Last night I made a great dinner and no one complained!!!!
http://www.bonappetit.com/events/promotions/article/yotam-ottolenghi-s-roasted-butternut-squash-recipe
This was a great recipe and very easy. I used precut squash from Wegmans, but everything else was hand cut and measured. The kids thought it was better than plain squash. Since none of my family are big squash eaters, for them to give this meal a thumbs up, it was a big deal.
And my version it looked just like the photo!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Girl Scout Cookies
Back when I was a kid, I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout, and one of the most exciting times was COOKIE SALE time! As an adult, there were many things my kids sold (wrapping paper, cookie dough, magazines), but the cookies are great.
Last year my little girl sold cookies for the first time and had a blast! She learned about how to take an order, order fulfillment, and money management.
This year, her sales are great, and she has improved her sales pitch. She has a greater confidence, and she is calling people who email me that they want cookies. She calls them, and introduces herself and describes the cookies. She has listened to many grown women describe the joy of selling cookie themselves. She is able to communicate who to make the check payable to and where to mail the check. She is able to tell people her most popular cookie (THIN MINT).
She is very eager to deliver the cookies, and of course design her Thank You note. She comes to my office to deliver the cookies that my co-workers purchase. She drives around in the mini van with me to deliver the cookies.
She also knows that her parents stand behind her and support her. We make the phone call on speaker phone, so she can take the order while talking. I can hear the conversation, to make sure it is good. I walk around the neighborhood with her (safety first). We skip the houses that we don't know the owners (safety).
She is very proud of herself and gaining skills that I didn't know one can gain from selling Girl Scout Cookies.
If you are interested in purchasing cookies, please let me know! I will have Naomi call you if you are in our area!
Last year my little girl sold cookies for the first time and had a blast! She learned about how to take an order, order fulfillment, and money management.
This year, her sales are great, and she has improved her sales pitch. She has a greater confidence, and she is calling people who email me that they want cookies. She calls them, and introduces herself and describes the cookies. She has listened to many grown women describe the joy of selling cookie themselves. She is able to communicate who to make the check payable to and where to mail the check. She is able to tell people her most popular cookie (THIN MINT).
She is very eager to deliver the cookies, and of course design her Thank You note. She comes to my office to deliver the cookies that my co-workers purchase. She drives around in the mini van with me to deliver the cookies.
She also knows that her parents stand behind her and support her. We make the phone call on speaker phone, so she can take the order while talking. I can hear the conversation, to make sure it is good. I walk around the neighborhood with her (safety first). We skip the houses that we don't know the owners (safety).
She is very proud of herself and gaining skills that I didn't know one can gain from selling Girl Scout Cookies.
If you are interested in purchasing cookies, please let me know! I will have Naomi call you if you are in our area!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Posting photos of dinner
In today's Boston Globe Food Section, there was an article about posting your photos of dinner:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2014/12/09/food-styling-meals-for-instagram/mkf0mxeyXWBKQxONOkwIrK/story.html
I thought it was an interesting article, but now I want to share why I post my nightly meals (and baked goods). As a working parent, I hear from many people how they are amazed that after a long day, I come home and cook a meal. Adam and I both grew up with daily family dinners. Sometimes we do eat a family dinner over a frozen meal or a take out meal, but the point of family dinner is to eat as a family. We turn off all electronics, including the radio, the TV and no cell phones. We have conversations about our day (best and worst part of everyone's day), politics, the weather, current events or other interesting things. We talk and we discuss as a family (and we remind each other not to put huge GOBS of food in our mouths, or to use a fork or napkin). That is the best part of family dinner.
The other reason why I post my meals, is that if I can do it, you can do it. I have no known special powers that give me the ability to cook. I take pride in what I cook, and if I can roll into the house at 5:40 PM, and have dinner ready at 6:45, so can you. I don't cook a chicken that takes two hours to roast on a Monday night . . . . hamburgers and homemade sweet potato wedges. Last night was homemade pizza. Again, food that is able to be prepared while the kids do homework. I walk into the house, and start to cook. (If I sat down on the sofa, I would never get up.)
The baked goods are my passion. I love to do it. Some people love to bike. Others love to sew. I love to bake (and my husband cleans up my mess).
Another reason that I post what we eat nightly, is that my kids eat family dinner. I cook one meal for everyone (okay, sometimes there is a chicken dish and a similar tofu dish). At least once a week there is a meal on the table that each kid likes. But, there is no alternate meal (unless the new dish I cooked is soooo horrible that we all have ice cream for dinner). We started this rule years back . . . . I am not a short order cook, I am a mother and wife. Eat what is served, and maybe the next meal you will like better. Also, the kids have to try each food. We all have to eat a balanced diet. All of us. I love asparagus, but my kids really like cauliflower. I really don't like cauliflower, but I eat it.
Eating as a family is great. It is scary to think that in September, 2020, my eldest will be away at college, and family dinners will be different with a family member not in attandence.
Cook a family dinner - once a week, but eat dinner as a family daily.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2014/12/09/food-styling-meals-for-instagram/mkf0mxeyXWBKQxONOkwIrK/story.html
I thought it was an interesting article, but now I want to share why I post my nightly meals (and baked goods). As a working parent, I hear from many people how they are amazed that after a long day, I come home and cook a meal. Adam and I both grew up with daily family dinners. Sometimes we do eat a family dinner over a frozen meal or a take out meal, but the point of family dinner is to eat as a family. We turn off all electronics, including the radio, the TV and no cell phones. We have conversations about our day (best and worst part of everyone's day), politics, the weather, current events or other interesting things. We talk and we discuss as a family (and we remind each other not to put huge GOBS of food in our mouths, or to use a fork or napkin). That is the best part of family dinner.
The other reason why I post my meals, is that if I can do it, you can do it. I have no known special powers that give me the ability to cook. I take pride in what I cook, and if I can roll into the house at 5:40 PM, and have dinner ready at 6:45, so can you. I don't cook a chicken that takes two hours to roast on a Monday night . . . . hamburgers and homemade sweet potato wedges. Last night was homemade pizza. Again, food that is able to be prepared while the kids do homework. I walk into the house, and start to cook. (If I sat down on the sofa, I would never get up.)
The baked goods are my passion. I love to do it. Some people love to bike. Others love to sew. I love to bake (and my husband cleans up my mess).
Another reason that I post what we eat nightly, is that my kids eat family dinner. I cook one meal for everyone (okay, sometimes there is a chicken dish and a similar tofu dish). At least once a week there is a meal on the table that each kid likes. But, there is no alternate meal (unless the new dish I cooked is soooo horrible that we all have ice cream for dinner). We started this rule years back . . . . I am not a short order cook, I am a mother and wife. Eat what is served, and maybe the next meal you will like better. Also, the kids have to try each food. We all have to eat a balanced diet. All of us. I love asparagus, but my kids really like cauliflower. I really don't like cauliflower, but I eat it.
Eating as a family is great. It is scary to think that in September, 2020, my eldest will be away at college, and family dinners will be different with a family member not in attandence.
Cook a family dinner - once a week, but eat dinner as a family daily.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Black Bean Chilaquile
This is one of my favorite vegetarian potluck meals. It is super easy to prepare and not the usual mac and cheese or baked pasta dish.
1 cup chopped onion
1 T olive oil
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 1/2 cups of frozen corn kernels
one 15 oz can black beans - drained and rinsed
2 T lime juice
1 t salt
black pepper
2 cups crushed corn tortilla chips (yes that is correct, take a bag of tortilla chips and CRUSH them)
8 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups salsa
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Saute onions for about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, corn, black beans, lime juice, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes.
In an 8 x 8 square pan, spray with PAM. Spread half of the chips on the bottom. Spoon half of the vegetables over the chips, then put half the cheese on top of the vegetables. Spoon half of the salsa over the cheese.
Then put the remainder of the chips on top, then the vegetables, then the salsa and finish with the cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown.
Serve with rice and corn muffins!
1 cup chopped onion
1 T olive oil
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 1/2 cups of frozen corn kernels
one 15 oz can black beans - drained and rinsed
2 T lime juice
1 t salt
black pepper
2 cups crushed corn tortilla chips (yes that is correct, take a bag of tortilla chips and CRUSH them)
8 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups salsa
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Saute onions for about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, corn, black beans, lime juice, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes.
In an 8 x 8 square pan, spray with PAM. Spread half of the chips on the bottom. Spoon half of the vegetables over the chips, then put half the cheese on top of the vegetables. Spoon half of the salsa over the cheese.
Then put the remainder of the chips on top, then the vegetables, then the salsa and finish with the cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown.
Serve with rice and corn muffins!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Annual Family Chanukah Gift
As the kids are getting older, my husband and I didn't want to just get "stuff" for the kids. We wanted to do something as a family. Two years, we thought of a "Family Chanukah Gift" and all four of us went to Blue Man Group, and loved it. Our little girl laughed her head off!
Last year we did the Boston Pops Holiday concert on Christmas Eve, which again was a wonderful experience, and we got all dressed up. We all love music.
This year, my husband found out that Adam and Jamie from MythBusters were touring, and Worcester, MA was a stop. Unlike years past, this was going to be during the school week, and we just decided to DO IT. We got the tickets.
Last night was the night. We all came home early, and drove to Worcester in the snow. The show started at 7:30 PM and it was great. It was a combination of learning more about the show, more about the guys, watching audience members perform on stage, watching experiments, including Jamie's homemade paint gun. I highly recommend the two hour show. It was fabulous.
I hope we are creating family experiences that will be part of our kids forever. We will be talking about this show for a while. If you have the opportunity to see the LIVE show, GO FOR IT!
Last year we did the Boston Pops Holiday concert on Christmas Eve, which again was a wonderful experience, and we got all dressed up. We all love music.
This year, my husband found out that Adam and Jamie from MythBusters were touring, and Worcester, MA was a stop. Unlike years past, this was going to be during the school week, and we just decided to DO IT. We got the tickets.
Last night was the night. We all came home early, and drove to Worcester in the snow. The show started at 7:30 PM and it was great. It was a combination of learning more about the show, more about the guys, watching audience members perform on stage, watching experiments, including Jamie's homemade paint gun. I highly recommend the two hour show. It was fabulous.
I hope we are creating family experiences that will be part of our kids forever. We will be talking about this show for a while. If you have the opportunity to see the LIVE show, GO FOR IT!
Monday, November 24, 2014
Maple Brownies - a seasonal treat
I love these brownies (blondies).
1 3/4 c flour
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
12 T butter (unsalted)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 c maple syrup (grade B if possible)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
1/2 c chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 inch square pan with Pam with flour.
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, and set aside.
In stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar at medium speed for 6 minutes. Beat in maple syrup and then beat in each egg. Add vanilla. Continue to mix the batter. Stir in chocolate chips and flour by hand with rubber spatula. The batter will be sticky.
Spoon batter into pan.
Bake for 35 minutes (start checking at 30 minutes, depending on your oven). Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes. Cut into 16 squares.
1 3/4 c flour
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
12 T butter (unsalted)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 c maple syrup (grade B if possible)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
1/2 c chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 inch square pan with Pam with flour.
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, and set aside.
In stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar at medium speed for 6 minutes. Beat in maple syrup and then beat in each egg. Add vanilla. Continue to mix the batter. Stir in chocolate chips and flour by hand with rubber spatula. The batter will be sticky.
Spoon batter into pan.
Bake for 35 minutes (start checking at 30 minutes, depending on your oven). Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes. Cut into 16 squares.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Morning Routine
Here is an article that I read recently:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthaettus/2014/11/17/morning-routines/
First, I wanted to point out that there NO evening routines! I want to see BOTH!
Let's review my morning routine.
5:25 AM - alarm goes off, and I jump out of bed - I am the first one to shower. After the shower, I do my hair, and put on my make up (I would be a scary ghost if make up was not applied.)
5:48 AM - into the bedroom and confirm that my hubby is awake. . . . . I might jump out of bed, but he shuffles (not a morning person). We make the bed together, locate the remote, and turn on the WBZ news for the weather and traffic. I jump into my clothes (which I mentally picked out while I was in the shower) and put on my jewelry (every day I wear jewelry).
6:00 AM - Enter Naomi's room, to confirm she is awake - 50% of the time she is dressed and playing; the other 50% of the time, she jumps out of bed, goes to the bathroom and gets dressed. I then enter Mark's room . . . . . . wear the alarm has been buzzing for a few minutes, and he is DEAD asleep. DEAD asleep. Turn on the lights and basically yell his name until he wakes up . . . . . . he shuffles out of bed (not a morning person), turns off the alarm, resets the alarm for the next morning, and shuffles to the bathroom to shower.
6:05 AM - I bounce to the kitchen, where I empty the dishwasher (and dish drain if needed). The breakfast table has been set the night before - post dinner clean up. I text my BFF to talk about the morning routine with the kids . . . . . I check my email, to confirm no dire personal emergencies. I start a CD, and I pour the medication for the kids for their breakfast, pour the waters for breakfast and then start packing a lunch and snack for Naomi, pack a lunch for Mark and pack Adam and myself a lunch. In the kids lunches, I write a little note.
6:15 AM - Naomi comes downstairs, and we put on her earrings, and she gets the newspaper, and then pours her cereal, and I pour her some milk. I return to the lunches. If Mark comes home after school, there is a note on the front door with his tasks listed (call your mother, have a snack).
6:30 AM - with any luck Mark, the preteen, shuffles downstairs, hopefully with his hair brushed and his eye glasses on (most mornings I have to send him back upstairs to complete one if not both of those tasks). He pours himself a mountain of cereal and some milk, and starts to eat.
6:35 AM - Adam comes down to breakfast and makes the coffee. Finish up packing the lunches and putting the lunch boxes in the backpacks with Mark's cellphone.
6:40 AM - Adam and I each have a bowl of cereal. We read the newspaper, and we discuss with the kids any interesting news stories, such as 12 feet of snow in Buffalo or news about Israel. Gentle reminders about the afternoon routine. Naomi likes the comics and the cancan. Each kid brushes their teeth and reads at about 7 AM.
6:55 AM - grab coffee, walk around saying goodbyes and get my bags and leave for the day.
Adam makes sure everyone has weather appropriate jackets and shoes, and gets the kids on the buses, and then he leaves.
7:20 AM - arrive at the office. Use the treadmill desk for 30-60 minutes (depending on the day) to check my email, the news and other interesting websites. Make sure my to-do list is in good order, and make sure I know about each appointment.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthaettus/2014/11/17/morning-routines/
First, I wanted to point out that there NO evening routines! I want to see BOTH!
Let's review my morning routine.
5:25 AM - alarm goes off, and I jump out of bed - I am the first one to shower. After the shower, I do my hair, and put on my make up (I would be a scary ghost if make up was not applied.)
5:48 AM - into the bedroom and confirm that my hubby is awake. . . . . I might jump out of bed, but he shuffles (not a morning person). We make the bed together, locate the remote, and turn on the WBZ news for the weather and traffic. I jump into my clothes (which I mentally picked out while I was in the shower) and put on my jewelry (every day I wear jewelry).
6:00 AM - Enter Naomi's room, to confirm she is awake - 50% of the time she is dressed and playing; the other 50% of the time, she jumps out of bed, goes to the bathroom and gets dressed. I then enter Mark's room . . . . . . wear the alarm has been buzzing for a few minutes, and he is DEAD asleep. DEAD asleep. Turn on the lights and basically yell his name until he wakes up . . . . . . he shuffles out of bed (not a morning person), turns off the alarm, resets the alarm for the next morning, and shuffles to the bathroom to shower.
6:05 AM - I bounce to the kitchen, where I empty the dishwasher (and dish drain if needed). The breakfast table has been set the night before - post dinner clean up. I text my BFF to talk about the morning routine with the kids . . . . . I check my email, to confirm no dire personal emergencies. I start a CD, and I pour the medication for the kids for their breakfast, pour the waters for breakfast and then start packing a lunch and snack for Naomi, pack a lunch for Mark and pack Adam and myself a lunch. In the kids lunches, I write a little note.
6:15 AM - Naomi comes downstairs, and we put on her earrings, and she gets the newspaper, and then pours her cereal, and I pour her some milk. I return to the lunches. If Mark comes home after school, there is a note on the front door with his tasks listed (call your mother, have a snack).
6:30 AM - with any luck Mark, the preteen, shuffles downstairs, hopefully with his hair brushed and his eye glasses on (most mornings I have to send him back upstairs to complete one if not both of those tasks). He pours himself a mountain of cereal and some milk, and starts to eat.
6:35 AM - Adam comes down to breakfast and makes the coffee. Finish up packing the lunches and putting the lunch boxes in the backpacks with Mark's cellphone.
6:40 AM - Adam and I each have a bowl of cereal. We read the newspaper, and we discuss with the kids any interesting news stories, such as 12 feet of snow in Buffalo or news about Israel. Gentle reminders about the afternoon routine. Naomi likes the comics and the cancan. Each kid brushes their teeth and reads at about 7 AM.
6:55 AM - grab coffee, walk around saying goodbyes and get my bags and leave for the day.
Adam makes sure everyone has weather appropriate jackets and shoes, and gets the kids on the buses, and then he leaves.
7:20 AM - arrive at the office. Use the treadmill desk for 30-60 minutes (depending on the day) to check my email, the news and other interesting websites. Make sure my to-do list is in good order, and make sure I know about each appointment.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Prepping for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday. No presents and no synagogue - just family, friends and food! I am still working out the kinks of my menu, which is below. But also, there are few other things that I will be doing to make it a bit easier for me.
1. Finalize the menu tonight, and sit down with each recipe, and write down on my grocery list what I need to buy this weekend (including the cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, knishes, etc.)
2. Write the menu on a large piece of paper and attach to fridge.
3. Write down a countdown, of what items can be made each day, and a timeline for the day of the big feast.
4. This weekend clean the dining room so that all objects on the table are put away, and not clogging up the works (such as my kid's Halloween candy, girl scout troop snacks, random paperwork, etc).
5. Start to get the dining room ready for guests. Put down the table cloth, and start to place the dinner plates, silverware and glasses on the table. Take out serving platters and dishes, and write down on a post it note, what is going IN the dish! Take out enough serving spoons and forks.
6. Assign kid #2 to make place settings.
Right now this is the menu:
hummus and pita
mini hot dogs
red pepper pate with crackers
Knishes (meat and vegetarian)
Challah
Turkey
Gravy
Sweet potato with marshmallow
Kasha for the vegetarian
Mystery side dish from a guest
Homemade cranberry sauce from mom
Stuffing from mom
A green bean dish if I can find the parve cream of mushroom soup
Candied Cranberry chocolate tart
Mae's chocolate pie
Apple Pie
Maple Brownies
Any other suggestions?
1. Finalize the menu tonight, and sit down with each recipe, and write down on my grocery list what I need to buy this weekend (including the cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, knishes, etc.)
2. Write the menu on a large piece of paper and attach to fridge.
3. Write down a countdown, of what items can be made each day, and a timeline for the day of the big feast.
4. This weekend clean the dining room so that all objects on the table are put away, and not clogging up the works (such as my kid's Halloween candy, girl scout troop snacks, random paperwork, etc).
5. Start to get the dining room ready for guests. Put down the table cloth, and start to place the dinner plates, silverware and glasses on the table. Take out serving platters and dishes, and write down on a post it note, what is going IN the dish! Take out enough serving spoons and forks.
6. Assign kid #2 to make place settings.
Right now this is the menu:
hummus and pita
mini hot dogs
red pepper pate with crackers
Knishes (meat and vegetarian)
Challah
Turkey
Gravy
Sweet potato with marshmallow
Kasha for the vegetarian
Mystery side dish from a guest
Homemade cranberry sauce from mom
Stuffing from mom
A green bean dish if I can find the parve cream of mushroom soup
Candied Cranberry chocolate tart
Mae's chocolate pie
Apple Pie
Maple Brownies
Any other suggestions?
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
I am NOT sick - repeated 100,000 times
I am NOT sick. Yesterday, I felt a little something in my throat. Last night I felt a little post nasal drip. I am not sick. I don't have time for this! (Like anyone has time for this.) Thanksgiving is next week and my husband is away for the weekend. I don't have time to be sick.
I used the dreaded netti pot today.
I am not sick.
I have an extra box of Kleenex on my desk.
I am not sick.
I took some Advil.
I am not sick.
I sucked on a cough drop - disgusting.
I am not sick.
My head is not full of stuff.
I used the dreaded netti pot today.
I am not sick.
I have an extra box of Kleenex on my desk.
I am not sick.
I took some Advil.
I am not sick.
I sucked on a cough drop - disgusting.
I am not sick.
My head is not full of stuff.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Power to the People!
After a day that started with no power and no shower for six hours, I ended the day on a really high note. It was the monthly meeting for my Women's Networking Group. At our last session we discussed what tricks we each use to save time at home:
1. Having kids pick clothes out the night before;
2. Setting the breakfast table the night before;
3. Meal planning by the week.
This time we were going to discuss change, but we landed up not only talking about change, but the desire to tweak. Things are going well, but yet, if we tweak the schedule here and adjust there, would the outcome be better? We also discussed how our spouses are more willing to take on family tasks. One woman shared how she hated flu shot season. Her kids schools do not give out flu shots. On the day of the flu shot in years past, she drove the kids from the house, to the pediatrician (in another town) and then distributed her children to two different schools in two different towns, and she drove to work in another town, only to have to leave a few hours later, since it was now the end of the day. This year she said to her spouse "It is flu shot day on X, and here is issue." She shared that her husband (who works in Boston) offered to take the kids to the doctor, while she worked at home and then she met them at the pediatrician, and they divided up who would take the kids to school. She said it was revolutionary. All she had to do was present the issue and the solution was easy.
We discussed the "Default" parent article. There was a lively discussion.
By the time 9:30 PM came, I was pumped up and already thinking ahead. Thinking ahead of what issues my husband and I can solve together, and where I will be in ten years. A scary thought is that in ten years, I will have kids that are in college and post college. What do I do now, to plan for those ten years for myself.
1. Having kids pick clothes out the night before;
2. Setting the breakfast table the night before;
3. Meal planning by the week.
This time we were going to discuss change, but we landed up not only talking about change, but the desire to tweak. Things are going well, but yet, if we tweak the schedule here and adjust there, would the outcome be better? We also discussed how our spouses are more willing to take on family tasks. One woman shared how she hated flu shot season. Her kids schools do not give out flu shots. On the day of the flu shot in years past, she drove the kids from the house, to the pediatrician (in another town) and then distributed her children to two different schools in two different towns, and she drove to work in another town, only to have to leave a few hours later, since it was now the end of the day. This year she said to her spouse "It is flu shot day on X, and here is issue." She shared that her husband (who works in Boston) offered to take the kids to the doctor, while she worked at home and then she met them at the pediatrician, and they divided up who would take the kids to school. She said it was revolutionary. All she had to do was present the issue and the solution was easy.
We discussed the "Default" parent article. There was a lively discussion.
By the time 9:30 PM came, I was pumped up and already thinking ahead. Thinking ahead of what issues my husband and I can solve together, and where I will be in ten years. A scary thought is that in ten years, I will have kids that are in college and post college. What do I do now, to plan for those ten years for myself.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Gluten!
Last night was one of those nights, that I just had to bake! Of course, I also had to attend a 7 PM meeting about the local elementary school!
Dinner - Once I got home, I started making my homemade pizza dough. I was making pizza for dinner. People ask why I make my own dough. First, it is really good and really easy. Second, it probably is cheaper and third I know exactly what is in the pizza dough - flour, water, salt, sugar and yeast. That is it. Nothing else. One plain cheese pizza and one pizza with cheese, olives, sliced orange grape tomatoes and sliced orange pepper.
THEN, I put the ingredients in the bread machine to make challah. Yes, my family loves challah, and baking it on Thursday night allows my family to have fresh challah on Friday night. And if you work with me, you know I never have any leftovers by Monday. The challah is gone by Saturday night.
And then Smitten Kitchen published a new recipe.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/11/pretzel-parker-house-rolls/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29
And I had to try it! Mixed that up. Ate the pizza with the kids, and while the challah and pretzel rolls were rising, I could attend my 30 minute meeting.
Once I returned home, I shaped the challah and let it rise. I continued to work on the pretzel rolls, and allowed that to rise again. Then I put the challah in the oven, and 25 minutes later I had a beautiful challah. Then I worked on the rolls again, and popped them into the oven.
Once the rolls came out of the oven, I knew I had a successful recipe. I could not wait to cut into the rolls. I also know if I don't wait, I will only burn my mouth. So I waited. So glad I did!
Delicious!
Covered them up, and then in the morning allowed each kid to have a roll. They also declared it two thumbs up good!
Dinner - Once I got home, I started making my homemade pizza dough. I was making pizza for dinner. People ask why I make my own dough. First, it is really good and really easy. Second, it probably is cheaper and third I know exactly what is in the pizza dough - flour, water, salt, sugar and yeast. That is it. Nothing else. One plain cheese pizza and one pizza with cheese, olives, sliced orange grape tomatoes and sliced orange pepper.
THEN, I put the ingredients in the bread machine to make challah. Yes, my family loves challah, and baking it on Thursday night allows my family to have fresh challah on Friday night. And if you work with me, you know I never have any leftovers by Monday. The challah is gone by Saturday night.
And then Smitten Kitchen published a new recipe.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/11/pretzel-parker-house-rolls/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29
And I had to try it! Mixed that up. Ate the pizza with the kids, and while the challah and pretzel rolls were rising, I could attend my 30 minute meeting.
Once I returned home, I shaped the challah and let it rise. I continued to work on the pretzel rolls, and allowed that to rise again. Then I put the challah in the oven, and 25 minutes later I had a beautiful challah. Then I worked on the rolls again, and popped them into the oven.
Once the rolls came out of the oven, I knew I had a successful recipe. I could not wait to cut into the rolls. I also know if I don't wait, I will only burn my mouth. So I waited. So glad I did!
Delicious!
Covered them up, and then in the morning allowed each kid to have a roll. They also declared it two thumbs up good!
Monday, November 10, 2014
Mini Camp Reunion
As many Jewish parents know, at about age 12/13, the kids start the "Bar Mitzvah Circuit." This is when the kids have a more active social life than the parent, and the parent starts driving his/her child and others to the many services and parties. As a Jewish parent, you expect that this will be a busy year, since there are family friends, school friends and synagogue friends. If your child attends Jewish overnight camp, then there are the camp Bar Mitzvahs.
Last year, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Andover, MA which wasn't a big deal for us.
This past weekend, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Newton, MA - right down the street from us! It was going to be easy! And then E's mom (from CT) emailed me. . . . could E spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course! And then B's mom (from NY) emailed me. . . . could B spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course!
My husband drops off Mark to the Bar Mitzvah, and I am running around town doing errands (grocery shopping, library with my daughter) and then I get a phone call from B's dad. It turns out there is one additional boy that also needs a place to stay between the ceremony and the party . . . . can we help. Of course!
And then I think - what do I do with four 12 year old boys for five hours? What do I do with four boys in SUITS?????? Turns out, these boys just wanted to hang in our family room and be together. It was a wonderful five hours. It was great to see them talk and play and hang! It was my pleasure to have them at our house, and I would do this again!
It was great to have a glimpse of what my son is like with his overnight camp friends. I can see that the four of them are peers and friends. It was a wonderful experience that I would do again. (Actually I emailed the parents to let them know that I am a willing host for the next one.)
Last year, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Andover, MA which wasn't a big deal for us.
This past weekend, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Newton, MA - right down the street from us! It was going to be easy! And then E's mom (from CT) emailed me. . . . could E spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course! And then B's mom (from NY) emailed me. . . . could B spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course!
My husband drops off Mark to the Bar Mitzvah, and I am running around town doing errands (grocery shopping, library with my daughter) and then I get a phone call from B's dad. It turns out there is one additional boy that also needs a place to stay between the ceremony and the party . . . . can we help. Of course!
And then I think - what do I do with four 12 year old boys for five hours? What do I do with four boys in SUITS?????? Turns out, these boys just wanted to hang in our family room and be together. It was a wonderful five hours. It was great to see them talk and play and hang! It was my pleasure to have them at our house, and I would do this again!
It was great to have a glimpse of what my son is like with his overnight camp friends. I can see that the four of them are peers and friends. It was a wonderful experience that I would do again. (Actually I emailed the parents to let them know that I am a willing host for the next one.)
Friday, November 7, 2014
Today
I had today well planned for my work day.
It was until 6 AM, when my 8 year old daughter walked into my room, burst into tears, and told me that her head hurt and when I felt her forehead, she was burning up! Her fever was 103! Off to the pediatrician! The other times she has spiked a fever that high it was strep. The moment she saw the swab, she clamped down her jaw and refused to get the test. No amount of pleading from me, the nurse or the NP helped. Finally, we had to have one nurse hold her, while I held her feet and the NP got the swab.
Five minutes of tears. . . . .
Five minutes of waiting. . . . .
POSITIVE! Yup, my little one had strep. Good thing we did the test. She missed PJ day at school. But she did get her favorite pink medicine.
It was until 6 AM, when my 8 year old daughter walked into my room, burst into tears, and told me that her head hurt and when I felt her forehead, she was burning up! Her fever was 103! Off to the pediatrician! The other times she has spiked a fever that high it was strep. The moment she saw the swab, she clamped down her jaw and refused to get the test. No amount of pleading from me, the nurse or the NP helped. Finally, we had to have one nurse hold her, while I held her feet and the NP got the swab.
Five minutes of tears. . . . .
Five minutes of waiting. . . . .
POSITIVE! Yup, my little one had strep. Good thing we did the test. She missed PJ day at school. But she did get her favorite pink medicine.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Exercise
I have many passions. . . . I love being a wife and a mom. I love baking and I like cooking. I like having people over for dinner and I like eating at new places. I really, really hate to exercise. But, sitting is the new smoking. Try as I might, I can't find time daily to exercise. And I have all the "reasons."
Exercise before work - I get up at 5:25 AM every weekday. Every single weekday. I hop into the shower, and I do my make up and get dressed. I then go downstairs, and make a lunch for my daughter, a snack for my daughter, a lunch for my son, a lunch for my husband and a lunch for myself. The breakfast table is already set. I put away the dry dishes from the dish drain . . . .Adam makes the coffee and we empty the dishwasher. The kids get the newspaper. I leave the house at 7 AM every day.
Exercise after work - I make dinner nightly, and I like to spend time with my kids! I oversee shower time, and there is laundry and the dreaded homework time. My daughter goes to bed at 8 PM, and I guess I could get on the treadmill then, but I am super tired.
Walk at lunch - I am hoping to do that a few times each week. It provides a great break and lets me breathe some great fresh Waltham, MA air.
But as I type, I am walking on my office's treadmill desk. Yes, it is a treadmill that has a desk. Sure, I can't walk super fast. But at least I am walking! I am going to try to do this first thing each day. Doesn't even matter if it rains. Plus, I can check my email and get some work done. Stay tuned to find out how successful I am!
Exercise before work - I get up at 5:25 AM every weekday. Every single weekday. I hop into the shower, and I do my make up and get dressed. I then go downstairs, and make a lunch for my daughter, a snack for my daughter, a lunch for my son, a lunch for my husband and a lunch for myself. The breakfast table is already set. I put away the dry dishes from the dish drain . . . .Adam makes the coffee and we empty the dishwasher. The kids get the newspaper. I leave the house at 7 AM every day.
Exercise after work - I make dinner nightly, and I like to spend time with my kids! I oversee shower time, and there is laundry and the dreaded homework time. My daughter goes to bed at 8 PM, and I guess I could get on the treadmill then, but I am super tired.
Walk at lunch - I am hoping to do that a few times each week. It provides a great break and lets me breathe some great fresh Waltham, MA air.
But as I type, I am walking on my office's treadmill desk. Yes, it is a treadmill that has a desk. Sure, I can't walk super fast. But at least I am walking! I am going to try to do this first thing each day. Doesn't even matter if it rains. Plus, I can check my email and get some work done. Stay tuned to find out how successful I am!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Annabelle Ship WINS Award from the City of Newton
Who is Annabelle Ship? She is the owner of Green Planet Kids in Newton Highlands. A great toy store in the middle of Newton Highlands Village, and an active member of the business community. She is a great small business owner. She creates buzz around the Village. She wants you to visit the Village center - often and of course buy toys from her shop. Annabelle and her staff can pick out a toy in any price range for any child. You won't find any Fisher Price here. . . . it is all really good stuff. Her second floor has a great arts and crafts section. I love shopping here, as do my kids.
This past June, she ran a scavenger hunt from the last day of school to July 1. She organized local businesses in Newton Highlands and around the area to be part of this fun event. We started out with her, where the kids picked a little something . . . then we walked over to visit Eunice's bakery, Bread and Chocolate, where the kids cashed in their ticket from the scavenger hunt to get a cupcake. We then walked over to the new dentist in the village and got something else. We drove to Rosie's Bakery in Chestnut Hill, and picked out a cookie for each kid. Naomi had never been to Rosie's - how did I let that happen? We got bike bikes at International Bicycle. We got a free slice of Pizza from Sweet Tomatoes. All local stores. . . . . and all had their doors open to kids. Annabelle wants people to visit the small businesses in Newton.
Last night at the awards ceremony TWO independent bookstores were honored, and we are happy to be customers of both. In the Kindle Age and in the Amazon Age it is great to have TWO bookstores in Newton, and both owners are thankful for their loyal customers. I love going to New England Mobile Book Fair (40% of their sales are children's books) and browsing the cookbook selection and my father in law loves the remnants room. I love going to to Newtonville Books and having the staff help assist my kids find new books. The staff listen to my kids likes and dislikes, and then help find a book just right for them.
What other businesses do I go to? We love International Bicycle. They fit the kid to the bike. If your kid outgrows the bike in two years (common occurrence), they give you 50% back if you bring back the bike (no paper receipt needed, it is in the computer). China Fair is a great place to browse and ask and you might find a kitchenware that is a must have!
Cabots Ice Cream - YUM. Kids love going there and there is a flavor of ice cream for everyone. He too gave out a free cone for the scavenger hunt. The owner donates pancake mix to our school's annual community pancake breakfast. Cabot's Ice Cream is part of the community and it has been here for years.
The Craft Beer Store - we wandered in there a few weeks ago, and the staff was telling us all about the beer. I don't even like beer, but I left knowing more about beer and wishing I did like it. The staffer told us about his other job. It made me want to come back.
Keyes Drug Store - a place that ALWAYS has the prescription medicine - even if it is hard to find.
Town Cleaners - Effie has hemmed every dress, skirt and pant that I own. I love her, and she always greets me with a smile.
One Stop Cleaners in Newton Highlands - another great place!
There are the many great restaurants - 51 Lincoln, Walnut Street Grill, Cook, and The Local.
Whole Foods is a chain, but they are always willing to donate to the school or local community. The management has allowed their staff to become part of the community and be a local business.
These stores, plus many more make Newton a unique and wonderful place to live.
This past June, she ran a scavenger hunt from the last day of school to July 1. She organized local businesses in Newton Highlands and around the area to be part of this fun event. We started out with her, where the kids picked a little something . . . then we walked over to visit Eunice's bakery, Bread and Chocolate, where the kids cashed in their ticket from the scavenger hunt to get a cupcake. We then walked over to the new dentist in the village and got something else. We drove to Rosie's Bakery in Chestnut Hill, and picked out a cookie for each kid. Naomi had never been to Rosie's - how did I let that happen? We got bike bikes at International Bicycle. We got a free slice of Pizza from Sweet Tomatoes. All local stores. . . . . and all had their doors open to kids. Annabelle wants people to visit the small businesses in Newton.
Last night at the awards ceremony TWO independent bookstores were honored, and we are happy to be customers of both. In the Kindle Age and in the Amazon Age it is great to have TWO bookstores in Newton, and both owners are thankful for their loyal customers. I love going to New England Mobile Book Fair (40% of their sales are children's books) and browsing the cookbook selection and my father in law loves the remnants room. I love going to to Newtonville Books and having the staff help assist my kids find new books. The staff listen to my kids likes and dislikes, and then help find a book just right for them.
What other businesses do I go to? We love International Bicycle. They fit the kid to the bike. If your kid outgrows the bike in two years (common occurrence), they give you 50% back if you bring back the bike (no paper receipt needed, it is in the computer). China Fair is a great place to browse and ask and you might find a kitchenware that is a must have!
Cabots Ice Cream - YUM. Kids love going there and there is a flavor of ice cream for everyone. He too gave out a free cone for the scavenger hunt. The owner donates pancake mix to our school's annual community pancake breakfast. Cabot's Ice Cream is part of the community and it has been here for years.
The Craft Beer Store - we wandered in there a few weeks ago, and the staff was telling us all about the beer. I don't even like beer, but I left knowing more about beer and wishing I did like it. The staffer told us about his other job. It made me want to come back.
Keyes Drug Store - a place that ALWAYS has the prescription medicine - even if it is hard to find.
Town Cleaners - Effie has hemmed every dress, skirt and pant that I own. I love her, and she always greets me with a smile.
One Stop Cleaners in Newton Highlands - another great place!
There are the many great restaurants - 51 Lincoln, Walnut Street Grill, Cook, and The Local.
Whole Foods is a chain, but they are always willing to donate to the school or local community. The management has allowed their staff to become part of the community and be a local business.
These stores, plus many more make Newton a unique and wonderful place to live.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Butter Balls!
This recipe has been tested and well received by MANY of my workers! Mary's Butterballs by Gale Gand!
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
Filling
Cookie Butter (From Trader Joe's)
Raspberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Sugar from The Spice Store in Evanston, IL.
Directions:
In a mixer, beat the butter for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light. Mix in the sugar, and then add the flour. Mix until a ball forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for three hours.
Take off pieces of dough, and roll into 3/4 inch balls. Chill balls for 30 minutes in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place the balls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. They will spread!
Bake the balls for 13-15 minutes - watch like a hawk so the balls do NOT burn!
Let the cookies cool on the sheet. Spread the flat face of the cooled cookie with one of the filings, and top with a second cookie. Roll in the vanilla sugar.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
Filling
Cookie Butter (From Trader Joe's)
Raspberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Sugar from The Spice Store in Evanston, IL.
Directions:
In a mixer, beat the butter for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light. Mix in the sugar, and then add the flour. Mix until a ball forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for three hours.
Take off pieces of dough, and roll into 3/4 inch balls. Chill balls for 30 minutes in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place the balls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. They will spread!
Bake the balls for 13-15 minutes - watch like a hawk so the balls do NOT burn!
Let the cookies cool on the sheet. Spread the flat face of the cooled cookie with one of the filings, and top with a second cookie. Roll in the vanilla sugar.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Rugelach
DOUGH
3 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks) - I used Mother's margarine. Cut into chunks.
3 large egg yolks
1 cup sour cream - I used tofutti
Filling
mini chocolate chips
cinnamon and sugar
Garnish - one egg beaten
In a food processor, place the flour, salt and sugar. Process. Add chunks of butter and process until mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks and sour cream. Pulse until combined.
Smooth dough, and form into three balls. Chill in fridge for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with foil and then spray with Pam. Roll one ball of dough into a large circle. Spread with cinnamon and sugar. Spread with mini chocolate chips. Use a pizza cutter and cut into wedges (12-14 of them). Then roll the wedge from larger end to smaller end. Place on baking sheet. Repeat. with all balls. Brush each piece with some egg wash.
Bake until golden (25 to 35 minutes) depending on your oven and the dough. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then put pieces on baking sheet to cool completely.
OTHER FILLINGS - you can use raspberry jam, apricot jam, chopped nuts or raisins. I happen to like the mini chocolate chips.
3 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks) - I used Mother's margarine. Cut into chunks.
3 large egg yolks
1 cup sour cream - I used tofutti
Filling
mini chocolate chips
cinnamon and sugar
Garnish - one egg beaten
In a food processor, place the flour, salt and sugar. Process. Add chunks of butter and process until mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks and sour cream. Pulse until combined.
Smooth dough, and form into three balls. Chill in fridge for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with foil and then spray with Pam. Roll one ball of dough into a large circle. Spread with cinnamon and sugar. Spread with mini chocolate chips. Use a pizza cutter and cut into wedges (12-14 of them). Then roll the wedge from larger end to smaller end. Place on baking sheet. Repeat. with all balls. Brush each piece with some egg wash.
Bake until golden (25 to 35 minutes) depending on your oven and the dough. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then put pieces on baking sheet to cool completely.
OTHER FILLINGS - you can use raspberry jam, apricot jam, chopped nuts or raisins. I happen to like the mini chocolate chips.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Holiday Time
Rosh Hashana is one of my favorite holidays. How can you go wrong with HONEY all the time!!!! This year we are trying something new. On eruv Rosh Hashana (Wednesday night), the four of us are going to eat a festive meal, as the four of us. No rushing off to services and no company. Just the four of us. I can't remember a time we have ever done that. I am going to use my grandmother's china and we are going to have fun (I hope).
On Thursday, we are hosting the dinner, and on Friday we are going to be a guest!
The big question is what does the menu look like?
On Wednesday night, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Date Glazed Chicken
Tuscan Beans with Sage from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Basmati Rice with a potato from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Broccoli
Chocolate Mousse from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Fruit
On Thursday's festive meal, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Knishes from the Butcherie
Moroccan Tomato Dip from the Persian Bride Cookbook
Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Saffron from the Persian Bride Cookbook
BBQ Tofu
Honey Glazed carrots
Oven Fries from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Fruit
Apple Crisp from the Temple Beth El Cookbook
Pastry Tray - homemade chocolate brownies (not sure which recipe), Bubbe's apple cake form the Temple Emanuel Cookbook, Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot from the Boston Globe and Rugelach from the Jewish Baker Cookbook.
On Sunday I will be busy making soup, pastry and challah!
Here is a photo of the grocery list.
On Thursday, we are hosting the dinner, and on Friday we are going to be a guest!
The big question is what does the menu look like?
On Wednesday night, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Date Glazed Chicken
Tuscan Beans with Sage from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Basmati Rice with a potato from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Broccoli
Chocolate Mousse from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Fruit
On Thursday's festive meal, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Knishes from the Butcherie
Moroccan Tomato Dip from the Persian Bride Cookbook
Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Saffron from the Persian Bride Cookbook
BBQ Tofu
Honey Glazed carrots
Oven Fries from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Fruit
Apple Crisp from the Temple Beth El Cookbook
Pastry Tray - homemade chocolate brownies (not sure which recipe), Bubbe's apple cake form the Temple Emanuel Cookbook, Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot from the Boston Globe and Rugelach from the Jewish Baker Cookbook.
On Sunday I will be busy making soup, pastry and challah!
Here is a photo of the grocery list.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Life as a Mom
I remember how I wanted to be a mom . . . . so badly. And it seemed to take forever. I dreamed of having cute little babies, that grew into curious toddlers and preschoolers and BOOM, now I have a pre-teen and an eight year old. BOOM - just like that. I also dreamed of having great snacks for my kids after school, and delicious dinners that everyone LOVED and reality has set in.
Let me give you my post work schedule for this week:
Monday - picked up both kids from different after school programs. Got home at 5:30 PM and assisted pre-teen with organizing homework that needed to be completed, while throwing dinner and having pre-teen fed by 6:30 PM because trombone teacher was arriving for lesson.
Tuesday - left work early (but HIT TRAFFIC on I95) to pick up eight year old at after school, then picked up another boy and then picked up pre-teen to be driven to religious school for a 4 PM start. Realized that boys had to be there by 4:10 PM due to field trip . . . . . called religious school that I was running late due to traffic and was told to be there by 4:10 PM. GREAT. It was 3:55 PM and I was 15 minutes away - NO PROBLEM. Drove my usual way, only to find out there was a MAJOR accident, and main roads are closed and blocked. Turned down side street and prayed that WAZE would find me a better way. Pulled in front of temple at 4:11 PM, and bus was loaded but still there.
Rushed home and tried to log into work and locked myself out of the VPN - had to wait for IT to call me back.
The 6 PM pick up person was told bus was going to be late due to the same accident that I was caught in.
I think I prepared a nice dinner that night too!
Wednesday - left work to pick up preteen and 8 year old (in two different locations), drive to 5:30 PM, then drive to 6:30 PM Bar Mitzvah lesson - drop off pre-teen; race home and throw in frozen pizza into hot oven. At 7:15 PM, hubby walks in with son, and I walk out and drive back to synagogue for Sisterhood Event.
Thursday - Today, I will be leaving work at my normal time, picking up eight year old kid and two other kids from religious school at 6 PM ish and dropping off at various homes, while hubby picks up pre-teen kid. Throw dinner together and be out the door to Back to School night for daughter's school, which is no longer located in the neighborhood.
Mom's taxi service is in full service this fall!
Let me give you my post work schedule for this week:
Monday - picked up both kids from different after school programs. Got home at 5:30 PM and assisted pre-teen with organizing homework that needed to be completed, while throwing dinner and having pre-teen fed by 6:30 PM because trombone teacher was arriving for lesson.
Tuesday - left work early (but HIT TRAFFIC on I95) to pick up eight year old at after school, then picked up another boy and then picked up pre-teen to be driven to religious school for a 4 PM start. Realized that boys had to be there by 4:10 PM due to field trip . . . . . called religious school that I was running late due to traffic and was told to be there by 4:10 PM. GREAT. It was 3:55 PM and I was 15 minutes away - NO PROBLEM. Drove my usual way, only to find out there was a MAJOR accident, and main roads are closed and blocked. Turned down side street and prayed that WAZE would find me a better way. Pulled in front of temple at 4:11 PM, and bus was loaded but still there.
Rushed home and tried to log into work and locked myself out of the VPN - had to wait for IT to call me back.
The 6 PM pick up person was told bus was going to be late due to the same accident that I was caught in.
I think I prepared a nice dinner that night too!
Wednesday - left work to pick up preteen and 8 year old (in two different locations), drive to 5:30 PM, then drive to 6:30 PM Bar Mitzvah lesson - drop off pre-teen; race home and throw in frozen pizza into hot oven. At 7:15 PM, hubby walks in with son, and I walk out and drive back to synagogue for Sisterhood Event.
Thursday - Today, I will be leaving work at my normal time, picking up eight year old kid and two other kids from religious school at 6 PM ish and dropping off at various homes, while hubby picks up pre-teen kid. Throw dinner together and be out the door to Back to School night for daughter's school, which is no longer located in the neighborhood.
Mom's taxi service is in full service this fall!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Thank You!
Your donations have helped TEAM WEITZMAN raise over $2,000 for Hadassah Hospital! We are raising money to outfit the new Sarah Wetson Davidson Tower at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem! The new tower is 19 stories, including five underground, and including underground operating rooms!
I am a third generation Hadassah life member and Naomi is a fourth generation Hadassah life member.
Hadassah Hospital is a
special place in Israel because it treats every patient, no matter what their
religion, race or gender. It is truly a unique place in Israel.
When I was in Israel (years ago), it was one of the highlights of my visit.
I am a third generation Hadassah life member and Naomi is a fourth generation Hadassah life member.
Please give through this
website (you will notice people giving in increments of 18, as 18 is a special
number in Hebrew):
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Movie Reviews
This weekend we had some time, and Adam and I got to watch two movies.
The first movie was the Jewish Cardinal, which I recommend if you don't mind reading subtitles. A Jewish Polish boy converts to Catholicism during WWII. His mother is eventually killed at Auschwitz. His father never forgives his son for his conversion. What makes the Cardinal so interesting is that he never forgets he is Jewish. In fact, he says he is Jewish and Catholic. It was interesting to watch him rise in the Catholic Church and eventually become Catholic. His relationship with his father is strained, even at his father's death.
The biggest professional challenge he faces is when nuns settle in Auschwitz, and how he has to work through the peace process between the Jewish People (in Europe) and the Polish people and the Church.
The other movie we watched this weekend was Black Fish, about orca's held in captivity. One of my high school classmates recommended the movie after I returned from Sea World, and I know why she recommended it. It is very one sided, however after the movie ended, I felt as though orca's should not be held in captivity and the history of this is strong. Orcas have strong family ties, and watching the whales in the wild as their family member is carried away is amazing. And then later on, as a female orca mourns the separation of her calf - after viewing this movie, you can see the grief. The same grief a human has, and the management of Sea World for separating family, when they know orcas have a strong sense of family is terrible.
SeaWorld was a place that I took my family, but after this, I won't be saving my pennies for another SeaWorld visit. I see why people like to visit SeaWorld, but I hope in the future the treatment of orcas and other animals is better.
The first movie was the Jewish Cardinal, which I recommend if you don't mind reading subtitles. A Jewish Polish boy converts to Catholicism during WWII. His mother is eventually killed at Auschwitz. His father never forgives his son for his conversion. What makes the Cardinal so interesting is that he never forgets he is Jewish. In fact, he says he is Jewish and Catholic. It was interesting to watch him rise in the Catholic Church and eventually become Catholic. His relationship with his father is strained, even at his father's death.
The biggest professional challenge he faces is when nuns settle in Auschwitz, and how he has to work through the peace process between the Jewish People (in Europe) and the Polish people and the Church.
The other movie we watched this weekend was Black Fish, about orca's held in captivity. One of my high school classmates recommended the movie after I returned from Sea World, and I know why she recommended it. It is very one sided, however after the movie ended, I felt as though orca's should not be held in captivity and the history of this is strong. Orcas have strong family ties, and watching the whales in the wild as their family member is carried away is amazing. And then later on, as a female orca mourns the separation of her calf - after viewing this movie, you can see the grief. The same grief a human has, and the management of Sea World for separating family, when they know orcas have a strong sense of family is terrible.
SeaWorld was a place that I took my family, but after this, I won't be saving my pennies for another SeaWorld visit. I see why people like to visit SeaWorld, but I hope in the future the treatment of orcas and other animals is better.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Please support us in our support of Hadassah Hospital
Adam, Mark (age 12), Naomi
(age 8) and I will be participating in the Hadassah Walkathon on Sunday,
September 14 around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, near BC. This walk will
benefit the new Sarah Wetson Davidson Tower at Hadassah Hospital for the ICU
unit and the neurosurgical operating room. Hadassah Hospital is a special
place in Israel because it treats every patient, no matter what their religion,
race or gender. It is truly a unique place in Israel. When I was in
Israel (years ago), it was one of the highlights of my visit.
I am a third generation Hadassah life member and Naomi is a fourth generation Hadassah life member.
Please give through this website (you will notice people giving in increments of 18, as 18 is a special number in Hebrew):
https://www.crowdrise.com/stephanieweitzman-walkathon201/fundraiser/stephanieweitzman
Please help us support Hadassah Hospital!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Moms and Dads
The other day I was reading a post on FB from a friend. . . . and he went on to thank his (working out of the home) wife for making sure his two kids had lunches, school supplies, school clothes and shoes and he didn't have to lift a finger.
Now, that really stuck with me. It really bothered me. Great, he thanked his wife. BUT, wouldn't it be great if he realized during the summer that summer was going to end and that things would need to be acquired for the school year for his two kids? My husband isn't that guy. However, my husband is married to me, who realizes such things and we divided the list. School supplies are purchased through the PTO (THANK YOU ANGIER PTO and BROWN PTO). However shoe shopping is not my favorite thing, and to have to do with my two great kids is tough.
My husband and I go to the Barn, in Newton, where my husband got his back to school shoes, as a kid. I assist my daughter with the vast array of choices and my husband helps my son with the boys selection. Each kid gets sneakers, synagogue shoes and my daughter gets a pair of school shoes. This year and last year the Barn didn't have my son's shoes, and both years my husband drives himself and our son to Nordstrom's to buy the shoes. I didn't have to ask. Adam, as a parent, understands, that it is NOT my SOLE responsibility as the female parent to "gather" school supplies.
It just bothers me that only ONE parent in the poster's house not only thought about the supplies but also had to gather them. Just because one parent is female, that does not mean that parent won the lottery of buying all back to school items for the kids.
Now, that really stuck with me. It really bothered me. Great, he thanked his wife. BUT, wouldn't it be great if he realized during the summer that summer was going to end and that things would need to be acquired for the school year for his two kids? My husband isn't that guy. However, my husband is married to me, who realizes such things and we divided the list. School supplies are purchased through the PTO (THANK YOU ANGIER PTO and BROWN PTO). However shoe shopping is not my favorite thing, and to have to do with my two great kids is tough.
My husband and I go to the Barn, in Newton, where my husband got his back to school shoes, as a kid. I assist my daughter with the vast array of choices and my husband helps my son with the boys selection. Each kid gets sneakers, synagogue shoes and my daughter gets a pair of school shoes. This year and last year the Barn didn't have my son's shoes, and both years my husband drives himself and our son to Nordstrom's to buy the shoes. I didn't have to ask. Adam, as a parent, understands, that it is NOT my SOLE responsibility as the female parent to "gather" school supplies.
It just bothers me that only ONE parent in the poster's house not only thought about the supplies but also had to gather them. Just because one parent is female, that does not mean that parent won the lottery of buying all back to school items for the kids.
Back to the Old Routine
Summer camp is over and so is summer vacation. Had to get back into the swing of the school year. The first change is that I have to make sure to have enough lunch supplies and snack supplies. Once the school year starts, I have to make lunches for each of my kids, for myself and my husband, and my daughter needs a snack also. Of course, I try to make them healthy and fun. My son doesn't mind eating the same kind of sandwich every day - turkey sandwich. Actually he is happy with his lunch of a turkey sandwich, carrots or cucumbers on the side, granola bar and a cookie and a drink for 180 days. My daughter likes to have variety, and she isn't a big sandwich lover.
The other part of back to school is the schedule. On Monday evenings my son has a trombone lesson, and twice a month on Mondays, my daughter has Brownies. On Tuesdays, both have Hebrew School and on Wednesdays, my son has Bar Mitzvah lessons. Thursdays is Hebrew School for my daughter, and Fridays are free, as of now. Mom's taxi service is back in business.
Another part of back to school is the supplies and new clothes. Both kids grew like weeds this summer, and once the fall clothes are in, I know I have to start thinking about boots, snow jackets, hats and gloves. And of course the school supplies. This year my son needs a three ring binder for each subject, and his back pack is exploding. Other things on the list - protractor and scientific calculator!
The last part of the back to school, is in September we have back to school nights for both schools, and then the rest of back to school. The middle school events are in the calendar, the elementary school events are in the calendar. The religious school events are in the calendar and so are the youth group events, the Bar Mitzvah's that are coming up and various other things.
The other part of back to school is the schedule. On Monday evenings my son has a trombone lesson, and twice a month on Mondays, my daughter has Brownies. On Tuesdays, both have Hebrew School and on Wednesdays, my son has Bar Mitzvah lessons. Thursdays is Hebrew School for my daughter, and Fridays are free, as of now. Mom's taxi service is back in business.
Another part of back to school is the supplies and new clothes. Both kids grew like weeds this summer, and once the fall clothes are in, I know I have to start thinking about boots, snow jackets, hats and gloves. And of course the school supplies. This year my son needs a three ring binder for each subject, and his back pack is exploding. Other things on the list - protractor and scientific calculator!
The last part of the back to school, is in September we have back to school nights for both schools, and then the rest of back to school. The middle school events are in the calendar, the elementary school events are in the calendar. The religious school events are in the calendar and so are the youth group events, the Bar Mitzvah's that are coming up and various other things.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Vacation
Vacation Post! So, the last week in August has turned into our annual summer vacation week. Past vacations have included the White Mountains, Vermont and San Diego. This year we voted as a family to load up the car and drive to Hershey, PA. Which we found out is called Derry Township, but in reality we all had fun.
Hershey Park is a GIANT amusement park with LOTS of roller coasters and a major waterpark. We did the rides, and the kids had a lot of fun. Mark did lots of different roller coasters, and this is one of the insane rides. Adam and the kids went on the SUPER DOOPER LOOPER, and the kids loved it.
In the photos there is a photo of the kids on the monorail ride.
There were the traditional bumper cars and swing rides, and we all had a good time.
We then went to CHOCOLATE WORLD, which is next door to Hershey Park, and we had a chocolate tasting, watched a 4D movie, but the thrill was to make your own chocolate bar. We also each got to design our own cartons, in addition to our chocolate bar. There was a gift shop FULL of Hershey bars and other chocolate candies, which in reality you can get at any CVS or grocery store.
We also took a historical tour of Hershey, Hershey Academy and learned all the good that Milton Hershey did with his fortune, and how his goodness still lives on today.
We also spent an hour at Indian Echo Caves, which was REALLY COOL and I highly recommend that you take the time to see the caves. Our tour guide was excellent with kids, history and science.
We dove to Lancaster County, and learned about the Amish, which was fun. We took a buggy ride, learned about dairy farms, and just had a good time.
We ate shoofly pie, which none of us liked, and we ate whoopie pies.
Our vacation's last stop was Cafe Noir, in NYC, to see Aunt Rebecca at her new spot and we were lucky enough to have lunch there!
Hershey Park is a GIANT amusement park with LOTS of roller coasters and a major waterpark. We did the rides, and the kids had a lot of fun. Mark did lots of different roller coasters, and this is one of the insane rides. Adam and the kids went on the SUPER DOOPER LOOPER, and the kids loved it.In the photos there is a photo of the kids on the monorail ride.
There were the traditional bumper cars and swing rides, and we all had a good time.
We then went to CHOCOLATE WORLD, which is next door to Hershey Park, and we had a chocolate tasting, watched a 4D movie, but the thrill was to make your own chocolate bar. We also each got to design our own cartons, in addition to our chocolate bar. There was a gift shop FULL of Hershey bars and other chocolate candies, which in reality you can get at any CVS or grocery store.
We also took a historical tour of Hershey, Hershey Academy and learned all the good that Milton Hershey did with his fortune, and how his goodness still lives on today.
We dove to Lancaster County, and learned about the Amish, which was fun. We took a buggy ride, learned about dairy farms, and just had a good time.
We ate shoofly pie, which none of us liked, and we ate whoopie pies.
Our vacation's last stop was Cafe Noir, in NYC, to see Aunt Rebecca at her new spot and we were lucky enough to have lunch there!
Friday, August 22, 2014
A night out and my voice
Last night I attended an informal get together at a friend's house, and it was great to have a night out, and just talk with friends (new and old). I loved how it was a small enough group, that we could each grab a glass of wine, punch or water, and just talk around the coffee table.
What I found interesting, was that there were a few bloggers around the table, and they talked about their own blog, and the category it fell under, which most was "lifestyle." While I know I have a blog, last night I discovered within myself that it is not just a "recipe" blog, and while I don't have to aspire to be the SMITTEN KITCHEN blog, (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE), my blog is still my own creative work, and something to be proud of and not to say "it is just a simple blog." It is my own work. My blog is more than recipes, or updates about my kids. Sometimes I go off on a topic that is important to me (women in the workforce treated and paid as equals) or how I get everything done (super organized).
But, my blog is written by me, and I have a voice! And it is an important voice.
What I found interesting, was that there were a few bloggers around the table, and they talked about their own blog, and the category it fell under, which most was "lifestyle." While I know I have a blog, last night I discovered within myself that it is not just a "recipe" blog, and while I don't have to aspire to be the SMITTEN KITCHEN blog, (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE), my blog is still my own creative work, and something to be proud of and not to say "it is just a simple blog." It is my own work. My blog is more than recipes, or updates about my kids. Sometimes I go off on a topic that is important to me (women in the workforce treated and paid as equals) or how I get everything done (super organized).
But, my blog is written by me, and I have a voice! And it is an important voice.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Mr. Mark and the Ice Bucket Challenge
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
HE IS HOME
Summer is over!!! Seven weeks have passed, and I have my son home! Cue up the eye doctor and the braces!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Lake Day
Friends invited us to their lake house, and we accepted. Of course, I made them a few things to bring:
Back to the lake . . . Naomi had never been in a lake before! We have spent time in pools and at the beach, so this was a new experience. Of course, I had forgotten that our hosts had a brand new dog! So, Naomi not only played with the dog, but spent most of the afternoon in the lake, and it was hard to get her out (five more minutes PLEASE?).
Naomi swam, kayaked but her favorite thing was a noodle in the shape of a horse. She had never seen one, and loved it. She created a whole world in the lake, in which she just played and hummed. She liked when a boat went by and created a wake.
And of course the best sign of a great day is when your child falls asleep on the drive home! See the last photo!
- One fresh challah
- Salted Chocolate Brownies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- Zucchini Muffins and Bread
- Brown Butter Salted Rice Krispie Treats
Back to the lake . . . Naomi had never been in a lake before! We have spent time in pools and at the beach, so this was a new experience. Of course, I had forgotten that our hosts had a brand new dog! So, Naomi not only played with the dog, but spent most of the afternoon in the lake, and it was hard to get her out (five more minutes PLEASE?).
Naomi swam, kayaked but her favorite thing was a noodle in the shape of a horse. She had never seen one, and loved it. She created a whole world in the lake, in which she just played and hummed. She liked when a boat went by and created a wake.
And of course the best sign of a great day is when your child falls asleep on the drive home! See the last photo!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Muffins and Breads
It is harvest season in Boston! If you have a garden, you should be enjoying tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. And, if you don't have a garden (like me), either you are loving the farmers markets, or can't wait for friends to bring you the over flow!
The other day a friend brought me two good sized zucchini and a zucchini that could be used for a bat at Fenway park. I grilled up the smaller two, and knew what I was going to do with the baseball bat! Zucchini bread! And it made a double batch - FIVE small breads and 36 glorious muffins!
Zucchini Bread
The other day a friend brought me two good sized zucchini and a zucchini that could be used for a bat at Fenway park. I grilled up the smaller two, and knew what I was going to do with the baseball bat! Zucchini bread! And it made a double batch - FIVE small breads and 36 glorious muffins!
Zucchini Bread
This recipe was given to me by my mom. When I was little we grew zucchini's in the garden, and they looked like baseball bats. Here is one way to use alot of zucchini (especially if you make two or three batches).
It is dairy free!
3 cups zucchini (NOT peeled, ends cut off)
1 1/2 cups canola oil
3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
4 t vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 /2 t. baking powder
4 1/2 t cinnamon
3/4 c nuts (chopped walnuts or chopped pecans) (Optional)
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Don't over mix. Pour into well greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 70 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. (If making muffins, bake for 18-22 minutes, and check for doneness with a toothpick.)
It is dairy free!
3 cups zucchini (NOT peeled, ends cut off)
1 1/2 cups canola oil
3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
4 t vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 /2 t. baking powder
4 1/2 t cinnamon
3/4 c nuts (chopped walnuts or chopped pecans) (Optional)
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Don't over mix. Pour into well greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 70 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. (If making muffins, bake for 18-22 minutes, and check for doneness with a toothpick.)
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Parenting a 12 year old
So, my eldest child is at overnight camp, and will be coming home on Wednesday! I can't wait to see him and hear about camp (after I ask all the questions, which he will answer quickly). In yesterday's mail, he received a Bar Mitzvah invitation . . . . and it took all of my might NOT to rip it open and look at the invitation and put the date on the calendar. Instead, I texted the mom to let her know that my son got the invitation, and since I was waiting for him to open it, would she let me know the date so that I can put it on the calendar.
The next BIG thing I have to do is schedule meetings with invitations people. . . . . I get excited over food (the caterer) and the music (the DJ). Somehow I need to get myself excited over the invitation.
But today, my husband and I are meeting with the caterer and we are going to start making the big decisions - sit down or buffet. And what the adults will eat. We will wait for our son to come home from camp to give us his opinion about the under 14's menu.
Stay tuned!
The next BIG thing I have to do is schedule meetings with invitations people. . . . . I get excited over food (the caterer) and the music (the DJ). Somehow I need to get myself excited over the invitation.
But today, my husband and I are meeting with the caterer and we are going to start making the big decisions - sit down or buffet. And what the adults will eat. We will wait for our son to come home from camp to give us his opinion about the under 14's menu.
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Summer Colds
I haven't gotten a summer cold in a long time, and I can tell you that they are NOT fun.
Besides feeling terrible, I have been using a ton of tissues, and now my nose is red and cracked (good bye modeling career for the week).
And I haven't been sleeping well (between the bat and the cold).
I think I have finally turned a corner, and I should be feeling better soon.
But, really, summer colds stink.
Besides feeling terrible, I have been using a ton of tissues, and now my nose is red and cracked (good bye modeling career for the week).
And I haven't been sleeping well (between the bat and the cold).
I think I have finally turned a corner, and I should be feeling better soon.
But, really, summer colds stink.
Friday, August 1, 2014
An Evening at home with me, my hubby, my daughter and a BAT????
Last night, our little one was snug as a bug, in her bed. . . and we were catching up on "House of Cards" when my husband yelled out "BAT." My reaction is to fall to the floor with a blanket over my head (somehow I resisted screaming like a lunatic like I usually do) . . . . he opened the front door, and I opened the back door, and this DING bat could not find his way out of our living room. At one point, I told hubby, that I was going upstairs to our daughters room, to make sure she was okay.
I crawled to her room, and closed the door behind me, shoving a towel between the end of the door and the floor. . . . just in case. Turned on the light, and she was asleep. After a bit, I asked my husband to slide me the cell phone, so I could call some bat removal experts.
As I called our usual company (Needham Woburn Pest Control), I heard Adam slam my son's room door closed (son is at overnight camp). Needham Woburn Pest Control didn't have a 24 hour guy. Fine, call me in the morning. Next call was to Baystate Wildlife, and they have a 24 hour guy. Talked to Alex, and he would be there in less than 45 minutes. It was $350 to come down - fine, come on down! Get this thing out of my house!
Alex arrives at 11 PM, with gloves, tennis racket and I give him a Ziplock bag and a Tupperware container. (Yes, I know the drill.) It takes him 10 minutes to catch the bat and put him in the container. He is about to give me the container and says I can take it to city hall, or I can pay him $50 to do it. . . . . we will make out the check for $400.
After Alex leaves with the adult bat, we go upstairs, wake up the girl, and examine her body. She is scratch free and blemish free. She goes back to bed and doesn't believe me that there was a bat in the house, nor that she was up at 11 PM.
How do I know this drill so well . . . this isn't my first bat. The Saturday after we bought the house in 1998, we had our first one, and the next night, we had either the same bat or a different one. Turns out that bats return to the same place, over and over again. They can smell themselves (great). And since you can't mass kill bats, you have to provide a way for them to leave at night (and they leave nightly to get dinner), but can't get back in. The added drama is that it is baby bat season, and baby bats haven't learned how to fly yet. . . .. and you don't want dead baby bats in the walls.
So, today I will call both companies for estimates of re-bat proofing the house. (The warranty only lasts two years, and after looking at my "bat" file last night, I can see that the longest we have ever gone without a bat is three years.)
If I wasn't so afraid of the thing, I could go into business removing them from people's houses, but since I can't stand them, that is not going to be my new profession. I am NOT going to be the new bat girl.
I crawled to her room, and closed the door behind me, shoving a towel between the end of the door and the floor. . . . just in case. Turned on the light, and she was asleep. After a bit, I asked my husband to slide me the cell phone, so I could call some bat removal experts.
As I called our usual company (Needham Woburn Pest Control), I heard Adam slam my son's room door closed (son is at overnight camp). Needham Woburn Pest Control didn't have a 24 hour guy. Fine, call me in the morning. Next call was to Baystate Wildlife, and they have a 24 hour guy. Talked to Alex, and he would be there in less than 45 minutes. It was $350 to come down - fine, come on down! Get this thing out of my house!
Alex arrives at 11 PM, with gloves, tennis racket and I give him a Ziplock bag and a Tupperware container. (Yes, I know the drill.) It takes him 10 minutes to catch the bat and put him in the container. He is about to give me the container and says I can take it to city hall, or I can pay him $50 to do it. . . . . we will make out the check for $400.
After Alex leaves with the adult bat, we go upstairs, wake up the girl, and examine her body. She is scratch free and blemish free. She goes back to bed and doesn't believe me that there was a bat in the house, nor that she was up at 11 PM.
How do I know this drill so well . . . this isn't my first bat. The Saturday after we bought the house in 1998, we had our first one, and the next night, we had either the same bat or a different one. Turns out that bats return to the same place, over and over again. They can smell themselves (great). And since you can't mass kill bats, you have to provide a way for them to leave at night (and they leave nightly to get dinner), but can't get back in. The added drama is that it is baby bat season, and baby bats haven't learned how to fly yet. . . .. and you don't want dead baby bats in the walls.
So, today I will call both companies for estimates of re-bat proofing the house. (The warranty only lasts two years, and after looking at my "bat" file last night, I can see that the longest we have ever gone without a bat is three years.)
If I wasn't so afraid of the thing, I could go into business removing them from people's houses, but since I can't stand them, that is not going to be my new profession. I am NOT going to be the new bat girl.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Me
Over the last few days, I have been adding blogs to my "Blogs that I Follow" list, and I am trying to figure out who I am online. Who is Stephanie? Yes, I have the typical answer of "Wife of Adam, Mom of Two, Employee at a great company . . . . and I like to read and bake. . . . . and I would like to get into shape. . ."
It is pretty blah . . . . . . IMHO.
Who did I want to be? I wanted to be happy when I grew up, and I am happy. I wanted to be a wife, and I wanted to a mom . . . . . and I am those also. But what do I want to be? I want to be a dependable friend. . . . a committed community member . . . . . and I want to be healthier. . . . and I want my kids to grow up to be caring, independent, successful adults. . . . . and they can build on top of that.
More about me. . . . .
Baking and be healthier . . . . doesn't seem to go together, but somehow, I am going to blend the two. I am kicking off healthier eating habits. . . more fruits and veggies, and more water, and I should be walking more. . . . . but I still want to bake those Oreo cakes and chocolate salted brownies.
Of course for the next 10 months, we are in Bar Mitzvah count down, and I will be using the blog to give updates on that. . . . so basically over the next ten months, I hope to eat healthier, exercise more and plan a meaningful Bar Mitzvah for my son, all while being a wife, a mother, an employee and a baker.
It is pretty blah . . . . . . IMHO.
Who did I want to be? I wanted to be happy when I grew up, and I am happy. I wanted to be a wife, and I wanted to a mom . . . . . and I am those also. But what do I want to be? I want to be a dependable friend. . . . a committed community member . . . . . and I want to be healthier. . . . and I want my kids to grow up to be caring, independent, successful adults. . . . . and they can build on top of that.
More about me. . . . .
Baking and be healthier . . . . doesn't seem to go together, but somehow, I am going to blend the two. I am kicking off healthier eating habits. . . more fruits and veggies, and more water, and I should be walking more. . . . . but I still want to bake those Oreo cakes and chocolate salted brownies.
Of course for the next 10 months, we are in Bar Mitzvah count down, and I will be using the blog to give updates on that. . . . so basically over the next ten months, I hope to eat healthier, exercise more and plan a meaningful Bar Mitzvah for my son, all while being a wife, a mother, an employee and a baker.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Cookbook Flipping
Some nights, I like to curl up with a cookbook and read each page. I like to revisit the recipes that I have made (and the notes I have put on the page), and I like to post it note other recipes that look good to me. I go in phases, and I don't seem to be in sync with the seasons. In summer, I crave cherries and strawberries. . . . but I also crave those types of recipes in the summer too! I love looking at how different cooks design a mozzarella and tomato salad, which is one of my favorite salads of all times. Do you add olive oil? Do you add fresh basil? How does each component work with each other?
There are some nights that I look at my specialty cookbooks and review what I have made. One of the cookbooks I really like is the "Ultimate Brownie Book" by Bruce Weinstein. Sooo many different options, and so many notes. One of my favorite things about my cookbook, is that many of the books open to a tried and true recipe, complete with notes - "Adam loved" or "needs 10 less minutes in the oven." Or, when the book is so tried and true, there are food particles stuck to the page. Tomato sauce on my lasagna recipe!
Sometimes while flipping through the books, I find a new recipe, and it is a complete success. Complete success in my book is when all four family members give it a thumbs up, and a make again. Talk about success! The icing on the cake is when it is an easy recipe too!
Maybe tonight will be one of those nights that I find a new favorite recipe.
There are some nights that I look at my specialty cookbooks and review what I have made. One of the cookbooks I really like is the "Ultimate Brownie Book" by Bruce Weinstein. Sooo many different options, and so many notes. One of my favorite things about my cookbook, is that many of the books open to a tried and true recipe, complete with notes - "Adam loved" or "needs 10 less minutes in the oven." Or, when the book is so tried and true, there are food particles stuck to the page. Tomato sauce on my lasagna recipe!
Sometimes while flipping through the books, I find a new recipe, and it is a complete success. Complete success in my book is when all four family members give it a thumbs up, and a make again. Talk about success! The icing on the cake is when it is an easy recipe too!
Maybe tonight will be one of those nights that I find a new favorite recipe.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Good Bye Marblehead
Today is the day that my parents are selling my childhood home. Sure, many parents have downsized and sold the family home, but this time it is my parents. I moved into that home when I was 18 months old, and moved out when I got married/finished graduate school.
Many of the neighbors have sold, and the buyers are people with young kids. It is a great neighborhood.
It is a great neighborhood to learn to ride your bike - not too busy and flat sidewalks and roads.
It is a great neighborhood to sell girl scout cookies - although by top buyers have long moved out. I remember arranging my sales so I would start out at the "Cookie Monster's House" since they always bought cookies (and gave me cookies while I waited) and then I always finished at the Katz's house, since they had an endless supply of Pepperidge Farm Gingerbread Men cookies, which of course I needed to eat, since I had just walked the whole neighborhood!
It was a great neighborhood full of kids my own age, and growing up we went to school together and we played outside together. If you were home, you were outside!
Not close enough to any elementary school to walk to school, but plenty of families to carpool with!
My pink bedroom with the green rug (my color choices) will be sold to someone else. The house where Thanksgiving, Passover, Rosh Hashana, will belong to another family as of this afternoon.
I hope the new owners have years of joy in the house!
Many of the neighbors have sold, and the buyers are people with young kids. It is a great neighborhood.
It is a great neighborhood to learn to ride your bike - not too busy and flat sidewalks and roads.
It is a great neighborhood to sell girl scout cookies - although by top buyers have long moved out. I remember arranging my sales so I would start out at the "Cookie Monster's House" since they always bought cookies (and gave me cookies while I waited) and then I always finished at the Katz's house, since they had an endless supply of Pepperidge Farm Gingerbread Men cookies, which of course I needed to eat, since I had just walked the whole neighborhood!
It was a great neighborhood full of kids my own age, and growing up we went to school together and we played outside together. If you were home, you were outside!
Not close enough to any elementary school to walk to school, but plenty of families to carpool with!
My pink bedroom with the green rug (my color choices) will be sold to someone else. The house where Thanksgiving, Passover, Rosh Hashana, will belong to another family as of this afternoon.
I hope the new owners have years of joy in the house!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Plagiarism - Still Going On
As a former student journalist, I am so proud of the Newton South High School students who broke the story about Superintendent David Fleishman’s plagiarism of Governor Deval Patrick's commencement speeches. It is great, that these students did not give up on the story and that finally the Boston Globe and other media outlets picked up the story. Way to go student journalists!
What happened? Superintendent Fleishman used parts of Governor Patrick's commencement speeches in the Newton South commencement speech, without giving credit to Governor Patrick. Graduation happened in early June, and now the story is really being talked about in Boston (or at least in my circles).
What is the punishment? Losing a week of pay. What is the punishment of a Newton Public School student for the same crime? Getting a zero on the paper, and the second incident is a one day school suspension.
Students from the past and current students are given the warning every year not to plagiarize. Students are taught to give credit where credit is due. If you quote an article, a speech, a song, you are to give credit. It is okay to quote from other people, but you need to give credit.
And as an educator, does this punishment fit the crime? In my opinion, no. The punishment of losing one weeks pay ($4,900) when one earns over $250,000 doesn't hurt enough. And his press release did not include the words "I am sorry." Again, what are we teaching our kids.
Maybe Superintendent Fleishman should attend a Newton South English class or Social Studies class to hear how his team members explain what plagiarism is, and what the punishment is, and why it is wrong.
We have the opportunity to teach our children, how to say I am sorry and how to accept a meaningful punishment. Neither of which have been done, to date.
What happened? Superintendent Fleishman used parts of Governor Patrick's commencement speeches in the Newton South commencement speech, without giving credit to Governor Patrick. Graduation happened in early June, and now the story is really being talked about in Boston (or at least in my circles).
What is the punishment? Losing a week of pay. What is the punishment of a Newton Public School student for the same crime? Getting a zero on the paper, and the second incident is a one day school suspension.
Students from the past and current students are given the warning every year not to plagiarize. Students are taught to give credit where credit is due. If you quote an article, a speech, a song, you are to give credit. It is okay to quote from other people, but you need to give credit.
And as an educator, does this punishment fit the crime? In my opinion, no. The punishment of losing one weeks pay ($4,900) when one earns over $250,000 doesn't hurt enough. And his press release did not include the words "I am sorry." Again, what are we teaching our kids.
Maybe Superintendent Fleishman should attend a Newton South English class or Social Studies class to hear how his team members explain what plagiarism is, and what the punishment is, and why it is wrong.
We have the opportunity to teach our children, how to say I am sorry and how to accept a meaningful punishment. Neither of which have been done, to date.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Visiting Day - Overnight Camp
It still seems unreal. I sent my baby away to overnight camp for SEVEN weeks. My baby! Of course, my baby is 12 years old, and BEGGED for this treat. It seems like yesterday we dropped him off for the first day of daycare. It seems like yesterday that he had his first day of Meadowbrook Day Camp in Weston, MA. However, this is my baby's third summer at CYJ in New Hampshire.
During the summer of 2011, we looked at different overnight camps for him. He had asked to go, and I did not want him to go. I was his mom and I am the best person to care for him - just ask me! So after looking, we decided on CYJ, and he spent three and a half weeks there in 2012. At pick up, in July, 2012, he asked "Can I go for season next summer?" My automatic answer was NO. I missed him too much.
During the summer of 2013, he again went three and a half weeks, and again, the first question in the car at pick up was "Can I go for season next summer?" Ummmmmmm, I said. I would think about, and I did. I talked to the director and friends. It seems natural that after kids experience the amazing awesomeness at camp, that they would want more camp.
So, for the summer of 2014, I (a day camp flunkie) signed my son up for seven weeks of overnight camp. Drop off went well, and then he was off. We just had visiting day, and my kid was beaming with happiness. I don't remember seeing him so happy! We spent a little over four hours with him, and there was no arguing, there was no sibling fighting. . . . there was happiness. And when it was time to say good bye, it was okay. I knew he was happy at camp, and he would be okay without me for another three and a half weeks.
And here is my souvernier from visiting day: Happiness
During the summer of 2011, we looked at different overnight camps for him. He had asked to go, and I did not want him to go. I was his mom and I am the best person to care for him - just ask me! So after looking, we decided on CYJ, and he spent three and a half weeks there in 2012. At pick up, in July, 2012, he asked "Can I go for season next summer?" My automatic answer was NO. I missed him too much.
During the summer of 2013, he again went three and a half weeks, and again, the first question in the car at pick up was "Can I go for season next summer?" Ummmmmmm, I said. I would think about, and I did. I talked to the director and friends. It seems natural that after kids experience the amazing awesomeness at camp, that they would want more camp.
So, for the summer of 2014, I (a day camp flunkie) signed my son up for seven weeks of overnight camp. Drop off went well, and then he was off. We just had visiting day, and my kid was beaming with happiness. I don't remember seeing him so happy! We spent a little over four hours with him, and there was no arguing, there was no sibling fighting. . . . there was happiness. And when it was time to say good bye, it was okay. I knew he was happy at camp, and he would be okay without me for another three and a half weeks.
And here is my souvernier from visiting day: Happiness
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Less than a year away
So in addition to my normal parental duties (making meals, doing laundry, cleaning house), my new hat is planning a Bar Mitzvah for my first born. It has hit me that on May 30, 2015 our friends and family will be in Boston for this great occasion.
Sure, two years ago, I booked the stuff . . . . I booked the venue for the Saturday night party. I booked the caterer for Friday night dinner. I booked the photographer for the occasion. And the DJ for Saturday night. . . . . and then we got the email . . . the Bar Mitzvah was one year out, and we had to start weekly lessons!!!
As a super organized person, I then started to think, I need to break this job into separate tasks and make a timeline for ME. I am the person responsible for this.
In June, 2014, I researched the various hotels around me, and asked friends for recommendations. After a bit, we visited a hotel and reserved a "block" of rooms and sent the email to friends and family. Yes, it is really happening! My mom tested the block and it worked! She has a room reservation.
Before the boy left for overnight camp, we talked about the invite list, the color scheme and a potential invite list. I have a draft of the invite list, that I did in Excel. I have columns galore in this spreadsheet: Names, Formal Names, Addresses, Emails, Out of Towners, Hospitality Bag, Kid Count, Adult Count, and many more. And I am busy updating this list with family members sending me updates. When do I update the list? After 9 PM!! Once I get a hold of the family computer.
My next steps are to contact the Saturday evening venue to take another tour (to remember what the place looked like) and meet with the caterer about Friday and Saturday night meals. Meanwhile, the boy, is having his weekly lessons at Jewish overnight camp.
Organization is going to be important to having a great Bar Mitzvah weekend.
Sure, two years ago, I booked the stuff . . . . I booked the venue for the Saturday night party. I booked the caterer for Friday night dinner. I booked the photographer for the occasion. And the DJ for Saturday night. . . . . and then we got the email . . . the Bar Mitzvah was one year out, and we had to start weekly lessons!!!
As a super organized person, I then started to think, I need to break this job into separate tasks and make a timeline for ME. I am the person responsible for this.
In June, 2014, I researched the various hotels around me, and asked friends for recommendations. After a bit, we visited a hotel and reserved a "block" of rooms and sent the email to friends and family. Yes, it is really happening! My mom tested the block and it worked! She has a room reservation.
Before the boy left for overnight camp, we talked about the invite list, the color scheme and a potential invite list. I have a draft of the invite list, that I did in Excel. I have columns galore in this spreadsheet: Names, Formal Names, Addresses, Emails, Out of Towners, Hospitality Bag, Kid Count, Adult Count, and many more. And I am busy updating this list with family members sending me updates. When do I update the list? After 9 PM!! Once I get a hold of the family computer.
My next steps are to contact the Saturday evening venue to take another tour (to remember what the place looked like) and meet with the caterer about Friday and Saturday night meals. Meanwhile, the boy, is having his weekly lessons at Jewish overnight camp.
Organization is going to be important to having a great Bar Mitzvah weekend.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Anniversary Weekend
This weekend is Adam and my 17th wedding anniversary, and it seems like yesterday I wore the beautiful white dress, danced the night away and then we went on an Alaskan cruise. So much has happened in the 17 years both to us as a couple, as individuals, as a family and the world.
Back in 1997, there was no iphone and no texting. Back in 1997 we didn't have a digital camera to bring to Alaska.
In 1998, we moved out of our rental apartment (in lovely Peabody), and purchased our current home. We bought the house before we had kids. We bought a cape cod style house, that was battleship gray, but it was ours. We bought a house that had a 1970's kitchen and some extra pets - bats. And that was the summer I got educated about bats.
And as life went on, we became parents (learned even more about bats), learned about parenting infants, toddlers, preschoolers, etc. We had to find our own style, and how to teach our family about work life balance. How to teach our kids that we are individuals but we are a part of this special family.
I am so fortunate for finding Adam, and for June 29, 1997, and for every day after that. . . . .
Back in 1997, there was no iphone and no texting. Back in 1997 we didn't have a digital camera to bring to Alaska.
In 1998, we moved out of our rental apartment (in lovely Peabody), and purchased our current home. We bought the house before we had kids. We bought a cape cod style house, that was battleship gray, but it was ours. We bought a house that had a 1970's kitchen and some extra pets - bats. And that was the summer I got educated about bats.
And as life went on, we became parents (learned even more about bats), learned about parenting infants, toddlers, preschoolers, etc. We had to find our own style, and how to teach our family about work life balance. How to teach our kids that we are individuals but we are a part of this special family.
I am so fortunate for finding Adam, and for June 29, 1997, and for every day after that. . . . .
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Pancakes for Dinner
Last night it was just me and my daughter for dinner. . . . so we had BRINNER - Breakfast for dinner. Homemade pancakes with real Vermont Maple Syrup
1 large egg
1 cup flour
3/4 c milk
1 T baking powder
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
2 T canola oil
1 t vanilla extract
Beat the egg in a mixing bowl. Add flour, milk, baking powder, sugar, salt, oil and vanilla. Stir til mostly smooth.
Heat a large griddle over medium to medium high heat. Pour some oil onto the griddle and heat til hot. With a large spoon, pour around 3 T of batter onto the griddle. Allow some room in between pancakes. If desired, put four chocolate chips onto each pancake. Cook until air bubbles appear, and then flip. Watch carefully!
When the second side is finished, put on a plate.
Serve immediately. We like real Vermont maple syrup on our pancakes.
1 large egg
1 cup flour
3/4 c milk
1 T baking powder
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
2 T canola oil
1 t vanilla extract
Beat the egg in a mixing bowl. Add flour, milk, baking powder, sugar, salt, oil and vanilla. Stir til mostly smooth.
Heat a large griddle over medium to medium high heat. Pour some oil onto the griddle and heat til hot. With a large spoon, pour around 3 T of batter onto the griddle. Allow some room in between pancakes. If desired, put four chocolate chips onto each pancake. Cook until air bubbles appear, and then flip. Watch carefully!
When the second side is finished, put on a plate.
Serve immediately. We like real Vermont maple syrup on our pancakes.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
School Shootings - How to Solve it Mom's Way
School shootings make me sick to my stomach. Just say the names - Columbine, Newtown, and I want to cry. School violence is horrible, whether it is shootings, knife fights, fist fights. But how did we, the nation, get to this point? I don't know. But I can tell you, that the way to solve it is to take a holistic view of the nation, and not point fingers that it is because of the guns, or it is because of the lack of mental health services, or the stigma of mental illness, or society, or the lack of parenting, or electronics, or whatever.
The problem is here, and we, as a nation, and the people of this nation need to solve it. Before you go any further, the solution involves time and money. Your time and my time and your money and my money. I am willing to pay for it, because I can't continue to watch kids shoot each other. Because I can't continue to watch kids cry that they saw their friend shot to death in school and because I can't continue to watch another mother/father/family member cry that they will never (never, never, never) see and hold a loved one again, who was under the age of 18. I can't keep watching our kids be the victims of violence in SCHOOL.
Yes, we have a gun issue - and it isn't just a control issue. Yes, people are able to get guns easier than I can get my son ADHD medication. If you have a gun (legal or not), please, please, please don't keep your gun loaded and unlocked. We need to teach all of our children never, ever to touch a gun without adult supervision. We need to teach all of our children and teenagers that taking a gun out of the locked case is WRONG and DANGEROUS.
Please lets teach our children how to resolve conflicts without violence. Lets teach this at home, in the school, and our leaders of this nation (Congress) need to start solving all of our problems, without grandstanding. We need to discuss the issues at hand and come up with solutions. All politicians need to know that they aren't going to get their way 100% of the time, and without compromise our nation is losing the battle - the battle of unemployment, the battle of gun control, the battle of affordable health care, the battle of keeping state and religion separate. For every issue there are many views, but we have to come together and solve these problems.
Having two kids in school, I can see that they are learning some AMAZING things, including how to work in groups together and how to solve conflict (at the mediation center in my daughter's second grade classroom). However when the standardize test is weeks away, the schools start test prep, and there is NO conflict resolution teaching. There is no discussion of a theme of a class read book. It is test prep time, but that is another topic for another day.
We, the nation, not only need to make health care affordable and accessible, but that includes mental health. Because I live in a wealthy community, I know of many health care professionals who had to stop taking health insurance because they rate of reimbursement was embarrassing. One health care professional told me that she got paid $60 per hour from one health insurance company (with the patient paying $30 and the health insurance company paying her $30). It is embarrassing that she has an advanced degree, but was getting paid $60/hr by the health insurance company, even though her expenses were greater than that because she practiced in Massachusetts.
Other mental health workers that don't accept health insurance can charge $200/hour (session), and who can afford that - the wealthy. Where does that leave the average Massachusetts worker? With no access to mental health care. If you are lucky enough to find a mental health professional, that accepts your health insurance, it could be months to get a first appointment.
In the meantime, the people that need the mental heath care are part of our community. They need help, and some have tried to access it, only to be denied. In Massachusetts, the number of mental health beds in the pediatric department across the state have shrunk to alarming numbers. If we don't help these kids, where will they go as adults? If we don't pay for affordable mental health care now, what is the cost later? The cost is not just dollars. The cost is our children's lives.
We need to solve the school violence issue, but it just isn't the NRA. We all need to help solve this problem. If the NRA went away tomorrow, we still have a problem with kids shooting (and killing kids) and that is our community's problem.
We, the adults, of the community need to solve this very real problem.
The problem is here, and we, as a nation, and the people of this nation need to solve it. Before you go any further, the solution involves time and money. Your time and my time and your money and my money. I am willing to pay for it, because I can't continue to watch kids shoot each other. Because I can't continue to watch kids cry that they saw their friend shot to death in school and because I can't continue to watch another mother/father/family member cry that they will never (never, never, never) see and hold a loved one again, who was under the age of 18. I can't keep watching our kids be the victims of violence in SCHOOL.
Yes, we have a gun issue - and it isn't just a control issue. Yes, people are able to get guns easier than I can get my son ADHD medication. If you have a gun (legal or not), please, please, please don't keep your gun loaded and unlocked. We need to teach all of our children never, ever to touch a gun without adult supervision. We need to teach all of our children and teenagers that taking a gun out of the locked case is WRONG and DANGEROUS.
Please lets teach our children how to resolve conflicts without violence. Lets teach this at home, in the school, and our leaders of this nation (Congress) need to start solving all of our problems, without grandstanding. We need to discuss the issues at hand and come up with solutions. All politicians need to know that they aren't going to get their way 100% of the time, and without compromise our nation is losing the battle - the battle of unemployment, the battle of gun control, the battle of affordable health care, the battle of keeping state and religion separate. For every issue there are many views, but we have to come together and solve these problems.
Having two kids in school, I can see that they are learning some AMAZING things, including how to work in groups together and how to solve conflict (at the mediation center in my daughter's second grade classroom). However when the standardize test is weeks away, the schools start test prep, and there is NO conflict resolution teaching. There is no discussion of a theme of a class read book. It is test prep time, but that is another topic for another day.
We, the nation, not only need to make health care affordable and accessible, but that includes mental health. Because I live in a wealthy community, I know of many health care professionals who had to stop taking health insurance because they rate of reimbursement was embarrassing. One health care professional told me that she got paid $60 per hour from one health insurance company (with the patient paying $30 and the health insurance company paying her $30). It is embarrassing that she has an advanced degree, but was getting paid $60/hr by the health insurance company, even though her expenses were greater than that because she practiced in Massachusetts.
Other mental health workers that don't accept health insurance can charge $200/hour (session), and who can afford that - the wealthy. Where does that leave the average Massachusetts worker? With no access to mental health care. If you are lucky enough to find a mental health professional, that accepts your health insurance, it could be months to get a first appointment.
In the meantime, the people that need the mental heath care are part of our community. They need help, and some have tried to access it, only to be denied. In Massachusetts, the number of mental health beds in the pediatric department across the state have shrunk to alarming numbers. If we don't help these kids, where will they go as adults? If we don't pay for affordable mental health care now, what is the cost later? The cost is not just dollars. The cost is our children's lives.
We need to solve the school violence issue, but it just isn't the NRA. We all need to help solve this problem. If the NRA went away tomorrow, we still have a problem with kids shooting (and killing kids) and that is our community's problem.
We, the adults, of the community need to solve this very real problem.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Balls in the Air
Well there are a ton of balls in the air!
Don't forget about the second grade concert! - In the calendar.
Don't forget about the second grade portfolio Share! In the calendar.
Find out yesterday that son needs white T Shirt for tye die on Thursday - figure out we don't have one, and I have no time to get one - "borrow" husband's white T shirt and hope no one knows. Shhhh, my secret is safe with you.
Don't forget about the Brownie permission slip for the hike! Done!
Don't forget to tell afterschool that girl won't be there on Monday due to hike - Done.
Don't forget to tell teacher that girl will be dismissed with Brownie leader. . . . WHOOOOPS! Get email from teacher. . . .
Don't forget to attend Religious School Meeting on Sunday evening to find out about new program - Done!
Leave meeting feeling frustrated that there is not enough information, thus leading to schedule meeting with Rabbi and Educational Director - in process. Speak to friends to confirm that being frustrated is okay and what to do about it. . . .
Start packing older child for overnight camp - stuff is gathering in box, have not gotten duffles out of basement, and still have labels to put on clothes - in process.
Call hotels for guests for Bar Mitzvah next year - find out preferred hotel is booked, working on second choice - need to get a tour - phone tag with hotel contact person.
Attend really close friend's wedding - DONE and had FUN!
Schedule Girls Night Out - when I have time I will find time to see my friends.
Move Bar Mitzvah lesson so boy can attend elementary school class re-union - DONE
Call overnight camp to confirm Bar Mitzvah lessons at camp. - ON LIST TO DO
Schedule tour of Museum to meet new contact person at museum for Bar Mitzvah - on the to do list.
Schedule call with caterer - on the to do list
Continue to ask husband what he wants for Father's Day and panic that shopping time is fading away, and wonder, where are those Father's Day cards that I purchased and had the kids sign . . . . .
Find hotel for summer vacation - WAAAAY down on the list
Find overnight hotel for our anniversary - whoops!
Reschedule Jury duty for time when NOT on vacation - DONE
Complete notary application for renewal. - In process
Type up one year time line of Bar Mitzvah to do's. . . . get some wine and freak out - so many small details that MUST be done.
Don't forget about the second grade concert! - In the calendar.
Don't forget about the second grade portfolio Share! In the calendar.
Find out yesterday that son needs white T Shirt for tye die on Thursday - figure out we don't have one, and I have no time to get one - "borrow" husband's white T shirt and hope no one knows. Shhhh, my secret is safe with you.
Don't forget about the Brownie permission slip for the hike! Done!
Don't forget to tell afterschool that girl won't be there on Monday due to hike - Done.
Don't forget to tell teacher that girl will be dismissed with Brownie leader. . . . WHOOOOPS! Get email from teacher. . . .
Don't forget to attend Religious School Meeting on Sunday evening to find out about new program - Done!
Leave meeting feeling frustrated that there is not enough information, thus leading to schedule meeting with Rabbi and Educational Director - in process. Speak to friends to confirm that being frustrated is okay and what to do about it. . . .
Start packing older child for overnight camp - stuff is gathering in box, have not gotten duffles out of basement, and still have labels to put on clothes - in process.
Call hotels for guests for Bar Mitzvah next year - find out preferred hotel is booked, working on second choice - need to get a tour - phone tag with hotel contact person.
Attend really close friend's wedding - DONE and had FUN!
Schedule Girls Night Out - when I have time I will find time to see my friends.
Move Bar Mitzvah lesson so boy can attend elementary school class re-union - DONE
Call overnight camp to confirm Bar Mitzvah lessons at camp. - ON LIST TO DO
Schedule tour of Museum to meet new contact person at museum for Bar Mitzvah - on the to do list.
Schedule call with caterer - on the to do list
Continue to ask husband what he wants for Father's Day and panic that shopping time is fading away, and wonder, where are those Father's Day cards that I purchased and had the kids sign . . . . .
Find hotel for summer vacation - WAAAAY down on the list
Find overnight hotel for our anniversary - whoops!
Reschedule Jury duty for time when NOT on vacation - DONE
Complete notary application for renewal. - In process
Type up one year time line of Bar Mitzvah to do's. . . . get some wine and freak out - so many small details that MUST be done.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Another article about stay at home parent vs two working parents
This article was recently published on the MarketWatch website:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-stay-at-home-parenting-isnt-worth-it-2014-06-04?dist=beforebell
There is always an article or a study about which is better, two working parents or one working parent and one stay at home parent. The first thing about this article that hooked me into reading further is that the author is a woman, and if they chose a stay at home parent, it would be the dad. As much as I want to say there is a 50/50 split on the sexes of who stays home, in reality, I know ONE stay at home dad, and he is a fabulous stay at home dad. The rest of the parents that I know, who have one parent at home, are women. I am really trying to figure out a second family, but I can't. I know of families that the dad has lost a job, stayed home and then returned to the work force, but as far as making the choice to be the stay at home parent, in my world, it has been the mom.
Why have two parents working? Of course there is more income when two parents work, however part of that income is consumed with increased childcare costs. Childcare costs money. Quality childcare usually costs more money. We sacrificed our family vacations, so that we could afford the best quality daycare in a daycare setting. There is not a moment that I regret sending our kids to BITC, the best daycare in Newton! And as our kids have gotten older, there are more options for activities, such as All City Chorus, All City Band, travel soccer, religious school to name a few.
Back in the Leave it To Beaver era, "father" worked for the same company for the majority of his career, and in today's world, that is less and less common. In today's world people change jobs often, and often there are lay offs. A lay off is bad for any family, however when one parent stays home full time, that lay off not only effects cash flow, but the ability to purchase "affordable" health care. A few years ago, when our family went through the lay off of a spouse, we were able to purchase health care through the other spouse's company.
One of the benefits of both of us working is that our kids see us balance and negotiate family responsibilities. It is not all my responsibility to cook, to clean, to get the kids off to school, to pick up the kids, to shuttle the kids to activity to activity, grocery shop, pay the bills, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, run the errands, drive the kids to medical appointments, and so on. . . . Our kids see us negotiate, who can leave work early on Tuesdays to drive All City Band (my husband) and who can leave work early on Thursdays to drive religious school carpool (I do). I do the cooking and my husband does the post meal cleaning. We split the errands on Saturdays - I do the grocery shopping and my husband does the coffee bean pick up, the dry cleaning pick up and drop off, etc. The kids see that not one spouse is responsible for everything. We split the homework help.
Both my husband and I talk about our day at work, and when he delivers code on time, and when our business has signed on a new client. We talk about my quarterly reports, and we talk about how those reports need to be delivered on time, and this is especially important when talking to a middle school boy - and turning in his homework and reports on time. . . . my boss expects reports to be done on time, and correct. Real world lessons for the sixth grade boy living in my house!
This article refers to a Danish study about kids whose parents both work and one who stays home. "After evaluating the grade point averages of 135,000 Danish 15-year-olds whose mothers worked and whose mothers stayed at home, a research team led by Cornell University concluded that “maternal employment has a positive effect on children’s academic performance.” " This was one of my favorite quotes, because in the back of my mind, I keep hearing that kids with stay at home parents do better in the long run and those in daycare don't. This one line alone confirms that just because my house has two working parents, my kids don't lose out. My kids know that I am not running a leftover lunch back to school, or a forgotten book to school. My sixth grader knows he has to make the bus home, or wait an hour for the next one. It has taught him that we all have to do our jobs to make our family work. I believe my kids are better off because both of us work. . . . and it was nice to read this article and its different points.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-stay-at-home-parenting-isnt-worth-it-2014-06-04?dist=beforebell
There is always an article or a study about which is better, two working parents or one working parent and one stay at home parent. The first thing about this article that hooked me into reading further is that the author is a woman, and if they chose a stay at home parent, it would be the dad. As much as I want to say there is a 50/50 split on the sexes of who stays home, in reality, I know ONE stay at home dad, and he is a fabulous stay at home dad. The rest of the parents that I know, who have one parent at home, are women. I am really trying to figure out a second family, but I can't. I know of families that the dad has lost a job, stayed home and then returned to the work force, but as far as making the choice to be the stay at home parent, in my world, it has been the mom.
Why have two parents working? Of course there is more income when two parents work, however part of that income is consumed with increased childcare costs. Childcare costs money. Quality childcare usually costs more money. We sacrificed our family vacations, so that we could afford the best quality daycare in a daycare setting. There is not a moment that I regret sending our kids to BITC, the best daycare in Newton! And as our kids have gotten older, there are more options for activities, such as All City Chorus, All City Band, travel soccer, religious school to name a few.
Back in the Leave it To Beaver era, "father" worked for the same company for the majority of his career, and in today's world, that is less and less common. In today's world people change jobs often, and often there are lay offs. A lay off is bad for any family, however when one parent stays home full time, that lay off not only effects cash flow, but the ability to purchase "affordable" health care. A few years ago, when our family went through the lay off of a spouse, we were able to purchase health care through the other spouse's company.
One of the benefits of both of us working is that our kids see us balance and negotiate family responsibilities. It is not all my responsibility to cook, to clean, to get the kids off to school, to pick up the kids, to shuttle the kids to activity to activity, grocery shop, pay the bills, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, run the errands, drive the kids to medical appointments, and so on. . . . Our kids see us negotiate, who can leave work early on Tuesdays to drive All City Band (my husband) and who can leave work early on Thursdays to drive religious school carpool (I do). I do the cooking and my husband does the post meal cleaning. We split the errands on Saturdays - I do the grocery shopping and my husband does the coffee bean pick up, the dry cleaning pick up and drop off, etc. The kids see that not one spouse is responsible for everything. We split the homework help.
Both my husband and I talk about our day at work, and when he delivers code on time, and when our business has signed on a new client. We talk about my quarterly reports, and we talk about how those reports need to be delivered on time, and this is especially important when talking to a middle school boy - and turning in his homework and reports on time. . . . my boss expects reports to be done on time, and correct. Real world lessons for the sixth grade boy living in my house!
This article refers to a Danish study about kids whose parents both work and one who stays home. "After evaluating the grade point averages of 135,000 Danish 15-year-olds whose mothers worked and whose mothers stayed at home, a research team led by Cornell University concluded that “maternal employment has a positive effect on children’s academic performance.” " This was one of my favorite quotes, because in the back of my mind, I keep hearing that kids with stay at home parents do better in the long run and those in daycare don't. This one line alone confirms that just because my house has two working parents, my kids don't lose out. My kids know that I am not running a leftover lunch back to school, or a forgotten book to school. My sixth grader knows he has to make the bus home, or wait an hour for the next one. It has taught him that we all have to do our jobs to make our family work. I believe my kids are better off because both of us work. . . . and it was nice to read this article and its different points.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Blintz Fest
Typically on the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot, you are supposed to eat products made from milk and honey. Because the holiday is mid week, and homemade blintzes take two hours to make, I made this past weekend.
My family can eat blintzes. . . . especially homemade ones. It is like they are going into hibernation!
I use the Temple Beth El Cookbook for Swampscott, MA for this holiday.
The recipe is from Sarene Cohen, who I have never met.
BATTER:
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
2 cup water (Cold)
In a blender, blend the three eggs and salt. Then add the flour and water. Pour into a large bowl. I made TWO recipes of the batter. (Separately, since my blender can't hold that much).
FILLING
1 pound cream cheese
1/2 pound farmers cheese
1/2 pound cottage cheese
1 egg
1/2 t salt
1-2 T of sugar (depending on taste).
Combine all the ingredients for filling in food processor and mix. Set aside.
Melt 2 T of butter in small bowl.
For the crepes, heat a small non stick frying pan (8 inches) and brush with some melted butter. Pour enough batter to cover bottom of pan, but it must be a thin layer. Fry on one side until top is dry. Flip upside down onto towel to cool. Brush pan with melted butter, and pour more batter into pan. If you make two batches of the batter, you should have 40 crepes. As the crepes cool you can stack them (not directly, but set off from each other).
Once crepes are made, fill the crepe with 1 T or 2 T or filling. Folder over like a burrito.
Put in greased Pyrex pan.
Continue til all 40+ are made.
Preheat oven to 350.
Bake blintzes for 20-25 minutes.
You can fry each blintz, but my family prefers the baking method.
My family can eat blintzes. . . . especially homemade ones. It is like they are going into hibernation!
I use the Temple Beth El Cookbook for Swampscott, MA for this holiday.
The recipe is from Sarene Cohen, who I have never met.
BATTER:
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
2 cup water (Cold)
In a blender, blend the three eggs and salt. Then add the flour and water. Pour into a large bowl. I made TWO recipes of the batter. (Separately, since my blender can't hold that much).
FILLING
1 pound cream cheese
1/2 pound farmers cheese
1/2 pound cottage cheese
1 egg
1/2 t salt
1-2 T of sugar (depending on taste).
Combine all the ingredients for filling in food processor and mix. Set aside.
Melt 2 T of butter in small bowl.
For the crepes, heat a small non stick frying pan (8 inches) and brush with some melted butter. Pour enough batter to cover bottom of pan, but it must be a thin layer. Fry on one side until top is dry. Flip upside down onto towel to cool. Brush pan with melted butter, and pour more batter into pan. If you make two batches of the batter, you should have 40 crepes. As the crepes cool you can stack them (not directly, but set off from each other).
Once crepes are made, fill the crepe with 1 T or 2 T or filling. Folder over like a burrito.
Put in greased Pyrex pan.
Continue til all 40+ are made.
Preheat oven to 350.
Bake blintzes for 20-25 minutes.
You can fry each blintz, but my family prefers the baking method.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Today is the day . . . . will I or won't I?
So, today is my scheduled annual eye exam. Today is the day I wonder. . . . is this the year that I need glasses???? Is this the year??? For the past few years, the doctor tells me I am fine this year, but not to be surprised that I will need glasses next year. . . . . .
Let me back up. . . . back in third grade I flunked the eye exam at school. Yup, FLUNKED it. Turns out that I had a lazy eye, which meant one eye was FINE and the other eye was not working at all. Not only did I need glasses, but I had to patch during the day for 30 minutes. How I hated that patch. I still have nightmares about the patch.
I needed glasses throughout college, more so for reading and concentrating, and then one day I didn't need glasses - at all!!! The eye doctor at the time told me that I would need them again at some point, but to enjoy myself! So I did! I have been glasses free since grad school!!!!!
I have noticed that my very clear ability to see exit signs FAR away has decreased. I did mention that to the doctor last year, who said that it was normal, and my eyes were 20-20 for distance. Just to get used to the fact that very far away signs would not be what they once were. . . . .
I have noticed that when I read for a long time (at night) I should make the Kindle font larger and I have purchased the CVS reading glasses.
And now I wait to find out if this is the year.
Let me back up. . . . back in third grade I flunked the eye exam at school. Yup, FLUNKED it. Turns out that I had a lazy eye, which meant one eye was FINE and the other eye was not working at all. Not only did I need glasses, but I had to patch during the day for 30 minutes. How I hated that patch. I still have nightmares about the patch.
I needed glasses throughout college, more so for reading and concentrating, and then one day I didn't need glasses - at all!!! The eye doctor at the time told me that I would need them again at some point, but to enjoy myself! So I did! I have been glasses free since grad school!!!!!
I have noticed that my very clear ability to see exit signs FAR away has decreased. I did mention that to the doctor last year, who said that it was normal, and my eyes were 20-20 for distance. Just to get used to the fact that very far away signs would not be what they once were. . . . .
I have noticed that when I read for a long time (at night) I should make the Kindle font larger and I have purchased the CVS reading glasses.
And now I wait to find out if this is the year.
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