Site Title

this picture taken last Sat. night as Kate & Chris were on their way to our church's "Daddy Daughter Date" where they wore their wildest socks for the Sock Hop. 

A while  ago our next door neighbors, Kate & her son Ryan (which is funny because Ryan is my Kate's middle name), invited us over dinner. Kate is American-born but lived in France for, I think, about 14 years. Anyway, she made us a the most amazing dish which I was still thinking about months later. So I casually asked her for the recipe in passing, and then again a few weeks later.  It was then that I learned that it was called a "French Tian". The definition says it is:

A French specialty made from a composite of ingredients that are cooked or baked.

Originally, a tian referred to a Provençal-style bake of mixed vegetables, roasted in a gratin style. The word can also be used to describe any type of casserole-style course, from a braised vegetable stew to a layered dessert.

The term was derived from the the clay cooking vessel that is to prepare the dish.I just remember her saying that it's "so easy". So easy that I didn't even need to write it down. It was all about  layering the ingredients & cooking it. When Kate made it for us she used zucchini but I has some squash that I needed to use, so I included that as well. I probably ended up using about 2 yellow squash and about 3-4 zucchini.  Sautee them in 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil adding a dash of salt & pepper. Set aside. You start with the sauce. Let me just say this: I am a big fan of pre-made pasta/tomato sauces. I think there are so many delicious options out there these days and I nearly went with one but I remember Kate talking about using a lot of fresh basil in her's and I had fresh basil and so in the end, I decided to make it from scratch. It wasn't anything fancy. I started with a large can of tomato sauce (I think it was 29 oz?), a bunch of basil, salt & pepper and some garlic. And then my secret ingredient: If there were ever a time to pull out the old "Herbes of Provence" I would say now would be the time. This is a spice that I really enjoy on chicken or grilled veggies. It's a combination of thyme, basil, fennel, lavender & savory. I was generous in adding this to the sauce. I would say I probably added 2-3 tsp's, maybe more. If you decide to make your own sauce using this, just taste it until it's right.  So it really is as easy as she said. Start out spreading some of the sauce on the bottom of the pan until its covered. Next add the squash & zucchini.  Then, sprinkle about 1/2 the block of Borsin on top: Then repeat the whole process of layering, making sure you end with sauce on the top. I used all the sauce but I'm thinking next time (you'd better believe there is going to be a next time!) I might use a little less sauce or more veggies. Next, grate some gruyere cheese (I found an amazing gruyere/cheddar cheese blend from Trader Joe's that was amazing) and sprinkle on top: Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.  The entire time I was making the Tian, I debated on using mushrooms but I was anxious to get it in the oven. I thought the mushrooms would be so good with the zucchini & squash. In the end, I sauteed them while the Tian was in the oven and they were served as a side. I really, really loved this dish. It's vegetarian but very hearty. Let me know if you make it and like it.

School's out next week. I didn't finish the quilt. I've got other plans for it- you'll see soon enough. Chris & I went on a date to Moonrise Kingdom a few weeks ago and it was Wes Anderson at his finest. Just wish there was more Jason Schwartzman. Check it out.

We are plugging away – heading to Utah next week for some Summer fun.

 Au revior, A bientot!

XO

We try to make it to the farm a few times a year. Usually end of Spring/early Summer to pick strawberries & then again in the Fall for pumpkin picking, corn mazes and tractor rides.  It was so nice to have Henry out of school today (he's not out until the 19th of June). Chris had to work so it was just me and the 3 monkeys.  I seriously cannot wait for Summer. It was great to spend the whole day with the 3 of them. No packing lunches, no rolling out of bed at the crack of dawn (a.k.a. 7:30- who am I kidding, Chris gets up & takes Henry to school- but just thinking about it makes me tired), no rushing back to pick Henry up from school, etc.,.We played around first before we went out to the strawberry fields. We fed the goats. This was my view from the bench I was sitting on. There was this contraption where you could feed the goats via a pulley that took it up to them on top of the platform. You can see just the snip-it of the goat on the left hand side of the platform OR there's always the old drop the food through the tube trick. Both equally as effective.  I loaded the children into the wagon and we made the trek out to the fields. Kate & Henry picked strawberries.  Charlie snacked & relaxed in the wagon. We completely missed nap time. I wish I could say the entire trip was as pleasant as this looks!We did manage to pick a small basket of semi-ripe & ripe strawberries. Henry picked 1 potato and wanted a head of cabbage, which we didn't get because we couldn't find a good one. (photo by Kate)
 Besides, it was at that precise moment that Charlie started melting down. It wasn't anything that some fruit popsicles couldn't fix. And who could resist a face stained with strawberries & dirt? I obviously couldnt so it was popsicles for all!We had a great time and now I'm too tired to work on the quilt, although, I can officially say that the top is completed. 

Hope you had a nice Memorial Day remembering the ones you love!

XO

and I don't usually like to do that (what can I say, I like my freedom!) but I'm committing to finally finishing the quilt this weekend. And by weekend, I mean Tuesday. Enjoy your long weekend! Don't mind me, I'll just be quilting.

XO

When you are in first grade and it's your birthday, you get to bring in a little treat for the class. The only stipulation- it can't be homemade (boo!) it has to be store-bought which I protested all the way up until this morning. We made these little airplanes to hand out but in the end I caved and stopped at Winchells this morning for 26 glazed donuts. But we gave these out, too. Anyway, I did a tutorial for these about 5 years ago but thought I would re-post since are they are really easy & fun to make.

Click here for the tutorial.

XO

Wow. It's true- I really have a 7 year old on my hands now. Last night I told Henry & Kate the story of when Henry was born. Their eyes were glued to me, waiting for each & every detail. I told them about how I went a week past my due date and decided to be induced. How when the time came, they had no rooms at Brigham & Women's hospital for us. How we became so hungry just waiting for a room to open that we decided to go to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch and how the call came, when we were nearly done eating, that a room had finally opened up for us. It was a Friday and I remember each detail so clearly.  We talked about how we watched a Red Sox game while we waited for him to come out. How he was the most beautiful thing we had ever laid eyes on and how we were over the moon for him.  I'm looking at those fingers of his and remembering each one of those birthdays. Him turning 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and now 7. Henry is really tall for his age and I'm noticing how his body is changing. He just got glasses that he doesn't need to wear all the time but that are supposed to help with long distances. I keep debating on cutting his hair- it's getting so long now. He wants to leave it long. Henry is loving 1st grade. He loves Math and is a good and kind friend to all. He spends alot of time drawing and making his own books.  He loves cheesecake and decided to have it for his birthday (I am only now making the connection of him loving it and us eating at the Cheesecake Factory the day he was born 🙂We are going back to Boston this Summer and I can't wait to share with him all the places we love. We'll show him the hospital, the apartment we brought him home to, Fenway Park and the Make Way for Ducklings ducks at the Public Garden.

Happy 7th Birthday my sweet Henry. XO

It's official she's 4. She wanted to go to Disneyland in her Rapunzel dress & new Jesse boots from Grandma. It works. You can wear cowboy boots & princess dresses when you are 4.  For a brief time, a 'mini-wheelchair was high on her birthday list but luckily she didn't seem too disappointed when we didn't deliver. Now she wants a dog (never going to happen) that she wants to call "Salty Sanchez". Also, she wants me to call her Margot now, so we got that going on. And for the record, there was a hiccup with the paperwork and we never got around to resubmitting it, so legally & technically she's Margot…so… yeah. 

Tuesday was our 14th wedding anniversary and Chris bought me those beautiful flowers. What a guy! 14 years already??  We had gone out the previous weekend where I had the most delicious meat & cheese board from the Westside Tavern. I'm still dreaming about it. 

Unrelated, I went to a screening last week of "Snow White & The Huntsman" and it was so good. I can't wait to see it again. Definitely should check it out. 

I think I'm going to start a quilt tomorrow.

Maybe. 

I got the largest Mother's Day card ever from Henry this year. It was so sweet. It's been busy and hectic but I think I've finally turned a corner and am ready to be back in this space. We have a lot of change coming in the next few months and we are taking one day at a time. We have a fun week ahead with a birthday and an anniversary. Can't wait to share. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas out there! 

XO

I went though approx. 4 tanks of gas in about 6 days, but oh, it was so great. I drove though Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut & New York. Cooking class was awesome. Day out with Emily was fantastic. We popped into the sweetest little New England town & did a little shopping. I do confess that I bought ribbon from that very ribbon tower. Emily and Ivy- my dates for the day. Then it was back to Boston for the day (I have nary a photo). It was mostly all of us driving by our old aparments and hitting some fun local hot spots. Friday we drove down to NYC. Got in line for some tickets for a show & headed down to SoHo. I had to take a picture of the Flatiron building for the children. We have a massive black & white aerial shot of it above our couch (they were not amused.)My friend told me about this place called "Eataly" which is directly across from the Flatiron building. I don't even have words to describe. Just go. That's all I can say. Here are Roz & I enjoying some ricotta & almond gelato. That's Roz on the left, me on the right.  It was life changing. Oh and Gavin Rossdale shops there too. We saw him (so funny!)After shopping (and eating) it was time to hit the town with me & Jennie going to Mary Poppins. I can't remember now where the other gals went…. BUT Mary Poppins was great. I want to bring my children there someday. The view from our hotel in Times Square. See that yellow billboard with the red writing? That's the show they went to. I can't belive I can't remember what it is (or read it for that matter!) After that I met up with an old girlfriend (Hi, Trish!) and we caught up until nearly 2 a.m. Satuday we split up at the MET. Love that place. It was a beautiful New York day.  We popped in to Jennies favorite cookie joint , and went to my all time favorite NYC store, Dean & Deluca. Also life changing. Seriously. Ridiculious. Off to the ferry for a quick ride to Staten Island.And the views. Amazing. Then we drove home and crashed. And by crashed I mean we stayed up really late playing cards. I got killed. Darn those jokers! 50 blasted points a piece! Then a quick jont through Concord and a stop in the North End for lunch & pastries at Mikes. It was rainy outside but perfect inside with our delcious antipasto platter  & warm pasta.I came home really late last night. Re-entry has been tough. We had to be in court this am at 8:30 (we were late) then we went for a quick family lunch and now I'm packing to leave again tomorrow with the children for a week. I haven't even unpacked my Boston stuff. A quick wash & I'll repack it all again. 

Trip was wonderful & amazing. I'm so grateful for the chance to get away. Chris sent me a text on Sunday telling me that Kate said, "I can't even remember what Mommy looks like anymore". Glad to know I'm leaving life-long impressions on my children.

Off to unpacking & repacking.

xo

I took the red eye out on Monday night and landed here in Boston on Tuesday a.m. Eyes red and going on about 3 hours of sleep, I rented my car and headed straight up to Vermont for a cooking class. I'd been on the waiting list for a couple of weeks and the night before I flew out I received notice that a spot had opened up for the Bread 101 class and I was in (yeah!)The class was up at King Arthur Flour in Norwich and was so great. You know that I have always had problems with bread so I had big expectations for learning the tricks of the trade. The instructor was amazing and demonstrated how to make each type of bread and then we got to make it on our own. I was feeling so confident (and I'm not going to lie, I wanted to be the best student in the class) until the instructor came over and said she thought I might have added a little too much flour. Noooo!! But she assured me that all hope was not lost, it was nothing that a little kneading couldn't fix (and she was totally right). I learned the proper way to measure flour, which kind of yeast to buy, the correct way to knead dough, how to tell when to stop kneading the dough, and best of all, I got lots of great bread recipes. I made scones for the first time ever and I couldn't believe that I actually had 4 loaves of bread at the end of the day (I forgot the braid loaf at King Arthur).I headed straight to Em's house for some birthday celebrating (such fun) and now I'm in Boston with the girls having wonderful time staying up until 4 a.m. playing cards. Yawn.

See you soon!

XO