the whimsical fig

Summer Vacation Travel Helpers

2011-05-31T20:35:00.002-04:00

In December, 2010, I posted a set of free car games printables on my Easton Place Designs blog. I thought I would share the links for the printables again here on The Whimsical Fig. School is already out in much of the country and others will soon follow. Car trips, family vacations or a drive to sleep away camp will be even more fun with these handy pages for your ride.

To get your own printable of each of the games above, simply click on the links below! Happy travels.

NEW ADDITION:
Special thank you to one of my readers, Leslie, who asked if I could create and add the Alphabet Game. How fun!

Connect-the-Dots
Hangman
Tic-Tac-Toe
License Plate Tracker
The Alphabet Game

Wordless Wednesday - The Promise of Spring

2011-03-30T15:01:00.000-04:00

Rope Town

2011-03-09T16:56:00.000-05:00

"Thing 2" decided to add to his room decor over the weekend. I present to you "Rope Town". Some mothers may cringe at the thought of their kids applying tape, paper and string to their bedroom walls, but not this creative and crafty mama! It's a wall with a little paint on it. Yes, the paint will most likely come of with the tape, but that's why I buy extra paint at the onset of a new wall color.

I am thrilled that my boys are creative. I love that with paper, string, markers and tape hours of fun can be had. This is a fine example of several school subject coming together and forming a natural teaching moment. Though I'd never suggest this to my son, the teacher in me couldn't be happier. Here we have math, science, art, and writing all in one afternoon of creating! And there are so many little stories that have been told and are yet to be told in the "Many Adventures of Rope Town"! Perfect stories to be written in his journal or on his blog. (Yes, Thing 2 and a friend have started a blog together and it's hysterical. No, I won't share the link. It's heavily blocked for safety anyway.)

What sort of creative things do your kids like to do on any given afternoon? Do you remember creating landscapes like this when your were a child? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to read about them!

Wordless Wednesday - Layers of Pink

2011-02-23T08:24:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - Afternoon Delight

2011-02-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

mmmm... milk & cookies

Wordless Wednesday - Encased

2011-02-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

Stylish Blogger

2011-01-30T19:18:00.000-05:00

The beautiful and talented Ashley, from Lemon and Lavender, has included me on her Stylish Bloggers list! What a surprise and an honor. Thank you, Sweetness! You know, from my frequent comments, that I adore your posts, sense of style and your designs!

So here are the responsibilities for those who’ve been given this lovely award...

Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Award to 10 Stylish Bloggers.
Contact those 10 bloggers and tell them about the award.

My Seven bits of info about me...

I am a classically trained flautist.
I grew up on a working farm in Indiana. The farm included cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, an orchard, and a garden of course!
I have never ice skated.
I can not enjoy a popsicle if it’s on a wooden stick. Ick!
I’ve never been horseback riding.
My goldendoodle, Aggie, was named in honor of Andre Agassi.
I love most types of music... from classical to classic rock, opera to pop, musicals to R&B... but I do not enjoy country music at all.

Now to give the Stylish Blogger award to 10 very deserving people...

Tracy of Simple Stated Design
Kellie of This Blessed Nest
Poppy of Project Gadabout
Kathryn of Coastal Chick
Liz of Shorely Chick
Ashley of Pure and Lovely
Julie of Brown Eyed Belle
Lori of Paisley Wallpaper
Julieann of Create Girl
Allisa of Quiltish

Please visit the bloggers I've listed above! You'll be so happy that you did.

Have a terrific, and stylish, week!

A Collection of Winter Moments

2011-01-30T00:37:00.000-05:00

The New England winter has been wild, to say the least. We've had roughly 60 inches of snow this January! I'm not alone when I state I'm really ready for Spring! Unfortunately, we've got a few more weeks of this chilly and snowy weather. I've been capturing quite a few "winter moments" and sharing them on Facebook & Tumblr. Today, on The Whimsical Fig, I've collected my favorites to share with you. This is when the old adage, "find the good in everything" comes in handy. Stay warm friends. Spring will return eventually.

the first big snowstorm

blanketed

a morning "commute"

aggie enjoys the views from the gondola

the view from the base of the mountain

the sun is trying to help warm us

a wintery drive

a little fun in the snow

perfect on a cold winter's day

A Card from Valentine Past...

2011-01-10T14:33:00.001-05:00

I recently came across a Valentine card from my youngest son. I believe he made it when he was 7. It's to the point without much decoration, but I kept it mainly because of the back page. Have a look.

Front

Inside

Back

Clearly Aggie (our family dog) ranks higher than mom and dad :) Tell me about some of your favorite Valentine's Day cards!

Winter Dinner Party

2010-12-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night we had the pleasure of hosting a couple of friends who are visiting from England. I was questioning my decision on what to serve since it's been the season of feasts. With so many parties and family gatherings, I just couldn't bring myself to serve a heavy meal. So I sent a consult question to the lovely and talented Courtney Dial over at Pizzazzerie. She was helpful in calming my doubts about serving soup as a main course. Thanks Courtney!
The Menu...

The Recipe...

For a downloadable version click here!

The Photos...

all photos by The Whimsical Fig

What are some of your favorite things to serve at a dinner party? Leave a comment below.

Appetizer: Brie and Fancy Plum

2010-12-17T17:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a quick and easy appetizer just in time for the holiday party rush! You need three ingredients: Brie Cheese, your favorite preserves, and some mini phyllo cups.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place the phyllo cups on the parchment and place a dollop of preserves in each. I use fancy plum and it's delicious! Cut the rind off the brie. Top the preserves with a piece of brie and bake for 7 minutes. Serve hot or room temperature.
I needed to contribute something to our elementary school's bake sale, so I created packages of four and topped with a sweet label from Easton Place Designs (where else). Easy and delicious! What are some of your favorite appetizers to make?

My New Toy

2010-12-06T13:44:00.000-05:00

My wonderful hubby didn't want to make me wait for Christmas to open my gift... The Nikon D3100! He gave it to me last week. Today was the first day I took it outside to play a little in the garden. I LOVE it. This is my first "real" camera so I've not started using all the features yet. Even without knowing what settings to use, I am amazed at the lovely photos I took with a gray New England sky, a few flurries making an entrance and a bare Winter's Garden for a backdrop. I wanted to share with you my first photos... Without further adieu, The Winter's Garden 2010:

Wordless Wednesday... Saved the Best for Last

2010-11-17T11:42:00.002-05:00

All the other trees have turned and lost their leaves,
but this lovely Maple stands proudly in the garden.

More please, Sir...

2010-10-25T20:07:00.000-04:00

I am not a chef.
I do not think for a single moment that I am a great cook.
I do, however, know how to make soup that my family raves about and this makes me very happy!

Tonight I made Potato Leek Soup and I'm going to share photos and the recipe.
It's easy. It's cost effective. It's delicious!

I loosely follow Jamie Oliver's recipe with a few changes. I don't use onions nor do I use garlic (I think they overpower the soup). I double the amount of carrots because my family loves carrots. So click on his link to get specifics. I'm going to give you the Picture Book version of the recipe....

Start with organic veggies:

Wash, peel, slice, chop, soak (the leeks well!!) ... you get the idea.

Saute leeks and carrots in olive oil (and a smidgen of butter) then add the other vegetables and veggie or chicken stock, salt & pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for 60 minutes. I think Jamie has a magical way of cooking the soup because his recipe says it's ready in about 10 minutes once you add the potatoes. Trust me, it's not done.

When the potatoes are fork tender, serve and enjoy! A crusty bread bowl is lovely, but a regular bowl works just fine! Perfect on a chilly night and even better as left-overs for lunch the next day!

Hello Autumn... My Dear Friend

2010-10-22T21:43:00.000-04:00

This 'n That Dinner

2010-09-22T18:21:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when deciding what to cook for dinner I realize I have a little bit of "this" and little bit of "that" but not enough of either to serve as a dish on their own; so I get creative...

This weeks "This 'n That" meal is Stuffed Tilapia:

The Stuffing
2 cups of chopped broccoli
3/4 cups diced turkey bacon
1 tbs. Olive Oil
1 diced shallot
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Paprika to taste

In a skillet over medium high heat, warm oil and crisp the turkey bacon.
Next add the shallots and broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes or until broccoli is warm and the shallots are translucent. Turn off heat, add bread crumbs and mix well.

While broccoli is cooking, rinse two large piece of tilapia (or other white fish or chicken breasts if you prefer) and pat dry with paper towel. Place in a shallow baking dish that has been lightly brushed with olive oil.

Once brocoli stuffing is warmed through, add to center of fish pieces, folding fish over and securing with a couple of toothpicks. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until fish is cooked through. Serve with salad and couscous or wild rice.

Let me know if you have a "This 'n That" dish! I'd love to add to my recipes.

The Making of a Tween Room...

2010-09-14T16:02:00.001-04:00

I've finally completed my youngest son's room and for the most part I'm happy with it. Most importantly, "Thing 2" (as I lovingly refer to him) loves his new Tween Room! This is the third time I've redecorated this room. When it was a nursery I painted a large tree in the corner between the two windows. The tree went up onto the ceiling where white fluffy clouds were scattered on a blue background. The second decor consisted of saying so-long to the tree, painting the walls a darker blue and bringing in a "big boy bed" and lots of toy storage. Now that my son is 10-years-old, he has decided he's ready for a "Cool Room" that doesn't look like a little kid lives there. Cue the paint, ladder and new accessories, please...

Fortunately I was able to use all of the furniture in the room by updating here and there with new hardware, and a fresh coat of paint on the night-stand. The general theme of the room is "All About Thing 2". So I bought accessories that reflect his interests: Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Biking and Music. His favorite new addition to the room is the bike wheel clock. The wheel is a re-positionable sticker and the clock kit has bright yellow, metal "hands" that look like kick-stands. I was lucky enough to find the kit marked down at Target. In fact, I found many of the accessories, bedding and window treatments at Target. (Say it with me... I love Target!) The wall color is Behr Ultra: Misty Surf. The trim color is Benjamin Moore: Super White

Another fun treatment was the new "dry erase board" located on the desk. I bought white contact paper and covered the right portion of the desk top with it. It's perfect for jotting down reminders for the morning or just doodling. Speaking of the desk, the towers are from Ikea as are the lamps and desk chair. The black drum set applique has a chalk board surface but I mainly just thought it was a fun way to add a little black to the wall.

One thing you may notice is the lack of things "hanging" from the walls. Outside of the curtain rods, the only thing requiring holes in the wall is the fun hanging snowboard and the clock kit. After patching all the holes before painting the walls, I've decided less is more when it comes to hooks and anchors. Thank goodness for all the fun appliques!

With the project finished, I realize the room really does reflect the idea of "Tween". On the walls and in the bedding are the reflection of an older child, while on the shelves are younger mementoes such as the FAO Schwartz Teddy (complete with Mickey Mouse ears), hand-made ceramics & pinch pots, and "I Spy" books. I love that my "Thing 2" is growing up but still wants his teddy bear and "lovie blanket" within reach.

A Busy Day 2 at School?

2010-09-02T16:40:00.000-04:00

Someone was creative on his 2nd day of school.

I'm guessing my son is "easing into" the new school year... or he's an engineer waiting to happen?

Perhaps both!

Food, Fun and Family on Martha's Vineyard!

2010-08-29T23:49:00.001-04:00

I had such a lovely visit to Martha's Vineyard and I blogged about it over on Easton Place Designs Blog. Here on The Whimsical Fig I want to focus on some of the restaurants my family and I enjoyed!

The Lure restaurant is conveniently located at The Winnetu Resort where we've stayed for the past 11 visits to Martha's Vineyard. Service is great, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is 100% vineyard with views of south beach.

The Lure Restaurant

Chesca's is one of my favorite eateries in Edgartown. I highly recommend their warm goat cheese salad and pretty much anything else on the menu! This trip included their Veal Bolognese for myself while my husband enjoyed Lobster Ravioli with pan seared scallops. Both of us had enough left to enjoy as lunch the next day.

Chesca's

The Right Fork Diner is absolutely one of our best-loved places on earth! Their food is delicious (can you say brioche french toast?), service is exceptional and it's a great place to take the kids. We actually spent several hours there one morning/afternoon enjoying breakfast, lunch and two biplane rides!

Right Fork Diner

Katama General Store... huh? You read that right. We adore the general store and all of it's yummy goodness! My personal favorite is the cheddar-chive scones. Or you might enjoy their selection of sandwiches and salads ready for that picnic on the go! After all, they are located just a short bike ride from South Beach!

Katama General Store (photo by Chasfs Print)

The last restaurant I'll tell you about is Atria. If you want a really special dining experience including a staff that is second to none, creative and heavenly entrees, an extensive wine list and desserts that will have you planning your return visit, then Atria is the place! We love, love, LOVE the whole dining experience at Atria. We happen to know the manager, Nathan, from years ago when he worked at The Winnetu. We were delighted to see him again on this visit. He graciously treated us to drinks -Thank you, Nathan! Our server, George, was attentive & charming and made us feel as if we were guests in his home.

We started our meal by sharing a wonderful salad of field greens, hazelnuts, blueberries and gorgonzola cheese accompanied by a light shallot vinaigrette. I enjoyed the surf and turf which is seared georges bank scallops, red wine braised short ribs all atop a cauliflower-goat cheese puree. My husband had one of their signature dishes, the Wok Fired Two Pound Martha's Vineyard Lobster which is served with garlic mashed potatoes. Amazing! Although we were quite full at this point, we couldn't resist sharing a dessert of Summer Berry Cobbler with a large scoop of ice cream along with cappuccinos.

Atria Photos by The Whimsical Fig

I hope you get a chance to visit Martha's Vineyard! If you've been to any (or all) of these yummy eateries, let me know in the comments! And if you have food suggestions from Martha's Vineyard, do share as well.

A Trip to the Farm Stand!

2010-08-12T17:53:00.005-04:00

My family and I live in a sweet little farm town in Connecticut. Our town bumper sticker has the town initials and in small print it says, "Where Farmers and Yuppies Coexist". It perfectly describes our town! I really love that about where we live. My brother-in-law jokes with me claiming, "Anyone who lives within a 1 mile radius of a Starbucks does NOT live in the country." Well, brother-in-law, the nearest Starbucks is at least 3 miles from our house while cows, chickens and locally grown fruits and veggies are less than 2 miles away! So I think I win this argument!!

Today, I took the boys to one of the Farm Stands in our town this afternoon. Here is what we picked up! We haven't washed them yet... but don't they look delicious? If you have a local farmer's market do yourself (and your family) a favor and make a purchase!

Tree...

2010-08-02T23:13:00.011-04:00

Have you ever loved a tree? Loved it the way you love a favorite old sweater, a cozy blanket or maybe a big comfy chair that is perfect for a weekend nap? I loved a tree and this week I had the sad misfortune of cutting her down. I should clarify: I hired someone to cut her down...

“Tree” (her only name, but a proper one at that!) had become a part of our family. She was the largest and oldest tree on our property. She gave more to us than any tree has ever given our family. She was our shade in the heat of the Summer. She glistened with ice in the Winter. She was the first to give us signs of Spring with tiny bronze buds. And she was the most grand of show trees in the Autumn; bragging with her shades of rust, gold, tangerine and crimson!

Our Tree gave us thrills! Just last Spring we hung a long rope swing from one of Tree’s long, graceful branches! Not only did the two boys in our family use the swing, so did nearly every child in the neighborhood as well as every child that came for a visit! Thanks to Tree, the swing was the biggest hit at a recent birthday party... more so than the ice cream, the sparklers or the party favors. Tree was the best part of that celebration. It’s almost as if Tree smiled as the giggles rose to top of her highest branches.

Tree was home to many birds, woodland creatures and insects. Insects... that’s where things went terribly wrong for Tree. She was too generous. Especially to the insects. And though much of Tree was still strong and solid as the day is long, the insects had weakened Tree and she had become dangerous.

We’ll miss Tree. In honor of Tree, I put together a “treasury” on Etsy. Clearly many people love trees and the things they have to offer! On my website, Easton Place Designs, you can find the paper lovelies paying tribute to Tree!

This Fall we’ll plant new trees and perhaps future generations will enjoy them as we’ve enjoyed this Tree! Thank you for reading.

Treasury items include: Bird nest Banner by Victorian Station, Swing Time by Paul Chung, Maple Leaf Necklace by Laurali Designs , Welcome Chage (burnt orange) by Paper Moth , Made It 12x12 by The Understory , The Tiny Finch Necklace by Factory Girl Ashili , Boy Swinging Decal by designed DESIGNER , Nature's Forest Birds Nest by Designer Shindig , Felted Acorns by Fairy Folk , Awakening by Kitty Rogers , Enriched by Creations 1000 , Seafoam Maple Twig by Sweet Findings 4 You , Autumn Serenade Print by Kelly J Callahan , The Karma Tree by The Karma Tree , Sky Blue Earrings by Glitz Glitter , Ladder by Ann Wilkinson

77kids

2010-07-24T23:41:00.008-04:00

Saturday, July 24, we were invited to visit the newly opened 77kids store at the Danbury Fair Mall. The staff had a sweet breakfast laid out for us: Muffins, Pastries, Fruit, Juice, Water. Ben and one of the 77kids employees drew with the 3D chalk. Ben now wants his own 3D chalk for the driveway! After playing with all of the goodies and eating our breakfast treats, Ben tried on some of the cool clothes. We left the shop with 3 new graphic t's, a new carrier bag for school this Fall and gifts for my 3 nephews!

We also handed out some of the wrapped $1 bills and everyone was surprised, but so thankful! I was really happy to see so many smiles and laughs... I'm going to tell myself the laughs were from utter joy and just leave it at that! We had a handful of unwrapped bills and decided to buy dinner for the lady in front of us in the food court. She was shocked but eventually said, "Thank you SO much!" I gave her some Do-Good info along with a 77kids coupon!

This do-good event was a terrific experience. I'm truly thankful for the opportunity to participate! Thank you TheMotherhood.com and 77kids!

77kids Do Good Day ...better late than never!

2010-07-22T20:55:00.006-04:00

Several weeks ago I received an email from Emily over at TheMotherhood. She had been referred to me by my new irl friend, Kathryn at The Coastal Chic. Emily was working with the clever and lovely people at 77kids to create a one-of-a-kind, "pay it forward" type event called Do Good Day! I was part of the Danbury team... in spirit and via emails. Life has been extremely busy lately and I wasn't able to participate with the team on the actual day of the event which was July 14th. I was able to brainstorm with the team to come up with ways to "do good" on the day of the event.

Each team member received a box loaded with goodies from 77kids! Since I wasn't able to attend the event, my box was sent to me by Kelsey (The Naptime Chef), a fellow teammate. (Thanks Kelsey!) It arrived today and I thought I'd take the time to show you the treasure!!! The boys and I will be having our own "Do Good Day" tomorrow!

I'll let you know what we decide to do for our Do Good Day. I have a feeling there will be lemonade involved... it's going to be hot tomorrow! If you have any suggestions for us, feel free to leave a comment.

(part 2 to follow)

New Twist / Old Favorite

2010-07-14T20:17:00.003-04:00

During the summer months while attending Purdue University, I traveled out East for summer employment. For two summers I worked as a “nanny” for a lovely family in Connecticut/New York/Malibu. Yes, they had three amazing homes and I had the fun of experiencing all three. During summers they stayed on the East Coast and during the colder months, they lived in Malibu... on the beach. One of the many perks of visiting/working with this family was the introduction to new recipes. As a mid-west girl, a meal consisted of a large piece of meat, even larger portion of potatoes and maybe a green or yellow vegetable which was usually corn or peas... more starch. Don’t get me wrong, I love mid-west meals! They’re yummy! But experiencing a new way to eat an old favorite is fun. Enter: Mac & Cheese.

One of the “new” dishes I experienced was the family’s version of pasta mixed with cheese. I grew up making mac ‘n cheese with Velveeta, milk, butter & elbow macaroni. The version I experienced while working/vacationing as a “nanny” was what I made for dinner tonight. Give it a try!

3-4 hours before the meal combine the following in a glass bowl & refrigerate:

2 large ripe tomatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces

1-2 tsp. diced garlic (you decide how much you like)

2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil

5-6 leaves of basil thinly sliced

salt & pepper to taste

30 minutes before the meal:

Take tomato mixture out of refrigerator and allow to reach room temp.

While pasta of your choice is boiling, prepare the following in a separate glass bowl:

1/2 lb. very ripe brie cheese, rind removed then cut into 1” pieces

Once pasta is finished cooking, drain, but do not rinse. Pour the hot pasta over the brie pieces and mix until your pasta is fully combined with the cheese. Now add the tomato mixture and again stir until combined. Serve hot or room temperature. Goes nicely with a salad!

I hope you enjoy this new “mac & cheese” especially delicious when the tomatoes and basil are in season!

Easy Summer Dinner and Music

2010-07-08T18:01:00.002-04:00

I’m going to let you in on a little secret... I don’t enjoy cooking. There! I’ve written it and am prepared to let the world read it! I can’t really put my finger on the reason. There are times I get an urge to cook, but mostly I just want to throw something on the table and be done with it. I have a feeling it’s because my family inhales the food in less time than it takes to prepare.

I’ve started blogging about some of the “culinary masterpieces” that come from my kitchen and two remarkable things have happened as a result. 1. I’ve been enjoying the process more and more and 2. my family has started noticing the work I put into their meals thus eating more slowly. This isn’t to say I’ve started preparing gourmet meals, I’m simple making the average seem a little more special.

The photos are from dinner this past Tuesday:

Cheese Tortellini

Pasta Sauce (doctored with fresh basil & oregano from the garden)

Local Organic tomatoes with olive oil, crushed red pepper & garlic and basil

Carrots

Humus with chickpeas and a powdering of paprika

Mixed Olives

I've included some dinner music for your listening pleasure! Bon appétit!

Strawberries & Cream

2010-07-04T01:11:00.002-04:00

It was an exciting start to the July 4th weekend! I launched the all new Easton Place Designs online shop on Saturday! Even though I was focused on the excitement of my grand opening, I did find time to prepare this festive (and totally yummy) dessert inspired by a dessert post I read on PaperFlora. I think this is not only appropriate for July 4th but it’s also a great tribute to the Wimbledon Championship... Strawberries & Cream! My family loved it and I loved how easy it was to put together. My favorite part was the crunch of the little sugar crystals. Delish!

Butter-loaf cake

Fresh Organic Strawberries

Whipped Cream

Blue Sugar Crystals

Slice, layer, dollop and sprinkle - enjoy.

I'm a Bee

2010-06-30T09:23:00.004-04:00

I’ve been busy lately. I mean “as a bee” kind of busy. As you may already know, I’m getting ready to launch the brand new Easton Place Designs online shop. It’s been no small feat! I hired a lovely helper bee to get the foundation of the website laid. Her name is Ink and she has a web design business www.inkprince.com. Together we worked to design the look of the shop. Ink (I’m guessing this is not her given name, but when I asked if that’s really what I should call her, she replied, “Yes”) wrote all of the html, used my designs to create the actual website and then she turned the reins over to me. That’s when I went into Busy Bee Drive! You probably know the funny little thing about the bee but I’ll remind you: They don’t know their wings are too small for flying such a big body. (shhh) Yet they work steadily to complete their mission at hand. I SO feel like a bee these days... in more ways than one! But it’s a good feeling knowing that I’m accomplishing my mission at hand no matter the size of my wings. I realize I’m not the first Work At Home Mom (WAHM) to create a website. Um, the platform that my website is built on is wahmweb so clearly I’m not the first! Those previous WAHMs have been great inspiration for me. I look at their work and success and think I too will work and be successful.

Last night after pushing “Thing 2” (youngest son) on the rope swing for a while, I took a walk through our garden and noticed all the bees in the lavender. And they became inspiration for this post. I snapped a few pictures of them, though I will admit, it was difficult! They are SO busy with their work, rarely stopping and probably a bit annoyed with the lady and her camera getting in their work space!

What has been your inspirations this week? Share in the comments below! And don’t forget to check www.eastonplacedesigns.com this weekend! Grand opening is Saturday!

Below, I’ve included a little “Bee Inspired Music” for you as well!

The Green Thumb Wannabe

2010-06-13T18:03:00.009-04:00

To have a green thumb... I can only wish, hope, pray and dream. But alas, I do not have a green thumb. It’s a sad comedy actually. I grew up on a farm in the middled of a corn field. No, seriously, our property had corn growing on all four sides! Not only that, we had an apple orchard, a berry patch and a large, lovely garden which fed 5 children and two adults (and whatever woodland creature came by). This was the farm on which I grew up. And since my parents were divorced, and I lived with my mother, I had a “second home” via my father’s property. My father, too, was a gardener. He could grow anything and everything! I use to say, “Give my daddy a dead stick and within a week he’ll have a full grown tree!” Of course I may have had my father on a pedestal, but it wasn’t terribly far from the truth. He had a lovely greenhouse on the edge of his apple orchard which was situated next to what seemed like the largest berry patch in the world! He also had a garden with even more berries and veggies. But his greenhouse was my favorite place to be when I went for visits. I remember in the dead of winter as the midwest wind was howling outside and snowdrifts would reach well above my head, my father would be in his greenhouse preparing seeds for the Spring he so patiently awaited. There was a source of heat in the tiny building, though my adult mind can’t recall what is was. I can only remember sitting on an old overturned bucket, watching my father organize his treasures. We didn’t speak much, we just “were”... and I loved every silent moment. I miss those opportunities to just sit and be with my dad. This summer will mark the 15th year of his passing.

But back to the green thumb issue. I have never successfully grown a plant, of any kind, period! As a child I so desperately wanted to have the gift of growing something, anything, that I would ask my dad for a potted plant to care for and he would appease me by purchasing a $2 plant now and then. And I would, within what seemed like days, kill the plant. So finally my dad gave me a cactus. Now to some this might seem like a slap in the face! I mean, come on... a cactus! But I didn’t feel a slap in the face. I knew daddy was being ever so patient with his “black thumbed” daughter. And black thumb I had... the cactus was dead in what seemed like days.

Many years later when I was an adult and living in my very own apartment, I bought a basil plant at the market. With great hope for what would be my first success as a “gardener”, I cared for that basil plant as if my culinary life depended on it. And within weeks it was dead. During my next visit to my father’s farm I told him about the latest flora death to which he replied, “Aw, Boog (his pet name for me)... Basil is practically a weed!” He and I had a moment then. We both knew I would never be a gardener.

It’s been years since I tried to grow something. I’ve the great fortune of having a landscaper these days. It started out as hiring someone to simply cut the grass and plant around our home’s foundation, but I was determined to have at least a flower garden... even if I didn’t have a green thumb. The photos above are from my garden. I may not have a green thumb, but I know how to weed! And I’m hoping, like other genetic traits, that the “Green Thumb” skipped a generation and my children have the gift... I’m going to buy some herbs for my kids to plant outside our kitchen. Don’t worry, I’m not going to touch them in the planting process. I know when to leave well enough alone! Wish us luck, er I guess I should say wish the herbs luck. I’ll keep you posted.

I've also created a playlist with a "Garden Theme". Enjoy!

In the comments below, tell me if you garden and if so, what is your specialty?

The Surprise

2010-06-07T23:44:00.009-04:00

Easton Place Designs has brought me so much joy over the past several months. From landing new accounts, to meeting new “online friends”, to doing joint marketing with fellow bloggers, I’ve been enjoying my work!

One of the things I least expected when I started my Facebook fan page & twitter account, was the number of really lovely people I would “meet”. Mind you, I’ve not actually met these people “irl” (in real life) but, nonetheless, we connect on a regular basis on Twitter or Facebook or even Flickr! And while it’s true that these marketing outlets can be black holes of time loss, when used properly they become a new community... almost like a Cyber Cheers. Remember on the sitcom, Cheers, when Norm would walk into the pub and say “hello”, everyone would look up from what they were doing and shout, “Norm!”? That is what it’s like to be part of this lovely cyber community! Okay, so I may be romanticizing just a bit, but you get my point, don’t you? While I may not be having a beer with these people (yet), I am sharing in daily activities. Reading about this one’s quandary, congratulating that one on another sale, offering a cyber shoulder for that one to cry upon, helping to promote another’s new creation, these are acts of community and friendship. It’s been very rewarding. I hope that you share in such a community and if you don’t, then come give it a try! It’s good to go where everybody knows your name... or at least your username! Stop by my cyber community and say hi!

I want to take just a moment to say a big “Thank You” to a cyber-friend, Sara of Twillypop. I met Sara via her blog then followed her on Twitter and the rest, as they say, is history. Recently she had a give-away and I won! That beautiful brown and Spring green piece you see was made for me. Sara creates really lovely necklaces and bracelets. I’m sure she’d be happy to make something lovely for you too! Check out her blog and be a part of her cyber community as well! It’s a lovely place to visit.

Tennis Leg and a Workout Playlist

2010-05-30T13:23:00.002-04:00

Last week I tore my calf muscle while playing tennis... a condition appropriately known as "Tennis Leg". This is the second time I've had this injury in the past 8 months, so needless to say, I'm bummin'. As I sit on the couch watching the French Open (instead of playing tennis on this glorious Spring day), I have put together a playlist of songs that I listen to when I take my goldendoodle, Aggie, for a walk. First chance I get to do our usual 3 mile jaunt, this is what I'll have playing in my ears!

Hope you enjoy!

The Studio

2010-05-21T23:40:00.005-04:00

I’ve been noticing a lot of my fellow bloggers are posting pix of their studios, workshops, home offices or kitchen tables... you know, the place where they do the things they love to do! I thought I’d jump on that wagon and show you my studio. It’s my space and I love it! But don’t be fooled by what you see in the photos. It was all dressed up for the occasion. On an average day there are a few paper projects being organized, a stack or two of mail, a large Diet Coke and a touch of glitter here and there which makes the room feel worked in and loved!

In the comments below, tell me about your work space.

Feeling Mellow as the Weekend Starts...

2010-05-21T22:57:00.002-04:00

What is a 'Tween?

2010-05-08T23:23:00.002-04:00

About.com says, “A tween is a child between the ages of 9 and 12. A tween is no longer a little child, but not quite a teenager.” That means I’ve hit the jackpot because I have an almost 10-year-old and a “just turned” 12-year-old! We celebrated the birthday this weekend with a bunch of other “tweens” and I have to admit, tweens are pretty awesome. All of the kids were polite, and well mannered. They pretty much stayed together for the entire 4 hour party. That’s right... 4 hours.

Here was the “plan” for the event:

6:00 - arrival & greet

6:15 - pizza & chips

6:45 - scavenger hunt

7:30 - ice cream cake & party favors

7:45 - popcorn & start the very long movie

9:45 - sparklers, glow-sticks & music

10:00 - pick-up

Simple, right? Well thought out, timed, organized etc.

So here’s what really happened...

6:00 - arrival & greet

6:15 - no pizza so, um, fly a kite, play basketball, play on the rope swing...

6:45 - still no pizza! Start scavenger hunt. Oh, and did I mention 2 of the clues were found during the 6:15 no pizza thing?

7:00 - distribute goodie bags and calm ‘tweens as they discuss sharpening sticks to throw at pizza delivery man for being so late.

7:10 - Music & PIZZA! (Run fast little pizza man, run like the wind!)

7:40 - More rope swing - the real hit of the party! (It’s the best $50 we’ve spent.)

8:00 - Start really long movie and hand out popcorn.

9:30 - Stop movie to sing "Happy Birthday" and serve Ice cream cake. Distribute glow sticks & sparklers, turn on music and let the kids burn off some sugar.

10:00 - Greet parents, offer them some ice cream cake and chat about what terrific kids we all have!

The important lesson I learned from this: Tweens are awesome & they go with the flow. Oh, and always pick-up the pizza instead of using delivery!

Below are just some of the songs my 'Tween picked for his birthday playlist. Enjoy!

So, I'm a Copy-Cat

2010-05-02T12:04:00.004-04:00

I'm thrilled to say that I am completely copying The Costal Chick when I add the following playlist. (Thanks, Chicka!)

This playlist is part of one I put together for a Gala I worked on a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-01T17:16:00.004-04:00

Hubs and I were invited to a Cinco de Mayo party this weekend and asked to contribute to the nosh table. So I decided to put together some “Salsa Cups”. My favorite thing to use when making an hors d’Oeuvre are petite phyllo cups. The filling options are nearly endless. Today, I decided to make my favorite salsa which will then be spooned into the cups, topped with Jack Cheese and baked until the cheese is melted and the cups are warm and crisp! I don’t really have a true “recipe” for this, so if you want to make this hors d’Oeuvre, play around with the ingredients until you find your perfect combination!

List of Ingredients:
1 Jar of your favorite ready made salsa (We love Green Mountain medium)
Fresh Cilantro, chopped
1/3 Orange Bell Pepper, diced
1 Can of Corn (drained and rinsed)
1 Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
Squeeze of Lime

Mix the ingredients together in a glass bowl. Cover and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. When ready to assemble the cups, place cups on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon a small amount of the “salsa” into each phyllo cup and top with shredded Jack Cheese. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and cups are golden. Enjoy

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Wardrobe Staple...

2010-04-19T23:25:00.007-04:00

Tis the season for a Cardigan. Then again, when is it not the season for a Cardigan? I have been a long-time fan of the button front sweater. From the sweet crisp white cotton cardigans I wore as a child, to the oversized wool boyfriend cardigans I wore in college, to the sparkly cashmere cardigan I wore this past holiday season, it's difficult to think of clothing that have served me as well over the years as my cardigans. What other item in a wardrobe can transcend the seasons? Perhaps my bluejeans & t-shirts... but the thing about a cardigan which trumps all other multi-season items is its ability to transform an outfit. The right cardigan can turn a simple sundress into an party dress. A pair of basic black pants can go from “okay” to sexy or sassy when matched with the perfect cashmere cardigan. It's a "must have" item like the little black dress or the skinny jeans.

Shown above are some lovely cardigans I’ve recent come across...

Cashmere chiffon-ruffle cardigan from JCrew ($188)

Versatile topper from J.Jill ($89)

Lucky Brand Long Sleeve Beaded Cardigan from Piperline ($119)

Petite sweetheart exposed-seam cardi from Banana Republic ($69.50)

Tell me about your favorite cardigan!

Raising Good Travelers...

2010-04-12T08:13:00.012-04:00

My husband, two boys and I went to Boston for the weekend. It's been a while since we all four traveled together. For the longest time it seemed we traveled at least once a month. Then life got busy, we got a puppy, the financial market roller coaster threw in a few extra loops and before we noticed, it had been nearly a year since the four of us had gone on an over-night.

Going away this past weekend reminded me of the promise my husband & I made ourselves when our first child was born. "We will teach our children how to be good travelers." For the most part we have done just that. When we began taking our first born on weekend trips to various cities in the New England area he was about 3 or 4 months old. Traveling with a newborn takes some getting use to, but once you learn not everything needs to travel with you, the trip becomes a whole lot easier! When our second son arrived, we continued traveling with a fair amount of ease. When the two boys were both walking, it was as if every city we traveled to, near or far, was just our home away from home. One of the secrets to this successful travel was a little $10 pop-up tent we'd purchased from Ikea. We took that tent everywhere. Our boys would play in it, take naps in it, dine in it and even have "hotel camp-outs" in it. As the commercial might say: "Pop-up tent, $10. Making travel easier, priceless!"

Another helpful item was the toddler sized backpack! Each child had one from the age of about two-years-old. In those backpacks were the boy's own necessities: water bottle, toy binoculars, bag of cheerios, wet wipes and a change of clothes for that "oops" moment. Neither boy complained about the backpack. It was just part of the adventure!

My boys are now 11 & 9 (that looks older on paper!) and they really are growing up to be terrific travelers. Though they've out grown the Ikea tent, they still take their backpacks... slightly larger in size and without the change of clothes, but still containing their essentials: water bottle, journal & pencil, flip video camera, cell phone & hoodie. For now, the younger one has somehow convinced his older brother to carry his items as well. We'll see how long that lasts! My husband is largely to thank for our great traveling kids. While we do travel as a family during the summer months, during the winter months "the guys" go skiing/snowboarding, sans the momma. A small part of me is jealous that I'm not there to share every moment with them. But a larger part of me feels blessed that my sons have a terrific father who loves spending time with them on a very regular basis. (Plus I hate cold weather! Ha!)

I'm thrilled the warmer weather is upon us and we'll be traveling as a family of four again! It's a wonderful feeling knowing my boys really have turned into terrific travelers. Who knows, maybe this is the year we travel abroad!

Leave a comment below telling me your favorite ways to make travel easier! And if you have a "must see" place to take kids, share that as well!

Inspirations

2010-04-08T06:40:00.007-04:00

Throughout the year I am inspired by many things, but Spring tends to be "the season" for inspiring. Perhaps it's the return of the birds, or the delicate buds on the trees reminding me that we've all made it through another harsh Winter and it's "okay" to come out again and bathe in the warm sun. The images of renewal are all around us in Spring. They're endlessly flirting with our senses and maybe this constant teasing of our sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch helps the body feel alive again. Well, whatever the reason, I am truly inspired this season. What are you inspired by? Let me know!

Leaping

2010-03-24T20:03:00.004-04:00

I have absolutely NO idea what I'm doing... What I do know is that I like the idea of putting my thoughts on paper. Er, well, on a web page at least. So I'm jumping into the Blog World. Be patient, please. Learning Curve Ahead!