Category: Family and Fun

For the Love of Food

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Mmmm… food. There is such variety and creativity that can go into making a meal. It’s no wonder so many of life’s important occasions centerValentines dinner on wooden background around it.

This month we celebrate Valentines Day and some of you may have romance on your mind. What is your favorite meal to share with the one you love? Is it a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries? Lobster and shrimp? Or a healthy salad filled with plenty of tomatoes, avocado, and almonds?

It seems that no matter which way you turn, you’re bound to come across a food that will inspire passion from the obvious choices like bananas and cucumbers for their suggestive shapes to foods like oysters and chocolate which are known for their aphrodisiac qualities.

And it’s no wonder that phrases like “the way to his heart is through his stomach” come into being. That may be typical of men but it’s also true for me! I love a good meal and a man who cooks is about the sexiest thing there is. Bonus points for inspiring the mood right there.

Did you know that when the tomato was first introduced to Europe, it was called a “love apple” because of its stimulating effect. Turns out there is some truth to that due to the lycopene in them (good for your prostate, guys).

An aphrodisiac is defined as a food, drink, or drug that inspires sexual desire. Since this is the month for getting romantic, I’ve researched the top foods to add to your lover’s plate. Bon apetit and enjoy. 😉

Seafood ( oysters, cavier, prawns, lobsters, shrimps, abalone, and others), Tomato, Avocado, Honey, Garlic, Basil, Wine, Asparagus, Chocolate, Strawberries & Raspberries, Almonds, Bananas, Cucumbers, Peaches, Apricots, Figs, Eggs, Nuts & Seeds

Personally, I love garlic shrimp scampi and a glass of red wine followed by a little melted chocolate drizzled over just the right places. (ahem) What is your favorite food to help set the mood?

 

 

The Holidays May Be Over But …

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IMG_7134Yes, it’s January 12th. I did glance at the calendar before I sat down to write this post. Is that going to stop me?

Nah…

I know by this point most people are ready to move forward and put the stress and craziness of Christmas behind them. Most of us have undecorated and put away (or thrown away – so sad) the tree. We’re back to work or school or whatever we call the normal routine and we’re embracing (or not) all those resolutions we made at the start of January.

That’s okay. I’m sharing these photos with you anyway. In my part of the world when the start of the year means cold and snow and dreary days, I’m grasping for a happy pick-me-up. Over the weekend, the family and I went to Phipps Conservatory for their after-hours candlelight tour. I’m so glad we managed to squeeze it in before it ended because it was as beautiful as I expected.

It’s tough to pick out just a couple of my favorite photos but here you go… I hope you enjoy them, too.

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Merry Christmas

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fruitcake and text merry christmasWishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Carol

by Sara Teasdale

The kings they came from out the south,
All dressed in ermine fine;
They bore Him gold and chrysoprase,
And gifts of precious wine.

The shepherds came from out the north,
Their coats were brown and old;
They brought Him little new-born lambs–
They had not any gold.

The wise men came from out the east,
And they were wrapped in white;
The star that led them all the way
Did glorify the night.

The angels came from heaven high,
And they were clad with wings;
And lo, they brought a joyful song
The host of heaven sings.

The kings they knocked upon the door,
The wise men entered in,
The shepherds followed after them
To hear the song begin.

The angels sang through all the night
Until the rising sun,
But little Jesus fell asleep
Before the song was done.

Happy October from the Mom of a Kid Who Hates Pants

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autumn colorful leaves backgroundThe sun sets earlier now, the days are slowly cooling down. All around us the trees gradually change from green to varying shades of reds, oranges and yellows.

I love this time of year for so many reasons. I embrace the cooler temps and the cozy sweaters. I happily trade in my flip flops for a pair of cute boots. I look forward to making a cup of hot tea before I sit down at the desk in the morning to write and actually drinking it without breaking into a sweat.

I love everything about fall.

Or at least I did until I had kids.

Spring and Fall are seasons of transition, at least in this part of the globe. While I may be thrilled to change over my entire wardrobe, there are others in my home who are considerably less enthusiastic about changing theirs.

As a mom to a kid with autism, even high functioning, I anticipate some of the challenges I will face from day-to-day while other challenges still seem to hit me completely off guard even when I know they are coming.

Even when I start giving warnings in mid- September with concrete boundaries. As in, “On October 1st, I am putting away the shorts and we will have to wear long pants.”

Period. The end.

It’s still a struggle. Who knew that long pants could cause so much revolt and strife? To me, they are simply shorts, only longer. Yeah, okay, it feels a little weird on my legs after so many months of being bare, but I adapt to the funny feeling quickly enough. To me, it’s more important not to freeze.

But maybe I’m just an odd ball?

For my son, who doesn’t adapt quite so easily to different sensory inputs, the day I declared it “no more shorts day” I might as well have been heralding the apocalypse. The world will never be the same. How will we go on?

Yes, even with the warnings that this day would come, my morning was met with screams and resistance.

Why do I love this time of year so much?

When my brisk walks through the park kicking dry leaves under my feet are overshadowed by the constant fight to get dressed in the morning?

Because you know, long pants are only the beginning.

There will be coats. (shudder)

Sigh. No matter what, being a mom is never easy and there are always going to be battles whether they are battles of will or battles of routine and sensory perceptions.

Put on the pants and maybe, just maybe, I’ll treat you to a cup of hot chocolate to make up for it? 😉

Just breathe… And let there be pumpkins and Halloween decorations! It’s October!