wedded bliss

9 / 9 / 13

Had to tell a little lie the other day… but I can explain. You see, my wonderful mom-in-law and dad-in-law were celebrating 55 years of wedded bliss, so we decided to have a little surprise dinner at our house in their honor. Not a major event, just a small gathering of family to help them celebrate. In the end, I think there were almost twenty of us gathered together, and it was an evening full of laughter, love and a lot of wine!

Now everyone has their secret tips for making events, like this, successful… and I would love to know your secrets!! Here are just a couple of mine. #1 Delegate! Let everyone contribute. For those who don’t like to cook; no problem. Assign them a store bought item or wine! #2 Not everything has to be homemade! If you are a baker and love to make desserts; Go for it – But then purchase a store bought appetizer! #3 Prioritize and keep it simple! This is a big one, and totally varies from person to person!! Personally, I love the detail stuff – “themes” and table decorations, homemade tags on the dipping oil… But to take the time to dust before the party…? Ya – Probably not gonna happen. Like I said; this is an individual thing. Everyone has a different set of priorities. Maybe dusting is your #1 priority!! Just make sure that you make time to do the things that are important to you!!

We went with an Italian bistro theme… complete with a little Frank Sinatra (of course!), red & white checked paper placemats (super easy clean up!) and some Chianti wine! An Italian platter as an appetizer also made it super simple (no cooking!) – cheese, salami, Rosemary almonds, stuffed olives, crostini with goat cheese and bruschetta… Our main course consisted of home-made lasagna, meatballs, oven roasted Italian green beans, Italian salad and warm, crusty bread with homemade Italian dipping oil. (Dipping oil recipe was posted on my Facebook page; “Tasty Tuesday” Sept 3 – Click here) For dessert we served Italian gelato with homemade biscotti, which I served in assorted hand-painted martini glasses (Biscotti recipe coming… tomorrow!!) And that, friends, is my final “tip of the day” – fun and super simple… I love using martini glasses for serving dessert! I especially love that everyone’s glass was different (I did this on purpose – Not a matchy-matchy kinda gal!), but you can certainly use whatever martini glasses you have on hand!! I have a huge advantage in the fact that I paint and sell cocktail glasses, so my “inventory” is probably a bit more extensive… Ha!

So there we go. My suggestions, in a nutshell, for hosting a little gathering of your own. I realize now that I already gave you my “final tip”, but I just thought of one more… and it’s a BIGGIE, actually! Chances are good that you will not complete your “things to do before the party” list. Just sayin. However, once the party starts… let it go. Pour a glass of wine and join in the fun. Whatever didn’t get done isn’t gonna get done… so never mind. If you are having a good time at your party, so will your friends!! And at the end of the day, isn’t that all that really matters…? Bon Appetit!!

that’s my mama

5 / 12 / 13

If I had a nickel for every time my mom said; “Oh my – You are just. like. your. father!” Now, mind you, this is usually stated in a rather loud voice, and is not to be mistaken as a compliment. At least not at the time that she is broadcasting this fact.

Research states that we have a tendency towards either left-brained or right-brained thinking. I “think” that I am, however, the exception to the rule. (And I think that I think this from my left-sided thinker. Ha! Kinda “Dr. Seuss-ish”!). I really do believe that I am pretty close to a 50/50 split. 50% left brained, like my dad. Logical, analytical, mathematical, thrifty, conservative and stubborn (Mama no like that last one…!). But… I am ALSO a right-brained thinker, like my mom. We are creative, intuitive, spiritual; possibility thinkers (dreamers) with a hint of mischief. OK. On occasion, slightly more than a hint… (Did I tell you the story about when my mom was a little girl at (Catholic) “summer camp”…? Snuck into the nuns tent when they were sleeping and hung their “double D’s” out on the clothesline for all to enjoy…)

Growing up as the oldest of seven, I was “Mama’s little helper” from day one. My “maternal instincts” developed at a very early age. Some of my brothers have been known to throw the word “bossy” around (what the heck??) when we are reminiscing about days gone by… their ~~rough~~ life growing up with two older sisters. Ya… whatever. Let me just say, in my own defense, that – to this day – I would do anything in my power to protect my sister or any of my brothers from anyone or anything. Family, ALL FAMILY, is my beginning and my end. Period.

My mom taught me SO much about life, love, happiness… Those lessons and experiences helped shape me into the woman, wife and mom that I am today. Looking back, there were so many things that I did not understand, so many unanswered questions… all crystal clear once I became a mom myself. I have to laugh now, thinking back on the days when she would declare that “for the rest of the day“, we were not allowed to use the word “Mom”. Or “Mommy”. Or anything even remotely close. Pam. We had to call her Pam. Alrighty then. Pam it is. That’s my mama.

As far back as I can remember, my mom always encouraged me to be me. I’m a little (Ha!) “out of the box” at times, but she has always supported and embraced that part of my soul, allowing me to grow into my authentic self. Truth be told, I am still growing into that “authentic self”, and she is still there supporting and encouraging me every step of the way. Yep. That’s my mama. My mom makes me laugh. A lot. Belly laughs that make you cry. My mom is funny, and I love that about her. Sometimes when you’re down and out, you just need someone to tell you to “put your big girl panties on and deal with it“. Well, friends… that’s NOT my mama. Sometimes, however, you need someone to rub your back (even if it’s long distance), tell you that it’s OK to cry and reassure you that everything is going to be OK. Even when it’s not. That’s my mama.

So today I say, thank you mom… for everything that you are; I am; we are. From now until forever, I will always be proud to say…

Yep. That’s my mama…xo

Oh… and P.S. – You still make the best “homemade, from scratch” cinnamon rolls on. the. planet. Enough said.

the bunny corsage

3 / 27 / 13

I LOVE Easter. It is a springtime holiday, and just for that reason alone it is a favorite of mine. Spring is cheerful and happy and hopeful… The flowers peeking up from the soil (sometimes right through the snow… like now!), there are little baby animals everywhere, warm rain and sunshine replace the sleet and freezing rain, we trade in the winter parkas for light jackets and pastel sweaters… I could go on and on and on. Suffice it to say that I simply adore spring. As a little girl in a big (Catholic) family, we had huge family gatherings for Easter. It would start with church and my first warm, fuzzy memory… a “bunny corsage“.

A carnation with googly eyes, pipe cleaner ears, little whiskers and a big bow. To this day, one sniff of a carnation and I am instantly transported back in time. Priceless.

After church we would head to my grandma and grandpa’s house for a day of celebrating with tons of food and sweets and extended family. There was always ham and scalloped potatoes and lots of cousins. We used the “pretty plates” and ate in the dining room under the beautiful chandelier. My Aunt Adeline would always make the coconut coated “lamb cake” and my mom would make little chocolate nests that would sit at everyone’s place.

These little nests are made by melting chocolate and mixing with torn up “Shredded Wheat” cereal to form little nests. Fill each nest with jelly beans and little “Peeps” or fuzzy bunnies or chicks. Funny story. One year my mom didn’t actually have “Shredded Wheat”, but she did have some “high fiber bran cereal” on hand. That should work. Well it worked all right. Really well, in fact. Especially for a few of my brothers who liked to sneak other people’s nests when they weren’t looking… (teehee!)

So time marches on… and suddenly you are in the position of “making” those special memories for your own children. Some childhood memories we did our best to “re-create”… others we made up as we went along. I still remember going to the florist when my daughter was maybe four years old and attempting to explain a “bunny corsage”. Ha! Aunt Adeline’s “lamb cake” became the inspiration for a happy little bunny cake that the kids used to make and decorate. The chocolate nests were a tradition that survived the test of time – Made with Shredded Wheat, that is. When the kids were little we had an Easter Village, Easter trees and even made an Easter gingerbread house one year. We were big on dying Easter eggs – our “trick” was to use 2 “tablets” per color to make them extra bright – and we made the most beautiful decorated Easter sugar cookies; chicks, bunnies, crosses, flowers, ducks… beautiful AND yummy; gotta say!! But once again, time marches on. Now those little people of mine are college seniors. Easter is… well; different. I still decorate, but I realize that is basically for me at this point. But that chandelier that hung in my grandma’s dining room is now hanging in my dining room. The “bunny village” is tucked away for safe keeping and I have saved all of the cookie cutters. Yep. I am patient and confident. There is no doubt in my mind that there will, once again, be bunny corsages in our future. Someday…

scalloped-potatoes-complete — Check out this blog, Dally’s Vintage Days, for a recipe for scalloped potatoes similar to the ones “Gram” used to make.

baked-ham-ck-1011300-x — Intimidated by the “How to’s” of a baked ham for Easter? Check out this video….

he ain’t heavy; he’s my brother

3 / 21 / 13

Yes. I sure do.

We are the “bookends” in our family; Michael and I. I’m the oldest of seven at 51… Mike’s the youngest at 27. Michael was born about a year after I got married. I grew up in St. Louis, but had moved to Kansas City after college, so the two of us never actually had a chance to “grow up together”. But there is now good news. Really good news for me. My mom, dad and Michael are moving to Kansas City. To say that I am excited does not even begin to touch the surface of what I am feeling. Just typing that fills my eyes with tears. There is just so much time to make up for… and I absolutely cannot wait!!!

Poem: “Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley

November 12, 2008

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this…

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome To Holland”.

“Holland?!?” you say, “What do you mean “Holland”??? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy”

But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place.

So you must go and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around…and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills…Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy…and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say“Yes that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned”.

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away…because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But…if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things…about Holland.

And so Mom, Dad and Michael; we are all moving on to a fresh new chapter. Your big move to Kansas City. It may not be Italy, or even Holland; but I can tell you it’s gonna be great. Because I love you, and that’s enough. And so a song for you, “Mike the Singer”… from someone who loves you very, very much. xo

“He Ain’t Heavy; He’s My Brother”

My face may be different But my feelings the same I laugh and I cry And I take pride in my gains I was sent here among you To teach you to love As God in the heavens Looks down from above To Him I’m no different His love knows no bounds It’s those here among you In cities and towns That judge me by standards That man has imparted But this family I’ve chosen Will help me get started For I’m one of the children So special and few That came here to learn The same lessons as you That love is acceptance It must come from the heart We all have the same purpose Though not the same start The Lord gave me life To live and embrace And I’ll do it as you do But at my own pace

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. That is why today, March 21 (3/21) is designated as World Down Syndrome Day.

Links: National Association For Down Syndrome / Special Olympics

thanks giving ~ giving thanks

11 / 22 / 12

Sharing with you a beautiful Thanksgiving paper chain that I am going to be doing today with my entire family. Print it off now, and celebrate the gift of gratitude. For one another as well as all that you have been blessed with. We are all guilty of taking people, situations, life… for granted. Today is a day to pause, reflect and cherish all that is a part of you in this world. We are blessed.

thanks giving ~ giving thanks.

oh; to define thanksgiving

11 / 20 / 12

November is one of my very favorite months of the entire year. Halloween, with all of the adorable little ghosts and goblins, is behind us. The craziness of the December holiday rush looms ahead. But November wraps us up in a warm, cozy blanket of giving thanks… of remembering what is important to us in our lives. A time to reflect and count our many, many blessings. I know that being in the retail world forces me to “jump the gun” on the Christmas season… and there is not much I can do about that. I do, however, have control over the way that I look at, and approach, the ENTIRE holiday season. You see, I have a little different perspective on everything. I actually see Thanksgiving and Christmas as being two parts of one beautiful season.

For me, the entire season is about family, friends, peace, love and gratitude. I know that a lot of people like to get a jump start on their Christmas decorations in November – but I still love to “decorate” my home for Thanksgiving – even though we don’t actually celebrate Thanksgiving Day here. Again – it’s not a “day” in November and then another “day” in December… it’s an entire beautiful season. There has been so very much going on lately – globally, and in my very own little world. Sometimes it reminds us to stop dead in our tracks and reflect on life… and what REALLY matters. I pray for “peace on earth” as we begin this most blessed “holiday season”…

(the above is an excerpt from my November newsletter… )

A couple of fun links for you to check out, as well as a few pics from “home”…

Tracy Porter napkin ring ideas

Thanksgiving tabletop ideas and inspiration

“moo” said the dalmation

10 / 31 / 12

So it’s Halloween. A day for lttle kids (and sometimes full grown adults!) to test their inner “ying & yang”. All of the sweet little angels want to be devils, and the crazy little terrors want to be Cinderella. It is a day that evokes so very many memories for me, somehow. As a kid, myself, we had a big family and there were no “costumes” like some of the elaborate productions that you see today. Basically, your choices were vast, and limited only by your imagination. That is “code” for “find some stuff in the house and put it on; we’re leaving in five minutes”. Well, let me just say that this was a system that worked just fine for me. My mom’s suggestion for me…? A gypsy. A what??? OK – Once I discovered that this costume involved lots of baby blue eye shadow and lipstick, my mom’s chiffon scarf tied around my head and lots and lots of her jewelry – especially that coveted gold coin bracelet/necklace… well, I was hooked. So a gypsy it was… every single year. Such a smart Mama…!

Fast forward about a hundred years – and our kids are now the “trick-or-treaters”. Oh my gosh, they loved figuring out their Halloween costumes, but the rules were (kinda sorta) the same. We basically tried to create a costume out of things that we already had – we just gave it a month or so; rather than the traditional “five minute warning”. There were lots of alterations… but the creative process was the fun of it!! When they were just a couple of months old, they were tiny twin pumpkins – so cute; but store bought! The next year, however, I was feeling really adventuresome. I went to a fabric store and bought patterns and material to make their costumes from scratch. Yep. From scratch. A bumblebee and a dalmation. OK – let me explain something here. I feel that sewing is kind of like math. You either “get it/like it”… or you don’t. Let’s just say that a sense of reality washed over me about “mid-project”. I get math. I don’t sew. Too late. So I finished it, and was feeling really proud of myself for pushing through. I dressed the kids in their costumes and brought them out, beaming with pride, to show their daddy. “Awww… How cute… Daddy’s got a little bumblebee and a baby cow”. Did he say – a COW??? Oh my gosh, it was, so obviously, a DALMATION… “Just look at the ears”, I screamed! “Those are dalmation ears!!!” Suffice it to say, that this was the “one and only” year that I made a costume from scratch. Any sewing from that point on was a straight seam or a needle and thread. Period.

The years rolled on; so many memories. An angel & a devil; a cowboy & an Indian Princess (still giggling about that pic… as you can see!), Santa & a bride; Batman & the Snow Princess… Wow. I remember the year of the pouring rain where we literally ran, carrying them, from house to house covered in rain ponchos; or the year that my daughter was sick and had to spend Halloween on the couch – so her brother took her treat bag and gathered candy for her at each and every house.

When my son got a little older, we would have to bring Uncle Patrick over to carve a legit “scary” pumpkin, because Mom wasn’t very good at that. My scary pumpkins were still kinda “happy/scary” – Like a creepy clown.

So fast forward another hundred years. I’m gonna have to say that Halloween just isn’t the same when you’re kids are in college. As much as I love the amazing adults they are today, and I really do, there is still that inner mommy voice that silently wishes to go back in time just for a moment… to re-live the memory, to capture that feeling… But I can’t. So I make Halloween coffee/tea and drink it out of my Halloween mug (from when they were little) one more day. The neighbor kids will be out in full force tonight and I love seeing all of them!! Time permitting, our little nephew will stop by for a quick pic and a dip into our Halloween bucket. I will, however, have to keep his mom away from my display of Halloween photos from years past. She was over the other day, and was gazing admiringly, at all of the pics. She is one of those people who DOES sew, so the fact that she was fixated on the pic of my “bumblebee and dalmation” was particularly impressive. She obviously recognized the quality and workmanship that went into those costumes. “Awww… How cute!” she exclaimed. “A bumblebee and a cow!”. Right. I give. “Mooo….”, said the dalmation.

blessed with babies

8 / 14 / 12

How can you not smile when you look at this sweet little face…

Goodness gracious; I have had babies on my mind lately. Between our two families, we have three little ones turning one within a month and a half of each other. And, on top of that, we just welcomed another precious little one into the family this month! Fourteen nieces and nephews. We are so blessed.

Distance; and time… they are the enemies. On my side of the family, every single one of my nieces and nephews is far away. That is just so very hard for me. There are so many milestones, moments and memories that pass… without me. Sometimes I just have an “Aunt Cathy hug” deep inside that makes me feel like I am going to explode if I can’t deliver it!! Ya – I know. I’m their aunt… not their mom. But for me it goes really, really deep. I would do anything for any of them, as if they were my very own. Because they are. They are family… and there is nothing more precious in all the world.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

a sweet little fourth of july

7 / 2 / 12

So the Fourth of July is a “midweek holiday” this year. Kind of a fun way to put a little fun, family and friendship into an (otherwise) ordinary week. Perhaps you’re heading to the lake, popping over to the neighbors or entertaining in your own backyard… I will tell you that I have a tendency to focus more on the main part of the meal when it comes to entertaining – and the cocktails and desserts are often an afterthought. (I can hear some of you laughing already… Perhaps “cocktails” are where you START your planning…? Ha!) Anyway – I thought it would be fun to share a few little last-minute “sweet” ideas for the Fourth of July holiday that is upon us!

Well – First of all – I have got a recipe here for a “Double Berry Margarita” that is calling my name. Loud. And it’s not even noon yet. (Houston – we have a problem…) Anyway, I’m going to share it with you in the hopes that you will make it for the 4th, or sometime this summer, and share your “results” with me. (Well, maybe not ALL of your results. We’re sticking with a “G” rating here, friends! )

Double Berry Margarita

1 oz. tequila blanco

1/2 oz Cointreau

1/2 oz Chambord

1 splash sweet and sour mix

2 raspberries, muddled

2 blackberries, muddled

2 lime wedges, muddled

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake hard and serve in a glass with a salted rim. Garnish with a lime wedge, raspberry and blackberry. Oh my, that sounds good!!

Doing a little “last minute” entertaining? Need something quick & easy in the beverage department?? Well, icy cold lemonade – or pink lemonade – works great for any outdoor entertaining… perfect for the kiddos, and even more fun for the adults (Hint, hint: Keep a bottle of citron vodka in the freezer for an icy little “adult lemonade cocktail”!!)

As for dessert, nothing is sweeter and simpler than a cupcake. These cupcakes can be made with your favorite cupcake mix/recipe (Red Velvet, perhaps?) and a simple white buttercream frosting. I just fell in love with the simplicity of these decorations…

Stars & Stripes

Tint 1 cup buttercream a bright blue with gel-paste food color. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip (#4). Frost each cupcake with a smooth layer of untinted buttercream.

To finish, cut red licorice laces into seventy-two 1-1/2 inch long pieces and seventy-two 3/4 inch long pieces. Arrange three longer pieces and three shorter pieces to form a flag pattern. With blue frosting, pipe nine dots in each open corner to form “stars”.

Need something for the kids to help with while you are sipping on your “Double Berry Margarita”?? Staying with our “sweet” theme – a little project that will give an ordinary blue napkin a festive feel in a simple way… Starlight Spangled Napkin Rings!! Not a lot of supplies and simple directions. Just trying to give the kiddos something to do while you are busy sipping on your margarita…!!

OK – so there you go. A few “sweet” little ideas for your upcoming Fourth of July holiday!! Say a prayer for our troops, and the families who are missing them. Be proud, be safe, be American; Keep calm and eat a cupcake!

Happy Fourth… Live happy