A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Greetings from D.C.

We’re having a great time in Washington, D.C. The city still enthralls me with its beautiful buildings, flowers and trees (azaleas and dogwoods are blooming!), and history. We enjoyed delicious seafood last night in Annapolis with friends from my Special Olympics Intl. days. Today we had a truly wonderful private “tour” of the Pentagon with Papaw (Tim’s dad). My favorite moment was walking with our best manners down the corridor that houses the office of the Secretary of Defense. We glanced in as we walked by, but there was no sign of him. A friendly assistant did wink at us, though.

We also enjoyed a tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. I’ve never been there even though one of our dearest friends works there. It was wonderful to see Julie, who managed to look beautiful as always despite hosting a four a.m. tea party in honor of the Royal Wedding. I was tempted to go, but couldn’t imagine trekking around the District on so little sleep. But I’m sure there’ll be lots of coverage to watch online.

Tomorrow we’re off to the National Zoo with Amy to see the pandas. A kind reader (who’s a D.C. native) let us know that there are baby lions there, too. And we’d also like to get a closer look at the memorials. We’ve driven past them a few times (including once at night, which is so dramatic), but now we need to walk around and really see them.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We’re hoping that spring will finally have arrived for good by the time we get home.

Peeps S’mores

I love that at my age I just learned something new to do with Peeps. Peeps S’mores! All those Easters and I never once thought of making Peeps S’mores. Are you a Peep eater? When I was a kid I could inhale them, but now the thought makes my mouth pucker. But add a little chocolate and we’re talking. Angie at Eclectic Recipe posted how to make them here.

I started looking through her other recipes but then remembered I’m supposed to be packing. But I’m going to go back and finish reading how to make Whiskey in a Jar Chocolate Cake. I think it might be gluten-free! (Can you give an eight-year-old Whiskey in a Jar?) I also want to try out her Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Bars as soon as we get back. They’re healthy!

{via Say Yes to Hoboken}

LMNOP Magazine

I found a fun (and free) online Australian magazine today called LMNOP. The publication’s mission is “to show you how to laugh, make, nurture, organise and play—with the best of everything right at your fingertips.” The spring issue includes lots of trendy products, of course, but the pages are also full of fun craft ideas, interviews with children’s book author Mo Willems and a mom who runs her own baking business out of her home, a travel story about Copenhagen, and an adorable photo spread of layette items that made my ovaries ache.

But what really got my attention was a book review of The Giant Jam Sandwich. I had no idea anyone else even knew about this book. Have you read it? It’s about the residents of a small English village called Itching Down who find themselves invaded by four million wasps one day. It’s up to the villagers to work together to get rid of the pests. (Am I giving anything away when I say that the solution involves a giant jam sandwich?) It’s one I read over and over as a child, and now my kids read it, too, whenever they visit Grammy’s house.

I know that magazines like this aren’t exactly an accurate reflection of real life (at least not our scruffy one), but I do think it’s fun to get a glimpse into what’s happening with kids and their families in Australia. Or at least the super-cool and hip ones. The magazine also has a blog that features these Miniature Bird Baskets. So cute! I’m bookmarking them for next Easter.

What Would You Do in D.C.?

Easter has been put to bed and now it’s time to get ready for our trip to Washington, D.C. We’re taking a long weekend to visit Tim’s dad, who lives just outside the district in Great Falls, Virginia. We’re also looking forward to several mini-reunions with friends. One of whom will be heading off to the Middle East in June as a new member of the Department of State. She’s one of those people you’re glad to know because they’re always doing something amazing.

I love D.C. for many reasons. The best one is that I met Tim there nineteen years ago this Fourth of July. And I love the city’s beauty and energy and diversity. My first visit was during spring break one year when I was feeling a little adrift. I’d transferred from a small college to the University of Minnesota and hadn’t quite found my stride yet. But I remember walking down Embassy Row, soaking in the sense of possibility, and knew that I needed to be part of it. So I went home, kicked myself into gear, and ended up returning for an internship the following winter. Have you ever had a moment like that—an epiphany—when things suddenly became focused and you knew just what you wanted or needed to do?

We’re planning our itinerary now. What usually works best for us on trips is to let each kid pick one thing to do. Lexie wants to visit the National Archives because a book she just read and liked a lot takes place there. Will wants to visit the Air and Space Museum. Lily wants to see the pandas at the National Zoo. Andrew said he’ll be happy visiting Papaw at the Pentagon and Julie at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We’ll see how much we can squeeze into three-and-a-half days!

Have you been to Washington, D.C.? What did you like best? If you only had a few days to see everything, what would be at the top of your list?

Cafe Latte Turtle Cake

I worked at a wonderful little restaurant called Cafe Latté one summer when I was in college. It was in a fun, trendy neighborhood in St. Paul and had lots of great salads, soups, breads, and desserts. The best part was the coffee drinks. This was before coffee shops became popular, so things like espresso and cappuccino seemed very exotic.

One of my favorite desserts was the Turtle Cake. Layers of rich, dark, coffee-infused chocolate cake with gobs of chocolate frosting between, caramel oozing down the sides, and crushed pecans sprinkled on top. I made the cake yesterday for our Easter gathering and thought I’d share the recipe with you today. It’s really easy to make, but feels special—my favorite combination!

Cafe Latté is still going strong. It’s doubled in size and has a pizza and wine bar now. We don’t get up there very often nowadays, but when we do it’s always worth the trip.

Cafe Latté Turtle Cake

Ingredients:
1 egg
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups flour
1-3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup hot coffee

For the frosting:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
5 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup caramel topping
1 cup toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease three 8-inch pans. Combine the egg, oil, and buttermilk. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Combine the egg mixture and the flour mixture, mixing well. Slowly mix in the hot coffee. Turn into the prepared pans and bake for about 20 minutes. Check often to make sure the cakes don’t overcook, using the toothpick method. Frost when cooled.

For the frosting, mix sugar and milk in a saucepan, then add butter and bring to a boil. Put chocolate chips in a bowl, pour the hot mixture over them, and mix until smooth. Spread frosting between each layer and on top of the cake. Drizzle caramel topping over the frosting on the top layer and crunch toasted pecans over the caramel with your hand.