Sweet 16 Through Daddy's Eyes...
I fell in love with this commercial from Subaru. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qf8OGLqE1s]
Why fix it if it isn't Baroque?
My husband and I have been getting lots of inquiries on reclaimed and refurbished items in our home for a while now... we keep finding more items we'd like to work on, but don't really have the space to keep them. We finally decided to move out some of our pieces and free up some space for some new productions. We put some beautiful mirrors up for sale on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, and I thought I'd share the offer here (for those of you readers who are local). We are selling two Baroque wooden framed mirrors:
The white mirror has great detail and is glossy white, measuring 28" x 34".
$200
The black mirror is a refurbished antique, featuring hand carved wooden detail gone dramatically modern in jet-black. It measures 35" x 53", and would be absolutely stunning in an entry way (it can be used vertically as a full-length mirror), or as a piece of art.
$450
Both pieces would do wonders for any space, bringing a hint of luxurious charm to its walls - entry way, dining room, over a breakfront, hallway, bedroom, or simply in leu of art.
If you are interested, please email me: FreidaFroo@gmail.com
(I didn't plan on shipping these, but you truly fall for one (or both) I'm sure we can work something out...)
Into the Mouths of Children: Brussel Sprouts
When I turned 9 years old, my parents got me a very funny birthday card about 9 wishes and the only one I didn't find that funny was about not having to eat any more brussel sprouts... I loved brussel sprouts! I didn't have them that often, but once in a while, especially around this time of year, I'd enjoy some well grilled and seasoned brussel sprouts (I'm pretty sure I called them "cabbage balls").
Unfortunately in America, the green stuff all lands in the same dinnertime angry-toned-mother stigma - "eat your broccoli". I've been giving Freida broccoli since she was able to eat solids, and now, to her, a side of steamed broccoli can compete with a side of fresh strawberries any day! It's so important to involve your kids in the food choices, kitchen prep, and cooking process of all different kinds of foods. I want a home with a yard just so I can plant a garden for my kids to see that food comes from someplace a lot more amazing than a grocery store (even though Trader Joe's is pretty damn amazing, and I guess Farmer's Market cuts it close).
Kids in the kitchen are usually doing basics like baking or assembling. And while it's great for them to watch batter form from different ingredients, and tactilely beneficial for them to experiment with dough, I think it's wonderfully educational for children to work with ingredients that may not be up there on the list of kid-loved foods: garlic, fresh basil, artichokes, beans, brussel sprouts, asparagus, capers, scallions etc. It's been proven that a versatile taste for food begins to develop at a very early age, and if we teach and train them properly, it will not only be beneficial to their health but to our sanity as well!
Of course, there are the common issues, say, texture problems (Freida seems to have a diversion to mashed food; potatoes, avocados etc.), allergies, choking hazards etc. but if you are able to get around those and move forward - children will be healthier, more diverse, and culinarily well educated. G-d's food (in its natural form) is delicious in its own right, however with a splash and a dash of the right seasoning and spices - all food becomes kid-friendly.
The other day when I was unpacking my groceries, Freida walked into the kitchen to help me, and was completely dumbstruck by a stalk of brussel sprouts. She wouldn't put it down. She examined it, showed it to her "baby", pulled the leaves off, even snuck a bit of the raw stuff into her mouth for a taste-test. She wound up crying when I eventually had to take it away... so I let her sit up on the counter with me and pull them off the stalk, remove the outer leaves, and wash them (who knew prepping brussel sprouts was such a kid activity??). I spread them out on a baking sheet (cut the larger ones in half), drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled salt and pepper, and put in the oven on broil for 17 minutes. The result was popcorn like, kid-freindly goodness! Try it - they'll like it, and if they don't... you will.
October Fest!
Here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to before the month is over, a few of our Autumn favorites:
- extended-family couples trip to Knott's Scary Farm (the guys can't handle it without us!)
- Sunday trip with Freida to a pumpkin patch (for hay-rides, straw maze, and petting zoo)
- date-night at the Queen Mary's Dark Harbor
- collecting leaves and teaching Freida how to do crayon "rubbings"
- double-date to Phantom of the Opera @ Pantages Theatre (can't wait, Rivky!)
- pumpkin pie (from fresh pumpkin!) with homemade whip cream
- frequenting flea markets for antique lighting
- a cozy night home with an old film and hot rhubarb-cranberry cobbler + vanilla ice cream
- spending our wedding anniversary in some of our favorite spots!
Hope you're all falling for fall!!!
Set the Table
Seriously, who knew??
And I thought us jewish girls knew homemaking 101!