Inquiring minds want to know....

So, here's one for you.
Why is it, that when you buy trail mix -- it's predominantly raisins?

Even the "Magical Mystery Mix" from Whole Foods - isn't that magical nor mysterious.
It's clearly, predominantly raisins.  And not just plain raisins, but yogurt covered ones as well.

So basically, I bought a container of raisins with a few nuts and chocolate chips scattered in.

I hate raisins.
HATE them.

I don't like them cooked in food...I don't like them in bagels or bread.  And dear God, don't give me plain raisins.  I do however, tolerate yogurt raisins.

And of course - wine.
But I will qualify with that I don't particularly care for Amarones (heavy raisin flavor) or dessert wines.  Outside of the cloyingly sweet flavor, I don't love ones with a raisin like quality.

Where this disdain for the dried little grape came from, I'll never know.  I remember my mother giving me the little Sunmaid raisin boxes when I was little and I remember loving them.  I don't know if I ate a bad one or what - but man, do I not like them.

And yet here I sit, eating the very un-magical and un-mysterious mix from Whole Foods.
Trying to avoid the raisins......

“We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don’ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.” — Philip Pullman

(Before I begin this post - let me just say that Angie Miller from our very own Beverly - is insanely good.  She could be the next Kelly Clarkson/Carrie Underwood.  Crazy talented....nice to see "Boston" represented for a change!)

So I recently found my charger for my Nook (which, actually was G's Nook- I bought it for him for Xmas one year, but unfortunately he was not impressed...so mine it became.)  I am definitely more of a "see, touch, feel" kind of girl with the reading experience.  I love the book store.  I love the feel of the books, the smell - and the visual of it all.

At the same time - it's almost like walking into a DSW; it's sensory overload and I don't know where to begin so sometimes....I wander aimlessly, and end up leaving empty handed. 

(Imagine, a girl leaving a shoe store emptyhanded? Yes, that is a horror.  But trust me, I've done it.)

I also hesitate to buy the "trendy" books.  A while back, I did the book club thing -- and some of the books we read, or books I read on my own that were Oprah's "must reads" were really not that great.  Disappointing even.  Of course, reading books like Memoirs of a Geisha or Kite Runner can pretty much ruin you for all other books.  Brilliant writing, whether it's in books or music can make you incredibly particular for future enjoyment.

So my question out there to any of you bloggers - are any of you on the Nook?  Are you interested in sharing books?  And at a minimum - could you share titles that you found to be interesting to read?  I'm game for just about anything but Nora Roberts types of books. 

Let me know! I'd love to start reading again....

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. - Marc Brown

I'm 5 years older than my younger sister.  
While it doesn't seem like a lot of years - it truly is.
The age difference between 10 and 5 is tremendous.
15 and 10; 20 and 15 - equally so.
By the time you're 30 and 25 it pretty much equals out and you're both "grownups" on the same page.

But I was never mean to my sister.
I might have played a prank...but I never set out to hurt her feelings, or make her feel badly about herself.  Had I known more of the people that weren't nice to her when she was younger, I'd have "kicked their asses".  I had no one to protect me, and I would've definitely protected her. 

I've never, ever laid a hand on my sister - ever.  (Trust me, there have been times when I've wanted to, but I'd never done it....)

So I don't understand the dynamic between my son and my daughter.
He's just so mean to her.

He doesn't get that he is her everything...her best friend, actually.  And that she hangs for his approval on everything. The quote I chose for my title is almost verbatim of what I try to explain to him - about how important he is to her.  I can't tell if he doesn't understand --or maybe he does get it and just doesn't care - which makes his unkindness to her that much worse.

Don't get me wrong - there are some days when they are frick and frack.  Best buddies and life couldn't be better.  But lately, it just seems like he's all about tearing her down and making her doubt herself.  He's just being mean...and that, I don't understand at all.

Of course,  I never had a brother -so maybe that's just what they do.

Anyone...?  Anyone?

What a week...

I was absolutely riveted to the television, as probably most Bostonians were this week.
We were in NYC when the attack initally took place.  While I was happy to have fun with the kids, it was overshadowed by the want to be home.

I'm usually there on Patriots Day.  It's amazingly awe inspiring watching the runners cross the finish line, and it was rare for me not to be there.  I'm very happy that I wasn't - but I can't promise I won't be there in the future. 

I am always proud to be an American.  I am supremely proud to be a Bostonian....and I always have been - and will continue to forever be - in awe of our law enforcement.  96 hours from attack to capture....not all cities would be able to pull that off. 

Boston proud - Boston strong.

Dear COWARDS,

Um.. where to begin?
Seriously, are you that stupid?
You look like young men - typical prototype for brain washing by political activists.
Throwing your lives away for what?

What?
Nothing.  That's what.

You can run - and you can try to hide - but trust me, we will find you.

Whether you are domestic kiddies influenced by international causes - or international kiddies who are just stupid - we see who you are. 
Dumbasses.

Clearly reconnaissance was not a strong suit of yours when plotting this out.
Did you really think that there aren't cameras everywhere?
http://www.fbi.gov/news/updates-on-investigation-into-multiple-explosions-in-boston/photos

Did you really think you didn't stand out?  In your Ralph Lauren baseball cap and Bridgestone Golf cap?  So very American....tsk, tsk.

I don't care what anyone else thinks - this does not feel domestic to me.  Hiding in plain sight, impacting innocent civilians, the type of bomb...I'm sorry.  I'm sensing jihad.  Sure, they could've recruited American citizen sympathizers, but my gut says this has an international feel.

If only you were SUICIDE bombers.  Ah, now that would've been cool.  Come on, the best of terrorists are willing to die for what they believe in.  What's your excuse?? Cowards.

Let's see how this one shakes out, shall we?

'Cuz I love that dirty water...ahh, Boston you're my home.."

And it's clearly not the home of the absolute morons who bombed the Boston Marathon.

Criminals, are certainly not brilliant.
And we are beyond fortunate because of that.  As devastating as this Marathon Monday was, realistically it could have potentially been a lot worse.

Thankfully, it wasn't.

Boston, while a major metropolitan city - is a small world.  We're all connected in some way.  We all know someone who was there that day, running or watching.  Injured or Safe.  Not only are we tough and resiliant, we are tightly bound.  There is a kinship amongst us that is a tie that binds us, especially during difficult times.

The people who did this atrocious act, basically just poked the bear. 
And they best be careful, because it bites.

(We were in NYC when this awful event happened.  It was hard to not be completely glued to social media, tv and cell phones.  While I was happy to be there for our family vacation, my heart longed to be home.  Funny how life happens sometimes.  One of our stores is about 1.4 mile from the finish line; and I'm usually there on Marathon Monday, after attending the Sox game - watching the inspirational runners cross the line.  So very thankful that we were in my second favorite city.....

Speaking of which - so very hard to hate the Yankees.  Class act organization, supporting so very publicly their arch rivals.)

Spirit can be found everywhere....

....but it wasn't in the front row last night.
Or the front section. 
Except for the last reading of the night which was 2 rows behind me.

The whole night was balcony & back floor.

However, I adore her.  Loved her perfume - must find out what it is.
And I loved loved, loved her shoes!
And of course - I just enjoyed HER.

She's adorable.  And while yes - I did feel that some times she was reaching, out of probably 35 people, only two of them were that way.  There was far more things that were very specific than werent. 

Besides, it's hard to interpret symbolism they way an energy may want it presented.

I always have a healthy dose of skepticism with regards to mediumship.  Not everyone has a gift. But I do believe that some people are capable and more sensitive to energy than others.  And while it's not science, nor is it religion - it's something I choose to believe in. There are alot of people out there who are just taking advantage of those who have lost someone - but she is not one of them.

As a matter of fact - I'm on her waiting list for a private reading. 
I'll be driving down there in a Long Island minute!

Supercalifragalisticexpialidoches....

I am taking a day off from work tomorrow.
I can't wait.

So, first thing I'm meeting with the owners of the building that we're thinking of opening a 3rd store in.  We've gone 'round and 'round with them the past few months but I think this round we might actually seal the deal.

Then, it's a mani/pedi kind of morning.  Followed by some fun window shopping...and then a hair appointment.  Nothing special, just a wash & blow dry...because....

After a fabulous dinner in Boston, G & I are going to see....

 

(Not the dark haired girl....but the blonde - the fabulous Theresa Caputo, aka Long Island Medium)

 

 

Love her.  Love her!

 

I hope I have some fnn news to post about after.  We're sitting front row, so you just never know....

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” - Albert Einstein

“How would your life be different if…You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day…You look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.” 

“The truest form of love is how you behave toward someone, not how you feel about them.” 

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners” 

“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you've got to give it.” 

"Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you.”

"The secret of a happy life is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for others.” 

Flowers, and grass...and patio furniture and pillows and rugs...and.....

Spring has finally sprung here in NE.
For real.

And I can't wait to get my house all prettied up again.  I'm itching to get the patio furniture out and arranged....We need a new screen gazebo for one of our decks, because Hurricane Sandy was a little too strong for the one we had last summer.  Granted, it wasn't an overly strong frame but still.  It took my father and I over 3 hours to install so...to say I miss it isn't an understatement.

I'm thinking I'm going to do a deck garden as well this year.  We have so much wildlife in our backyard that I really can't do a traditional garden.  But one one of my decks I'm thinking I'm going to go back to planting in window boxes and some pretty planter pots.  I've done onions & peppers in window boxes succcessfully - and lettuce and herbs do well in pots - as do tomatoes.  I am really looking forward to doing that.  I wish I could plant lemons!  But those are trees and truly I don't think that they'd be well suited to New England winters.  Something to think about anyway....

I've been browsing online for fun outdoor carpets for my deck, and I've decided that I really really really want to put a pergola over our hot tub.  How pretty would that be, with curtains hanging down?

Granted, our hot tob isn't a Mediterranean pool such as this - and we wouldn't use a such majestic pergola - but you get the idea.  I still think it will look pretty.  Maybe some twinkle lights as well.... We'll see.  Baby steps...

I'm just so happy to have the sun for longer during the day, and can't wait to start living outdoors again.  Coffee in the mornings....lunches and dinners in the yard....winding down in the sun room at night...evenings by the fire pit.

Winter can be fun; snug and cozy, full of delicious comfort food and fireplaced snowy days.  But there's nothing quite as good as the fresh air, and good ol' fashioned sunshine.

“Deep down, everyone wants to believe they can be hardcore. But being hardcore isn’t just about being tough. It’s about acceptance. Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to not be hardcore for once. You don’t have to be tough every minute of every day. It’s okay to let down your guard. In fact there are moments when it’s the best thing you can possibly do… as long as you choose your moments wisely.”

Today it sort of hit me that my Mother's 3 year anniversary of her passing is quickly approaching.

Actually, I spoke about it yesterday - with a sales rep - who's Mom passed away 6 years ago today.  And as a result of thinking about her Mom, I sort of tucked mine away.

I had a dream with her in it, two nights ago.  Which in of itself is really odd, mostly because I don't see people's faces in my dreams.  Except for the ones that she is in.  Which aren't many, truthfully.  This was the 3rd one since she's died.

Rather ironic, in retrospect - since she's been gone 3 years this May.
I hadn't thought of that until this very moment, as I write this.

I didn't think much about my Mom's passing until tonight's dinner.  It was rather impromptu actually; I was supposed to be at basketball practice, and I was planning on making chicken marsala.  But, G didn't pick up the chicken while he was at the store - and my Son was still not feeling well after his stomach bug the other day - and so I turned to my freezer for leftovers.

I'd made beef stew a few months back and froze what was left.  That and some biscuits were the perfect choice for this night, which still has a chill to it - even though Spring is so close we can taste it.

This stew is my Mother's recipe.  Which is actually, my Nana's recipe.  Which was often made by my Auntie Saralee -when I would sleep over her house, when I was little.  My mom made it a bit thicker, as a typical stew would be; my Nana and Auntie Saralee made it a bit thinner, more like a soup.  But I loved it all ways that it was made.  It's quintessential comfort food for me.

And as I was eating my dinner, sitting at the table with G - gazing out into the beautiful woods that are in my backyard and so beautifully seen from my table - I imagine my Mom, Nana and Auntie Saralee sitting together, enjoying a bowl of stew.

And for a moment, I felt sad....truly sad.  I miss my family, the closeness we once had - and I remembered it, and savored it - in each and every bite I took tonight.

There is a season...turn, turn....

This generational, growing older thing we call life is pretty amazing.

Yesterday, we were at my MIL's house having Easter dinner and while everyone was laughing and talking - I took a minute to pull my attention from the conversation and peek into the kitchen and watch the kids for a few minutes. 

Suddenly, they weren't 'the babies" sitting together eating.  They weren't just kids either; they were little versions of us - sitting at their table, laughing and talking.  Joking with each other, planning on what they were going to do after eating. I looked back at our table and thought, "that used to be us".  We were the "younger generation", the "kids".  And now we're all older...the 40 something crowd, with kids planning their futures.  (My oldest nephew is going to be 17!)

And it makes you realize just how quickly time moves.
And how precious it is.
And how you should cherish every stolen moment of it.....

If you could read my mind...

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."

 Abraham Lincoln

I will follow....

I don't know about you, but I'm always on a mission to find a great product to make my floors look awesome.  I have hardwood floors throughout my house, and it's an older home - so some of the floors in the rooms that have less traffic look beautiful - others, well - they need a sprucing up from time to time. 

(Plus the fact that I'm ridiculously picky about choosing area rugs and so I don't have any down just yet.  I'm working on that though!)

I've blogged about so many different floor products, and they all are good in their own right.  But I'm totally crushing on a product that I used on my garage floor in the house before this one, and it's a product that the people who clean my store use on the floors and it works amazing.  I'm not really sure why I've waited so long to use it on my own hardwood here.

Love, love, love it.
See, in my other house I had prefinished hard wood and ceramic tile, so my Shark was amazing on those floors.  I didn't even need to use anything really because it steamed it to perfection.  But the Shark isn't as good on natural hardwood floors.  I mean it cleans it amazingly, but it doesn't leave that perfect finish like it does on the prefab or tile. 

But...

Yesterday I did an experiment.  I used the steam from my Shark to apply this product and it worked beautifully!  The floors look fantastic.  Best of all, it's not sticky and dries so quickly that there's no issue if you have to step over where you polished, which isn't always the case with the other shine products I use.  And I should've known this because seriously, my floors get done monthly in my store during work hours and we all walk on them.  After almost 4 years of heavy retail traffic, my floors still look brand new when they've been polished.

The hardest part though, is that I'm Mom - not just to my kiddies - but to a 16 year old dog and 2 cats who follow me like I'm the pied piper when I'm cleaning.  Seriously!  And the best thing is that while they're walking all over my freshly polished floors, there are no paw prints anywhere.

I'm telling you - try it.  You will love it.

Latest & greatest of what's on this girl's mind....

1.  It's about time the state of MA got something right.  Kudos to the jury for sentencing murderer Nathaniel Fijita to life without the chance of parole.  I'm really tired of these sociopathic narcissisistic types like him and Jody Arias to murder their "loved" ones in such violent and heinous ways - multiple different ways, actually - and then come up with these ridiculous excuses as to why they did it.  Just own it.  You did it, you wanted them dead - so just stand by what you did.   You got what you wanted, so now you have to suffer the consequences.  And while a monster like Casey Anthony is walking free, living off money sent to her from the cult like followers who obsess over murderers, at least the state of Massachusetts made sure that this is one killer who will never walk freely again.
1a.  The caveat to the story is....my heart absolutely breaks for the parents of the murderer.  It must be equally as gut wrenching to lose a child this way, and to think that the baby you loved and nurtured and did all that you could for, is capable of committing such a horribly violent act.  There is no happy ending, and both sides have lost their child.  Yes, one side will get to hear their child's voice and see their face, but it will no way replace all of the the potential and possibilities that a full life would've possibly have held.

2.  We have additions to our fur family!  Hard to believe but we have two teensy tiny baby dumbo rats.  I know, crazy right?  Well, we couldn't resist.  They're littermates, hand raised from a breeder (not from a chain pet store where our other 2 are from; while they're fun, you can totally see the difference in personalities with hand raised furry friends.)  They're about 4 weeks old and only about as long as my thumb (excluding their tails).  They are absolutely adorable and affectionate and we love them.  Truffle and Stephano are what the kiddies named them, and we are just in love. 

3.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  So the past 24 hours has been the passing of what is probably our last storm of the season.  We got about 8 inches here where I live and funny enough - it's going to be 60 this weekend so it will probably all be gone as quickly as it came!  We all were home today, I've got a turkey in the oven and it's been one heck of a lazy day.  I'm sort of digging it, actually!


4.  I thought I kicked the pneumonia but....I think I need to go back and have my lungs checked again.  I sort of have this cough that's coming back and - I just don't feel like I've got enough oxygen sometimes.  Have you ever felt like you have to keep yawning so you can get that big burst of air?  That's how I'm feeling all the time.  It's waking me up at night, actually.  Sometimes, if I'm worried about something or upset about something and trying to suppress it, it will come out that way.  But I'm not, actually.  And it's happening so much that my back muscles are tightening up and I'm really not very comfortable.  

I can't wait to get back on my mat again and stretch it all out.  I was supposed to go this morning but...the snow put a damper on that. 

So that's all I've got for today. 
What's going on in your world?

How sweet it is....

A few months back, we gave our Breville Juicer away.
As much as we liked it - it can be messy, and we weren't using it as much as we used to.

We ended up buying a Vitamixer - which I love, love, love.
LOVE.
But.....

It's not great at making juices.
Truly.
You have to add water to make juice, which - sort of defeats the purpose of juicing, no?
So for soups, smoothies, raw vegan ice cream, it's the bomb.
But sometimes, this girl just wants to make a juice.
Greens, carrots, tomatoes....plus the kiddies like fresh apple and orange juices.

So, how excited was I when G came home with a brand new juicer last night?
Clearly, he was feeling the same way.

And - to make things even sweeter - my yoga studio added a third morning class during the week so now I can take class 3 mornings, which I'm psyched about.  That little pneumonia bout took me off my mat for two weeks now and so it's lousy to have to start over again, but I should get back into the swing of things quicker with three mornings as opposed to two.

Spring is here, you can almost smell it.
And I'm looking forward to the recharge; in the air, on my mat - and in my glass.

Dear Oscars, and other burning questions and thoughts.

Dear Jennifer Aniston:  You know I love everything about you, right?  But what did you do to your face girlfriend?  I don't know if it's Restalyne or if you modified your lip surgically but - you have this sort of puffy Heather Locklear-ish look to your pretty little self right now and I'm not digging it.  Congrats on the engagement, by the way - and your dress was gorg - but please, leave your face alone! 

Dear Pre-Show Media:  I'm not sure what all the hype was about Jessica Chastain's dress.  I thought it was okay; her hair - not the greatest.  I wasn't loving Halle Berry's dress either, maybe it's the super HD on my tv but I thought it looked heavy - and made her look portly. Well, as portly as Halle Berry can be.  Wouldn't have been my first choice - but hey, I'm not the Fashion Police - right?  I did like Jennifer Lawrence's dress, Charlize Theron's dress and to go with the non-traditional Oscar dress, I'd say that Anne Hathaway's dress was in a word - stunning.  (For the record, I could've done with alot less Kristin Chenowith (please cut her some bangs!) and Kelly Rowland was a bit disappointing as well.  Better hosts next year, please!)

Dear Seth McFarlane:  I hope they ask you back.  Sure the William Shatner thing was overdone, but otherwise you did okay.  For what its worth, I freaking LOVED the sock puppet skit.  Loved it!

Dear Ben Affleck:  Congrats on Argo.  Truth be told, it was the only nominated movie I saw.  Another truth to be told - while I thought it was a good movie, a really good movie - I didn't think it was Oscar material. But who am I, really.   I think that while it wasn't the epic time piece Lincoln was, nor the gritty and dark DJango Rules - it was a piece that everyone could relate to on some level and honestly, you don't need an Oscar nomination for Direction in order to validate your skills.  You're a far better director than you are actor, and we see that time and time again. 

Dear Oscars Producers:  Less music, more awards - less time.  While I loved seeing Barbra, and Norah and Adele - it was a bit much this year.  About 45 minutes could've been reduced and we could've just cut to the chase of what we all were looking for - the awards.

So these were just some of my thoughts, post show.  I love the Oscars - it will forever be the pinnacle that I once aspired to dream towards; and the funny thing is, sometimes deep down inside I watch and think "I can so do that...."  Give me 5 years, and I guarantee I will do it.  Ah, the words are easy to say...life has moved past me, and I've ventured in other directions.  Opportunities that are available today were not so readily available at the time when I was.   But the dream still lives inside, and will always be very much alive. 

Maybe in another lifetime....

As much as I dont love Kevin Bacon....

I DO love "The Following".
It's a pretty twisted show, for network television.

I have to keep getting past the fact that everytime they show Kevin Bacon's face I find myself saying "hmm. I really wish they'd cast someone else in this role....", but other than that it's a really unique concept.  It's going to really be interesting to see how they make it go longer than a season, because once the main plot is wrapped up - I'm not exactly sure how they can have it go on and still maintain the element of surprise.

Feeling like I'm going to cry...

Sorry blogosphere.
This girl has been flat out with pneumonia since Tuesday, and at the rate this is going--I can't imagine being better in the immediate.

Partly because the antibiotic the doctor prescribed is killing me with side effects; so I begged him to switch me to something else.

Fingers crossed that it works. I wouldn't wish this on anyone...

Lovin' every minute of it....

Did we have a fabulous time in NYC?
You betcha.
Here's the skinny on it....

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton Central Park, which was really quite nice.  The location was rocking, but I have to say if I was to compare apples to apples, from amenities to room sizes - I think I prefer the Four Seasons.  I did love the lobby lounge though, and the service was excellent.  We're going back twice in April - once with the kiddies, once without - and when we travel without, I think we may stay at the Park Plaza next.  We're thinking we're going to try all the uber fancy hotels just for funsies until we finally give in and just buy a condo.  Truth be told, my all time favorite is The Warwick.  Sure, it's not swanky with amenities, but they're huge rooms with gorgeous views at a price that is outstanding and it's perfectly located.  I think that's where we're going to stay with the kids, actually.  But it sure is fun to try them all!

So of course, the whole NE was expecting the biggest storm of the century - G and I took a 6am flight to beat the snow and were happily checked into the hotel and roaming the streets of NYC by 8:30 a.m.  Let me tell you, there is something so amazing about Manhattan.  At home, when it's sleeting and raining - you want to stay home.  In New York, you can't wait to get out there and just walk and walk and walk.  We did so much window shopping this weekend, and a little bit of real shopping as well.  I almost came home with a pair of Jimmy Choos nude peekaboo pumps; if G had his way, I'd have had those and probably a pair of boots!  But I managed to get him out of the store before the wallet came out.  Sounds silly, I know- but the practical side of this girl just couldn't let him do it.  I mean, sure - they're practical shoes - but at this time I don't go many places to wear them so...we'll save it for another time.  Thankfully, I didn't make him go into Christian Laboutin because I may have had a very difficult time saying no twice.....

My two favorite shops were probably Donna Karan and Roberto Cavalli.  I mean, we went into every place but I think as far as styles that are being shown right now, those two were my favorites.  Donna Karan has always been my preference.  Everything is timeless, classic and my God her choice of materials are just insanely perfect.  But enough gushing about shopping, let's talk food....

As always, we did not hit a bad meal.  Whether it was snacking from a little Pret a Manger, to brunch at Sarabeths, or dinner at our new favorite pizza joint in town: Don Antonio Pizza on 309 W 50th.  Incredibly fresh, creative and best of all - minimalistic in seasoning so you weren't killed with garlic all night long - it was delicious.  You must must must get the Montanara Starita - fried dough pizza.  To die for...

We also went to The Dutch in Soho on Sullivan St. for dinner which was really quite good.  Simple menu, not a lot to choose from but really creative flavor pairings.  When the portions came out I thought "hmm, I"m going to be hungry afterwards..." but really - not at all.  Just rich enough, just porportioned enough, and really well put together.  I loved the decor, sort of shabby chic pub-meets-industrial and the atmosphere was just loud enough.  Granted, we went early on Saturday night (pre-play) and we sat upstairs - so I'm sure it gets pretty amped in there as the night progresses.

Off we went to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Unbelievable seats, 2d row center.  It was a good show; Scarlett Johanssen looked beautiful, she's in fantastic shape and has quite the exhausting part in the play.  I think she did a good job all in all, as did the whole cast.  Was it as good as "Fences"?  No. There were some vocal issues I think, some blocking issues - but it was solid.  It was definitely a good show to see and I'm looking forward to our next theatre outing.  As I said, we're going back in April - one week to take the kids to the museums, etc. - and then to see the rescheduled boxing match, so....

The best part of the weekend is that we get to have quality dating time, G and I.  We're always Mom and Dad or Business Partners - so that we don't often have the time to just be G & Rebecca, hanging out and having mindless conversation about things in a store, or what kinds of things we like, or anything that isn't related to our children of businesses.  And so truly, to have nothing but a few hours of time on our side without a tight schedule to just sort of be -- was the best part of it all.

See, touch, feel, smell, taste

Chocolate pudding.  Cool, crisp, icy blue tones.  Peppermint anything.  Lemongrass oil.  Gayatri Mantra by Deva Premal.  Over the knee black leather boots.  A soft, fuzzy scarf.  Hot and spicy pickles.  Vanilla candles burning with Nag champa incense.  French inspired decor.  A warm hug.

Oh mama mia, mama mia...

What in the world is going on with Mother's these days?

I'll admit it, I've become quite the reality show fan - and Dance Moms is most definitely a guilty pleasure.  I watch it for the talent of the girls, and while at first it was funny to watch the Moms bicker, at this point - or rather, this season - I find it so disturbing how disrespectful. self righteous and rude these women are not only to each other, but to their children's teacher and most importantly - they have no filter and fight in front of these young girls!  What's even more unsettling is that this season more than ever, their teacher (whom I do like and think well of, despite her often harsh tactics) is being relatively unkind to these really little girls out of frustration towards their misbehaving mothers.

What kind of message are we sending young girls today?
We're telling them that it's okay to be catty and for lack of a better term - bitchy - to one another.  That it's okay to buck up against authority.  There's no shame in being disrespectful.
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that at all.

Women need to stick together, to be on each other's team and to support one another.
Competition can be healthy, but it's unhealthy to feed upon one another in a sporting environment.

Disrespect is unattractive, disgraceful and less than kind.  These are not traits we should be raising young women to have.

Sometimes, we can't get our own way....we can't always win....we won't always get picked....and we will often be told "no".

And as a mother of a young girl who I'm trying tirelessly to teach the importance of respect and kindness to (in a world where respect is almost a dying art)  - I can't understand how the women who are on this show can watch it back and think to themselves "yes, I look good out there....".

It's very, very disappointing.

Ah, ah, ah, ah...choo!

After what has probably been the worst cold & flu season in Boston history for quite some time - my house has been relatively unscathed.  But I have come down with a teensy, weensie cold.   I feel okay actually; I felt worse earlier this week before the symptoms actually reared their ugly head.  So while I'm not achy or sore anymore, now it's just the annoying congestion and cough.

The only upside is that it should be gone baby gone - by the time we leave for the Big Apple.

So, in a slight surprise twist - G got us front row tickets to "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" featuring the lovely Ms. Scarlet Johannassen.  (Isn't she married now?  Doesn't she have a different name?  I can't keep up with the Hollywood gossip, I'll have to Google it and see.) 

Now to hope that he doesn't come down with the cold...

Start spreading the news...I'm leaving today....

Not really.
But I AM going to my second favorite city in the world - Manhattan.

We were supposed to go for the Zab Judah fight, but the card got moved to April due to injury so...it looks like we'll be heading back there in the Spring! (That stinks, right?)  But we decided to keep our plans to spend two nights in the Big Apple (yikes!  I've never spent two nights away from the kiddies before....) and we just booked our flight and room at the Ritz.   I've never stayed there before either, and we love the Four Seasons so I'm thinking this is going to be pretty much the same.  Some people go on cruises, others buy jewlery - we stay in luxurious hotels.  It could be worse.

I'm fighting a cold...it's teetering on the edge of being full blown but between Zicam and ColdEze, along with yoga - I've kept it at bay.  I'm hopeful it stays that way!

Today was a balmy 36 degrees...you know you're a New Englander when 36 feels like it's too warm to wear a coat!  I felt like it was Spring!  And tomorrow is supposed to be even better, creeping into the 60s.  Say it isn't so...and yet it is.

I don't know if you all realize but when you're a wine shop owner, you're a professional taster - of sorts.  You kiss lots of frogs before you find princes in each price point for each style of wine.  Today, I tasted a lot of really solid wine.  It's amazing when I think about what I did or didn't like when we first opened the second store; and I thought I had a solid palate then.  Not sure what I was thinking because it's just amazing at how much I've learned and how much my palate has grown.   Some days, the reps bring wine that's just...eh, at best.  But today, there were some really exciting and interesting things.  

So here's my question for anyone out there and wanting to participate:
What's your favorite wine, and why?  What's your least favorite - and also, why.
Just for giggles...

It's been such a long time....

...or at least it feels that way.
Since I've blogged.
So here's the latest/greatest with this girl!

1.  Been quietly back to my mat.  The reason why I stress quietly is because I've done so much "stop/start" over the last 18 months I hesitate to announce it.  But I've been going for 3 weeks now and have quickly gotten back into the wanting to go all the time mode, so I'm feeling cautiously optomistic to publicize that I'm getting back into the swing of things.  Besides, I've got lots of goals this year that I'm going to accomplish and this is just one part of reaching many of them.

2.  I am totally crushing on OWater.  Mkay, so outside of the Metromint peppermint water and home made cucumber water - I'm sort of a plain jane when it comes to my water.  I like nothing sweetened or artificial tasting and there are very few water products out there that fit the bill.  My son had brought home a bottle of OWater that he bought at school and he didn't care for it.  I was surprised because it was peach flavored and he typically loves all things peach.  So I tasted it....and I'm the opposite, I don't love peach flavored things unless they're fresh peaches.  But now I get why he didn't love it.  It reminded me of Metromint in the respect that there was absolutely no sweetness, just a peach flavor that tasted real and a texture that was refreshing.  I never in a million years thought I'd be interested in peach water and yet...I'm thinking of buying a case.  Who knew?

3.  Counting down the days until G and I head to the Big Apple.  I'm trying to think of where to go for dinner while we're there and Bobby Flay's Mesa is on my list.  If anyone has any great suggestions for Manhattan "must eat" places, feel free to share.  I'm pretty sure that our 2d night will be a Peter Luger night since we'll be hanging in JayZ's crib Brooklyn.  I've yet to go but I hear great things about it from friends of ours who have.  Rumor has it - best steak sauce, ever.  I think the best steak restaurant we've been to is Shula's but we shall see....

4. Baby it's cold outside!  Listen, we're practically Floridians here since we haven't had a series of cold days strung together like this in about 3 years.  C'mon New England, suck it up!  You know it's going to be 50 in a few days.  Cold like this doesn't stick around for long....  By the way I felt like a true New Englander today when I was carrying cases of wine to a customer's car without a coat on.  It was a balmy 20 degrees out which, compared to yesterday's 5 - was practically summer!

5.  Ah yes, football season is over.  Well, there's always next year.  No worries NE Patriots - we still love you.  Besides, the game was probably fixed.  It's a much better media story to see two brothers coach against each other for a Superbowl win, along with the fact that Ray Lewis' "all drama day and all drama night" about his retirement (yada yada yada) is a much more interesting side story than seeing the dynasty of New England win once again.  Did we get beaten?  Hell yes.  The Baltimore defense was tough and they were on fire.  Did we lose calls that were game changers?  Hell yes.   But we'll live to see another day.... and not every organization truly has the opportunity to say that each year.  So we're really sort of lucky that way...

6.  And finally.... the weekend is here.  Basketball games, family visits, and relaxation.  I'm glad it's here and I'm looking forward to enjoying it!!