Girls weekend

I have been looking forward to this past weekend for the longest time! Andrea and Kaitlyn set off from Seaford on Friday and ventured down to Carolina for a much needed Patterson/Conley reunion. It's hard to believe that we haven't seen each other since Christmas, and I am somehow always shocked at just how quickly Kaitlyn is growing. Our Friday evening entertainment included a variety show starring Katy-Bear who can now count to 100, write the entire alphabet, draw beautiful ballerinas, and dazzle us with plies and twirls of her own. After stories and bedtime, Andrea and I were able to cozy up on the couch and catch up over a bottle of of Riesling (our fave!). I admire and look up to my sister so much. Give or take a couple of silly sisterhood squabbles, we have always been best friends, partners in crime. Although our lives are so different, we somehow complement each other perfectly. She is my go-to-girl for anything and everything. Ya, she pretty much rocks :) !

One of my favorite moments of the weekend was Saturday morning around 7:30, when Kaitlyn climbed up in bed and snuggled in between us. She was so precious and tiny, and it was hilarious to witness her eagerness for us to wake up to play. 8:00 coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts provided the perfect compensation to the earliest Saturday morning I've seen in a while. We played and played until it was time for Kaitlyn's special treat- a trip to "Simply Sassy" for a bubble gum manicure. She picked out alternating shades of pink with a sparkle coat. As if it could be any better, she had a little butterfly painted on each thumbnail. What 3-year-old wouldn't love that?

All-in-all, the weekend was perfect. I absolutely adore my little niece, who inspires me to be more creative. It's amazing what you can learn from a 3-year-old, who can gently remind you of the simplicities of life, priority to have fun, and absolute necessity of laughter and joy.

Lucky palate

With every holiday, there is that one special treat that comes to mind with mention of the day. Valentine's Day, chocolate... Easter, Cadberry eggs... 4th of July... hamburgers... Thanksgiving, turkey... and St. Patrick's Day... Irish Soda bread, hand's down! I love the diversity of this bread, the starch chameleon. Whether dipped in soup or sweetened with jam, there's a recipe to satisfy any palate. This is one of my favorites!

Irish Soda Bread from Grand Central Bakery

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped orange zest
3/4 cup currants
3/4 cup cold, unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
Egg wash

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl with high sides or the bowl of stand mixer and whisk to combine. Stir in the caraway seeds, orange zest and currents.

Dice the butter into 1/2 inch cubes. Use your hands or the paddle attachment of the stand mixer on low speed to blend the butter into dry ingredients until the texture becomes mealy. If you want to finish baking the soda bread the next day, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill overnight; otherwise proceed with the recipe.

Add 3/4 cup of the buttermilk at once, mixing just until the dough comes together, 30-35 seconds. Scrape the bottom and sides to incorporate dry ingredients, then stir in enough buttermilk to bring the dough together. You may have buttermilk leftover.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 chunks. Gently shape the chunks into domed disks and score each one into quarters. Place on the prepared pan and brush liberally with egg wash (1 egg, 1 tablespoon water, pinch of salt whisked all together).

Bake for 30-35 minutes rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. The soda bread should be shiny and golden brown. To serve, cut or pull the disks apart where they were scored. Makes 8 large pieces.

I know why the caged bird sings

The past few days have been nothing short of glorious. At long last, I feel as though the time has come for flip flops, evening soccer games, and a breath of much needed spring time air! I have truly enjoyed this winter season, savoring each and every snow day with a youthful spirit and joyful gratitude. But it is with much content that I welcome this beautiful weather with outstretched arms.

Beautiful authenticity

Every morning on the way to work, I call my mom to catch up and chat about n'importe quoi. This morning she shared with me the most thoughtful story that absolutely made my day. One of the exercises at her "Toastmasters" meetings involves speaking extemporaneously about a topic chosen at random. At yesterday's meeting, one of the custodian's in the building asked if she could join the group that night. Immediately after the question was posed "How will things change with daylight savings time?" she stood to her feet and proclaimed that she could answer that! And so she did, "How will things change with daylight savings time? They won't.. they won't. I mean, I still go on doin the a same thing I do. You know, I may take a walk to the end of a street arry now and then. But they ain't goin change." And with a happy smile and sense of pride, she sat back down.

How cool, I mean how cool! I've done alot of things in my life, but nothing as brave as that. I admire her willingness to jump right in. Though she was likely naive to the fact that she was surrounded by a group of extensively educated PhDs and professionals, I honestly doubt she would have cared. The boldness she embodies to have an opinion and put herself out there is to be praised. We should all, indeed, be so brave. "You don't have to look so good. So, stop trying! Just be who you are, a frail human designed by God to reveal his glory. Truthfully, we could use a whole lot more authenticity. If you're hurt,... say it; if you're angry, admit it; if you're in love, show it; if you're wrong, confess it; if you're in need, reveal it."