tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27536158798823391032026-10-16T12:28:42.765-04:00Sandy's Motherhood Blog: Food, Fun, FashionSome recipes, some red carpet fashion reviews, some comments about motherhood, and a lot of random thoughtsSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.comBlogger1544125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-14499610532640947812026-09-14T16:56:58.921-04:002026-09-14T16:56:58.922-04:00RIP, Bob MackieToday, the world of fashion and costume design lost one of its greats: Bob Mackie. Bob Mackie, 1939-2026Mackie grew up in California and studied fashion design at the Chouinard Art Institute for a year before landing a job with Paramount Studios, working there from 1960-1963 as a sketcher, novice designer, and assistant to a designer. Legendary costume designer Edith Head recruited him to Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-53757053887878093892026-09-06T19:19:32.007-04:002026-09-06T19:19:32.007-04:00Mothers and SonsAs a single mom, those moments when you can really connect with your teenage son are rare - and incredibly important. Sometimes you can plan them, but more often than not, they just happen. Tonight, one just happened. To back up just a little, this is Labor Day weekend, which means that my kids (and I) had a day off from school this past Friday, and another on Monday (although my son Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-30200736448260809282026-09-01T11:33:56.166-04:002026-09-01T11:33:56.167-04:00The Penultimate (Kind of) First Day of SchoolThis morning, I took "First Day of School" photos of my two children on the front porch for the eleventh time. I home schooled my son for his kindergarten year, and when my daughter began public kindergarten the next year he went to first grade at public school, so it's always been the two of them. Next year will be his senior year, and therefore the last time I take a photograph of the two of Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-74609537927708607632026-07-27T11:40:34.178-04:002026-07-27T11:40:34.179-04:00Hadestown: A Theatrical ReviewI recently saw the filmed production of Hadestown in the movie theater. I was not overly familiar with the show, but I was intrigued by what I had heard about the film, most notably the talented cast, and that the cinematography and camera work was unusually well done for a filmed stage musical, so I went in with high hopes. I was not disappointed. For those unfamiliar with the Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-33857560182580532412026-07-26T09:35:40.769-04:002026-07-26T09:35:40.769-04:00The Best Potluck RecipesI love potlucks! I love being able to try a little taste of new foods and old favorites. I love being able to share some of my favorite dishes with others. But not every dish is appropriate for a potluck. You need to be able to make it ahead of time (sometimes hours, sometimes even the day before), transport it safely, keep it hot or cold, and it needs to be able to sit out for some time without Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-46505345498926855492026-07-11T12:11:14.438-04:002026-07-11T12:11:14.438-04:00Fashion Review: The Swift-Kelce WeddingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married last weekend, and naturally the guest list was filled with A-list celebrities (musicians, movie stars, and athletes) who knew how to dress for the black-tie dress code. Let's see who looked good and who missed the mark!Karlie Kloss wore a shimmery gold strapless Grecian-inspired Tove sheath with a rear slit and matching gold strappy sandals. Elegant, Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-54227398638745506842026-07-11T09:39:46.407-04:002026-07-11T09:39:46.407-04:00Fancy Cocktails without Fancy IngredientsI love discovering interesting new cocktail recipes, so I'm continually browsing Pinterest and other sites for combinations I haven't tried before. One of my frustrations is seeing a delicious-looking cocktail and then discovering that it calls for three or four exotic, unusual, and/or expensive ingredients that I'd never use for anything else. But every now and then I stumble across something a Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-68424522130952984572026-07-06T06:15:42.922-04:002026-07-06T06:15:42.922-04:00Trying Out His Wings: Philmont 2026This morning I woke up at the absolutely ridiculous hour of 4am to deliver my 16-year-old son to meet the shuttle that would take him, 8 other Scouts, and 3 supervising adults to the airport to travel to Cimmaron, New Mexico, for an intensive 12-day High Adventure trek. It has been an exercise for both of us in letting him try out his wings. If you are unfamiliar with Scouting High Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-78038682795539710142026-07-01T13:11:14.798-04:002026-07-01T13:11:14.799-04:00Summer Dessert RecipesI love the seasonal changeover from cold-weather foods like casseroles and rich stews to warm-weather meals like grilled meats and chilled pasta and vegetable dishes. But in addition to main meals, desserts lighten up in the summertime, too. Here are some of my favorite home-made desserts that are just right when the temperatures are climbing upwards. No Bake Eclairs2 (3.4 oz.) boxes vanillaSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-39918536425916314062026-06-30T12:21:38.971-04:002026-06-30T12:21:38.972-04:00Pastry Pocket Meals from Around the WorldBread is a universal thing. Every culture has its own forms of flour-based pastry: naan from India, chapati from Kenya, baguettes from France, focaccia from Italy, pandesal from the Philippines, bao from China, arepas from South America, and on and on. In addition, many cultures use bread or pastry to wrap around other ingredients to form a meal in a pocket. Here is a collection of recipes for "Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-80449631714142965892026-06-22T08:53:41.646-04:002026-06-22T08:53:41.646-04:00Why I Don't Make My Teenagers Mow the LawnI have a large lawn and two teenage children, but I'm still the designated Mower of Lawns. A number of people have asked (and many more, I'm sure, have wondered silently) why I don't make my kids mow the lawn. And I have an answer for that: Because I need to do it. I need to do it for a lot of different reasons. One big one is that I need the exercise. I'm not an exercize-y person, I'm a Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-9887708264930207252026-06-21T11:56:12.264-04:002026-06-21T11:56:12.265-04:00What He Taught ThemWhen I think of the phrase, "Teaching by example," I think of my late husband. He lived out that phrase in many aspects of his life: his work, his volunteerism, his faith, his parenting. On this Father's Day, I am reminded of the many things he taught all three of his children by example. Maintain lifelong friendships. Dress up for church. Dress up for dinner.Actually, dress up Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-75256825804524082172026-06-13T20:39:46.226-04:002026-06-13T20:39:46.226-04:00365 Days Later"The boys are off on a pre-Philmont hike with the Scouts, so the girl and I are cooking together (breakfast casserole), listening to music together (Laufy), and drinking c/mocktails together (cherry lemonade for her, hot & dirty martini for me). Happy weekend!! #funwithmygirlie #motherdaughterbonding #hottublater"That was my FB post, one year ago today. My last post before my life shattered. Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-84469143741439425362026-06-08T09:35:28.919-04:002026-06-08T09:35:28.919-04:00The 2026 Tony Awards: Red Carpet ReviewLast night was the annual Tony Awards, which recognizes excellence in theatre. In addition to excellence in theatre, I love to recognize sartorial excellence. So here's what I thought of some of the looks on tonight's red carpet! I've included both men and women this time, since so many of the men did such a nice job. Cole Escola was channeling Molly Ringwald in a puffy bright pink satin Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-26087578831881214932026-06-05T14:24:31.070-04:002026-06-05T14:24:31.070-04:00Tony Awards Cocktails, Mocktails, and Snacks: 2026 Edition (Part 2)Yesterday's post offered a variety of themed refreshments based on this year's Best Musical and Best Play Tony Nominees. Today's will do the same for the Best Revival categories, as well as for every other shows which received nominations. CATS: The Jellicle Ball: Cats and drag queens. 'Nuff said. Cocktail: Cat's PajamasIn a shaker with ice, combine 2 oz gin, 3/4 oz honey syrup (Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-49226903047222570382026-06-04T21:52:27.887-04:002026-06-04T21:52:27.888-04:00Tony Awards Cocktails, Mocktails, and Snacks: 2026 EditionNow that you know a little about the Tony-nominated shows and performers, you need some ideas for what to eat and drink while you're watching the ceremony, right? Of course, I have some lovely suggestions for you, based on the show(s) you're cheering for! Here are some themed drinks and snacks to pair with your favorite nominated production. I'm only covering the nominees for Best Play and Best Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-87917365328974700472026-06-03T14:27:08.966-04:002026-06-03T14:27:08.967-04:00The 2026 Tony Awards: What You Need to KnowAnyone who knows me or reads this blog should be aware that I am a huge Broadway fan, and I am a huge red carpet fan. So the Tony Awards are one of my favorite ceremonies! This year's awards are happening this coming Sunday, June 7th, so if you are less of a fan than I am, here is everything you need to know to fully appreciate Sunday's festivities. I apologize that there's not enough time to Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-33661862641689692672026-05-31T18:25:53.129-04:002026-05-31T18:25:53.129-04:00Tell Parents When Their Kids Are AwesomeI am ridiculously proud of my children. I recognize that they have their failings (as we all do), but they are also amazing human beings, and at the ages of 14 and 16, they are becoming their own people and simply good human beings. But I recognize that, as their mother, I am decidedly biased. OF COURSE I think they're great. OF COURSE I think they're succeeding at life. OF COURSE I think Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-1888726730349360612026-05-26T10:25:13.623-04:002026-05-26T10:25:13.623-04:00From Quicksand to QuagmireThe early stages of grief are like being trapped in quicksand: You feel like you're sinking, like you're drowning. The slightest move makes you feel like you're being pulled under even faster. The only way to stop sinking is to freeze. You feel completely paralyzed, and completely terrified. But as time goes by, it's more like being trapped in quagmire: You can move, but every move takes an Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-87852197762407180682026-05-05T17:19:00.004-04:002026-05-05T17:19:43.810-04:002026 Met Gala: Red Carpet Review The Met Gala each year is inspired by the spring exhibition at the Costume Institute. This year, the collection "Costume Art" explores the human body in all its forms, young and old, large and small, of all abilities, highlighting 5000 years of fashion. The official dress code of the Gala was "Fashion is Art," and was expected to showcase sculptural, architectural, and conceptual Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-36672372549374501552026-05-04T17:29:00.003-04:002026-05-04T17:29:29.855-04:00The Most Memorable Hats of the 2026 Kentucky DerbyI can't believe I actually missed the Kentucky Derby this year. Somehow I got busy and forgot - and ended up missing the most exciting Derby in years, with an incredible come-from-behind win in the final stretch! Not to mention missing my opportunity to drink a mint julep and wear a fabulous hat. Speaking of fabulous hats, there were certainly plenty of fabulous hats to be seen on Saturday. Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-80640441239338925912026-04-28T16:29:00.001-04:002026-04-28T16:29:03.918-04:00My Favorite International Recipes: 2026 UpdateAround this time last year I posted a collection of my favorite international recipes. I've added a few more to my repertoire since then, so if you've already tried and enjoyed (or not) those dishes, here are a few more that you might enjoy (or not). Butter Chicken (India)"Authentic" butter chicken calls for a lot of ingredients that I don't keep on hand and wouldn't use often enough toSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-77731114412673961012026-04-25T07:39:00.001-04:002026-04-25T07:39:21.855-04:00Give Me Some CreditAs the one-year anniversary of my husband's death approaches in less than two months, the bureaucratic red tape becomes both less frequent and more complicated. I've managed switching over many of the family's financials into my name, including the utilities, mortgage, bank accounts, trash collection services, car and health insurance, and car titles and registrations. But one of the last Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-79696544084680140852026-04-09T20:39:00.000-04:002026-04-09T20:39:02.421-04:00I'm Not White-Knuckling It: Being the Mom of a Newly-Permitted DriverMost parents have a hard time imagining their kids growing up; looking ahead to their next stage of development can be a little mind-boggling. When your baby can barely sit up, it's hard to picture him walking. On her first day of kindergarten, you know she'll eventually graduate from high school but that's too far in the future to imagine. When he takes that first wildly careening trip down the Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-20219930047121585042026-03-25T14:41:00.001-04:002026-03-25T14:41:04.947-04:00Beginner's Apple Pie (and Pie Crust)I love eating pie, and I love baking pie. For a very long time, I stuck to a classic pumpkin pie with a store-bought crust because my pie crusts never came out right (they tasted fine, they just didn't hold together or have the right texture). But then the women's group at my church had a baking meeting and one of our members shared her recipe and her tips for baking the perfect crust, and I've Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0