Barefoot Contessa's Lobster & Shells (sans lobster)

Fresh herbs give this pasta salad a delicious flavor, making it a (new) favorite pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings.  I have yet to include cooked fresh lobster meat, though my husband is hopeful for the day that I do.  With or without, this is a flavorful side dish that will please crowds.

***


Ingredients:

Kosher salt
Olive oil
1/2 pound small pasta shells, such as Ronzoni
Kernels from 4 ears of corn (about 3 cups)
6 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and small-diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pound cooked fresh lobster meat, medium-diced
3/4 cup good mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup (or less) minced fresh dill

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt and some olive oil.  Add the pasta and cook it for 8 minutes, or until just al dente.  Add the corn to the pasta and cook for another 2 minutes, until the corn is tender.  Drain the pasta and corn together in a colander and pour them into a large mixing bowl.  Add the scallions, diced pepper, tomatoes and lobster (if using), tossing gently to combine.  Allow to cool slightly.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt and 1teaspoon pepper until smooth.  Pour over the pasta and mix well to bind the ingredients.  Stir in the dill and taste for seasonings.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill, allowing the flavors to develop.  Serve chilled or at room temperature. 
Serves 8

Memorial Day '13

After several consecutive days of sun, we woke to a rainy Memorial Day.  And, while the prospect of viewing the Elm Grove parade was in question, the little lady and man's spirits were high as we began our day eating breakfast at Bob and Dawn's house.  The mere thought of arriving at their home before 9am sent the little lady into spontaneous fits of happiness, our spirited social butterfly.  With hoods up and umbrellas open we made our way to the parade only to stay through the much anticipated fire trucks.  Thankfully, they arrived shortly after the parade started.  Leaving Bob, Dawn and George, the dog, to enjoy the festivities, we set off for post-parade sprinkle donuts.  After a family nap, which almost never happens these days, we took advantage of Memorial Day sales and purchased a few items for our new home. (More on that later...)  After a few hours spending Dad's hard earned money, we were able to return the favor, inviting the Bob and Dawn over to grill, the perfect ending to a busy day.

 





The Gang's All Here

At the last minute we had to cancel our plans to head north for Memorial Day weekend, and while we missed spending an extended weekend with family at Camp David, we were more than delighted to invite the Bellito and Livingston crews up for a backyard barbecue.  In sweet anticipation of summer, the little ones sported fashionable swim apparel, Crocs, and flip flops while savoring the classic tastes of the season, chins dripping with the sweet juices of over sized watermelon slices.  We have come to appreciate each aspect of our combined family gatherings, the casual comfort of seasoned friendships.  An onlooker might have difficulty identifying which child belongs to which set of parents, as we lovingly take turns passing around babes, chasing after little bodies, coaxing them to finish meals, protecting them from harm's way, and marveling over their individuality.  Our time together is a blur of activity, always ending before we are truly ready to say good-bye, leaving us in great anticipation for the next opportunity to reunite.

 

 

images courtesy of Ashley Livingston

A special memory from this year's BBQ, watching the children play in our rental home's rather large backyard water feature and observing the little lady and Robbie's affection for one another grow.  She may have referred to him several times as her "husband." 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - bed buds

Kickin' off summer



Since leaving the great city of Cleveland, we have not had the opportunity to sink our teeth into our favorite breakfast pastry, the delicate and flaky croissant.  Receiving high praise and a strong recommendation, we spent our first morning of summer vacation ogling the pastry counter of Rocket Baby Bakery.  The little lady wasted no time zeroing in on the pain au chocolates.  I; however, had a difficult time selecting just one item, so I treated myself to two, with the intention of sharing, which may or may not have happened.  Feeling revived by my steaming cup of morning coffee and with tummies full, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and hit up a local park before returning home.  It was a simple morning filled with simple pleasures one after the other, a peaceful start to our summer.

 

 

 

 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - alone no more

Our last quiet school morning together...



Ready for... High School?

Our little lady never ceases to impress me.  There is just something about her, an intangible quality, that at times takes my breath away.  All that energy, charisma, determination and charm contained in a petite frame that flutters about joyfully through life, and that God gave her to us...

 

Starting the academic year at one school and finishing it at another had little affect on our gal's excitement for school.  She embraced her new teachers and classmates with enthusiasm, and appreciated her mornings outside of the home and the opportunity to learn and experience new things.  Specifically, watching her knowledge and love for the Bible grow over the past six months has been rewarding, each tiny seed that has been planted taking root. What a joy it is to watch her faith mature! 

 

Supportive and loving teachers, Mrs. Norton and Ms. Marino

Elmbrook Church Childhood Enrichment Center, 2013

 A few last good-byes with her crew, Conner and Noah

 

 



He did it.

I have learned a lot from the little man over the past six months, as I have watched him overcome fears, pint-sized challenges, and endure the pains that so often accompany change.  Specifically, watching his attitude towards school change for the positive, his insecurities fading away to reveal a confident young boy, have served as a reminder of the power of perseverance.  It is never easy to watch your little ones struggle, and by no means was it pleasant to watch his eyes swell with tears at the very thought of attending; however, watching him embrace each of his teachers on the last day of school before zipping up his own jacket and swinging his backpack onto his shoulders filled me with a deep sense of gratitude and joy.  He (and collectively we) overcame adversity, and I know that our little man is stronger for it.  I am reminded, too, that it is never too early to learn valuable life lessons.  Jeff and I hope that as we encourage our little ones to challenge themselves, set goals and establish expectations, they will use their God-given determined spirits to accomplish dreams big and small.  After sending off our little man for his last morning of school, I found myself welling up with tears of my own.  He is growing up, no longer a toddler but a little boy.  One that I adore and am so very proud of.

 

 

A Caterpillar no longer...

The faithful and loving arms of Mrs. Debban and Mrs. Hess(e)ner

Elmbrook Church Childhood Enrichment Center, 2013

 

 



Month six

 

 

 

Oh six months, how I love thee. I cannot help but look at babes this age and think of them as wee cherubs. As for our little cherub, plump and rosy-cheeked, six months is proving to be a delightfully entertaining and tender age. 

 

Weighing in at 16 pounds, 13 ounces (62nd percentile), and measuring just over 2 feet (37th percentile), she continues to be our shortest babe to date. Because of her length or lack there of, her rolls continue to get a lot of attention, even though big brother was equally plump. And, barring any significant growth spurt, I'd imagine she will remain curvy with her new found enjoyment of food. Enjoying two daily servings of fruits and veggies and the introduction of proteins, the littlest delights in meal time. While skeptical of new textures, she is growing in her ability to bring food to her mouth and is warming up to the occasional snack of puffs and Mum-Mums. And, no snack time would be complete without big brother and sister cheering her on, sampling her food. The little man has grown quite fond of the rice husk crackers, which conveniently come two to a package, perfect for sharing.   

 

Being the third born, her morning naps are often on the go, and overall are less predictable. And while getting her settled for an afternoon nap can sometimes be challenging, once she falls asleep she naps between two and three hours.  While capable of sleeping through the night, she continues to wake on occasion for a quick middle of the night feeding, which I do not mind as they allow me the opportunity to gaze at her precious face as we pass by the large second story window gently lit by the light of the moon.  She continues to wiggle her way around the floor, changing positions often.  But, her latest accomplishment and one she takes great pride in is her ability to sit.  She enjoys the fresh perspective it provides, and has recently taken her strong posture on the road enjoying her first upright cart ride at Target and restaurant high chair at Chili's.  

 

Enjoying the constant chatter of our household, she too, is quick to join in the conversation with various sounds, her favorite being "da da."  Most recently, she has started blowing raspberries while babbling away.  Each day we are drawn to her sweet smiles, playful grins, and bright eyes.  She is flexible yet assertive, relaxed but determined.  She is our delight!



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - slippery when wet

backyards, bugs, and baseball

It's one of the simple things you take pleasure in as a mom, standing at the kitchen sink watching your children frolic about in the backyard.  Each sound conjuring up childhood memories as I watch my little ones create memories of their own.  With each swing of the bat, spray of the hose, and sun-kissed cheek, my excitement for summer grows, anticipating the many hours we will spend in the sun as we slow our pace, stashing away backpacks until the fall. 

 

 

Life long dream coming true...

playing with a hose.

 

The littlest's first encounter with a swing. 

 

Inviting "tomato" bugs to lunch.

 

Practicing his swing.

 



A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - if you're happy and you know it

 

five years

 

three and a half years

 

six months

 



Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

Wanting to make a chocolate dessert to satisfy Mom's sweet tooth on Mother's Day, my sister-in-law and I cracked open the glossy pages of numerous Barefoot Contessa cookbooks for inspiration.  Having never made a tart before, I offered to take a crack at this old-fashioned dessert.   While assembling the graham cracker crust, in a moment of sweet intoxication, I called the little lady and man into the kitchen to inhale deeply its buttery goodness.  The dessert came together easily, the crisp crust balancing the creamy pudding and fluffy whipped topping nicely, becoming an instant crowd pleaser. 

 

 

* This tart needs to chill 6 hours before serving.

 

For the Crust:

2 cups graham crackers (see note)

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

 

** To make 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, crush 14 graham crackers into a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until finely ground.

 

For the Filling:

4 cups whole milk

3/4 cup sugar

5 extra-large egg yolks

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon kosher salt

7 ounces good bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces

2 tablespoons (1/4) stick unsalted butter, diced

1 tablespoon Kahlua liqueur

1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

 

*** I did not add Kahlua, but if used will only enhance chocolate flavor.

 

For Sweetened Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

**** Place ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Beat until it forms firm peaks.

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Combine the graham crackers, sugar and butter in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.  Lightly press the mixture into an 11-inch metal tart pan with removeable sides.  Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.

 

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until almost simmering.   In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt and, with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the milk into the bowl.  (Ina recommends pouring the hot milk into a large measuring cup first to reduce spills.)  Pour the mixture into a large saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is very thick.  Off the heat, add the chocolate, butter, Kahlua, and coffee.  Beat with a whisk until smooth and pour into the cooled crust.  (I did not end up using entire pudding mixture.)  Place plastic wrap directly on the chocolate filling and chill the tart for 6 hours, until cold.  Decorate with whipped cream and shaved chocolate and serve cold. 

Blessed x3

  Some may believe that Mother's Day is the equivalent of a Hall Pass, relinquishing one of all motherly tasks or duties.  And, while I cannot deny the appeal of lingering in bed, foregoing the laundry or a day of relaxation at a spa, for truth be told I'd enjoy every single minute of having my tense muscles rubbed down in a dimly lit room complete with corner water feature and sounds of nature playing softly overhead, as mothers it is easy to let our expectations for this special day lead us down a path of ingratitude, frustration or simply wanting more, be it more rest, appreciation, recognition, etc.  Since becoming a mother, Jeff has made sure that I have felt loved and valued on Mother's Day, thoughtfully seeking out the perfect gift for me on behalf of the children, but he and I have an ongoing joke that on days such as these our children seem to display uncharacteristically bad behaviors, becoming pint-sized narcissists.  To prove my point, for the second year in a row, just after waking and eyeing my metallic hot pink helium Mother's Day balloon, the little lady asked, "When is Children's Day?" Armed with my morning cup of coffee, I politely reminded her of a thing known as birthdays, and the numerous Hello Kitty balloons that filled our home in her honor. (Bless her.) 

 

This Mother's Day was the perfect combination of sweet and stressful, tender moments tempered by every day challenges.  As I went about the day attending to the needs of each of our little ones, I fought the urge to become overwhelmed, choosing instead to embrace their demands big and small.  For without our three little ones, who daily fill my life with giggles, cries, hugs and tears, I would not have the honor of celebrating.  Each moment with them affirmed what I know deep down in my heart, but often lose sight of, that to be a Mother is to be needed, to be relied upon, to put others first, to sacrifice.  And, while there are days when the sacrifice feels great, looking into the eyes of my children, knowing there is no one in the world they trust more, I am suddenly overwhelmed by the beauty of sacrificial love. 

 

Starting the day off grocery shopping as a family, each selecting donuts for breakfast and purchasing items to grill later, proved to be a special part of my morning.

 

I was able to slip away for an hour to visit with my mother and sister, before returning home to help prepare dinner for my dear mother-in-law.  I'm blessed to know and learn from each of these women, who continually invest in my life, affirming me as a young mom and who love our family unconditionally.

 

And, no Mother's Day would be complete without a failed photo op.  Clearly saying "Cheese" was asking too much of the little man and littlest.

However, after dinner all three were more than willing to comply.  And, this is how I will always remember my fifth Mother's Day. 

 





I am your Mother

 

I am your Mother,

My littles, one, two and three

 

For better or for worse,

God has chosen me to be

 

The one to watch you rise each day,

 the recipient of your affections

 

The one to hold your hand gripped tight,

offering you protection

 

The keeper of each and every thought

that passes through your lips

 

The one to cook your meals each night,

balancing babe upon my hips

 

Your trusted confidant and companion,

in adventures big and small

 

The one to scoop you off the ground,

wiping tears after a fall

 

The one who marvels at the sight of you,

every hour of every day

 

Delighting in your creativity,

holding dear the things you say

 

Laughing loudly at each joke you tell,

finding humor in the things you do

 

The one to hold you accountable,

reminding you of your Ps and Qs

 

And, in spite of best intentions,

the one who'll make mistakes

 

The one who'll lose her temper,

and be in need of grace

 

The one who'll need reminders,

not to wish one day away

 

Holding each moment sacred,

for little you will not stay

 

The one who kneels humbly,

for when I am weak, then He is strong

 

For even when we have bad days,

I know that we belong

 

Yes, I am your Mother,

and so proud am I to be

 

A gift so great I have been given,

that of wife and mother of three.

 

 





A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - she sits



Joe

 

 Sandwiched between two little ladies, one with a rather large personality and the other with attention-stealing cheeks, I feel that the little man is sometimes overlooked.  For the record, and I will completely own my strong motherly bias, he's quite a kid.  Having made it through a bit of a rough patch (turning three, the move, starting school, adjusting to a new house...), he is hitting his stride.  For those privileged to see, he demonstrates that he, too, has a personality worth noting and cheeks soft and round, with killer blue eyes to boot.  He is dramatic, with exaggerated facial expressions that make disciplining without laughter difficult.  When troubled or annoyed, he can produce without pause the largest crocodile tears, shutting tight his large baby blues in such a way that again makes it difficult to console without laughing.  Just when you think you have him figured out, he'll surprise you.  His unpredictability, a quality both equally endearing and challenging.  His tender heart and fragility is contrasted by his physical strength.  With legs thick, feet wide, and solid frame, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to scoop up my little man.  He is easily frustrated, but strives for independence.  He is quick to entertain, finding humor in unexpected moments.  His voice, soft and melodic, in one breath produces the sweetest of songs and in the other screams, abrasive and strong.  He is animated and expressive, using his full body to tell stories.  He absolutely delights in receiving positive feedback, often giving an exaggerated thumbs up in the midst of affirmations. He appreciates thoughtfulness, and will often tell me, "Mommy, you're the best!"  He is growing in creativity each day, loves to find his way into a lap for a good story, and is showing a growing interest in superheroes.  He is a concrete thinker, and processes information thoughtfully.  He has an eye for detail, and I'm often surprised by the things that catch his eye.  He loves bugs, and is always on the hunt for creepy spiders.  He is playful, yet cautious, appreciating the comforts of home tempered with small adventures.  He often asks adults to play with him, but what he really wants is for you to sit close, observe, affirm his choices and be entertained.  He continues to find comfort in his large blue blankie, and loves to look back at it as he drags it across the floor.  He is a true second born, looking to his older sister to guide and direct.  His identity defined so beautifully by his relationship with his sisters, admiring his Sissy and protecting his little Peanut, his true delight!  He continues to be my most loyal little man, and his proud Father's boy.  

  



spring, at last.



How wonderful it is to have a backyard!  Our afternoons are filled with outdoor play and exploration, bare feet, snacking in the open air, rolling in the grass, leaping from rocks, smacking golf balls, scooting, skinned knees, and changing outfits one after the other as they become dirty or wet (heaven forbid).  Each evening, after a gentle scrub the little lady and man hit the pillow hard, and with all three falling into an earlier bedtime, I am once again cracking open the pages of a good book.  Welcome spring.