Thursday, January 22, 2009
Step One
For as long as I can remember, I have written. I created elaborate illustrated storybooks when I was a kid, kept diaries all through my teens, wrote feature stories for the campus paper in college, and even got a graduate degree in journalism--not because I ever felt it would lead to a career as a writer, but simply because I love to string words together. It's as much a part of who I am as the color of my eyes or the sound of my voice. For me, writing is theraputic and joyful, both grounding and freeing. But it's also very much my secret pleasure, a thing that I love so much that I am almost afraid to share it. So I have spent the last thirteen years editing, taking quiet satisfaction in shaping the work that other writers do. I might tell you that I am an editor because I like to make books, but that fact is that I am an editor because I am afraid to try to be a writer. I don't want to fail at something that means so much to me. But recently I've come to the point in my life where failure isn't so scary--or maybe it's as scary, but not as frightening as the alternative: the life-long regret at never having tried. So a couple of months ago, I gathered the courage to write something with the specific intent of selling it. And, somehow, on my very first try, it sold. And today it was published on the delightful parenting website Babble.com. I hope you'll check it out. And then I hope you'll keep checking back here to find links to other features. Because I'm going to keep trying.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Better Day
Last night Madeline said, "I wish your hair was curly like mine."
I said, "Well, sometimes being different is nice."
And then she said, "Barack Obama is different, too."
Today offers countless reasons, large and small, to feel optimistic about the beginning of something better. But no matter what Obama accomplishes during his term, his inauguration today sends a message to my children. They will grow up in a world where being "different" isn't an impediment--or an excuse. And for that I have immense pride.
I said, "Well, sometimes being different is nice."
And then she said, "Barack Obama is different, too."
Today offers countless reasons, large and small, to feel optimistic about the beginning of something better. But no matter what Obama accomplishes during his term, his inauguration today sends a message to my children. They will grow up in a world where being "different" isn't an impediment--or an excuse. And for that I have immense pride.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
We Did It!
We loaded the kids into the car. We got lost on the way to the polling place. We waited in line. We cast our ballots. Now we wait. And hope.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Every day on the way to work, I pass a children's hospital. This morning, I happened to glance into one of its windows. Parted drapes revealed a little chapel--stained glass windows, a tiny altar, and several chairs lined up solemnly in a room no bigger than my office. Something about the sight of it just overwhelmed me. I literally had to stop and collect myself before I could keep walking. To ever have to beg for the things the parents there must pray for--it's too much to even imagine. So today I am working hard to be grateful for every good thing I have, but most especially for my healthy, growing, amazing kids. I am going to dress them up in silly costumes and stuff their little bellies full of candy and be thankful for every single second of it.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
We're Back!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Summer Sangria
A few months ago, Natalie, Yuri, Eric, and I went to Nolita House. The food was heavenly but even more unforgettable was the sangria, which we chugged down like juice. In fact, it was so unforgettable that I started looking for recipes so I could make some at home. I was a bit tipsy at the time, but I swear that the waitress had said that there was Prosecco in the Nolita House sangria, but no recipe I found used the bubbly stuff. Most combinations I saw were for straight-up red sangria or white. What I was after was a hybrid. So I made my own. And, if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty darn well. It's bubbly, yummy, and not too sweet. Even my dad approved--and he should know his way around sangria after a few years in Spain! Anyway, feel free to give it a spin and let me know what you think!
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup pitted fresh cherries
1 large diced orange
2 sliced fresh peaches
1/2 cup Cointreau (orange liquor)
1/4 cup brandy
3 cups cherry juice OR 1 bottle Stirrings Red Sangria mixer
1 cup 7 Up
1 bottle Prosecco
Soak the fruit in a mixture of the brandy, Cointreau, and 1 cup cherry juice, preferably overnight. When the fruit is good and liquored up, pour it into a pitcher with some ice. Add the whole bottle of Prosecco. Top off the pitcher with a splash of 7 Up to taste and the remainder of the cherry juice or sangria mix. Pour into tall glasses of ice. Don't forget to include lots of fruit in each glass. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Happy Birthday, Maddie Q

Even in the first minutes of her brand new life, Madeline was completely and totally aware. The eyes looking up at me from that tightly-swaddled hospital blanket were sizing me up. She was, as they say, born ready. Four years later, and she continues to astound and delight me with the intensity of her intelligence, her will, her humor, and her charm. Some days with her are a challenge, others a delight--but every single one has been a blessing. My baby is a force in every way. Don’t let the beautiful blond curls and sweet, cherubic face fool you. Underneath, there’s a girl who knows what she wants. And, quite frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy birthday, precious Budgie Bird.
Happy birthday, precious Budgie Bird.
Monday, June 30, 2008
SpongeBob CrazyCake
Madeline's birthday party was on Sunday and Eric and I got a bit (OK, way more than a bit) carried away with the cake. Madeline loves Spongebob. How hard could it be to make a square cake? As it turns out, not hard at all...and actually very fun. We started with a huge, rectangular cake pan and several cans of store-bought frosting. Micheal's sells Spongebob-themed food coloring packs, so we used that for his body. Rolls of fondant made his legs, tie, mouth, and part of his eyes. Sugar cookies made his teeth, nose, and the rest of his eyes. His pant legs were Ring Dings cut in half, his shoes were Yodels and his shoulders were frosted Twinkies. His eyelashes and belt were black licorice and his tongue a melted Starburst. We were up until all hours on Saturday and our pantry still looks like a junk food addict's dream, but it was totally worth it. The birthday girl loved it!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
DIY Decorating
To make the board, we recycled an ugly painting of mine done on a huge canvas from Michael's. I bought one yard of upholstery fabric from Mood in NYC, as well as seven yards of grosgrain ribbon and a cheap pack of painted thumbtacks. I also bought about two yards of thin batting. To make the boards, we used a staple gun to attach the batting to the wooden frame of the canvas. Then we did the same with the fabric. We measured roughly where we wanted the ribbon, then hot glued it to the back of the canvas. We put tacks at the points where two ribbons intersected. We hung it on a nail and--voila! Cheap, easy, functional wall art.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lush and Lacy
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