Five On Friday- My Top Five Most Popular Blog Posts Of The Year

I got this idea from September Acres, who has a fabulous blog herself! Of course this Friday Five I am connecting with these amazing ladies who all seem to be pregnant!! It's in the water look out! LOL

Here are my top five most popular blog posts of 2013. Let's do it David Letterman style to make it more suspenseful!

5. The Five Best Thanksgiving Ideas From Pinterest- My Friday Five!

Well of course. These ideas are amazing. Especially this!!!

4.  RIP Lilly Pulitzer- Anythings Possible With Sunshine and A Little Pink

Lilly Pulitzer is not just a brand. It's an attitude. Read on!

3.  March is National Reading Month With Levar Burton!

I am so happy that this is a popular post! Reading Rainbow is back in a big way!

2.  The Best Hotel In Santa Barbara- The Montecito Inn!

And I feel that the love is mutual because they send me a Christmas Card! LOL

And the most popular post of 2013 is.......


1. The Going Rate for The Toothfairy. How much do you give?

This was a controversial post! Weigh in!!!

Thanks for a great year!!!!Looking forward to a fabulous 2014!!!!

The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes From Proud Italian Cook

Thanksgiving is here people!

We are going up to Lake Arrowhead for Thanksgiving with a bunch of family. It will be fun!

Every Thanksgiving I can HARDLY WAIT for my Mothers Broccoli Casserole! I had posted the recipe before so just click the link!


I think Proud Italian Cook has some new, interesting and YUMMMMMMY sides she's suggesting for Thanksgiving. (I'm obsessed with her posts. Cannot wait to get them each week!)

1. Cippolini Onions Bathing In Creamy Parmesan and Thyme:

Are you DYING? I am!!! This is a MUST MAKE and I am adding it to my yearly traditions!

2. Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad

This looks so light and yummy it would even be good for a lunch after Thanksgiving with turkey sandwiches!

3. Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash and Ricotta.

I mean please. I am about to jump through this picture! Delish! Proud Italian cook ROCKS. All her recipes are available at the link above. Of course I have already pinned them to my Pinterest so you can repin there as well! What are your favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes?

The Best Thanksgiving Ideas From Pinterest! My Friday Five!

On to the next Holiday! RIGHT? (right about now I am dreaming on January where there is NOTHING TO DO).  I thought my Friday Five should have a Thanksgiving Theme!! I know Carolina Charm will love it. (Isn't she the cutest pregnant person!?)

Anyhoo....Here's some things from my PINTEREST board: "Thanksgiving Fabulous" that I am loving:

 1) I love to make my Mom's pie crust but my friend at Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes took it to a whole other level!

Don't you love the acorns!!

2) This pumpkin roll by Homemade by Holman looks amazing.

3) Might have to try to find this shirt on Etsy for Coco!

 4) I want to make these hat place cards for this years meal. A pilgrim hat place card holder from Tip Junkie!

5) And.....I am so doing this veggie platter this year!!! Gobble Gobble!

Thanksgiving and Why I'm Still Blogging

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Palm Beach, my kids had the best time being with Auntie Nina,

Auntie Shannon, Auntie Robby, Uncle Matt, Uncle Drew and Uncle Boober. You can just imagine them screaming "Boooober!!!"

Can't you?

The kids were thrilled and we got a ton of compliments about how sweet and good they are. Makes a Mama proud!

While out shopping at my favorite stores in Hobe Sound I heard:

"I know you". Oh my God.

I racked my brain! Where did I know this fabulous preppy woman from? College? New York? LA?

" You have a blog! You're One Fabulous Mom!"

Well, of course. I am famous!

We just had to laugh, cry and promise to stay connected. Ignore how I look but isn't she the cutest?

It really touched me that C.F. (as I will call her) reads and follows my blog. Made me realize why I blog. I want people to know they are not alone. The ups and downs of parenthood and family life are tough. We all go through things. So nice to know that my blog friends care so much about me! Warms my heart!

Love you CF!!

What Are YOU Grateful For?

Why is it so hard to be grateful?


I'll tell you why. We are some busy, crazy, people who are just trying to make it. It's really in the quiet still moments (what are those?) that you are grateful. That's why you REALLY have to make it a priority.

So here's my list.

I am grateful for a husband who is beside me, provides for me, and resides with me. In my home and heart.

I am grateful for my daughter who lights up a room and tests my patience.

I am grateful for a son who's sweetness is palpable, wonderful and heart wrenching.

I am grateful for my blond dog who keeps me safe and likes to snuggle.

I am grateful for my two cats who ask nothing and give everything.

I am grateful for a family who cares about me.

I am grateful for friends who know what's important in life and in love.

I am grateful to be working at a job I love, with people I love, and a business I love. That is passion.

And I am grateful for every single person who has read, commented, enjoyed, cried and been a fan of this blog.

LOVE YOU ALL.

What are you grateful for?

Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas From Ina Garten

Even though we are technically guests this Thanksgiving, we are planning on pitching in and making something fabulous! 

I always have to have my Broccoli Casserole every year. I look forward to it all year long!

Husband got this book by Ina Garten...Barefoot Contessa Foolproof. I like the recipes in it. Simple and delicious!

I think this recipe would me amazing to try for Thanksgiving!

Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding (Serves 8 to 10)

Copyright 2012, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publishers, All Rights Reserved

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Buy a signed Book
or
Buy on Amazon.com

6 cups (½-inch-diced) bread cubes from a rustic country loaf, crusts removed
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, small-diced
4 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts (4 leeks)
1½ pounds cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and ¼-inch-sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
¼ cup medium or dry sherry
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 extra-large eggs
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade
1½ cups grated Gruyère cheese (6 ounces), divided

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the bread cubes on a sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 5 minutes, until starting to brown. Stir in the leeks and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the leeks are tender. Stir in the mushrooms, tarragon, sherry, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1- teaspoons pepper and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until most of the liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Off the heat, stir in the parsley.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, chicken stock, and 1 cup of the Gruyère. Add the bread cubes and mushroom mixture, stirring well to combine. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. Stir well and pour into a 2 1/2- to 3-quart gratin dish (13 x 9 x 2 inches). Sprinkle with the remaining cup of Gruyère and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is browned and the custard is set. Serve hot.


I also think her roast turkey with truffle butter sounds amazing!!

What's on your Thanksgiving menu?

Getting Kids Excited About Thanksgiving

I love a holiday. Any reason to decorate and I am IN. Thanksgiving, while fun, is one of the more boring holidays for kids. There are no gifts and not a ton of decorations, the things they love the most!

On instagram I saw one of my favorite bloggers Melissa of Love, Marriage and a Baby Carriage posted this:

This is a really sweet story about all the traditions of Thanksgiving told in a very funny and rhyming way. I really enjoyed reading it!!!

I also got:

This book focuses on what's really important about this holiday. Being thankful and grateful for what you have.

How do you share Thanksgiving with your kids?

Thanksgiving Recap!

We flew to Palm Beach, two kids, two flights

We arrived in the dead, and I mean dead of night


Rental car snafu, kids still smiled

Woke up to weather that was worth all those miles

Beaching, golfing, tennis, rollerblading

Best colors are seen when the sun is fading


Kids were good, but we are tired

Next time a nanny in palm beach will be hired!

Thanksgiving

Here in the Fabulous Mom house we are making our Thanksgiving plans. We will be headed to Palm Beach with family.

I have often said when people call the holidays a "vacation", that it is NOT a vacation. It is time with family. This is a big difference. When you fly to Hawaii with your husband alone, or with a nanny, that's a vacation. When you fly with a four year old and nineteen month old across country, to a different time zone, where the sleeping arrangements will be confusing, that is time with family. I digress.


I am still hoping that some aspects of my time with family over Thanksgiving will be "vacationy." Here's a few things I would love to do:


1. Rollerblade. Betcha didn't know the Mrs. loves to don a pair of blades and feel the wind in her ears didja?
2. Shop in Hobe Sound at places like Seaside Daze and C. Orrico!
3. Go to Bice and have lunch or dinner.

4. Go to the beach with the kids and play in the ocean.
5. Have a sunset cocktail on the golf course.
6. See bestie Rye Rye!!


I think it sounds wonderful! We'll see what happens!!


On another notes, here's something I plan on making with the kids as a crafty/fun dessert! See below the brilliance I found on line!!

"For her preschool class's Thanksgiving party last year, my daughter, Marissa, four-and-a-half, and I made these sweet turkey treats. We dropped chocolate frosting on graham crackers and pressed on small Almond Joy candy bars for the body. We added striped cookies for the tail feathers and gel frosting for the eyes. Marissa loved making them, and they were the hit of the party!"
--Yvonne S., Kenosha, Wisconsin 

Thank you Yvonne, for making me feel like I could do something fun with my kids this Thanksgiving!

Nash- Vegas! Thanksgiving Recap

Nash-Vegas lived up to it's reputation. It was the perfect combination of wide open spaces, and gorgeous houses. Down home diners, and eclectic restaurants. Campy country and tradition.

Some highlights?

Franklin is the jewel of Nashville. Grand Dad and Mini Moo took us to a fabulous restaurant called "The Red Pony".



We dined on Tuna Tartare, shrimp grits with filet mignon, and sweet corn risotto. YUM. Franklin is the Darien CT, of Nash-Vegas. Look at how cute the main street is.



Other things we did? We went to a Hockey game and saw the predators get beaten to death, we went to the Aquarium restaurant and pet and fed Sting Rays (crazy!), and had Thanksgiving Brunch at the Hermitage Hotel.



Look at Baby Coco in her first taffeta dress, isn't she delicious? Thanks Grad Dad for a great time!!!

Nash-vegas here I come!

We are headed to Nashville to spend Thanksgiving with GrandDad, Mini Moo and Uncle WW2. I have never been to Nashville, but I have taken to calling in Nash-Vegas because I am excited to go!

While there I hope to have many country star sightings although I may not recognize them!!

So where should I go? What should I do? Tell me about Nashville!!

Fabulous Holidays- Thanksgiving plans

We have had an amazing visit with hubby's grandparents. Here are some highlights!

We had nanny babysit one night and went to the John Fogerty concert with a bunch of people from church to see our very talented friend Hunter Perrin play the guitar! He plays in our church band but now is playing with John Fogerty! It was so fun and the music was amazing. Remember some of the old Creedence Clearwater Revival songs?

Born on the Bayou
Midnight Special
Proud Mary
Down on the Corner?

So great!!! And seeing someone who's such a sweetheart like Hunter have success was wonderful. We also went to Travel Town Museum!

I don't know who had more fun, Landon or Grandpa!

We also went to the Grove and rode the trolley and saw all the pretty Christmas lights.




A great time but I'm exhausted!

Fabulous Holidays- Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving was a big hit! Having Grandma here to help made the cooking fun! We started with lunch and the Packer game. I made this amazing Cauliflower soup. It was the best soup I've ever had!!!! It was from the Williams Sonoma Catalog. I might so it a little differently next time and keep a few chunks of cauliflower in it rather than it being a puree. IT WAS SOOOOOOO Good!

I set the table with my Royal Crown Derby and we started preparing for Thanksgiving dinner.
Here's my Oyster stuffing.


I even made Ma'maa's Ice box Rolls!


Grandmas Sweet Potato Souffle was delicious! So delicious I will be adding it to my repertoire!

Hubby's pumpkin pie was amazing too!!!
Very Thankful this year!!!!

Fabulous Holidays: Thanksgiving menu

Hubby's parents are flying in next week so I'm trying to get organized! So far the menu will be:

Cauliflower Soup

Turkey with stuffing
Sweet potato
Broccoli Casserole

Mom's Pecan Pie
and
Hubby's Pumpkin Pie

I am proud to say that I have learned to make my mom's pecan pie and dough from scratch!!! I need something else to spice up the menu though. Still formulating. My Father is a major cook and so is hubby so I know they'll think of something to add to the mix. What are you guys serving? Any great ideas? Things you can't live without? I'm thinking of doing a special stuffing of some sort. Will research!