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A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

June 5, 2012

Meditation for a Busy Day

We can make our minds so like still water
That beings gather about us that they may see,
It may be, their own images,
And so live for a moment with a clearer,
Perhaps even with a fiercer life
Because of our quiet.
William Butler Yeats, The Celtic Twilight

{ image from North Hawai’i }

Filed Under: Inspiration Shannon Leave a Comment

June 4, 2012

Sauteed Corn and Black Bean Salad

I’m a compulsive recipe collector but sometimes the ideas I clip from magazines or spot online languish forever in The Recipe File. But as soon as I saw this recipe for Sauteed Corn and Black Bean Salad on Say Yes to Hoboken, I knew I’d be eating it soon. Like for lunch that day.

I’ve made it several times already because it’s so simple and summery and we always seem to have leftover corn-on-the-cob lying around. I’ve enjoyed it as a main dish, but I think it’d be a great side to bring to a BBQ, especially because it tastes just as good at room temperature. But beware: you’ll probably want to eat it all yourself.

Do you like cilantro? For me it really depends. It has such a strong flavor it can overwhelm some things, but I think it makes this dish.

Filed Under: Cooking Shannon 3 Comments

June 1, 2012

Weekend Links

I hadn’t been over to the Purl Bee to see what’s new in ages, so I hopped over to get some summery inspiration and came across this Tiny Triangle Dress. Isn’t it sweet? The dress is made out of Liberty of London Tana Lawn and is sized to fit a three-month-old. Although I’m sure that clever tailors could alter the dimensions to create different sizes.

I subbed at school today and got to play softball in the annual Staff vs. 5th Grade game. Very fun, but bittersweet because it’s another reminder that Lexie and her friends are moving on to Middle School. They’re all very excited about it, but ouch. You know?

Do you have plans for the weekend? It’s an All-Singing, All-Dancing Birthday Fest this weekend, starting tonight. So I’ve got to catch a second wind and get cleaned up for an evening out with the girls to celebrate one of the dearest people I know. It’s a gorgeous night, so the plan is to sit out on the dock and watch the boats go by.

While I contemplate the wisdom of another cup of coffee this time of day, here are some fun links for you:

  • This new collection of fabric designs is swoon-worthy. So many possibilities.
  • Do you have a favorite pie? Mine is key lime and I’m always looking for the “perfect” recipe. Maybe this is it.
  • Julia Child fans, you’ll love this article about her modern marriage.
  • Fun little project to make with ribbons—I like this Fourth of July version.
  • Printable owl bookmark and card.
  • DIY Father’s Day Gift Ideas.
  • I love these Teacher Appreciation Doors! Wouldn’t you if you were a teacher?
  • And while you’re there, some last-minute teacher gift ideas.
I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Please come back next week for some fun Father’s Day Gift Ideas.

 

Filed Under: Cooking, Decorating, Kid Activities Shannon Leave a Comment

May 31, 2012

Kids Activity / Duct Tape Castle Tutorial

Oh, lordy, would you look at this? It’s an Interlocking Cardboard Castle made with cardboard and duct tape! I love projects like this that don’t cost a lot but can keep kids busy for an entire day…or even longer if you’re lucky.

This project was created by Merrilee of the blog mermag. Merrilee and her kids made a castle, but you could customize the project to fit your child’s interests. A museum, or a zoo, or Hogwarts, or outer space, or a little town with a flower shop, a corner cafe, a patisserie, a bookstore (okay, that last one might be for me). You could make it as big or as small as you’d like. And when the kids (or you) are done playing with it, wouldn’t it look nice sitting on a table or shelf?

You’ll find Marilee’s step-by-step tutorial and free templates here.

Spotted at lmnop.

Filed Under: Kid Activities Shannon Leave a Comment

May 30, 2012

Movie Night Invitations

For the past few years, we’ve celebrated the last day of school by gathering with friends and neighbors at a nearby drive-in theater to celebrate the last day of school. So I was happy to see this free printable invitation at Oh Happy Day. It’s perfect!

Jordan has promised to share more great ideas for throwing your own Movie Night, so be sure to visit her blog soon.

I’m thinking about making these Fruit Roll-Up Diplomas, or maybe even these, to hand out to the kids that night. I’ll have to wait and see what kind of week I’m having before I get too carried away…

 

Filed Under: Community Shannon 2 Comments

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Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello! My name is Shannon Taylor and I’m a mom of four, originally from Minnesota and now living in Maryland. I "published" my first newsletter when I was nine, and since then, I’ve written and edited for magazines, websites, and textbooks. I started this blog when my kids were small to reflect on life, share ideas, and preserve memories. Now that my children are grown, I continue to use this space to document meaningful moments and practical ideas.

If you're in the mood for a bit of Christmas cheer, you might enjoy THE ADVENT BOX, available wherever books are sold. You can click on the cover below to learn more.

Instagram

Pandas are back at the National Zoo! We were there within days of hearing the news. 😂 Bao Li and Qing Bao are enjoying the spruced-up panda home on the zoo`s Asian Trail.

We last saw the pandas during a trip to D.C. in May 2011. I`m not sure if it was Mei Xiang or Tian Tian who firmly kept their back to us, but it was pretty hilarious. (photo #7) Not only did we get to see those wonderful pandas, but we got to spend time with Alexandra`s godmother, Amy, who was on home leave from her job with the State Department. Amy`s a fellow Midwesterner I met when we were interns waaay back in the day. (We connected watching "Northern Exposure" at Thompson-Markward Hall, affectionately known as the Home for Wayward Women.)

Be sure to put "Visit the Pandas" on your itinerary when you come stay with us in Baltimore. ❤️

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18295977556171943
Pandas are back at the National Zoo! We were there within days of hearing the news. 😂 Bao Li and Qing Bao are enjoying the spruced-up panda home on the zoo's Asian Trail. 

We last saw the pandas during a trip to D.C. in May 2011. I'm not sure if it was Mei Xiang or Tian Tian who firmly kept their back to us, but it was pretty hilarious. (photo #7) Not only did we get to see those wonderful pandas, but we got to spend time with Alexandra's godmother, Amy, who was on home leave from her job with the State Department. Amy's a fellow Midwesterner I met when we were interns waaay back in the day. (We connected watching "Northern Exposure" at Thompson-Markward Hall, affectionately known as the Home for Wayward Women.)

Be sure to put "Visit the Pandas" on your itinerary when you come stay with us in Baltimore. ❤️

My mom practiced, practiced, practiced and got to sing at Carnegie Hall for the premiere of "A Vision Unfolding" by Minnesota composer Kyle Pederson. A truly beautiful, uplifting work. I hadn`t been to Carnegie Hall before, so to visit for the first time to watch my mom perform was really wonderful.

Before the concert, we met Mom and her fellow choir member, Kathy, at Patsy`s, just down the block. The traditional Italian food was perfect on a chilly, rainy day—and it was fun to see photos of the celebrities who`ve dined there over the years, from Rihanna to Frank Sinatra (the restaurant`s claim to fame is that it was his favorite).

Mom, Tim, and Will hadn`t been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum yet, so we headed to lower Manhattan after the concert. As we walked silently through the exhibits, trying to take it all in, I was struck by the distance between the concert, "A Vision of Light," and the grief and darkness around us. I thought of the words Mr. Pederson shared in the playbill, "It is my hope that we lean into the invitation that the choir offers—that each of us might reach out beyond our comfort zone and seek to build bridges of care and connection, finding a better way of being in community." And that’s what art does—it offers light when and where we need it most.

📷: Distinguished Concerts International New York

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18047049827096632
My mom practiced, practiced, practiced and got to sing at Carnegie Hall for the premiere of "A Vision Unfolding" by Minnesota composer Kyle Pederson. A truly beautiful, uplifting work. I hadn't been to Carnegie Hall before, so to visit for the first time to watch my mom perform was really wonderful.

Before the concert, we met Mom and her fellow choir member, Kathy, at Patsy's, just down the block. The traditional Italian food was perfect on a chilly, rainy day—and it was fun to see photos of the celebrities who've dined there over the years, from Rihanna to Frank Sinatra (the restaurant's claim to fame is that it was his favorite). 

Mom, Tim, and Will hadn't been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum yet, so we headed to lower Manhattan after the concert. As we walked silently through the exhibits, trying to take it all in, I was struck by the distance between the concert, "A Vision of Light," and the grief and darkness around us. I thought of the words Mr. Pederson shared in the playbill, "It is my hope that we lean into the invitation that the choir offers—that each of us might reach out beyond our comfort zone and seek to build bridges of care and connection, finding a better way of being in community." And that’s what art does—it offers light when and where we need it most.

📷: Distinguished Concerts International New York

Is there a more endorphin-pumping experience than working out to `80s music? I don`t think so! Thank you to @natalie_dancebody and @mindi_dancebody for a truly joyful workout this morning. So much fun to dance along with two songs the Dancing Mamas tapped to back in the day at our kids` recitals: "Footloose" and "Beat It"! I hope you do this again, @dancebody ❤️🔥🎉

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18107239066486783
Is there a more endorphin-pumping experience than working out to '80s music? I don't think so! Thank you to @natalie_dancebody and @mindi_dancebody for a truly joyful workout this morning. So much fun to dance along with two songs the Dancing Mamas tapped to back in the day at our kids' recitals: "Footloose" and "Beat It"! I hope you do this again, @dancebody ❤️🔥🎉

Happy Valentine’s Day! I approach holiday greetings with more caution than I used to because I know these occasions can be painful for people who’ve lost someone. Which is pretty much everyone, especially when you get to be my age.

This day might not be the same as it was, but I hope you still have a valentine, whether it’s a romantic partner or a friend or a much-loved pet. Or yourself. We make good valentines because we know our favorite chocolate and what books we want.

I’ll always hang the Hearts on a String for any kid who’s home on Valentine’s Day, except not this year because the puppy would tear them to bits.

What a great Valentine’s message. 😅 Well. I do hope you have some treats today and you know I’m thinking of you fondly. ❤️

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18049981502173328
Happy Valentine’s Day! I approach holiday greetings with more caution than I used to because I know these occasions can be painful for people who’ve lost someone. Which is pretty much everyone, especially when you get to be my age. 

This day might not be the same as it was, but I hope you still have a valentine, whether it’s a romantic partner or a friend or a much-loved pet. Or yourself. We make good valentines because we know our favorite chocolate and what books we want.

I’ll always hang the Hearts on a String for any kid who’s home on Valentine’s Day, except not this year because the puppy would tear them to bits. 

What a great Valentine’s message. 😅 Well. I do hope you have some treats today and you know I’m thinking of you fondly. ❤️
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