Don't forget your lunch!

Sophie made this yummy lunch at school this morning for her Dad, in honor of Father's Day. In the bag: ham sandwich, chips, water, Oreo cookies, and the "healthy stuff...an apple," Sophie said.

For Chris...

...and everyone else who is sick of looking at my Derby hat. Without further ado, I'm getting this pathetic blog back on track.

Let's see....it's been a month since my last post. I'm not sure how April went by so fast, but I couldn't be happier about the arrival of spring. It's getting very green here, thanks to the freakishly warm weather in April (three days over 90 degrees!) You can't let a hot day in April go by without getting out the mammoth water slide, pictured below. OK, actually, DAMON can't let a hot day in April pass without getting the water slide out. If it were up to me, I'd pack this thing up and take it straight down to Kara and Ben's house.




The neighborhood kids and a few others...









I was also busy getting ready for my friend Lorin's wedding in Asheville, NC. Damon and I escaped sans kids for two days to attend...it was truly one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to, and for that matter, could ever imagine. Congrats to Lorin & Mark...a perfect couple! Here are a few pics from the weekend.




Lorin & Mark











me, Lorin & Anu












We also rushed home to celebrate Sophie's 5th birthday (and watch the Derby, of course)! The girls wore their fancy hats and decorated horseshoes (thanks, Newi)!




Sophie with her friend Emily, cousin Lanie, and big sis Emma waiting for the guests to arrive.

Derby Fashion

Yes, girls, I got my Derby hat. Here it is. Beautiful, heh?

I know what you're thinking: "Mel didn't tell me she was going to the Derby this year!"

That's because I'm not, of course. But I am going to Sophie's Derby-inspired birthday party!

And you're all invited.

Mafia Wars

One of you is going to have to explain this "Mafia Wars" phenomenon to me soon. You know how stupid I get when it comes to pop culture.

Begin.

Easy Weeknight Dinner

An easy new dish I'm trying tonight...here's the recipe.

Bottomed-Out?

There's some good financial news out there, finally! According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales are picking up as people are cashing in on low home prices and low mortgage rates. Industry experts seem to think that we're pretty much at the bottom now, with 2009 seeing a modest increase in home sales, followed by more substantial increases in 2010. The median home price may continue to decline this year, but experts expect prices to begin increasing in 2010. In other words, this is the year to make a move if you've been considering it!

"An NAR index that tracks housing affordability rose to a record level in January. This was because the combination of mortgage rates, family income and home prices in January were "the most favorable since tracking began in 1970," according to the group ... The NAR also forecasted that existing home sales would rise 0.3% this year, then 5.8% in 2010. The median price would fall 4.9% this year, but rise 3.9% in 2010. New home sales would be down over 39%, with the slowdown in building and the need to trim inventory. But the median price for new homes would drop only 3% this year, then rise 4.2% in 2010. All these facts, figures and forecasts point to one thing. If people find good value and a good mortgage rate on a home they love, this is the year to buy.

It wasn't that hard to spot positive signs, although neither Wall Streeters nor the media seemed to pay much attention. Consumer spending rose in January, as did personal income. In fact, after-tax, inflation-adjusted income has now gone up three straight months. No one thinks consumer spending will explode, but the worst may be over in that department. Meanwhile, the personal savings rate increased to 5% in January, its highest level since 1995.

This time around, the bad week in stocks gave us a good week in bonds, so the benchmark 10-year Treasury's price went up. Its yield, which runs counter to price, went back down below the 3% threshold, settling at 2.823%. The mortgage rate situation continues to be very very appealing."

Cranberry Scones

This is a recipe that I got from Martha Stewart Living a few years back. The original recipe called for apricots and fresh sage, but I usually substitute cranberries or blueberries. These are easy and delicious!

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Work in butter with fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in dried apricots and sage. Add cream; gather mixture with your hands until it starts to hold together.

Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Quickly bring dough together; pat into an 8-inch circle that is 1 inch thick. Smooth top with a rolling pin. Cut into 8 wedges with a bench scraper.

Arrange wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with cream; sprinkle generously with sanding sugar. Bake until cooked through and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire rack; let cool at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Scones can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Why?

Remind me why I live in New England again?? Yes, it's a beauty, but come on, it's March now...

Scenes from Disney on Ice

Damon, Emma and Sophie at Disney on Ice a few weeks ago.

Happiness in a Box

It's Girl Scout cookie time. I LOVE Samoas and am convinced they are laced with some type of pleasure-inducing chemical. They are totally dangerous to have around the house.

What's your favorite GS cookie?

Museum of Science

Emma & Sophie at the Museum of Science in Boston.

Sweet Nothings

The girls and I spent yesterday afternoon making Valentine's Day bookmarks...they turned out pretty cute! And more to love....it's supposed to be 50 degrees here today! Sadie and I took a long walk this morning and it felt like spring: melting snow, puddles, warm sun and a mild breeze.

Very sweet.

Man on Wire

Has anyone seen this documentary yet? It's about the guy who walked across a high wire between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. We watched it last night, and no word of a lie, my palms are still sweating (I'm afraid of heights).

Rant of the Day

I am completely fed up with our cable/internet/phone service provider: Comcast. First of all, they have a monopoly on local service...why is that OK? Anti-trust laws don't apply here? Secondly, they continue to raise their prices...get this...while offering fewer services! Haven't they heard about the economic crisis in this country?? What other company right now can get away with that?! It is the BIGGEST scam going.

"And that's all I have to say 'bout that."

Mixing Bowl

This looks like a fun website. You can create a group, make it public or private, and share recipes, menus and tips. Just another great way to connect with friends and family. Anyone want to start a cooking club? Check it out: www.mixingbowl.com

A New Arrival!

Congrats to our friends Kara and Dave who welcomed their second son, William, to the world last Saturday!

Ikea kitchen cabinets: Yea or Nay?

All the reviews I'm reading have been good, and Ikea offers a 25-year limited warranty. Best of all, the price is great. Negatives: we'd have to put them together ourselves and there's only about two door styles/finishes I like. Here's a real-life Ikea kitchen I found on a certified Ikea installer's website: www.traemand.com

Remember when?

Remember when you could spend HOURS in the cold, wet snow making a fort? The girls have been working on this one for two days...and I've been trying to get them in for dinner for a half hour now. No dice.

Another snow day.

Looks like we won't be getting out of school until almost the end of June...I've lost count, but I think this is snow day #5.

Who's excited?

I wish I could be in Washington, D.C. this week! I can't imagine how amazing (and very crowded) the past few days have been there. Unfortunately, I'll be in training all day tomorrow, so I'll have to Tivo the inauguration. And maybe my wonderful husband will make me a special inauguration 2009 dinner.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Rachel Ray's Pasta e Fagioli

This soup is so easy, quick and delicious. Perfect for a cold winter night (or when you need to use your new dutch oven).

INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus some for drizzling
4 thick slices pancetta, about half-inch thick each, diced
2 sprigs rosemary
4 sprigs thyme with several sprigs on it
1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 small carrots, finely chopped
4 rib celery, finely chopped
6 large cloves garlic, chopped
Coarse salt and pepper
2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, or small white beans, drained
6 cups chicken stock
1/3 pound ditalini (small tube pasta)
Grated Parmigiano or Romano, for the table
Crusty bread, for mopping

PREPARATION
Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat. Add EVOO and pancetta.
Brown pancetta bits lightly and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Add beans and stock to the pot, and raise heat to high.
Bring soup to a rapid boil and add pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. The rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as the soup cooks; remove the stems and bay leaf from soup.
Place the pot on the table on a trivet so the hot pot does not burn your table. Let the soup rest and cool for a few minutes. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese and another little drizzle of EVOO. Pass crusty bread at the table for bowl mopping.

My favorite gift this year...

The Martha Stewart 7 qt. dutch oven in blue.

I love it.

Winter Break

Yes, I know, it's been two weeks since I've updated my blog, but, in my defense, it's been a very busy two weeks.

Here are the highlights of our Christmas holiday vacation: Emma lost her very first tooth on Christmas Eve (Emma asked, "Do you think Santa and the Tooth Fairy already know each other?) and another tooth a few days later, we had a fun visit with "Nana Hannah from Atlanta," and, later in the week, a visit from Aunt Rene and Josh. Emma, Sophie, Josh and Damon hit the slopes, and Sophie skied on her own (albeit, on the bunny slope) for the first time!

We're ready for a REAL vacation now.

Merry Christmas.

"A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices; For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn..."

Christmas Eve

I say the best part of Christmas is the night before. The anticipation is so exciting....it's like the week before your favorite HBO series begins a new season. What's better than drinking a Bailey's while admiring the tree and all the work that went into making Christmas happen. We'll be spending Christmas Eve with Amy & family, who are treating us all to Lobster Newburgh for dinner.

What are your Christmas Eve plans and/or traditions?