Beautiful Things

Sunday is about the only day of the week that I really enjoy cooking. Why? Because it’s a day when I can leisurely  cook, roast a chicken in the oven, make soup, bake cookies. It’s not rushed and it’s simply enjoyable.

Recently I’ve taken to doing extra cooking on Sundays. Spending a few hours making casseroles, lasagnas then storing them in the freezer makes for some easier weeknight meals.

Some of my favorite make-ahead meals include chicken divan, stuffed shells, veggie lasagna, chicken cornbread casserole, tortilla soup, chili and meatballs. I also have a yummy make-ahead mashed potato recipe that freezes well.

If you  have a busy week coming up, try my Sunday cooking trick. It really helps and it’s so much better than eating take-out or fast food on busy nights.

Yesterday I had plans to go over to a friend’s house.  Not for lunch or dinner, just a chatfest and a short play date for our sons. Problem was, I was busy with a lot of work stuff, so I really didn’t want to go. Due to her kid’s schedules, she only had a small time frame in the afternoon for me, and I’d have to be back home by 3:00 to get my daughter off the bus. I stressed about it the night before- too much work to do, really don’t have time to go over there, but she’s a friend, blah blah blah.

After some soul searching, I called her in the morning to cancel. And it felt GOOD! I know it would have been the right thing to just suck it up and go, but if that’s the case, why was it such a weight off my shoulders when I told her I couldn’t make it?

We made plans to reschedule- next week, when we both have some free days.  And I know life is short, but sometimes doing the right thing means doing what you want to do.

Yesterday my kids had an unexpected snow day. We’ve had  a lot of snow this winter and yesterday we work up to icy roads—again–  but by 8:00 am the sun was shining and the snow had stopped falling. It was the perfect snow day, because the kids could actually play outside in it, even though it was cold outside.

Unfortunately, I was busy working on my computer most of the day. Because I work from home, it was business as usual for me. So I had what I’ll call  a bad mommy day. I should have cherished the free day and went out in the snow with my kids. Because I do work from home, I can be flexible with my hours but I stupidly stayed with my normal schedule.

Oh, my kids were fine, they played together and with some neighbors, and I and made them a  nice lunch and let them play Wii later in the afternoon. But still. Yesterday was an unexpected snow day. I shouldn’t have done the expected.

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t’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is in only 2 weeks. And one of my favorite stores, Crate and Barrel, has some wonderful Valentine’s Day kitchen items to help get you in the mood.

From Valentine heart plates to heart-decorated dish towels, they have it all. I’m a fan of the Barefoot Contessa, so right away I noticed C&B’s Barefoot Contessa red velvet cupcake mix with cream cheese frosting.  Make the cupcakes (and use the Valentine heart cupcake liners) and then, with Valentine decoratifs, you can embellish your cupcakes.

Crate and Barrel also has Valentine cupcake stencils (pictured). For only $5.95 you can decorate your cakes, cupcakes or cookies for Valentine’s Day. They also have heart-shaped springform pans, cake pans and pancake molds!

I may have mentioned that I discovered Facebook recently (I know, I know, where have I been the past 5 years?). It’s been quite interesting reconnecting with old friends.  And I was thrilled to find a few old friends on Linkedin as well.

Part of me thought, why not leave that in the past? I mean, let’s face it, my good friends and work colleagues have stayed with me all along. But it’s not always possible. Life gets in the way and before you know it your lose contact with someone. That doesn’t make you (or them) a bad person. It’s just life.

 Even if you haven’t talked to some in a decade, there’s something fun about reconnecting  with them on a social network, seeing photos of their family, etc. It’s better than a high school reunion if you ask me.  I’m  simply loving it!

One of my favorite things to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon is to go and tour the new construction model homes in the area. Besides getting some awesome decorating ideas, it’s fun just to dream. 

I’ve picked up ideas for the latest paint trends and  window treatments. Have you noticed that most model homes have neutral paint color, and it’s often the same- or similar- color throughout the house?

Then there’s those fun kid’s rooms. There’s usually an untra- girly girl’s bedroom and a themed boy’s room or a nursery. My kids love seeing the creatively decorated kid’s rooms.

The basements are usually finished, giving me ideas for our own basement playroom. We saw one home with a mini basketball court in the playroom. Very cute!

If you’re into home décor, touring model homes is a fun way to spend an afternoon. And best of all, it’s free! 

Can one person can change the entire country?  I am hopeful, yes, but I am also extremely cautious.

Still, yesterday’s Inauguration of President Barack Obama was a moving event. The unity of the millions of people across the nation was apparent. Strangers were chatting, everyone seemed respectful and orderly. Tears were shed throughout the audience. Satellites from Alabama to Kenya kept flashing on the TV screen, and everyone looked the same: totally and utterly moved. I didn’t get chills or shed any tears, but close.

If this feeling of unity can last, it will be a wonderful thing for our country. We had this unified feeling once before in my lifetime–right after 9/11. The devastation of that day brought people together. But a few weeks later most of us got back into our regular routine. We quickly forgot.

Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again.

So yesterday I posted about snow, and how I don’t like it but I’m learning to embrace it. Well, I had all day to embrace it. 

Yesterday we woke up to a blanket of snow and that was supposed to be the end of it. With a weather forecast that called for just a few more flurries, it ended up snowing heavily most of the afternoon and into the evening and then even some more overnight.

So late yesterday my kids got to play in the yard, build a snowman and go sledding. And this morning they woke up to even more joyful news: no school.

I remember the joy of an unexpected snow day. When you’re in elementary school, nothing is more magical. So after I post this blog I’m going to whip out the hot chocolate and settle in with my kids for a fun and cozy day (and maybe a bit more sledding).

I have decided  that I must learn to embrace snow. I live in an area where snow is a nuisance. It’s pretty, yes, but it causes all sorts of logistical problems. I don’t like driving in the snow and bundling the kids up so they can play in the snow is a major feat as well.

But I need to embrace the beauty of it, anyway.

I woke up this morning and there’s a blanket of snow outside. Not a blizzard, mind you. A few inches– just enough to make it cumbersome and icy to go out and do what I need to do today. But instead of grumbling about it, I plan to work around it. The errands can wait. Target will be there tomorrow. I’ll make hot chocolate with my kids and we’ll stay indoors and just admire the beauty of winter and the fallen snow.

I guess you could say I’m a cookbook collector. That’s right, I love cookbooks—especially cookbooks with pictures. I joined several cookbook clubs in the early 1990’s and have quite a collection. But I basically stopped buying cookbooks in the last 10 years, mainly because of the easy access to recipes via the Internet.

My one exception is Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa series of cookbooks. I love Ina. I watch her show faithfully on The Food Network. Her cookbooks are beautiful, with a personal feel to them. And they have great photographs.

 I also love the simple food that she makes and it translates well into her cookbooks. Some of my favorite recipes include Ina’s Sundried Tomato Dip, Sagaponack Corn Pudding and Chicken with 40 cloves. If you’re looking for a gorgeous cookbook, check out one of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks!