The Polar Vortex redux

Tags

change, Polar Vortex, postaday2014, snow storm

The Polar Vortex got drunk again and has decided to repay us a visit, but this time the Polar Vortex brought friends, wind and snow to the party. Since my hubby joined his new firm we have been staying in Northern Virginia and according to the local weather people, Northern Virginia is going to get hammered all day today, I decided to take a picture of the developing snow storm. If you look closely, you can see the big flakes falling down to the ground in front of the cars, being from New York originally and then moving up to Massachusetts, I am very well versed in snow storm and this one doesn’t seem to be that bad so far, but it is only 12:44 p.m so I may be eating my words later on, you never know.

My hubby with his new position will be dividing his time between Northern Virginia, Boston, New York and where ever else potential leads may take him. So we are very excited by this newest change in our lives, I am not sure as to the logistics right now, but I am not scared of change, it can be nerve wracking and anxiety producing, but as long as I breathe slowly and deeply and remind myself that everything will be fine in the end and if it isn’t fine then it isn’t yet the end, I’ll be fine. My hubby is very excited, he sees all of the potential and the possibilities with this new firm and it makes me so happy to see him so enthusiastic with the firm, his boss and everyone else at the firm. This is a new and exciting chapter in our lives and I’ll be sharing our new adventures as usual.

Daily prompt: Sweet Sixteen

Tags

birthday, food, Italy, postaday2014, Venice

Write a post inspired by your sixteenth birthday.

It was August 7th 1983, my sister and I woke up in the hotel right off St Mark’s Piazza in Venice, Italy. I was very excited because here I was 16 and in Venice, one of the most intriguing cities that I had ever visited then and even now. The gondolas, the canals everywhere, the bridges leading one here and there and the works of art littering the entire city, literally turning your head to the left or to the right and BAM! a work of art. It was heady, spending my birthday in Italy surrounded by beauty and history with my family. I wonder if it means more to me today then it did thirty years ago; I don’t know because I distinctly remember feeling happy, anticipatory and excited on that day, walking around Venice with my parents and my sister. I was wondering what my present was going to be besides being in this glorious city. We took a ride on one of the gondolas and our gondolier was charming and very funny, he dropped us off somewhere and I think that it was at the restaurant that we had a spectacular meal with waiters wearing white gloves and the food was top notch, I remember enjoying everything and I remember my parents raving about how superb the cuisine was and that they had never had Italian cuisine at this level of expertise and talent. I don’t remember any desserts during this time in Venice which is surprising because at 16 years of age and my sister being 12, we were big fans of dessert so I don’t know how I can’t remember any dessert whatsoever but I don’t, maybe we didn’t have any to write home about, I’m not sure. I do know that we had fantastic pasta dishes and one really great calzone. What really stuck in my head was the walking, there was something to see at every turn, Venice was a visual feast and I hope to be able to go and revisit that grand city. The Italian sailors were definitely something, I remember I was wearing a very pretty white dress and a handsome Italian sailor caught my eye or I caught his, either way my mother put a kibosh on that one very, very quickly. I walked with my head turned the wrong way trying to keep eye contact with him for as long as I could, I’m surprised that I didn’t walk into something or someone. Lastly that evening my parents gave me my present and it was a lovely ivory bracelet with gold thread woven around the bracelet, I felt so grown up wearing it, I wore it for a long time afterwards. I treasure all of my memories surrounding my 16th birthday and that entire trip.

A wonderful dinner at Auberge Chez Francois

Tags

company, dinner, food, French, postaday2014

Tonight my hubby and I were invited to dinner by the owner of my hubby’s new firm and his very lovely wife. The dinner was a celebratory one, welcoming my hubby to his new position within the firm and as the most courteous and considerate gesture towards me, they picked the Auberge Chez Francois as the restaurant. My worries about getting gussied up were for nothing, I found the basics in makeup; Bare Minerals, lipstick and mascara and my hubby brilliantly slicked my frizz head with leave in conditioner; he was pleased with his decorated wife and I have to admit, I didn’t look half bad. lol

The conversation was easy going, not an awkward moment during the hours spent together, we have so many areas of common interest between the four of us; dogs, children, cooking, travel and art appreciation. The restaurant’s decor was that typically found in an Alsatian home, very warm and welcoming and the menu lent itself as warm and inviting with many hearty dishes in the offering. The very first thing that was offered as a small gift from the chef, an espresso cup of lentil soup, it was soothing and hearty, the perfect start to an excellent meal.

Our hosts enthusiasm for the Auberge Chez Francois was infectious, I could tell from their facial expressions that this was a special place for them as a family and after sharing an exquisite dinner, I understand why. As usual, I was focused on my plate; I started with Riz de Veau aux champignons or sweetbreads sautéed with a flavorful and savory sauce highlighted by mushrooms. Sweetbreads are one of my favorite things to eat and I was not disappointed, they were firm and tender and combined with the mushrooms and the glossy sauce, it made for a delectable tasting, not too much and not too little.

Afterwards, when our appetizers were finished, the waiters cleared our plates and served us up with a tart grapefruit sorbet to clear our palates, I love that small touch in between of courses, it makes a difference in the dining experience because you really get the sense that the chef is concerned at all times with your tasting experience; he is telling you that he wants your taste buds to be ready for another savory and sensuous delight.

I ordered a dish that I haven’t had in a long time; a choucroute royal garnie or sauerkraut with all of the smoked and cured meats accompanied by wonderful garnishes and condiments, poached apples, dijon mustard, fresh horseradish and blackberry jelly. This dish reminds me of my father; he loved this dish, the sauerkraut in this instance was so divine that it stood on its own in flavor, at the end that was all that was left on the large platter and I didn’t mind, it was that delicious. The melding of mustard, sauerkraut, poached apple and cured ham on the tongue is to taste all of these flavors flowing into each other, at times you’re sensing the spice of the mustard, the saltiness of the ham, the fermentation of the cabbage and the sweet, mellow notes of the apple. It doesn’t get better than this. To top this explosion of culinary flavors, textures and bien etre, I had a chocolate soufflé, which as usual no matter how many times that I have eaten it, I burn the back of my throat because I can’t wait for the molten chocolate to cool off, you would think that I would get the hang of safely eating a soufflé by now wouldn’t you?

We had a fabulous evening, the hubby and I and we came back to the room to find Jack all curled up on my pillow waiting for his Maman to return. He is such a good little Jack, we definitely bragged about him to our hosts, I don”t know who we talked about most; the baby boy, the baby girl or Jack. Either way, we talked about them all with a lot of love. It was a very, very nice evening.

Fascades, exteriors and masks

Tags

dress up, make up, postaday2014, tom boy

When I was fourteen I used to put on makeup before leaving the house and had to find my way out of the house without facing my mother. This crazy ritual continued for the school year, I knew that my mother was anti makeup at fourteen, but I was convinced that my freckles had to go and what better to hide them, than a thick layer of make up. I can’t remember what changed my mind about make up, but it was a radical change about, over the course of that summer, between my freshman and sophomore year, I decided that I didn’t need make up. I decided that I was better off without makeup because I really didn’t know what I was doing when applying make up. I still don’t know what I am doing so I still don’t wear any, there are too many decisions to make; too many colors, textures, powder versus liquid, matte versus shiny, which complexion do I have, am I a spring, a winter, a summer or a fall? It is overwhelming, so why bother? I look in the mirror and I like the face that looks back at me and that is good enough for me.

I dread going to any business dinner; I love the food and the people I meet are always so very nice and we have a great many things to talk about; what I dread and dislike so very, very much is the getting ready process. I never know what to wear, my hair rarely cooperates, this weekend is a case in point; it is rainy today, tomorrow it is going to rain and so my hair is a frizzy mess and there is nothing that will tame my unruly locks, make up is something that I am amateurish at and by the time that I am ready, I feel awful about myself. And therein lies the kicker, sitting at home, reading about things that interest me, writing about things that I love; I feel hunky dory with myself, the minute that I have to put something nice on and put a presentable face to the world and down plummets my self-esteem, go figure. I think that deep down, I know that I am a tom boy, I have always been a tom boy and I never felt pretty or being pretty was not something that defined me; being a bookworm is something that defines me. So I think that when I have make up applied to me by professionals, I feel uncomfortable because I don’t see me looking back in the mirror and I know that the mask looking back at me is not sustainable and will be gone with a good scrubbing later on.

What I have tried to instill in my baby girl is that she is beautiful on the inside and the outside and she doesn’t need any embellishments whatsoever. She likes to wear makeup and now I don’t say anything, but I was pretty vocal during her high school years that she did not need any makeup, her beauty doesn’t need any additives.

I still don’t know I have such animosity to make up, maybe because it seems unfair that women are expected to wear it and men can go through their day without worrying about that or that men mature and women age. But when I think of makeup, I feel my stubborn streak rise to the forefront and the proverbial donkey hoofs dig in to not budge.

Jack and his separation anxiety

Tags

Jack, postaday2014, separation anxiety

My baby girl had quite a bit of separation anxiety when she was little, she was attached to my hip for years. Jack is doing the same thing. My hubby, Jack and I drove down to visit with my Mother, granted Jack is not a fan of New York, but still, you would think that he would be getting used to it by now. My Mother and I went out together to purchase shrimp for dinner, before leaving, I walked Jack all the way to Astoria Park and he did everything that he needed to, so I felt great leaving him with his papa. My mother and I walked all the way to 30th Avenue and 35th Street and back and when we got home, my hubby announced that poor Jack had parked himself in front of the door to wait for me and after a bit, he started howling for me and it was pitiful to hear.

Well, what to do about the little guy? I brought all of his toys, I didn’t forget his bunny and he was with his papa, so I don’t know what else I can do to relive his separation anxiety. My hubby was non stop on his phone so maybe next time, he could talk to Jack and sit with him. Poor thing, I feel bad but I can’t take him everywhere. I wonder what goes on in his head while I am gone. I know that when we are together, he is never far from me and he knows where I am at all times in the house. The only thing that entices him away from me is food; if his papa is eating something, Jack is off my lap and sitting next to my hubby in a flash. I don’t know what Jack would do if he had to choose between his belly and his Maman, lol.

We are lucky to have him; he loves everybody but he sure does love his Maman, me! The little baby boy.

The baker within

Tags

baking, pastry, pizza, postaday2014, writing

Yesterday I made pizzas once again, two pies, for the three of us. As I was preparing them and getting them ready to put in the oven, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to sell my pizzas. The two pies did go really quickly, there were only three slices left for the next day and as of now, those three slices are long gone. Both the baby boy and my hubby rave to me how good they are, so I get curious and that leads me to daydream about a pizza empire in the Laurie fantasy land that is my imagination.

Now I know that owning and operating any food establishment is as far from fantasy land as you can imagine, I know that from seeing my father handle the day to day operations and responsibilities of his restaurant. So my flights of fancy are just that, flights of fancy. However it doesn’t change the fact that I love cooking and baking for not only my family, but for people in general.

I have a fairly large amount of puff pastry dough that I made during the holiday’s in the freezer, this is the first time that I froze the excess amount and I am curious to see how it will thaw, so next weekend I am contemplating what to create with this puff pastry dough. I know that Pillsbury puff pastry sheets work quite well when defrosted, but is that because of the additives or does puff pastry dough in general freeze well? Next weekend I will find out, the question remains; what should I bake? The issue at hand is that it is only the three of us and I am on a diet so what to do with the extra’s. I could, I suppose, give it to the neighbors.

What to bake? Do I make elephant ear cookies, do I make an apple tart, do I go out of the box and do something complicated with pastry cream and whipped cream? I suppose I’ll have to see how I feel next weekend.

These thoughts of baking professionally come and go, it is never serious because I am too fatigued on a good day for it to ever come to fruition, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t dream about it. I do know that in the cold, hard light of reality, I am not talented enough to make a serious go at owning a bakery shop, my baking skills are at the caliber of a home baker, not a professional one. My goodies are made with a lot of love and whenever the people I love eat them and express their appreciation, that is what makes me very happy and fulfilled, I suppose that I start feeling this way when it has been too long since I received a little approbation for my baking efforts. I have to confess that I can be a little needy when it comes to compliments for things that I do and what I create. That is my confession of the day.

Daily prompt: Singular Sensation

Tags

blog, legacy, postaday2014, posts

If you could have a guarantee that one, specific person was reading your blog, who would you want that person to be? Why? What do you want to say to them?

I did not start my blog with a specific purpose way back when, this was not a question that had ever crossed my mind. To be honest, I get very excited each time that someone clicks the like button and/or follows my blog; not to mention the wonderful fact that I have made such wonderful friends through posting at WordPress. I feel so lucky that by the simple act of writing everyday, I touch people and have been touched by wonderful people in return. Having said all this, I now know who I would want to read my blog over time, I would have to amend the number from one to two and the two people that I would want guaranteed readership would be my two babies.

I was thinking the other day that my blog has become my public diary, I haven’t shared every dark secret, but I have been honest and discussed things about myself that do not come into my normal everyday conversation. As my mind was meandering around with this thought, it morphed into thinking about my parenting style and how that relates and affects my babies. That took me to thinking that perhaps having my two babies read my blog over time would give them better insight as to why and what had made me the type of Maman I am, for the good and the not so good. I am sure that every parent would agree, there are days where you haven’t been your best and the reasons are sometimes buried in your psyche or subconscious and I thought that maybe after reading my blog, my babies will come to the point and say “oh that’s why Maman was a little crazy about this or that’s why that was important to her, I get it now”

I was also thinking along the lines of getting to know me in terms of the grand babies. It would be fantastic to have my babies show their babies my posts and have them get to know me as a person beyond being just Mamie or grandma. I wish that either of my grandparents had been journal or diary keeper to have known them as people beyond being old and loving grandparents. I would have given so much to have known how my grandparents felt during the World Wars, their fears, concerns and hopes. Those were a sample of my questions. Perhaps my blog would answer some of my children and their children’s questions. These are my thoughts on the subject.

Jack needs a new squeaky toy

Tags

Jack, pets, postaday2014, squeaky, toys

Poor Jack, even though he had the best time with his “cousin” Louie, Louie did kill all of his squeaky toys, save one, his beloved bunny. My hubby saved Jack’s bunny from complete annihilation, thank goodness, by hiding the bunny up high away from Louie’s puppy teeth.

Poor Jack, he has been picking up the destroyed “corpses”, chew on them, listening for his squeaky sound and failing to hear the squeak, dropping them on the floor, leaving them to abandon.

I think that the hubby and I need to perhaps take Jack to Petco to have him be fussed over by the employees, they sure do love dogs over there, and have him help us replenish his toy box. I think that Jack would like that a lot. He is squeaky crazy and it’s so sad to see him sniff around his broken toys looking for the sound he loves so much.

Golden Globe awards and fashion

Tags

awards, fashion, postaday2014

Last night my hubby and I watched the Golden Globe awards, we usually watch these award shows because it’s fun and we like to see our favorite actors hopefully win for their brilliant work. We were especially keeping our fingers crossed for Jennifer Lawrence, her work in American Hustle was incredible and she won! She is so adorable and her acceptance speech didn’t disappoint, it was precious. After she won, we kept watching because Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were doing an amazing job as hosts and we were still curious as to how other categories were going to be judged. Amy Adams won for American Hustle, we were very happy for her and for some reason I can’t remember some other award winners, I’ll just tell you about what I do remember. I remember that the director for Gravity won and I think he definitely deserved his award. American Hustle won for best Musical or Comedy and Woody Allen won the Cecil B DeMille Award for a lifetime achievement award.

So now to the fashion; personally I admire all of these stars who choose a dress, makeup and shoes knowing full well that every choice will be put under the microscope by fashionistas who are not kind. I would be so ill prepared, I realize that stylists are available, but even though all of these stars have them, it seems that even they can make grave faux pas in taste. Jennifer Lawrence for example has been criticized for her dress, there was even a meme on twitter. I didn’t mind her dress, I mean really, she is so lovely and adorable, she can wear just about anything and make it work, but regardless, her Christian Dior dress did not make the fashion police happy.

There was one dress that I loved and the glowing Kerry Washington was wearing it. She was so gorgeous, the dress draped her baby bump with grace and style and the color against her skin was perfect. The other dress that I fell in love with was the red architectural number that the supporting actress from 12 Years a Slave was wearing; it was majestic, stunning and everything that I could think of in a dress perfect for an awards ceremony. Olivia Wilde was the other actress who was dressed spectacularly, she is expecting and she was radiant in her full length green, sparkly dress.

I don’t know which would be more anxiety producing; the search for the dress, the day of the awards show, the awards ceremony itself or the day after when the verdict is in. I suppose that it’s more than just about what the public says about you, it is really all about the work, or so they say a lot and I hope for their sakes that it is all about the work or else they are simply torturing their egos for things that don’t matter, as in the fashion police’s opinions.

I need my vegetables

Tags

food, postaday2014, Thai, vegetables

Tonight my hubby and I were walking around in Newton, Massachusetts scoping out what to have for dinner. We had the choice of pizza, Bertucci’s, Pub food or Thai. I chose Thai because we had been to the restaurant before and I knew that we hadn’t hated it. My hubby had said pizza, but he loves Thai as much as I do, so he was agreeable to my whim.

Browsing down the menu, I recognized many of the dishes, but what was running foremost through my mind was that I had a serious craving for vegetables, a lot of them. Happily, under the heading “pan sautéed dishes” there was Vegetables, Vegetables and that was exactly what I had in mind. When the waiter came, my hubby ordered Siam spring rolls to start, he ordered Pad Thai for himself and I ordered Vegetables, Vegetables for myself; the waiter asked if I wanted white or brown rice, I ordered the brown rice.

The spring rolls came and were the usual standard fare, no surprises which is in and of itself a good thing. They were good and this restaurant was generous in its offering; we were given six, so we each got three. When the main courses came, I was very happy with what I had ordered, the was a variety of vegetables; summer squash, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, onions and peppers and they were beautifully presented in a light sauce made with chicken broth, lemon grass and subtle garlic notes, combined with the brown rice and I was more than happy, I felt good eating it and it was delightful to eat. My hubby’s Pad Thai was very good, I was a nice lady, I shared some of my vegetables with my hubby and he said that it made for a lovely combination, they complimented each other in flavors perfectly.

I have to admit that when I was little, I would have never imagined in a million years that I would at some point crave eating vegetables, but as time progresses, I crave my vegetables more and more and meat less and less. I could go without steak very easily, chicken and pork are getting boring for my tastebuds so that leaves fish and duck. But tonight was all about the vegetables and I came away very satisfied.

I love my vegetables, my mommy would be so proud. 🙂