Forty for 40: #3 - Family Dinners...Bread + Cheese + Your Pantry = Easy, Delicious "Gourmet" Grilled Cheese

I know the time is fleeting for us to have sit down family dinners on a regular basis. Heck, (most)Ms, Ts, Ws, THs are already shot right now and it's not even due to the kids' schedules! It's only going to get worse.  But, I do love to cook, so I'm taking advantage of the times we do get to sit down together.  Here's how we threw together a fun night of cooking together...

A Ctown culinary favorite is Melt Bar and Grilled, which married outrageous combinations in grilled cheese sandwiches and great craft brews.  It's packed every lunch and dinner.  Why? Because they take the basic, American favorite and give it spectacular grown-up twists! I DARE you to find someone who doesn't LOVE grilled cheese!

So, I was struggling to find something for dinner last week because it was a "use all the frozen leftovers" week and frankly, we were sick of soup.  (Man, did I make A LOT of soup this winter!!) I bought a really fresh loaf of tuscany bread and some apricot preserves at Whole Foods earlier in the day and it served as the inspiration for GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE night!  So simple and sooooo good!

Here's what we dug out of the cupboards and fridge. Everybody picked their own ingredients!

Mom's Sandwich

Some of the basics from our pantry and fridge.
I love the cheese variety pack from
Costco! It's perfect for any kind of sandwich
and has a wonderful variety.

*inspired by my favorite brie party recipe*
-sliced brie cheese
-apricot preserves
-balsamic vinegar

Slice the brie into bite size slices and place on one of the bread pieces.  Spread apricot preserves on the other slice and drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the apricots.  Put sandwich together and grill.  A pleasant surprise was the caramelization of the vinegar on the outside of the bread. YUMMY!!!!


Dad's Sandwich
*simple yet tasty*
-Sweet Red Pepper Jelly
-Cheddar and Gouda slices




Sweet Pea's Sandwich
*my veggie loving girl*
-mashed avocado
-sliced cherry tomatoes
-bacon
-sliced gouda
My little girl CANNOT get enough avocado! I love it!!!



Monkey's Sandwich
*inspired by the classic*
-bacon
-tomato
-swiss

Clearly not as completely outrageous as "The Parmageddon", but a step up from American cheese and tomato soup.  Open your cupboards, think about your favorite taste combos and fire up the frying pan!

Forty for 40: #2 - My Youth

Hey Ladies of the '80s, a show
of hands who had this poster hanging
on their bedroom wall?! (ME!)

There was a LOT of reminiscing going on a few weeks ago.  #TBT (throw-back Thursday) was a week-long celebration. Why you ask? One simple, gorgeous and rockin' reason - BON JOVI!  I saw them in concert at Quicken Loans Arena on March 9th .  They were my first full-on MANIA band.  I remember having a complete meltdown in seventh grade because my Walkman (um, yeah - remember those things? If not, google it)  broke and my dad took it to work to give to an engineer to fix. He took it without taking my cassette of  "Slippery When Wet" out first.  The Walkman was gone for week, and you would've thought someone performed a lobotomy on me by the way I languished around the house.

Ah. Teenagers...Middle Schoolers...can't wait to experience those years from the parent side.

yeah.
can't wait.

But Jon and the Boys got me thinking about my days growing up and how much I LOVED my adolescence.  I wouldn't have changed anything about those days in my neighborhood and my schools.  I am an only child, but never felt like one. I had 10+ kids living on my block, all within +/- 4 years of my age.

It was amazing.

When we were little, the roaring of the Big Wheels signaled the start of the day; up and down the driveways all morning long. As we got older, summers were spent kicking the can, painting bases on the street and sidewalks for wiffle ball and kickball, waking up and heading straight into the pool until lunch and then back in until dinner - unless we had softball or baseball games that night. We played tennis in the turn-around behind our houses and tackle football in the field next to it.  We rode our bikes anywhere and everywhere. I could easily ride to my grandparents' house on the other side of the city, a good 20 minutes over major streets, and my mom wouldn't give it a second thought. We played in our neighbors' yards without fear of being yelled at, walked up to Southgate on a regular basis to grab an ice cream cone or to shop, or down to Henry's Bi-Rite for some candy or to run a grocery errand for Mom.  The neighborhood memories are endless.

Same can be said for school.  I loved school - obviously enough to become a teacher ;-) If I could go back and do it all again; from elementary all the way through to high school, I wouldn't change a thing. Not that it was all rainbows and unicorns, but knowing how some people are absolutely miserable through junior high and high school, I feel pretty lucky.

Now, if you ask me about college and my early 20s, it would be a different story. I guess I had my "angst" a little later in life.

I am hoping Sweet Pea and Monkey can look back as fondly on their youth some day. I will do everything in my power to provide the opportunities for them. But I think the most important thing I learned while thinking about this post, is some of the best things just happen....all by themselves.

Double Dribbles and Double Birchbox: How MARCH MADNESS calmed mine

Aside from the 48 hours that is Christmas and Sweet Pea's birthday, the opening days of March Madness run a close second to my favorite two days of the year.  For the Friday games, I used to take a personal "mental health" day from work to sit back, relax and CHILL OUT.  It was the perfect time for it when I was teaching.  A welcome break in the LONG stretch between the last "no school day" of President's Day and the downhill slope to the end of the school year, Spring Break. 

Seeing as I'm now enjoying my SAHM status, one would think that the Madness would not necessarily provide the same respite it did in the past.  But au contraire! This year, I am especially thankful for the Madness, because it's given me a chance to catch up on THIS! Still busy, just with different things - most of which is my amazing volleyball team.  I've been gone three weekends in a row.

So here I am with my hubs in the WO-man cave, with brackets and March Madness squares easily accessible, enjoying some QT together.  And some quiet blogging time.  Thanks, Madness, for letting me not be caught up in the madness of life for 48 hours.  I'll be back at it tomorrow at a two day tournament....

In the meantime, here's my review of my February (yes *GASP* February) and March Birchboxes.  At least I got a chance to use most of the products :)

FEBRUARY BIRCHBOX

This month's box focused on being "Red Carpet Ready"! I love all the "prep" products included in this month's box!

Beauty Protector - Protect & Detangle

This spray leave-in conditioner has a wonderful smell and feels even better on your hair.  It provides 7 hair functions, with one being specially formulated for color-treated hair (YAY!).  I put this to the test at our recent family getaway to Kalahari Resort and Water Park with being in pool water for two days and my hair felt great! Didn't let my hair dry out at all. Plus, it never felt heavy or greasy, which are two things I've found problematic for my hair with leave-in conditioners in the past. I'll be purchasing a full size of this for the summer months!

Color Club - nail polish in Mamba

This cherry red is screaming for summer on my nails! Can't wait!!

Juicy Courture - Courture La La

I like the fruity scent of this new fragrance. But seeing as I have TON of new fragrance from Birchbox, I'm sharing this one with my neighbor :)

WEI™- Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask

I am most excited to try this.  I've never tried a mud mask. Truly waiting for an appropriate "mud mask" moment which should include a hot bath and big glass of wine.  I'm hoping it's soon.....

BEAUTY EXTRA

WEI™ - Pomegranate Buffing Beads

I've always loved using facial exfoliators with buffing beads. This product is unique in the fact that it's dry and you add water to make it the consistency you want.  GOOD STUFF!

*Plus, we got an extra treat of a Ghiradelli Caramel square.  You know, cause all those big Hollywood celebs are popping chocolate the day of the Red Carpet ;) 

MARCH BIRCHBOX

Birchbox also ran with the "March Madness" theme this month. It included a wide and exciting variety of veteran products, and introduced new "rookies" to the BB family to help prep your entire body for spring! Almost like a beauty spring cleaning! 

I have to say, this could be my favorite box so far. 

MAKE - eyeshadow

Two products for this rookie company, MAKE, hi-light my box this month. I LOVE the taupe color eyeshadow I got.  It's the perfect neutral for everyday wear!

MAKE- Face Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

I have been waiting to try a face primer to see if it truly does make your foundation and powder have staying power.  I've worn it  few times, including to the BON JOVI concert at the Q (blog post coming!), and even rocking out all night didn't make this product fail!

Nick Chavez® Beverly Hills - Color Saver Sulfate Free Shampoo

YES! YES! YES! Color saver!!! This shampoo leaves my hair feeling soft, extremely lightweight and easy to style.  The scent is light and wonderful.  Wish I could have tried it paired with the conditioner, but I may take the risk and buy them both in full-size and see.  If you have color-treated hair and it's feeling dull, dry and lifeless - give this product a whirl!

Whish - Shave Crave Shaving Cream

I was also able to give this product the ultimate test during our Kalahari visit. What dries legs out more than winter weather +  cholorine + hard water + shaving? Answer: Nothing.  This is a great moisturizing shaving cream. The consistency is more like lotion because of the shea butter.  So while you're shaving, you need to rinse your razor after every pass on your leg, but it does the trick keeping them soft! And is smells great!

BEAUTY EXTRA

Madewell for Birchbox - Emery Board

Who doesn't love a well made and pretty emery board?  Mine made it's way into my purse and has rescued me several times already! Thanks Madewell and Birchbox!

Forty for 40: #1 - Facebook and Twitter

 It's about 6 months away.  Me turning 40.  I'm really ok with it.  Really.

But it has made me very contemplative lately.  I find myself looking at things differently. Cherishing the little things.  I am incredibly lucky in all the "major" life categories: married to an incredible man who truly could not be a better match for me and is my best friend; raising two beautiful and full-of-life children who have absolutely made our lives complete; living near (exception being my BIL and SIL in CO) all the important people I love most in my family in a city I adore.  I am truly thankful for all I have.

I though it would be fun to think about the little, quirky things I am finding myself thankful for these days.  I'm calling it "Forty for 40:  Small Things I'm Thankful For".  My goal is to get them all done by the BIG 4-0.


I've celebrated "40" with 2 friends this month. Two very dear friends with whom my path to friendship has been very different.  One I've known since we were less than two years old and have been through everything that life has thrown at us in 38 years.  She's the closest thing I have to a sister.  The other is a friend I've known since middle school, who has grown into one of my most favorite friends as an adult.  It got me thinking about my adult friendships. And I know most people think Facebook, Twitter and social media, et al are the decline of human relationships as we know it; on the contrary, I find myself being thankful for them because of the "rekindling" of friendships they've provided.  I have found fantastic adult friendships with people whom I considered casual friends in high school and my younger days.  I love that I can tweet about the Red Carpet with my favorite fashionistas in New York City and Chicago ALMOST like we're sitting in the same room.  I love that I discovered  people, whom I knew as fun teenagers, have become great adults with whom I thoroughly enjoy spending time, sharing ideas, rooting for teams, learning from,  debating, and laughing. And friends that I ADORED in high school, with whom the passage of time inevitably had us drift apart; seeing them again feels like we never skipped a beat. I can honestly say without Facebook and Twitter, I doubt that I would have found these relationships.

I know A LOT of people use these outlets in ways that are very unattractive, petty and "high school-ish".  I cannot imagine being an adolescent right now navigating growing up in the glare of social media.  I'll find out soon enough as Sweet Pea and Monkey reach that age far too quickly for my comfort.  But for now, I'm choosing to find the fun, the good, the positive -  the rest, eh...there's always the "hide from news feed" option.

I Love (Last Minute) Lucy

That's me.  Last Minute Lucy.  Works well under pressure.  The closer the dead line is, the greater the creativity flows.

So, for all you fellow LML Mommies - here's my contribution for a small class Valentine gift. Monkey's preschool class is only 6 three year olds, so why not have some fun with them!?   I decided to head to one of my favorite places for inspiration - the Target Dollar Stop.  And low and behold, THESE beauties spoke to me:

The classic, fun echo microphone!  So I picked up 6.  Came home and whipped up the tags on the computer.   Attached the tags with some red wrapping ribbon and VIOLA! a fun, easy and cheap alternative to the traditional valentine "treat".  

So, you've still got a day to spare.....the Dollar Stop is calling your creative name!

January's Birchbox: A Wonderful Welcome to the New Year!

Better late than never! But looking on the bright side - being late allowed me to use all but one of the products in January's box.  And this month's is one of my favorites so far.  It was full of a wide variety of products I could try out immediately.  I also love the fold out poster of 25 ways to make little changes  in your life to start the new year out right.  Birchbox had some fun suggestions without the guilt of breaking a resolution.

JANUARY'S BIRCHBOX

amika - Color pHerfection Shampoo

The packaging alone on this shampoo had me won over! The scent completely converted me! I used this shampoo on Sundays nights, when I typically do a "clarifying" wash of my hair with a shampoo other than my daily.  I have been using the Birchbox samples I've received over the past few boxes.  You can tell by the lack of lather that this shampoo is FULL of natural ingredients and it made my hair feel healthy.

Harvey Prince - Skinny Chic
I have been contemplating changing my beauty profile because I feel like I'm getting A LOT of perfume samples.  Probably because on the question "What beauty product do you tend to splurge on?", my answer was perfume.  But I'm glad I didn't before I got this sample.  It's really clean, fresh and light.  I have worn in everyday since I got the box.  Perfect everyday scent.

My™ - Multi-Purpose Mattifying Moisturizer
This moisturizer took some getting used to, but not in a bad way.  It just has such a different texture and finish than anything I've ever used.  It has made a huge difference on the staying power of my make-up.  It lasts all day long and doesn't seem to let my foundation break down like before.  I am considering buying a full size of this stuff!

theBalm® cosmetics - Hot Mama
FAVORITE ALERT! This 2-in-1 blush and highlighter is exceptional!  It adds just the right shimmer for everyday wear and it's a universally flattering color.  I have also worn this everyday since I tried it out a few days after I received my box.  I like the shimmer on my face in the middle of winter!

BEAUTY EXTRA
Deborah Lippmann - the Stripper to go

Nail polish remover gloves for on the go nail emergencies! Have mine stashed in my purse. No manicure sirens have sounded yet :)

BLAH. BLAH. BLAH.

Maybe it's what some people think when they hear about someone writing a blog.  Maybe it's what my kids hear when I'm telling them for the MILLIONTH time to <insert pick up, put away, stop doing something>.

But these "BLAH"s aren't the customary winter variety most of us can relate to.  I'm not in the middle of the Winter Blahs due to the weather in NEO.  Actually, it's been a pretty enjoyable winter so far. A few big snows since Christmas with warm-ups in the middle to clear everything out.  I can handle this.

No, these blahs are setting in because of the pace of my schedule.  It's gone from "everyday Mommy" pace to "supercharged Mommy" pace all because of ONE THING.

*JUNIOR OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL*

My passion.  My love.  My escape.
Yes.  It is all of these things to me.  But it's also a monumental time commitment...which means other things have to suffer.

My family? Never.

My friends? I try not to, but maybe a little :(

My perks of free time Pinterest browsing and blogging? Bingo. <sigh>  Enter the BLAHs I speak about.

While I cannot express enough how much I LOVE volleyball season and the wonderful things that take place between January and May, it does eat away at my "mindless" activity time.

I will pledge to do my darndest to get back on track.
Hell.  I just realized I never finished my "12 Days of Christmas" ideas.  I still have 9-12 listed on my desktop "post-it" gadget. Save 'em for next year, I guess!

Tomorrow is a new day.  With it will bring my January Birchbox product review.  Bright side is I actually got to use the products ahead of time!  WAHOO!!!