Something Sweet, Warm and Festive to Mull Over...

Image courtesy Southern Living

There's nothing more New Englandy than hot mulled cider on a cool, crisp afternoon. There's nothing more pleasing to the senses than the smell of cooking apples, Cinnamon and brown sugar simmering softly, smoothly on your stove top. This warm beverage is a wonderful treat for everyone. You can even add a little brandy or rum to it for the older set. It's too bad that it's not Saturday and we're not all sitting around the fire place sipping our warm mulled cider after having come in from raking and jumping into all the newly fallen yellow, orange and red leaves.

Especially since today, September 30th, is National Mulled Cider Day.

But the weekend will be here soon, and if it's not scorching where you live you may want to make a batch. You may want to go apple or pumpkin picking with some friends and then invite them over afterwards for a nice warm mug of mulled cider.

The drink is simple to make.

You'll need:

fresh cider
whole cloves
cinnamon sticks
whole allspice
cheesecloth
large stock pot
brown sugar
ladle
mugs

Directions:

Pour one gallon of fresh cider into a large pot on the stove or into a crock pot or slow cooker.
Add a half cup of brown sugar.

Place 1 teaspoon of whole cloves, 1 teaspoon of whole allspice, and 3 cinnamon sticks on a square of cheesecloth and tie up. Add to the pot.

Heat the cider to a boil, stirring regularly. Leave the pot uncovered so that you and your family or guests can enjoy the warm, delicious aroma.

Once the cider boils, lower the setting to simmer for at least another 15 minutes to allow for thorough infusion of the spices. Stir occasionally.

Remove the spices from the pot and ladle hot mulled cider into mugs or other glasses designed for hot beverages.

Add a Splash of rum or brandy for a perfect Afternoon Delight!

Personally, and I am sure this is no shocker to you all... I am more of a Mulled Wine Girl.

I adore a warm mug of mulled wine. I love how all the flavors come together in your mouth. I just love how this beverage warms you to your core. I make this a good bit for friends in the cooler months.

Picture and recipe courtesy, GoDine UK

You'll need:

2 bottles of medium-bodied red wine
1 cup sugar and more to taste
6 cinnamon sticks
15 cloves
grated nutmeg
2 oranges

Push the cloves into the skin of the oranges, then quarter the oranges
Pour the wine into a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan and warm over a medium heat. Add the sugar, spices and clove studded oranges. Do not let the wine simmer and as soon as it starts to do so turn the heat down low as you don’t want it to boil or it will lose its alcohol content! (This is an important bit of EntertainingMom information!)

Taste for sugar and add more until it tastes right for you.
Keep it steaming over a low heat for about an hour or so to allow the spices to infuse.

You can also add:
Star anise, bay leaves, mace, ginger, cardamom, lemon, lime, brandy.

I just love a nice Mulled Wine. I love the feeling it evokes, the new cooler weather, the upcoming Holiday Seasons and of course, the wonderful memories of my youth...

As many of you know my Grandparents lived in Europe for most of my life. The had a lovely home (which I showed you some posts earlier) in Oxfordshire. They had lavish parties in all their homes, but I remember fondly their Christmas celebrations in England. I remember the warmth of the people and the food and the mulled wines. Christmas was such a different, and lovely, experience across the pond. But a memory that I will carry with me always was that of when I was just 12 or 13. There was a nice family of boys that lived in a converted barn just next door. A family 0f 8 boys! Each lovelier and more polite than the next. And there was a cousin who came to visit. And I was invited to join them to go caroling in the village. I had never gone caroling and was happy to join them. It's such a happy thing to do. You're happy singing and the people who open their doors for your are genuinely happy to see you.

Once we had done our caroling we made our way back to my grandparents' house. And the children joined the adults. And The Cousin, who was much older than I, was perhaps 14 or 15 and poured me my first mulled wine. (It was not uncommon for children, especially teenagers to have a small amount of wine at times in Europe.) And I remember how wonderful and lovely and warm it tasted. And we chatted. And this cousin was really sweet. And really good looking. And at the end of the night, as he left with his cousins, each nicer and more polite than the next, The Cousin thanked me for keeping him company and planted a sweet little kiss ever so gently on my cheek. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Swooooooooooon! And I haven't washed that cheek as long as I have lived! Ok, I have... but the memory of it all will last a lifetime. And my fondness for mulled wine still is strong!

Hostest Gifts...

I love finding hostess gifts. I love giving presents, so when I am invited to someone's house for a dinner, cocktail party or other event I'll bring a little something as a token of my appreciation.

A good hostess gift should not have to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, I generally spend $10 - $20 on a hostess gift, and if the party warrants, I will spend up to $35. Most of the ideas I will list for you are in the $25 and under category.

Sometimes I will give the hostess a bottle of wine, but more often than not I try to be a little more creative. I love to give and receive cocktail napkins. Pair this with a bottle of wine, or matching paper plates and you'll have a lovely gift. Napkins, as basic as they are, are really fun to give and receive.

Are you talented in the kitchen? Baked goods are always wonderful gift. Pair a lovely treat with some festive napkins and here's another great idea. Bake a batch of home made cookies and package them in a lovely, reusable tin. My husband has a recipe for home made Bailey's that we often give over the holidays. We prepare the beverage and pour our gifts in to lovely keepsake bottles, tie it with a pretty ribbon. Simple and sublime.

I love fancy soaps. Exotic soaps can be purchased for under $10. Candles are lovely too. Both of these are inexpensive items that any hostess would love to receive. Bath salts. Fancy Shower Gels.

Do you have a talent? Are you a photographer? Artist? Give something you've created. There is truly no better gift. And treats from the kitchen? You can not go wrong with that!

Ok, so you don't paint, draw, photograph or cook. You still need ideas! Pretty silver frames. These don't have to cost an arm and a leg. You can get your inspiration from Pottery Barn and buy from Marshall's!

Fill an apothecary or large mason jar with pretty candies, tie a bow around it and voila!

Fill a vase with flowers, or nuts, or shells, or pine cones... or something else that might suit your host's personality.

Fill an inexpensive hurricane vase with cranberries, acorns, walnuts, chestnuts... anything you can think of and then place a candle in the middle. When your gift gets used you'll be thought of!

Does your host have any particular likes, hobbies or interests? Perhaps a journal or a pretty pen and paper.

One can never go wrong with fresh flowers.

An inexpensive cocktail or tapas cookbook.

You can never go wrong with a pretty ornament.

What are some things you like to bring your hosts?

Napkins, Caspari Holiday

Napkins, Caspari Holiday

Napkins, Caspari Holiday

Small Lilly Pulitzer Journal, courtesy Swoozie's

Aromatic Candle, Williams-Sonoma
(I cannot live without this in my kitchen!)

Aromatic Meyer Lemon Candle, Williams-Sonoma

Apothecary Jars, Pier 1 Imports

Assorted Vases, Pottery Barn

Monogrammed Shaker, Williams Sonoma

Assorted Frames, Pottery Barn

How to Throw A Grand Party: Party Hosting 101

I love to entertain... but that's no secret. I'd entertain all the time if I could, but due to time and energy and finances I can't. Not that it should cost much to entertain and one can still host a wonderful and memorable evening without breaking the bank. Oftentimes, the simpler the better. This is especially true if you are on a budget, or a bit unsure as to how to entertain, and worried about creating a memorable and good impression. Hosting a party should be as much fun as going to someone else's party. A party, whether small and intimate or grand on all scales is really an extension of you. I prefer the more intimate of gatherings. My husband prefers them larger, louder, longer. So we compromise and have both!

I love to have little get togethers with my girlfriends without my husband! An afternoon tea or cocktail, and my book club are great ways for me to entertain on a smaller, more casual scale. These are also great ways to ease gently into the world of entertaining. There are many wonderful entertaining and hostessing blogs, many of which I have in my blog roll for you to enjoy. But some of these can be daunting with all their glorious ideas. Sometimes there is too much to choose from. This is why I like to keep it simple initially.

First things first. Make sure your home is spotless. For many people, this will be the first time people come to your home. Children's rooms should be clean, not museum-like, but clean. Make sure all necessary surfaces are dusted. Windows, French doors and the like are finger print-free! In the bathrooms make sure fresh towels and soaps are placed for the guests. (I keep the good soaps tucked away so my kids don't destroy them.)

Get some fresh flowers if you can. Or decorate your home to reflect the season. Use fresh apples, pine cones and pumpkins. Don't get too fancy if this is not your thing, but a few pine cones or apples in a pretty bowl make a lovely statement. White pillar candles in hurricanes with acorns or Indian corn are simple, festive and fit right in with the season as well.

A couple of ideas if the girls are coming over for Morning Coffee...
Get yourself a nice coffee from Starbucks or a local coffee shop if they have high quality, specialty coffees. I like to serve sweet breads or light cakes. I'll offer a couple of varieties and decorate the platters with fresh fruit. This adds a lovely visual and gives your guests an opportunity to nosh on something healthy at the same time. This is really all you'll need. Let the conversation and the coffee and the food be the focus of your Morning Coffee.

Tea Time...

My grandparents had tea every day at 4pm sharp. The teas varied from Oolong, to Earl Grey to other less familiar varieties from the East and the West. There was always some sort of yummy treat. When they lived in France we'd have wonderful patisseries. When they lived in England the tea would often accompany a sweet scone or crumpet or cake. And when in Italy tea time was usually something quite light in order to save room for a rich and satisfying local dinnertime meal. My parents have tea every day. I enjoy it too, despite my love for Pumpkin Spice Latte! I have discovered Twinings Spiced Chai tea and it is my new go to afternoon treat! Yesterday we sat down, en famille, and enjoyed a nice warm cup of tea on a rainy day with the wonderful apple cake I wrote about on Saturday.

Should you want to have a Tea Party you'll just need some tea and some light fare. Perhaps a few cucumber or watercress sandwiches, or thin slices of zucchini bread, banana bread or a good fruit bread. If baking is not your thing, there is no reason not to stop by a favorite bakery to pick up a few sweet treats. If you have a pretty tea pot and china use them. Don't just let your 4 year old daughter have all the fun! If you have any favorite or special linens, enjoy them. If not, there are wonderful paper napkins out there too.

Or perhaps you'd like to have the girls over for a little Afternoon Delight! Serve Sangria, or Gimlets, or to accompany the fall season pick up a bottle of Pumpkin Liqueur and serve up some Pumpkin Spice Martinis! Again you don't need to get too fussy or too elaborate. You'll need to offer water, both sparkling and regular and perhaps some iced tea or soft drinks for those who don't drink. For little nibbles you don't have to go to extremes here either. Cheese and crackers, slices of apple, pear and figs are lovely accompaniments, spiced nuts, olives, bread sticks and pretzels are always good to munch on. Of course, you can get as fancy and as complex as you'd like. But keep it simple initially.

Ready to move on?

Host a dinner party. Invite 2 couples. The couples can either be friendly or not know each other at all. Just be sure that your guests will have something in common. As soon as your guests enter greet them warmly with a drink. Perhaps wine. Perhaps champagne. Perhaps a signature cocktail. Try to have all your prep work done so that you may focus your full attention (before you head back into the kitchen) on your guests. Music will always set the mood. I love to have a little Frank or Bing or Cole Porter... music of that generation in the background. You want the music to be happy and set the mood for the night. You want to always be able to carry on a conversation without shouting. As the night wears on the music can change and you may opt for something more modern.

I love small, intimate dinner parties. I like to keep the tone and mood casual. I want my guests to feel comfortable and relaxed. I want them to feel like they are at home.

As I mentioned before, my husband loves the larger, grander events. These do require a good bit more in the organizing and planning departments. And these require a larger budget as well. In the past we had yearly holiday parties. Then as we started having children, and more and more of them, these parties became too complicated. Last year we hosted a New Year's Day party. We invited our friends to a Brunch and Bowl. Kids were invited too. The younger set were in the play room and the older children and adults could wander around the house and tune in to whatever bowl game was on television. Televisions were turned on in all the downstairs rooms. We served brunch food and chili. It was a fabulous success. This year, however, I will hire a babysitter to look after all the children so there is less chaos and less mess for me to have to deal with the following day!

As we approach the holiday season, there are so many ways to entertain your friends and loved ones. If the idea of a Halloween Party is too frightening, consider a Thanks For Giving party where the guests come with non perishable food items that you will donate to a local food bank or shelter. You can host a Fall Evening of Food and Wine and offer various wines and hors d'oeuvres for sampling. Cookie Exchanges and Ornament Exchanges are always sure to result in a grand affair!

These are just a few ways to have fun and throw a grand party. I hope you'll do so. There's nothing like it!

If you need or desire any ideas or recipes do not hesitate to ask! If I don't have the answer you are looking for I can certainly send you in the right direction!

thank you

for bearing with me as I try out some new looks -- I'm looking for something to better suit my mood, personality and the tone of this blog which reflects me as a mother, wife and fun-loving girl who adores to entertain and be entertained. What do you think of my Frank and Bing link? Does the song make you want to dance? Have a cocktail? Go to a wedding? Get married? It's from one of my all-time favorite movies, High Society which was filmed in Newport. I thought it went well with my header picture from my own wedding at my parents' house in Newport! There is no party like a wedding party!

Entertaining the Family

In the summertime we tend to head off to go visit my parents, but during the school year, with our busy lives and schedules, it's easier for my parents to come to us. They usually arrive at around 10:00, stay for a few hours and take off when the kids start driving them batty! Wish I could do the same... Oh wait, I do! I send them off to school!

Our visits usually center around food, so as soon as I got up this morning I had to prepare for lunch and dessert. I was so busy running around yesterday that I had no time for the prep work that I thought I would have.

But what a difference it makes getting the house ready for company when you have three kids in school for a whole day! I spent most of Thursday tidying and vacuuming, Windexing, etc. Alexander went off on a play date after school on Friday so I had the added bonus of another day of "freedom." This freedom allowed me to get so much accomplished, not inside the home, but outside the home. I spent my Friday running errands that are normally so challenging and stressful, but without children it's truly amazing how liberating errand running can be! I went to the bank, our local baker to pick up fresh rye, semolina, challah and sour dough breads. Then I went to get my hair cut (5 inches!), to CVS, to get the car washed, to the grocery store, to our local farm store, to pick the kids up from school and then to take them all to the school's Family Fun Night.

When people come from out of town, I like to give them a taste of the wonderful things we have in our area. Our town has so many wonderful farms and farm stores, that I like to use these ingredients as part of our meals. I decided that today we would have a large salad for lunch. I wanted something light as I was also serving dessert. I served a large salad, served on a platter, that everyone could help themselves to. The sweet tomatoes were fresh off the vine divine and the lettuces, splendid. I browned up some chicken in various spices for a little protein and made the most marvelous dressing by adding some red wine to the pan to scrape off some of the wonderful spices. I added the liquid, about 2 - 3 tablespoons to vinegar, olive oil and mustard. A perfect red wine vinaigrette. The salad was devoured as was the bread and the red wine.

We had a lovely visit and the kids got plenty of individual attention from Moo and Popsy as I cooked in the kitchen. We had to wait a little while between lunch and dessert so Alexander got to open his Birthday present from Moo and Popsy and the kids surprised Moo with flowers and cards for her. Her Birthday was last weekend. Finally, dessert was ready. The cake was cooked and had cooled enough to eat. Let the celebration continue! With bellies full, we sent Moo and Popsy home with their flowers and some of our apple picking prizes!

After my parents took off and I had cleaned up sufficiently, Daddy and I decided to relax for a bit in the family room. We decided to check out the much acclaimed and much talked about Mad Men television show. After just a few moments I was hooked! We ended up watching 3 episodes, and now, as I type this I'm watching another one! I simply cannot get enough!

I have decided that I love everything about the Sixtees. I love the dress and the lifestyle... especially the all day cocktail hours! I have decided, however, that I could not live in that era as the home decor is atrocious!

Our large salad featuring items from a local farm along with some seasoned chicken
and fresh bread made a perfect light lunch

The amazing Apple Cake we had for dessert. The recipe is on my food blog,
The Entertaining Kitchen

A picture of the apple cake, and my mom!

only in The Entertaining House...

(Click to enlarge)

I guess the Little Lime doesn't fall too far from the Gimlet!

Luckilly our awesome, amazing sitter told him that babysitters aren't allowed to drink alcohol. He seemed to get that. He shook his head and told her that little kids shouldn't either!

Back by popular demand...

Thank you all for your compliments on my cartoon... here's today's version per your requests! The blue is off... I couldn't find a darker color blue among the 24000 crayons we have in the house. (You can click on it to see it better if you wish.)

Can you see the picture well enough? Can you read the text? I ought to learn how to use my scanner. My lovely husband bought me one a couple of years ago. It's in the basement in the original packaging. Probably still stapled shut. But the damn thing absolutely terrifies me! It's easier to whip out the camera and take an awkward snap shot.

I had a hard time finding something to wear today. It's 80 and fairly humid. All my summer stuff is now packed up and in the attic. I wanted something fairly cool. I chose one of my favorite shirts, but the shirt requires pants not a skirt. So I had to find a pair of pants that would not make me too hot. The shoes were the easy part.

My hair is long and it's a mess. I'm not sure what to do with it so it's still long. I'm too old for long hair, according to my mother. But really, am I supposed to cut it short and perm it like a little old lady? I don't think so! I'm still letting my bangs grow. I love my bangs when I cut them. For about a week. And then it take a year or two to grow them out. Insanity. Madness!

I had nothing to write about which is why I had sketched out a quick picture. And which is why I'm babbling.

I was going to dash off to the grocery store. And then I remembered that tonight is Back to School Night for the parents... and tomorrow is Family Fun Night. So that's two nights of no cooking. Wahoo! I was going to clean the play room but then I went up to take a look and decided to shut the door behind me instead. I was going to empty the laundry baskets in the laundry room. But I decided to close that door too! I could make my kids an after school treat... But I don't feel like cleaning up the mess. I could go through the house with my Windex bottle and clean all the nasty smears and smudges off the windows and doors. But that would require me getting off my duff. I could hang some pictures. I could make a few necessary phone calls. I hate to talk on the telephone. I could clean out the Tupperware/container cupboard. (Ohmygodwhatadisaster!) I could clean out my closet. (Ohmygodwhatadisaster!) I could take the two boxes in my bedroom to Goodwill. I could plan this weekend's menu as my parents are coming in to town on Saturday. I could polish the copper. I could go find my mother a Birthday present.

OH! OH! OH!!!!

I HAD MY GIMLET LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it did not disappoint! It was fabulously delicious and deliciously fabulous! It might be my new Go To Drink! It's crisp, clear, clean and very refreshing. It's delightfully sweet and tart. It's Perfect! It's Divine! It's all mine!

and with that I'm off... to do something... to be a little productive today... before I have my little lime-green drink ;)

"Reply Hazy. Try Again Later."

I don't take a cute picture. I always think I look like a dork... or if I stand in front of the mirror the flash ruins the picture or else makes me squint something nasty. Or I shoot myself at the wrong angle making my butt look wider than an 18 wheeler... Or there's a little something on my shirt or cheek or my nose or teeth...

But sometime I like to provide a visual of EntertainingMom. In college I was known for my cartoons. They appeared in the yearbook and in the newspaper where I would often poke and make fun of my classmates, friends and myself. Some things don't change, eh?!

So I drew another picture. It's been years since I've done this. Turned out pretty AOK I think! Best part is I can shrink my own waist. No need for Spanx in these cartoons!

So this is what I wore to school. This is pretty much how I dress all the time. Cute, comfy and casual. And my Bumblebee earrings make me so very happy! After dropping off the kids at school I ran some errands. And then I did something I dare say I have never ever done before. I stopped off at the Liquor Store. At 10:01 am, I went to the liquor store!

I bypassed the wines, champagnes, vodkas and assorted liquors and liqueurs and didn't stop until I found my bottle of Rose's Lime Juice. I gingerly, oh so tenderly picked the bottle up in my hands and I feeling of calm and peacefulness came over me in a way I cannot describe. And as I clicked my heels to turn around, my eye caught sight of something orange and brilliant in a bottle. I stopped dead in my tracks all the while still cradling my Rose's Lime and took a step backwards. And there it was gently whispering my name, "Jessica, pick me! Pick me!" A bottle of Pumpkin Liqueur. Could it be? It could be! I nearly, nearly dropped and shattered my bottle of Rose's Lime, but I kept my wits about me. Do you know what this means? In some way, shape or form I can have my Pumpkin Spice, morning, noon and now night! Glory Glory Hallelujah! I almost took the orange filled bottle of the shelf, but I didn't. I will return tomorrow. But tonight, tonight I will concentrate on my Gimlet, I will not have wandering eyes, I will not be distracted by thoughts of tall orange bottles. I will be true. I will remain faithful. And with that I marched on over to the cash register and pulled out my singles. One. Two. Three. Four. I handed them over. "Small purchase today," I explained. I must have some sort of reputation!

I practically leaped out of the store.

And then I came home and put my bottle away, temporarily.

And then I consulted my Magic 8 Ball. I asked if I would have my Gimlet today.

"Reply Hazy. Try Later." It told me.

I posted this on my Facebook status. I will be updating all day long according to what my Magic 8 Ball tells me.

My friend Rita commented on my post. She told me I should be on Mad Men. "I can so see you as the 60's wife...always looking sharp and juggling the house and cooking and kids effortlessly (or at least making it look effortless)...and let's not forget the cocktails...a staple of the early 60's dinner hour..."

I have heard so much about this show but have never seen it. Sounds like it'd be right up my alley though!

Another shake of my Magic 8 Ball... "Will I have my Gimlet tonight?"
I'm thinking of throwing it out the window. This is its reply: "Outlook Not So Good."

The EntertainingMom goes to the Playground

First, I want to preface this post by letting you know that I want a Gimlet. Yes, at 9:02 am I want a Gimlet. I'm sipping my cappuccino and I'm not going to do anything funny to it for goodnessakes, but still I want a Gimlet. Truth be told I didn't know what one was until a few days ago. I read about it in Julie & Julia, but never bothered to find out what one was. So I did. And now I want one.I simply Googled "How to make a Gimlet." And then I learned that the Gimlet Martini (which sounds both more sophisticated and elegant than plain ol' Gimlet) could not be any easier to make.

You need three things. 3. That's it.
1. A very good quality vodka like Grey Goose -- 1.5 oz per serving
2. A really good Lime Juice, Rose's Lime Juice is perfection -- 1 oz per serving
3. A lime.

According the Bar Project blog, this should not, however, be done in haste... check out this blog if you, like me, have a sudden urge to drink one!

Now to the Playground...

Poor Alexander doesn't get to the playground much anymore. His older brother and sister seem to have outgrown the magic and allure of these active play spaces. Christopher will have fun but only with a friend. I feel like Alexander's missed out on a vital part of childhood. So after school, yesterday, we went to one of the fabulous local playgrounds in our old 'hood.

We brought the scooter and the sand toys.

And Alexander headed right over to the slides and climby things.

So I parked my toosh on a picnic table and watched him run and climb and have fun. I had my phone and keys next to me. Note how I say next to me.

Ladies, there is such a thing as Playground Etiquette. It's not a written thing, but an understood silent thing. And yet after 10 years of bringing my children to these places, there are some people who either just don't get it, or flat out refuse to accept these rules.

If you bring your child(ren) to the play ground put the cell phone down. Your date is with your children and your attention should be fully on them, not with the small metal hand-held device.

Perhaps a short call is a must. That's fine. Kindly explain that you cannot talk at the moment and offer to call back.

So this was my experience yesterday:

It was a gorgeous September day with temperatures in the upper 70's. It felt more like June than June did. Preschoolers and toddlers and babies dotted the scene. A young mother at another picnic table was on the phone. SHE WAS NOT TALKING QUIETLY, OHMIGOD AND LIKE YOU SHOULD, YOU KNOW LIKE... She was shouting into her phone, across the playground. Nothing, nothing bothers me more than grown women talking like teenagers. It is like so totally Grodie to the Max. Gag, me with a spoon!

And while I didn't want to eavesdrop there was no avoiding any of her end of the phone conversation. LoudYoungMother must have hailed from the BBQ area. (Brooklyn, Bronx or Queens.) Not only was she loud, but she was New York Loud. And she was telling her friend (from Brooklyn?) how small she was... that No One could believe that she was due in 3 weeks... she spins every morning... Yadda Yadda Yadda. So I look over and come on, she's not that little. I could totally guess that she was due in three weeks. LoudYoungMother is sitting alone. I cannot tell which is her kid. There is a mother, or nanny, pushing 3 little ones on the swings. Perhaps the LoudYoungMother brought her nanny with her while she sat on her ass on the phone. This pisses me off to no end.

At this point I get up to watch Alexander on the slide, receive a lemonade made out of sand and help him on the monkey bars. LoudYoungMother is still talking on the phone. We have easily been at the play ground for 20 minutes so far. A little boy wanders over and asks me to help him onto a piece of equipment. I am a bit reluctant but no one else has claimed him. Mothers, do not have other mothers babysit your children. This too pisses me off to no end. What if the little boy had gotten hurt? I would have had to run to his rescue, but I also had Alexander on the monkey bars.

And the mother is still on the phone. After a while I make my way back over to my picnic table. I start to look at her in disbelief. She is now giving mothering advice on spacing out her children, bottle feeding, etc. Why is it that young new mothers always feel the need to offer unsolicited advice? Finally she hangs up. Alexander is happily climbing and sliding away. I look back at the mother. She's on the goddamned phone again. Texting!!!

Then her Little boy starts to whip out his little Acorn in the middle of the playground. He looks to be about 3. I chuckle. The LoudYoungMother hurries over and looks around in a panic. There is no restroom at this small playground. I tell her to go to the Fire Station. The firemen are wonderful about letting the kids use the facilities there. She thanks me profusely. Little Boy is still unsure and would much rather whip out his little Acorn on the playground, but she urges him off. She turns around and shouts over her shoulder "You think my stuff's safe here?" I told her I would be around for a while. I never did say I would watch it. Or that I would not rifle through to see what goodies were in there. Amazing. She walked out without her cell phone.

She thanked me upon return and started up a conversation. Great, now this LoudYoungMother wants me to be her friend. Her accent is in no way fake. I ask her where she is from. Westchester. AHA!!! I knew it!!! Larchmont, to be precise. AHA AHA AHA!!!!

As she is talking her son wanders off to mooch food off of some other kid. My eyes are still on Alexander. Hers are... somewhere... she goes on to tell me how un-shy he is and he'll wander up to anyone who will talk to him. I want to shake her and say "Geeze, wonder why lady?" Pay him some attention, and he won't talk to strangers. I want to say this but I don't. And then, as though she is sensing my thought she went on to explain that even though she was on the phone she was watching him (with eyes on the back of her head!) and that she always pays attention to him. Yeah! I was polite and listened. But I knew we would never be friends. I was so turned off. It annoys me to no end that parents will take their children to the playground and then completely ignore them. It annoys me more when parents bring their children to the playground, spend the entire time on the phone and speak loudly enough for you to hear the entire conversation. And what really annoys me is when these said mothers pretend like it's really OK or that it never happened. Because it isn't. Not at all. It takes one second for an accident to happen. Keep your eyes on your kids. Then, if you have emerged from the playground (relatively) unscathed and uninjured then you can pour yourself a ... Gimlet Martini!

There could be worse things... right?

The kids had a lot to remember to bring to school this morning. So at 8:00 I sent them into the garage to get their back packs, sports bags, etc... That's when we noticed that the car was locked. And, that inside the locked car were my keys! (We had gone to Christopher's soccer game yesterday and even though I was not driving I grabbed my keys so I could lock up behind me.) I brought my entire bag because I had snacks for the kids, as well as juices and a Coke Zero for myself. And my Vogue. And my Williams-Sonoma catalogue with every page dog-eared! And a magazine that I swiped from some doctor's office.

I remember leaving my bag in the car overnight. Thought nothing of it. Do it all the time

But I needed it this morning

I texted Daddy. He called me back. Soonest he could be home was 11:30. So I called a friend who was able to bring my kiddos along. (The kids go to school in another town so we do not have busing.)

And I was stuck at home with nowhere to go.

With the laundry.

And the cleaning.

And the vacuuming.

And my coffee.

And my laptop.

And some home made banana bread.

And my clam shells from Newport.

And my Mod Podge.

And some gold paint.

I'm making soap dishes.

I'm turning my bathroom in to an Escape. (Will post pictures when all done.)
And it sure is peaceful.

And I could think of worse places to be trapped.

And did I mention the kids are all at school?

Below: car in garage

Below: Magazines on front seat!

Below: Keys in bag... you can see them!

And did I mention that I am happy to be stuck at home... ALONE!

Fabulous Giveaway at Seersucker Scrapper!!!

Ladies... this is the giveaway of all giveaways... at least in my book. And I would really rather not share and blab about it because I want to win this. But in order to win it I have to be in it... and that means telling you all about it. So without further ado, head on over to Seersucker Scrapper for a chance to win the following:

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Look at those totally adorable little Shift Ornaments!


So head on over for a chance to win.... or if you are not interested, enter and win me the loot ;)

Apple Picking and Pumpkin Lattes

We've had a stellar weekend here in Connecticut. Cool, crisp and chilly mornings give way to afternoon warm and sunshine. Fall is definitely upon us and this is the season at it's best. Yesterday we headed to one of many farms in Fairfield county. Silverman's Farm in Easton, CT is where it's at this time of year! We don't venture anywhere near there as we near Halloween and pumpkin season as the crowds and parking are out of control. People from all over Connecticut, New York and parts of New Jersey come for the apple picking festivities at this bucolic and charming site. Many a celebrity head there as well.

I plan to hit a lot of farms this year and this year we started off apple picking. So I left Daddy in charge of getting the bags. (You buy your bag and then bring it to the top of the orchard and fill it to the brim with apples.) Little did I know he would insist on getting one bag per child. I would have settled on one bag for all of us! At $15 a bag this was no cheap trip! Furthermore, I have now a good 30 pounds of apples on our kitchen counter. I do wonder what I will do with all of them. I mean, how many apple recipes can there be!

We picked Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. I was fairly disappointed in those. We moved aisles and rows and found ourselves among the Macouns. Crispy. Huge and juicy and positively bursting with flavor. Still what do you do with nearly 30 pounds of Macouns!

We did make apple pancakes this morning and they were simply yummy. This afternoon, as a snack I microwaved 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with a half a teaspoon of honey for 25 seconds to make an incredibly sweet dip for our apples. But I'll need some more ideas fast. Come Tuesday I know no one is going to want apples for their afternoon snack!

If any of you live near Fairfield County, CT a trip to Silverman's Farm will prove fun for your entire family! For more information visit http://www.silvermansfarm.com/.

And yesterday I had a hankering for another Pumpkin Spice Latte. But after blowing nearly $50 on apples I decided not to splurge on my fancy coffee. I tried something else instead. I made my own. And dare I say, I like it! A lot! It's not as sweet (though you can control the amount of sugar you like) and a whole lot less fattening. Here's what I did:

You'll need a milk frother. The one I used for this was the aerolatte which is like a mini immersion blender. (But you can use any kind you wish.)

I fill my mug, or carafe with milk, sugar (or sugar substitute if you wish) and just less than 1/4 of Pumpkin Pie Spice. I warm my milk in the microwave, about 40 seconds, and then froth the milk until it can get as thick as possible. When the milk is sufficiently frothed I very carefully pour in the coffee. Smells and tastes like Heaven without that orangy color!

If you try this, let me know what you think.

I hope you all had a lovely September weekend!

The Cursing Mommy Has a Drink and Takes a Break

The Setting:
Starbucks on a beautifully crisp and clear September morning

The Cast:
EntertainingMom, aka The Cursing Mommy and various walk-ons

The Purpose:
To achieve a moment of calm and enjoy my date with Mr. P.S. Latte

Cool Music blares through the speakers... conversations buzz all around. To my right a young couple discusses a young woman's recent decision to quit her job. Directly in front of me two men are working at their computer, writing, composing, discussing. To my left, seated at the table next to the window, two gentlemen in their Sixties converse. They seem to be old friends, or good friends at least.

Through the window directly behind me a ladder is being moved. Repair work is being done to the store front. Cars pull in and out of the parking lot. At the counter an older man in a brown fedora is fixing his coffee, adding cream and sugar perhaps. He wanders over to an empty table, sits down, opens his brown bag and pulls out a pastry to go with his coffee. He then reaches over to look at The New York Times. He seems rather distinguished to me. Very educated. Could be a retired professor or lawyer. I then notice that he is wearing dark socks and brown sandals. I see there is a hole in his sock, right on his big toe.

I love to people watch and have since I was a young child. After all, there is no better city in the world to people watch than New York. We had it all there! There are so many stories to be told by watching people. It's the writer in me. Or perhaps the nosy neighbor in me.

Starbucks is bustling this morning and I enjoy watching it all as I sip my Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have come here alone, just me and m notebook. It's a small Vera Bradley one filled with lined pages. I never go anywhere without my notebook. I like the solitude of being by myself and yet I am in no way alone or lonely. Just peaceful. And content.

A worker comes in. He's dressed in grey jeans and grey T-shirt. His long dark hair is pulled back into a pony tail. He looks over, catches my eye and smiles. He keeps looking over, trying to catch my eye. (Ewwwww!!!!) I do not want to look at him but I am dying to see what his shirt says. I am not wearing my glasses at the moment.

Suddenly there's a line again. The same line has waxed and waned all morning. There are a couple of young mothers in baseball caps with their hair tossed back. And a dude who looks like Kojak, but not in an unattractive way. And another one who looks like he says "Yo!" a lot. He's short and stout and wearing a charcoal grey suit. He's got salt and pepper hair, and I think his name should be Anthony. Anthony must reside in Brooklyn. Possibly Joi-zee. Possibly Staten Island. A pregnant young woman and a young woman with a toddler have just joined the line. The young mother has on a tank top. The thought of this makes me cold. And a girl who looks like my friend Amy with a Godawful haircut walks in. Gosh, I do hope it is not her. I can't see clearly. I try not to stare. In the end I make out that is not her.

It's hopping in Starbucks this morning. The constant whir and hum and buzz... the ice crushing, milk steaming, chitter-chatter and music are at once energizing and soothing.

As I sit here in the corner in the over-sized olive green chair I think to myself, while Willie Nelson croons, that I am exactly where I want to be. I have waited all summer, plus two weeks to be here and boy does it feel good!

I'm down a couple of pounds, the only positive side effect of being sick. I tell myself that it is Okay to enjoy my Pumpkin Spice Latte. Still, I order a Grande 1% No Whip.

The older men leave and give each other firm and gentlemanly pats on each other's backs.

I've completely lost track of time. And that is how it should be. Sweet Baby James is now crooning softly in my ears. I am certainly not rushing out now.

I notice all the girls in their tank tops. We're a good bit cooler than we should be this time of year. I'm dressed more appropriately. I decided to wear my "loud" JCrew pants I bought a while back with a white T-shirt and my long, black cashmere ruffled sweater (think Shere coat in black). It's my favorite sweater and is the perfect thing to wear in this weather. Perfect for my Perfect Drink.

I have so much that I need to do. My laundry list of items is growing longer by the minute. Due to all our ailments and illnesses I have fallen quite behind. But I am not going to tackle any of that today. Any at all. Except for my trip to the grocery store, you see. I've got the perfect recipe for the Perfect Pink Fall Drink!

Easy Cocktails from the Cursing Mommy

It seems as though I have earned myself quite a reputation. It appears that Mr. Ian Frasier of The New Yorker, must surely be following my blog. Because his latest satorial piece is unquestionably Moi! Dead on Right on. Read on and tell me what you think. He's got me down pat, doesn't he?

Read the following: Shouts & Murmurs: Easy Cocktails from the Cursing Mommy!

Tales from the Bedside...

So, after a long 2 minute debate I decided to take Rebecca to the movies. I have been dying to see Julie & Julia. Dying. I read both Julie & Julia and My Life in France, on which the movie is based. Must reads!


And because you all know my cheapskate tendencies, you know I could not I resist the theater's $6 Tuesday Matinees! We stopped off quickly to get a couple of bottles of soda (Sprite for Rebecca, Coke Zero for me) at the gas station. At $2 a pop we've saved another $4 ;)

We did splurge and get the Big Bucket O Corn at $6.50. Whatever we didn't eat (most of it!) would be shared with the boys and could be their after school snack! A good splurge after all ;)

I loved the movie. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the movie. It was like being on vacation. The 123 minutes flew by and felt like a mini vacation. Meryl Streep is a genius. She was more Julia than even Julia could have been. I also heart Nora Ephron and her writing and her movies. Stanley Tucci portrayed Paul Child impeccably as well. And Amy Adams did a lovely job playing Julie Powel. But it was Meryl as Julia who stole the show. The larger than life actress portraying a larger than life chef with such precision should bring home an Academy Award. If my grandfather was still alive I would write and tell him so. A former film producer for the Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios, he was one of the Academy's nominating members. He was also one of the founders of SAG, the Screen Actor's Guild. He met my grandmother (photos of one of her houses in a previous post) in Paris fairly late in life. They were in their 50s. They were a perfect pair... complimented each other perfectly... they were truly champagne and caviar. Just like Julia and Paul. You will fall in love with cooking. You will fall in love with Julia and Paul... you will fall in love with love!

I have not seen a movie of this caliber in ages. I laughed... and boy did I laugh! I cried and boy did I cry! I'm a sap... they were happy tears. It was such a happy and uplifting movie. I will absolutely see it again... la prochaine fois avec un peu du vin, un peu de pain, un peu de brie et mes copines!

My afternoon at the movies was my answer to my much needed escape. I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated... which is surely not how I feel at the end of our vacations!

And all my preppy friends... you will adore all the plaid, pearls, monograms and of course Paris! Julia was the ultimate preppy and so I think it safe to say hers was the ultimate Preppy Cuisine!

And I thought of another Preppy (grunge) Band... why Pink & Green and Pearl Jam of course!

So I was feeling pretty good yesterday.

Until I wasn't.

And the headache like no other came on full force from nowhere.

And the fever spiked.

Out of the blue.

Perhaps I never should have said it would have been better to have been sick during the week.

Clearly this bug kicked my White After Labor Day Ass.

But my husband finally saw the Light.

He helped get the kids ready for school.

And he took them to school.

And I was able to get Alexander in the Lunch Bunch/Extended Day program.

Best $50 I could ever spend. (Sometimes I am not so cheap.)

And Right now my Motrin has kicked in and I don't feel like death. So I'm chillaxing bedside. I'm glad to have the chance to rest. I will not do anything over the next couple of days in hopes that this will really be the end of our health woes for a while.

But last night I didn't feel so well. So I Googled Swine Flu Symptoms.

I went to WebMD and got this:

What are swine flu symptoms?
Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu.
Like seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and often fatal. Symptoms include seizures or changes in mental status (confusion or sudden cognitive or behavioral changes).

And that's when I learned that I was dying. I had ALL the symptoms. I bet the kids had it too. And now I am dying. Suddenly I cannot breathe. My husband is not yet home. What would my children do without me? Because I felt THAT bad. (Gee, wonder where Rebecca gets her dramatic tendencies?)

So a lesson to all the others dying, never let the Internet diagnose your illnesses. (Thanks to Internet diagnoses I have survived Ebola, numerous Brain Tumors and stomach cancers.) By the grace of God, by some miracle, I was cured in my sleep. I can breathe again. I did not kick the bucket... not yet...

And thanks to a little Motrin I am now merely uncomfortable as opposed to miserable. And because I still have a fever I know that staying in bed and watching trashy television in a dead quiet house is an absolute must!

Kiss My White (After Labor Day) Ass!

Because I like white pants all year round. I don't think they should be worn with white shoes (which are icky any way unless they are ballet blats) after labor day (or ever, for that matter!) but white can be winterized and looks great in the cooler months. Of course I am not suggesting white capris and sandals in the middle of December (unless you live in Palm Beach or Bermuda) but I love long white jeans and long black cashmere sweaters and boots... I love white jeans with chocolate colored and charcoal colored sweaters. I just love white jeans... and I refuse to pack them away!

I'm still home nursing sick children. There has been some member of this family home sick since September the 6th. I succumbed over the weekend and Rebecca woke up feverish yesterday morning after complaining all day on Sunday. (Truth be told, I am never sure as to whether to believe her dramatics or not. The proof was in the fever.) My Monday took a turn for the worst on that note. But seriously, I am coming to accept that this will most likely be a long winter with lots of missed school days and missed freedom. (Mine!) There's always next year, right?!

It amazes me just how much we have to suck up as Mothers. But I think I have to suck up more than my mother did. Not trying to start the whole Working Mother Versus Staying at Home Mother Debate. Not at all because each family is unique. I'm talking from what I know and what I have experienced.

I grew up with a working and very successful mother (who always put her whites away after Labor Day and still does and is appalled by the fact that I do not!) who did not have to worry about day care. We had live-in Nannies from France. I attended a French school and so it seemed fitting that I had French in the home. My Nannies were wonderful and I adored them all and feel very lucky to have had these wonderful people in my life. We still, in fact, keep in touch with a couple of them who now have grown children of their own. I'm getting a bit off track here...

Because my mother never had to worry about my care, for the most part her life could go on as needed, no matter whether I was ill or not. I had care in my own home. Of course she would take me to Doctors appointments and all that jazz, but she never had to stay home with me. I was in excellent care and she knew it.

I do not have full time care. I have part time (evenings when available) wonderful care. I love my sitter dearly, but I cannot rely on her around the clock. She has a job and a life and I would never dream of exposing a sitter, who was not full time, to a house filled with sick children. So here is just one of my many sacrifices. I'm complaining, but only minimally! Of course I want to be the one who is with my children when they need me, but it does not diminish the fact that I also want to be out and about and enjoying a little bit of my freedom. Some mothers are all about their kids. Some mothers lose sight of themselves by simply being all about their kids. But I have many other interests and they are all about me. I don't think it makes me a worse mother. Sometimes it makes me a better mother. I need to get out of the house. I don't think it makes me a worse mother. In fact, getting out of the house definitely makes me a better mother.

I have been denied much of my much-needed freedom. Perhaps it stems from my being an only child, perhaps it stems from being a wee bit of a free spirit, but I need my freedom to thrive and be a better person none the less. It was a long and un-free summer. Which has turned into a longer un-freer summer. So excuse me if as of late my posts seem bitchy or whiny or spoiled or bratty. But so much of what makes me, me, has been denied.

I spent all of my Twenties worrying and caring about Me. And as soon as I hit Thirty that all changed. And now I have given wholly of myself to my children for over 10 years without getting much back. I'm not saying parenting is not rewarding by any means, but again the parent side is just one side of me. As a parent I am fulfilled completely. As a person I need and desire so much more.

I had a hard weekend. This is not meant for anyone to take pity on me. After taking care of sick children and getting back into the grind of life with well children for a week I finally succumbed to this nasty bug. Though, because I am a mother, could not surrender myself wholly. I lied down when I could and napped and rested when I could. But I had children who would not leave me alone. And a husband who, well, just doesn't get it. As so many fathers don't. So as I fought the fevers and shakes and chills I had to smile and pretend that all was not as bad as it seemed. I had to muddle through and entertain and play and discipline. And now a bit of a whine. It really is totally unfair that Mothers are just not allowed to be sick. It sucks. It bites and yes, woe is me.

But I am over that now. I must move on. On Sunday night Rebecca claimed she was not feeling well. It's hard with her to tell what is and what is not. I live with The Little Girl That Cries Wolf. I gave her some Tylenol and said a prayer before bed. But deep down I knew. And so I was not in the least bit surprised when I woke up on Monday morning, and she told me all glassy eyes that she didn't feel well. Fuck, fuck, fuck and double fuck.

I gave her some Motrin and felt her burning head. Here we go again. I got her what she needed and then proceeded to get the boys ready for school. Race-rush-race-rush and out the door. On the way to school my "Old Swampy" took a tumble. I must have turned too hard. Crap. I got out of the car and tried to remedy my gator. I knew what he had been through, but most likely no one else would. We got to school, deposited the kids and, finally with no more damage, the gator. I had a quick meeting. Then rushed out to find and return home with a box of Saltines and let Rebecca eat them in my bed with some gingerale. I had a half an hour to catch my breath, then went to get Alexander from school and played with him all afternoon. (Couldn't go anywhere because I do not like to leave Rebecca home for more than a short while.)

Then it was pick up time again. I went back to school to get Christopher at the end of the day. The boys wanted to stay at the playground, but Christopher's back hurt. I could tell by looking at him. Something didn't seem right. We got home at 4:30 and I was not comfortable with Christopher's situation. When his back hurts like that there are usually underlying respiratory issues. I put a call into the pediatrician and was asked if I could be there in an hour's time. So off we went. No visible signs of respiratory distress. He looked under the weather. His nodes were swollen. Diagnosis; virus. We're waiting to see if he is still fighting the other one, or if a new one is underway. HALLELUJAH!!! Fuck Fuck double triple FUCK.

At 8:00 last night I had everyone ready for bed. The downstairs was all tidy and I was ready to settle on to my bed myself. But Rebecca had been there, and where she had been was a sleeve of Saltine crumbs. Not just a crumb or two. But enough to feed an army of ants. And on the floor as well. I nearly cried. I nearly screamed. Ok, I yelled at her a little bit. Maybe a little bit more than a little bit. I stripped my bed and tossed the sheets in to the washing machine. I had no back-up set. We upgraded our Queen to a King. New bed, new mattress one set of new sheets.... and there were miles to go before I sleep...

So While the sheets washed I poured myself a glass of Chardonnay and propped the pillows against the back of the bed... because I had to... I simply had to... and then I fell asleep in my unmade bed. I was too tuckered out.

I still have Rebecca home with me. But she is fever free. I'd like to hope for all three in school tomorrow. But I won't hold my breath. And even if they are all in school, I have the parents' association meeting and our Ways and Means meeting. And when those are over I will have to pick up Alexander.

Beggars can't be choosers. And I ought to be grateful for every second I get out of the house... and I am... but because of all of this I definitely think that my ass is entitled to wear white after labor day!

Now... Rebecca's driving me insane... so I have this crazy little idea... I'm thinking of taking her with me to see Julie & Julia. There's a showing in an hour and a half... but maybe... just maybe this is what the doctor would order... I'll bring my cell phone in case there is a call from school.

The Ultimate Preppy Party Animal!

Alexander is bringing cupcakes in for his class Birthday party tomorrow. It was supposed to be last week, but a few illnesses held us back a bit. He wanted the "Dragon" that I made for his end of the year class party last year. (It's an alligator, really, and the school mascot.) So I did what any (insane, out of her mind mother would do) and opt not to get the $5 pretty cupcakes with sprinkles at the grocery store and spend an enormous amount of time to create Old Swampy. Actually. It's pretty easy to do. I got the idea from my Hello Cupcake cookbook. Every mom who likes to bake should have one!

the worst night of my life... ever... SERIOUSLY!

Many of you know I had not been looking forward to taking Rebecca and Grace to The American Idols concert. At all. Not in the least. Not even the teensy eensiest bit. I was not quiet about it. At all. In the least. I even tried to talk my daughter out of going. Seriously! I tried to pawn my ticket off on one of her friends. They already had tickets... or had plans... or couldn't go. So, it was time, yet again to reach deep into my underwear drawer and put my Big Girl Panties on. I was seriously acting like a baby. But I didn't give a hoot. Or a shit, frankly. I was exhausted trying to nurse sick boys back to health for 5 days and nights as well as deal with all the back to school stuff as well as a first homework assignment which proved I, clearly, am not smarter than a 5th grader. Oh me oh my...

I was bone tired on Thursday. Like first trimester pregnancy tired where you can hardly stand up or see straight.

But, in the end, I rallied. And joined the troops with very minimal complaining.

Below, Rebecca and one of her bff, Grace. Rebecca found her pink sweater at Tarjay and has been looking forward to wearing it to this Grand Event. Cute, isn't it? (T shirt, Justice; Jeans and Shoes Gap Kids)

Our ticket... we had good seats... maybe I would have enjoyed it better had we not been so damed close to the stage, lights (blinding) and music (so loud you could feel the thumping and pulsing in your veins and heart) I would have enjoyed the show...

We paid WHAT for these damned seats that were still not the greatest seats???? Sheesh, I wanna refund NOW and for the shirt we bought Rebecca AND for the additional $85 I had to pay my sitter.... Oh my head... my aching head!


Ritas! I had never seen one before. Never heard of them until Tamara mentioned them. The girls and I had lemon ices... YUM! Best part of the concert for sure!

Grace and Becca enjoying their ices too...

Bright Lights Small City... blinding as well as deafening...

Here's Meagan... we quite enjoyed her during the auditions and the show. She was unique. Not sure what they have done to her here giving her a hairstyle to compete with Sanjaya's and an outfit so Hookerish she looks like she's just come from the red light district... ugh, ugh, and ugh...

My man Anoop-Dog! My business school prepster. I rooted for him all the way! Loved him. The concert folk made him too rock and rolley... totally took away from his personality. I didn't love it, Dawg...

My cell phone in hand... for Facebook updates, texts to friends and for checking the clock like every 30 seconds to see how much time was left!

Below, blinded by the light... my man Danny did not disappoint...

As Adam takes the stage the crowd goes wild... (ick!)

Below Adam... the freakish part of the show... at this point the music and noise and lights had taken on an all new meaning... The guy is a freak show, seriously! He's like a cross between Elvis and Liberace in looks, and all he does is scream... I just don't get the lure of Adam... at all!

He did sing one ballad... I really wonder what Paula, Simon and Randy would have thought about this concert... because it just ... well... it SUCKED!

Facebook update from the concert, below!

Daddy My lovely wife is officially over the hill. Complaining that the american idol concert is too loud. Adam has yet to begin his reign of terror on her ear drums.

Thu at 8:29pm · Comment · Like / Unlike · View Feedback (6)Hide Feedback (6)

Jessica
It is mostly the screaming teenagers next to me. I need my wine, bath, bifocals and now hearing aid!!!
Thu at 8:35pm · Delete

Susan
There is no way she is over the hill!!! It takes a very brave person to endure an American Idol concert!!!
Thu at 8:45pm

Amy
I think that concert would be painful with the screaming. You need to take R to a GreenDay concert!
Thu at 10:26pm

Don
@Susan the look on her face was as if there was a very bad smell. And yes, I bathed.@Amy would be much more my speed but I think Jonas or Demi Lovato is closer in my future. If we"re going to have any tween angst I would prefer the sugar coated type anyway.
Thu at 11:28pm

Jessica
LMAO!!! there was a bad smell... lots.. BO, fried food, grease, menthol cough drops... gack!
Thu at 11:40pm · Delete

Amy
Teens have BO? LOL
Yesterday at 11:56am

Jessica
Sunshine, teens have TERRIBLE BO!
2 seconds ago · Deletebook update from the concert:

And,

My First bitter Facebook Status on Thursday! (LOL!!!)

Jessica is hoping that the entire American Idol cast will fall ill and show is cancelled... too exhausted after nursing sick kids through day and night for 5 days and nights... listening to Alexander's screams as I left him this morning was almost the straw that broke this camel's back... breaks my heart to have to leave him again tonight, just hours after he gets home. Shows for kids should be on weekends only.

and the comments that followed:

Amy
Can't Don go in your place?
Thu at 2:04pm · Delete

Elizabeth
Oh no...you poor thing...it's been a rough week (to say the least). Can someone else go in your place?
Thu at 2:05pm · Delete

Jessica
Don is going... I would never go alone! LOL We are bringing one of R's friends.
Thu at 2:09pm · Delete

Amy
Well see if one of the parents of R's friend can go in your place.
Thu at 2:17pm · Delete

Elizabeth
There ya go, maybe the other girl's dad?? The dads would just looooove a night of AI with their girls, right? ;)
Thu at 2:26pm · Delete

Jessica
nope... the dad is out of town on business and mom has a meeting 2night.
Thu at 2:32pm · Delete

Amy
Sell the ticket on craigslist. Is it sold out?
Thu at 2:35pm · Delete

Daddy
Last time I took 3 girls and we had a blast. This year someone said they wanted to go ; )
Thu at 3:14pm · Delete

Elizabeth
Uh oh....grab a beer at the show, and make the most of it! ;) Then, sleep all day tomorrow, until you venture out to get your first PSL of the year...that will be your saving grace, I'm sure! ;)
Thu at 6:03pm · Delete

Jessica
can't sleep. must have the kids up at 7 am latest. i have an 8:30 meeting at school that should last most of the morning. Alexander screamed bloody murder when I left him at school this morning and when I left him with the sitter this evening... he has NEVER done that before... it has been a long week... no rest for the weary. would love to but kids don't let you do that!!!! YES, PSL is coming my way in the am!!!
Yesterday at 12:00am · Delete

and then more whining from me!

Jessica is american idol bound and hoping that adam has laryngitis!
Thu at 5:16pm · Comment · Like / Unlike · View Feedback (8)Hide Feedback (8)

Angela
lol! who is your daughter's favorite?
Thu at 5:19pm · Delete

Karen
You know you love him!
Thu at 5:23pm · Delete

Jessica
oh god Karen... I have NEVER liked him. I do like Adam... wish I was more in the mood.
Thu at 5:27pm · Delete

Laura
They say that Adam steals the show. Can't wait to hear your review.
Thu at 5:37pm · Delete

Katherine
LOL!!!
Thu at 5:42pm · Delete

Jean
If I was closer I'd take your place Jess! I would LOVE to hear Adam!!
Thu at 6:03pm · Delete

Kelly
hilarious!
Thu at 6:12pm · Delete

Amy
Have a beer or two! Suck it up my friend.
Thu at 10:27pm · Delete
Write a comment...

and another Facebook whine!!!

Jessica is back from the loudest, longest most terrible evening of my life... this tour was so not like the others... it was full of loud rock and roll wannabes that didn't pass the grade... My man Anoop-Dog disappointed... Chris was sick and didn't sing... Danny rocked... Adam was like a screaming Liberace-Elviswannabe-Kiss impersonator... seriously... the concert SUCKED! I hope to get my hearing back within the week!

Sarah
sounds fabulous Jess. What did Rebecca think of it?
Thu at 11:38pm · Delete

Angela
Did you take your flask?
Thu at 11:42pm · Delete

Jessica
Sarah... Rebecca liked it, but even she thought it was loud. Angela... Wish I had... I had a Rita's italian ice... would have been perfecto with a shot of vodka. Must buy a few of those airplane sized Absolut bottles!
Thu at 11:51pm · Delete

Peggy
Oh yeah, i just read your 9-9-9 e-mail. Does somebody have too much time on their hands now that she has all 3 children in school?!!! lol
Yesterday at 12:12am · Delete

Jessica
Peggy... I did that when C was home... I had sick children on my hands 5 days in a row... hopefully this will be my first day of freedom since June! (It was not!)
Yesterday at 6:09am · Delete

Katherine
You should have been with me at the Cheetah Girls concert a few years back--I still have nightmares about that one!
Yesterday at 7:30am · Delete

Elizabeth
Ugh! So sorry you had to endure....sleep, sleep, sleep today....
Yesterday at 9:07am · Delete

Jessica
no sleep... I had a meeting at school... yes, all three were there today! Wahoooooo!!!! I have 45 minutes of freedom... not leaving my couch til then tho! Did have a PSL!!
Yesterday at 11:14am · Delete

And then the best comment by far (in response to all my whining) was this post to my wall!!!

Hi Jess, The Wiggles are coming to town in November- maybe that would be a little more your speed these days. Let me know if you want to come ... :)

Kristen