when Eli came with me and we had lots of fun.  We were talking about maps, singing songs and we were talking with each other. Long pause... (voice hushed) He kissed me.  The bus felt funny; it felt fast.  And, it was my first time going on a school bus.  Ms. Marino and Mrs. Norton are my favorite teachers. I liked the train dome because there was a stage with clowns on it, and I did karate and ballet on it. *My kids got to ride on the trains. I liked having my Mom on the field trip. 

 

* By "kids" she means her imaginary friends.

 

 

The infamous, Eli, Char and I.

 



The 2013 Dragonflies

 

 

 A few favorite moments from my morning as a chaperone...

 

- In spite of my nausea, the bus ride was a highlight of the field trip.  With each turn the bus made, the little lady would cry out, "Whoa!" and at one point asked if she would fall out of the bus when on the "big road" (highway).  During the twenty minute ride to the Domes our friendly pal, Eli, attempted to put the moves on our little lady a few times dropping not so subtle hints such as when reading the little lady's map, "Charlotte loves to kiss Eli."  He was clearly smitten with her and enjoyed expressing his affection for her the way most young boys do, with gentle punches and pokes.  He's lucky her father was not chaperoning.

 

- Our gal loves to raise her hand and be called upon.  During the morning's small group session, she was quick to shoot her hand up with an excited gasp as the instructor asked several questions about plants, climate, and photosynthesis.  I hate to say it, but "teacher's pet" might be in her future.  I'm afraid the apple does not fall far from the tree.  In fact, the more I observe our little lady, I'm learning just how similar the two of us are.

 

- The little lady enjoys the fellowship of her peers, is quick to offer them a helping hand, is always up for a good joke, and feels comfortable both leading and allowing others to direct her.  I was especially blessed to watch her quickly share the four animal crackers her teacher passed out to her not knowing Eli would soon receive his own four crackers during snack time.  She takes great pleasure in seeing her friends happy. 

 

- Just before leaving the Domes one of my fellow chaperones, a father, asked that I check in on his twin daughters who were lingering in the bathroom. It became clear that one of the sisters was having a difficult time with the lock on her door.  After a quick and failed tutorial on how to turn the lock, I found myself crawling under the bathroom stall to free the sweet blue-eyed girl.  She seemed quite impressed by my agility (of which I have none) and quick body contortion (she caught me on a good day).  All in a day's work.  Chaperone extraordinaire.

 

 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - target practice

 

a perfect cold weather activity for a little man who needs to keep his hands busy.

spray bottle - Target travel section ($1.00)

bath clings - Target bath accessory ($5.99)



words of encouragement on patience

 

 

 

from girltalk

 

As moms we must be humble and admit we fall short of the bar of mothering perfection. Very. Far. Short. We are not always patient with our children. We are not always faithful to teach and train and discipline. We give in to selfishness, anger, laziness, and grumbling.

 

That’s why a mother who is grounded in the gospel looks two ways. She really does have eyes in the back of her head.

 

A gospel-centered mom first looks back to her justification in Christ. She remembers that all of her mothering sins and shortcomings have been nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ. That he became sin for her that in him she might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).

 

But she doesn’t stop there. The gospel-centered mom looks forward too. She strives with the Holy Spirit’s power that works within her to be perfect as her heavenly Father is perfect. She stands on the ground of forgiveness and accesses grace—through God’s Word, through counsel from godly women, and through prayer—to grow as a mom. To be more patient, more joyful, more consistent, more loving. To be perfect.

 

Moms need grace. We need grace to admit that we are weak and grace to not settle into those weaknesses. We need grace that frees and forgives and grace that gives power to grow.

 

 

***

There is something about going to God in prayer that reminds us just how patient our heavenly Father is with us. This produces humility in our hearts, which in turn, produces patience toward our children. And we need God’s help. So let’s pray. He is eager to help us to model His patience toward our children.

to continue reading



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - early literacy

Bob Books

The little lady is a grand story teller.  With a flare for the dramatic, it is often difficult to ascertain whether her tall tales are fact or fiction.  I affectionately refer to her as my "little fabricator."  Her vivid imagination and creative mind are among the things I love most about our gal.  

 

Recently, we purchased a set of Scholastic Bob Books to encourage early reading.  Yesterday, she and I enjoyed a few hours of quiet while the little man and littlest slept.  We seized the opportunity to have her first reading "lesson."  With the help of simple illustrations, clear focus on word families, and repetitive sentence structure, she successfully read her first Bob Book.  She and I then practiced writing using the new words she learned.  It was a thrill to watch her concentrate on each word, forming the correct sounds and read independently.  I enjoyed every minute of watching her face light up as she completed each page, gaining confidence.  For a little girl who appreciates being very independent, learning to read will inevitably bring her much joy and satisfaction.  I'll just add it to the list of things she doesn't need my help with.  Ah, my strong and determined first born. 

 

 

My little leftie



a family that cooks together...

recipe courtesy Ted Allen via The Food Network

 

If you are looking to change up your traditional spaghetti sauce, this recipe is a delicious alternative.  The perfect recipe to make on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon as it takes a good 3-4 hours to prepare.  After a fun afternoon in the kitchen, we were excited to share this hearty meal with Doc and Mimi, a satisfying end to an activity-filled weekend.

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

Meatballs:

 

1 pound ground beef

8 ounces ground pork

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs (made from stale bread)

1/3 cup chicken stock, preferable homemade or low-sodium store bought

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 large eggs

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for forming meatballs

 

Gravy -

 

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 celery ribs, chopped

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon tomato paste

One 28-ounce can chopped San Marzano tomatoes

3 quarts chicken stock, preferable homemade or low-sodium store bought

2 or 3 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with cotton string

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 pound spaghetti

salt

 

Directions

 

For the meatballs: In a large bowl, using your hands mix together the beef, pork, Parmesan, parsley, breadcrumbs, stock, salt, cayenne, eggs, garlic and onions until evenly combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture; you don't want to compact the meat too much or the meatballs will be tough. Put a little oil on your hands and form loosely into golf ball size meatballs. You should have about 25.

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Gently add the meatballs and brown thoroughly on all sides; this will take about 15 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a plate, and refrigerate until you are ready to cook them in the sauce.

For the gravy: In the same pan you used to cook the meatballs, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the celery, onions and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and bay leaves and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Push the veggies to one side and add the tomato paste, toasting it on the bottom of the pan for 1 minute. Stir into the vegetables.

Add the tomatoes, chicken stock and thyme, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer very gently, partially covered, until thick and significantly reduced, about an hour.

Carefully add the meatballs, a few at a time, and simmer, stirring very gently now and then - don't break-a-ya bawls! - until cooked through, 40 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Add most of the basil and stir, reserving a little to sprinkle over the top for serving.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes.

To serve, put the pasta into a large serving bowl. Immediately ladle sauce on top and then the meatballs. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and freshly grated Parmesan. Plate the remaining sauce and meatballs in a separate bowl.

taking inspiration from a friend

“Listen earnestly to anything [your children] want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff.”

 

- Catherine M. Wallace

 



this year's book picks

Sunday we made our annual trip to Barnes and Noble to select our books for Valentine's Day.  Each February, I look forward to this special outing, knowing that special memories will be made and that we will be adding to our growing library of books.  Jeff and I have dreams of having an office with wall to wall bookshelves in our future home, displaying our book collection.  I love to observe our children with books, watching as they spend time appreciating each illustration, and listening to the creative tales they tell. 

 

The littlest made it very easy for us to shop.  Entering the store with droopy eyes, she was fast asleep by the time I made it to the children section.

 

 

 

Each time we step through the doors of a bookstore, the little lady and man marvel over the variety of selections and inevitably end up overwhelmed, which often results in some small display of drama.  This trip was no exception as the little lady quickly fell in love with a discounted hot pink journal with lock and key.  Recognizing that it was something she would quickly fall out of love with, and the fact that it was not really a book, we politely asked that she consider another option.  In agony, she perused each shelf in desperate pursuit of a book as "special" as the journal.  While the little man happily examined the pages of his new bug book (a new special interest), I helped redirect our determined gal.  In the end she was pleased to find a new Bible, her second this month.  She has taken a keen interest in the Bible as of late, and was excited to have a new book that would contribute to family devotions.  I spent several minutes debating which book would suit the littlest lady, and in the end selected a book she could enjoy during her quiet play time.  

 

Jeff keeps a rather lengthy wish list of books, so he arrived with two specific titles in mind, and in the end went with the cheaper of the two.  Why must hard cover books be so expensive?! My selection this year was inspired by my ongoing research of potential schools for the little lady as she beings full time Kindergarten in the fall.  Having taught in a traditional classroom environment, I'm very intrigued by the Montessori approach to education. 

 

 





valentine's day revisited

Having missed out on our day of love activities, Jeff arrived home Friday evening greeting us with a sheepish "Happy Valentine's Day" and tokens of love.  The little lady and I received sweet smelling roses, pink for her (adoring all things pink) and peach for me (my favorite).  The little man was thrilled to be included, receiving pink "mints" ("They're not spicy, Daddy, they're blueberry.")  However, he did request that next time he receive a "blue flower."  And, the littlest, she was showered with kisses.  I'm grateful for my husband, who each day finds ways to express his love for us.

 



a party for loved ones

Valentine's Day is one of Mimi's favorite holidays.  As she is always showering us with sweet gifts of love, I wanted to celebrate one of her favorite days of the year by preparing a special dinner to be shared with Jeff's side of the family.  With my little ladies fast asleep and the little man occupied, I was able to spend much of the afternoon cooking the recipes I had planned for our evening together.  I can honestly say I have come a long way in the kitchen since my early days as a young bride.  Cooking has now become one of my favorite expressions of love for my family.  I'm confident I get this from my own mother who daily filled our home growing up with the sweet smells of baked goods or the comforting aroma of a big pot of spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove top.  From prepping ingredients to the clearing of dishes, sharing a meal as a family is one of my favorite ways to make memories. 

Unfortunately, Jeff was held up in a case and missed the night's festivities.  And, while I greatly missed his presence, I was able to enjoy the evening knowing that we would find time later in the week to exchange our special gifts of love, a card for him and a song prepared by him on the guitar for me, a tradition he began our first year of marriage and one that I look forward to all year long.

a little ambiance

The little lady's contribution to the party - personalized place mats. 

I asked the little lady and man to identify one thing they loved about each family member. I wrote their sweet sentiments on a card stock heart and tucked them into each napkin. Watching each family member read their love notes aloud was a highlight of the evening. 

Taking inspiration from my beloved Barefoot Contessa, I prepared two new recipes from her latest cookbook, Foolproof and prepared a classic wedge salad (a family favorite) using her blue cheese dressing recipe from Barefoot Contessa At Home. 
 

Appetizer - Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients:

1 (4-ounce) piece of Parmesan Reggiano cheese (without the rind)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

Grate the Parmesan, using the large grating side of a box grater, as you might use to grate carrots.  Combine the Parmesan, flour, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well.  With a measuring spoon, spoon level tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared sheet pans, spreading each round into a 3-inch disk.  Toss the mixture each time and scoop from the bottom of the bowl to be sure you get some flour in each spoonful.  Bake in the middle of the oven for 8-10 minutes (I found I needed to bake longer) until golden brown.

Cool on the pans for 5 minutes, loosen with a metal spatula, then cool completely on a baking rack.  Serve at room temperature.

*Easy, delicate, and so very delicious!  The perfect starter, pairing nicely with a glass of white wine.
 

***

 

 

Blue Cheese Dressing

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Roquefort cheese or quality blue cheese crumbles

1 cup good mayonnaise

1/3 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons tarragon wine vinegar (I have yet to find this and use a quality white wine vinegar.)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
 

Place the cheese, mayonnaise, heavy cream, vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix vigorously until combined but still chunky.
 

***

 

Oricchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Sausage

Ingredients:

1/2 pound sweet Italian pork sausages

1/2 pound hot Italian pork sausages

1/3 cup good olive oil

6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/4 cup tomato paste

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound dried orecchiette pasta

2 bunches broccoli rabe (2 - 2 1/2 pounds total) (I used 1 bunch of broccoli rabe and 1 bunch broccolini.)

 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prick the sausages with a fork and place them on a sheet pan.  Roast for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until just cooked through. Slice 1/2 inch thick and set aside.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven.  Add the sausages and saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pieces are browned.  Add the garlic and cook for one minute.  Add the tomatoes and their juices, red wine, tomato paste, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and let the mixture simmer over low heat while you prepare pasta and broccoli rabe.

Bring a very large pot of water to boil and add 1 tablespoon salt.  Add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes exactly.  While the pasta is cooking, trim the broccoli rabe to just below the leaves and discard stems.  Cut the leafy part of the broccoli rabe crosswise in 2-inch pieces.  When the past has cooked for 9 minutes, add the broccoli rabe to the past and continue cooking 2-3 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli rabe crisp tender.  Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and drain the pasta and broccoli rabe.  Add to the tomato and sausage mixture.  Stir in the Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of salt.  If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved cooking liquid.  Taste for seasonings and serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese.
 

*A fantastic and satisfying one pot dish!  Will definitely make again for a dinner party.

***

Dessert

 Nutella Brownies with espresso gelato, homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings



be my valentine

This year we were able to spend Valentine's Day with those near and dear to our hearts.  Early Thursday morning, Nany arrived bearing gifts and her famous coffee cake.  After chit chatting over thick pieces of coffee cake and steaming cups of Joe, we dropped the little lady off at school, and made our way to Aunt Dawn's for a Valentine's Day brunch, a special treat.  Later in the morning while Nany cared for her littlest valentine, and the little man slumbered I was able to prepare a few items for the evening's Valentine party before having to pick up the little lady from school.  It was a sweet morning of fellowship, cooking, and conversation.  Coming off our year in Cleveland, days spent making memories with extended family members are especially meaningful.

 

 

Each child received a special new plush toy to cuddle and love.

 

Loving the extra attention from Aunt Dawn.

 

The little man offers sweet words of love.

 

  

Sending a little Valentine's Day love to Daddy via text message.

 

 

As the day wore one, it became clear that the little lady was not feeling so hot.  I found her fast asleep on her favorite chair before dinner.  For a lady that's always on the go, it is rare to find her in such a position.