My reason for resolving

Happy new year, all!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are starting out the year feeling refreshed and excited!

I have to tell you, New Year's is probably my least favorite of the big holidays, and I NEVER make resolutions, however I actually have made one this year.  They say that by telling someone else your goals you're more likely to see them through, so I figured that by sending them out into the ether that is the internet I should be banking a sure thing. :)

My resolution is fairly traditional in the fact that it's in relation to my appearance.  While I would be lying if I said I didn't want to lose a few pounds, the goal is actually not traditional in that respect.  My resolution is to be more accepting of what I look like and to be more confident and loving toward myself.

Like many women, I have spent much of my life wishing I was taller, thinner, prettier.  I've wanted skinnier hips, narrower shoulders, longer legs, straighter teeth, a whiter smile... all the usual suspects.  Everything that every commercial, every model, every American TV show and film tells me I need to be beautiful.  To be sexy.  To be wanted.  To be worthwhile. 

Ironically, these same commercials, models, TV shows and films also have a public maxim of confidence and inclusion that they outwardly tout: "All women are beautiful," and "Love the skin you're in."  (Just make sure you love it AFTER you buy their beauty products, wear their clothing line, and feel awestruck and inadequate by the outward beauty of their paperdoll actresses.)  For me, the result of the mixed messages has, so far, been to make me aware of all of my "flaws" and ensure I feel guilty over my enlightenment.  So...yeah.

* * *

This year, however, my life changed.  Drastically.  This year I came face to face with something of true importance: a little nine pound baby girl with blue eyes, brown hair and the squishiest, most impish smile you can imagine.  She truly is beautiful.  But to be honest, even if she wasn't, I can't imagine loving my daughter any less. 

Even now, at eight months, she watches me constantly.  Granted, right now it's because she's studying my facial expressions, my words, my emotions - learning all of the basics of motor skills and communication.  But I would be foolish to think that she doesn't (or won't) pick up on all of the other pieces that make up my personality.  And she will learn from them.

What I don't want is for her to look at me and have my reaction to these beauty messages validate the messages themselves.  I don't want her to see someone who says "you're beautiful the way you are" but grimaces every time she sees her own reflection.  I don't want her to associate food with guilt, age with decreased beauty, body shape with desirability, or appearance with importance or success.  Those messages are everywhere, so she will wind up facing them at some point.  But they don't need to come from my example.

What's funny is that I don't feel that way about anyone else.  The women in my life are all different sizes, shapes and colors and I can say truthfully that I think they are all beautiful.  Are some of them overweight?  Yep.  Do they all have perfectly straight, white teeth?  Nope.  Would all of them turn heads when walking in a room?  Probably not.  But when one of them struggles with self confidence and self worth, it truly breaks my heart.  It breaks my heart that we all have such a limited definition of beauty that we can't see beyond our "flaws" to the loveliness that those around see.  That we can't love ourselves as we love our neighbors.  

Boy, this is long-winded. 

Short story long, my goal this year is to alter that in my own life, as best I can.  I want to make a conscious effort to change "I'm fat" to "I'm so thankful that I have enough to eat, and happy occasions to indulge with friends and family."  I'd like for "I wish I had longer legs" to become "I like my cute little legs that allow me to chase, dance and support my happy little munchkin."  I want "I hate my smile" to become "I am thrilled to have so many things in my life to smile about." Mostly, I want to grant myself grace and exemplify Audrey Hepburn's philosophy that "...happy girls are the prettiest girls."

So that's my resolution.  I frankly don't think it will be too easy - confidence has never been my strong point - and I can't promise I'll always follow through with it.  Jean shopping will still suck.  Bathing suit season may require some pep talks and, possibly, liquid courage.  I'm quite sure there will still be days where absolutely every piece of clothing I own will be on the floor of my room and I'll be melting down 'cause nothing fits and I hate the way I look in everything, and the most logical course of action will be to console myself with a bowl of whipped cream for which I will feel immensely guilty afterward.  (Not that that's ever happened before.) 

But I'm going to work on it.  I'm going to find something about myself every day that I like.  I'm going to try to be a good example to my lamb and a good friend to myself.  And if you want to join me, I'd love the company!  As Ben Franklin said, "Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you a better man."

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”- Audrey Hepburn

This past weekend may forever be known as The Great Farm Fresh Weekend of Amazingly Amazing Deliciousness. Or TGFFWAAD for short. Okay, the name may need a little work.   But rest assured, tales of its greatness will be told far and wide. (And, by far and wide I mean here on my blog and, really, nowhere else.  But, HEY, it is, in fact MY BLOG, so I get to hyperbolize as much as I darn well please.) 


For weeks now, my Significant Other and I have been looking forward to spending some quality time with two of our best friends from the Boston area.  We planned to attend an outdoor symphony Saturday night at a local botanical garden, Longwood Gardens (If you've never been, and you live in the PA area, make it a point to go!).  That, however, was as far as our planning went.  We had no idea where to go eat prior to the event.

The Exquisite Longwood Gardens

Ultimately, we decided to take a chance on the site's fine dining restaurant, 1906.  If I'm honest, I wasn't terrifically hopeful about the food: I mean, sure, it says it's fine-dining, but sometimes that just means ordinary-food-with-extraordinary-prices.  Despite our lack of reservations, we got a table immediately.  Seated under the arms of huge old oak trees, we ordered and were blown away by course after course: soft brioche with heavenly whipped butter, chilled cucumber soup, delicate salmon with balsamic tomatoes, deliciously tender steak... everything was perfect.

Though the symphony that followed was excellent, the talk of the evening was, decidedly, the amazing food.

While reminiscing over Sunday breakfast about our delicious evening, I realized that what truly set the restaurant apart was that nearly all of the food was locally sourced.

So, what better way to spend the day than taking our Boston friends to a nearby farm to - quite literally - pick out the ingredients for our own gourmet evening?  (What are friends for if you can't torture them with some manual labor, now and again?)

The four of us spent a beautiful (albeit HOT) afternoon wandering through rows of trees, bushes and vines, picking fresh peaches, berries, grapes, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn. We completed our grocery list at the farm's market with fresh heavy cream, a soft mozzarella, garlic dressing, two kinds of sausage, onions and a loaf of crusty bread.

Once home (after much needed showers and clothing changes) we set to work creating a simple but exceptional meal that was bursting with flavor.  On the menu: Spicy Summer Sausage and Vegetables, Crisp Cucumber & Tomato Salad,  Roasted Corn, Rum and Peach Compote in individual pouches, and Grilled Baguette with olive oil and sea salt.  I don't think I'm overstating it when I say that our meal of modest farm fresh ingredients was possibly one of the best ever. Evvvvvvver. 

Despite being filled to the brim, we managed to find room for a coffee and a simple dessert (nobody likes a quitter): Pizzelles topped with Gran Marnier Whipped Cream and Blackberry Coulis.

If you're not drooling yet, you should be. 


Though most of it was thrown together, below are the basic steps for making your own deliciousnessnessness. Feel free to substitute with whatever ingredients you can find locally (and support your farmers!!) 

Spicy Summer Sausage & Vegetables 

Ingredients: 

4-6 Sausage Links, whole (we used spicy Italian)
2-3 Sausage Links, sliced (we used chicken-apple)
2 Green Bell Peppers, chopped
1 Red Bell Peppers, chopped
1 Chili Pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Onion, chopped
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 bottle of beer or cider (we used a hard apple cider)
1/3 c. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp. Season Salt
Salt and Pepper

1.  Preheat grill over medium-high heat.
2.  In a pan, combine beer or cider, crushed red pepper flakes and season salt. Place pan on top rack of grill.
3.  Grill whole sausages until heated through.  As each is finished, add to beer mixture. 
4.  On a grill-safe sheet pan, toss olive oil with bell and chili peppers, onions, salt and pepper.  
5.  After seasoning the vegetables, mix in sliced sausage pieces.
6.  Grill, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes over a medium-high heat. (Veggies and sausage will begin to brown.) 
7. Plate veggie sausage mixture.  Add whole sausages and several spoonfuls of beer mixture. 


Cucumber & Tomato Salad 

Ingredients:

1 Large Cucumber, cubed
1 Large Tomato, cubed
1 c. Mozzarella, cubed
1/4 c. Garlic Dressing
1/4 c. Olive Oil
Pepper (to taste)

1. Combine ingredients. 
2. Gently toss, until coated. 
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.


Rum & Peach Compote 

Ingredients: 
 
4-6 Peaches, peeled and cubed

2 Tbsp Butter, quartered
4 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Tbsp Rum
Salt
4 sheets of Tin Foil (approximately 10 inches long )


1.  In a large bowl, combine peaches, brown sugar, rum and vanilla.  Fold together until evenly coated.  
2.  Place 1/4 of the peach mixture, plus one tab of butter on the top half of 1 piece of foil.  Fold the bottom half over the mixture.  Quickly roll the edges together, forming a pouch. Repeat with the remaining three pieces of foil. 
3. Place all four pouches on a grill-safe baking sheet.  Punch a hole in each to allow steam to escape.  
4.  Grill for 10- 15 minutes.  (If you're short on grill space, place the cookie sheet of pouches in a 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes). 

And Finally...

Pizzelles w/ Gran Marnier Whipped Cream and Blackberry Coulis

Ingredients:

4-8 Pizzelles

1 Pint Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Gran Marnier
2 1/2 c. Blackberries
1 1/2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
Mint for garnish (optional)

1. With a mixer, beat heavy cream, vanilla, powdered sugar, Gran Marnier and salt on high until stiff peaks form.  Place in refrigerator until ready to use.
 2. Place 1/2 c. blackberries in small saucepan, and blend with immersion blender until mostly smooth. 
3.  Add granulated sugar to blackberry mixture. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves. 
4.  Remove pan from heat.  Add 3/4 c. of whipped cream to blackberry mixture, stirring until combined. 
5. Strain mixture with sieve. 

To Plate: 

1.  Place a small dab of whipped cream on the center of the plate. 
2.  Place pizzelle on top of whipped cream. 
3.  Add a larger dollop of whipped cream to the center of the pizzelle. 
4.  Stand half a pizzelle vertically in the middle of the whipped cream.
5.  Drizzle with coulis.  Add 1/2 cup of berries to each plate, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Oh, you fancy, huh. 

As you know, I'm a big believer in celebrating as many moments in life as possible (I mean, where's the fun otherwise?).  This morning, on my way home from the gym, I saw school buses running routes.  SCHOOL BUSES. What?  How is it that time again?  The presence of the giant yellow tot-toters means that summer is rapidly winding down, and -before I get wrapped up in holidays, football season and sweaters- I want to celebrate the long days and warm nights with a Summer Send off. 

Whether it's Hello School! or Goodbye Summer!, below are three celebration ideas to help you make the most of these last few weeks of warm.



Make going back to school something to look forward to, by hosting a themed lunch!

Ideas to try:

• Serve turkey wrap pinwheels on lollipop sticks for a fun healthy lunch.  Add sliced apples, grapes, veggies and chocolate chip cookies.
• Let the kids get crafty by personalizing brown paper bags to use for lunches when school starts.  Provide glue sticks, glitter, stickers, crayons or markers, puffy paint and paper bags with each child's name.
• Play Teacher Says (instead of Simon Says.  After all, who does that Simon think he is?)
• Include a "Book Exchange." Have each child bring a book with them to trade.  This way everyone can get a new book and practice recycling. 

Making-the-Grade Movie Marathon (for the bigger kids!)
The transition from warm weeks of freedom to classes and homework is never an easy one.  Let your kids blow off some steam AND get back in the mood for school with a school-themed movie marathon. (*warning: not all school movies are appropriate for all kids. Choose ones you're comfortable with.)
 
Ideas to Try: 

• Make a buffet of toppings, sauces and shredded cheese and let everyone assemble their pie with pre-made pizza dough
  - OR -
• Make a buffet with ice cream, cookies and toppings for a special sugary treat  
• Have a night of school-themed movies to get them giggling and excited for their own teenage drama (think Grease, Clueless, Mean Girls and She's All That)
• For girl-centric parties, consider having face masks and nail polish on hand (just make sure you cover your furniture and carpets with towels or blankets.  Having to replace a carpet is NOT a happy summer memory.) 
• Have an (outdoor) silly string battle to get some energy out between movies (and quash any pillow-fight ideas that may have occurred)

End of Summer Barbecue and Bonfire (for the biggest kids!)

Make the most of the warm days and break out all the traditional summer gear.  End your End-Of-Summer celebration with a bonfire and some stargazing. 

Ideas to Try: 

• Keep the fare classic: hotdogs and burgers, watermelon, potato salad and veggies are pick-able foods that will go by the wayside come winter. 
• Make a great summer playlist to foster a laid back mood (think: Under the Boardwalk, Summer Love, Summer Girls, Kokomo, Brown Eyed Girl, Dancing in the Street, Margaritaville and anything by the Beach Boys).  If you have lots of time and are musically minded, create a playlist that slowly transitions into fall-themed songs throughout the night (Moondance, See You In September, She Blinded Me With Science, Centerfold, California Dreamin', Get Lucky)
• Make pre-packaged S'mores (which keeps everything fresh!) for everyone to take and enjoy at their own pace. 
• End the night with sparklers, a shooting-star gaze or fireworks (if your state allows)

 

The Fourth of July is just around the corner and what am I thinking about?  Christmas.  Yup.  Christmas. 
"But Emily-Grace, Christmas is a half a year away. Don't you think that's a little, well, crazy?"
Crazy is how an Emily-Grace do. 

Actually, while I do adore the Christmas season and look forward to it from the moment I take down the tree from the year before, I have a much more practical reason for focusing on the Christmas season now: saving money. 

You'll hear me beat this drum repeatedly throughout my posts, but because I so strongly believe in the truth of it, it bears repeating: The two commodities in life are money and time.  You generally have to spend one or the other.

As I tend to be a little short on the former, I prefer to utilize the latter. (Meaning, I'd rather put in the time now, than have to put in the money later.  Particularly because the October, November and December tend to have so many other expenses like travel and parties).

Luckily for me (and other people who want to save some pesos) late June and early July are great times to scoop up some deals.  (For reasons why, check out the text insert!)

Below are some specific deals that you can scoop up now, as well as some stores to keep your eye on in the next couple of weeks.  Just think: of all the things that will need to get done come fall, wouldn't it be nice to say "Oh, me? No, my Christmas shopping's already done."

Current Deals I'm Loving

1.  Caspian Cerulean Cluster Stud Earrings from White House Black Market
Orig. $28.99, Now $9.99
2. Michael, Michael Kors Black Solid Suit from Macy's
Orig. $595, Now $209.99 (And Macy's stacks coupons, so check your local paper!)
3. Step2 Outdoor All Sports Climber or Big Folding Slide from Walmart
Orig. $99.97, Now $69.00
4. Bayla Fragrance, Small  from Aeropostale
Orig. $12.50, Now $5.25 (USE coupon code EXTRA30)
5. Sofia The First Princess Dress  from The Disney Store
Orig. $44.95, Now $29.99
6.  Men's Athletic Watch from Aeropostale
Orig. $39.50, Now $11.90 (USE coupon code EXTRA30)
7.  Syma S107G 3.5 Channel RC Heli with Gyro from Amazon
Orig. $129.99, Now $17.10
8. Craftsman 3 1/2 Trak-Cut Circular Saw with Miter Guide Base from Sears
Orig. $129.99, Now $45.88
9.  Pave Bar Bracelet from Banana Republic
Orig. $39.50, Now $17.40 (USE Coupon Code BRYAY40)

Upcoming 4th of July Sales to Check Out
(Stores that have historically had fabulous Independence Day Deals)

• Macy's (Clothing, Swimwear, Jewelry)
• Sears (Patio Furniture, Grills, Clothing)
• KMart (Patio Furniture, Grills)
• Home Depot (Appliances, Paint, Patio Furniture, Grills, Gardening) 
• Amazon.com (Shoes, Jewelry, Electronics)
• Travel Zoo and Hotels.com (Travel) 

We love our Mamas!