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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Latke Love

This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, will fall on Thanksgiving! In celebration of the rare combination of two very important holidays in the Darling home, we decided to put a spin on the traditional fried potato latke and create sweet mini pumpkin latkes for a special dessert. This was not an easy feat.  Grated Pumpkin is more fragile than potato and posed a challenge when it came time to fry. It disintegrated easily, turning into a mealy texture. The first couple of attempts ended with broken up latkes and a few choice words for what seemed to be an inevitable culinary disaster. The third time was a charm. We made the latke size smaller and with patience and delicate maneuvering we produced bite sized latkes to please! These are a decadent treat and truly worth the effort it takes to make them. I hope you enjoy our recipe and your family gathered around your table!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

P.S. For you traditionalists, I have also included our recipe for good, old-faithful, potato latkes below.


MINI PUMPKIN LATKES
Yeild: 20 Latkes
Approximate Time: 40 minutes, plus frying time

3 cups grated pumpkin
2 medium egg yolks
2 tablespoons almond flour
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
vegetable oil for frying

*Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, with the exception of the vegetable oil
*In a large pan (preferably non-stick), heat enough vegetable oil to cover the pan (about 4 tablespoons)
*Scoop 1 tablespoon of the mixture and drop in the pan, flattening it slightly with the back of a spatula
*Fry until golden on both sides
*Transfer cooked latkes to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

FILLING
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon confectioner sugar

*In a well chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with confectioner sugar until medium stiff
*Set aside in the refrigerator while you prepare the following ingredients:

1/2 cup cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup pumpkin butter
1/4 cup confectioner sugar
1/4 teaspoon  ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon  ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon  ground cardamon 
a pinch of nutmeg

*Soften the cream cheese at room temperature
*In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, confectioner sugar and pumpkin butter
*Mix well until smooth and fully incorporated
*Add the cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and nutmeg
*Fold in the reserved whipped heavy cream 

ASSEMBLY
*Top one latke with a dollop of filling. (Top with another latke if desired)
*If there are two layers, dot another dollop of filling on top of the second layer 
*Top filling with a piece of crystallized pumpkin or chopped nuts to finish it off

NOTE: This is a rich, decedent dessert. If a more delicate taste is what you are looking for, just use one small latke topped with a dollop of filling and enjoy as one single bite.



TRADITIONAL POTATO LATKES
Yield: 22 Latkes
Approximate Time: 45 minutes, plus frying time

3 large Russet Potatoes, peeled and grated
3 large yellow onions, peeled and grated (use may use more if desired)
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
Vegetable Oil for frying
2 teaspoons of Salt and Pepper

*Pre heat oven to 200 degrees
*Combine grated potatoes and onions in a colander. Rinse well to remove the milky residue.
*Drain well and lay mixture on a paper towel. Dry well.
*In a large mixing bowl, incorporate the potato and onion mixture with the eggs, cornstarch, salt and pepper.
*Heat enough vegetable oil to cover a large pan (about 4 tablespoons). 
*Ladle about 1/3 - 1/2 cup of mixture in hot oil and fry until golden brown, flipping the latkes as many times as needed in order to achieve the same color on both sides. 
*Transfer cooked latkes to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
*Keep warm in the oven until you are ready to serve


These recipes were created in collaboration with Lory Fleischer, Cook/Pastry Chef, graduate of the FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE (Classic Pastry Arts).


OPTIONAL DARLING TOPPINGS FOR TRADITIONAL LATKES
Apple compote over tradition apple sauce

Salmon row over a mixture of greek yogurt and lovage*


*NOTE: Lovage is an herb from the parsley family that, when dried has a briny aroma with a warm and distinct flavor.

Some of my all time favorite spices, including Lovage, have come from Ambrosia -- a wonderful little  boutique store on Nantucket, specializing in organic herbs and artisan chocolate. Stay tuned for an upcoming post featuring the store itself, in addition to my favored spices that I discovered while exploring their beautifully stocked shelves.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Preparing For The Toothfairy


A couple of weeks ago our daughter Izzy discovered that she had a loose tooth! Instead of pining over another milestone that came too quickly (though, I did cry for a few minutes on Mr. Darling's shoulder...) I decided to put a new spin on this latest milestone by using it as an opportunity to make a mundane or even dreaded task - toothbrushing - a habit associated with pride and joy!

I set to work preparing for the Tooth Fairy. The first step was finding the perfect Toothfairy Pillow. There were dozens of precious pillows to chose from but the one that I knew belonged to our family was Oeuf's molar shaped Tooth Fairy Pillow!  This chic and modern pillow is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and made from baby alpaca wool. With it's sweet little face and cuddly soft knit, my little darlings will surly fall in love with our family's newest children's keepsake.  I found ours at Barney's but you can purchase yours from Oeuf.com, a Darling family favorite site!

Though Izzy's new toothfairy pillow has the traditional pocket for a monetary surprise, we have decided to create tiny little notes from the Toothfairy herself. Her first note will be a few tips on keeping her big girl teeth healthy and clean. For every tooth lost, Iz will receive one special gift that relates to dental hygiene -- her first Sonicare electric toothbrush (the gift after her first tooth is lost), all natural children's mouthwash from Tom's of Maine and tiny posies of Dentek Fun Flossers!

I see moments and milestones like this as great opportunities to think of ways to establish family traditions and memories your children can pass down to their children. Our upcoming tradition may not fit well with your family style and my advice is to stay true to your family and what makes your children happiest! There is nothing better than the look of joy and wonder on your child's face. Only you, as their parent, know how to fire up that kind of light!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Darling Throwback Thursday


June 3, 2008 - Hours before our first child, Isabel, was born. Life has changed so much since that day and we couldn't imagine it any other way. We are thankful every day for the change, the perspective and the blessings that came with starting our family.

When I look back to this time last year, Mr. Darling and I were making our big escape for the evening to the movie theater.  It had been ages since we sat down together without the kids climbing all over us. A movie with popcorn and a soft drink sounded like the perfect indulgence since the reality was, we were too tired to sit across from each other over a dinner in a restaurant. That night we enjoyed the simple pleasure of taking in a movie side by side -- one of our hands in the popcorn, the other hand in each other's. It was bliss, but the real joy of the evening came in a quiet reflection before the movie started. Today, I'm taking advantage of "Throwback Thursday" to share a personal facebook post from last year:

It's been 9 months since [Mr. Darling] and I went to the movie theater. We purchased tickets, found our seats and he went to buy popcorn. After realizing I hadn't put on a hint of make up for our "big night out" sans babies, I reached in my bag for my lip gloss. The first thing I grabbed was a teething ring. The second was a package of grape scented "boogie wipes" and in my coat pocket I found two pacifiers, a glitter tie and a half eaten mini pack of Annies Bunnies-- My life has changed so much in the past 5 years and I'm thankful for every bit of it! Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!


With love,
Mrs. Darling

Monday, November 18, 2013

Mrs. Darling's Thanksgiving Prep Essentials

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I want to share a few of my preparatory essentials with you! Over the years I have discovered little things aside from the basics (a roaster, twine and thermometer) that have helped me when it comes to cooking and bringing out the full flavor of the holiday season. Remember, there is nothing more essential than the presence of family and friends at your dinner table -- Everything else is gravy.

Please click on the orange links below to find where to buy my Thanksgiving essentials!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Woodford Reserve Bourbon - Woodford Reserve is one of my favorite bourbons because not only is it delicious and delightful all on it's own but it is my secret kick to Mr. Darling's favorite pecan pie. You can use a tablespoon here and there to spice up the most traditional thanksgiving dish. Try a splash in your glaze while roasting the pièce de résistance!

Williams Sonoma Dry Brine - I find that using a dry brine is the fastest and simplest way of producing a juicy turkey year after year! Williams Sonoma's dry brine is my absolute favorite brine on the market. I love the hint of citrus in the mix of herbs and spices, especially because I stuff our bird each year with, lemon and orange wedges with a bouquet of fresh herbs!

Turkey Stock - I use turkey stock in almost every dish of my Thanksgiving Dinner. Chicken stock is wonderful as well, but why have chicken stock on Turkey day when you can have the stock of the bird in favor?  Homemade stock is amazing, but in a pinch, my favorite store bought brand is Kitchen Basics. I buy mine at Whole Foods, but many grocery stores stock the Kitchen Basics brand as well. You can also click on the link to have it shipped directly to your home from Amazon.com!

Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven - My cast iron Staub dutch ovens are a favorite for two reasons. I love the verstatility in meal preparation when it comes to cooking. In a cast iron dutch oven, you can brown a brisket to perfection and after its cooked for a few hours in the oven you can transfer it to a platter and prepare a minestrone soup once it's cleaned out.  The second reason is that there is practicality in the combination of function and style with a Staub dutch oven.  My Staubs go straight from oven to table, without disrupting the feel of my tablescape.

Wooden Spoons- I like to keep at least 4 wooden spoons handy at all times while preparing a big meal. I prefer wooden spoons because they are sturdy enough to handle high heat cooking, and they are gentle enough to preserve cast iron pans and stainless steel pans alike through rough scraping while I cook. My favorite spoons were found during our last trip to Paris in E. Dehillerin, a phenomenal cookware store in the 1st arrondissement. Since it is not possible to order them directly from the website, I suggest checking out Littledeer wooden cooking paddles as an alternative. They are beautifully made and meet the needs of any cook.

Silicone Oven Mitts - What I love most about these particular mitts is that they are easily hand washed and also dishwasher safe. In the past, my traditional oven mitts did the inevitable shrink up after they were washed. With silicone oven mitts, not only are your hands protected, but so is the integrity of the mitt. I currently own a "no-name" pair that I picked up at the grocery store, but the Mastrad Oven Mitts (that can be found at Sur La Table) are on my list for next year!

Shout Stain Remover- This item speaks for itself. As a culinary enthusiast, mother of two and wife to a life-long tinkerer , I've treated a fair amount of stains. Shout Stain Remover is my absolute favorite product for immediate spray treatment. I have found that allowing the Shout to sit for at least 10 minutes on the treated stain really helps when trying to remove the toughest spots!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Cranberry Sauce - Darling Style

There is no doubt that cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving meal essential. While many believe cranberry sauce is a condiment for the turkey, I believe that my mother's cranberry sauce could be a dish all on it's own. My sugar teeth were not the writers of that last statement. I am discerning when it comes to many things and cranberry sauce is one of them! The cranberry sauce that we enjoy every Thanksgiving is not overly sweet and unlike many versions of this holiday classic, it maintains the texture of the berry with no gelatin. The flavor has a subtle complexity between the tang of the berries and orange zest  and the luscious juice that the pear brings. The hint of ginger takes the flavor to a new level and from one bite, you can tell that this is not your average cranberry sauce. I highly recommend that you add the "optional" sweet sherry at the finish. It really gives it that extra je ne sais quio!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

MRS FLEISCHER'S CRANBERRY SAUCE
Yield: 1 quart
Approximate Time: 40 minutes
1 8 oz package (2 cups) fresh cranberries
2-3 slices of fresh unpeeled ginger, crushed lightly
1 large pear, peeled and diced
1 cup water
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
1-2 tablespoon sweet sherry (optional)


*Boil water, sugar and ginger until mixture is clear and syrupy
*Add pear and bring mixture to a medium boil. Cook for 1 minute.
*Remove the 2-3 slices of ginger
*Add in cranberries and zest. 
*Allow to simmer without stirring, until cranberries pop and mixture thickens
*Off heat, stir in sherry if desired


These recipes were created in collaboration with Lory Fleischer, Cook/Pastry Chef, graduate of the FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE (Classic Pastry Arts).

Monday, November 11, 2013

Happy Veterans Day


We are proud of Mr. Darling every single day, but on this very special day, we get to celebrate his service to our country. Like any parent, we want to protect the innocence of our children for as long as possible, yet we believe that it's never too early to bring awareness to the importance of respecting and honoring all who serve and have served in the armed forces.

Having the discussion with your children about the meaning of Veterans Day is necessary for their understanding of what it means to serve and protect our nation.You can begin this conversation with your children by something as simple as bringing their attention to a service man or woman in uniform, or writing a letter to someone who is deployed.

Our daughter Izzy often asks, when she sees a man in uniform at the airport, if he works with her Daddy. Since she has no problem striking up a conversation with just about anyone, I encourage her to thank the service men and women she meets for protecting our country. This act has lead to many conversations surrounding patriotism and also shows her, that expressing thanks can give more to someone's heart than a physical token of gratitude.

I can't wait for the day when our children can fully understand the meaning of their father's service and how it changed our lives forever. Through our military family we learned to cherish every moment together, the importance of patience, the deeper meaning of sacrifice and the beauty of family created by ties stronger than one could ever explain.

I am proud to be able to call my husband a Veteran and I am thankful to have raised our daughter in a community belonging to a band of brothers who willingly and selflessly protect our right to live in freedom and peace.

Happy Veterans Day to the leader of the Darling home-front and all of the brave men and women who have served, those who are serving now and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for protecting our country and the freedom that we hold so dearly to our hearts.

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Friday, November 8, 2013

Weekly PD: Vanilla Buttercream


All of my teeth are sweet teeth. There is no singular in that statement. For me, it sometimes takes a straight up sugary treat to make the straight up nastiness of the day melt away. As a candy aisle junkie, with two children in tow, a special trip down aisle 3 in the grocery store (also know as my happy place) can pose a bit of a problem when it comes to setting a good example for healthy eating.  So when I get home and after the children are in bed, I mix confectionary sugar, butter and vanilla and produce a satiating agent of the best sort ... Vanilla Buttercream Icing.

If you care to try my tranquilizing Pixie Dust after a challenging week, please click here to find the ultimate vanilla buttercream recipe from The Magnolia Bakery on my Pinterest board, Confection!

With love,
Mrs. Darling




A little bit of vanilla buttercream goes a long way!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Giving Thanks


November first was the beginning of the count down to one of our favorite holidays, Thanksgiving! Every year we try and find ways to make Thanksgiving more meaningful for our family of four. This year we decided to start the tradition of building a "Thanksgiving Tree". 

I ordered a tree silhouette wall decal from my favorite new website, Lulu and Georgia. (Wall decals are fantastic for decorating because they are easily removed with no damage to your walls).  Each day of November, the children choose a leaf from the tree to write down what they are thankful for and then decorate the leaf so that it is filled with color. So far Izzy has said that she is thankful for her family, "the nutritious food Mommy makes", our home and our dog Sailor. Right now her focus is on things that are familiar to her, but as the days go on, she will have to reflect more deeply and as a result, I'm sure it will lead to many interesting conversations between us as a family. I can't wait to hear what she comes up with.

Our twist on this tradition was to build our tree by bringing the black silhouette to life with the color of various stickers chosen by Izzy, instead of adding a leaf each day like our friends do. If you are following our example, I suggest allowing your children to stand on a stool or a chair with you present, as they decorate, instead of pulling off a leaf each day and putting it back up. This way it is less of a process and they get the thrill of something they are not typically allowed to do (Also, I can never remember where I got the leaf from -- Mommy Brain).

A few of my girlfriends have done something similar in their homes and I always loved the idea. This year it is more of a focus for Izzy (five-years-old) than her baby brother (almost two-years-old) because she is more aware of her surroundings and can easily express her thoughts and emotions. Even though Izzy is the main participant, I think it is important to have the conversation of being thankful and what that means to our family around McClain. My belief is, the earlier children are exposed to family discussions, the better they will be at taking time to reflect and form an opinion of their own, and most importantly, learn to express their opinion in a respectful way. 

We will continue this month long craft until the day of Thanksgiving when we can step back, admire and give thanks for the true and meaningful gifts in a beautiful life. 

With love,
Mrs. Darling

The Darling Family Thanksgiving Tree

Izzy's first leaf on the tree

We love seeing the tree come to life with the blessings that we count every day. Our family can't wait to see how vibrant the tree is by Thanksgiving!








Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Three Cheers For Happy Bellies

Rice cereal is the traditional and most recommended gateway food for babies on their path to a lifetime of healthy eating!  I'd like to share my absolute favorite rice cereal starter: Happy Bellies Organic Brown Rice Cereal.

I discovered Happy Bellies when our daughter Izzy was born in 2008.  At the time, the popular brands of rice cereal only came in a box with an open/close flap that could not be well secured on it's own. The packaging was frustrating to me because I was always worried about the contents becoming stale and I usually poured either more or less than what I intended on feeding Izzy. Then, during a quick trip to the grocery store, I came across Happy Bellies Brown Rice Cereal. It came in a cylindrical tin with a lid. I learned that this brand is certified organic and "the first baby cereal with probiotics for digestive system health and the only organic cereal with DHA and Choline to support brain and eye health"!  All that and it met all of my packaging needs? This was a major score for a new mother!

I was hooked on Happy Bellies baby cereal brand for Izzy, which can be mixed with heated breast-milk, formula or water. Incorporating solids into your little darling's diet can be a challenge because it is recommended that only one new food be introduced a week, making it a long and delicate process. Some babies are intolerant of certain foods, but we were fortunate to be able to take a more aggressive approach, as Izzy did not have any allergies, and we introduced her to a new food every three days. We kept her rice cereal as a breakfast staple and included pureed fruits like apple, pear, banana and strawberry to the mix as time went on.

Since our daughter was born, Happy Bellies has produced a line of food and snacks for babies, toddlers, big kids and adults. Our son was a fan of their combinations as an infant and I can say that given the opportunity, he could be sustained by their "Super Toddler Bars" alone.

For all you mommies out there that are about to start the adventure of meal making for your little darlings, please check out Happy Bellies and stay tuned for our upcoming posts on making your own baby food, store bought baby food brands we loved, the perfect storage containers and our favorite feeding products!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Monday, October 28, 2013

Life Beyond The Microwave


My girfriend Diana is one of those Moms who always seems to have it together 100% of the time. Diana swears that this is not true, but I'm still waiting for proof. She inspires me every day to look at parenting and family life in a new way, but one afternoon I found something out about my friend that I just didn't know if I could get behind.

About a year ago, my little darlings and I were at Diana's house for a playdate and I needed to reheat McClain's baby food. I searched high and low for her microwave but I couldn't find it anywhere. I reasoned that it must be hidden behind a secret panel, an aesthetic solution that many city dwellers are opting for these days. After asking her where it was, I found out that Diana refuses to own a microwave. "Excuse me?!" and "Why?!" Were the first two questions that came out of my mouth.

While some people believe that a microwave changes the fundamental structure of food and won't use one for that reason, I consider my microwave a god-sent. It quickly reheats the coffee that got cold while I was distracted with the baby, it is the secret to cutting my potato baking time in half and in just a few seconds, the premade food that I picked up at Whole Foods for the kids (because I was too tired to cook that evening), is warm. It's ease and convenience make life so much simpler for me that I couldn't imagine my kitchen without it. I recently brought this topic up with Diana again because I wanted to get the full scope on why she seemed to be making life so much harder for herself.  This was her response:

Everyone has made bets on me getting a microwave by this point, but my reasoning for shunning this "necessary" invention is two fold:

First, I truly believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where your children are nourished in mind body and soul. It is where joys are shared, where stories are told and where concerns are discussed. Second - Patience. Cooking involves patience and allowing moments to pass. The questions a child can ask while waiting for water to boil can create priceless memories. The ability to wait until an explanation is concluded before acting, controlling your hand to pour without spilling, to focus on one activity and only one activity -- these are invaluable lessons of personal control and patience (something I learned from my Grandmom that helps me every day inside and outside the kitchen).

Also, we seem to value things more when we've waited for them and when we've helped create them.  I want my children to value the meal on their plate in front of them and know how it came to be.

In this world of instant gratification, I want my children to be able to have moments of mindlessness. I want them to have the ability to listen and to value their body, mind and soul and appreciate what goes into it.  Everyone has those moments from your life that are forever in your memory and heart. Those moments that shape who you are. For me those warm moments and memories were in my grandmother's and mother's kitchens. I dream that one day my children will have that too.

How amazing is this? I truly respect my friend's steadfast resolution to break with what is convenient on a day-to-day basis in order to cultivate what she believes is important for her children and family. There is no way that I will ever give up the ease of a microwave in my kitchen but I love Diana's take on the importance of looking at the bigger picture in parenting and family life and finding ways outside the box to teach one's children valuable life lessons.

I hope that you find a little bit of the inspiration that I found from her words. Not everyone's style or methods of parenting will mesh, but I think it's important to be open minded. You never know how one family's tradition will affect your own!

With love,
Mrs. Darling





  

Friday, October 25, 2013

Mummies Only - Witches Dinner


What is scarier than Halloween night? Getting through life without the light and support of ones' Mummy-friends! My girlfriends near and far have kept me afloat through some of my most challenging moments as a mother. We rejoice in our children's milestones, we are there for each other when our babies are sick, we group text when comparing notes on handling temper tantrums and we remind each other that we are good mothers when we are feeling our worst.

I decided to put a "Mummies Only" Dinner spin on my Aunt Susanne's annual Witches Tea in Louisville, Kentucky for my Philadelphia girlfriends. Five of my close "mummy" friends (my own Mommy included) and I shared a meal and endless cackling.  Featured below is our dinner menu and a collection of pictures from prep to party! Stay tuned for a follow up post featuring the recipes from our spooktacular night!

With love,
Mrs. Darling


The Menu
Mrs. Darling's Asian Style Short ribs
Stir- Fried Shrimp
Pickled Radish
Steamed Bok Choy with Garlic and Chestnuts
Spiked Apple Crisp a la Mode


Good Night Babies - Once the little darlings were bathed and tucked in bed, party prep commenced!
My mother and I found this spectacular punch bowl while antiquing in Adamstown. I take every opportunity to break it out. For our dinner, I brewed a Sparkling Apple Cider Rum Punch! 
The beginning of the bar setup 
 These festive Mario Luca Giusti glasses and the pitcher below were purchased two years ago at Barneys. As soon as I saw them I knew I had to have them. The best part is that they are acrylic! No matter how wild the party gets, there will be no breakage!


Fresh thyme cocktail garnish. I love the smell and infusion of fresh herbs. These sprigs were the perfect touch to the punch and St. Germain cocktails.
These creepy gem spider rings from Target were a huge hit! I used them to decorate the silver and place mats and we each donned a couple on our fingers
The place setting: Black linen napkins and silver brought my every day Juliska "Berry and Thread" pattern from Neiman Marcus to life!
One of the flowers I used in the tablescape was Echinacea. It's spiky texture and rich color was a sophisticated twist on the traditional Halloween feel.

The Leucadendron looked so much like little cocoons. They paired beautifully with the Echinacea and created such a great look in the individual vase place care holders.
Putting the finishing touches on the tablescape!

This is one of my favorite fall decorative items! I have had this little fruit pom for six years and since we moved to Philadelphia, every time I hang it, I think of my dear friends in Virginia Beach and all of the dinners we shared and the toasts that we made. 
I ordered black tapper candles from Williams Sonoma that were placed in my brass and crystal candlesticks on the buffet. They created a dim and intimate setting along with my seasonal pillar candles from Target!

The bar is set and equipped to wet the driest of whistles!
My most prim and proper mummy-friend shocked and delighted us all with her killer (and completely out of character) press on nails and festive attire. She flew in the door on a household broom baring candy and flowers ... the key to any fellow witch's heart!
What would a Witches Dinner be without the perfect witch hat? Ryan's feathered number was the darling of our dinner!

The Apple Crisp a la mode - ready for consumption!
Witches Broom Goodie Bags ... Thank you Pinterest ... and Casey for helping me make them!
We cackled until the clock stroke midnight! Abby was parent-of-the day in the morning, Diana had an early morning conference call and a trip down to Virginia, Susan and Stephanie were exhausted and Ryan had a drive all the way back to the suburbs. It was time for these witches to hit the road!
As soon as my guests left, my "mummy" and I threw off our jewelry and got to work on rinsing the silver and wrapping up the food. We left the rest of the clean up for the morning (**one of the top entertaining tips that I learned from my mother is to leave the cleaning of breakable serve and glassware until the morning. When you're tired or have had a couple of cocktails, accidents can happen. It's best to wash them when you are rested and refreshed ... especially if they are heirlooms**).

Monday, October 21, 2013

Responsibility

Book featured: The Table Sets Itself - written by Ben Clanton 
Responsibility doesn't begin when you become an adult. It starts at a much younger age. In the Darling home, we believe that teaching responsibility early gives children the tools they need to help navigate through their little world.

At the age of five, Izzy is biting at the bit to help us around the house. This is a wonderful thing, but it  can sometimes be more of an inconvenience, especially during the days when we are working on a timeline (five year old hands are so loving but they are not as fast at leveling out flour as their adult supervisor).  A few months ago, we decided to give Izzy certain responsibilities at home. They include feeding our dog Sailor, setting the table for supper and clearing her plate from the table after our meal.  We felt that three was a good number of tasks to start with so that the responsibility was not too overwhelming for her, but it was enough to make her feel accomplished and helpful.

Before introducing Izzy to her new responsibilities at home, we gave her a wonderful book entitled, "The Table Sets Itself" by Ben Clanton. This charming book is a must have for every child's library, and it was especially relevant for our family because it is about a little girl named Izzy who is given the responsibility of setting the table. She learns the proper places for each piece and delights in completing the job every night with the help of her friends, Dish, Fork, Knife Spoon, Cup and Napkin ... that is until the place-setting and Izzy decide it's time for a change...  Our Izzy delighted in this entertaining story and after reading it she was excited to take on her own responsibilities.

Izzy is thriving with her new responsibilities and she performs them with great pride. I often hear her whispering to Sailor that she snuck a few extra pieces of dog food in her bowl. Our place settings have never looked more well set and the look of satisfaction on her face as she carefully brings her plate to the sink is priceless.  I love seeing her so proud of herself and since beginning her new tasks, I have already seen a shift in her awareness of her surroundings. The other day she saw me struggling to put a slipcover back over a cushion and without being asked, she said, "Here Mommy, let me help you. It looks like you're having a hard time". I threw the whole mess over my head and grabbed my girl and gave her kisses until she begged to be released. I explained why I was so happy and her response was nonchalant, "Well, I am a big girl now. I help every day".

Time will add more responsibilities to her list and ours, but for now, we are all happy with where we stand. Our little darling has three little chores and a big heart full of pride. What more can a parent ask for?

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Friday, October 11, 2013

The Lovies


When a child is born, they are often given plush, stuffed animal friends. Of these friends, there may be one that is favored above all others. To a child, this particular friend becomes a "lovie". Lovies comfort your little darlings when they are sad or scared. They soothe them into a dream-filled slumber.

When Izzy was 14 months old,  we turned our entire house inside out looking for Tadbit (Izzy's buddy blanket lovie made by Bunnies By The Bay).  Tad is a friendly looking fuzzy frog head with a short satin-lined blanket for a body and he is Izzy's world. For the first two years of her life, she never went anywhere without him and couldn't sleep without feeling his softness against her face. When he was lost, everyone was in a panic. You can imagine the mounting anxiety for me as a parent of a lovie obsessed child. Tad had to be found. I was already imagining sleepless nights and long days of whining for comfort when we finally found him, looking sad and alone, on the side of the road where we took a stroll earlier that morning.

I decided then and there to run to the store and buy 4 more Tads. There was no way this was going to happen again. I quickly learned that having multiple lovies in rotation is essential to maintaining comfort for our child and sanity for us.

With a fleet of reserves we were prepared for anything - misplacement, torn limbs, ripped seams and laundry day. Izzy would never have to be without a Tad. We kept his clones a secret for a while, rotating them through the wash so that they all looked the same. It was brilliant, until Izzy walked in on a clean pile of Tads lying next to the crib sheets I was folding. I will never forget the look on her face when she learned the truth: There is more than one Tad. Fortunately for us it never affected her. We followed suit when our son Mack was born and he too has his own little fleet of soothers ... duck-headed blankets named Emmett.

If your children are like mine, or you are thinking of purchasing a lovie for a child, consider my advice and buy a spare or two... or four to keep in rotation. Enjoying the satisfaction that ones children are happy, comforted and quiet is (in my opinion) worth the extra money and space taken by their lovie clones.

With love,
Mrs. Darling

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

A Pre-Baby Delivery


My friend Lauren is pregnant with her first baby and a week past her due date. The thought of being in her shoes right now makes me cringe! I was miserable at the end of my pregnancies and had no desire to do anything, especially cook an entire meal. When I heard from Lauren that she was still pregnant, I decided to make our friends and their happy, yet obstinate baby in-utero, a dinner to help with the end of pregnancy exhaustion and possibly entice the little darling to make his way into the world.

I typically make meals for our friends who have just given birth. After arriving home from the hospital, many new parents find that food is the last thought that runs through their minds (excluding the baby's food, of course)! Mr. Darling and I received so many meals after our first child was born that our refrigerator and freezer were completely full. I remember thinking: This is amazing, but what are we going to do with all of this food?

After the first day at home, without the help of our parents who came to give us a hand for a few days post delivery, we looked at each other and said, "Oh wait... what are we going to do for dinner???" We remembered all of the meals stocked by our friends and family and immediately felt a sense of relief. We quickly learned that welcoming a baby gives you a new found appreciation for a warm meal prepared by someone else!

Lately, I've come to find that a meal for Moms-to-be before the birth of their little darlings are just as beneficial and meaningful as the meals you make after their little darlings arrive.


Preparing the deliveries!
My tips for making meals for new parents and families are as follows:

* Make meals that are easily transported and frozen - often times, parents are overwhelmed with meals throughout the first few weeks after their arrival home with baby. Making simple, easily frozen and thawed meals allows parents to pull them out as needed without the risk of the meals spoiling and going to waste. Pasta sauce, soups and stews are just a few of many examples of easily transported and frozen meals.

* Remember that breakfasts and lunches are important too - Parents and siblings are not always the only ones enjoying delivered meals. Many family and friends stop by to visit and meet the new baby. It helps parents to have a variety of meals that they can share with guests such as baked-goods, breakfast foods (like bagels and lox or baked oatmeal) and cold-cuts and bread.

* Place meals in containers you are willing to part with - New parents, or even parents welcoming another baby are not thinking about returning your containers after your meals have been enjoyed. If they are, they shouldn't be! They just went through a major life milestone and are marveling in the life they brought into the world. My advice is to buy serve-ware that they can keep or throw away. I prefer simple Pyrex containers and bake-ware. They are more sturdy than aluminum. Rubbermaid containers are also great, but are limited as they can not be baked in the oven to reheat.

* Include a note to the family and baby - not only will this personalize your gift and serve as a lovely memento, it also helps parents when it comes to remembering who to send thank you notes to when they have a few minutes of peace to write them.

*Have fun with packaging your meals - I like to "swaddle" our meals in Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. This way, they are like a two in one gift for both parents and baby. They even look like little stork deliveries. I also like to include a bottle of champagne or prosecco... a little glass helps to relax and to celebrate!

*Remember that store-bought meals are just as meaningful as homemade meals - I am a firm believer in "It's the thought that counts". A few of our friends who work full-time and have families of their own barely have time to make a meal for their families, let alone make one for ours. They picked up healthy and nutritious pre-made meals (one even ordered in for us one night). We were so touched by their thought and generosity that it did not matter that they didn't make the meals themselves. It didn't diminish the love that they gave toward our family.


I hope you find these tips helpful. Being a part of the joy in welcoming a baby is a tremendous experience. Every little contribution and good wish is cherished and remembered!

With love,
Mrs. Darling

P.S. A day after writing this post, our dear friends became parents to healthy and beautiful, Aris James Morton. Welcome, sweet darling! We have been waiting for you.


Ready for delivery - A meal of italian sausage and peppers, herb and cheese polenta and blueberry cobbler. Prosecco was picked up on the way!          

The swaddle blankets used for our delivery to the Mortons were from the  Aden + Anais organic muslin collection - pattern: "Into The Woods" How charming is this little fox?