My Happy Place & A FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY!!!!!

April 5, 2012 17 Comments

Some “things” in life bring us great joy.  Make us feel fulfilled, happy and content.  There are those days that have moments which are out of the ordinary, stand out, and are simply special and maybe even a bit magical.

Lately my days as a mother are beyond full.  From the second I wake-up, I’m on the go.  Really, all mom’s are in the same boat.  We are charting the same course through life together. If there is one single thing I love the most about the iPhone App Instagram~it’s that no matter how vast our world, through technology we can connect with others in far off places.  People just like us, but living in different countries all over the globe. And you know what?  These mom’s I follow, they love their children no differently than I do.  There are trips to parks, zoos and dinners out at nice restaurants.  They play with the same toys and games, celebrate birthdays and successes, take children to school, do homework, make meals and clean up messes.  Their days can be just as mundane or brimming with rich experiences. Just like mine. It’s such a beautiful thing to witness.  Mom’s loving their families and taking precious care of them.  It’s good to know we are all in this together.  We can learn from one another and be inspired by each other. I know I am constantly inspired by other mom’s~What they’re doing with their children to have fun or the things they do to aid them in their educational journey, delicious meals they put on the table, how they make holidays a little more special….the list of things they do is long.  I love seeing how other mom’s turn an ordinary day into something that stands out and is memorable.

Here’s what I’m loving at the moment……

1. I have an amazing new friend, that, through the miracle of technology, I met through one of my favorite blogs.  She is a mom raising a darling little girl with Down syndrome.  If there is one thing a mom like me needs, it’s support and help knowing what I can do to enrich Megan’s life.  To give her all the tools she needs to learn, grow and progress.  I’m always excited when I find something that I just know is going to be exactly what my little princess needs and deserves to help her along.  This new friend I found has the best connections and knows some truly amazing people.  One of which is an incredibly talented, patient, kind-hearted woman by the name of Terry Brown who has dedicated her life to teaching individuals with Down syndrome how to read. And let me just tell you, her program is amazing.  A-MAZING!!! This woman knows what she’s doing and is so very good at it! This is her calling in life. Megan absolutely loves Terry and doing this program.  She is learning how to read!!  It’s working. And I couldn’t be happier.  One of Megan’s most favorite things to do is sit on her bed and look at books.  I’ve always joked that if Megan could really read, she’d be the book worm of the family.  Guess what?  After starting this reading program, I know that Megan is on her way to become just that….a book worm.

I know this because Megan wants to do her “Reading Box” at all hours of the day.  She brings it to me first thing in the morning when she wakes up, she goes straight to it after coming home from school and she brings it to me before heading to bed each night.

(Sorry for the blurry photo….but I only had my iPhone camera available to capture this moment)

Recently I kept Megan home from school so that she could go to some therapy appointments she had scheduled.  After those sessions were done, we headed home.  During our ride back to the house, Megan fell asleep.  When I pulled the car into the garage, she woke-up and immediately began crying and saying, “Mrs. Brown! Mrs. Brown! Mrs. Brown!”  She was one sad girl.

Somehow in her little mind, she thought after her speech therapy appointment we were heading to Mrs. Brown’s house  I have no idea why she would have thought that as I never once said, “Megan, we are going to see Mrs. Brown today!”  But, in her mind, that is where she ultimately wanted to be.  I was actually thrilled to see Megan so upset that we weren’t at Mrs. Brown’s.  It delighted me to no end knowing that Megan adores going to her home to learn how to read. That she looks forward to it and that reading has become a “preferred activity”.  Terry has made reading fun.  She’s made it exciting. And we are so enthused that Terry fit us into her full schedule, because Megan is clearly ready. She’s excited and can’t get enough of it!  After Spring Break is over, we get to head to Mrs. Brown’s house this next week for a reading session and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Megan is going to love being there. The funny thing is, I have no problem taking her out of school to go since she learns so much in the time she is there!  Thank you Terry!  Thank you for changing our lives, and ultimately, for making the dreams  we have for Megan come true!!

{For those of you reading and want more information on Terry Brown’s successful reading program, please go here to find out more. This is no way, shape or form a paid advertisement for Terry Brown’s reading program. I’m just a very happy mommy sharing something I’m excited about with you!}

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2. One of the things I tend to struggle with as a busy mom is finding the time to put good, healthy meals on the table each and every night.  On school nights I find myself channeling my inner Rachel Ray.  30-minute meals, is the only way to go so that I can feed my ravenous family after a full day of work, school, music lessons, tutoring and therapy meetings.  Serving a nice dinner to my family is a priority.  Sometimes I find it’s fun to deviate from the norm and make a mid-week meal that is restaurant worthy.  A dinner that wows my family. And the fun part…doing it for no apparent reason….other than celebrating their hard work.  One of our family favorites is a recipe from my Nordstrom Friends and Family Cookbook.  Every time I make this recipe, my kids are like, “Hey mom, you should open up a restaurant!”  Every mom loves getting compliments like that.  Here’s the recipe….so that you can get the same compliments from your family and friends!

Panfried Chicken Breast with Oyster Mushrooms and Tarragon

  • 6 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unseasoned dried bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus salt to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 pound oyster mushrooms, stems trimmed {or whatever mushrooms you like}
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon

Place the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and, using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound them lightly until they are quite flat, about 1/4 inch thick.  In a bowl, stir together the flour, bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.  In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.  Dip the chicken in the egg wash, making sure it is well coated, and then dredge in the flour mixture, turning to coat both sides thoroughly.  Set aside on a baking sheet. 

Preheat the oven to 250ºF.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.  Arrange the chicken, without crowding, in the pan. (You may need to brown the chicken in 2 batches, adding more oil to the pan, f needed).  Cook until golden brown on one side, 3 to 4 minutes.  Turn and cook on the other side until nicely browned, about 3 minutes longer.  Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.

Drain any excess oil from the pan and return the pan to high heat.  Add 2/3 cup of the wine and boil, stirring to free up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is reduced to about 2 tablespoons.  Add the chicken broth and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, place a skillet over high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.  Add the mushrooms and sauté until nicely browned, about 3 minutes.  Add the remaining 1/3 cup wine and simmer until almost evaporated.  Season with salt and pepper.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

When the chicken broth has reduced to 1/2 cup, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the mustard. Cut the remaining 6 tablespoons butter into small cubes and add the cubes, a few at a time, to the broth, stirring constantly to incorporate them with the reduced liquid.  Add the tarragon and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Add the mushrooms to the sauce and cook until heated through.

Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and arrange on warmed dinner plates.  Divide the mushrooms evenly among the plates, placing them on top of the chicken. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and mushrooms and serve immediately. Enjoy!

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3. Holidays & Birthdays. Another thing I love doing is making holidays a little more special for my family.  The kids always have fun helping me create a festive atmosphere.  St. Patrick’s Day was the last holiday we had a blast with.  We make a big deal out of St. Patty’s Day in honor of our  Irish ancestry.

For breakfast we ate green pancakes…

During dinner, each of the kids had these cute, jazzed up jars at their place setting, filled with lots of green treats….

and for dessert we ate these decadent green chocolate chip cookies….

…which I made using my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and just added a ton of green food coloring to the batter before adding the chocolate chips! They were gone in a flash.

With Easter right around the corner, we are excited for the traditions that go along with this special holiday.  Egg decorating and egg hunts, baking our favorite Easter sugar cookies and putting our creativity to work with a fun Easter craft or two.  These are the moments we love spending together as a family.  This Easter is a little special this year.  Not only is it Easter, but it’s my birthday too!  Not too often do I get share my Birthday with Easter!  How awesome is that?!  And to celebrate with you, my readers, I’m having my FIRST ever GIVEAWAY!

That’s right, I said, GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

And what’s more fun than me giving one of you lucky readers a gift in honor of my Birthday landing on Easter…..

TARGET!!!  A $50 GIFT CARD to TARGET one of my most favorite stores on the planet! I’m quite good at finding a reason I need to go to there! Often. And somehow, I know many of you are too!!

Please leave a comment to be entered into this giveaway. This giveaway ends Saturday April 7th at 11:59PM PT.  I will return on Easter Sunday, my birthday, April 8th, to announce the winner!!  Leave me a comment with what you’re doing for Easter this year, what your favorite Easter candy is, what your favorite birthday memory is, or what kind of cake you like on your birthday!    I can’t wait to read through your answers! 

All these things brighten my days. Make me feel good about life.  And make me excited for what’s around the next turn.

Happy Thursday all!

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A Good Laugh….

February 29, 2012 2 Comments

Hanging above my stove is a sign that reads, “Laugh Often”.  It’s our family’s mantra.  They say, {not sure who “they” is though}, that “laughter is the best medicine”.  Yes, there are health benefits to humor.  It makes stressful situations seem less intense.  Laughter makes us feel good.  I love listening to people laugh.  In fact, laughter is contagious. It’s hard not to chuckle, when you hear someone else cracking up.

I enjoy good comedians, funny movies and people with an incredible sense of humor. I’m forever grateful I married a man who is excellent at keeping things light and makes me laugh hard. Every. Single. Day.  My 12 year old son has followed in his footsteps.  He says and does amazingly comical things and has perfect comedic timing.  I’m certain he was born with this trait~and am fairly confident it’ll prove to be a great asset throughout his life.

Each morning while I eat breakfast, I read the news online and peruse my favorite blogs.  For me it’s the perfect way to start my day.  Especially when it involves dying of laughter, like I did this morning while reading, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond’s hilarious blog post, “All I Wanted Was a Donut“.  I could barely read it, though, as I was roaring with laughter and tears were streaking down my cheeks.  Why did I find this so absolutely funny?  Well, because, we’ve all been there. I think it’s safe to say, most people have endured embarrassing situations.  And sometimes they’re accidents the public finds amusing. But they’re just that, accidents.  Regardless, when they happen to us, instantly we wanna run away and hide forever.  Never to show our faces again.  Because when you do something you feel is nothing short of humiliating, you are certain that you are the one and only person in humankind who has ever done that. EVER. Fact of the matter is, that simply is not the truth.

Case in point. A few months ago, my husband and I wanted to go on a date one Saturday after the holidays were over.  I figured I would try to look attractive for my man, so I put on my finest “dressy” jeans, my favorite blouse and threw on my classy suede wedges that I hadn’t worn in a century.  Or two.  Dates are for dressing up.  It’s more fun that way, and I’m all about having a good time.  We headed out for a delightful lunch together at the Nordstrom Cafe. Then we had planned on going to see a matinee movie, Mission Impossible.  The food was fabulous as usual, the company and conversation, excellent.  Our server was on the ball and gave us each a diet coke to-go. It was a very thoughtful gesture on her part.  Nordstrom is known for their exceptional customer service and doesn’t think twice about giving  first-class treatment to all their shoppers.

When it was getting close to our matinee show time,  my hubby and I grabbed our purchases and left Nordstrom.  We walked outside and handed the valet our ticket.  While the valet went to bring our car around, we stood  in front of Nordstrom with other shoppers waiting for their rides. The valet parked our car right next to the curb and politely opened the doors for each of us. Being on a date, I tried to act a little more lady-like while getting into my hubby’s BMW {which for the record, is a sedan and far lower to the ground than my SUV.  I’m used to hopping up into my SUV rather than stepping down, like you have to do, to get into my loves auto. This particular time, it was a bit hazardous for me}.

As I stepped off the curb, in my 4-inch wedges, I somehow lost my footing and fell straight to the ground.  Right. On. My. Butt. That to-go diet coke our Nordstrom server so kindly sent me away with….I was still holding onto…and it literally exploded everywhere.  All over hell.  Immediately, my husband rushed to my aid and made sure I was okay.  He was baffled as to how fast it all had happened.  And so was I.  One minute I was standing. The next, I was on the ground covered in my cold drink, as was the car.

The valet promptly ran to grab some cleaner and rags to help my man clean up the magnificent mess I’d made.  I was mortified.  I went from being lady-like to a heap on the ground in the blink of an eye.  And to make matters worse, there were plenty of witnesses who had the pleasure of watching me in all my glorious clumsiness.

While my hubby and the valet wiped the car clean, I sat quietly in my seat. Not moving an inch. Luckily, I didn’t get physically hurt. I didn’t twist my ankle or bruise anything.  Except for my ego.  My ego on the other hand, was beyond hurt.  No way was I going to see a movie.  Alls I wanted to do was go home, change my clothes and lie low.  I wanted to flee from that place as fast as possible.

No movie date.  Seeing Mission Impossible, suddenly became our very own, mission impossible.  And as much as I wanted to see it, I didn’t care a bit.  Being in the comfort of my home, away from the world and surrounded by my loved ones was all I desired.  And so that is what we did instead.

At the time this all played out, I pleaded with my husband, “Do NOT tell ANYONE about what happened”.

I didn’t want anyone to know.  Because honestly,  crazy embarrassing moments like this don’t happen too often for me.

For a few months, when I headed to Nordstrom to do a little shopping, I refused to use their valet services and would enter and exit the store from the opposite side.

Time can heal wounds. It has been almost three months now since my graceless fall in the Nordstrom parking lot, on that Saturday afternoon.  Fact of that matter is, I’ve been a little silly about the whole thing. And today confirmed that after reading Ree Drummond’s, side-splitting account of her disastrous  attempt at helping herself to a donut in a convenience store while she and MM were out Christmas shopping. {Which I could relate to in my own little way. Hence, why i found it so funny}.  Her story helped me to  realized a few critical things::

1.  The bottom line is, everyone has humiliating moments at some point in their lives.  Some more embarrassing than others.  Some ridiculously funny.  Just watch YouTube or America’s Funniest Home Videos.  There’s plenty of proof out there that I’m not alone.

2.  Note to self….I shouldn’t take life so seriously sometimes.  In retrospect, what happened to me was truly amusing.  Even though at the time, I thought it was far from humorous.  And nothing but disconcerting.

Most importantly….

3.  We must learn to laugh at ourselves.  We are better for it.

I’m happy to say, that I can finally laugh at my fantastic fall and do often with the love of my life.  He always adds a little more humor to it and makes me giggle even a little harder at how dramatic of a fall it truly was.

Laughter is definitely the best medicine.  I more than got my daily dose in today.

Wishing you a day full of laughter and love…

Lisa

PS::Please share your most embarrassing moments.  I’d love to hear your stories.

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