#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Creamy Buffalo Chicken Bake

July 30, 2013 · Narrative

UntitledThe kids and I were discussing what we should have for dinner.

Madeline wanted chocolate chip pancakes. “I know you got them for me when we went out with Miss Sarah, but yours are so much better.”

Keys to my heart? Yeah, she has them.

Nick had a craving for Buffalo Chicken Dip.

And I wanted to avoid being a short order cook.

Do I need to mention it was already after 4 pm and whatever we made required a trip to the grocery store?

Well, except for the Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Because we always have the ingredients for that.

Then I remembered a recipe for a Buffalo Chicken Bake that I had seen recently, one that is a little leaner than the dip we usually make. Ok, a lot leaner.

And so a compromise was reached.

Since the chicken needs to bake for thirty minutes (ours was done in twenty), I could make Madeline’s pancakes during that time, and be efficient. And with a quick run to the grocery store, and just thirty minutes of active cooking time, everyone’s requests were met, and bellies were full and happy shortly thereafter.

Which is mostly my favorite kind of evening.

If you like the heat of Buffalo Chicken, this is an awesome recipe to make. Because it seriously packs a punch. Which means my Mom will not be making this one. But as Nick and I discovered, even though it is hot hot hot and leaves you looking for more and more water, it’s so good, you keep going back for more.

Creamy, pretty healthy and lean, packed with a flavorful heat-packed punch, it was spot on, and kid-approved. Nick inhaled his portion, and we have another recipe to add to our rotation (Madeline has yet to jump on the buffalo chicken flavor bandwagon).

Hungry for more Buffalo Chicken flavor?
These Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites are a crowd pleaser.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs from Rachael Ray were quick and easy to make, and a perfect party appetizer.

Tomorrow? Birthday reflections.
Thursday? Sharing new chapters in my weight loss journey.
Friday? Celebrating a newly minted 11-year-old.

…

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Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chip Pancakes

July 3, 2013 · Narrative


Untitled
On a busy weeknight, when we’re running off to a practice, meeting, or what have you, one of my favorite go-to dinner choices is breakfast for dinner.

It used to be spaghetti, but I gave up carbs in April and haven’t looked back since.

And yes, I totally miss tortellini.

The only problem with breakfast for dinner is that everyone likes something different.

Both kids will eat pancakes, but one banana and the other chocolate chip.

Both like toast.

Both like bacon.

Sometimes both like sausages. Depends on the day. And the way the wind blows.

Nick will eat eggs, most any way.

Madeline won’t eat them, any way.

So when it’s breakfast for dinner, I become a short order cook. I don’t mind, though, because no matter the choice, they’re all super fast to make.

Recently, when we came home late from the kids’ last evening track meet, it was chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. Nick took one for the team, and I made a quick egg white omelet for myself.

Madeline was in her element. Chocolate for dinner.

The recipe was simple to make and really drives home the fact that you DON’T need to buy pancake mix to make pancakes. I’ll bet you have everything you need in your kitchen cabinets. They were light and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness. And they made plenty. I ended up freezing half of the cooked batch, to save a little time the next time Madeline requests them.

Alright folks, I’m off. Happy Fourth of July! Tomorrow, Bedtime Math book review.

*If you didn’t enter the Coca-Cola giveaway, I bet you can snap the perfect picture for it during the holiday tomorrow!

…

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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