Giving In

Okay, so it was only a matter of time.  My Amazon order is on its way...

Dinner ideas are always appreciated and plus I love good readable cookbooks.  This one sounds like there are a lot of stories, advice and cooking tips.  

Once received, I shall write up a proper review.

Spring Break in the Valley

We took a short trip to Yosemite during the kids' spring break.  Life definitely replays itself.  Growing up, we went on countless trips to Yosemite.  But we never stayed in the valley (or at least I don't remember doing so).  


We stayed in tent cabins at Camp Curry.  

The tent cabins were pretty cool.  The roof and walls were made of thick canvas.  There were four beds in our cabin, complete with sheets, towels and blankets.

Kelly reading Camp Curry etiquette.  We couldn't have any food in the cabins and quiet hours were from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.  

The nights were cold!  But it was worth it to wake up to the beauty of Yosemite.  How Great Thou Art, indeed!


We rented bikes and cycled through the park!  

The views were breathtaking!

There was so much water - this is Yosemite Falls.

Katie in front of Bridal Veil Falls.

We had a number of mishaps but we learned a lot from this trip (double check what the kids packed because even though they have packed for other numerous trips this might be the one where they forget their shoes, bring long johns because it's cold out there, bring a thick headband so you don't have to worry about your greasy hair, bring cards and games because there really isn't anything to do once the sun goes down).


Until the next time...

Philly Eats

I don't mean to offend but what is the big deal?

True, I didn't eat it with Whiz (Cheese, that is) like the locals but I found the whole thing dry and unremarkable.  My cousin, Jason, agreed with me.  He only eats cheesesteak when visitors come to town.  I had a great time catching up with Jason.  He also took me to a cozy cafe in his neighborhood.  

I had an hour or so on my own and discovered the Reading Market.  It is your basic indoor farmer's market and offers all kinds of treats.  

I stumbled upon Dinic's.  The line was long (always a good sign).  And the pulled pork  sandwich with broccoli rabe and provolone was delicious.

  

For dessert, I had a cannoli.  God, it was good.

Philadelphia is like the poor cousin of Boston.  It's got a real neighborhood feel and the streets  are filled with people walking about, headed to work, yelling obscenities on the phone, fighting with their girlfriend.  Very lively place.

City Hall

The stairs at Anthropologie

Finding a New Love in the City of Brotherly Love

I traveled to Philadelphia this past week to attend a conference.  I do not enjoy travel especially if it involves flying.  But all the flying and waiting around gave me the chance to read.  And all I have to say is, Gwyneth, you've been replaced...

Please enjoy (warning for the fainthearted: this excerpt includes profanity. it also includes a scary real glimpse of the future of all moms with girls).


A Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter (excerpt from Bossypants by Tina Fey)

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her
When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

Handy Dandy Thursday Tip

Did you know that those plastic closures had a secret language of their own...the color signals the day the bread was baked.  

Take a look at WiseBread.

Macarons on My Mind

It was another food-filled weekend.  I need to lose weight.  Swimsuit season is coming up.  A Miraclesuit can only do so much.

Thank you for sharing these!  I usually stick to the traditional (read: boring) flavors - pistachio, vanilla, chocolate but I got to try rose and earl grey.  Earl grey was wonderful.  

Macarons always remind me of my trip to Paris (with my sister) back in 2007.  

Check the new jcrew blog out.  It is a style dream!  Who knew macarons could be inspiring.

J.Crew/770 Behind The Line: post by Dulci Cuprill, photo credits: emily, ananyah and pannadolce