‘Babble’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Ten on Thursday {+ Babble + Pinterest + DailyBuzz Moms}

June 7, 2012 · Narrative

Or maybe more than ten. We’ll see how it goes. So I have some randomness to share, some items more noteworthy than others, and instead of doing different posts on each, I’m going to throw it all together and see what sticks. *And I also added a couple random pictures as well.

Last Friday, the folks at Babble released a Top 50 Parents on Pinterest list. And guess who was on it? Me! In the #8 spot! Very chuffed at the honor, but beyond that, it’s a great collection of others who use Pinterest like I do. They wrote a short bio (without input from me) about each person they featured, and they said, “Cate’s Sweetnicks blog reflects her two main passions in life — her children (Nicholas and Madeline) and food. She’s also one crafty mama, selling her adorable hair barrettes on Etsy.” How sweet are they? I love that, and couldn’t have said it better myself. Whether you’re looking for recipe or decorating inspiration, or want to plan your wedding or find motivational quotes, Pinterest is an awesome resource. Not following me yet? I’m right here. Do check out the others on Babble’s list when you get a minute.

* * *

Thank you to those that checked out the new O’Malley’s Pop Up Shop, and those who did some shopping. Seven items already sold and will be shipping out tomorrow. It might seem like something small to you, but to me, it’s big. Very big. New items listed today.

* * *

Remember my recap on our visit to the Thomas Edison Museum? It got included in a recent DailyBuzz Moms Today’s Top 9 feature on kids and museums, so if you’re looking for fun places to visit (either with or without kids), do check it out. And when I went to grab the Daily Buzz Moms link, I noticed that Today’s Top 9 is “Veg Out,” and includes the Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad Sandwich I made the other day. Visit the link for more vegetable options to help you take advantage of a new season of produce!

* * *

This morning I came downstairs to find Madeline crouched on the washing machine.

“What are you doing?

Trying to get the lunch boxes down.

“Ok, but I’d rather you just ask instead of climbing onto the washing machine.”

This is how I did it yesterday. I need help getting them, please.

“Ok, here you go.”

And I need helping getting down, please.

She is too much.

And yes, after having Nick watch her, I went to go get my camera. Tuesday, she packed my breakfast and lunch, Nick’s snacks, and her snacks. We are very lucky to be in her world.

She “graduates” from her school in just two weeks. She went to the same school that Nick went to for 2-1/2 years, so this is a final good-bye. Although I’m sad that she’s growing up and is the last baby (I keep telling Mystic I need another one!), she’s ready for a new chapter. She’ll be going to summer camp for a few weeks this summer, and then starting a completely (new to us) school in the Fall. Cue.the.tears.

…

Evolution of a Food Blog … and Sweetnicks

July 26, 2011 · Narrative

When I first started this site over six (!!) years ago, my focus was food, with a little bit of life thrown in. A place to document some of my favorite recipes, and some of my favorite memories. I shudder to look back on some of those earlier posts, and especially the photos. The phrase “We’ve come a long way, baby” has never been more appropriate. Right around the three year mark, I feel like I really found my footing. Or honed it in more. Still concentrating largely around food and family.

But then, over the last few years, particularly after my separation from The Ex, I felt a shift. And started to expand the topic wheel a bit more to include crafts, things to do with your kids (and without), some fashion, divorce, a bit of this and a bit of that. And I felt like my voice has gotten even more targeted, even though it’s a wider spectrum of topics. Does that make sense? I felt the words were more and more from my heart and soul, filled with emotion, as opposed to just words coming after the blinking cursor. It’s more me than ever.

Since the site was so focused on food in the beginning, broadening its scope is something I’ve struggled with over the past six months or so, from a readership viewpoint. Am I alienating people who come solely for the food? Certainly not my intention, but this is so much of who I am. I’m not just about food, although the presence of food in our lives is like a ribbon that ties it all together. I am so much more. We are so much more.

I am food.

And family.

And the kids. Oh those kids.

And home.

And parties.

And field trips.

And photography.

And new nail polish obsessions.

And a statistic of divorce.

And dating.

And laughter.

And love.

And tons more.

Just like you.

And it seems only natural that this site is an extension of that.

…

Putting YOU on the List

January 4, 2011 · Narrative

Without making sweeping generalizations, I think it’s safe to say that most women are good at nurturing. Whether they’re taking care of their kids, their husband or their cat, women are seemingly always doing for others. It’s in our DNA. One of my resolutions for 2010 was to put ME on the list.

In the past 12 years or so, I was focused on taking care of the kids and The Ex, as any good mother and wife does. But I forgot me. I didn’t make the list. Not nearly enough. Last year, I changed that… and was so much better for it. A better me. A better mom. A better everything. So last night, when a friend asked me about my New Years’ resolutions, my answer was simple. More of the same.

As women, we need to give ourselves permission to be on our list. To make us a priority. We’re always so busy taking care of everyone and everything else. What about us? Whether it’s making time to exercise regularly, sit down with a cup of coffee and a good book or treat ourselves to a manicure, we need to be on the list. That’s not to say that you need to stop taking care of others. Far from it. We just need to focus on making ourselves just as important. After all, if you go down, the whole darn ship goes down with it.

Last year, I made going to the gym uber-important, and reaped the rewards for it. It was a bit of a juggle trying to fit everything in and budget-wise, but it worked out. This year? Much of the same. That endorphine blast that kicks in at the end of a work-out makes it totally and 100% worth it. There is nothing like it. And this year, the gym routine continues, now more than ever.

How else do I make myself a priority? I’ve always loved journaling and writing. Last year, I bought a notebook in January and started filling it with quotes I liked, affirmations, aspirations, goals and dreams. This year? Much of the same. Madeline and I went out at lunchtime to get this year’s notebook and, of course, she needed her own too. Mine was a pretty pastel flowered cover. Hers? A shocking green frog. Both make us happy. And as I go through 2011 and jot down things that inspire me and goals I hope to accomplish, it will be a wonderfully reflective journal to look back on at the end of the year … to see how far I’ve come.

…