And Baby Makes Three

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Well, my loves, my little secret is out! And getting less little by the day, I might add.  Angus and I are expecting a wee one of our own this Halloween.

(Don’t let the photo confuse you.  We find out today if this chubbub is a boy or a girl.  I just happen to be holding a pink pouf.)

We’re throwing around words like happy and excited in completely non-ironic ways on a daily basis.  Familiar things?  They now seem magical.  We’ve had the baby’s first pancake, first bite of pineapple, first plane ride, first Bruce concert, etc.  The list goes on and on and this tidbit has yet to draw breath.

I’m going to drive everyone nuts once he or she is here, guaranteed.

The best part, though, is wondering what firsts the baby will love.  Will this little person play sports? Be able to sing?  Build things?  Prefer strawberry to mint chip?

Will this babe even like to read?

I can’t begin to fathom the surprises in store for Angus and me.

Off to the doctor now. Can’t wait to share what I’m having.  In the meantime, tell me, what aspects of baby planning would you like me to share?

Tomorrow, images from my “pop up” baby shower in Miami last weekend.

xx Sarah

Mother’s Day Weekend

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What did you guys do to celebrate Mother’s Day? My mom came down to visit her mom and sister and at the last minute I got the weekend off work so everything we did felt deliciously spontaneous.

Dry Bar

Friday afternoon I took my mom and Grandma for blow outs at Dry Bar!

 

Son of a Gun

Then we joined the 5:50pm queue outside of Son of a Gun restaurant to get a seat at the communal table. We had an excellent meal, this is a great restaurant to take LA visitors.

 

Jackie dress

My Grandma bought me a pink and white boucle Jackie Kennedy mini dress and it fit perfectly! I’m all set for summer lady functions now.

 

coco and edde

 

We spent Saturday at my Aunt’s house playing Game of Things and having deep talks about French Bulldogs and celebrities.

 

Coffee in Gram's china

Sunday we gathered for Mother’s Day brunch at Grandma’s. She entertains with her wedding china, crystal and silver which makes everything feel extra special.

 

Mother's Day Brunch

A brunch in the sun.

Gram is a fan of shift dresses too.

 

Hope you all had as lovely a weekend as we did!

 

Love,

Lydia

 

 

 

Carolina Prep

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Stumbled onto this tumblr blog Carolina Prep this afternoon…

 

 

 

 

… spoke to my inner prep, had to share.

 

xo,

Lydia

Beat that drum, make that toast!

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Did you dust off your Where the Wild Things Are yesterday?

I revisited Really Rosie and the Nutshell Kids. I loved them when I was little!  Rosie’s delusions of grandeur still crack me up.  She’s so believable and her world is so beautifully textured that it’s no surprise Sendak was writing about a girl who bossed him around their Brooklyn neighborhood.  I wonder what happened to the real Rosie?

What’s your favorite Sendak?

We toast you, Maurice. You were a great, big deal.

xx Sarah

P.S. Forward the movie to 1:42.  It’s a slow starter.

P.P.S.  Sendak remembers his favorite (and most appropriate!) piece of fan mail.

Sneak Peek: Not So Real Housewives Shower

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Over the weekend I co-hosted a Not So Real Housewives themes wedding shower. It was SO SO SO much fun. A bridal shower with a sense of humor, who would have thought?

Bellini Bar

 

This is what we served:

Bloody Mary Bar

Bellini Bar- Strawberry-Rhubarb-Vanilla Bean Puree and Peach-Thyme Puree

Iced Tea

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche

Mini Sausage, Spinach and Sweet Potato Frittatas

Quinoa and Beet Salad

Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Pine Nuts

Donut Holes

Mint Chip Ice Cream Cake

more to come…

xo,

Lydia

The James Beard Awards

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The James Beard Foundation handed it out medallions for excellence in all aspects of the food and bev industry this past Saturday in NYC.  Congratulations to all the winners! We’re thrilled that some of our favorite food writers, recipe developers and editors won.  Ladies, we read and admire you all.

Focus on Health
Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen
by Heidi Swanson
(Ten Speed Press)

Writing and Literature  
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef
by Gabrielle Hamilton
(Random House)

Publications of the Year
Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs
Food52

and

Darra Goldstein
Gastronomica

Here’s the complete list of winners.  Anyone you’re especially excited to see?

xx Sarah

A Garden Picnic

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You know when people ask you “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I found a video that captures my vision of my ideal life in 2017… maybe with some kids at the table too.

 

This video is of Jeanne Kelley, author of the new cookbook Salad for Dinner.  I just ordered the book and can’t wait to pour over each page. I hope my future self washes her lettuces outside and then reuses the water to nourish the growing garden and drinks wine out of cafe glasses. Oh and keeps port figs handy in her fridge.

 

Happy Weekend,

Lydia

Long Hair Styles

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Feeling very inspired by this collage which I did not make but found on Pinterest. Now can one of you come over and braid and twist my hair into one of these shapes? I’m tragic on my own.

thanks,

Lydia

Cinco De Mayo

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It’s going to be mucho calor in the A & O kitchen this week.  We’re cooking for not one but TWO Cinco de Mayo parties!   Here’s one of our menus.  What do you think?

Apps/cocktails
Red wine sangria and specialty margaritas plus coronas and lime
Tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole
Tortilla chips and cheesy jalapeno crab dip

Dinner
Baked corn and leek flautas with cilantro lime crema
Carne Asada for grilling
Tequila lime chicken for grilling
Mixed bell peppers,onions and zucchini for grilling
Black beans and rice
Mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cotija cheese, toasted pepitas and cilantro dressing
Flour and corn tortillas

Dessert
Tres leches cake with fresh berries

Another great option?  Lydia’s weeknight taco party.

How are you celebrating?

xxSarah

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