What Jen’s Drinking Friday…

by farrah on February 10, 2012 · 0 comments

Cigar Box Malbec 2010 (Malbec-red)

So I was at my in-laws’ for dinner and we were all waiting for my husband, who was stuck in traffic coming from work.  Normally I have a rule that I never drink on an empty stomach, because experience has shown me (and driven home that point painfully hard) that doing so leads nowhere good. No sirree, Bob. So when my Mother-in-Law offered me a glass of wine, I thought I’d have a sip or two and save the rest to drink during dinner.

I was handed a glass of red wine, and I didn’t even bother to ask what it was. I took the requisite sip, and as I was about to retire the glass until the meal was served, I realized I was hooked, immediately looking for the bottle to find out what it was.

Cigar Box Malbec. Something I never would have picked out.

Not that I have anything against cigars. In fact, I kinda like the smell of a nice cigar and have even been known to puff on a stogie once or twice in my day.  And I actually really like Malbecs as a rule. But let’s face it, the label was, well, ugly, and I was clearly not part of the target demographic.  A look at the website confirmed this, proclaiming “Show Everyone How Swanky You Really Are,” followed by verbiage full of bravado and machismo. Yeah, not my style. Or even my gender, really.

But I gotta tell you, this is a really good wine. The winemaker describes it this way:

Sourced from a single vineyard, the grapes for this wine were bunch selected and hand harvested. The wine displays aroma of ripe plum and violets along with subtle hints of vanilla. Of great structure, this wine stands out for its meatiness and intense rich flavor while a soft silky finish balances the overall experience. Drink with grilled meat or salmon, or alone in your room with the door locked… you are the boss!

Well, my three-year-old makes it clear that I am not, in fact, the boss, but cheesy marketing and unattractive label aside, I was really digging this wine. The plum and vanilla notes were rich and dark and oh-so-smooth, and I just kept wanting more. So much so that before I knew it, I had broken my cardinal rule of No Alcohol On An Empty Stomach. Luckily I stopped myself before things got too ugly (although I may or may not have posted something a little too sappy on Facebook), but it was a close one.

So give this one a try. It retails for around $10. Just make sure you have a snack first, because you will want to down this stuff by the glassful. And I can’t be responsible for what happens if you break The Rule of the Empty Stomach.

This is Jen’s second round on What I’m Drinking Friday… and I think she pretty much rocks it. Let’s hope she keeps finding new stuff to share with us!

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Being Chic…Who Me?

by farrah on February 9, 2012 · 4 comments

Ok…so where’s a mom to start? With regard to fashion/style- that is.

One that isn’t in the workforce, so pretty much out of touch with people. I might even go so far as to say one that has been living in a cave for the past four years or so. Because in reality, that’s how long it’s been since I have bought ‘real’ clothing.

To be fair, I was never a ‘fashionista’ to begin with-I don’t profess to know anything except not to tight roll my pants. The extent of my fashion resume included hoarding Kate Spade purses back in the days when I had money (ie single/no kids/could be irresponsible). But I like to think that at the very least I somewhat paid attention to what the mannequins were wearing at the local mall or stores I frequented- so I at least could ‘fake’ like I knew what I was doing.

This all said- I am now 36, done having kids and do not plan on a body expanding pregnancy again. I would *like* to return to the world of ‘Hey, I am trying to pass myself off like I know what I’m doing and then some’.

Do you know what I’m talking about?

In an effort to thwart this onslaught of mediocre motivation when it comes to fashion- I have joined All Things Chic and become a part of their blogger community. This couldn’t have come at a better time considering I am about to be a voice singing the praises of S2 Jeans. They’ve partnered up with me for an upcoming conference and I am THRILLED. These are boutique jeans, QUALITY jeans, and not even in the same ballpark as the dreaded ‘Mom jeans’. I want to do them justice and think that with some more fashion sense I could do myself some justice too.

So- if you’re interested in becoming a wee bit more fashion smart, join me as I hope to share things I’ve learned, practical tips and tricks and finds along the way. I am starting at the bottom so if that sounds about where you’re at, I hope you contribute too. It’s hard being a mom, and this is something we can do to perk ourselves up a little! No worries- pretentious snobbery is strictly forbidden.

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Tag…I’m It, You’re It…They’re It…

by farrah on February 9, 2012 · 10 comments

This is a chain letter. If I didn’t respond in kind within 48 hours, my laptop was going to blow up and I would never have any more children again…wait. Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

Kidding. First of all, this isn’t a chain letter- this is a little blogger fun with a Q&A and a ‘tag you’re it’ thrown in. Answering these questions aren’t going to be hard…what’s going to be hard is coming up with 11 worthwhile questions for those bloggers I want to tag. Because- you know- I know they’re busy and all, but dangit- I want at least 3 of them to comply. Maybe I should enclose a threat at the bottom?

Anyhow. Here are the questions that I received from Cynthia at Commonplace Crazy. She’s rad. If you follow her please also follow her daughter Alyssa so that you can get the full experience.

1. How and when did you start blogging? I started blogging in spring of 2010. I did it initially to get extra entries in blog contests and giveaways while I was on bed rest. Totally paid off too as I won a LOT of stuff. You can too if you just lay in bed all day and blurp around on the computer!

2. What are your greatest hopes for your children? That they find true love. If they are lucky enough to find the person that loves them as much as they are loved- I do not care their gender, race, religion, what have you. I would probably draw the line at serial killer, but all of that other stuff is a-ok with me.

3. What stands between you and achieving your dreams? My lack of motivation and organization (in the professional sense) but I have pretty much achieved all of my dreams in the personal sense.

4. Whom do you try to model your life after? My dear sweet Gram who passed away in December. I think about her all of the time and I feel very blessed to have her in my life until I was 36 years old.

5. What career would you like to have if you couldn’t have the one you do now? Well, my ‘career’ is a certified English teacher 9-12. If I didn’t go back to that, my kids were totally self sufficient and my husband wouldn’t find someone new I’d love to be a travel writer. I have a tremendous crush on the life of Anthony Bourdain.

6. Describe yourself/ your personality using a metaphor. A leprechaun prancing through life.

 7. Who should play your part in the movie about your life? I would insist on Drew Barrymore.

 8. It’s your last meal on earth, and you can have whatever you want. What is it?  A huge lobster tail, The Broken Heart Clubfoot Sandwich with dill bread, A Slim Jim from Big Boy, and probably a large icy Coke.

9. What’s the most wonderful thing about your spouse/significant other? What isn’t? Honestly it’s that he ‘gets’ me. Completely. No one else would still be married to me after 6 years if they didn’t!

10. What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen or heard today? A very funny twitter exchange with a typo involved beween @ALSFM and @HouseTalkN . In a nutshell someone asked if they could do someone elses followers. It was very entertaining.

11. What’s your worst bad habit? Using my Iphone to check twitter and email!!!
The Rules:

• You must post these rules.
• Each person must post 11 things about herself on their blog.
• Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
• Choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
• Let each blogger know that you have tagged them.

Ok, so I’m tagging:

Sara at Periwinkle Papillon

Jes at Stilljes Blogs 

Jlweinberg at Kvetch Mom

Kerry at New2two

Kristen at A Little Something For Me

Shannon at Peace, Love & Poop

Ashley at Freckleberry Finds

Kiley at Cherry Blossoms {the blog}

Greta at Not Enough Patience

Jessica at Four Plus An Angel

Danielle at Serendipity Mama

So lucky 11- here are your questions..remember you get to make up the ones for your 11!

1. Where is your favorite place in the world to vacation?

2. If you went to the doc and were told at your ultrasound you were pregnant with (surprise!) twins- what would be the first words out of your mouth?

3. If you had a twin, what would want their name to be?

4. Would you want an identical twin? Would you dress alike?

5. What’s a piece of advice you would tell your best friend if she just told you she’s about to have twins (in addition to her other children)?

6. Besides being a fantastic mother (because you are)- what is something you have done that you are proud of?

7. What do you think is the message you’re trying to send to your readers with your blog?

8. Is there anything you won’t blog about?

9. What were you doing 10 years ago?

10. What is your guiltiest pleasure?

11. Who are three bloggers you think everyone should be reading?

If you’re a reader, pick a question and anawer it for me! I’d love to know something I don’t already about you!

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Panic At The Car Wash

by farrah on February 8, 2012 · 8 comments

So this is NOT going to be a ‘Wordless’ post as I need to explain what happened here today.

I picked B up from preschool and he said over and over ‘Car cleaned! Get car clean!!’- so being the good mom that I am I drove straight to the car wash instead of home. Once in the line I realized I forgot my wallet- so I had to back up and explain to my hysterical child that I had no money.

If you’ve ever tried to explain this concept to a 3 year old- you know how that went. So, I promised everyone I would just run in really fast (not to mention drive 10 minutes there and 10 minutes  back) to grab the wallet. Glory day, everyone was all smiles on the way back to the car wash.

We get back to the gas station car wash and none of my cards work in the machine. Instead of assuming we were broke on all counts (which did indeed cross my mind at one point) I pulled up to the gas station, locked all children in the car and waited in line behind someone who was from Germany and had no idea what he was doing buying a lottery ticket for the first time in his life.

After much scowling/huffing and puffing another attendant waited on me and I bought my $5 express wash. I returned to the car to joyous shouts and jubilant yelps that we were on our way to Car Clean! I really don’t recall if the twins had ever been in a car wash before at this point  (they had not).

The following pictures are from the car wash that they were so excited to experience:

A serious tone settles over the car...

The machines start to whir....

Panic starts to take over!

HOLD ME!!!

Ok, so I don’t really have a crazy last shot because my kids were freaking out and I had to put the camera down. It was hard enough not to laugh because they really thought it was THE end of the world and I seriously contemplated just gunning it and leaving a trail of bubbles all the way back to the house. Of course, once we hit the exit, all were smiles and cheers again for another  ‘Car Clean!’.

Whew. Another adventure and lesson learned under my belt. Kids don’t know what they’re talking about.

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Guest Posting At Momma’s..Come Hang Out!

by farrah on February 7, 2012 · 0 comments

I’m hanging out over at Momma Be Thy Name today- please come over and say hey. I don’t want her to think I don’t have any friends.

I was having many issues yesterday with the server- so if you missed my post from yesterday, please check it out. You’ll learn about someone you really should get to know!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a WW pic. Enjoy your Tuesday!!

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An Inspiring Kvetch

by farrah on February 6, 2012 · 9 comments

A new blogger friend named Kristen at A Little Something For Me  has a pretty inspirational blog and she thought she would do a ‘Who Inspires You’ link up. I liked the idea very much- but  had to ponder on who the most inspirational person is in my life right now. I’ve been chewing on this theme for almost a week. I’m surrounded by pretty awesome people- from those in my Most Amazing Moms Group, to my husband, and to my friends near and far- all of these forces are pretty inspiring and I know I’m a lucky lady.

But I kept circling around back to one person. One person that I really just ‘met’ and started interacting with. Frankly, she is blowing my mind. It seems like every time I figure her out (at least to some degree) she slams me in the face with something that I didn’t expect. Needless to say, she is picking up quite the following- which is well deserved. She’s a phenomenal writer, an amazing woman and turning out to be someone I can call a friend.

I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Kvetch Mom. I suppose I will have to give credit to that  Mommy Shorts since I really think it was a tweet of hers. I am one of those people that actually check out  the #FF (Follow Friday) recs on twitter from those I read and respect the most. I’ve found some pretty awesome people that way, and Jennifer is one of them.

She has a blog called Kvetch Mom. If you’re someone that is just getting started in the actual reading of blogs and looking for some quality content- I cannot say enough how you need to stop, right now- and go to her blog. Pick a post. Any post. You will see what I mean. GO.

It’s not just her topics even though some are so relatable you find yourself saying ‘Oh yes- I DO that!’ (Starbucks anxiety, anyone?) it’s how she writes. She can craft a story that makes you want more. You want to keep reading what she has to say- because it’s, well, interesting. On paper we’re two differnt women with very different backgrounds- but somehow she makes me feel like I know her well.  Some times I might not have a personal experience with what she’s talking about- but it’s the last thing on my mind while I’m reading. When was the last time you felt like that?

I don’t even really know where to start with my favorite posts of hers- so I will let you poke around and decide for yourself. As you will find out- she gets quite a few comments, and probably interacts with as many (if not all) as she can. When I can, I comment and I don’t worry about saying something profound even though the company she keeps can be just as intimidating. It doesn’t matter who you are- we all want to say ‘Thanks for writing this’.

So I’ve established that she inspires me as a writer. That’s obvious. She’s fantastic at that…but second she inspires me as a friend. These days  whenever I jump on Twitter (which is becoming more and more often) I see her saying something kind, genuine, supportive or funny (many times it’s all of that at once) to someone else. She doesn’t hold back- she jumps in (which I love) to a conversation if she has something to contribute. There is no false pretense there- she isn’t faking it. She isn’t trying to hard- she just is. And before you know it she’s one of the regulars that you look forward to catching online. It comes out of nowhere and she’s someone you instantly feel like you can talk to . I have wanted that kind of ease my whole life.

Finally- I have to say that she inspires me as a woman. Take away her gift as a writer, her natural ease as a friend- she is at bare bones a woman that I find I want to be more like. She is tough- she is a cancer survivor. She is a wife and a mom of three. She is brave and strong and honest- but FUNNY. Honest to goodness FUNNY. She somehow makes that post about her cancer funny. What the hell?! My guess is that I don’t even know the half of it, so I look forward to reading more. But really I don’t have to tell you this…because hopefully you have forgotten all about me and my post here- and are now lost down the rabbit hole learning about her yourself.

Who inspires you? Go link it up!

Follow Kvetch Mom on twitter @jlweinberg..

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What Kristen’s Drinking Friday…

by farrah on February 3, 2012 · 2 comments

Kristen is yet another member of the Most Amazing Mom’s Group (we like to drink!) and I am lucky to call her my friend. She is a teacher and a mama to a gorgeous little girl. I love her sense of style in all things- fashion, food and Bachelor episode critiques.

The Sofia Riesling 2010, Francis Coppola Winery

So, I was at Target the other day buying diapers and fruit snacks and I wandered through the wine aisle.  I saw this absolutely beautiful bottle of white wine and thought to myself, could this wine possibly taste decent?  I have been burned before, and have learned the lesson that cool bottle usually means terrible wine.

But this bottle was just so pretty. Look at that neck, so graceful.  I just knew the wine would be light and delicate (or absolutely un-drinkable!).  And at only $14.99 (which is about $7 more than I usually spend!)  I went for it.

My husband laughed at me when I waxed poetic about how pretty it was, but was pleasantly surprised by the taste. For once my wine instincts were spot on, it WAS light and delicate!  I would describe it as crisp with subtle fruit favors.

Here is what the winery has to say:

 Our Sofia Riesling dazzles with full, ripe fruit flavors balanced by a vibrant acidity. Off-dry in style, this Riesling has an intoxicating perfume of pears and apricots, along with luscious flavors of white peaches, green apples, and a hint of pineapple.

We paired it with an asian honey sesame chicken dish and it was the perfect foil for the pepper kick in the chicken.

If you like a nice crisp Riesling (or have a burning desire to make a 10th grade wine bottle candle holder!) this is a great option.  Cheers!

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My Mini Van Is My Sanctuary

by farrah on February 2, 2012 · 16 comments

I was one of those people that emphatically shouted “I will never drive a mini van..NEVER!” I was going to be a ‘hip’ mom tooling around town in an almost off road vehicle (for all of that off road driving).

Haha.

The day we turned in our cars was one of the saddest that I can remember. In fact, the car dealership guy told my husband and I that we were the two most depressed people he had ever seen buying new cars. Well, we were both saying goodbye to our SUVs. It was a sad day.

But nothing else was going to work. I was going to have three in car seats and run them around by myself most of the time. I wanted electric doors. DVD players for the drive north (oh yes, another one of those I will NEVER statements rescinded) and lots of room.

And whattya know? I freaking love my minivan. It’s luxurious- if that’s possible for a minivan. It’s roomy since we put one of the captian’s seats down (stow and go baby) and we can move around (or bust out a potty) if we need to. B and C are in the third row because L and B can’t seem to get along- but it’s no prob because WE HAVE THE ROOM.

So, for these reasons I love my mini van….but I also love it for other reasons too. Simply put, it’s my sanctuary. I can buckle everyone in, know they’re safe, and zone out. I can completely tune out of their chatter and needs and whines and wants and just drive- you know why? Because it’s not safe for me to do ANYTHING but focus on the road. And you better believe I do!

Twice we have had such awful mornings that I pack up the gang and hit the road early just to drive around. Getting on my nerves? Sweet! We are leaving for pre school an hour and forty-five minutes before we need to! How about some coffee? Why don’t mind if I do! Guess what? I can drink it, at my own pace without anyone knocking it over! It’s awesome!!!

Unless…….well, unless SOMEONE just isn’t going to be quiet and look out the window. I had that on Tuesday. It was one of the two mornings that I  packed everyone up just to get them strapped in the car and go- I was not happy. He fussed and cried and carried on- which was not fair because we were in MY SANCTUARY!

Do you know that once I drove four hours round trip- to see my friend for dinner? Just for dinner. I didn’t mind- in fact I was giddy at the thought of spending that much time with my thoughts, no computer in my face or child in my ear. Delightful.

Sometimes our mom sanctuary doesn’t always work out though, this I know. My shower is occasionally my sanctuary, but as I read a really funny tweet yesterday from Alicia @Napshappen: “Nothing makes your ten minutes in the shower more relaxing than two boys banging on the frosted glass, yelling “I see you, Mommy!”"

What’s your sanctuary?

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Potty Training Drama (WW)- The Brothers’ Perspective

by farrah on February 1, 2012 · 10 comments

Oh hey. What's this? People are in the bathroom without us??!!

Oh Hell No.

Don't just sit there woman! DO SOMETHING!

My husband is in there with the oldest. Usually that’s me in there and them wailing/banging on the door. Sigh. Why do animals and small children think there is an escape door in the bathroom? I wish!

To clear up any questions- yes, that is my yoga mat, and it is now a floor runner. Second, my child likes to wear bibs as capes. Third, the weapon of choice for Chase is a box of Eric Carle animal flashcards. Very effective when you need to bang on a door.

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Guesting Over At New 2 Two Today!

by farrah on January 31, 2012 · 1 comment

I’m over at New 2 Two today… I wrote a really great post (if I say so myself).

Go check out her blog. She has twin girls. She’s funny and dealing with what we all are. Her pictures alone are worth the trip!!

See you tomorrow. I have a pretty funny Wordless Wednesday pic- finally!

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