Life is impromptu, moving with fluid momentum over and through us. It took me years to embrace this fact, to accept change on a whim. Most days now, I embrace it, looking for the beauty in life even when the momentum feels like it has us thrashing in churning waves. However, when life devastates on a large scale it is simply incomprehensible and heart wrenching.

As a parent, there are always fears that run through our minds. Daily we reach for inner strength when our child rides off on a bus under the control of someone else; when we get a call that their school is under lock down, when powerful storms surge through town. Most days we push these fears to the back of our minds knowing, hoping that all will be fine, that our sweet babies will be home in time for supper.

This morning some parents’ worst nightmares are now a reality. Families’ lives are now completely upside down. If we lived closer, we would lend our hands, our strength and our shoulders but unfortunately, we do not. What we can do though as a family is to take a moment to hold them all in our hearts; our stories can wait for a time.

We as a community can send as much hope their way as possible along with any resources they may need. A wonderful way to help those who have lost homes, clothing and everything they possessed in Oklahoma is to donate to the American Red Cross. Whether you donate blood or money there will be a need for both in the coming days. There is also a convenient way that you can donate on your phone via text.

Thank you for understanding our need as a family to pause today and share our weekends adventures with you tomorrow.

Please hug your loved ones today, take a moment to send our neighbors in need some support and no matter how fickle she may be sometimes embrace life.

With all of our love,

Shari and The Guys

After 9 hours of driving even further south, a lovely evening spent in Orlando with friends we are finally at our destination.

That’s right guys we are back at Walt Disney World for…

Food Blog Forum 2013!

This year we are staying at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Honestly, I feel as if we drove into Gatsby’s opulent world for the weekend.

The only difference is Gatsby did not have mousekeeping. Maybe his life would have been happier if he had.

We cannot wait to share more of our park adventures, sweet friends and since we will be eating our way through Disney sumptuous food. I will try to update you all while we are here but just in case Peter Pan carries me off to Neverland I won’t make any promises.

Until later…all our love and magical wishes!

Shari & The Guys

Some days my lady is grey, harboring swirling emotions covering the world in her misty blanket. Other days she smiles bright blue, her children coming out to play, dancing under the sun and singing with glee. Harassing far off fishing boats for a morsel or two. On days like this, you just want to turn your face up to the sky. The oceans blue smile lightening your heart as her wave’s pound around your feet.

And I have loved thee, ocean! And my joy
Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be
Borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy
I wanton’d with thy breakers-they to me
Were a delight; and if the freshening sea
Made them a terror-’twas a pleasing fear,
For I was as it were a child of thee,
And trusted to thy billows far and near,
And laid my hand upon thy mane – as I do here.

-George Gordon

Happy Wednesday my friends!

Love,

Shari

Mother’s Day this past weekend was sweet in so many ways. Usually the guys “surprise me” with breakfast in bed but this year my siblings and I went to our favorite breakfast house with mom. To have all nine of us together sleepy eyed and snuggled into a corner booth is a memory that will warm us for years to come. All of that love and cheer had me thinking about the wonderful women I have befriended in my life. Some fresh to motherhood and others full of experience whom I draw inspiration from, my sweet friend Jenny is one of those experienced moms. You may know Jenny as the wonderfully talented Picky Palate.

As I was piddling around the house after lunch boyish giggles from the kitchen caught my attention. Whatever could those cute knuckleheads be up to in there? Discovering them with Jenny’s cookbook working on a replacement treat for our annual breakfast in bed was utterly poetic and sweet beyond words. Whenever the boys and I are at our silliest Jenny and her three precious boys always come to mind. She and her boys simply light up a room.

The monkeys had everything covered. Ingredients laid out, measuring cups and spoons on hand and best of all each other. They are getting older guys. They don’t need me to supervise as much as I used to.

To say that they are comfortable with my beloved KitchenAid mixer would be a whopping understatement.

Jenny’s recipes are so straight forward and well written that they really had no trouble working through each of the steps without any tips from me.

Basically I just sat back, took in the show (love the towel apron)…

Enjoying the raucous laughter and silly jokes coming from my two loves.

I couldn’t help but notice as Patch worked on his assembly line of Jenny’s cookies that I have evidently passed on the flamingo cooking stance gene. By the way don’t those cookies look amazing!

Maybe I should have mentioned a few spacing tips to the boys before baking but in all honesty I love these perfectly imperfect cookies that they made on their own with laughter and love more than any coiffed primped cookies.

Besides Jenny’s recipe is so crazy good you seriously won’t care what they look like nor will your family. Just look at those ooey gooey Oreo stuffed beauties!! I don’t know how she comes up with some of her glorious creations but to us she is one of the craftiest sugar fairies in the land aka you rock Miss Picky Palate. By the way Patch had to include some Mint Oreo’s, he’s a mint lover.

Jenny’s book has more than just sweets though, her book is filled with all sorts of savory dishes that your family will love…even the pickiest ones. Our “Must Make” list is growing by leaps and bounds each time we browse through her book. Congrats sweet friend, we adore the cookbook that you have created which was inspired by the family you love so much.

It’s such a well rounded, thoughtful cookbook that we wanted to share it with y’all, simply follow the directions in the below widget and one of you guys will be the lucky winner of a Picky Palate Cookbook!
Picky Palate Cookbook Giveaway

All of our love!

Shari & The Boys

*PS: Dunk these cookies in milk but more importantly coffee, trust me.*

Who else besides me enjoys starting their day basking in the comfort of the outdoors? Do you typically find yourself sporting your favorite worn hoodie and battered sweatpants as you head out the door? You know the ones I’m talking about, the pair that your family threatens to sacrifice to the fire pit if they ever see you wearing them out in public in again.

Trust me I feel your pain guys. They simply don’t understand how difficult it is to find athletic wear that not only feels good against your skin but also fits well, especially bottoms. This is why we hang on to that particular miracle find until they are threadbare and nearly see-through.

Well get ready to pull out the lighter fluid my friendss, there is a solution to your workout clothing woes. Allow me to introduce you all to Albion, the latest in women’s fitness wear. Everything Albion designs is stylish, unique and practical, best of all designed by women for women. Their attention to detail has produced high quality clothing that is both feminine and functional. From supple long sleeve shirts with my favorite detail, thumbholes to Bermuda shorts with a panel at the waist that can be left up or folded down for either high-waist coverage or a curvy mid-rise.

Yes they even make swimwear!

Their swimsuits come in a variety of fun prints and styles, which flatter a woman’s curves. From adorable polka dots to vibes of old Hollywood with flattering shapes and ruffled tops.

Then there’s a sassy belted one with stripes. Sigh…I am enamored with them all. Truth be told everything is simply beautiful and timeless. My wish list is now vast!

I am thoroughly looking forward to enjoying my favorite beach side path in not only style but also comfort this morning. Thank you so much to Albion for the lovely Bermuda Shorts, they are fantastic!

Now for a Special Offer and the Giveaway!

Albion is offering you a special value! Save $15 on any purchase of $50 or more, just use the code tickledred15 at checkout. Code expires 5/17/2013

For the chance to win a $100 gift certificate and choose some of their comfortable active wear or one of their gorgeous swimsuits, just enter by using the widget below.

Albion $100 Giftcard Giveaway

I’m curious, which Albion piece did you fall in love with? Catch y’all under the sun!

All my love,
Shari

Only One Mother

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
-George Cooper

From my family to yours, we wish you all a wonderful Mother’s Day…and honeysuckle dreams.

All Our Love,

Shari and The Guys

Living an impromptu gypsy life has it benefits. Traveling and exploring is always rewarding especially when you get to immerse yourself in another culture. For the last two weeks, DS was in the Caribbean fully submerged in the warmth that is the tropics, literally.

When he wasn’t working he was out bone fishing…

Or braving the depths, diving for conch for his supper. Days and nights of living off the sea in every way imaginable isn’t a shabby way to spend your days at all but there’s nothing like coming home.

As much as we love seafood, its comfort food we all seem to crave when we return home. Seeing as how Surferboy was only going to be home for one full day and night before he had to run up to Maryland for a contest I wanted to welcome him home with one of our favorite dishes Chicken Pie with Summer Vegetables. This is what I would classify as a “Sunday Supper” dish. It takes time, the type of leisurely I have neither worries, nor a care in the world type of time.

Ella is softly crooning the blues in the background; you have already made your pie crust, or thawed out your puff pastry. The kitchen smells heavenly of baking chicken, the veggies ready, now for the fun the sauce! In a heavy sauce pan melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook until  bubbling then add the chicken stock and continue to whisk until the mixture boils. Cook for approx. 2-3 minutes then whisk in the whipping cream, season with salt and pepper.

Wait it gets better. You know those drippings left over from the chicken. Well save those please! They, along with some (oh so nice) white wine and fresh thyme is what you will cook your onions, carrots, celery and green beans in, adding a nice well-rounded flavor kick to the whole dish.. Then you will add the chicken, corn and peas coating them in the wine sauce as well.

Lastly pouring the rich creamy sauce over all of the chicken and vegetables, oh my dreamy!

Last but not least, add the pie crust over the top of your filling, brush with a beaten egg for that golden brown color and flakiness we all love and cut to vent. Personally, I prefer making this dish with the pie crust or puff pastry but if you are in a pinch like I was Tuesday night fillo dough will work as well. If you do use fillo dough be sure to keep it covered until the last 5 minutes.

See they both turned out superb, the added cheddar to the fillo dough was particularly lovely but there is just something about the pie dough.

That thick golden warm flaky crust with a soft center…sigh…it is worth the effort.

Honestly though no matter which dough you end up choosing the chicken and vegetables in that luscious wine and thyme infused cream sauce is the star. You could even go carb free and eat it like a thick stew if you wished.

Surfeboy will be home in a few more days, until then the boys and I will running crazy while we prep for their end of grade tests, my little sisters graduation on Saturday and of course Mother’s Day. Hopefully I’ll be able to share a few more stories and recipes with you in between the mayhem. We hope that you enjoy the pie!

All my love,

Shari and The Guys

“Happiness is not another place, but this place…not for another hour; but this hour.” Walt Whitman

May your moments be mostly filled with calm and happiness.

Love,

Shari

The elusive easy family meals, we seem to be ever on the hunt for them. A meal that is not only quick but also healthy and satisfying. Let’s be honest though we would love for it to be a little out of the box as well in order to break up the routine that we continuously fall into.

So I have just what you need. Remember last month when the boys and I teamed up with Manwich, sharing our Zesty Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry for an easy nutritious weeknight meal. Well we thought that you guys would enjoy having a complied list consisting of all the delightful Manwich recipes created by the other Weeknight Meal Experts.

Heather Likes Food: Sweet and Smoky Goulash

Oh Sweet Basil: Manwich Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The Hungry Housewife: Sloppy Joe Pizza

Real Mom Kitchen: Southwestern Gorditas

Classy Mommy: Pineapple Sloppy Joe

$5 Dinners: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Manwich Sandwiches

The Naptime Chef: Manwich Cheese Biscuit With Bacon

Mama B: Easy Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Digital Dads: Lentil and Kale Chili

365 Days Of Slow Cooking: Sloppy Joe Beef Quesadillas

Oh, if y’all like having a list of quick easy meals at your fingertips then you’ll just love having a Pinterest Page as well…Easy Family Meals. We all made one so be sure to visit the other experts Pinterest boards. Hopefully having these recipes will make your weeknight meal more about quality time together and a little less stressful.

Here’s to a calm uneventful Monday!

All my love,

Shari

Along the waterways and shores of the Carolinas there are still some stately old cottages hugging the banks, generations of memories echoing in their halls. Casual cottages with their understated lines, yet timeless details belaying the charm and elegance that awaits inside.

For years, one such cottage held my rapt attention. Set on a waterfront double lot encompassed by a white picket fence and lush gardens her cool gray walls enticing me to discover her charms. Twenty years later, I was finally able to walk her halls thanks to Surferboy. This old lady from the 1920’s is about to start a new chapter in her long life being dismantled and moved by barge to another location on the beach.

If you are anything like me the seductive beauty of history and craftsmanship is hard to resist, so come on in and take a peek with me…

You can see that over the years the family has made some updates with tile, carpet and wallpaper but the three floors are still connected by the original staircase. How many children do you suppose slide down that bannister over the years?

On the second floor landing you are pulled to the back of the house which has sweeping views of the calm blue waters and the homes across the way, unfortunately the back deck has seen better years and is a bit soft.

Tall ceilings clad in wide tongue and groove boards, which run down the walls leading to an impressive fireplace, looking a little forlorn with family photos no longer lining its mantle. The urge to run my hand along those smooth walls and over that mantle was irresistible, soaking in the past as I went.

Making our way to the back, we passed the old formal dining room still graced with a lustrous chandelier and received a glimpse of the warm hardwoods that probably lie hidden under the worn green carpeting as well.

The hardwoods and green carpet carry through the bedrooms but it’s the details that grab my attention. Solid old doors that I would love to have in my home. Exotic tattered curtains full of whimsy and vibrant colors. Who do suppose had this room? A boy, a girl, did they have exotic chotskies lining their shelves?

A look into the closets doesn’t reveal any forgotten treasures but it does reveal that every tongue and groove board in the house is southern heart pine. Astounding!

Glass and brass knobs are abundant, just begging to be polished until they are glistening with life.

Wrap around porches with plenty of space to relax on a sunny day, taking in the sights and sounds of an easy breezy coastal life.

In the bathrooms beautiful carved wooden arches overhead…

And cheery honeycomb tiles underfoot.

Let’s not forget the arched balcony seemingly hidden at the back of the house overlooking a second staircase and entry.

Which leads us to the garden…

Sadly it has been neglected and forgotten over the years. The clover pond murky, possibly a fountain below clogged with silt.

Yet you can see that at one time it was someones pride and joy with it’s brick paths and a sundial quoting, “Time began in a garden.”

The flowerbeds are overgrown and the staircases leading up to the porches are peeling paint.

However if you look closely you still find a hidden gem or two. Bricks in the walkways as old as those paving the historic brick streets in downtown Wilmington.

The view is stunning and will be enjoyed by two families soon rather than one, a sign of the changing times that we see frequently along the coast. Out with the old and in with the new.

Fortunately, the new homeowner appreciates history and doesn’t wish to simply dispose of a classic cottage. It warms my heart to know that she is getting a second chance to create new memories within her walls. With all of her age, the wear and neglect over the years she is still a beautiful charming southern lady.

I hope that you enjoyed touring her as much as I did, I will keep y’all posted on her journey.

All my love,

Shari