A Mom’s Year – Page 52 – Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

June 25, 2012

Macarons / Sweets Bakeshop

Have you ever had a macaron? I had never heard of these fancy French cookies until Design Mom wrote about them last year. (It took me a minute to realize they weren’t at all related to macaroons.) Since we’re focusing on France this week, it seemed like a great time to give macarons a try.

June 25, 2012

Country of the Week: France / Salade Niçoise

The kids voted and the third Country of the Week is France. C’est bon!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of France I think of amazing food. But man cannot live by bread alone, c’est dommage, so this morning we brainstormed a list of What We Know or Would Like to Know More of About France. Le voilà!

(But first: The little French I know is from two sources: a) Hercule Poirot and b) two years of college French taught by a very kind young man from Sierra Leone. When I finally make it to France, I have a feeling the natives will wonder why this blonde American is speaking with a West African accent. C’est la vie! And, yes, I’ll be doing this all week. I can’t help it! C’est plus fort que moi.)

Now on to the list:

June 24, 2012

Mug of Wisdom #33 / Flannery O’Connor

June 22, 2012

Weekend Links

Here is Will enjoying his morning café au lait…sipping from the mug my mother gave me with the Jane Austen quote “There is no place like home for real comfort”…the orioles and hummingbirds flitting back and forth from the feeders to the trees…the gentle reminder that time to dream and reflect and breathe is an essential part of our day.

While we gather our thoughts and ponder the day ahead, here are some fun links for you:

A garland of star-spangled paper lanterns.
Kofte Kebabs to finish up Egypt Week.
I would have loved this kitchen cabinet dollhouse when I was small.
DIY American flag marshmallow pops.
These could change my kids’ opinions about broccoli.
Gwyneth’s tips for better flying.
DIY firework rocket favors to send home with your guests on the Fourth.
Most of my BFFs are on this side of 40, but I’ll file Jane’s idea away for when we all start turning 50.
Bookmaking would be a wonderful skill to have. I think just about anyone would love to receive one of these as a gift, don’t you?

Do you have fun plans for the weekend? We’re off to Wild Mountain for water park adventures and a ride on a giant Alpine slide—and catching up with old friends in town for the week. Can’t wait!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you’ll come back on Monday for the kick-off to France Week, plus a bunch of ideas for a great Fourth of July.

June 21, 2012

Country of the Week: Egypt / World Street Kitchen

Today the kids and I headed to downtown Minneapolis for an international culinary adventure. I’ve always wanted to visit a food truck, so when I read about World Street Kitchen it seemed like a perfect way to blend a fun summer outing with our Country of the Week.