...as I was wiping Jack's mouth tonight with a napkin, him grimacing, it hit me: Wow, I'm like really a mom. Other people surely recognized it. I typically get some kind smiles and sympathetic looks when I'm in public with my feisty but gosh-darn cute little guy.
As I take stock of my life currently, I am really, truly a mom of a toddler:
1. I have a crush on Chris from Sesame Street (yes, I have admitted that before on this blog).
2. I often eat dinner at a small blue plastic table.
3. Sippy cups in my purse are a common occurrence.
4. 7:30 a.m. is "sleeping in."
5. I typically have company when I'm in the bathroom.
6. I think I should buy stock in Goldfish crackers.
7. I check out other people's strollers at the zoo.
8. I've had my picture taken with a costumed character in the last 30 days. Twice.
9. A journalism major in college, I hear myself saying things like, "You gots it!"
10. I'm exhausted.
Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my mother-in-law, my sisters, my wonderful friends and family! You help me to be a better mom, friend and, altogether, better person.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Simple, elegant dinner
Ina never steers me wrong. Tonight, to continue the ongoing celebration of our 5th anniversary, I made Jeremy rack of lamb. Oooohhhhhh....it sounds so fancy but, gentle reader, it's actually very simple. Seriously, the hardest part was paying for the lamb at Whole Foods today (it's expensive). I did get the distinct pleasure, however, of having Jeremy order the lamb from the butcher, making sure it was "frenched."
Serves 6
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 racks of lamb, "frenched" (see note)
Directions
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 racks of lamb, "frenched" (see note)
Directions
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the salt, rosemary, and garlic until they're as finely minced as possible. Add the mustard and balsamic vinegar and process for 1 minute. Place the lamb in a roasting or sheet pan with the ribs curving down, and coat the tops with the mustard mixture. Allow to stand for 1 hour at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Roast the lamb for exactly 20 minutes for rare or 25 minutes for medium-rare. Remove from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then cut into individual ribs and serve. Note: "Frenching" refers to scraping the meat off the tips of the bones. Ask your butcher to leave 1/8 inch of fat on the meat.
Paired with a glass of Bordeaux, it was the perfect Saturday dinner.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Sweet treats in Lincoln Park
The gang at Floriole Cafe & Bakery never disappoint. Jeremy, Jack and I enjoyed their baked goods at the Green City Market - snacking on sweet raspberry teacakes - all last summer. They recently opened a storefront in Lincoln Park, and I took Jack for lunch today.
The space is airy, light and modern. Exposed brick walls, stainless steel and a beautiful reclaimed wood table are all highlights. "This is just like Gack's house," my pint-sized lunch date declared. (I wish!) The cafe features two levels with lots of sunlight on the second level. On the first level, there is a big window to see into the kitchen. The cafe has counter service, and I ordered a pizzette with grape tomatoes and basil for Jack and an egg salad sandwich for myself. The bakery case was filled with cakes, tarts, pots de Creme (a silky custard dessert) and cookies, but Mommy resisted. Jack loved his mini-pizza, and my egg salad was mustard-based and was topped with fresh spinach leaves. Floriole uses many seasonal, local ingredients, and they bring a lot of creativity to their work.
They are child-friendly with booster seats at the ready and a very snazzy stainless-steel changing station in the bathroom. This is the perfect place for a steaming cafe au lait and a decadent croissant in the morning or for a salad, sandwich or piece of quiche for lunch. It caters more for the girlfriends getting together to talk or to work on your laptop (they have free wifi) but I totally felt comfortable being there with my young son. Their prices were a bit high but hey it's Lincoln Park. Get thee to Floriole and be sure to try the teacakes.
Floriole, 1220 W. Webster, Chicago
Open: Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. -3 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; closed Mondays
The space is airy, light and modern. Exposed brick walls, stainless steel and a beautiful reclaimed wood table are all highlights. "This is just like Gack's house," my pint-sized lunch date declared. (I wish!) The cafe features two levels with lots of sunlight on the second level. On the first level, there is a big window to see into the kitchen. The cafe has counter service, and I ordered a pizzette with grape tomatoes and basil for Jack and an egg salad sandwich for myself. The bakery case was filled with cakes, tarts, pots de Creme (a silky custard dessert) and cookies, but Mommy resisted. Jack loved his mini-pizza, and my egg salad was mustard-based and was topped with fresh spinach leaves. Floriole uses many seasonal, local ingredients, and they bring a lot of creativity to their work.
They are child-friendly with booster seats at the ready and a very snazzy stainless-steel changing station in the bathroom. This is the perfect place for a steaming cafe au lait and a decadent croissant in the morning or for a salad, sandwich or piece of quiche for lunch. It caters more for the girlfriends getting together to talk or to work on your laptop (they have free wifi) but I totally felt comfortable being there with my young son. Their prices were a bit high but hey it's Lincoln Park. Get thee to Floriole and be sure to try the teacakes.
Floriole, 1220 W. Webster, Chicago
Open: Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. -3 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; closed Mondays