Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Molly Deschenes, mother of almost two, craft blogger, and think tank/grant writing expert. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Molly Deschenes, craft blogger & think tank/grant writing expert

Christine: Welcome, Molly! You were nominated for this feature given your devotion to mamahood and crafting, but I understand that you also have an interesting professional history so why don’t we start at the beginning? You used to work in foreign policy; what did you do for work and where did your travels take you?

Molly: Before I moved back to the Boston area to start a family, I worked primarily for public policy research institutes ("think tanks") and focused on foreign policy issues. I was an International Relations and Spanish major at Tufts University. My first "real" job out of college, after a stint teaching English as a foreign language in Spain, was at a think tank in Washington DC called the American Enterprise Institute. That job brought me to most of the European Union capitals, the Balkans (including some time in Kosovo just after the war), as well as the Middle East. I worked as a staff assistant and was organizing conferences and fact-finding missions in those places of the world.

Next, I took a job with an organization called Freedom House and was based in Budapest, Hungary. I managed a grant program that funded think tanks throughout Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). I traveled throughout CEE promoting the grant program and meeting with scholars who were working to help their countries as they dealt with the many social and political issues that come with making a transition from a communist country to a democracy. The most memorable experience from that job was being able to travel to Serbia to meet with grantees just after Slobodan Milo¹eviæ fell from power. My most recent position abroad was as an Executive Director at the Aspen Insitute Berlin. I worked on programming, did some research, and wrote grant proposal to help fund my project. When the NATO summit was in Prague, we were invited by then President Vaclav Havel to organize a parallel conference for luminaries such as Madeleine Albright, who spent many years championing the cause of NATO expansion, but who were no longer working in an official capacity and would not be able to participate in the official summit. It was thrilling to work with foreign policy officials who operated at such a high level.

Christine: You eventually decided to settle in the Boston area and change fields; what do you do for work now?

Molly: I currently work for a small liberal arts college in the Boston area as a Corporate and Foundations Development Officer. The long and short of it is that I write grant proposals to raise funding to support the college. In most of my previous jobs, I had written several successful grant proposals. When I moved to Boston, I decided to focus on that aspect of my employment experience while looking for a job. I am the product of a strong liberal arts education and believe in the power of a liberal arts approach, so it is nice to work for a cause in which I believe.

Christine: You’re also the mom of a toddler son and are expecting #2 this year - congratulations! Where were you were at professionally when you became a mom? How did you handle maternity leave and return to work? Was your work environment supportive of your role as a new mom?

Molly: Thanks Christine. We are very excited to become a family of four. When I became a mom almost two years ago, I was in my current position. I took a three-month maternity leave and then returned to work again full time. Typical work weeks in higher education are 35 hours, so it is nice not to have the pressure of a 40 plus hour-a-week job. Also, my commute is only fifteen minutes and my husband works even closer to home, so we are able to pick up our kiddo from daycare and zip back to the house in no time. The transition back to work was both easy and difficult. The easy part was that, once I was in the office, I often found myself thinking, "Wow. This is a lot easier than being at home!" The hard part, of course, was sending my baby off to be cared for by another woman. For me, this blow was softened because our son's daycare provider was recommended to us by a friend and he is now in a wonderful environment. Also, he is in daycare Monday-Thursday and my husband is home with him for most of the day on Fridays. My employer was supportive of my new role as a mother and my direct supervisor, in particular, was fantastic as I made the transition back to work.

Christine: I know your son is young, but given your travel experience, how do you feel about traveling with your kids and giving them access to international experiences? Do you have your sights set on a first international adventure?

Molly: We have taken our son all over New England as well as a few long weekends in New York city, but we haven't gone international with him yet. However, when the time is right, my husband and I would love to take our children on many trips abroad. There is no better way to understand cultures that are foreign to us than to spend time in other countries. My top choice would be to take a trip to Granada, Spain where I lived just after I graduated from Tufts. It is a magical city and I would be sure to rent a flat in the old neighborhood that looks out on the famous Moorish palace, the Alhambra. Next on the list would be a small island in Croatia called Hvar. Finally, since I haven't been there myself, I would love to travel with my family to any of the countries in Asia.

Christine: Let’s move on to your blog, apple cyder, which you started in January 2008. What inspired the blog’s name? And have you found the blog to be an effective platform for keeping in touch with loved ones? Do you have any other expectations of it - fame, fortune, or otherwise?

Molly: My husband's grandparents used to run a cyder mill in our mutual hometown and my husband worked at the mill when he was young. Now he presses cyder on a much smaller scale for family and friends in our back yard. It's just a hobby now, but it’s an important part of our family history. Incidentally, my grandfather's family used to own a milk company called Herlihy's Milk, but the blog name apple cyder is much cuter than "milk."

I originally started the blog because I was feeling badly about bombarding my family and friends with a million photos of my kid using a format like Shutterfly or Snapfish. I decided that it would be better to post just one or two of the best recent photos and, since I enjoy writing, add a little commentary. Then I incorporated a little show-and-tell of my sewing and craft projects and all of the sudden people outside of my original circle of friends starting reading. The first comment I received from an outsider really surprised me. I thought, "Why on earth would anyone besides my family and friends be interested in this?" I actually don't find the blog to be a super effective platform for staying in touch. I say this because I have many friends who don't use it as a back and forth. Rather, they read it and feel like they don't need to contact me because they already know what I have been up to! Having said that, there are some folks who do say hello and react to blog posts, so it does work both ways.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

As far as expectations go, I really don't aspire to be the next Heather Bailey. Crafting is fun for me. If I had to do it, I think I would enjoy it a lot less. I've had inquiries about whether I have plans to open an online shop. It’s an interesting idea, but I am a fairly slow crafter and tend to make things a little complicated for myself. It's in my nature. If I tried to sell my creations, I'd have to charge a great deal per item to make it worthwhile. For now, I will stick to torturing my family and friends with handmade gifts! Though I must say, it would be nice to have the hobby that I love become a part of my professional life. A pipe dream would be to open a drop-in crafting studio/lounge like Spark Craft Studios in Porter Square, but that is not something I am pursuing.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: Your nominator writes, “Molly posts lovely photos of her gorgeous craft projects, and writes tutorials for the craft-challenged folks like me out there. Reading her blog is always refreshing and inspiring.” What serves as the inspiration for your craft projects? Gift needs? Specific fabrics? Random inspiration? Do you have any formal sewing training?

Molly: Most of my creativity springs from the desire to give the perfect gift. I am not sure how often my efforts are met with success, but I love trying. I am also inspired by other craft bloggers as well as my everyday surroundings and experiences. Fabric is another huge source of inspiration. Sometimes I see a certain fabric and know that it will make a beautiful quilt, bag, set of cloth napkins, what have you. Then, I think of a person who I think would appreciate it. Necessity is another important source of inspiration. The night before we went on a recent beach vacation I realized that I couldn't find my son's belt and that our beach bag was in rough shape. I sewed up an over-sized beach bag and two new belts before I went to bed that evening. I think I learned a bit about sewing in a home economics class in high school, but my true mentor is my mother. She is a lifelong sewer and still uses the same machine she had as a teenager. Two of my sisters have also taken on the craft. The best is when we are able to get together on a project, though with my sisters living in Utah and Hawaii, that doesn't happen much these days.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: As a designer and avid crafter myself, it truly was a pleasure to troll through your blog to look at your projects; do you have a particular favorite? What is your favorite type of project, and what is an unexplored craft medium you’d love to experiment with?

Molly: Thanks! One of my favorite projects is a set of personalized fabric napkin rings with matching napkins that I made for my mom. I like this gift because she chose the fabric, it fits in with the decor of her dining set perfectly and I know it will get lots of use.

In general, my favorite type of project is quilting. I love choosing fabric combinations and creating something with a particular person in mind. Another favorite project is one that is not on the blog yet. I am making a quilt for my son for his second birthday. I am making it by hand using a method called English paper piecing and will be sewing countless one-inch hexagons together. The plan is to create a modern take on the traditional hexagon quilt. This project is time consuming, but I love that I can carry all of the supplies in my purse and work on it whenever I find myself with a spare fifteen minutes. I can also work on it in the evening in the living room and have a conversation with my husband. I can't do that when I am using my sewing machine, so it is a very nice change of pace. I adored the big girl quilt that you made for your daughter, by the way.

Christine: Where are your favorite places to get supplies, fabrics, etc.? And do you have any favorite craft references for folks who might want to take up crafting but need a little guidance?

Molly: This is a difficult question because there are so many places to shop, especially when you factor in the online community. Hands down, my favorite local bricks and mortar shop is Franklin Mill Store in Franklin, MA. They have a great selection of both quilter's cotton and home decor weight fabrics plus all the notions you could ever want. Their home decor fabric remnant table is incredible and they also have a great children's toy section. The sisters that run the store have excellent taste and are very saavy buyers. Quilt Home and Sew, Mama, Sew! are two online shops that I really like. And for Japanese prints, I like to shop online at Fabric Tales. I could go on and on about great places to buy fabric, but I will stop at that.

If I had to choose just one craft blog to use as a reference, I think it would be Amy Karol's blog called Angry Chicken. She has been blogging for a while so there is a lot of great content in her archives and she is full of excellent ideas. Sew Mama Sew's blog is another go-to spot. As a rule, whenever I am trying to figure out how to do something I have never tried before, I always include the word "blog" in my web search because I find that the crafty blogging community abounds with excellent online tutorials that you can try -- at no cost.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: I love to sew but I find that it can be challenging to do so around my very curious daughter, who essentially wants to take over my sewing machine to make tiny handbags for all of her dolls. Where do you fit in your craft time, and do you have dedicated space for it?

Molly: I am a nighttime crafter. Nothing much gets created until my son has gone to bed. If I have a deadline, I will work on projects during the day on weekends, but I prefer that my craft time not interfere with the time I spend with my family. I do not have a dedicated space. I pull my supplies out of a closet and work at the dining room table. If I am following on-line tutorial to complete a project, I set up shop next to the computer and work in our office/playroom. I am really not chomping at the bit to have a dedicated space because I like to be able to talk to husband while I work. While it would be nice to be able to leave a project-in-progress out on a table, rather than have to pack it away before it is finished, I think I would feel isolated in a room that was dedicated to crafting. Besides, I wouldn't be able to bore my husband as frequently as I normally do, asking him what he thinks of my silly creations!

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Molly: My favorite thing about being a Boston mama really has nothing to do with the city of Boston at all. It is great to be close to my family after having spent a good deal of my professional life abroad. It is such a blessing to have all of the grandparents, plus a bunch of aunts and uncles, so present and active in our family life. The support they give us is indispensable. Family aside, I love Boston for its fantastic location. We are a 25-minute drive outside of the city, can zip to the beaches of Cape Cod in the summer, and have easy access to the ski mountains in New Hampshire and Vermont during the winter months.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Boston Mamas Rock!; Home; Local

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips on managing breastfeeding when returning to work:

“For a new mom, returning to work can be stressful, and the thought of continuing breastfeeding can seem like an overwhelming task. But with advanced planning and the support of your family and workplace, it’s possible to combine breastfeeding and working, and it will benefit all parties in several ways.

Breastfeeding Benefits:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of a child’s life. The longer babies are breastfed, the greater the health benefits for both mom and baby. Breastfeeding also subsequently is good for the employer since it tends to reduce parent absence due to baby illness. The AAP notes that breastfeeding reduces the occurrence of the following illnesses in babies: ear infections, diarrhea, infections, pneumonia, SIDS, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and meningitis.

Here are some basics on breastmilk expression and bottle feeding in anticipation of returning to work (see also my articles on breastfeeding basics, breastmilk pump option articles 1 and 2, and BPA and baby bottles):

Pumping & Storing:

There is no need to start pumping or giving bottles during your baby’s first three weeks. Milk expression can occur sometime during the third week so that you can begin giving the baby a bottle by week four. To express milk effectively, it is extremely important to have a good quality breast pump. Breast pumps can be rented through the hospital or purchased at a retail store. It is not always necessary to use a hospital grade breast pump. An electric pump that allows you to collect milk from both breasts simultaneously is a great choice. Many of these pumps come in discreet carry bags with collection bottles and ice packs for easy transport.
Begin by pumping your breasts twice per day, once in the early morning and once in the early afternoon, about 30 minutes after you breastfeed your baby. It is normal to get very little milk when you first start pumping. What you are doing by pumping is building a little bit of milk storage, getting used to pumping, and increasing your milk supply. It is important to pump at the same time each day and be consistent in your pumping schedule, since you are programming your body to make a little more milk. Even if you pump and no milk comes out you are sending signals to your body to make more milk. An increase in milk production will be noticed in 3 – 5 days on average.

Immediately after pumping or expressing, breastmilk can sit out or be stored at room temperature for about 4-6 hours. When refrigerating freshly expressed breastmilk, it is safe to store for an average of 6 days. If you plan on freezing your breastmilk, note that the guidelines on storing the milk in the freezer vary depending on the type of freezer you have and the temperature. On average, frozen breastmilk can be stored for 3-4 months in a self-contained refrigerator freezer unit. Deep frozen milk (at 0 degrees F or -19C) can last for 6-12 months. Be sure NOT to store breastmilk in the freezer door compartments because the temperature is too variable. Finally, when ready to use frozen breastmilk, if you have thawed your breastmilk at room temperature or under running water, use the stored breastmilk within 4 hours, whereas if you are thawing breastmilk in the refrigerator, use the stored breastmilk within 24 hours. It’s also important to note that you should NEVER refreeze thawed breastmilk. Whatever isn’t used within the above time parameters must be discarded. (Temperature and storage method information was derived from Medela.)

Planning Your Return to Work:

To avoid feeling overwhelmed when returning to work, find ways to ease in slowly. For example, start your job midweek so you will only be away from your baby for two or three days instead of five, or begin working half instead of full days to help ease the transition.

When you are away from your baby, the general rule is that you should pump your breasts once for each missed feeding. Typically, this works out to three 15-minute pumping sessions for a 9-hour workday. If you cannot pump enough at work, then you may need to pump right after you breastfeed your baby in the morning (before you leave for work), and to work in a similar routine at the end of the work day once you reconnect with your baby. Also, to help maintain an adequate milk supply, it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed your baby on the weekends and when you are home with the baby, especially during the night, given that nighttime breastfeeding boosts milk supply.

Breastfeeding while working outside of the home is a rewarding endeavor with many benefits for both mom and baby. However, if these benefits come at a cost, such as a mother who is physically or emotionally drained, then it may be time to revise the game plan a bit. Talking to other breastfeeding moms, consulting with a lactation specialist, staying open minded, and remembering that every instance that you have breastfed your baby to date has been beneficial can help alleviate some of the stress you may feel as a new mom back to work. Being patient, flexible, and giving yourself time to adjust will ultimately make both mom and baby happy.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Mama in the Workplace

Today, Jules shares a recipe to get your salmon mojo running:

“Salmon is my favorite food (see another recipe here), and because it’s a sturdy fish, it really can stand up to both bold and subtle flavors. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids (which are good for the cardiovascular system), this recipe is simple in flavors but packs a punch with its fresh herb mojo and accompanying radicchio salad.

Salmon with Herb Mojo & Radicchio Salad

Salmon with Herb Mojo:

[Click photo thumbnail to enlarge image]

This weekend’s deluge made two things clear: the childhood joy of puddle stomping is timeless, and your kid can stay out and stomp a whole lot longer with the right gear. And for the ultimate in cuteness and quality, check out Hatley’s sweet array of coordinated kid’s raincoats and rain boots. This raingear effectively shields little ones from the elements, while incorporating super comfy details, such as cushy padded boot insoles and a cozy terry cotton lining in the coat. You may be ready to come inside well before your kid, but you’ll be glad to have the cabin fever burnt off in the puddles instead of in your living room.

Want to win a Hatley raincoat + boot set*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Coochicoos features the ultra chic Swedese tree coat rack. One Chic Mama highlights the scrapbooking partnership between Hostess with the Mostess and How Fast They Grow. Car & Caboodle offers a mom-centered review on the popular Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans. And you could win a pair of Robeez at MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Gifts & Paper; Home; Travel

The forecast is putting a wrench in this weekend's outdoor events, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday, when Boston GreenFest 2008 will condense it’s original three-day festival into a Sunday jam packed with green goodness. This free event at City Hall Plaza will showcase eco-tech innovations, information on how to incorporate green practices into daily life, and music, dancing, food, and activities for kids.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Fun Outdoors; Local

If your house is anything like ours, you log a lot of hours reading books to your kid. And come tomorrow through Sunday (9/26 – 9/28), talented storytellers and musicians will tell the tales for you at the 24th Annual Three Apples Storytelling Festival in historic Bedford. The festival includes free and ticketed events geared toward all ages and will run rain or shine; see location details at the Three Apples site.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local

Today, Kristin recommends craniosacral therapy for kiddie constipation relief:

“If you told me 20 years ago - in my riot girl days of bartending, dancing for two companies, traveling through Europe, etc., etc. that one of the main conversations in my life would be about poop, I would have laughed hysterically in your face. And now, here I am, deeply entrenched in poop (or lack thereof) talk.

When my second kid, Jacoby, was born, he seemed to be sporting a bit of a San Tropez tan. In other words, jaundice. Luckily, unlike my first child Robert, he did not need the endless amounts of light therapy that helped Robert heal faster. What he did need was a never-ending supply of breast milk. And with all this nursing came diaper after diaper of poop. It was non-stop for about two weeks. I think we plowed through a case of 96 diapers in about a week. And the color...well, it was kind of nuclear green. I would change him and BLAM, in the middle of it all, Jake would be flexing and grunting away as I rushed to get another diaper under his tush to catch it. Then one day, it all came to a screeching halt. No more cute grunting, no more changing diaper after diaper, and no more sharing with my husband the lurid details. After about a week I came to realize, our son was constipated.

Constipated! What to do? I have heard some scary stories from parents about the lengths they have gone to help relieve their child, but personally, "manual extraction" was just not going to happen. So, we tried everything else. We started with the usual prune juice. That worked for a few days but then, nothing. From there we switched to apple juice, with the same results. Then massage, olive oil, mineral oil, you name it. The doctor believed that his system was just immature and that in time, especially when he started solids, things would get moving, so to speak. But my baby was suffering with serious gas and cramping. So I turned to more drastic measures: suppositories and medication in a bottle once a night.

Now here's the thing with suppositories. Not only are they a drag to "install," but your baby can get used to them. We only turned to them if there was no action after 4 days or so. Then there was the laxative prescribed by our doctor. We were to give him one small dose in a bottle of breast milk or formula prior to bedtime, which also worked for a short period of time before Jacoby developed immunity to that as well. Basically, we were stuck between a rock and a hard place. More drugs? Move on to testing? Now what? After careful consideration, my husband and I decided to take this matter to an organic place. Holistic care.

Enter miracle worker Barbara May, a truly gifted massage and craniosacral therapist at Partners in Healing in Arlington. I explained what was going on with our son and she immediately recommended a craniosacral adjustment for him. I knew what this type of bodywork entailed because I had received numerous adjustments when I was a dancer. In layman's terms, during craniosacral you lie on a table in a very relaxed environment; the room is usually dimly lit and quiet. The therapist places his or her hands in a variety of spots on your body and very gently "moves things around." It's just light touch and does not hurt AT ALL. When you are finished, you feel great. That's it. (For the non-layman’s version, read the full description here.) Anyhow, after discussing the situation with Barbara, I made an appointment for Jake, hoping this was the answer.

We arrived at her office on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, where Barbara had her table dressed in fresh sheets and the lights were dimmed. It was very quiet. She took a few minutes to just observe Jake and allow him to get used to the idea that this stranger was going to be handling him for the next 30 minutes or so. She is a very soft-spoken woman, so he warmed up to her right away. Barbara informed me that there was no need for me to undress him, so I kept him in his snugly pajamas. I laid him on his back and Barbara got to work. She placed one hand primarily under his tush while the other hand remained on the lower abdomen and pelvic area. At first, Jake was a little hesitant and let out a whine here and there. So I made him a bottle and was able to feed him throughout the session. This seemed to calm him down. At one point I thought he was going to fall asleep as she cupped his head in her hands. Then, as Barbara moved her hands back to Jake's stomach, he quickly opened his eyes, and turned bright red. Pushing and grunting with all his might, he made the biggest BM of his life. Then he smiled and relaxed. I changed his diaper, then Barbara continued on for about 40 minutes and Jake pooped again! I couldn't believe it; twice in a matter of 50 minutes. Before I knew it, the session was over, and it only cost me $50! Barbara said he might need one more session but that it was highly unlikely. And she was right.

Since our visit two months ago, Jake has been going every day, ever since. In the first few days following the session he actually went a lot (about 3 times a day), catching up I suppose. It is a huge relief to have him back on track and comfortable and I am a firm believer in this practice; it truly did work for us.

If you visit Barbara, tell her Kristin sent you for the poop reliever special. She'll know who I am!”

Barbara May at Partners in Healing, 1025 Mass. Ave., Arlington; Tel: 781-641-3911

Image credit: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Diapers & Potty; Eco Living; Local

I’m the type of person who, for special events, is willing to let my feet bleed for the perfect (looking) pair of shoes, but on a daily basis, the reality is that I need stylish comfort, whether I’m hoofing it to meetings or running errands or hitting the playground with Laurel. And happily, the comfort shoe industry is stepping it up to meet the needs of style and comfort conscious women.

Clarks is well known as a comfort brand and they’re hard at work on merging comfort with more trendy styling. I had the opportunity to check out some shoes from their fall lookbook, and will report on two favorite picks, both fitting the requirements of cute and comfortable.

Suitable for work or to dress up jeans, I think the Indigo by Clarks Amaze shoe (shown above) is a great fall pick. This pretty Mary Jane pump is ladylike in silhouette but gets a dose of saucy treatment via croc print contrasting. Functionally, it’s an impressively comfortable pump, thanks to the cushioned footbed and the 2-inch heels that are wide enough to provide good support. Amazingly, there was no break in period whatsoever. Another plus is that the shoes are styled to look as if they have metal closures, but actually fasten via Velcro, which makes these shoes about as easy to get in and out of as your kid’s shoes. The Amaze is available at Piperlime (love them for free shipping!) in maple leather and black leather, and at the Indigo site also in black suede and café bordo suede.

My second pick – the Privo by Clarks Hammock – is great for on the go mom comfort. These slip ons are sporty in look due to the shape and decorative perforations and stitching, and they’re lightweight, flexible, and are constructed using a shock-absorbing textured insole for extra comfort. These shoes are nice to help your casual look appear, well, less casual (definitely opt for these shoes over your grubby sneakers!). The Hammock is available at Piperlime in black and pewter, and at the Privo by Clarks site also in dark brown and navy.

In general I think Clarks is making great strides in the fashion meets function arena. I’d love to see them continue to evolve to move beyond their traditionally sporty/conservative styling to incorporate brighter colors, prints, and fun baubles and embellishments, while retaining their ultra comfortable infrastructure.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be

I’ll admit that I’ve long been a circus skeptic, given my spectacle-free growing up and my assumptions about animal treatment. But what with Laurel’s desire to see animals and acrobats, and with the Ringling Bros. soon to roll into town, I decided to revisit the circus idea. The images of said animals and acrobats are indeed reminiscent of the posters from my childhood, but I was, in contrast, really happy to read up on Ringling’s animal care practices and their commitment to preservation (which includes the establishment of a $5 million center for elephant conservation). Ringling will show in Manchester, NH and Portland, ME Oct. 2-5 and in Boston Oct. 8-13, the latter series of which will offer Laurel and me the chance to form some childhood memories in tandem.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Boston show*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Ringling” in the subject by midnight Tuesday, Sept. 30.

*The winner will receive a set of 4 tickets to their choice of any of the Boston dates/times: Wednesday Oct. 8 (7pm), Thursday Oct. 9 (7pm), Friday Oct. 10 (7pm), Saturday Oct. 11 (11am, 3pm, 7pm), Sunday Oct. 12 (11am, 3pm, 7pm), and Monday Oct. 13 (12pm, 4pm).

**And for those who wish to buy tickets now, visit the Ringling Bros. website, type in your zip code, select your show date, and enter the coupon code MCC for a 20% discount on the Boston shows listed above!

UPDATE 10/05/08: We have another discount code to share: for the Monday, October 13th Columbus Day Boston shows, save $10 per ticket. Use the coupon code MOM when ordering your tickets at the Ringling Bros. website.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they're entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Marjorie Druker, mother of one and chef/co-owner of the New England Soup Factory. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Marjorie Druker, Chef & Co-Owner, New England Soup Factory

Christine: Tell us a bit about your background Marjorie. You’re a chef and co-founded the New England Soup Factory with your husband Paul in 1995. What was the path that led you to your current profession?

Marjorie: I have been cooking professionally since I was 17 years old. I started out working in Newton’s first gourmet shop named Nibbles in 1981 and instantly fell in love with the idea of Gourmet To Go. Over the years I worked at many of these types of stores that specialized in prepared foods. I had the opportunity to work for many interesting concepts that emphasized ethnic cooking, rotisserie chicken, homemade pasta making, whole foods, and lots of catering. I also attended Johnson and Wales Culinary School, which gave me the foundation and the tools to pursue a life in the food service industry. It’s not just a career for me but a way of life.

Christine: At NESF you’re committed to creating healthy comfort food. Have you found it challenging to work around the fatty creams and high sodium content prevalent in many traditional soups? What are some of your best fat/salt cooking workarounds?

Marjorie: I am committed to serving food that is of the highest quality and flavor. Incorporating whole grains, legumes, dried beans, and lots of fresh vegetables is my everyday approach. You will find cream in some of our soups but they are all stock based soups and cream is the last ingredient we add and it’s just a touch to create a great smooth feel. Salt is an essential ingredients in bringing out flavor and balance in a way that brightens the soup.

Christine: Tell us some of your favorite soups for fall.

Marjorie: Fall is the best time of year for wonderful ingredients like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, squashes, and pumpkins. During the fall you will find wild mushroom barley and butternut, apple, and sage. One of our most popular flavors is sweet potato chicken barley. It’s my daughter Emily’s favorite soup because it’s like pumped up chicken soup with bits of barley and sweet and creamy sweet potatoes.

Christine: You work alongside your husband; what are the best and most challenging parts of that arrangement?

Marjorie: My husband Paul is my closest friend and confidante. We have worked side by side since the day we met. Our professors in college used to call us peanut butter and jelly because we were stuck to each other. When I was at home for Emily’s first few years I would miss him terribly while he was at work. The food service profession demands many hours and we did not get to spend as much time together as we liked. I love working with him but sometimes we talk about the business too much and we need to shut it off once in a while.

Christine: My understanding is that your daughter was very young when you and your husband founded NESF. What were your best strategies for getting your business off the ground with a toddler in tow?

Marjorie: Emily had just turned three when we opened New England Soup Factory. When I look back on what I did to get opened and started I can’t believe that I did it. First, I found a day care situation that made me feel completely comfortable. I wanted Emily to have a warm, loving, and safe place to come to everyday. I found that in a place called Gan Yeladim, which translates into “garden of children” in Hebrew. That was the most important thing for me and I was blessed that this school was everything and more than I wished for. I did not have enough money to pay for day care so we took our tax refund check from the government and invested it into day care so that I could get out of the house and back to work. It was a tremendous comfort for me in knowing that my child would be well cared for. I did not take a paycheck for the first two years and instead used what I would have made and paid for day care. It never bothered me because it was not about the money; it was about following my passion for food and starting my own business.

Christine: Your cookbook, New England Soup Factory Cookbook just came out last year, but I’m curious - are there plans for a follow up? Would you ever consider writing a cookbook about a different food genre other than soup?

Marjorie: Writing the New England Soup Factory Cookbook was one of the most rich and rewarding experiences I have ever had. It became more than just a cookbook filled with recipes. It’s a story about my life in food and the people that shared it with me over the years. For the reader that has never met me before, they will feel as though they know me after reading the book. It was pure joy for me and I hope to write another book with even more recipes of New England Soup Factory favorites that were not included in the first book.

Christine: You have two locations, in Brookline and Newton. Are you mulling further expansion, in Massachusetts, or beyond?

Marjorie: We have been so fortunate to have locations in neighborhoods where the community is so in tune to what we do. They are the best people to feed because they love to try new and inventive things. They are progressive and have wonderful palates. We also have a franchise in Salem, Massachusetts that has been operating for close to three years. We make all of their soup as well as ours. We also sell soup to Dine Boston in Boston’s Logan Airport in Terminal E. We are always looking at ways to grow our business but we want to make sure that we make sound decisions that are in the best interests of our customers and the business.

Christine: I’m always curious about chefs and what they do for cooking around home. Who preps dinner? Does your daughter enjoy cooking?

Marjorie: I am the chef de cuisine in our house. I love cooking and when I cook at home my kitchen is my place to be. I have a great herb garden that provides me with a wide array of fresh herbs. My pantry is stocked with ingredients that allow me to be creative and playful with my family’s meals. Ingredients just thrill me! Emily does not really enjoy cooking but she sure enjoys eating it! She knows her food and she knows good food from bad but she does not enjoy cooking in the kitchen with me. It totally bores her and she is always quick to tell me that she never wants to be a chef. That’s OK because I just want her to find a profession that drives her and makes her happy and complete. I love the fact that I love what I do and I wish the same for Emily.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. When you’re not testing recipes and running your business, tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind.

Marjorie: Summertime is the only time of year when we have some time off. When we do, we pack up a huge gourmet picnic and go fishing for the day. We take a boat out into the waters of Scituate and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the relaxation it provides. It’s the one quiet space where we can be alone in peace and just have time to ourselves. When we catch fish we bring it home to cook with our fresh herbs and our neighbor David’s heirloom tomatoes and we make something delicious and fruitful.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Marjorie: The best thing about being a Boston mama is that you can enjoy the pleasures of raising a family and enjoying a fulfilling career at the same time. I am most grateful that Emily has been raised in a community that has taught her to understand and appreciate all people from all walks of life. She has an open mind and an open heart that will be guide her as she finds her own path in life.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Boston Mamas Rock!; Food & Drink; For Grownups; Local

Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice provides inspiration for homemade tomato sauce:

“Back in January I wrote about how it’s not that much more time consuming to make your child’s favorite recipes from scratch rather than buying them in a packet. And it’s much healthier too. And while it’s not exactly quicker to make tomato sauce than to open a jar of the stuff, you can make a large amount and freeze it in batches, then simply pop the sauce out of its container under hot water and defrost either in a ceramic bowl in the microwave, or heat it up in a saucepan and add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce.

Some kids love tomatoes raw, but others find them too acidic. In the below tomato sauce recipe, the acidity of the tomato is countered by the addition of carrot and basil. This can make all the difference to your child’s tomato experience. And while it’s true that when you cook tomatoes you lose some of their vitamin C, you gain in much greater amounts an antioxidant called lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red color. Antioxidants protect the body from cell and tissue damage, and lycopene is specifically known for decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

I always recommend checking the farmers' markets for seasonal produce; buy local and you will taste the difference! Make a big batch and freeze the sauce in 4 oz containers.

Ingredients:

I’m a huge fan of all things independent, and especially love discovering indie bakeries. And yesterday, while visiting the Franklin Park Zoo – on what ended up being daddy giraffe Beau’s birthday – Laurel and I were thrilled to sample the generosity of West Roxbury’s Sugar Bakery, which donated 1500 cupcakes (seriously!) for the party. Moist, delicious, and piled high and beautifully with fabulous buttercream, these confections offered a sweet finish to a lovely morning of animal education and appreciation.

Sugar Bakery, 1884 Centre St., West Roxbury; Tel: 617-327-8427

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local

Today, Heather reviews the hybrid diapering system gDiapers. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to win a gDiapers Starter Kit!

“I’m all about convenience, which at times is in direct conflict with my efforts to raise an eco-friendly family. I confess to using disposable diapers on my triplets, and this decision was based solely on convenience. At 19 months we go through about 21 diapers a day (about 7,665 diapers a year) and I continue to struggle with our contribution to the nation’s landfills.

I recently learned about and tried gDiapers, an earth friendly alternative to cloth and disposable diapers. This hybrid diapering system is part cloth and part disposable, flushable, or compostable. The little g pants are the outer washable, cotton cover that comes in a variety of fabulous colors. The Velcro fastens in the back to make it more difficult for tiny hands to undo the diapers. A washable, breathable, waterproof, nylon liner snaps in, and a disposable, plastic-free, chlorine-free, wood pulp insert does the rest.

As for the flushable diaper inserts, to flush, compost, or toss is a personal choice, all of which work with this diapering system. Personally, tossing is our preferred option; it’s easy and convenient. The inserts are plastic-free and will break down, unlike plastic-rich disposable diapers, which will sit in landfills for up to 500 years.

As for the other options, flushing is an excellent method in that it puts poop where it belongs, cuts down on the smelly diaper pail factor, and, once the contents of the flushable arrive at the wastewater treatment plant, valuable nutrients can be recovered and turned into bio-solids, which are then used for fertilizer. Flushing is a process though, and requires some work (see the video instructions available on the gDiapers website); plus, we have low flow tanks, so our toilets don’t easily support this method of disposing. Finally, composting wet inserts (not BM ones) offers beneficial nutrients for garden soil and the refills break down in 50-150 days.

On testing, I found that it was best to have a system in place and recommend having a few diapers put together in advance for those messy situations and moments where speed is essential. Changing wet diapers was easy; simply replace the insert and go. And if you have any questions, the gDiapers website and customer service line (yes, I did call them) are superb!

Bottom line (no pun intended): I found gDiapers easier to use than cloth diapers but a bit more work than disposables. We were thrilled that they passed our ‘leak test’ and the little g pants are so cute that you can let your little one run around in just the diaper! The initial investment and inserts are a bit more expensive than disposable diapers but the cost is justifiable against the eco-friendliness of the system.

If you’re looking for a diapering solution that’s convenient and eco-friendly, I recommend trying gDipaers. They offer a starter kit, which comes with two pairs of little g pants, 10 flushable diaper refills, and a Handy User's Guide (H.U.G.) to help you with the finer points of gDiapering.”

Now, want to win a gDiapers Starter Kit?

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents shares 10 tips to help you clean without “dirtying” the air. And you could win: a Rosetti bag over at One Chic Mama, a $125 shopping spree from PictureMyPurse.com at MomFinds, and 101 Dalmations DVDs at Classy Mommy.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Fashion; For Babies & Kids; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home; Solutions

Since starting this site 2 years ago, I haven't been able to get to BlogHer's annual meeting in sunny CA, so imagine my delight when I heard that BlogHer was hitting the road, with Boston (or more precisely, Burlington) as its first stop on October 11. I’m honored to be part of the event, and will be speaking on the Blogging Basics (aka blogging mojo) panel. Check out the event summary and detailed agenda, then register and drop by and say hello on the 11th!

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)

Today, April shares a cool, kid friendly home art solution:

“Over time, we've collected a bunch of art for our daughter. Not all of it is meant for kids, but all of the content is kid-available. Some of it is new, some of it is from my own collection when I was a child. We choose art that we all will like, so it fits in to our home - nothing super childish and nothing that's so out of reach that she doesn't fall in love with it. In keeping with art that is both high quality and within my daughter’s grasp, we recently created a gallery just for her, and just at her height. To look at "her art," she doesn't need to be lifted up high or crane her neck. The gallery is doorknob and toddler-level. That means she's free to peruse, stare, and wonder at any time.

The end of the hallway that leads to my daughter’s room is now a special space (click thumbnail above to enlarge photo). I bought a bunch of identical frames and mat boards, and I chose anti-reflective plexiglass, so it wouldn't shatter when things get rambunctious. Then we all spent time in the hallway getting the gallery ready, choosing where to put each picture and how high they should be. I hung them up, and our daughter, her dad, and her stuffed animals kept track of the progress. To keep the frames safely on the wall, I bought small brass piano hinges from the hardware store (shown above). I screwed one half into the frame, the hinge flush with the back edge. Then, when the picture was hung and the level said it was even, I screwed the other half into the wall. This hinge might not hold up to an aggressive yank by someone older, but it does keep the frames safely intact when my daughter rushes down the hallway and brushes them with her arms full of stuffed animals or books. She also likes to touch her art, and the hinges keep the frames settled and safe where they belong while she plays curator in her very own art gallery.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Home; Solutions

Laurel loves Polly Pocket dolls, but the rubber outfits still prove challenging even for her dexterous little fingers (which negates the independent play that would allow me to tidy up or get dinner on the table). But Polly’s got a brand new bag, as it were, with the fall launch of Polly Pocket Pop ‘N Swap dolls. Offered in dance and sport styles, these sets are like Mrs. Potato Head’s well dressed cousin, complete with mix and match head, torso, and bottom pieces that easily snap into hundreds of fashion combos. Laurel still usually wants my fashion opinion on her creations, but I love that the ease of these pieces allows her to implement the outfits on her own.

Want to win a Polly Pocket Pop ‘N Swap set*? Here’s how:

Today, Evadne shares ways to teach kids about the life cycle:

“Over the summer, we borrowed a book from our local library called From Caterpillar to Butterfly. It was about a classroom's experience of observing the metamorphosis process, and it was a complete hit with my 3.5-year-old son. He became ‘one’ with the class as we read how the children watched their pet caterpillar grow, molt, then form a chrysalis, and about their anticipation as they waited for their caterpillar to emerge as a beautiful Painted Lady butterfly.

Since my son was so fascinated by this transformation, we decided to run with his interest and take a trip to The Butterfly Place in Westford, MA, which is open through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I should confess that, due to my abnormal fear of free-fluttering butterflies (I think I have some sort of issue with the unpredictability of their flying), it was actually my husband who took our children to the butterfly garden. However, they returned from the trip raving about their walk through the huge conservatory space where butterflies surrounded them - some flying in the atrium, some feeding on shrubs & plants, some even stopping to land on their shoulders! They were also very excited to show me the three Papillon Hatching Kits that they had brought home with them (available at The Butterfly Place until September 30th).

Each of our Butterfly Hatching Kits came complete with simple to follow instructions, a Painted Lady caterpillar, as well as food for the caterpillar. All we needed to do was sit back and watch the miracle of metamorphosis unfold. So, over the course of a few days, we regularly peeked into our clear plastic hatching boxes and observed the caterpillars eat, shed their skin, hang upside down in readiness to "pupate," and finally become chrysalis. Then we eagerly waited for the butterflies to emerge.

About a week later, we woke one morning and saw that two of our caterpillars had emerged from their casings as caterpillars no longer (the third caterpillar followed suit a few days later)! With great excitement, we provided honey water for the butterflies to drink and watched, as their wings grew strong within a few hours. When they were ready to fly, we took them outside and opened the lids to their boxes.

Watching them fly away, my son turned to me and echoed the words of the children in From Caterpillar to Butterfly (when it came time for them to release their butterfly) saying, ‘We feel a little bit happy and a little bit sad, right Mama?’ It was a precious experience, from beginning to end.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids; Fun Indoors; Local

Despite the fact that Laurel wakes up in time to her internal clock, she’s recently become interested in learning to tell time and asked for an alarm clock bedside. I wasn’t about to deter her interest in routine, and thus was thrilled to learn about the Chocolate Cake Club’s ultra cute talking alarm clocks for kids. Laurel loves the cat clock, which meows as its wake up call. And while we wish the alarm volume was adjustable for our (admittedly sensitive) ears (taping a little square of cardboard across the back speaker did the trick though), otherwise this clock wins our raves. The bright and cheery retro styling gives props to the predigital days, and the irresistibly cute face has boosted Laurel’s curiosity about learning to read the clock hands. We love that she now definitely knows when bed time is.

Want to win a CCC Talking Alarm Clock*? Here’s how:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they're entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Christine Crowley, mother of two and co-founder of Sugabettens Baking. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Christine Crowley, Co-Founder, Sugabettens Baking

Christine Koh: Tell us a little bit about your background Christine. Is your baking venture a full-time job or a side passion? Tell us about the path that led you to Sugabettens Baking.

Christine Crowley: I have a degree in culinary arts from Newbury College and feel at home in a kitchen. Cooking and baking for people has always made me happy so taking that passion and turning it into a business seemed like the natural path for me. Currently, Sugabettens Baking is a part-time business, but I would like it to be my full-time job once both of my children are in school all day. My sister and I started Sugabettens because we really felt we had a product people could count on to be delicious and unique each and every time, and that the integrity of our product, service, and customer service would provide people with value.

Koh: I love that your product focuses on secret family recipes. I’ve tried to get my mom to share some of her recipes but my efforts never come out the same (I’ve heard that cooks always leave out a key ingredient when they pass on a recipe…). How did you get your mom to share her recipes?

Crowley: My mother has been making her cookie bars this way for about 30 years, so my sister and I started helping her make these treats when we were 10 and 11, and by the time we were 14 or 15 if we wanted these treats, we would make them ourselves. My sister and I have always felt that my mother created the perfect cookie bar recipe and are now so grateful that she was willing to share it with us, and taught us every little secret about creating them.

Koh: OK, so I have tried your classic brownies and Sugabettens bars and they are killer decadent. Do you have long-term visions of expanding your product line to include other types of decadent baked treats?

Crowley: Yes we do. We are going to add a blondie and dark chocolate brownie to our menu by the end of 2008, and in 2009 we are adding two of my daughter’s favorite recipes we developed: a lemon pound cake and a super moist chocolate cake.

Koh: And tell us about your client base; where do you ship to? Do you handle corporate events? Are you planning on getting your brownies and bars into local stores of farmer’s markets?

Crowley: Our client base includes people who want to send not just a gourmet gift, but really want to convey to their loved ones, friends, and clients how unique and special they are. We are the only baking company to make cookie bars this way, and for someone to receive a gift especially made for them really makes them feel special. That's our ultimate goal, to make the recipient of our gift boxes feel special. We ship inside the continental United States. We do not handle corporate events but it's not something that we've ruled out. At the moment, we only sell online, but our lemon pound cake and chocolate cake are perfect for coffee shops and local stores and it's definitely something we are going to pursue.

Koh: You co-own Sugabettens Baking with your sister. What are the skills that you each bring to the business? Does age order come into factor at all, when it comes time to boss around the kitchen?

Crowley: I think owning a business with your sister who also happens to be your best friend has its challenges but also its rewards. I am very impatient and need immediate results and she has a lot of patience and a quiet intensity that just conveys that no matter what, we will get done what needs to be done. I think my tenacity is an advantage in business because it's hard to start and grow a business. We get along really well in the kitchen, we compromise, and we don't take things personally. If there is criticism it's always constructive and never personal. We shared a room growing up, so I think that laid the groundwork for a great business relationship.

Koh: I was fascinated to learn about Nuestra Culinary Ventures from your website; I think it’s a brilliant solution to have a professional cooking hub for small-scale food entrepreneurs. How did you connect with them, and how has the experience been? How does the scheduling work since you bake on demand?

Crowley: I learned about Nuestra Culinary Ventures in a Boston Globe article. My sister and I were originally going to start this business from my kitchen at home, but soon realized we would be really limited if we did that and we were really thinking we had to have professional kitchen space. The next day I opened the Globe and read about Nuestra and knew we could make it work. It truly is a brilliant solution for aspiring food entrepreneurs. We gave them a call and began the process of getting the appropriate licenses and certifications we needed to open a food business. We then submitted a business plan and met with the director, J.D. Walker, to lay out what our goals were and how we were going to accomplish them. J.D. is very knowledgeable and supportive and really serves as a mentor for the businesses over there. It's been a wonderful experience and without them Sugabettens probably wouldn't exist. We do bake on demand and for right now my sister does most of the baking because I am with my children during the day.

Koh: You have two kids; where were you work-wise when they arrived? How did you handle maternity leave time and return to work?

Crowley: I was working full time when my daughter was born and part time when my son was born. Maternity leave with my daughter was different than when I had 2 children because I knew what going back to work meant and how difficult in can be to care for 2 small children. My husband is a very involved parent so I knew he would do a great job with them but I also saw the need for more flexibility in my life and that started me on the path to own my own business.

Koh: How have you juggled motherhood with your current ventures? Do you have a key piece of advice for aspiring mamapreneurs?

Crowley: I am very lucky to have a very supportive husband and family and of course a sister for a business partner who understands the demands of my life. I always try to have balance in my life and really keep in mind that my children are young and need an engaged mom who has time for them. With my children on summer vacation I try to work before they wake so we have plenty of time to get outside and play.

To aspiring mampreneurs I would advise them to let go of the toxic, negative people in their lives and really surround themselves with people who support and believe in them. Every business has its set backs and ups and downs, but if you are surrounded by people who truly believe in you, it's much easier to pick yourself up.

Koh: We’ve talked all business up to now. Tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind, or any hidden/unusual talents you may have.

Crowley: One of my favorite things to do is play a game in my backyard with my kids. It's unusual but they love it! I have a talent for kicking balls really high, so we invented a game where the goal is for me to kick a ball over or as close to the top of our 50-foot tree as possible. If a ball gets caught in the branches of the tree, then I need to use another ball to knock it out. Another requirement for this game is that I use a bare foot to kick the balls. Laughter is truly a great stress reliever! Currently we have no kick balls in our tree.

Koh: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Crowley: Boston is a great city and it has the best of the best. The best hospitals, best schools, and not to mention, the best sports teams and sports fans anywhere. Boston is a city of people always trying to be better, make things better - not just for themselves but for everyone around them, and I think Nuestra is a perfect example of this. Being part of the best of the best is a great experience and we're grateful that we've had this very unique opportunity.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Gifts & Paper; Home; Local

This summer largely felt like a busy blur; one exception being a fabulously relaxing vacation we took with friends in Maine. During this trip my friend Anne made an amazing chicken salad; it’s a family recipe that she approved of my sharing here.

Anne provided me with the ingredient list and instructions, and I figured out the specific measurements below. Depending on how comfortable you are in the kitchen, you can continue to improv, but trust me, you probably won’t want to. I have made this chicken salad several times since returning from that vacation (including at Laurel's nature fairy party); I'm officially addicted.

Sara’s Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

Today, Suz shares information about a funding program for individuals and families with developmental disabilities:

"Raising a child with a developmental disability can be both challenging and empowering. The MDDC’s Consumer Empowerment Funds Program is a hidden gem that grants up to $500 towards the cost of attending meaningful conferences and events within the state that benefit your efforts of living with a developmental disability. The goal of this program is to promote the empowerment of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by assisting them in their efforts to achieve independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion.

The application process is simple, and the support allows families to attend events that build wonderful networks, relationships, and educational opportunities. Our family has benefited greatly from the ability to attend two major Down syndrome conferences, thanks to monetary support from this program."

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Local; Outreach

From the looks of Laurel’s play dates and preschool, it certainly seems as if the boys are always the pirates. But that wasn’t always the case, and award winning local author Jane Yolen makes clear – with captivating detail and a historical look - in Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World that women have been crossing gender boundaries around the world for centuries. Yolen will bring these swashbuckling ladies to life in person at local bookstores starting this Wednesday, 9/17 at Porter Square Books. For additional appearances, click the “Who I’d Like to Meet” tab at publisher Charlesbridge’s MySpace page.

Want to be one of 2 winners to receive a signed copy of Sea Queens*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents features the story of a father’s battle to change the regulation sizing of outlet caps to prevent choking hazards. And you could win: a $100 Tea Collection shopping spree over at MomFinds, and a $50 Tiny Prints gift certificate over at One Chic Mama.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gear

Sometimes I wonder how being raised by a pair of psychologists impacts Laurel. Jon and I definitely have had moments where we stop and listen to ourselves speak, and wonder whether we’re just flat out being too verbose with her. But a couple of new books from Free Spirit Publishing make it clear that others are talking a similar talk, and to saner effect. Today, I’m reviewing these titles - Ready for Bed! and Ready for the Day! - in conjunction with the Parent Bloggers Network.

Aside from the colorful, cheery illustrations and the diverse representation that is (thankfully) becoming more of a standard in kids books these days, Free Spirit’s Ready for Bed! and Ready for the Day! differ significantly from typical kids books in that they truly are books for kids and parents. In fact, if you wanted to make a quantitative comparison based on word count, the books actually weigh in favor of the parents.

These Ready books entertain kids while educating caregivers about the language of positive parenting; the goal being to provide more effective communication alternatives to the bribing, timeouts, and other means to an end that parents use either as their modus operandi, or simply when they’re pushed to a breaking point by their kid’s behavior. For parents who want to jump right to learning the lingo, just start reading with your child and pay attention to the colored text. These books play out typical power struggles that parents and kids engage in (e.g., getting a bath, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, getting ready for school, etc.), and the positive parenting dialogue is realistic and color coded, such that green words represent ways to validate feelings (e.g., “I can see you’re disappointed”), blue words show examples of how to offer choice (e.g., “Would you like to wear your crocodile jammies or your blue stripeys?”), and red words demonstrate examples of how to offer your child encouragement (e.g., “You remembered your manners!”).

To learn more about why it’s important to validate feelings and offer choice and encouragement, immediately following the story are easy to comprehend descriptions of the three parenting techniques and how they can help make transitions easier by making the child feel respected, heard, and part of the conversation.

As you may have guessed, these books are well in line with the way that Jon and I parent Laurel, and I can say from experience that we have, in fact, found that something as simple and easy as offering choice is extremely effective in diffusing power struggles. As I wrote recently in my post on assembling her nature fairy birthday party, this type of communication style even makes situations that might seem like an utter nightmare – such as bringing a retail hungry, art obsessed kid to a sparkly and shiny place like Michael’s Arts & Crafts – a non-issue because we simply set options in front of her, from which she can make a choice. It doesn’t mean that she doesn’t ask for every sparkly thing we pass in the store, but in that situation the choice paradigm and, come to think of it, validation of her interest in creative activities, gave her enough voice in the experience that the shopping was fun and easy. Although personality no doubt comes into play, I do think that this style of communication contributes to the fact that we rarely have to deal with meltdowns.

At times I have felt as if our make-a-choice parenting style is disturbingly similar to the two-alternative-forced-choice experimental paradigms I ran ad nauseum during my research days, but I will say that the Ready books also were effective in validating my feelings. It might take a little more work and an adjustment in perspective and communication style to start talking the positive parenting talk, but the fact of the matter is that the techniques do work. I highly recommend learning the lingo through these books, which model - for both parents and kids - ways to communicate more effectively so that more of the day is spent enjoying one another, not fighting.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Development & Behavior; For Babies & Kids; For Grownups

Today, Kate encourages folks to check out the Curious George event at the Boston Public Library this Saturday:

“My daughter began preschool this week, and I’ve used one of the books in the Curious George series – Curious George Goes to School – to help introduce her to the idea that school can be a fun place, full of adventures and new experiences. The book has become a bedtime favorite, and might help – even if in a small way – to ease her transition to her new environment.

As luck would have it, the Boston Public Library is celebrating Curious George Day this Saturday, September 13, featuring crafts, videos, photos with the monkey himself, and – of course – cupcakes. The festivities go from 2 – 4 pm at the main library in Copley Square, and all children must be accompanied by adults. Bring your little monkeys and show them that libraries can be fun places where book characters come to life.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids; Fun Indoors; Local

One of my favorite things about living in a city with four distinct seasons is that we get four true phases of fashion and footwear. Read on for my review of some of my favorite picks from Vincent’s fall/winter kid shoe collection, as well as to learn how to win a $75 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes!

In general, we’ve long been fans of Vincent’s ability to offer both sporty and girly looks with modern styling and comfortable functionality. And their fall/winter collection doesn’t disappoint; it’s replete with offerings suitable for rocking the playground, suiting up for a special event, staying active in inclement weather, or just kicking around cozily at home.

There’s plenty to peruse for boys, but for our girly girl, seasonal favorites include the Linda boot and the Martina dress shoe. The Linda boot (shown above) is basically that versatile fall to winter boot that’s sturdy enough to withstand the weather, but impressively lightweight so as not to slow down your little one on the go. Offered in edgy black and red plus a more traditional pink, these zip-up boots show the chilly temps some love with cool heart appliqués.

And for special occasions, Laurel loves the Martina. With an insole comfy enough to carry your girl well beyond the holiday season, these dress shoes scream special with impressive sequin, jewel, and embroidery embellishments. The simple Velcro closures also encourage self-help skills.

So you’re not left scrambling when the cold weather and holiday party madness hits, definitely consider shopping Vincent, because they’ve got you covered for all occasions.

Now, want to win a $75 gift certificate redeemable at VincentShoeStore.us?*? Here’s how:

This past weekend we hosted Laurel’s 4th birthday party, and while it differed significantly from her previous parties in size (6 instead of 20 kids), it shared the same sense of themed imagination as in past years. Year 2 was an “everything yellow party” (all food and decorations were yellow), year 3 was a “rainbow color party” (tie dye), and this year was a “nature fairy party.”

Online, I found scores of descriptions of amazingly elaborate fairy parties (sets, costumes, games, food, etc. all bedecked in fairy style), but I knew that I just didn’t have the energy or interest to assemble something that complex for 6 kids. And per my own aesthetic, I wanted to do something other than hitting the party store for all of the Tinkerbell party supplies in stock. In short, I wanted something pretty and simple with good food (for both kids and grownups), and a craft that the kids could enjoy during the party then take home as their party favor (I’m all about usable favors).

After mulling over various outdoor activity options, and getting derailed briefly by the idea of turning it into a tooth fairy party and making tooth fairy pillows (Laurel loves the book Tooth Fairy), I hit on the party craft after a night where Laurel woke up crying from a bad dream. The activity would be to make pretty, nature inspired dreamcatchers. I admit that this idea is only loosely associated with fairies, but the nature element worked, I figured the nighttime association of the tooth fairy was close enough, and I liked the idea that the dreamcatchers themselves could serve as a way for the parents to help their kids with sleep while offering a springboard to talk about different cultural traditions. (Dreamcatchers are of Native American inspiration; you hang them over your bed and they catch bad dreams, leaving you to a night of peaceful sleep.)

Activity decided on, here’s how I put the party together:

1. Invitations. I designed and printed my own simple invitations with a pair of fairy wings on the top (shown above), inviting Laurel’s friends to her Nature Fairy Party. We asked that the kids come dressed as fairies, but also added that if they didn’t already have fairy dress up clothes we had plenty to share (I didn’t want anyone to fret and go out and buy a costume specifically for the party).

2. Timing. Following my friend Leslie’s good advice on timing (per her Explorer Party), I set the party at a 2-hour limit, from 11am – 1pm. On the morning of the party, I was panicking a bit, thinking that we should have started at noon or 1pm (because I still had a bunch of food prep to do when everyone arrived), but the timing worked out fine since the kids were busy with the craft while I finished assembling the food.

3. Party supplies. I didn’t want to fuss a lot with decorations, so all I bought were tablecloths (one pink, one purple – to cover the table for the craft, then do a quick table change for lunch), sage colored plates, cups, and napkins, and we ordered 2 dozen pink, purple, and green balloons, which we picked up the morning of the party. (If you haven’t purchased helium balloons before, make sure you get them the day of your event because they will deflate/sag by the following day.)

4. Craft supplies. Everything for the nature fairy dreamcatchers can be purchased at local craft stores. For the frames, I bought lightweight branch wreaths about 10 inches in diameter from AC Moore. I really wanted something natural looking (so, not a foam or wire circle) and lightweight so it wouldn’t take much effort to hang on the wall. For the decorating accoutrements, I got everything at Michael’s (they may very well have wreaths too, but I happened to be at AC Moore first, when the whole idea was coming together). I was lucky to be planning for 6 kids because I found perfect sized packs of birds (6 per pack) and butterflies (12 per pack), and I also picked up paper and wire flowers in the bridal section, silk flowers (that came with leaves) in the silk flower arranging section (I snipped off the leaves and flower heads from the stem), spools of ribbon, and colored wooden beads (both solid and some simple flower patterns) + hemp thread in the jewelry making section. I already had a glue gun at home, which I would definitely recommend, but the nice thing about these supplies was that most items had flexible wire stems so it was easy for the kids to attach them to the wreaths.

A note on shopping: I imagine it probably seems like a nightmare to take a kid to a retail extravaganza like Michael’s, but Laurel had a great time helping to shop for supplies. Of course, we hit areas (like the ribbon, she’s a girl after my own heart…) where she basically wanted everything, but I kept using our standard make-a-choice parenting technique, where I told her firmly that we were only getting 6-8 spools total, but offered her the choice between various options to narrow down the final group so she felt involved in the process.

The day of the party I laid out individual place settings, each with a wreath and bird + 2 butterflies, then placed the rest of the supplies in the middle of the table. It looked really pretty and the kids went crazy when they saw all the pretty supplies on the table.

5. Food. I wanted simple and pretty food that both the kids and grownups could enjoy. On our granite bar I set up:

A platter of chocolate covered strawberries; these are so easy and make any party feel special. I recommend making the strawberries the night before so the chocolate can firm up properly in the fridge. All you need to do is melt your favorite type of chocolate in a saucepan over low heat then dip the strawberries in the chocolate and lay them on wax paper on a baking sheet. Then transfer the baking sheet (uncovered is fine) to the fridge.

Looking for a way to bond with baby while encouraging relaxation and good digestion? Today, Jules shares her experience with the new infant massage DVD BabyBabyOhBaby. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to be one of four winners to receive a copy of BabyBabyOhBaby!

“Call me a believer. Even a supporter. When my baby boy arrived 6 months ago, I felt a full range of emotion, including worry about how to really connect with my little guy. In the local new mothers’ group that I belong to, there was jabber about infant massage, which I paid little attention to. I felt that one short infant massage class for the sky-high cost would be a waste of my time and money. After all, it wasn’t the baby who needed that massage, it was ME! I was a hurtin’ mama.

Months later: enter BabyBabyOhBaby infant massage DVD. I’m hooked. I’m a convert. I conceded and watched the DVD when my interest was piqued after learning of all of the benefits of parent/baby massage, which include helping with gas, digestion, and general fussiness. BabyBabyOhBaby was inspired by the mother of the creator (David Stark), who – in a note that accompanied the DVD - readily recalled his tactile interactions with his mother growing up, and in the months before her death was able to reciprocate this personal touch by “tickling” her and also by hiring a massage therapist to enhance her comfort.

The DVD shows step-by-step massage techniques, demonstrated by real parent/child duos; both parties clearly love the massage! The modus operandi of the DVD is really to just “go with it” and it really hits this point home by keeping the camera rolling when babies are squirmy or even with they pee all over the place. Practical applications (such as using massage to help relieve gas, etc.) make the film super user-friendly, which was a huge attraction for me, as was the encouragement to really just follow your baby’s lead, just as parents would do well to do in day-to-day life.

A super selling point for me is their "eco-wallet" packaging, and organization-wise, I like that for a quick refresher, the front page of the packaging lists all of the techniques, emphasizing that there is no requirement to complete everything in one fell swoop (which is good advice, because when we did it, my little man got restless and wanted nothing more). We tried again later before naptime, and he loved it. Who doesn’t like a good massage? Will’s favorite moves were the leg/feet rubs (no doubt because his little tootsies are beat from kicking around all day), but I would imagine that this differs for every baby for every stage of his or her life.

The strong emphasis on parent/child bonding takes center stage on the DVD, and it did for me as well. The headline, “Massage is something you do with your baby, not to your baby,” drives home the goal of the DVD. There was no replacement for the tender loving touch reciprocated by my son gazing into my eyes with pleasure. Sounds cliché, but this literally is what happened. BabyBabyOhBaby is hands down, a fabulous, fun loving, and informative introduction to the art of infant massage. I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe, Will is going to take notes and return the favor someday; I’m a sucker for a great rub down!”

Now, want to win a BabyBabyOhBaby DVD*? Here’s how:

Welcome to the 8th installment of Boston Mamas Rock! - where we're giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today's interview with Liz White, mother of two and mortgage broker turned gifting aficionado. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Liz White, President, Mason & Madison

Christine: Tell us a little bit about your background Liz. My understanding is that you worked as a mortgage broker for over 10 years before becoming an official gifting aficionado. What was the path that led you to the mortgage business? Were you passionate about that line of work?

Liz: Prior to working as a mortgage broker, I worked as a retail manager for small, specialty clothing boutiques for over 9 years. That is where I learned a lot about sales, merchandising, marketing, and management. I loved working in the retail industry! However, after I got married, the long grueling hours of working nights, weekends, and holidays took its toll and a friend introduced me to the mortgage industry. I excelled early because my retail background prepared me in offering outstanding customer service as a mortgage broker in a highly competitive industry.

Christine: So your gift giving and mortgage brokering skills intersected in that you put together amazing closing gifts for your firm's clients. I must ask...is that the norm, or a growing trend? I don't recall ever hearing from my friends and family about brokers providing fabulous house warming gifts to clients!

Liz: I worked in an affluent area were real estate prices were very high. Typically, real estate agents were the ones to give closing gifts. As an all-women mortgage broker office, we needed to set ourselves apart and we were already known for outstanding customer service. We relied heavily on word of mouth referrals. I approached my boss and told her that giving a personal, unique gift at the closing would make our clients remember us. It was important to me that the gift have longevity and real meaning. For example, if the client had children or pets, I included items for them. Since we got to know our clients very well during the 30 days prior to closing, I made sure the gift spoke to their hobbies or lifestyle.

Christine: So this brings me to your gifting business Mason & Madison, which you launched in 2003. Should I assume the name comes from your two kids? Where did motherhood intersect with your professional journey?

Liz: Yes, Mason & Madison are my children. Actually, my daughter is named Brooke but her middle name is Madison. Since my experience was in a professional field made up of both men and women who might need my services, I wanted a name would appeal to both and sounded professional.

I needed to work as part of a two-income household but I struggled to find that perfect balance between being a mom and a businesswoman. When I became pregnant with my second child, I realized I needed to find a career that would allow me to work from home while doing something I loved. The gift-giving aspect of my job gave me the idea!

Christine: How have you juggled motherhood with your business? What do you think has been the most challenging thing about being a mamapreneur?

Liz: Juggling motherhood with my business has been a challenge! It was tougher when my children were babies since they needed my undivided attention. Now that they are older (ages 7 and 8), it has been easier to dedicate myself to the business while they are in school.

The challenge is to be readily available for them (i.e., if they are home sick or play sports, etc.). Since I set my own hours...working for myself gives me that flexibility.

Christine: I feel as if every day I learn of more and more moms who are trying to achieve work/life balance by calling their own shots as entrepreneurs. Do you have advice for moms thinking about making a leap and going pro with a skill or passion previously relegated as a hobby?

Liz: I was very conservative in my approach to launching Mason & Madison. I kept my day job while I learned everything I needed to know about launching my business. I bought inventory in small quantities, I went to industry trade shows, and I took night classes to learn about web design. I soaked up every piece of information about owning my own business that I could find. My advice is to take baby steps before making the leap to owning your own business and don't quit your day job until your ready to work harder than you've ever worked!

Christine: You just launched a physical store in Topsfield this spring. Congratulations! What led to the jump from exclusively online to brick and mortar? Were you tired of your home being overrun by product?

Liz: I realized that in order for my business to truly grow, I needed to physically get my products out to my customers. I felt that people needed to touch and feel my products to fully appreciate the quality and style of my gift baskets. An online presence was not going to achieve that. My home is still overrun by product!

Christine: I used to be an academic so I have a lingering obsession with data collection (formal or informal). I'm curious about your clientele. What population do you find you cater to most? Business folks? Busy moms? Is there a stereotypical gender split (i.e., do you help more men shop)?

Liz: The website caters to busy professionals (mostly men) that want to thank clients, acknowledge employee milestones, and build referrals.

But I find that the store caters to busy stay-at-home-moms and working moms that want a one-stop shop where they can find one-of-a-kind gifts, and offers free gift wrapping and/or the option to create an elegant gift basket for pick-up, delivery, or while they wait.

Christine: You spend so much time searching for the perfect gift and putting together beautiful packages. Do you ever wish you could be there for the delivery, or is the joy in assembly enough? And now that you are a gifting pro, do you find that the bar is impossibly raised for yourself when it's time to give a gift to family or friends?

Liz: I'm typically not there for the delivery but the reaction of the person that ordered the gift basket, when they come to pick it up, is priceless! They are blown away by the presentation of the gift and the attention to detail. That's when I know I am fulfilling my dream of making other people become gift-giving stars to their family and friends.

I love every opportunity to give a gift... I have so many ideas swirling in my head that any occasion to unleash my creativity is welcome!

Christine: Was your mortgage firm crestfallen when you left? Do they have a new in-house gift procurer, or do they hire you to help with their closing gifts?

Liz: I would hope to think they were crestfallen! I left because the commute and hours were very long and as a mother of two small children, I needed to be closer to home. I continued to create and give closing gifts for a new firm up until the point that I was ready to open my own store.

Christine: And finally, what's your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Liz: I needed to find the balance between home and work that every mama is trying to achieve. Working for myself, I believe I have found the perfect balance and I encourage all Boston mamas to go after their dreams of being a mamapreneur! It is possible!

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Gifts & Paper; Home; Local

Almost as if she knew that my 4 year old already is discussing wedding plans with her pals, today, Kate reports on the Peabody Essex Museum’s exhibit, Wedded Bliss: The Marriage of Art and Ceremony, which wraps this weekend north of the city:

“That weddings are attended by symbols and ceremonies – rings, flowers, special clothing – is almost as universal as love itself, but the specifics of the big day are determined by place, period, and culture. This weekend, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem will wrap up Wedded Bliss: The Marriage of Art and Ceremony, a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at the ways in which the rituals of the wedding day both define and are defined by social understandings of love, family, gender, personhood, and commitment.

Featuring a wide variety of media – including painting, sculpture, and video – the exhibit is great for anyone, young or old, who has ever planned, participated in, or dreamt about a wedding. And for those of us who still feel a thrill at seeing the beauty of a bride on her wedding day, the exhibit also provides a good old-fashioned dose of sumptuous dresses, jewelry, and fairytale cakes. Visit the Peabody Essex – one of the great small museums of greater Boston – and walk down the aisle again through history, art, and culture.”

Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem; Tel: 978-745-9500

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local

Summer may be over, but ice cream is good any time of year. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome new Boston Mamas contributor Mary, who makes her debut reporting on the rewards of making homemade ice cream:

“The luscious taste of homemade ice cream immediately takes me back to childhood. In particular, back to memories of my grandmother and her cooking. My grandmother (“Mumsey”) quite literally was a “southern cook.” She was never schooled in cooking, but simply learned the art of mixing fatback, butter, salt, and cream to vegetables like farm grown butter beans, corn, black-eyed peas, and greens, in the perfect proportions.

Among the things I remember my grandmother making on hot, humid summer days - while strutting around her backyard in her “ice cream making outfit” of elastic-wasted blue polyester shorts, knee-high stockings, a sleeveless shirt, and a Rambo-style sweatband around her forehead - was homemade ice cream. And this summer’s hot weather inspired me to unearth the RCW Homemade Ice Cream Freezer – passed down from my grandmother to my father and then to me – from the basement.

First, a note about my cooking. I love food. I love eating. I come from a long line of good eaters. I haven’t missed a meal in years. I take my eating seriously…as in, I’m planning dinner as I’m eating breakfast. I’m somewhat fearless in the kitchen, and I don’t typically follow recipes closely. I call myself a conceptual cook and I like to add a dash of this and sprinkle of that to recipes I create on my own, which has served my family and me well so far.

That said, I knew going into this culinary adventure that making ice cream requires you to either: a) know what you’re doing, or b) follow directions. Given that I knew nothing about making ice cream, and am laissez-faire about following directions, I was a little scared. Having spent more money on ingredients than it would have cost to buy four half-gallons of ice cream from the store, I was also worried that we may end up with a big container of flavored milky mix to pour down the sink if I didn’t take to task at reading those directions like my life depended on it.

So, with my hair pulled back (in a Rambo-style sweatband in honor of Mumsey), my daughter and I laid all of the ingredients out on the patio outside and she helped me crack the eggs, pour the condensed milk, heavy whipping cream, and milk into the can…as per the directions! We layered the outer barrel with ice and salt. I put the lid on the ice cream maker tightly, locked on the hand-crank, paid homage to Mumsey…and passed the barrel over to my husband to crank away while I went to get myself a glass of wine. (It was 5 pm on a nice Saturday afternoon after all.)

As my husband cranked, my daughter sat patiently by the ice cream maker talking to us and asking us a myriad of questions about what we were doing. I told her how her great-grandmother, Mumsey, used to make ice cream for me. Admittedly, however, I also sat slightly worried that we may end up with a can of milky mess and that I was trying too hard to channel my southern roots through a barrel of cream and eggs.

After cranking the ice cream for 30 minutes (directions said 20 minutes, but we gave it another 10 for good measure), with white knuckles, I slowly unveiled our creation. And let me tell you folks, it was pure heaven. As soon as I took the lid off, I couldn’t get my finger in the can fast enough to taste the milk-shake consistency of our homemade bliss. In an instant, it was as if I had catapulted myself back to the 70’s and my grandmother’s backyard as I sampled the best tasting ice cream I’ve had in 25 years.

My kids dug in soon thereafter and within minutes were stickier than flypaper, with ice cream from ear to ear. But this was a stickiness that I reveled in watching them become.

I can only hope this is among the first of many memories I will create with my children through food. And I know that my Mumsey, who we lost to Alzheimer’s two years ago, would be proud to know that, while she’s gone, she will never be forgotten.”

Vanilla Ice Cream

**Notes: This recipe is for a 5-quart ice cream canister. This recipe can be used as the base for any flavor of fruit ice cream you want - I made banana ice cream with this recipe.

Whether through books, toys, clothing, or gear, I’m always on the lookout for cool kid’s products that will inspire conversations about – or simply reflect the beauty of – diverse cultures. And My Little Pakora is a new clothing line that stylishly delivers a sense of cultural awareness in ultra comfort. Printed on soft and cozy organic baby clothing and accessories, My Little Pakora’s elegant, whimsical motifs are inspired by South Asian culture, yet are reflective of terms of endearment from parents around the world.

Want to win a My Little Pakora onesie or tee + lounge pant set?*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Moms’ Buzz features the PNP (Positive-Negative-Positive) method for checking your kid’s homework. One Chic Mama recommends trying Relish, an online meal planning resource. And you could win a $200 PicStreet.com shopping spree over at MomFinds, and a pair of Robeez over at Classy Mommy.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare; Home; Solutions

This Sunday is Grandparents Day, and whether grandparents are near or far, there are many simple yet meaningful ways to express your appreciation for these beloved family members. Here are my 10 favorite ways to honor grandparents, for this weekend and beyond.

Pick up the phone. This is the easiest - yet often forgotten - way to show that you and your kids care.

Share a memory. You and your parents likely will have different perspectives on your growing up, and your perspective on their parenting also probably has shifted now that you’re a parent. Whether in written or verbal form, share a childhood memory with your parent(s). If relevant, tie the memory in to something you have experienced with your kids.

Pay your respects. Some might find this a little odd, but I always make a point of asking Laurel whether she’d like to join me when I visit the Koh family plot to pay respects to my father and grandparents at various points throughout the year. These experiences have helped remove the stigma around talking about the loss of loved ones, and also have fostered Laurel’s appreciation for her extended family, both living and deceased. Whenever we go, she always wants to help pick out and arrange flowers at the plot, and bring artwork and notes (in plastic Ziploc bags) to leave with the flowers.

Make a photo or video montage. I’ve found that with Laurel’s grandparents and great-grandparents, photo and video gifts are always a hit. Assemble a print or digital photo (or video) montage on CD or DVD, loaded with pictures of the little ones, including as many pictures of the grandparents as possible.

Make a photo calendar. A nice, high use variation of the photo/video montage is to collect favorite multigenerational digital photos and make a photo calendar. We created these calendars for Laurel’s grandparents a couple of years back and they were a huge hit, both emotionally and functionally. It’s easy to create these calendars at places like Snapfish and Kodak Gallery.

Enlist the grandkids. Give the precious gift of kiddie art while fostering your child’s love for color and sensory projects, using materials such as gel or sponge paints, crayons, or dot markers. Window art makes a great project for preschoolers and up.

Give a non-clutter gift. I’m all about giving gifts that people actually can use and don’t cause clutter (particularly following a summer where my siblings and I filled 2 enormous dumpsters to help my mother clean out her house). If you love giving traditional gifts (beyond the photo/art ideas above), consider giving useful self-care gifts such as massage or yoga class gift certificates, or high use items such as yummy smelling soaps, cool stationery, pretty dishtowels and cloth napkins, or gourmet food items.

Encourage physical activity. Among the best things that older folks can do is to keep active, both physically and cognitively (the latter through reading, crosswords, etc.). If grandparents are local, offer to be a walking buddy, either solo or by bringing your child along in a sling, stroller, or on foot.

Make a meal. Coming from an upbringing where my mother cooked an amazing amount of meals for a ridiculous number of people, I really love having the opportunity to serve her (or Jon’s parents) a yummy meal. Invite the grandparents over for a meal, and let them kick up their heels and enjoy their grandkids while you prepare the food.

Help with a home project. Give the gift of your technological skills, handiness, or general ability to run errands quickly, by helping with a home project, such as fixing a buggy computer, helping set up a new computer, hanging pictures, helping plant flowers in a garden, or doing a grocery run.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues; Gifts & Paper; Home

I didn’t manage to post about this before I headed out for vacation the other week, but I was honored to be interviewed recently about all things Boston Mamas and Posh Peacock by Heather Kempskie at Wicked Local Parents. In the interview post, you can also see one of my new headshots there, courtesy of the super talented Kristin Chalmers.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)

Today, Tracy reports on Parade Organics – a baby clothing line that’s simple, understated, and perfectly fitting for baby, both comfort-wise and through its moniker inspired themes. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to win a Parade Organics lounge set!

“Before the arrival of our third child, I did something I swore I would never do: I bought an outfit for our unborn baby as a gift. I’ve always thought that this was just overkill, really, and especially so with a third baby and piles of hand me downs at the ready. But when I saw the Bean baby lounge set by Parade Organics in a local shop, I caved.

From the time we told our boys that we were expecting baby number 3, and showed them a textbook picture of what the baby looked like (at that time “no bigger than a jellybean”), this baby’s nickname has been, “the bean.” The nickname was so popular that I was a little concerned that the baby’s real name wouldn’t stick! That’s why I felt compelled to get the lounge set when I saw it.

Like many mamas today, I’m drawn towards anything organic, natural, and environmentally friendly, so when I saw organic on the tag, I looked the makers up online. I learned that Parade Organics is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with an online retail presence and excellent international shipping policies. Featuring kimono style onesies, t-shirts, lounge sets, and knotted baby caps, Parade Organics truly is a parade of understated style for wee ones. Plus, orders arrive in a small, reusable canvas tote bag, which makes them a lovely shower gift as well.

If your resident “bump-maker” already has a nickname, or even if the moniker didn’t come until after birth, I bet there’s a t-shirt for your little one here. Everything from sweet pea, pumpkin, and peanut to sunshine, pickle, and bean are printed on the shirts in simple type and understated style. Cut generously in the seat, Parade’s line of lounge sets also offers the promise that the pants will fit comfortably over a cloth diaper – no small feat, I assure you.

This outfit was our daughter’s “first day wear” outfit. And we’re thrilled that our little bean is finally here!”

Now, want to win a Parade Organics lounge set*? Here’s how:

Today, Sharon shares a fab recipe to treat your beets:

I discovered my love of beets last year, and was even more drawn to them when I learned that they are a great source of vitamins A and C, are high in folates and antioxidants, and are a great digestive. Here’s one of my favorite new ways to prepare them:

[Click photo thumbnail above for enlarged view]

Beet Salad

Serves 8 or more

I first grasped music’s pedagogical power in 4th grade, when I used a tune to help me memorize the 50 states (in alpha order) for a test. But the lessons can start earlier – and be fun for both kids and grownups – as demonstrated by Alphabet Rockers. This award winning album features hip hop sounds and DJ-style scratching set around lyrics – written in collaboration with real teachers – that educate about numbers, colors, shapes, spelling, daily routines, and social graces. You can catch Alphabet Rockers’ educational, interactive show at the Regent Theatre this Saturday (9/6 at 11am) or get your own little School of Rock going at home with their CD. AR even offers track coordinated activity pages on their website.

Want to win 4 tickets to see Alphabet Rockers, or be 1 of 4 winners to receive a copy of their CD? Here’s how:

To win 4 tickets to see Alphabet Rockers on September 6*:

Welcome to the 7th installment of Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Karen Dillon, mother of two, arts advocate, and owner of the local art education studio ArtisTRY. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Karen Dillon, Owner, ArtisTRY

Christine: Tell us a little bit about your background Karen. Your life revolves around arts education but my understanding is that you used to work in corporate America. What line of work were you in prior to your current path, and what propelled you to make the leap?

Karen: Even though I majored in studio art while in college - in my 20’s - I was the classic starving artist who made a living working in the high tech industry. I worked for over 15 years at Bolt, Beranek and Newman in Cambridge, MA at a variety of clerical and other jobs, eventually becoming a tech writer (I still freelance as a technical writer). But even when I wasn’t making my living as an artist, I was still creating art and studying under other artists.

In 2002 two pivotal events happened in my life; I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in July and laid off from BBN in September. So, I spent the subsequent year in cancer treatment and doing some serious soul searching. In April, the art teacher at my children’s elementary school became very ill and was unable to teach for the final months of the school year. Knowing I was an artist (and perhaps desperate), the principal of the school called me and asked me to fill in for the art teacher. I needed to develop a curriculum for kids ranging in age from K to 5th grade and teach 4-6 classes a day. What I discovered as a substitute art teacher was how exciting it is to teach children and watch their creative confidence and abilities develop. I also became acutely aware of the challenges public school art teachers face with large class sizes, poor quality materials, and infrequent class time. I became determined to establish a studio to offer children high level art education in a safe and nurturing environment, using artist quality tools, and in a space with like-minded children. The concept for ArtisTRY was born.

Christine: You launched your home based art studio, ArtisTRY, only two years ago and the business appears to be thriving. How do you get the word out about yourself? For the mamapreneurs out there, what have been the most effective means of promoting your services?

Karen: I feel blessed that my studio ArtisTRY is thriving and has substantial enrollment and now even a waitlist. But, I have a limited capacity as far as the number of students I can accept per session (8 students per class, 4 classes for every eight week session) so I do not advertise too aggressively. Currently, most of my new students come via word of mouth. When I started out two years ago I advertised with flyers in local parks and art stores, postings on local email lists, and created a website. Arlington has a town day in September and I used that opportunity to network, hand out brochures, and talk about my new studio. A year ago, when I realized my students were mainly from Arlington and I wanted to branch out, I donated sets of lessons to the silent auctions and fundraising efforts of organizations, synagogues, and churches in neighboring towns. Eventually word of mouth traveled through those other towns as well and I gained some really nice new students.

Christine: Your work obviously is out of home. Do you have dedicated studio space or does your living space feel overrun with art supplies? How do you transition out of thinking about your business off the clock?

Karen: Part of the reason this situation works so well is because I have a large naturally lit studio in the basement level of my home so I have a dedicated separate space for my business, including a separate entrance. Sure, my home is overrun with art supplies; I am an artist after all and my favorite place to paint is at my kitchen table. But when I want to escape the business I simply walk up a flight of stairs. Similarly, I can escape the rigors of home by escaping to my studio. In all honesty, I never feel the need to escape the elements of my business life. I love everything about teaching, working with kids, mentoring, and being surrounded by art. For me, it’s bliss.

Christine: Your nominator said very eloquently that you try to “teach children a healthy connection to nature and a respect for the natural world” – how does that concept translate to your teaching?

Karen: In my opinion the most grounded people are those who have a spiritual connection to the natural world. I think as adults it is imperative for us to teach our children to connect with nature and find solace in the outdoors; much as the artist finds solace in art. Think about the greatest of artists - they must be keen observers of whatever their chosen subject is. I think art without intent is never evocative. What I like to do is take my summer students out field sketching and teach them to slow down and observe the natural world. We use all our senses. We listen, touch, smell, and just sit. We learn to be comfortable in the quiet of nature. I instruct them on how to keep a visual diary in the form of a sketchbook. Last spring I taught 3 separate classes of 8 kids over a period of eight weeks about the artist and naturalist Chiura Obata. He was a Japanese American who survived an internment camp in the 1940’s by creating an arts school in the camp and training thousands of Japanese in the arts. I encourage anyone who doesn’t know about him to learn more. He’s an inspiration on so many levels. I used his life story as a springboard to introduce the kids to becoming naturalists, art journalists, and to understand that as creative individuals the creative process is a key element to their lifelong well-being.

Christine: You serve on the board of directors for the Arlington Center for the Arts as well as the Arlington Cultural Council; what’s your read on the public schools these days as far as preservation of arts?

Karen: Oh please, don’t get me started talking about the importance of art in education…I could go on forever. Arts education is not about painting pretty pictures and mastering a creative skill. Arts education helps improve critical thinking and problem solving skills. There is a science and mastery in everything in art from color mixing to rendering. And perhaps most importantly there are quite a few children whose major area of intellectual strength is in their creativity. These are the children who grow up to be scientists and inventors who help all of humanity. Children who lean towards creativity need to utilize their skills in school. That’s where their happiness and confidence lies. We all want to focus on areas that interest us, and where we have ability, right? Ivy League admission departments are not placing as much consideration on standardized test results and are relying more on the personal interview and creative endeavors of applicants. They know that real leaders are those who think out of the box.

Even though statistics prove that art education benefits the child in so many ways, funding for art and music and other creative instruction is continually one of the first program cuts from public school programs. The US government cut 4.3 billion from education funding, including 35 million from Arts in Education. As Dan Hunter, executive director of the Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities (MAASH) points out, “According to a coalition of researchers, 81 percent of corporate leaders in America say that creativity is an essential skill for the 21st-century workforce. In addition to creativity, these business leaders look for such skills as collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, and oral communication.” I volunteer my time with the Arlington Cultural Council so I can be assured an eclectic array of arts and cultural programming is coming into my community and that the underserved population is able to experience the arts. My time on the board of Directors of Arlington Center for the Arts was to ensure that a valuable resource like that stay firmly rooted in the community as well. I tend to be pretty vocal on the topic of arts advocacy as you can see from my long-winded answer.

Christine: Tell us a bit about your two children. How old are they and where were you work-wise when they arrived? How did you handle maternity leave time and return to work? Was your work environment supportive of your role as a new mom?

Karen: I have been blessed with two wonderfully creative and compassionate children. My daughter is almost 13 and my son is 10. They are very involved in my studio and class time. I test out lesson plans and activities with them; they work as assistants in my studio, and give me great feedback regarding what works well and what does not. My daughter is a part of my teen open studio class so she is my student too. ArtisTRY is very much a family run business. My son is a remarkable musician and artist. When his creative abilities were not being fostered in public school last year I felt I needed to save his academic life and took him out of public school and enrolled him in the Lexington Montessori School and he is now thriving. My children are often home when I am teaching and respectful of my time in the downstairs studio but know I am only a floor away if needed. They know I am an advocate for the arts and we often talk about feelings and experiences in terms of color and art. We speak the same language.

Christine: How have you juggled motherhood with your work? What do you think has been the most challenging aspect about being an independent mamapreneur?

Karen: Being a manapreneur is wonderful because it allows me time to manage motherhood, work, and my ideals. My life is pretty stress free. I am very lucky. I don’t have to deal with a horrible commute, the family supper can be cooking upstairs while I am down stairs teaching and my children always can find me. However, teaching art in small class sizes is not a particularly lucrative thing to do - it’s a labor of love. The most challenging thing for me is staying focused on my philosophy and remembering that although I could be making more money doing something else I wouldn’t be modeling happiness, advocacy, and the importance for making a difference to my children. I feel very satisfied knowing I am making a difference in my student’s lives. I feel comforted knowing that my students are learning that creativity is an integral part of who they are and is something they can tap into for the rest of their lives. I have created a safe artistic nest for my students and that is very rewarding. My family does well with a little less money and more quality time together.

Christine: We recently featured The Children’s Room and I think it’s wonderful that you bring art therapy to them. My husband and I actually are both trained psychologists, and given that our daughter’s favorite activity is art, we find that we are able to help her work through crabby/difficult episodes with impromptu art therapy. Do you find that this sort of thing occurs in your classes; meaning, do you find that children – intentionally or not – translate their emotions in their creations, or seek your help to do so?

Karen: I think it’s wonderful that you and your husband help your daughter work through trying times with art. I love hearing stories like that. When my children were little we got out our anger by punching clay or scribbling on paper. When they had bad dreams we drew the monsters on paper and cut them up. Amazingly the monsters often vanished after that. They see me paint away my own sadness and frustrations. I am not an art therapist, just an artist who understand how important art can be to heal the human spirit. I have been fortunate to witness so much powerful, beautiful growth and expression through the art the children make at The Children’s Room. Many of the children there have experienced trauma and/or great sadness. They do not have the vocabulary or ability to express them selves with words. So they express themselves in play and also with art and physical exertion.

Two years ago I spearheaded an effort to get the children’s art from The Children’s Room out to the public. I coordinated “Art from the Heart,” a traveling art show of the select works completed by children in the program, including their powerful artist’s statements about their work. “Art from the Heart” traveled to galleries, libraries, and local corporations and was presented for two weeks at the Boston State House. As an offshoot from the exhibit we produced a box of 10 note cards featuring the children’s work, which TCR sells. The children were pleased knowing their messages about loss, and tributes to loved ones were being seen by so many. The children who participated learned how well art is able to share messages and thoughts.

In my studio I have quite a few students that have learning challenges or are experiencing difficulties at home. I encourage them to use their art as a safe place to express their feelings and explore their thoughts. I point out connections between art, color, and emotions. I believe each person has an area in their life where they can get lost and find comfort. For some it’s sports, others it’s music or books or writing or art. They key thing is to realize what works for you as an individual and to consider that a tool in your toolbox for life. When the going gets tough you can reach for whatever works for you and soothe yourself. I hope to empower kids to develop coping mechanisms that will steer them clear of other things people abuse for the sake of comfort, like money, food, alcohol, and drugs. I have had quite a few parents of my students comment on how much better emotionally their children seem once they have a time and place to be creative and expressive. My philosophy is this: “I believe in the power of art to heal, teach, empower, and encourage.”

Christine: We’ve talked all serious up to now. Tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind, or any hidden/unusual talents you may have.

Karen: With me what you see is what you get and I am afraid I don’t have any really interesting secret talents. I walk almost every day for an hour with my little dog. My walks are meditative and are processing time for me, and a time to connect with my own neighborhood. Quite often I experience creative inspirations when I walk. My favorite things to do are to read, write, paint (of course), and play Scrabble. I love the ocean and combing the shoreline for sea glass and other treasures. I also love music and everything visual - movies, art museums, even people watching. I believe that in life we continually develop new abilities so I just might have some hidden talent like playing a mean bass guitar that I just haven’t discovered yet. We’ll see if I join a rock band in my 50’s.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Karen: No question, my favorite thing in life is being a mama. In my opinion there is no greater gift. Being a mother has enlightened and empowered me. I feel so much maternal pride and joy for not only my children but my students as well. Enjoying life with my kids in an exciting place like Boston is just the icing on the cake.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Fun Indoors; Local

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