Life with Dylan

Month: February 2012

  • Sometimes dreams do come true

    Today I want to do something a little different. I want to thank all of my friends who have supported me and my new blog – Beautyisms.
    I really do love writing about beauty and sharing tips, sales, new products and the ideology of living a life filled with beauty.

    One person who stands out and deserves some individual recognition is Jill. Many of you know her from her blog sandy toes & popsicles – but did you know that she is also an amazing designer? I had a vision for Beautyisms and with just a few bits of information, Jill was able to make my idea a reality.

    She created some wonderful logos and designs for me to use. In one of her emails she actually said “Are you that easy? There’s nothing you want changed?” Well … no … because she nailed it on the first round of design choices. Jill took my whimsy, flirty style … added a touch of my love for Hawaii and plumerias … and there you have it.

    Thanks again Jill for bringing my vision of what Beautyisms should be to life.

    If you need invitations or logos or anything designed, I highly recommend contacting Jill Parkin. Check out her site www.jillparkindesigns.com – because first impressions say it all.

  • Reading the Classics – and Loving every minute

    Gone are the days of reading Goodnight Moon and Dr. Seuss before bed. Part of me is thankful that Dylan can read to himself because it gives me time to do other important things like wash dishes and pack lunches. However, there is a big part of me that misses laying next to him and reading aloud – the Mommy part.

    Dylan has quite a fascination or should I say complete love of reading encyclopedia type books. Anything that he can read and memorize some fact or figure is what he thrives on. Do I want to read about facts and statistics before bed? No.

    I can’t even begin to guess the number of animal books or reference books this child has in his room. Even as a toddler, he wanted reference books – not some story about a bear who lived in the woods with other animals.Trust me – I tried and finally gave in to his desires.

    Now that he is in the 3rd grade and reading more, his teacher has actually banned him from reading ‘animal-reference books’ as part of his weekly reading. Oh, the horror for him was unimaginable! That was until I came across some books in the $1 bin at Target.

    Classics. Books I knew he would enjoy because they were about animals – but not a reference book. These books would take him to far off lands and give him a new love of reading. I love that he wants to learn something when he reads, but I also want him to know the pure joy of reading a story that has a beginning, middle, and end. Maybe even a moral to it.

    The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and  Moby Dick – these are now on the same shelf with his encyclopedias.

    I never read these books growing up, so reading them together is even more enjoyable. I want to find out what happens when I turn the page as much as he does. Last night we finished our first classic novel together and Buck will forever hold a special place in our hearts – just as he did for John Thornton.

    As for the next book on our reading list, well, that’s up to Dylan. I have a feeling it will be White Fang. Whatever book he chooses, I am just happy that I get my ‘mommy time’ back at night and that he is finding a whole new love for reading.

    Of course he still loves his animal encyclopedias. Somehow they still end up in his bed at night.

    Do you read to your children at bedtime? 

  • Wordless Wednesday – On Top of the World

    Another fun-filled day at Discovery Science Center’s Star Wars Fan Day left him feeling like he was king of the world.

  • The right and wrong way to cut an onion

    I am 41 years old and I have just learned the right way to cut an onion. Yes, there is a right and wrong way to cut an onion. Not the way you are probably thinking though – this technique has nothing to do with the tears in your eyes, but everything to do with the size of your onion pieces.

    Thanks to a video posted by Tiny Oranges, I now have beautifully cut onions.

    If you are a culinary expert, then you may already know this technique – but for me – the average mom who loves to cook this was the highlight of my day.

    Watch the video over at Tiny Oranges and see for yourself. You will never dread cutting an onion again. Bring on the recipes with chopped onions and minced onions.

  • Family Time

    There is something to be said for spending time together as a family. Not just sitting in front of the television together, but real quality time together. This doesn’t mean you have to spend lots of money – be creative and think about what your child enjoys doing.

    You may be surprised at how the simplest things, like playing a game of checkers with your child, will mean more to them than spending the day at an amusement park. It’s the time when you turn off the television. Unplug from the internet. Put down the phone. (yes, I did pause to take this picture and was quickly reminded of the rules – No phone Mom) The time when you give all of your attention to your child.

    This is what they will remember. Believe it or not, children pay more attention to the times we say “Just a minute” or “I can look when I finish my work” than we think they do. And before long, they will stop asking you to look at the picture they just drew – or the LEGO creation they just made.

    Before you know it, your child will be too busy with their friends to even want to play a board game with you or swing at the park. I often wonder how my son got so big so fast – and before I know it, he will be dating and going off to college.

    This may sound far fetched since he is only 8 years old, but these past eight years flew by. So who’s to say the next eight years won’t fly by just as fast?

    Quality time can’t be bought.

    Quality time is priceless.

    How much quality time do you spend together as a family?

  • Lemon-pepper fettuccine

    I love trying new recipes and I love cooking things from scratch rather than opening a jar. Thanks to my new cookbook, I have lots of easy recipes to try out. This week it was Dylan’s turn to choose something new. Of course he chose his all-time favorite food – PASTA!

     Lemon-pepper fettuccine

    12 ounces fettuccine
    1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    1 large shallot, minced
    1 1/4 cups heavy cream
    1 large egg yolk
    1 to 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
    1/3 cup grated pecorino cheese
    freshly ground pepper

    This is an easy recipe to make that serves 4 people and only takes 20 minutes from start to finish.

    As with any pasta dish, some yummy crusty Italian bread is always a good addition.

    1. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and cook the fettuccine as directed on the package. Drain and save about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
    2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and a pinch of salt, cook about 3 minutes – stirring occasionally until lightly golden brown. Whisk the cream, egg, and lemon zest together in a bowl. Reduce heat to low and add the cream mixture and cheese to the skillet. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
    3. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved cooking water to thin. Serve in pasta bowels and top with more cheese!
    This turned out so good and the sauce is perfect – not to thick and just the right amount of flavor. It’s not too rich either like some cream sauces can be.

    Recipe from Food Network Magazine Great Easy Meals Cookbook

  • Wordless Wednesday – My week in food

    My week in food via Instagram. Not sure what it is, but food just looks better with Instagram.

    Shop Dylan's Candy Bar for Valentine's Day!