Ageless

Birthdays are about celebrating the unique, special person, not focusing on a number, right? Especially this year. 

We had the privilege of celebrating Andi's "birthday without a number" last night at Il Fornaio. Beautiful bay view. Incredible food...calamari, seafood pasta, butternut squash ravioli, tiramisu, and more. 

But my favorite part of the night was hearing incredible stories from Andi's first (fill in the blank) years of life. Knowing Andi is at the top of my "best things about moving to San Diego" list. Cheers to you and your graceful entry into the next decade! 

Restored

Before...covered up. 

Midway...uncovered. 

After...restored. Just right. 

Do you ever take a "time-saving" short-cut that bugs you from the minute it's done? It looks ok, but never feels just right. I'm gradually learning to be patient and wait until I have the time and/or money to do it right the first time. 

Our back patio is our spot to have a glass of wine and discuss the day while watching the sun go down. It was one of the areas our landlord didn't get to before we moved in. A mess of old paint splattered shingle. Very uncomfortable to walk on and ugly to look at. We decided to do the quick fix and put IKEA wood tiles over the top. But they didn't hide the shingle around the edges. A reminder of what was underneath every time I went out there. 

Contrary to what you probably think, I DO realize that I don't own this home. My time and sweat are being poured into someone else's equity. But part of my adjustment to living in CA is becoming comfortable in a rental. And that means making it my own. Three hours of shingle removal, priming and painting. Well worth it for the next few years that we'll be here. And when you join me on the back patio for a glass of wine during sunset, I think you'll whole-heartedly agree. 

Tortellini Soup

In the friendly cooking competition my sister and I have going on, I have her beat in Stroganoff, but she's a mile ahead on Tortellini Soup. Love this easy crowd pleaser. Tastes great and fills everyone up. Great alternative for football Sundays if you get sick of Chili. Serve it with a side of crusty french bread. (and the red wine reviewed in the last post) 


Tortellini Soup


2 red peppers, finely chopped
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2-3 tsp italian seasoning 
3 tbs olive oil
1 can diced tomatoes
2-3 cans vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups packed baby spinach
1 15 oz can quartered artichoke hearts 
16 oz. fresh cheese tortellini
Shaved parmesan to top


Heat olive oil over med high heat. Saute red pepper, onion, and italian seasoning until soft. Add tomatoes, broth, and artichoke hearts. Simmer 1 15 minutes. Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions. Add spinach 3 minutes before tortellini is finished cooking. Ladle into bowls and top with shaved parmesan cheese. 

Wine Picks

Fresh and Easy Market finally made it to my neighborhood. I've been driving past the construction sight every day for a year. Patiently. Waiting. My first trip  didn't disappoint. Besides the produce and pre-made dinners that I love, they had some amazing specials on wine. I even went outside my normal Paso Robles and Columbia Valley picks to the south of France. (honestly, it was the price that lured me in, but so glad it did) 

This Chateau Calage La Mejanelle blend was a great choice. Very smooth and earthy with lots of berry. Here's a great review of it from Cork'd. 

Juicy, luscious blackberry, raspberry & cherry taste, with a lovely balance of acidity and tannin. Enjoyed it thoroughly with some broiled, peppery sirloin and broccoli. Perhaps the best Fresh & Easy wine I've tried.

I'll be serving more of this at a dinner party this weekend. Fresh and Easy, two things I love about you. First of all, you're English. Obvious coolness factor there. And second, you seem to read my mind. Welcome to the neighborhood. 

Buddies

Did you know October is Down Syndrome Awareness month? Check out a Buddy Walk in your town. Spend some time learning a little more about Down Syndrome. Invest some time in the life of someone with Down Syndrome. I promise, you'll be the one who gains from the experience. 


I wrote some thoughts down in honor of the celebration. Just my experience, but read on if you want to know more. 

I have a son who sits at the “special” lunch table. You know, the one you know is there, but you don’t go out of your way to stop at. Growing up, my visions of myself as a mom included me sitting in the bleachers watching my son play football or baseball. Or maybe, worst-case scenario, watching him play in the marching band. But I was never the mom of a kid with a disability. It never even crossed my mind.

Read more »

Giveaway Monday

You know you have a sweet tooth. My first edible giveaway and it's about time. Pretty excited about this one because I get to introduce you the very talented and kind Rachael Happ. She's the owner of Eventful Cookies in Mesa, AZ. Pretty much the cutest cookies ever. Can't wait to put on another party so I can order some for myself. This giveaway is for a dozen decorated cookies, perfect for celebrating fall. 6 owls & 6 pumpkins. 

Leave a comment. Any comment. And go ahead and enter yourself twice if you share this giveaway with a friend. 

Giveaway ends Tuesday night. But wait, there's more...

Since many of you have asked about being a mom and having a small business, I thought I'd ask Rachael a few questions about how she does it. Read on. 

What inspired you to start your own business? 

Years ago, I was reading the book "Cure for the Common Life" where it talks about finding your sweet spot in life. The place where the gifts God gave you are in sync with what you enjoy doing. I'll admit I only read the first chapter of that book (typical!) but it was enough for me to put together that I have a natural inclination for business/accounting, love to bake, and love interacting with people! That's when I decided I wanted to own a cookie business. 

How did you first get started? 

At first, I just pictured myself baking dozens of chocolate chip cookies and selling them. Insert my sister's wedding last November.  I offered to make cookie favors because I randomly had a wedding cake cookie cutter. I spent weeks of trial and error in cookie decorating and came up with the cookie that I now sell. An almond flavored sugar cookie with marshmallow fondant. Everyone raved about them at her wedding and I realized it was so refreshing to NOT see a million favors left on the tables after the event

How do you manage three young kids and an at-home business? 

Logistically, I work on my cookies after my kids go to bed and actually really enjoy spending hours in the kitchen decorating while listening to some good music and chatting with my husband. Emotionally, I don't allow myself to feel guilt when business pulls me away for a couple of hours. Having a dream, and enjoying the pursuit of it, is an amazing part of life and I want my children to know that. It also really helps having a supportive husband who is truly excited about what I'm doing. 

What is your long-term vision for your business? 

While long term plans are an important part of building a business, I feel it's a good idea to take things as they come and see where God leads. In my perfect world, I'd have a cute little store front or partner with an existing bakery to sell my product.

Who inspires you in life and why? 

I am inspired by a number of women (specifically mothers) who took an idea and had the confidence to run with it. It takes guts to put yourself out there and say "I believe I can be successful and that people will really love my work". My father owned his own business and my mother is an artist, so I suppose owning a cookie decorating business is a perfect product of my parental influence!

Thanks Rachael. You're a gem. By the way, did I mention that Rachael has a set of twins? Now you're really impressed. 

Update: Congratulations to Christy L.! Enjoy your cookies...

Captured

I don't make him wear this hat. Really, he likes it. 

Sweater Bed. 

Dad to the rescue. Entertaining the troops.

Quiche

I've had quiche on the brain since my dinner party with Elizabeth Irvine. The quiche we had from Bread and Cie was amazing. I'd be happy to make something that turned out half as delicious. Not sure I'm going to try making my own crust at first (scared), but the ingredients in the three below seem like a no-brainer. Do you have a favorite quiche combination? 

Wild Mushroom Quiche 

Spinach Quiche 

Ham & Asparagus Quiche 

Halloween on Etsy

I'm home on the couch this week nursing a monster head cold. You know the kind where it feels like you're wearing a pumpkin as a head? After some special behind-the-counter medicine from the pharmacist today, I've been feeling good enough to cruise Etsy. As soon as I'm feeling up to it (tomorrow?) I'm going to drag out the Halloween tubs from the attic. I love buying a few new decorations every year to add to the collection. Here are a few fun ideas I saw today...

Raven on Books Vinyl Decal 

Coffee Stained Tag Banner 

Raven Silhouette Pillow 

"Creeping" Painting

Big Heart

I don't know if all 7-year-olds are this way, but Lincoln can go from Mr. Sassy Mouth to Mr. Big Hearted in 60 seconds flat. One minute I want to drive over his Wii in the driveway and the next I want to kiss his sweet little freckled face for being so kind and lovable. Mood swings for both of us I guess. 


He came home from school the other day and told me some kids in his class were teasing him about Ben. I knew we'd eventually go down this road, but first week of school? Seriously. He said he didn't know what to do. We discussed appropriate ways to tell kids not to tease Ben, and how to explain what Down Syndrome is so they can understand. Lincoln was very mature about it, and I could see how hurt he was that kids would tease his brother. 


But the best part of the conversation for me was when he said, 
"And if they don't stop teasing him, I'll just kick 'em in the shin." 


Hard to argue with that reasoning. 

Glee

Did you watch Glee's season premier last night? I've decided to whole heartedly commit to watching it this year. I'm trying to find a Lost replacement to look forward to. Verdict's still out. Anything you've seen this season I should try? 


I loved Glee's version of Empire State of Mind. I even got up and broke out in some of my 90's hip hop dance moves. Still got it. 

Shake it Up App

image via SFGirlbyBay

Saw this awesome IPhone App, Shake it Up Photo, at SFGirlbyBay. Take pictures on your phone and shake the phone to develop faster. Downloading now!

Terrific Tomato Sauce

I love this tomato sauce. It's simple, a little sweet, and I always have the ingredients in the house. Ben's obviously a big fan too. I save this one for nights when I'm not in the mood to cook, but still want to feed my family well. Add some broccoli and french bread on the side. Tastes great the next day too.  


Terrific Tomato Sauce
1 yellow onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can tomato paste
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. light brown sugar
2 tbs. olive oil
kosher salt
course black pepper 


1. Boil water and cook 1 lb. angel hair or thin spaghetti 
2. Heat olive oil, saute onion and garlic until soft, approx. 5 min. 
3. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce and brown sugar - simmer 15 - 20 min. 
4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Restoration Reinvented

Have you gotten your Restoration Hardware magazine in the mail yet? I couldn't put it down. I've been a little bored there the last few years. Seems like they were just doing different variations of the same things. But the new Gallery Store is chock full of things that would look great in any house. Simple, soothing naturals and a great mix of elements: metal, wood, fiber & stone. 


Here are a few of my favorites...

Iron Orb Chandelier

Vintage Industrial Bookcase

Vintage London Clock

Cast Iron Fishing Weights 

Headbands

Do you wear headbands? I'm trying to be a headband person.


I decided to poll the boys. Big mistake I think. We voted on the headband and I was the only one in the room with a raised hand. (Caveat...Ben wasn't in the room and I'm sure he would have been in my corner) Harrison pointed to it and said, "Bun?" 


Lincoln said it looks like a mini-sombrero on my head. John almost fell out of his chair laughing. Then Lincoln said "Mom, you could totally make that in your craft room. Just get a zipper and some felt and there you go." So proud of you Son. 


Any takers on me keeping the headband? Be honest. We'll still be friends. 

Captured

One of the challenges I came away with from my time with Elizabeth Irvine was to be "mindful" about my actions. The opposite of multi-tasking. Do just the activity you're doing, nothing else. I'm trying it with driving. It's amazing what I've noticed around town when I'm not texting, eating, singing along to the radio, putting on lipstick, etc. Including these beautiful murals, artistic signs and wonderful old buildings. (get it, WONDER-ful)

Decorating with Grey

My favorite article in this month's Real Simple this is Decorating with Grey. I'm going on a three-year love affair with grey, and if you know me, that's a long time. The kitchen is my favorite room of the house since painting it Martha's Bedford Grey. It's light and airy in the day and broods a bit a night. (nice sentence, right?) 


Grey and yellow go together like peas and carrots. (I feel the same about light blue and red, but that's another post) I have to get my hands on this yellow side table from IKEA. I keep running across this paint color, Elephant's Breath, by Farrow & Ball. Maybe for the bathroom? My all time favorite grey if you want one with a gob of Taupe in it is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. Looks great in any room. 


Grey, you'll never go out of style. (Or at least not until next year)

Gaby Besora for Target

I know I've been giving Target tons of love lately, but they just keep taking the bar up a notch. The Designer Series is so fun for people who like to look like they care about style, for very little money. (me) 

The Tucker for Target line by Gaby Besora is out until Oct. 17th. I'm excited about the Orange Heeringbone Skirt to wear with my knee high grey suede boots. Date night, baby. Love the Lawn Bird Print Dress and Green Trench too. 

Have you tried this line on yet? Opinions? 

Talents

Lincoln's teacher after school today...


"Maybe Lincoln has some other "talents" besides arm farts and burping the alphabet?" 


Help. 

Cooking with Joe

My friend Jordan introduced me to the I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook. Are you a lover of  all things Trader? I usually end up with a bunch of things that taste good, but don't necessarily translate to meals, so this book will be a life-changer.  

Especially excited about trying out the Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, Carmelized Onion, Fig & Gorgonzola Tart, Fettucine with Shrimp & Saffron Creme, and Matt's Magic Mushrooms (secret ingredients?).