Top Ten Tuesday: Life is a beach

I know I have explained "date night" in past postings so, I won't elaborate again. On date night (or date day) yesterday we went to one of my favorite places in the world: York Beach. As a child, growing up on the Seacoast, we had the choice of several beaches; Rye, The Hamptons, and York. My mother and father always brought us to York. They didn't like Hampton for some reason so I can probably count on one hand how many times I have been to Hampton Beach. Their love for the sands of York definitely transferred to me.

We had an amazing day! For breakfast we stopped at one of our favorite local haunts where we shared a cinnamon roll and then headed to the coast of Maine! What a gorgeous day it was. The temperature was just under 50 degrees, making it a beautiful day for the beach and a ride too. I love car rides with Aaron, we have the best conversations.

Here are my top 10 favorite pictures from yesterday: (*Note* I know there are more than 10 pictures here but, I couldn't choose just 10. I was able to narrow it down to 20. This is my game; I can break the rules ;)

Boon Island Light House

Nubble Light

Treasures I brought home. FYI: I won't take anything alive ;)

We have spent quite a bit of time at this beach, including overnights; I don't think the views were ever as clear as they were yesterday- in the middle of February! The sun felt amazing on my skin. I drank it in; I needed it.

I love this picture, minus my "whales tale" LOL :( But, Aaron was accidentally pulling my pants down!

Aaron thinks this graffiti is Colonel Sanders-- I think it's the devil.

The place where we usually eat was closed for unforeseeable reasons so we ate at a place in York Village called Ruby's, another local haunt. It was so amazing. Aaron had a to-die-for steak sandwich and I had something called "The Big Kahuna" teriyaki chicken with cheese, bacon, and pineapple, OMG...

For me, there is something about being around water that I can't describe. I love the sea, but I love lakes and streams too. I gravitate toward water. Being at the ocean always makes me feel so humble. The Atlantic is so powerful, beautiful, and relentless; it holds many secrets beneath the waves. I love feeling humbled and reminded how big the world is and how lucky I am to enjoy it.

Menu Monday- Cupid's Coconut Shrimp and a Shamless Plug

I love coconut shrimp but, strangely, I don't like cocktail shrimp. I like sweet, breaded coconut shrimp, cooked to a crisp and smothered in some type of sweet sauce. I could easily call it one of my favorite foods. As a matter of fact, Aaron and I had our own special order at our wedding.

I mentioned in an earlier post that we didn't do much for Valentine's Day this year. We just booked our trip to Alaska, which made a major dent in our play money, so we assigned Alaska as a Valentine, Easter, and Birthday gift to each other for the rest of the year. Aside from the trip, we don't really celebrate Valentines Day anyway. It's a Hallmark holiday. Aaron tells me he loves me every day.

Regardless of how over-rated Valentine's Day is, we did do a tiny bit of celebrating. ;) We woke up pretty early and snuck down to our favorite local crepe place for breakfast. I had a banana, nutella, and nut crepe, with strawberries and whipped cream. I don't even remember what Aaron had; I didn't look to see once mine arrived.

Later that day we did some chores, grocery shopping, and we browsed a junk store where I scoffed up a few books and found a little trinket that reminded me of Tanglewood. While out shopping that day, Aaron mentioned that we were going to have a "special dinner." When we pulled into a local fish market I became very excited. I love fish, seafood, and some shellfish.

"I'm going to make you coconut shrimp for Valentine's Day. Do you want to help?"

That would be Aaron trying to get into the coconut with a corkscrew. We're novices.

Aaron went online to find out how to get into the coconut; do we saw it open or do we hammer it open? The online instructional told us to "punch its eyes out." Aaron, being a completely literal person, did just that. **Tip, don't punch a coconut in the eyes. They don't flinch, but you sure do!

Finally, exhausted and defeated, we smashed it on our front stairs.

Sweet Baby Jesus, it was to die for!!!

Never in my life have I used a real coconut for anything. I had no idea the most labor intensive part of making the shrimp would be getting into the coconut. The work, however, was WELL worth it.

Cupid's Coconut Shrimp:

• 2 lb. med. shrimp, cleaned and cooked
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups grated coconut (fresh if possible) I recommend fresh; it's part of the fun!

In medium bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper. Mix in wine and add shrimp to batter. Heat a half-inch of oil in a large saucepan. Remove shrimp from batter and dredge in coconut. Fry until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels. Serve with a sweet sauce. Serves 4 as an appetizer, or a light main course.

Sweet Shameless Plug:

Last July I had a Pampered Chef themed bridal shower. I asked for everything I could possibly ever want for my kitchen. I had no idea that I would get absolutely everything on my list. Everything, everything, everything. I have amazing generous friends/family who spoiled me rotten and a Mother-in-law who bought "whatever was left on the list." It's funny how much more a person enjoys cooking when you have fun tools. I picked out things like cookbooks, utinsels, dipping sauces, pots and pans... you name it!

If you ever eat with me you'll note that I am notorious for "dipping things." If there's an oil, butter, grease or a condiment-- I'm on it. Thumbing though the Pampered Chef catalog I found what sounded to be the most amazing dipping sauce ever (or glaze, but I dip ;) Ask and you shall recieve. We dipped our coconut shrimp in this sauce and it made the meal complete.

Happy Valentine's Day to us! Enjoy

Photographic Friday: A man and his monkey....

On our first Molloy Family Tanglewood Trip to the Berkshires I laid my eyes upon a beautiful creature.

But first, a quick back-story: I love monkeys. I actually have a small scar on my wrist from being bitten by a monkey when I was about 4-years-old. No matter; I still love monkeys. If you go anywhere with me you'll notice I am an animal magnet. I love all ceatures (except ticks, spiders and mosquitoes.) If there is an animal within a 5-mile-radius of me it will find me, or I will find it. I could be dressed to the nines but I’ll still end up giving “lovies” to a beast and arrive at my destination covered in hair. I make no apologies. I can’t help that I love animals more than life itself. They, along with children, are the purest things on this earth.

The Tanglewood wine drinking Music Festival is an unimaginably gorgeous place where you set out blankets and eat expensive cheese and drink fancy wine while listening to musical prodigies in the glorious Berkshires of Massachusetts.

The first year we went there was, randomly, a man and his monkey at one of the shows. Immediately I was drawn to this man, monkey, and music box. It was probably one of the highlights of the trip (aside from the Norman Rockwell Museum.)

This year for Valentine's Day Aaron and I decided to not do much to celebrate. We did have an amazing day, which I will write about soon but, while browsing a "junk store," (I love those places) we found the statue below and Aaron bought it for me! How fitting?

Top Ten Tuesday: Miscellaneous

The Top Ten questions I'm randomly asking myself this morning:

10. Why am I not working for a school so I could have a snow day and go back to bed?
9. Where did I leave my cell phone?
8. What am I going to wear today?
7. Do I feel like hitting the gym this morning? Nah...
6. Since Aaron is off because of snow, what am I going to take off my to-do list and put on his???
5. Why do I insist on sticking the Q-tip so far into my ear that I cough?
4. When is my next hair appointment? I have roots.
3. What's for breakfast?
2. Yessss.... Dad M delivered the paper early, where's my coffee....?
1. I wonder if I really need to go into work that early? I already have 10 hours overtime in the last two weeks; maybe I'll roll in just before noon...

Photographic Friday: Valentine's (Groundhog) Day

With Valentine's Day approaching, I have been thinking about my marriage (or, my relationship I should say.) I'm not really a person who buys into this commercial holiday because I express my love to friends and family all year long. I don’t expect a ton of special plans or spoiling (unless, we’re talking about the tennis bracelet I’ve been spying ;) but I do appreciate a card or a nice dinner at home. I am also a firm believer in actions. I truly believe actions speak volumes. Words are great, I love words, but they have to be backed up by actions. Valentine’s Day got me thinking about how people end up with each other and how they keep the love alive.

It’s no secret that Aaron and I hated each other when we met. I thought he was a moron and he thought I was a nasty bitch. Isn’t love grand? When we finally decided to take a stab at dating I was an ice princess. I really made him work for it and he never gave up. To this day, occasionally, we’ll say, “Hey Babe, I really hate you.” The other will respond, “Yeah? Well, you make me dry-heave.”

It's so easy to overlook all the things your partner does for you. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life and go through the motions of a marriage. I know this because occasionally it happens to us; I'll get mad because he didn't take the trash out, or, he'll get irritated because I put the empty Brita back into the fridge. Then, of course, there are the days that we just sit side-by-side watching the tube, completely exhausted from our day, not even realizing that we aren't speaking. I hate those times.

Those times, however, are few and far in between. Aaron and I have an incredible amount of fun together. We play 20 questions every night before bed, we ALWAYS greet each other at the door, and we have date night, EVERY Monday, no-matter-what. We’re often caught texting the other throughout the day to share juicy tid-bits or to say, "I miss you." We cook together, we travel together, and we play games, lots and lots of games. We recognize how important it is to spend time with our friends together (and separately), we spend time with our family, but we also spend time apart. To me, this is very important. I need “me time.” I think I need more "me time" than Aaron does, but he so generously gives it to me anyway.

My brother-in-law, Matt, took the picture below during our family’s Tanglewood trip in 2008. That year Aaron brought my engagement ring to one of the shows to present to his family for approval (I was in the bathroom.) I had no idea it was coming. We had talked about marriage, but it was a "someday, when we're married" type of talk. Before he had even bought the ring he had asked me several times to marry him (but not a serious proposal- a joking proposal) and I always teased and said "no" or "maybe." Looking back, he was probably testing me to see if I'd really do it. Good thing he took the chance.

Aaron is one of those guys who really "loves his wife." Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. The ones you can just see the adoration oozing from their eyes and you think to yourself, "Awe, he loves his wife" and that always makes the guy even more endearing. Well, Aaron absolutely adores me and he tells me everyday. It's not uncommon for him to say, "I can't believe you're my wife!" or "I can't believe you married me." And just the other night, when I was drifting off to sleep:

A: Cubby? Cubby? You awake? (I like bears, so he named me Bear Cub; Cubby for short, LOL)
J: Yes... I am now.
A: Oh. Sorry. Well, I love you. Goodnight!
J: Love you too. Night.
A: No, I really, really love you.
J: (tired sigh) I really love you too. Goodnight.
A: No, I mean, I love you so much. I love you more each day. I can't believe how much I love you. I had a good day with you today. Sleep tight.

Times like those are the ones I hang on to instead of the ones where my ultimate comeback is an exaggerated eye roll (he HATES that.) Those are the times I like to remember when I'm tiptoeing to the kitchen to get a knife to slit his throat ;) And those are the times I like to remember when I dare to question how lucky I am.

Celebrate Valentine's Day this Sunday and everyday. You won't be sorry.

I can't believe he married me!

(Drool)

Wednesday, Oui

To understand the relationship I have with my sister you would've had to be there from the beginning. When I think of our relationship, I always think of a forest where two trees grew together so closely their roots tangled. On the surface they look like two different trees; one might even pass them by acknowledging their distinct differences completely unaware of what is happening beneath the soil. The trees only survive because they sustain each other. When weather damages one tree, the other surely wraps its roots a bit tighter, giving strength to the other. Constantly, they are keenly aware of the life beside them. This is how these two trees survive. Nicki is someone I absolutely could not live without. She is my best friend.

On Tuesday December 15, I called my sister as I normally do everyday. This particular day, as she answered the phone I knew, immediately, that something was different. "What's up?" I asked. She knew I wasn't posing this question as the common place, 'how are you?' She knew I sensed something was fishy and I knew this from how she had said 'hello.' "Oh, nothing" she replied, trying to sound completely unaffected. "No, really," I pushed, "What. IS. Up?" And then she said it but, I knew before she even told me. "Okay" she said excitedly, "I can't keep this from you."

Seven years ago my precious little nephew, Alexander, came bounding into this world. My sister only pushed for just over 60 minutes; giving birth to Xander was the easiest part. Several doctors had told my sister that she would never be able to conceive children. I will not get into details regarding my sister's particular medical history, as it's not my place to say, but what I will say is that my darling nephew was conceived through IVF. Xannie came to us after several heartbreaking, failed attempts at IVF. Xander is perfection and it took years, not months, to get him.

"You will never conceive naturally."
"I wouldn't even bother worrying about contraception."
"It would just be too complicated."
"I'm sorry to say you should move on."
"It is impossible."

Each time Nicki went to the doctors to talk about the possibility of having another child, starting another IVF cycle, or even to have her annual exam, she would hear the echo of these devastating words from her doctors. Above that, she would also hear from those she loved.

"Wouldn't it be nice to give Xander a sibling?"
"You don't want him to be an only child do you?"
"Did you really want to only have one?"
"Well, I guess that's it for you then?"

"Okay, I can't keep this from you..." My mind registered before she even said it, but I immediately pushed it away; it was impossible. There was no way it could be. It wasn't until she said, "I'm pregnant" that I realized I had been holding my breath. "Jessi? Jessi? Are you laughing!" I was crying. "Oh my God, are YOU crying?" I couldn't help myself. For the first few minutes after learning I was going to be an "I-ya" again, all I could say was, "That's how it happens, Man." Over and over and over, that’s all I could manage.

Another tree has been planted in our forest. The roots of our family will wrap around it and our far-reaching branches will protect this sapling from the elements. Xander’s small roots, still soft and pliable, will begin to creep toward this little tree, like a plant inevitably leans toward the sun.

This wasn't supposed to happen. This is unexplained. It was impossible, but it's real.

I'm a firm believer in always having faith in something. I don't necessarily associate faith with a higher power, but having faith that everything happens for a reason and faith that something good will always come out of our darkest struggles. It can almost be annoying to others around me, but I can't help but be an optimist; it's how I live my life. I believe a positive outlook can almost twist fate, bending it to your will. I believe if you want something badly enough, and you have faith, then miracles may present themselves. Even if the end result isn't what you were hoping for, you've at least learned to believe. Like the tree, defiant to a harsh winter, flowers every spring. I never underestimate how strong one’s roots may grow.

Against all odds and explanation my sister is having a baby. This is what we were hoping for.
That's how it happens, Man.
Oui?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Products

I am definitely one of those girls who like products. As a matter of fact, I can't leave for work most mornings unless I have used most of my favorite products (either vitamins or toiletries.)

Last fall I joined a book club for women (are there even male book clubs out there?) and the first book we were assigned was Stacy Malkan's Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. This book was absolutely terrifying; every woman should be required to read it.

This book outlines some of the most dangerous products we, as women, flock to and how these very same products that make us (feel) beautiful are poisoning us, killing us, and causing significant health problems (breast cancer, etc.) Some of the products actually get passed to our unborn children and can cause cancers a very young age and/or even birth defects. Like I said, every woman should read this (and men too, Aaron perused it briefly.) That's all I'll say about the book as it isn't the purpose of my blog, but if you want more information I encourage you to visit the site by simply clicking here. If you don't want to do the research, one of the main ingredients you want to avoid is phthalates, labeled as BBP, DBP, DEP, DEHP. It's bad, bad news, and unfortunately very common in baby products :(

Taking animal testing and poison into consideration, I (still) use the following products, many of which are completely safe (as far as I've investigated... or at least until another study comes out. ;)

10. Paul Mitchell: I only use Paul Mitchell's products in my hair; shampoo, conditioner and styling -- but, I especially love the gloss drops. They make my hair so shiny!

9. Clean and Clear: I love these products. I use the facial scrubs and the face cream. (**Please note: Clean and Clear is made by Johnson & Johnson, a company notorious for animal testing and certain additives, but Clean and Clear- or at least the products I use, are poison free and J&J has been working, in recent years, so make products safer. But, be a saavy consumer; read the labels on all products.)

8. Mac: It's the only cosmetics I'll use. I have to travel far and wide to get it, but it's my favorite.

7. Burt's Bees: I love, love, love Burt’s- almost all of the products- especially the pomegranate chapstick. I can't leave home without it. If you buy any one product off this list, buy the chapstick.

6. Flintstone's Vitamins: I eat one every day but, as soon as I'm done with this jar, I'm switching to prenatals ;)

5. Crest White Strips: I don't know what's in these. I can't bear to look. I drink too much coffee to go without, LOL.

4. True Blue Spa cuticle cream: Every night before bed, baby

3. True Blue Spa: Tahiti Sweetie body cream…obsessed.

2. Secret: Chai tea scent.

1. Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue: It's my favorite perfume. I don't even dare look at the ingredients. I can't leave home without this scent. I'm obsessed. Aaron gets me a bottle every year for Christmas. I'll take my chances with this product.

Forgive me, I was exhausted!

Menu Monday: Blueberry Pudding Cake

I'm one of those people who love dessert. I have a major sweet tooth and I can't help myself when it comes to dessert. My all-time-favorite dessert would have to be peanut butter and chocolate anything, but I also gravitate toward fruit desserts.

Recently, Aaron did some work for one of his coworkers. We've been trying to save extra money for Alaska so I've been hiring out my husband to do handyman labor. This particular person paid him with cash (does the IRS reading this?) but tipped him in blueberries. :)

Not to let one blueberry go wasted (and they were the sweet little Maine blueberries) I had several different uses for them, blueberry pudding cake being my favorite.

Blueberry Pudding Cake:

• 2C blueberries
• 1C flour
• 1t baking powder
• 1/4t salt
• 3T melted shortening
• 3/4C sugar
• 1/2C milk
• 1/2C sugar
• 1T cornstarch
• 1C boiling water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Spread all the blueberries in the bottom of an 8X8 ungreased cake pan.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, melted shortening, 3/4C sugar and milk together.
4. Spread mixture over berries.
5. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 C sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle mixture over batter.
6. Pour boiling water over entire mixture.
7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until bubbly.

**Any other fruit may be substituted (peaches are yummy too.)

**Shameless plug: I am, and have always been, a bathrobe type of girl. I like to be comfortable but, even more than that, I love to be warm. I don't like lounging around the house in pajamas. Don't get me wrong, I love wearing pajamas, but I also think you need to be presentable to loved ones, especially if you're eating. Call me old fashioned, call me a prude, but I can't stand certain behavior at the breakfast table. Being clothed, in my opinion, is necessary-- and a robe will do just fine. That being said, I have successfully found the very best, softest, warmest, and cutest bathrobe, ever, and I want to share it with all you housecoat wearing readers (we're a dying breed, but I know we still exist.)

I wish I could provide a link to this robe, or even provide a better picture, but I don't often allow myself to be photographed in my pajamas (this was Christmas.) Anyway, this robe is from Victoria's Secret (I got it several months ago and it's no longer available.) But, they have some amazing robes for all you housecoat lovers out there, and they don't have to be the big heavy ones our mother wore. This one is cute, it's partially cashmere, so it's soft and the selling point for me were the pockets! So comfy!

And for the record, this is how old fashioned I am; I am also an apron wearer ;)

Photographic Friday: The Boy's Bath Time

For the first time, since I've been a Mama to these pups, I gave them a bath in the tub. Usually we throw them in the sink and together we scrub them up but Aaron was busy in the garage and I was feeling ambitious so, I decided to do something different. They seemed to like it a bit better than the sink. I love these pictures. These little guys reinvent my world and I don't know what I would do without them.

When Aaron came up later that night he too was feeling ambitious and decided to clean the shower. Earlier, before Aaron went to the garage, he had last seen me taking a bath. He had no clue Bing and Manny were squeaky clean. As he pulled back the curtain to spray down the shower (he loves a clean tub) he yelled to me, "Ummmm, BABY?! Why is this shower SO dirty? Didn't you just take a bath? Were you THIS dirty? What are all these little hairs?"

Wednesday, Oui?

Last weekend, after we went to the booksale, Aaron and I drove to Portland to see my Pepe. It was really a great time. His health is failing, so I always have this looming feeling after I see him that this time will be the last we're together.

We arrived in Portland around 12:30 to pick him up, and we departed his condo almost immediately. He wanted to show us around the city of Portland (even though I used to spend my summers with him, and he's shown me around the city a million times, I still devoured every word he said and pretended everything was new to me. Aaron, on the other hand, hadn't seen a lot of the sights, so things were new for him.) Pepe brought us all around Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, and Portland showing us popular landmarks and even many of his accomplishments, including one of the houses he built which my mother lived in. We also visited a few beaches and Portland Head Light, one of the most famous lighthouses in the world.

Fort Gorges: Portland, Maine

A small neighbor lighthouse to Portland Head Light

 My Pepe's life's work was building. He was both an architect and engineer. He built everything from gorgeous beach houses on the coast of Maine, apartment complexes, post offices, elementary schools, the globe displayed at the 1960's World's Fair in Montreal, Canada, to L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine. It was neat to see his local accomplishments and hear the stories of how he built them, how much supplies cost, how he won the bid against "so and so."

During this visit Pepe did seem weak but what I found interesting was his desire to plan ahead. He wanted to make plans for the summer. Throughout our entire visit (when we drove him all around the great Port City) he kept saying "This summer we'll come back and take the ferry to the island," and, "when it's not so cold can we come back and take a walk on this beach," and when we were having dinner, "I think we should have another lobster/clam 'dinnah' at camp this year" (Last year, at camp, we had a family b-b-q with all sorts of food [lobsters, clams, corn-on -the-cob, burgers, salads, desserts, etc.] and we did it all on the beach at our family's camp. It was a blast.) I can't decide if it's a good thing he's planning ahead, or if it's not a good thing. Part of me thinks he wants something to force him to carry on, the other part of me hopes he's just planning because, well, he wants to.

Lobster fest 2009 (Pepe, Mom and Xander)

Whenever we go to visit Pepe, we ALWAYS treat him to lunch/dinner. It's a respect thing. One thing my Pepe appreciates is good food. This visit we decided to splurge on him. After we'd been in the car for a few hours, driving all around the Portland area, we asked Pepe where he'd like to eat. He just shrugged and said "we could go 'up the mall?'" Having other plans in my head I said, "well, how about DiMillos? Do you want to go there?"

To know my Pepe you have to understand how modest he is. He is appreciative of everything he has. He worked very hard in his life, and he has a lot to show for it. He is very well known and respected, but he's also the sweetest man you'll ever meet...of course he wanted to go to DiMillos!!!! but he'd NEVER say that because it's pricey. When I offered up DiMillos he just showed the little half smile he's notorious for and said, "well, I could stand to eat at DiMillos. You'll have to take the next right if that's where you want to go." Just like that we took Pepe to one of the finest restaurants in Portland. He was so pleased to be eating dinner in the main cabin of a floating ship. 

My Pepe spent the better part of his young adult years serving our country on ships all across the world; he's a decorated veteran. What was great about bringing him to dinner here was at the entranace of DiMillos a seaman scuba outfit (is that what you even call it?) is on display. My Pepe served as a diver when he was in the service, going into deep waters to repair the boats when they had been damaged due to wear and tear or... torpedoes. Almost an exact replica of the diving suit he wore is on display, as well as ship's logs, and other artifacts from ship related things. He loved telling us about each item we encountered on the way to our table.

After dinner we brought him back home and dropped him off at his condo. Since he started showing more signs of being ill he has continuously asked me, every time I see him, what I would like to have of his. There are many, many things he could give me after he's gone but nothing that would ever replace what I was given by him while he was here. There was one thing, however, that I wanted... badly, and have been very vocal about getting since he first showed it to me a few years ago.

This past weekend, Pepe gave me something, the only thing (other than his love) that I've ever wanted. The below picture was drawn of him when he was 22-years-old. It was drawn in 1944. He had just stepped off his boat, which had ported in Seattle, Washington. He was about to return home to Maine after being at sea and he stopped for a bite to eat when a local drew this picture of him. I cherish this picture. It didn't cost him a penny, but for all these years, he has saved it. When I look at it I wonder what the person who drew it thought of him? Did they respect him? Did they think he was brave? Handsome? How lucky they were, for a brief minute, to capture my Pepe so accurately. He was 22. That's younger than I am. This picture is now mine, and it will belong to my children with stories of Pepe and all his glory. Later this week, I plan to have it restored and professionally framed. I will cherish it for the rest of my life along with memories I share with only my Pepe.

Thank you, Pepe, for a great visit. I love you more than words.