It's been a while

It has been a while since I last posted. We have been busy visiting the ER, New York City, the beach, town, the pool and the list goes on and on and on.

Vaughan feel off of a chair and hit her head on the concrete basement floor. I will admit, I lost my cool when I felt the immediate golf ball sized lump that developed on the back of her skull. I mean - was that her brain material bulging from her head. Ugh, my stomach was in my throat. The worst part, we were in the basement because I was putting Stinky Pig in the wash. So, without the infamous SP to console her, things were highly stressful and chaotic. After a visit to the ER and some time to calm down - things were fine.

Alan arrived later that day - it is always so much better when he is around. WHAT A RELIEF. We had a great weekend in SH and then headed to the city - sans kids - on Monday morning.

Normal people do NOT look this happy during cab rides.

The "getaway" was great. I am so thankful to my parents - especially my mom - for providing this opportunity. I have lots of great scoop to share from our two day getaway.

This is the Epicurean Deli. We purchased 3 Christmas trees here and many a beverage. It was at the corner of our block on the village. Whenever we are back in town, we visit our old building to see the doormen.

And of course - pick up a Beard Papa -- more on that later. Now, it is time to relax....check in soon for more picks and stories on NYC!

Letter Home - The Finale

I. am. exhausted. Utterly. I had to work last night - I had a call at 6 then 6:45 then 8. I had a call this morning at 8 then 10 (all of this on my day off!). The girls were "entertaining" themselves during these calls by rumaging through my purse and scattering the contents throughout the house. There were crumples dollar bills everywhere and credit cards and my drivers license littered here and there.

I am ecstatic that you are coming tomorrow....tomorrow will not be here soon enough.

We have been swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming and swimming some more. Uncle Jared and Ellery have some "new pool tricks" to show you when you arrive. These tricks involve Ellery standing on a kick board, being lifted above Jared's head and then doing a flip into the pool. It is quite some trick.

Last night, Gagi watched the girls and Jared and I met Irena and Tokyo out at Trata. It was quite a scene. Remember the scene at Nello last year? It was reminiscent of that, with a twist that included a pole. Yikes...there was a lot of "dancing" it was painful to watch and yet we couldn't seem to stop staring.

Hurry up and get here already. I miss you.

Letter Home - Part Three

Dear A,



We are counting down the days until you arrive. In the meantime, we are having a splendid time. Ellery went to Amaryllis Farm. She fed farm animals, groomed horses and rode horses. While she was busy on the farm Gagi, Vaughan and I went to Iacoco Farm to fetch some fresh eggs. I stand by my statement that these are the best eggs ever.

I can't wait for you to see the girls in the pool. Ellery can swim all the way to the deep end and back. She is working on her dives and she can do a flip under water. Sweet V has built up quite some confidence too. She doesn't like anyone to help her in the pool. She holds onto a kick board and kicks around managing to steer quite precisely. These girls are like fish.

Ellery wants to go to the beach when you are here. She thinks you are going to teach her to surf. I didn't have the heart to correct this assumption. So, be prepared.

We miss you!

Happy Birthday Puddles

Dearest Vaughan,

It is hard to believe you are two years old today. I lifted you from your crib this morning and softly whispered "happy birthday" in your ear. You grinned and then hugged me. Two years old. You are so big now.

When we are in the pool, you don't want me to hold onto you. When you get in and out of your stroller, you insist on doing it yourself. It seems like everyday you are more and more independent. Everyday you seem to need me a little less.

But you still want to cuddle with me before bed and you still crawl up in my lap to eat dinner and you still give me good squeezes. So for now - I will cherish those.

Happy Birthday, Sweet V. Two years old today!

Letter Home - Part Two

A-

Today we woke up to the drip drop of rain on the roof. Don't you love how the rain sounds up here? It lulls you to sleep - and sleep I could all day long. Our children, however, had different plans for me. It was a tough night of sleep for sweet V - finally, I nestled her into bed with me and we drifted off quietly together (I could hear her sucking on Stinky Pig.)


The girls had a full day planned with Gagi while I worked. I felt like I was missing out on the action - but I know they like time spent with just Gagi too. I met the girls and Gagi at the library after work. As I walked over there I was reminded of the many hours you spent there studying for the CFA! Seems like just yesterday but wow - how much has changed.



We got all ready for the concert in the park tonight but it was cancelled. Sweet V was very sad - she grabbed my hand, dragged me to the front door and repeated "party, party" over and over again. They were somewhat assuaged when Maximus showed up for pizza and to play.



I know I should have tucked them in early tonight - given the restless sleep we all had last night. But we were all having so much fun catching lightening bugs and playing outside. I admit - they got to bed well after 8PM.



We are missing you terribly. Sweet dreams.

Letter Home - Take One

A,
The kids were so excited to be back at the beach house. I was surprised to hear Vaughan holla out a YIPPEE when we pulled into the driveway. Did she really remember being here a month ago?

The kids rushed the door and anxiously scurried through the basket of toys (many of which belonged to me as a child.) It amazes me that after a month, the toys are like new again.

It was sunny so we decided not to waste any time. We suited up and hit the pool and there we were stayed for the remained of the day.

The kids were all tuckered out when it was time to retire, as was I.

We all miss you....wishing you were here.
M

We made it!

We made it - relatively unscathed. The flight was good, the kids were well behaved....now I can breathe deeply. Traveling with small children is always a crap shoot. Glad that we are here!

I have been working the past few days (boo) but the girls have been enjoying the pool, the house, the town and their friends.

I promise to post some fun pics soon - Pirates, Mexican Fiestas and Fireflies..oh my!

It's too darn hot!

It is swealtering, stickly and down right unpleasant here lately. For some reason, the heat the last few weeks has really been getting to me more than usual. So I packed up the kids, packed up a lunch and we headed to the Children's Museum.



My kids L O V E the Children's Museum (Imagine It) here in Atlanta. There are the staples- the balls, the grocery store, the kitchen, the pond, the painting wall, the clay, the stage...the stage...the stage...we spent about 75% of our time at the stage. I am not entirely sure how to process this yet - but my kids really like to dress up and look at themselves. A LOT.



Imagine It has a rotating exhibit and the quality really seems to vary. Right now there is a tree exhibit (tree house, nests, etc.) We spent a lot of time there this visit. Ellery pretended to be a bird and Vaughan went up the treehouse and down the slide no fewer than 20 times.


Tomorrow we are off to Southampton and hopefully we will be greeted with cooler weather. Gagi - have I mentioned how excited the girls are to see you? Get ready for us - here we come!

Who's that Guyrl?

Where were you born?  Brooklyn, NY

Where have you lived?  New York, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, and Austria.

What was your favorite? I like them all (always the diplomat, writes his daughter)

What is your favorite color? Blue or maybe red (Coca-Cola red)

Favorite meal? I don't have a favorite (again, so flexible in his answers)

Favorite season?  The Fall  Why?  The weather, the colors and football.

Favorite way to spend a Saturday?  Attending a college football game with my family.

Favorite way to spend a Saturday night?  Playing poker (and being "in the money")

When are you going to retire?  Next year (please note, this has been his answer for the last 5 years)

How did you meet Mom?  I was her second date on a Saturday night.

How did you propose?  I didn't, she did.  Don't put that -- Mom will shoot me.  Why not?  Because it's not really true.  So what's the real story?  How did you propose?  Well, she basically said fish or cut bait.  So, I guess she did sort of propose.

How old were you when you last graduated from college?  32

What time did you get up this morning?  5:55AM

Do you have your call with Val tonight?  No, I had it last night.

There you have it.  The man, the myth, the legend.  Mr. Hugh Ripps. As Alan likes to say, the nicest man in the world.  Honestly, he is.  Some could learn from his patience and all could learn from his wisdom.  

Many Faces

This kid cracks me up.



Honestly, even when I think I have no more energy left she either says something or does something (like these faces) that change my outlook entirely.



Last week as Alan and I were getting ready for a "work" dinner she extolled "I never get to go out to grown-up dinners." Well all of that is about to change. Tonight Ellery is heading out to a 'fancy' dinner with Uncle Jared. She tried on her outfit last night:

• bra - check
• skirt - check

Um - you might need to reread that. I did write bra. She is not even four. You might also notice that something like 'shirt' or 'top' is missing from the above list.

Yes, Ellery plans on dining with Uncle Jared wearing my bra and a skirt. If that doesn't turn heads I am not sure what will.

Check in tomorrow for some photos of their adventures.

Eggplant Parmesan

My family likes to cook....a lot. Growing up, my grandmother lived in the kitchen. It seems like she was always stirring something on the stove. To this day I am still puzzled by what took so long and required so much attention. In the end, she served me and my brother the best soup the best eggs the best of whatever it was she was making.

It would be nearly impossible to come from my family and not be enchanted with cooking. It seems like every family member has some sort of specialty. Uncle Tom is famous for his homemade pizza, Aunt Susie makes the best chocolate chip cookies, Aunt Pat make homemade wine that will knock you off of your feet, my mom makes the best sliders (details on that another time).

While my brother is an excellent cook, it seems that Eggplant Parmesan is becoming one of his specialities. So when I picked up my farm fresh veggies from our CSA last week, I was excited to see a bag full of eggplant. Excited because I knew I could coerce my brother into making my family dinner!



**don't you love Jared's apron?**

Ellery is always an eager helper in the kitchen and this night was no different. She
helped her uncle every step of the way.

So, if you happen upon some eggplant and an eager kitchen assistant, try out this recipe. It won't disappoint. The original recipe is from long time family friends who are Italian and know how to do this right. Jared makes his sauce from scratch - but if you are short on time you can always use sauce from a jar.

Enjoy!

Marina
Jared's marinara sauce has no onion.

• Garlic & Olive Oil
• Fresh Parsley (Chopped)
• Some Oregano
• Fresh Basil
• Salt & Pepper
• Small can of paste
• 2 or 3 28oz cans of tomatoes

Saute (in a pot) about 3 cloves of garlic, minced, with olive oil (enough to cover bottom of pot). Saute until garlic is just golden brown. DO NOT BURN GARLIC. Add paste, stirring, then add other ingredients. After adding tomatoes (you can squeeze them as you add them in or let them break up on their own. It is up to you.) Bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Eggplant Parmesan

• Mozzarella
• Eggs
• Basil
• Eggplant
• Sauce
• Parmesan (or pecorino romano...something like that....a hard cheese)

Cut the eggplant into slices about 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick. This next step is optional and depends on time available (Put cut eggplant in a colander and salt. Let it sit for at least 30-45 minutes. This gets rid of some of the water in the eggplant. Once it it done sitting, you need to rinse it really well so it is not too salty.)

To fry the eggplant, cook in vegetable or olive oil (veg often is easier as it smokes at a higher temp). Dip the eggplant in egg wash then into the oil. Cook until light brown as it will still cook in the oven. I used two eggplants when we cooked. Place eggplant on paper towel to absorb grease.

Assemble in casserole dish by putting tablespoon or so of sauce on bottom. Then layer of eggplant. Add layer of sauce, top with chopped basil, then add mozzarella and some parmesan or similar type Italian cheese. Add next layer until done.

Cook in the oven at 350-400 for about 30-40 minutes or until cheese is melted and the dish is bubbling.