so pretty

Is there anything as pretty as a peony? I think all flowers are lovely, but a peony is my favorite. They are large flowers and they are just so very enchanting, exquisite and gorgeous! I brought a bunch of Peonies once to a friend and I paired them with some ornamental cabbage stalks. The colors looked so beautiful together and the bouquet was massive and chunky and it made such a statement, she really loved it!

Planting peonies in best in the months of September of October, and I am adding this to my "to do" list for this fall. They will be expected to bloom the following year in late spring or early summer, something to look forward to.

ornamental cabbage

getting your greens

I try and try and really try to get some greens, (any vegetables), into my meals that I serve up for my little men, and it is a struggle that really can turn meals into a unhappy time. I have learned that this should not be a place where we argue, food issues worry me. We insist that our kids always try what is on their plate, they have to at least taste what I prepare, but they are never forced to eat something that they don't like. SO, how do we get the green into their diet when they do not like eating green fooods. I sneak it! Here is an example of how I get the job done. I even managed to throw in some flax seed! I have a few other methods, but this is one that works great thus far, no complaints.  I really think another good tip is to expose them to foods that are bright in all colors, especially green on their plates  and to do this consistently, even if you know they won't eat it. It is just a good practice to show them what you eat and eventually they do like it. I am proud to say it worked with all my daughters. They love their vegetables!!!

relaxing on the beach or the park,,,

I found this on Esty. I would love this for the beach to lie on or for the park to sit on for a picnic. And there is that "blue" again, my favorite. I took the boys to the park the other day, and while they were happily playing, I laid on my back and took a look at the sky. The clouds were so clean and puffy. I remembered all those years ago when I used to stay transfixed at the clouds and make pictures and shapes come to life, only to change within a minutes time, as the cloud moved and became something else. It seems you can only really see something when you are completely relaxed. We all need to kick back now and then because we all work so hard. Do you see anything here?

egg sandwich w prosciutto

My favorite go-to wake up meal is a fried egg sandwich. I like to change it up with different ingredients to keep it interesting. This one I made starts with a slice of whole wheat bread in the toaster, cooked to a nice light brown crunchy doneness. I then topped it with mayonnaise. I cooked the egg on an iron skillet over easy on high heat with sizzling hot salted butter to give the egg some crispness on the edges. Cold sliced tomatoes, topped with tabasco, chunky kosher salt, fresh ground pepper then followed. Prosciutto is a very thin sliced italian ham, and it has the perfect texture and salty taste to be a good choice as the next ingredient. I then topped if off with fresh cool arugula! And, Voila! A deliciuos and healthy, wholesome meal.

Trends on Tuesday, Market Totes

I found these market totes that are a great alternative to plastic bags and paper bags that shops hand out every time you purchase goods or groceries. These are wonderful because they are light weight and they collapse to be flat. They would be great to have in the car as well, to store toys, extra change of clothes, driving shoes etc.! I think it would keep things from rolling around as well. I love that you can have them personalized too! Living in England, you really got the bad looks if you did not bring in your own bags to the market place. It really worked for me, I was never with out my totes. I see this starting to take place in some parts of America, it's a good thing.  Have fun shopping!

maternal expression

Mary Cassatt "the child's bath" 1893,  oil  One of the great impressionist painters

What a lovely touching moment captured here by the impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. An American painter that spent much of her time with her peers in Paris and other places abroad. Learn more about Mary, her paintings and her friends as they were part of a history that changed art forever with their art movement. The bohemians of that time. 

French Toast on Sunday

start with bacon in the oven on a commercial type cookie sheet. Just bake it while you go to work on the french toast.  

Challah bread, eggs, sugar, milk, cinnamon, dash of salt, vanilla

take a peek

dust with powdered sugar

top with real maple syrup