Shareworthy (Formerly Weekend Links)

I've decided to change the name of these posts.  Because I'm not good at doing a straight-up link list. Because some of what I have to share isn't an article to read (because some weeks go by without my reading all the way through a whole article or post!).  I noticed that some of my recent "links" were more of a quick shout-out about something I/my kids enjoyed that isn't quite enough for a post of its own, but still totally share-worthy.

{Grown-up fun and food for thought}

Since I was just talking about women, equality, and the importance choice in my Lean In review last week, I thought this article about removing gender labeling at Toys 'R' Us was interesting.  And a noble move. Ultimately, I think, only minimal progress can be made until the toy companies are also on board.  Also, as much as the all-girl toy store mentioned in the article sounds intriguing, I am always wary of a group that wants total equality AND special, exclusionary perks (I love having gone to a women's college and I firmly believe men should have the same opportunity to pursue a single-sex education if they do choose; sadly, only two all-male schools remain in the US today).

I love writing.  For myself.  To my kids.  To share in this space.  But sometimes the desire to write and a free-flowing subject don't quite line up. This list of 88 awesome topics (to blog about) ought to help (but don't you dare call me out if you see one here!).  (And I'm really enjoying getting to know the rest of Alexandra's blog, too!)

Need a (virtual) escape?  I do (well, I'd rather a real one but my upcoming girls' trip got cancelled!) and loved the few minutes I spent poring over the Hotel Belle's day trip to Sandringham!

{What I'm sharing with my kids this week}

I recently stumbled upon the Let's Explore blog (tagline: Adventures in Playful Family Living) and have been delighted so far from both an inspiration and simplicity standpoint!  I love this post on non-toys!  And this one on ways to play in September!

Moose is just now learning his letters, but is super keen on it (and holds a pencil beautifully)!  I ran across these tips on raising a boy who loves to write and immediately pinned for the not-too-distant future when Moose is really writing.

Mouse received the Family Tree album by Frances England, for her birthday, and both kids are in love! Moose begs for it from the moment he walks into Mouse's room, and they both dance around while we get ready.  Its fast become part of our morning routine, and something we all look forward to.  The video at the beginning of this post is a live performance of "Ice Cream" (track #3).

We love watching tennis at our house and, after his request to play, too, Moose had his first tennis lesson on Friday.  This resource for tennis for young children has been helpful in getting him ready (and equipped) to play!

What have you seen/read/used this week that was shareworthy?

Disclosure: this post contains one or more affiliate links.

Weekend Links: Birthday Edition!

My birthday is tomorrow, which means the celebration has already begun (and continue with my favorite, a Pumpkin Spice Latte, first thing tomorrow).  I'm a complete and total, unapologetic Birthday Princess.  It's really not about the gifts.  Its about celebrating life and the gifts of family and friendship!  Here are some treats (mental, aesthetic, or otherwise), I've enjoyed this week.

For You

This post at Sorta Crunchy is not new, but newly forwarded to me by a friend - it made me feel immeasurably better about my own wholesome efforts, even when I fall (horribly) short.

I don't know if I should hate or thank Nadine Jolie for her post on CULT Cosmetics (monthly subscription nail art kits!).  I love that you can buy kits without subscribing, too!

I just have to share that my bestie sent me some of these pumpkin truffles for my birthday! If you have a store nearby, you can actually buy just one for a totally sensible, restrained treat! (And before you even ask, "sensible" and "restrained" absolutely belong in the same sentence with Godiva chocolates!)

Recommended by Moose and Mouse

Despite the fact that we have plenty of plastic and battery-powered toys in our house, I enjoyed this video from Bella Luna Toys on top Waldorf toys.  I'm thinking of making some play silks for Mouse (and Moose, too), although in the meantime I've given her a shoebox of some neck scarves I don't wear anymore and she LOVES them!

I'm hot to make an art box like this for Moose!  I'm only on the fence about what to include given his completely age-appropriate lack of impulse control.  I'm not entirely opposed to mess, but I do want him to be able to play independently without dire cleanup consequences later . . .

I loved these fresh (boy) book recommendations from Children's Books Daily!  I found a used copy of Hairy Maclary and sneaked it into Moose's book box (he seems more receptive to new things if he discovers them).  I can't wait for him to find it!

What about you? Any good reads or finds lately?

Weekend Links

Do click over to YouTube to watch! 

This batch of links has been brewing for awhile, so warning in advance if they're a bit random.

For You:

I positively lived on this green banana-apple-protein smoothie during the DietBet I completed (and won!) in June. 

I thought about making these Sungold Tomato Preserves with the gorgeous tomatoes we got from the CSA. But I accidentally ate most of the tomatoes as a snack one afternoon.  (Oops!) They were like candy!

This HIIT workout kicked my you-know-what! And I loved it!

I fell in love with Small Things because of the beautiful simplicity that came through in all of Ginny's posts. This recent installment reminds me of the reason I've stayed in love with this blog: Ginny's beautiful honesty.

If you only click over on one item in this post, please, read this article.  I'm not saying we all ought to aspire to be astronauts (stay tuned, my review of Lean In is coming up this week . . .) but I do agree that girls need solid role models in all categories!

Recommended by Moose and Mouse:

Mouse desperately wants to self-feed, but only has two teeth and is desperately uncoordinated!  My friend turned me on to these PouchPop toppers that I hoped would help prevent wild squirting!  I never really got the chance to find out, since she drew the line in the sand and refused to eat baby food going on two weeks ago.  Looks like a great idea, though!

Moose has always been a sensitive guy, and especially these days with his sister's increased mobility and toy-stealing, he's had a lot to get worked up about.  This post from Kate on Helping Kids Deal With Big Feelings came our way at just the right time!

Looking forward to making this tissue box guitar with and for Moose.  He LOVES music, and LOVES to play the air guitar, but all the ones in the stores are electronic with buttons instead of strings.

Wishing you a happy week ahead!

Weekend Links: Mayday!

Another hectic week behind us!  Phew!  Here's hoping you get some breathing room and time for yourself this weekend.  If you do, here are some goodies I've managed to squeeze in over the past week.

For you:
My (totally unglamorous) photo this week is of my homemade turnip chips - big, surprising YUM! And easy!  Mine were made based on Heidi Swanson's recipe from Super Natural Every Day , which is pretty similar to this one, except with paprika sprinkled on after baking.  I was also pretty pleased at how well my cheap-o Kohl's mandoline performed!

I read these 26 Reasons Kids Are Pretty Much Just Tiny Drunk Adults one evening after Moose and I had a "disagreement".  The laughing helped me get over myself and be the mommy.

Not only am I scrambling to tone a bit and drop a little before the big black tie dinner next Saturday, I'm also floundering on what to wear.  I haven't been to a formal event (other than a wedding) since college (longer ago than I care to admit).  I needed some "special" make-up and didn't have time to get to the store sans kids so I took the plunge this week and tried out the Talk to an Artist feature at the Bobbi Brown website.  I was really pleased at the conversation and the color recommendations (including application tips).  I guess the true test will be how I look next Saturday . . .

For the kids:
I've been drooling over Alphabet Glue for probably a year now.  It's a gorgeous e-magazine of activities for book-loving families.  I'm just waiting for Moose to get a little bit older and stiller.  However, with the 25% off sale now through May 15, I just might go ahead and cave . . .

I think I mentioned last week that Mouse was starting to try some table food (thanks to some gentle suggestions from a baby-led-weaning-minded friend).  This is new ground to me, as I had to practically bribe Moose to make the switch from baby food to table food when he was about a year old.  These tips from Kim Corrigan-Oliver the Wean Green blog came along at the perfect time!

I loved this resource-rich post on yoga and kids from Modern Parents Messy Kids!  Moose is stuck in a yoga rut: we do his favorite bug yoga almost daily, but I really think, at 3.5 years, he's ready for (and could benefit from) more.  I'm really looking forward to trying some of the Cosmic Kids sequences with him this week.

Did you find any diamonds in the rough-of-life this week?  Do share!!

{Wednesday} Links: CSA Special

Photo of Tucker Farms Lettuce at the Marietta Square Farmers' Market

{Oops, I meant this Weekend Links post to go up on Sunday morning, but I must not have used the scheduler correctly! So enjoy a little Wednesday Links this week!}

Last year, we joined a CSA for the first time and did as best we could to embrace the challenge of more spontaneous seasonal meal planning.  I intended to do a CSA wrap-up post of favorite recipes we discovered at the end of the season, but that ended up falling about the same time as Mouse's arrival, and I never got around to it. 

In a way, I think this turns out better, since I am able to share some of my favorite CSA recipes as we gear up for another great season.

Radishes

We had a lot of radishes last year.  A lot!  As in, every week.  Unlike my dad, I don't care much (or at all) for raw radishes, but as it turned out, these quick pickled ones are great (on a salad, a sandwich, etc.)!

Leeks

We also had a lot of leeks and while I ultimately started using them in lieu of onions in other recipes, these recipes for braised leeks with lentils and quiche stood out.  The hands-down best were these braised leeks and apples!  We put them over a grilled flank steak and it was out of this world!

Zucchini
I love zucchini simply steamed or cut thick, brushed with olive oil and grilled, so there were really no challenges using these lovelies.  In addition, we had made lots of zucchini muffins (most of which never made it to the freezer).  I also enjoyed these zucchini "noodles" in Thai peanut sauce (although mine were mushy since I used a box grater; this year I'm armed and ready with a mandoline).  This cheesy zucchini rice was also a huge hit (we substituted brown rice).

Summer Squash
Our family loved this summer squash mushroom casserole in addition to wonderful steamed squash and raw squash rounds dipped in ranch as an afternoon snack.

Lettuce
It was great to get outside the lettuce "box" with some different varieties.  Over the summer, I found this great article on preserving lettuce that virtually eliminated waste from spoilage.

Choi
Early in the season, we had an abundance of joi choi and I discovered this great choi slaw recipe (because one can only have so much stir fry).

Tomatoes
We love tomatoes like we love zucchini, so other than sheer volume, we did not have any problems coming up with ways to enjoy the tomatoes (from heirloom cherry ones, to lovely beefsteak ones).  My one attempt at tomato sauce was somewhat uninspired, so I'll need to work on that again this year.  But my very always definitely favorite tomatoes are Heidi's oven roasted tomatoes (you can use cherry/grape or chopped larger tomatoes - any variety). 

What recipes are you looking forward to making with your CSA basket this spring?

Sunday Links - January 20

Links and things of late that I love . . . because they tickle the corners of my mouth  . . . or stretch my grey matter . . . or touch my heart . . . or make me want to take that last swig of coffee, get up from the computer, and do something special with my day.

For you:
I never tire of being reminded that reason I may catch the brunt of Moose's spiritedness is that he loves and trusts me best.  Thank you, Kate!

Mmm, I totally want to make this clementine smoothie!

This post of 20 Ways Toddlers Are Like Drunk People made my week!

For the kiddos:
Continuation of the discovery bottles series I mentioned last week: K-O; P-T.

DIY color-matching peg people.  (And, back to the "for you" category, if you haven't read Small Things, treat yourself and do so now!)

Weekend Links

Links and things of late that I love . . . because they tickle the corners of my mouth  . . . or stretch my grey matter . . . or touch my heart . . . or make me want to take that last swig of coffee, get up from the computer, and do something special with my day.

For you:
This article on finding time resonates deeply with my resolutions for the New Year.  I can find the time. For writing.  For what is important.

If you have an inner princess (I do), you'll love this new blog: A Tiara a Day!

Need a good laugh? These differences between first- and second-time mommy-hood are hilarious (if a bit rough around the edges).

The British Library is now on Pinterest!

I thought I knew all there was to know about Downton Abbey - I was wrong!  Also, a Downton funny - Season 3, Episode 1, retold as if it had taken place on Facebook.

For the kids:

Discovery bottles!  Moose loved the the baby ones I did for him, Mouse loves Moose's old ones I recently pulled out, and Moose is having fun rediscovering his old ones.  One of my favorite educational bloggers has a jillion discovery bottle ideas (appropriate for babies through preschoolers): (a-e) (f-j) (sadly, Deborah had to take a hiatus before completing the series, but there's more than enough here for weeks of fun!).

Totally darling {FREE}kiddo thank you printables (since, yes, I'm still that behind from Christmas).

Happy reading!

Links: Random as Falling Leaves

Links and things of late that I love . . . because they tickle the corners of my mouth  . . . or stretch my grey matter . . . or touch my heart . . . or make me want to take that last swig of coffee, get up from the computer, and do something special with my day.

• I kept this post on 100 Ways You Know You're a Mom from the Gypsy Mama in my inbox for weeks - every time I looked at it again, I found a new reason to smile.
• A great, ongoing series on journaling from the maker of my favorite journal. 
• Melinda Gates on how her Catholic upbringing is not at odds with her fight for contraception. 
• This post about Why Kids Behave Badly With Their Parents is totally Moose!
• And speaking of Moose, he completely loves the birds we feed in the backyard - I'd been looking for an easy make-it-yourself birdfeeder for him to make for his feathered friends, and I think this is it!
• This post from Modern Mrs. Darcy on work-life blending instead of work-life balance  is definite food for thought (especially with a new baby in the mix!).
• And for anyone who shares my Catholic faith, a list I'm looking forward to diving into of must-read Mary books. 

Happy Tuesday!

Daylight Savings Links

Most of us are wondering where that much-needed hour went today.  I'm wondering where my week went last week!

Although today we scramble to get it all done in less time today than usual, in the event you find a minute for yourself I offer a few quick links that I especially enjoyed this week:

If you haven't found The New Noblewoman yet, you're in for a treat! As I described it to a friend: "It somehow scratches my geez-I-wish-I-was-born-in-a-different-era itch: it is equal parts fun (Exhibit A: "How to have the Handbag of a Queen") and substance (Exhibit B: "How to Use Journaling a an Artistic and Spiritual Medium")."  The latter was nothing short of amazing and now have a journaling book on the way to help me put some of the ideas into practice.

This post was balm for my soul.  Although the Moose's behavior has been improving over the past several weeks, we're still far from tantrum-free.  I never tire of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing in not giving in just to avoid the squall. 

Sarah, The Snoring Scholar, whose blog I generally love anyway, has a beautiful Mary Moments post this week on Mary as Our Lady of Girlfriends and the importance of our relationships with the women in our lives.  (Be patient if it doesn't show up right away - I subscribe to her posts by email but I suspect I accidentally got it early and it won't officially post until tomorrow, since she usually does Mary Moments on Monday.)

Here at the Moose family, we have a great St. Patrick's Day tradition of celebrating with friends (who are distantly Irish).  In making my grocery list for the week, I pulled out this favorite from our first annual dinner (we're on our fourth now): Irish Bread and Butter Pudding with Irish Whiskey.  Not to be missed (and don't you dare skip the whiskey sauce!)!  I'm sharing it now because, as much as I love the bloggers I follow, I always grumble when they share a great idea the day of an event or holiday.  This way, you can plan ahead. 

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!


Photo Credit

Some Monday Light Reading

It's Monday.  The Moose spent half the weekend sick, before joyfully bouncing back - and passing it on to me.  So no Tot School post today, and no recipe, either.

However, if you're looking for some good reads about subjects that are not related to last night's Big Game, the Halftime Show, or the commercials, may I recommend the following:

My Moose is as spirited as they come.  I found great comfort (and some good ideas) in this wonderful post on Loving a Wild One over at (in)Courage.

I shamelessly indulge in any bit of trivia about Queen Elizabeth.  Thankfully, there seems like there will be plenty to be had in this, her Diamond Jubilee Year.  These glimpses into her  upbringing, personality and "real" life are a delight if you are similarly inclined.

Speaking of delightful English things, if you've been looking for a way to explain Downton Abbey to your male friends, this should help (thank you, SNL, for this great public service).

And if you're in the mood to spend a few minutes in the kitchen, these recent recipes were a hit (before I was struck down by the Moose's latest daycare ick)!

• Sarah's Brown Rice and Avocado Salad with Vietnamese Dressing.
• Gina's Skinny Green Monster Smoothie.

(And if you do want a little something from last night's festivities - I shan't name the event, lest I be struck down by the NFL - here's my favorite ad; I might be from a GM and Ford family, but these days, my Motor City pride swells to the tune of Chrysler's ads.)


Photo Credit

Makin' It Monday

My goal (hope, desire) was to blog about a cooking adventure each Monday.  I stay home with the Moose on Friday and usually somewhere in my three consecutive days at home I find the time to get creative in the kitchen.

However, the theme of the day is just getting by.  This icky cold that Moose and Daddy Moose started two weeks ago just won't leave us.  How is it that the Moose can be up for more than an hour during the night, sleep in just a little, and wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed?

So in lieu of a recipe, in the spirit of some vastly more widely-read bloggers I admire, I am sharing a list of links I've enjoyed this past week:

• The Law School Transplant's 21-day Yoga Challenge
• Emily's (of Live Renewed) 10 Things I DON'T do as Mama of a Toddler (excellent balm to assuage any holiday- or illness- related mommy guilt)
• Skinny Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles that I really want to try to make this week from Gina @ Skinnytaste
• Wonderful Christmas-themed alphabet pages from Musings of Me (found courtesy of 1+1+1=1)
• An adorable handprint tree I want to make this week with the Moose from All Kids Network

Wishing you a happy, healthy final week 'till Christmas!

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net