welcome!

where: ysvoice

where: elle decor

where: if anyone recognizes this image, could you please let me know so I can them give credit?

where: same here!

where: elle decor

where: habitually chic

where: dolce and gabanna residence

where: marley and me

where: pink persimmon

where: pink persimmon

where: pink persimmon

where: pinterest

where: pretty stuff

where: simply sunshine

where: style me pretty

vamos a ir a México

How happy would you be if you were having dinner here tonight?
I just came across this article in the July issue of Bon Appetit and
it has made me want to either book a trip to Mexico,
or go to the extreme, pack it all up and set sail to some little paradise
in the world and start my own restaurant...just like this one.

 Owners and visionaries Mya Henry and Eric Werner take us on a tour of their paradise.
Aren't they adorable?!
They've channeled my inner fantasy life
and make me want to unleash it
and get going on my next career!

 Just get me there.

 All the food is prepared in their wood-burning oven or on the grill.

 Fresh. Fresh. Fresh.

 Do you dare Jen?

 Only a few hours out of the ocean, if that.

Oh Mya, yes, please make me a drink.
(Love the light...it's Ikea!)

 Their Spicy Grapefruit Margarita.
Salud!

 See you in Mexico Jen.

 

Farm to Table

It's a bit of cliche.  Isn't this how we all should be eating anyway? There are several restaurants where I live that are "farm to table" and they happen to be some of my favorites. The menu changes often depending on what is in season and you really can taste the freshness of the food. It's amazing when you have children and you realize that they don't really know where their food comes from. That food doesn't just magically appear in the market.  

Lindsay you introduced us to the wonderful Stone Barns - a working four-season farm and educational center just 30 miles north of  New York City. 

where: stone barns

We went there last Spring so the kids could see how a real farm works and where "real" food comes from.  The boys helped gather eggs from the hens and wandered through the amazing vegetable gardens, saw the new baby pigs and we all just had a great time.  If you live in the area you really should visit. They offer amazing classes as well as lots of fun activities for families.  

where: stone barns

It's also home to Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant, which sources everything from the fields and pastures of Stone Barns.  Instead of a menu they refer to it as a Farmer's Feast, they create multi-course tastings around the day's harvest.

Another great take on the farm to table concept is Outstanding in the Field. Their mission is to "re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it." The group from Outstanding in the Field travel around the country putting on amazing dinners set on long tables in the fields of the various farms.  Here is how they describe the experience: 

"Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, we all settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table."

where: outstanding in the field

where: outstanding in the field

where: outstanding in the field

 Wouldn't this be fun?! Linds, I know we've talked about it, but we have to figure out a way to go.  Take a look at the calendar and the incredible feasts they have planned for the months ahead.

happy weekend

7am this morning, my 3rd grader was singing and air guitarring Alice Cooper's "School's Out" (thanks to Guitar Hero being played at a birthday party yesterday)
and didn't stop until he got on the bus.  

The first part of my post is dedicated 

to all our great kids who have their last day of school today.  

Don't you remember that feeling?!

School's Out for SUMMMER.

The next part of my post is dedicated to all of us who have 

to endure Alice Cooper first thing in the morning.  

Is it cocktail hour yet??

Let's raise our glasses to Miss Oprah Winfrey for introducing the Moscow Mule. 

That's what I'll be cocktailing with this evening. 

where: picsearch.com

And what are we shaking to this weekend?  

where: that kind of woman

 Let's turn it up my friends.

Don't know much about Ke$ha or why she has a $ sign in her name, 

but I know I like this song!
Take a listen to Tik Tok.

Dressing up or down??

How about this for my look Jen?

where: pretty stuff

 Have fun everyone!

Dogs

where: patterson maker

I love our dog.  Her name is Elsie and she is the sweetest, most adorable, well behaved dog I've ever owned.  She is a black lab and we were lucky enough to have her join our family when she was three, which explains why she is so well behaved, I didn't train her.  She looks a lot like the dog in this photo.  I grew up with dogs and I'm so happy my boys get to experience having one.  She is their playmate, something to cuddle with when they are sad or just need a quiet moment and they are responsible for feeding her, something they are both very proud of.  She is also my sure thing to get some exercise each day.  She is always happy to see us, no matter what kind of day you've had - there she is wagging her tail when you walk in the door. Lindsay has a black lab too.  We can all learn a thing or two from dogs, I've seen this list a few times over the years but it still rings true and is a very good reminder.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.

Get the most out of the experience of fresh air and wind in your face.

When family members come home, always run to greet them.

Be obedient; when it’s in your best interest.

Protect your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run and play daily.

Eat with enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If you want what is buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Don’t bite when a growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t feel guilty and pout. Run right back and make friends.

Bond with your pack.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

slow parenting

I don't often look at parenting blogs, but my girlfriend Charlotte introduced 

me to the Motherlode blog when she posted an article 

about Slow-parenting on Facebook.  

The article really made me stop and think about myself 

as a parent and begged me to ask the question,

do I subscribe to the theory of slow-parenting?  

A print out of this article sits on my desk as a reminder to me 

of what I find so important while raising my kids.

Lisa Belkin is the author of this insightful, funny and thought-provoking blog.   

Take a look at what she has to say. 

Meanwhile, here are some reminders of why we do what we do as parents.  

We just love them so much.

where: a well traveled woman

where: domino

where: habitually chic

where: a well traveled woman

where: style me pretty/photographer Heather Waraksa

where: ysvoice

where: a well traveled woman

where: a well traveled woman

where: rikshaw design

happy days

It's the first day of summer and images like these make me wish I was sitting on a porch, 

sipping lemonade, admiring the hydrangeas,  

listening to the kids laughing and screeching with summer joy.

Life's a little nicer when it slows down.  

The gift of summer.

where: crush cul de sac

where: habitually chic via martha stewart

where: everything fab

where: house beautiful

where: modern hepburn

where: photos by Lindsay for from me to you xo

In my backyard.  

I honestly sit and stare at them in amazement.  They make me so happy.

where: marley and me

where: a well traveled woman

where: photos by Lindsay for from me to you xo

 Another gift summer brings us is the chance to grow our own food.  

This is my kitchen garden from last year...

with tomatoes, lettuces, broccoli, nasturtiums, sugar snap peas, 

cucumbers, peppers, basil and mint.  Still can't get the strawberries figured out 

so any advice is welcome.

This years crop is a little less of a mix with just 

tomatoes and basil, mint, cilantro and cucumbers.

We will end up having so many tomatoes, I'm trying to come up 

with some simple delicious recipes.

Any ideas??

I love my cucumber, tomato, basil sandwiches with mayo on delicious bread for lunch,

or the good old-fashioned tomato, basil and mozzarella salad with this yummy vinaigrette.

where: crush cul de sac

Happy Summer!