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Weekend Shenanigans

Family, by lauren, February 23, 2015, Leave a Reply

This weekend was full of fun and snow. After last week’s sick-fest, we were finally all feeling up for adventure this time around. Overnight on Friday, icy sleet and snow fell, leaving the gymnastics class we just signed Emil up for cancelled on Saturday morning. We had decided that one Saturday class for all three boys (circus for Milo & Oliver, gymnastics for Emil during the same time) was appropriate and not over-scheduling their time, as their after school time is completely free and open. I struggled with the decision, but once we made it we were grateful for the diversion and as long as the boys beg and plead to continue, we are happy to oblige!

Emil was stuck at home feeling glum, but once I suggested sledding with our neighbors, he perked right up! And for one day, it was warm enough to enjoy the snow without frigid wind and frozen toes. Having the one-on-one time with Emil was really special.

Plus, he’s quite a help shoveling snow (even if he ends up shoveling the yard more than the walkways).

Milo enjoyed a birthday party and a play date and spent the rest of his weekend reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid and playing with the vast collection of animals we have amassed over the years.

The lamb stew (my simplified crockpot version of the multi-step Lamb Naravin) turned out really well. Andrew and I ate it all weekend long — let me know if you’d like the recipe and I’d be happy to share!

Oliver was treated to a pizza lunch by one of his former preschool teachers — she is a special person in his life and I love that he has adults in his life other than his parents who take an interest in who he is and what he’s up to. She is a gem of a lady and we are grateful to have her in our lives!We spent plenty of time relaxing indoors as well. A good cozy winter weekend!

Happy (Snowy) Friday

Family, by lauren, February 20, 2015, 2 Replies

I feel it necessary to share these snow day pictures from President’s Day last Monday, even though the amount of snow is minuscule compared to the 8 feet or so the East Coast has been dealing with over the past few weeks. It is the first notable snow of our entire winter, really. And even though the boys weren’t yet 100% after battling the stomach bug that ravaged our household from Thursday on through Saturday, they begged me to at least take advantage of our snow by sledding down our tiny front yard hill.

Poor Milo went down the hill once before retreating indoors to sit by the fire and read for the rest of the morning. He was really not feeling well, but what a trooper for trying.

Oliver is such a great kid. I know I sometimes allude to hard times with his strong personality, but along with the tough times come the most amazing times, too. How his imagination is constantly blossoming with fantastic ideas and insights, how he loves a good hug more than anyone I’ve ever known, how he can be incredibly tender with his little brother, and how helpful he can be around the house (he’s into making beds recently) and in the kitchen baking. He has a gigantic heart and we all just love him so much. And then… Wednesday night, I got the lovely stomach bug myself. Voila! Looks like a 100% infection rate over here. Oh, well.

I hope you have a good weekend, whether you’re knee-deep in snow or huddled up inside. Happy Weekend!

Reading… And Cooking… And Eating

Books, by lauren, February 19, 2015, 2 Replies

My lovely friend Maggie (who is forever spoiling me with kindness in the form of words, stories, and my favorite flowers hung carefully on my doorknob) and her husband Alex (the funniest, most genuine life-of-the-party type complete with British accent to boot) gave me a gift card to a local bookstore for my birthday earlier this month. And I knew exactly what I wanted to spend it on: Saveur: The New Classics cookbook.

I have already made three recipes from this book and each one has turned out magnificently. In fact, the Christian Delouvrier-inspired Perfect Roast Chicken is so succulently perfect with it’s crispy salty skin, I’ve already made it twice. And so, in the spirit of sharing (and hoping you will go out and buy this book or at least buy it for someone who loves to cook), I share that perfect recipe. Enjoy!

Perfect Roast Chicken

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 3-4 lb whole chicken
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bunch fresh thyme

Heat oven to 475. * Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat and stir in soy sauce; set aside. Season chicken with salt & pepper and stuff cavity with garlic and thyme; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Transfer to 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Brush the chicken (or pour, I poured) generously with some of the soy-butter mixture and cook, basting twice more during cooking, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh reads 165, about an hour. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

* The recipe is perfect, but maybe not for my old stove. I found 475 to be too hot, scorching the outside of the bird and leaving the center undercooked. The second time I made this, I started out at 450 and had perfect results.

I plan on making at least one recipe from this book per week. This week, Lamb Naravin (French lamb stew) and coconut cake. My mouth is already watering.

P.s. — Saveur online.

Dress That Mama

Style, by lauren, February 18, 2015, 1 Reply

This is what I’ve been wearing at least once a week (last week more like three times!) to do any and everything — grocery shopping, coffee, errands, out to dinner with a friend. It’s pretty versatile and classic. All black, but plenty of warmth in layers. Winter finally kicked in around here with frigid temperatures, so obviously a coat on top of all of this was necessary, a scarf preferred as well.

And please excuse the wild static hair — I am in need of another haircut, as I chickened out at the last hair appointment and didn’t take off enough! Happy Wednesday!

My Phone

Motherhood, by lauren, February 17, 2015, 13 Replies

Okay, today I reveal… my old school flip phone.

It does this:

I realized I was slightly embarrassed to pull this baby out of my purse to check the time or quickly text my sister some insanely funny thing that just happened. I would keep it inside my purse while texting, hidden away from all the leering young hipsters to my left and right. Not really. They don’t care or notice. But still, it made me realize I was truly embarrassed about my lack of updated technology.

Until.

This really cool older dude pulled out his old school flip phone in public and flaunted that thing with a confidence I admired. So next time, I’m doing the same.

It’s all in how you play it.