Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloweens' Past.

Halloween is a big occasion at our house. We live on a boulevard of sorts and kids come from far and wide to trick-or-treat on this street. And we've been spending Halloween on our street far before it even was our street. The tradition started at our good friend's, and my duo's godparent's house, before either of us even had children. 

Of course, as soon as our duo was born they joined in the madness. 

Unwillingly at first. 

Here's a glimpse of the ghouls and goblins of our Halloweens' Past narrated by the duo themselves. 

2003 
Little Miss Thang - Mom, we are only seven months old and have no idea why you are insistent on torturing us. This dress does not fit {size 6 to 18 mos - that doesn't even make any sense} and is horribly scratchy. And no, I'm not posing with my hand, I'm trying to get this stupid "crown" off my head. I have no hair - deal with it and stop putting uncomfortable headbands on my head. 

Boy Genius - Mom, I've lost 2 pounds of body weight sweating in this costume while you attempt to get both of us looking anywhere near the camera. I only weigh about 14 pounds so you better get me out of it before the neighbors call CPS. 


2004 
Little Miss Thang - Seriously, wild indians?! So not politically correct. 

Boy Genius - Hey, at least I'm comfortable. Check out our cousins {really friends and our goddaughters} dressed as chicks.  


2005 
Little Miss Thang - Yes, this dress finally fits but it is still scratchy. I see I finally have enough hair to wear a proper crown. But don't think I didn't notice you wouldn't even spring for a new costume for me this year. You've always loved him more. 

Boy Genius - I'm sweating . . .  again. Ninety percent humidity and you dress me in vinyl!?! 


2006 
Little Miss Thang -  This is perfect. Perfect. You finally nailed it. I am a vision of pink perfection. 

Boy Genius - Go Diego Go! Yes, you have told me at least 30 times but I know I will never understand or appreciate the extreme lengths to which you went to find this official rescue pack and vest. Thanks, though, it feels good to spend the evening without sweat trickling down my brow.



2007 
Little Miss Thang - I finally get to wear high heels. And makeup {self-applied}. Squeal!  

Boy Genius - I know I wanted to be Buzz Lightyear, but another Halloween with ninety percent humidity - really!? Remind me next year to bulk up mid-October. I think I'm back down to my 3-year-old weight. 


2008 
Little Miss Thang - "I'm not a doctor, I'm a surgeon. They are the best." I will never wear makeup again. And I hate pink.  

Boy Genius - Let me show you how I can turn a penny into a dime. But no, I cannot turn your $1 into $100.  You are not the first person to ask. 

2009 
Little Miss Thang - I finally realized Chasing Fireflies has a stunning display of Halloween costumes. And, no, this is not makeup - it is artistic face painting. 

Boy Genius - Again with the long story about the trouble you went through to get this costume! Will a simple thank you suffice? Let the wild rumpus begin! And can she get her feathers out of my face?!


2010 
Little Miss Thang - Yes, I want to go trick-or-treating barefoot. If you won't let me wear black high heels then I'm forced to go barefoot. 

Boy Genius - I would never go barefoot. I already put my shoes on without you even having to ask. You've always loved me more.  Obviously.




Saturday, October 29, 2011

Carmel Apple Martini.

On Monday evening we'll host a small gathering of friends at our house for Halloween fun. I'm serving chili, pizza for the kids {other than Little Miss Thang who won't eat pizza - seriously!}, a big green salad, and candy corn fudge.  

But because Halloween isn't just for kids I'll also serve an adult libation marrying sour and sweet. I'm secretly hoping sipping this number will keep me out of the kids' candy. 

Though I'm not placing any bets. 

source

Carmel Apple Martini


2 fluid ounces best-quality vodka
1 fluid ounce sour apple schnapps
1/2 fluid ounce butterscotch schnapps
1 cup crushed ice
1 slice dried apple
carmel sauce drizzle

Combine vodka, schnapps, and crushed ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously to chill. Pour into martini glass, garnish with apple slice, drizzle with carmel sauce, and serve.


Friday, October 28, 2011

Candy Corn Fudge

As a general rule I don't eat desserts or candies that do not involve chocolate. I only have so many calories to spare and don't like wasting time on anything other than my first love.

Candy corn, however, may be the exception to that rule. It's addictive and so small. What's another one . . . or two . . . or ten?!

So imagine my pure delight at the thought of candy corn fudge. Little Miss Thang will be beside herself with excitement -- fudge is her 1st favorite treat and candy corn is also high on the list!

Honestly, if I can get through the next few months and still fit into any of my jeans it will be a miracle of gigantic proportions. 

Either that or something else will take on gigantic proportions.
via Framed Cooks


Candy Corn Fudge

1 7-oz. jar marshmallow cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups candy corn (about 12 oz.)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil; butter foil. Combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk and butter in a large, heavy pan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and stir in candy corn and chocolate chips, stirring until chocolate melts. Immediately transfer to foil-lined pan and smooth top until even. Chill until set, at least 2 hours. Cut into one inch squares.

This is pure evil and the perfect Halloween treat!

Click on through to Framed Cooks for a printable recipe!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

That's a wrap.

I'm so inspired by this video!  I'll never wear a scarf in the same boring way again!

And truly, a scarf over a simple white t-shirt and jeans is an easy way to look chic with very little effort.  Now that it's {FINALLY} scarf-wearing weather, make it a point to try a new technique this week.

Now I just need to find a way to post this cute tutorial in my closet.


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Queen for the day.

Some people take great care and attention to detail when anticipating a big day in their world. Say you plan to entertain at your house one weekend. Most would take the time to mow the yard, plant some flowers, clean the house, and make sure the fridge is stocked with drinks and snacks. You may even go so far as to treat yourself to a pedicure. 

I want to be that person. 

The one with pretty toes and flowers. 

And today is a really big bloggy day for me. 

Today I'm the featured SITS Girl. SITS is a community of over 10,000 women bloggers led by a fierce group of ladies who know all there is to know about bloggy business. So truly, it is no exaggeration to say being featured is much like being Queen of the Blogosphere for the day {and yes, that's Blogosphere with a capital "B" - it's that big}. 

So you'd think, knowing I'd be Queen for the day, I'd splurge on the flowers and pedicure, right?! 

You'd think. 

Or at least write a witty post enticing everyone who visits to subscribe to my RSS feed and remain a loyal reader until death do us part?! 

I actually did try that last bit, but it wasn't really witty and apparently the mere act of you clicking on this page is insufficient to contractually bind you to read my blog every day.

So instead of going to a lot of fuss for the legion of 10,000 women bloggers who may step through the door of my virtual home, I simply offer . . . my warmest WELCOME! 

And please, now that you're here, don't feel shy about snooping - go ahead and peek in my closet or under my bed. 

Truly, you'll never know what you'll find. 

For those who prefer a tour of only the clean rooms, I offer the following:

Eat. 


Live. 


Laugh. 


Shop. 





Truly, though, thank you all for visiting!

Thank you also for your comments, and mostly, for your amazing support!

Women Online

Monday, October 24, 2011

Well, I never . . .

In all of my forty years I have never . . .
1.  Run further than 7 miles.  
2.  Swam with a dolphin. 
3.  Been fired.  
4.  Visited the Grand Canyon.
source
5.  Worked as a waitress. 
6.  Traveled in Italy. 
7.  Performed a successful back hand-spring. 
8.  Been a mom to only one child. 
9.  Been inked {or tatted or whatever it's called}
10.  Made a C or below on a report card. 
11.  Flown through or over the Bermuda Triangle. 
12.  Smoked. 
13.  Tried recreational drugs. 
14.  Had sex with Monica Lewisnsky {just seemed to all go together - and truly I haven't}.
15.  Become fluent in a second language. 
16.  Called NYC home. 
17.  Successfully skied a double black diamond {without sliding partially down on my butt}.
18.  Been to Disney World
19.  Read War and Peace.

20.  Traveled in a Airstream or travel trailer of any sort.  
21.  Cooked dinner over a camp fire. 
22.  Been to a World Series game {though the hubs is at his 3rd tonight. not that anyone is keeping track}. 


But I have . . .
1.  Smashed grapes with my bare feet. 
2.  Gone scuba diving with sharks in Bora Bora. 

3.  Eaten raw fish I could not identify in NYC. 
4.  Fed the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. 
5.  Watched my mother take her last breath.
6.  Danced like no one was watching. 
7.  Sang karaoke {though friends suggested I not do it again}. 
8.  Jumped out of an airplane! 
9.  Pierced my belly button {cringe}
10.  Breastfed twins.
11.  Graduated Suma Cum Laude. 
12.  Driven 3 hours in the middle of the night so I could be in the delivery room when a dear friend delivered her second child {thanks Ash}. 

13.  Had my picture taken with Victor from All My Children while wearing penis earrings {the epitome of classy, but sadly I cannot locate the pic}. 
14.  Laughed so hard I cried and peed in my pants {not related to #13}. 
15.  Caught and reeled in a 50lb. Dorado.
Cabos San Lucas circa 2001 {note belly piercing too}. 
16.  Barfed over the side of a boat. 
17.  Made a souffle {chocolate, of course}.
18.  Surfed in Hawaii with my hubs and kids. 
Little Miss Thang, Kauai 2010
19.  Let my children cry themselves to sleep.
20.  Suffered with infertility. 
21. Loved deeply.
22. Experienced the joy of raising twins!


 This post is based on a prompt from



Mama’s Losin’ It

Friday, October 21, 2011

Taking care of business.

Just a few business matters to attend to today.

First off let me say the response to my Make a Difference post was absolutely dismal. I can only assume no one other than Leigh and Carolyn read the entire post. Because if you read the part about me donating cash money to help feed hungry children then I'd just assume you would be physically unable to click away without commenting.  

I understand, though. It was Sunday. And it was long. I skim too. A lot.

I should not berate you for not reading fully or clicking through to increase my charitable donation. I'm just going to assume you either (1) cleared your entire reader on Monday morning and missed the post entirely or  (2) hate hungry children.

No need to explain.

I nonetheless made a donation in an amount in excess of $10 {$5/comment was my promised response} to United Nations World Food Programme. My donation will provide more than 350 school lunches to children in need.

Next order of business was the The Spooky Scavenger Hunt Giveaway.
I'm happy to report that the lucky winner is Kir from The Kir Corner.  Congratulations! I will contact you privately to obtain mailing instructions for the book.  I hope you and your little goblins enjoy!

And finally, because it's Friday and we all need a bit of fun on Friday, I had to share this video / song Anna from Acquainted with the Night posted earlier this week. I'd heard the song on the radio but hadn't paid much attention to it. I've now downloaded it and cannot stop listening to it! Obsessed. My Adam Levine obsession {love, love, love him} may have a part to play, but that aside, I think it the song lyrics and the video are both quite clever!

I just had to share.

Consider it your reward for making it through this entire post!



And happy Friday!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

What a view!

This may be just a tad too pricey for a kids' birthday party {okay, not just a tad, way too pricey}, and I realize I have no wedding celebrations on even the distant the horizon, so I cannot explain why I'm so intrigued by this but to say I'm a child of the seventies and I think these Viewmaster Invitations are the coolest invitations ever!  

customized viewfinder invitations from malangerie
viewmaster invitation
viewmaster invitations

viewmaster invitations
viewmaster invitations

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

My latest a-Fleck-tion.


People often ask why I started blogging.  I really don't have a stock answer to that question. I just started. And then once I started I was intrigued by the world of social media about which I knew absolutely nothing. And then I began tinkering with my website and realized I enjoyed learning some of the technical aspects as well. Basically, I felt like I was keeping my foot in the proverbial technology / social media door. I was outside my daily element and enjoyed pushing myself in new directions. 

This past July a paid opportunity arose for me to try a new app / iPad game in Beta. Clearly, I don't generally play video games. {That is clear, right?!}

Talk about pushing myself in new directions!

I don't have a Farmville farm and I have never sent anyone a pig on Facebook. But the commitment was twenty minutes a day and seemed like a the perfect amount of "work" for my action-packed summer. So, for two weeks I spent my obligatory 20 minutes per day playing. Only by the end of the two weeks I was playing for 15 - 20 minute intervals . .  . two to three time a day instead of just once. And then my contractually bound period expired and well, I was am still playing. 

Something happened during that two week trial period. I can't explain the lure exactly but to say it is another window into the ever-growing world of social media, into what drives our youth, and well, at that point I simply could not leave my perfectly manicured garden unattended. 

Maybe I should explain a bit about the game . . . 

Ever wonder what it would be like to grow trees, build houses, plant flowers and interact with other real world players all on top of Google Maps?

No, well I hadn't either, but I have now become quite the cyber-gardner, restaurantere and world traveler using the Fleck app on my iPad.

The novelty behind Fleck is the game's world - the real world, as seen through Google Maps. That is, each environment in the game represents a real world place, but rather than seeing a completely animated background, filled with static buildings or plant life, you'll see the white lines of streets, green shaded areas representing parks or forested areas and so on - just as though you were looking up a general location via the Google Maps service. You even see the weather for the location.

You start by choosing a location for your home. Naturally, I live on 5th Avenue in NYC. My view of Central Park is amazing.  I didn't really like all the neighboring buildings, however, so I simply built my garden on top of them. Here's a screen shot of my home and garden {note the jack-o-lantern I recently added}!

#Fleck

I plant, water and prune every plant in my little garden. It's truly a labor of love. It is also a work in process. You'll note {real-world} restaurants on each side of my garden {buildings with forks and knives on top}. I currently own both as well as 4 others in Manhattan. Because I'm cool like that. Of course, Yelp is integrated into the game as well so you can see restaurant reviews as you travel through Fleck.

So besides maintaining my own little garden, what do I do? Well, you can literally visit any location within the United States or Canada, as long as you know an address. Or you can travel to landmark locations, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Space Needle, without knowing the address. You can also engage in scavenger hunts or engage in other daily quests.

What I've found most interesting is the creativity of the players. So many have created little Fleck masterpieces {known as Flecktions}. Witness . . .

Perry the Platypus
World Trade Center site
Tigger the Tiger
Seriously! Those took serious time and patience! 

Oh, and did I mention the zombies? Yes, if you get bored watering your garden you can dig up a zombie plant and destroy a few hairy purple creatures that chase you around the screen. Some zombie plants are too big to tackle alone so you have to enlist the help of friends. That engages the social part of the game {which is huge}. You can chat {note the chat stream on the left side of my screen pic}. Send gifts to friends {my Fleck friends run along the bottom of my screen shot}. Or just get together to kill a few zombies. I was initially resistant to engage with others, but eventually couldn't help myself! Turns out like every other aspect of the game, once I tried it I was hooked!

So yes, I'm the middle-aged lady playing Fleck while I stir my marinara. Call me crazy, but I simply cannot help myself! I've fallen prey to its charming logo and graphics. If you're not won over by its simple charm and social connectivity, then I guess that just leaves more zombies for me to kill!

Download the Fleck iPad app in the iTunes store.

****************************
Thank you to Self Aware Games for sponsoring this post.  While I was compensated for this review, the opinions I’ve expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest point of view. 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Halloween Happenings!

I should probably make a disclosure right off the bat: I love The Muppets and everything created by Jim Henson. 

I felt it only fair for you to understand what a crucial role The Muppets, and thus, Jim Henson had in my upbringing. You see, The Muppets were a Sunday night ritual at our house. My mother refused to make dinner on Sunday nights so we were all left to fend for ourselves {I really should begin this tradition in my own home come to think of it}. 

Probably because neither of us could assemble anything resembling a meal on our own, my dad and I quickly formed an alliance. Every Sunday night we'd piece together some sort of "meal" and sit down together in time to watch The Muppets. Every Sunday night. No one else in the family joined us. It was our time. We both adored The Muppets and laughed like crazy though the entire show. My favorite, of course, was Miss Piggy. My dad felt a particular fondness for the grouchy old men in the balcony. 

It was sacred father / daughter time. 

Ten and even twenty years later, when The Muppets were no longer televised on Sunday nights and when I no longer lived at home with my dad, we would still talk every Sunday night at precisely that same time. It was still our sacred time though the medium through which we connected had changed. 

So you see, when I say Jim Henson had a crucial role in my upbringing I'm really not exaggerating.  

And now The Jim Henson Company is impacting a whole new generation through PBS Kids programming, books and more! 

I was recently provided with one free copy of The Spooky Scavenger Hunt to review and one to giveaway!


The Spooky Scavenger Hunt is a darling adventure featuring the characters from the PBS Kids series Dinosaur Train. Mr. Pteranodon takes Buddy and Tiny on a nighttime trip to the Big Pond for a spooky nature walk. The characters use their senses to navigate this nighttime scavenger hunt! Simple read-aloud fun for kids ages 3-6! 

Of course, that is not all The Jim Henson Company has to offer this Fall.  

A new episode of the Dinosaur Train - Haunted Roundhouse / Big Pond Pumpkin Patch premieres on October 20th on PBS Kids and repeats on the 24th, 28th, 30th and 31st!

In Haunted Roundhouse, dad takes the kids on a special Night Train to Troodon Town, where the Troodons have decoratedtheir Roundhouse into a “haunted house” for a spooky party. The kids end up meeting a strange new nocturnal creature – a mammal named Vlad Volaticotherium, who was hiding in the roundhouse trying to get some sleep. And in Big Pond Pumpkin Patch, the Pteranodon family learns more about the customs of their neighbors, the Lambeosaurus family, when they are invited for the first time to accompany them to the Big Pond to celebrate “Gourd Day” – a kind of Mesozoic Halloween. The kids see their first pumpkins, and Larry Lambeosaurus even shows our family how to hollow them out and carve faces into them. Too fun! 

And whether your little tike is enthralled by Buddy, the main character of Dinosaur Train, or Tiny, his little green friend, there is a Halloween costume to please even the pickiest Pteranodon!


Tiny
Buddy
You can purchase these darling costumes or, for those who are little more adventurous {read: have a crafty bone in her body} they provide patterns for a sew and a no sew option!   

Seriously - how cute is that?!

If dinosaurs aren't your thing check out the new episode of Sid the Science Kid - Spooky Science Special which premieres TODAY {and repeats on the 25th, 28th, 30th and 31st}! There is even a make-your-own Sid the Science Kid costume!


Giveaway details: 

The Jim Henson Company will provide one lucky reader with a free copy of The Spooky Scavenger Hunt book!

Mandatory Entry: 
Follow The Jim Henson Company on Facebook - www.facebook.com/hensoncompany - and Twitter - www.twitter.com/hensonparents {both actions required for valid entry}.

Leave a comment here telling me you've done both.

Additional Entries: 
Follow PBS Kids on Facebook - www.twitter.com/pbskids {one entry}.
Follow PBS Kids on Twitter - www.facebook.com/pbskids {one entry}.
Follow me on Twitter - www.twitter.com/amyeatlivelaugh {one entry}.
Follow me on Facebook - www.facebook.com/EatLiveLaughShop {one entry}.

Leave a separate comment here for each entry.

Rules (aka the fine print): 
You must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen to enter. Chances of winning are based upon number of entries received. The contest will run from Monday, October 17th through, Friday, October 21st at Noon CST. A winner will be selected from all eligible entires using Random.org. The winner must provide me with his or her mailing address within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be selected.  

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Make a Difference.

I post plenty of silliness from time to time. I enjoy spreading a bit of whimsy and well, simply entertaining myself. 

But every once in a while I also feel obliged to use this little space of the blogosphere to bring awareness to issues or causes. 

And today I am doing just that by participating again in Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action

This year Blog Action Day coincides with World Food Day so the topic is, naturally, food. 

Food is a topic near and dear to my heart. In fact, food is often the centerpiece of our home and provides much of the fodder for this blog. Our family congregates each night for family dinners. It is our most sacred family time. We also use food to mark celebrations and holidays.

For us, it is so much more than nourishment.

It is cultural.

It is social.

And, for the most part, we take it for granted.

The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is under-fed one-third is starving. Since you've been on this page at least 200 people have died of starvation. Over 4 million will die this year.

One out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night.

One out of eight.

In the United States!

The statistics are gut-wrenching.

Especially for children who are helpless to help themselves.

The current situation in Somalia is particularly disturbing. The famine in Somalia has already killed 30,000 children in just three months. That is absolutely obscene.



Without spending a dime you can make a difference by lending your voice to One.Org.

Or make a monetary donation to the charity of your choice -- local or international. Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. And a full ninety percent of all donations go directly to their programs.

Or make an ongoing statement by purchasing and carrying a FEED bag. Each FEED 1 Bag purchased will provide one child in Africa school lunch for an entire year.

To encourage you to keep the conversation going I will donate to $5 to the United Nations World Food Programme for each comment posted below between now and Thursday, October 20th at 9PM CST.

Through that donation every single comment will provide 20 children with a school lunch. Twenty lunches just for your comment.

So spread the word. Tweet it. Post it on Facebook. Stumble it. Or just forward to a friend.

Joining the conversation and raising awareness can make a difference.

My total donation amount will be disclosed on Friday, October 21st.

Friday, October 14, 2011

What I learned from 5 days in Mexico.

Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort
We escaped last week for 5 days. It was a glorious respite for a variety of reasons {some of which I'll reveal in another post}.

But today I'll simply share a few insights I learned from our recent excursion to Cancun. 

1. Everything is better when Mommy starts the day with a mimosa. Everything.

2. Of course, it also doesn't hurt when there is no laundry to be done, lunches to be made or buses to catch. But even that would be more palatable if someone brought me a mimosa every morning.

3. Watching your kids interact and swim with dolphins is absolutely worth the expense {even when the expense is an amount equivalent to the gorgeous Burch boots you hoped to score this Fall}. 

4. Looking "good" in a bikini is relative. Sitting next to an overweight sixty-year-old can help perpetuate the illusion.

5. Skipping school with the kids to enjoy a self-imposed Fall Break, only six weeks into the school year, is always the right choice. Mommy guilt notwithstanding. 

6. Despite what you hear on the news, all of Mexico is not littered with dead bodies.

7. The level of service in Mexico far exceeds what we pass off as service in the US. 

8. The public restrooms in Mexico are far cleaner than those in the US. Sparkling clean in fact.

9. Vacationing is far more enjoyable when someone else picks up the tab {more on that in another post}.

10. Everything is better when Mommy ends the day sipping a margarita.

Everything. 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Movie Quotes.

source
So how many movies can you name from the list of quotes?

And what great line is it missing?  

Friday, October 7, 2011

Vacation.

¡Adiós! Amigos.

Voy regresar la próxima semana.

                                                                  Source: bing.com via Erika on Pinterest

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Guess Wu?

Target's plans to top Missoni-mania were released yesterday. They announced that Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu will be their next designer collaborator. The bullseye brand has already started releasing teasers of the low priced collection of apparel and handbags.

I'm wondering if the collection be Miu Miu-esque?



Wu hoo!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Easy weeknight meal.

I love an easy weeknight meal.  

Something I can whip together in under 30 minutes. 

This is such a meal. 

And I believe it took closer to 15 minutes to prepare. 

Of course, that was when my insta-hot water dispenser was working and I was never more than 2-3 minutes away from a pot of boiling water. I fear it may take every bit of 30 minutes if you have to wait {as I have this week} for tepid water to come to a boil. Honestly, how does anyone live without an insta-hot dispenser?  If you do, I send my sincerest apologies. Truly.

Well we do, so you'll be glad to know {because you are generous like that} that my handyman is currently installing my new insta-hot water dispenser! Because truly, I don't have time to wait for water to boil {ok, that made me laugh and feel a little silly - see writing can be cathartic like that}. 

Now, on to the point -- this creamy, delicious goodness: 





The recipe starts with pancetta, followed by butter, followed by wine, followed by cream. Yes, go ahead and just take it in for a minute.

Yum.

Of course, you then add a large pile of leeks, which only adds to the creamy, delicious goodness, but yet, still counts as a veggie!  Win-win! 


Try it this week. You will not be sorry.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Now Hiring.


Imagine you were perusing the classifieds and ran across an ad such as this:


NOW HIRING


Self-motivated, caring, hard-working, borderline psychotic individual to take on the following roles on a volunteer basis: facilities manager, psychologist, CEO, cook, teacher / tutor, housekeeper, computer operator, driver, janitor and laundry machine operator. The ideal candidate will stay on site indefinitely and should dedicate no fewer than 96 hours a week to their responsibilities (on call the remaining 78 hours). Benefits include warm fuzzy feelings and the occasional macaroni necklace.
Would you dare answer it?

Sadly, I don't even think it covers it all.

What about room mom, school volunteer, Sunday school teacher, CFO, accountant, life coach, cheerleader, personal shopper, party planner, and activities coordinator?

My week felt a lot like that -- over utilized and under appreciated. I'm not looking for pity. I chose this life. And I want no other. Almost everyone I know complains about their job from time to time. Why are stay-at-home-moms frowned upon for complaining? Yes, we are blessed to stay at home. I do not disagree, but the job can be disheartened nonetheless.

I don't ever really wonder if it is worth it.

I know it is.

But I do often wonder if anyone who doesn't live it understands what it's worth.

This cute infographic tries to capture the financial value (though I'd argue these numbers are very low and no, I would not deduct those portions I choose to outsource -- I'm still managing the project). 

The real value, however, is so enmeshed in the little people we are guiding through life that it can never be fully recognized.

see crisp original here.


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