Back to School Baking Bites

Aug 11, 2011 by Sara

Summer’s coming to a close and I’m getting focused on my kids going back to school. Remember this ad from Staples? I’m almost there. But not quite. Still a little summer fun left in us.

I don’t plan on baking up a storm right quick but when I do I’d love to have a bunch of these adorable “Back To School” cookie cutters and decorations from Fancy Flours around.

These cookie wafer papers are adorable. You still need to bake the cookies but I think my kids would absolutely flip out if they found these in their lunchboxes.

 

 

Speaking of lunchboxes, this one is pretty cool:

Don’t feel like baking? Buy the cupcakes from the supermarket but put these adorable cupcake picks on top. I think this might be the route I go…

 

I’ve used Fancy Flours products in the past… remember my post about birthdays being a big deal? Well, for Anna’s Watermelon Birthday, her cake was decorated with giant ants that I got from there. Their products are great.

If you feel the urge to bake to get your kids ready for back to school. Check them out. Tell them I sent ya. They won’t discount you or anything but it’s always worth a try.

P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post by Fancy Flours but if they want to sponsor me that’d be great

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Mom’s Recipe: Susan’s Penne with Tomatoes and Basil

Aug 11, 2011 by Sara

I wait all summer long to make this one recipe. It was my mom’s, who 11 years ago I lost to cancer. I like to make this because it’s distinct flavors instantly transport me back to summer dinners on our back porch and I can hear the sound of her laughter.

This was one of her signature summer entertaining dishes. I often remember her getting this ready and then hearing her and her friends laughing on the back porch while they enjoyed this heavenly meal. I would always sneak a bowl before heading out with my own friends.

So when the tomatoes are juuuuust right, grab this recipe, uncork a bottle of white or make a margarita and enjoy.

It’s the end of the summer anyway so you can indulge, bikini season is over.

 

 

 

Susan’s Penne with Tomatoes and Basil

serves 4 to 6

• 4 large tomatoes – cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 pound Brie cheese – rind removed, cut into irregular shapes
• 1 cup basil leaves – cut in strips
• 3 cloves garlic – minced (if large, use less)
• 1 to 2 TSP salt (your taste)
• fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 pound penne (or linguine)
• fresh grate Parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Combine tomatoes, Brie, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper in large bowl. Prepare about 2 hours before serving. Set aside at room temperature.

Boil pasta (salt & add 1 TSP olive oil) until al dente.

Drain pasta. Immediately toss with tomato-cheese mixture. Serve at once.

 

It’s possible this recipe came straight from Silver Palate cookbook – she often used that one. But I can’t be sure, just in case I’m going to credit it ias the source.

You can download my copy of the recipe (with my mom’s handwritten note) here: Susan’s Penne with Basil and Tomatoes Recipe

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Google+ Circles And Jillsmo

Aug 10, 2011 by Sara

I tweeted today’s Wordless Wednesday image to the hilarious Jillsmo a while back when I first saw it via Neatorama. She had been nice enough to ‘invite’ me to Google+ after I whined on Twitter that I hadn’t yet been included in this apparently exclusive club. (Little did I know that you really only need a google profile setup. But whatever. She was super cool and INVITED ME!)

After I tried to figure out what the circles were all about I discovered this picture (see below) and shared it with her. We both appreciated it very much.

So who is this Jillsmo with a great sense of humour?

Jillsmo is a very, very, very funny blogger over at Yeah. Good Times.  Jill is a no-holds-barred anonymous blogger who resides somewhere near me, in Berkeley. I’m guessing. I don’t know. We’ve never met. Probably never will, but every time I’m in a karaoke bar I listen for her or when I pass Pixar studios I look to see if she’s there to join me in my quest to picket the ridiculous G-rating they weaseled for Toy Story 3 that I’m still upset about. She promised me she would…

Most of the time she blogs with a very dry sense of humor and the rest of the time she writes in an ‘your face’ kind of way. I truly appreciate both.  She’s also been extremely kind to me on some of my more personal posts and stories.

This is her:

 

Did I mention she blogs anonymously and therefore portrays herself as an awesome cartoon character AND gets to say all kinds of things I only wish I could?

Oh… and she throws in the occasional AWESOME cartoon stick drawing when she gets really fired up, which is pretty much every day. Those always make me giggle.  This one about Wii sports was probably my fave.

She can also blog about pound cake and make it funny. Not sure how she does that but she does.

So when I read yesterday, that she was down in the dumps as it was the 16th anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s passing (you can read her tribute post here)  I wanted to try to make her smile.

So I thought I’d remind her of this funny image and share it with the rest of you.

Thanks again Jillsmo for ‘inviting’ me to Google+ (now are we ever going to use it?)

Please go and visit Jillsmo here and leave her some comment love (not that she needs it really, she’s a really big bloggy deal, but it would be a nice thing to do).

 

Google+ Circles

 

P.S. The circle that references Alex is just a fluke but still kinda funny.

That wasn’t a very Wordless Wednesday but whatever… sometimes a picture does require a backstory

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BlogHer’11 – PeriwinklePapi wuz there

Aug 8, 2011 by Sara

I’ve been away.

First on vacation with my family and then I indulged in a weekend of connecting and networking with fabulous bloggers at this year’s BlogHer event in San Diego. To say it was a dream come true wouldn’t do it proper justice, I am still reeling from meeting these amazing people that I have been following online since I started this whole venture.

A totally surreal experience you might say.

So what did I see and do?

Well…

Reunions and Meetups.

First I met up with my dear friend, Kathryn who writes an amazing financial blog over at Kathryn’s Conversations. We are old work colleagues from my finance days and through the years and because of our addiction love to social media have reconnected and grown to be closer friends. She’s the reason I decided to go to BlogHer’11 in the first place.  When we saw each other for the first time it was one of those awesome great to see ya, I can’t believe we are here, super long hugs.

She’s pretty much going to be the next Suzy Orman for our generation but not as annoying and harsh. Just hanging out with her I feel like my Mommy brain sharpens a little bit from its foggy state. Another highlight was being with her at the conference when the US debt got downgraded. Watching her squirm during the Voices Of The Year presentations was kind of funny because I just knew she wanted to be digesting all that was going on in the real world outside of BlogHer but she was trapped. She blogged about it today – so if you want to know what you need to know about the debt situation go read her post here. You’ll feel smarter when you do.

Secondly I got to meet IN REAL LIFE Ilana who does the best humor parenting blog over at MommyShorts. I knew we were friends online but to be honest, I was nervous to meet her in real life. What if we didn’t click? What if she thought I was a total dork.  This would be the first time ever I would be exposing my online self to my real self. What if I was a fraud?

When we spotted each other with the help of cell phones, I was like: “Can I give you a hug?” Weird right? But it wasn’t. And she is AWESOME. Even more so in real life if that’s even possible. All weekend long I was like, why does she still want to hang out with ME?! I’m so friggin’ glad we connected and hung out together – hopefully one day I will get to meet Mazzy the true star of MommyShorts.

Go read Ilana’s hilarious wrap-up of the BlogHer weekend here.

 

Celebrities Sightings 

There were lots of famous personalities at BlogHer. From the Swiffer dust guy, the Charmin bear to the Jimmy Dean Sun to some of the bigger fish like Jane Lynch from Glee and Elmo (both of whom evaded me) and then there was the adorable and personable Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser.

I got to have breakfast with Bob.

Well, I ate and he talked but I did get to ask him a question. (Which I’ll add he said was a VERY good question, ahem…)

I asked him what his favorite songs to work out to were so I could add them to our Periwinkle Papillon Ultimate 3 Day Walking Playlist. For the record, they are Down With The Trumpets and Ameli. (I am not spelling the second one properly but I’m working on finding out what it is!)

He’s super nice and personable, even more in person. I hope he gets his own show soon because America needs more of him.

 

But my ULTIMATE celebrity sighting for me was meeting the lovely ladies of the Parent Experiment: Producer Kathee and Stefanie Wilder Taylor (where the heck was Lynette anyway?). I’m a fan of their podcast and I’d seen they were going to be at BlogHer in the Final Inches suite. Stefanie was going to be handing out copies of books: Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay and I’m Kind Of a Big Deal. I told MommyShorts and Kathryn that we had to go say hi.

Of course they hit it off with Ilana and interviewed her for the segment spots on ‘Stellar Moments in Parenting’ or is it shitty moments in parenting? I can’t remember. Anyway, it was very cool and in the suite I also connected with some other awesome bloggers.

Later they told me via Twitter that they called out to me at Listen to Your Mother event (I put my name in the pot hoping to read this post) but apparently they called out: “PAP!” and I did not turn around. That’s something you have to get used to… being called by my Twitter handle instead of my first name.

Not All Fun & Games

So it was not entirely play, play, play at BlogHer. While networking and meeting PR reps and other bloggers I did attend some sessions. My favorites were How to Pitch A Book (you can read the transcript of the session here) and Blog Design. These were 2 panels I walked away from feeling pretty jazzed and enlightened.

I connected with a couple of brands that have some really great breast cancer awareness campaigns coming up. Most notably Lee jeans and Egglands Best. Both of these companies are huge contributors to breast cancer causes and I hope to work with them in the future to get the word out about their efforts.

       

I also did a quick spot for Lowes were I talked about my chair makeover (post coming soon I promise). Remember these chairs? Well I talked about how I did it and what bloggers want to see from Lowes in terms of support when doing DIY projects. I think I said something about more tutorials and Before & After pics.

Anyway, here’s a pic of me on camera that Kathryn snapped:

 

My other favorite moment was at the Voices of the Year speakers and listening to Lori from In Pursuit of It All.  Her Red Underwear reading was emotionally breathtaking and I have a new favorite gift to give to all my girlfriends going forward. You must, must, must, go read her post the Red Underwear to understand what I mean.

 

Shwag and Stuff

Before heading to BlogHer I did some due diligence on what to expect. I read Cheryl at Mommypants’ primer and heeded her advice. I got business cards, I decided not to stress about what I wore, and I hugged online friends with abandon.

I’d heard there’d be a lot of vendors to schmooze with at BlogHer and that they’d be handing out lots of schwag. I’d read that you should pack an extra bag so that you can lug all this stuff home. I did that. And my kids now want me to go away every weekend and come back with cool stuff.

Here’s a glimpse at some of my haul:

StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors book by Britt Menzies. I read this to my kids when I got home last night and I’m not making it up when I say Anna asked me: “Mommy can we get more of these books?” I think they’re onto something here… ♥ Hex Bug toy which is now roaming our kitchen making my kids giggle. ♥ Skinny Girl Margarita bottle courtesy of the super cool ladies at Bankrupting America ♥ Dinosaur Train Crazy 8′s game from Pressman ♥ Silly Situations game from Highlights and Discovery Bay toys ♥ 70% Nut Crunch Intense Dark Chocolate from Lindt Excellence ♥ Spot The Dot and Chuck and Friends apps courtesy of Ruckus Media Group ♥ I got to sample and get a few coupons for the new Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss creamers, how great is this? Coffee creamer that is not full of scary ingredients, I can’t wait! ♥ This GORGEOUS PaperCoterie gorgeous desk calendar ♥ Smurfs BINGO game ♥ Hasbro Transformers Rescue Bots, Jack was excited to hear about these and loved the book they gave me. My husband just shook his head and said, ‘why don’t they just make them like they used to?” ♥ Twizzlers (everywhere I turned there they were handing me yummy red twizzler sticks) ♥ gift certificate for fashion playtes which I know Anna and I are going to have a blast using together ♥ philosophy samples – Kathryn and I got our pictures taken here and it’s a super cute step and repeat pic, they quizzed me on being a philosophy product expert and I failed so they didn’t give me a t-shirt. Being as it was at the end of the day I thought that was kinda lame but I still love their products ♥ dolphin organics - I didn’t get anything from them except their spiel as they well all out of samples. I found them on the corner of the expo hall on the last day but I have to say their products really intrigued and I can’t wait for them to come to Northern Cali.

 

Things I Wished I’d Gotten To…

Apparently there was an awesome seminar on E-Books and I wish I’d gotten to go to that one.

Also the list of my Twitter peeps that I couldn’t find among the masses is long and I’m sad I didn’t connect IRL (in real life) with so many of them. Good news is there’s always next year… BlogHer’12 will be in New York baby! I’m coming home! Woo hoo!

Other than that I had a blast and learned a tremendous amount. Now I need to go connect with my family and try to digest it all.

xo

Sara

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BRCA Testing Part 3: The Nitty Gritty (That’s With An “N” not a “T”)

Aug 4, 2011 by Sara

Part 3: The Nitty Gritty

 

When you google breast cancer genetic testing, you will end up at Myriad Labs one way or another.  They have cornered the market on this. This is the company that I went with when I finally decided to get tested for the breast cancer gene markers.

Myriad’s website is chock full of information. Complete overload for someone just looking to see what is involved in getting a genetic test. But important information nonetheless. I started my investigation into the matter there.

Mentally deciding whether or not to get the test is no joke.  Physically, I would learn, it’s a piece of cake.

It’s a simple blood test where they take two vials of blood and mail it off.

Poof, that’s it.

Three weeks later a genetic counselor calls you to schedule an appointment to go over the results. Given the gravity of the message you would expect bigger hoops for everyone to have to jump through but in all honesty once you decide to go through with it you only have your mind games to mess with you.

I will describe my personal experience which involved a wonderful counselor we will call Rosemary. I understand that not everyone gets an amazing genetic counselor like Rosemary, who holds your hand as your recount your life story and generously offers Kleenex while not judging as you do an ugly cry in her office.

Forgive me if it can be different but this will give you the gist, and I will HOPE that everyone gets to meet a Rosemary type should they decide to get tested.

The genetic counselors first job is to take a detail family history and subsequently assess the likelihood of your testing positive for the gene even before you roll up your sleeve.  She will write up a report and using statistical models she will make a recommendation to the insurance company on your behalf asking them to pay for these über expensive blood tests.

Next, she will assess your mental stability by carefully prodding as to your motivations for getting the test. This is where you can expect the tears to flow and her Kleenex supply to be never ending… Bless her heart.

She will be gracious, professional but tender.  (Again, I’m hoping for your sake she was like my Rosemary).

Then depending on just how ugly your cry is and how you answer her probing questions, she will then counsel you as to whether or not you should even take the test.  She may be concerned as to whether or not you can handle the results or be willing to go through with any of the recommended preventive measures should you receive a positive results.

In a nutshell, you are taking the test because you have to be willing to do something different if you test positive. Once you know – there’s no turning back. The statistics if you have the gene markers are just mind numbing.

If you test positive for the BRCA 1 and 2 tumor markers you have up to a 50% risk of developing breast cancer before age 50 and up to an 87% risk of developing it by age 70. While the general population is at a 2% and 7% respectively.

 

I studied these facts and then made a powerpoint presentation. This is how I told my husband I was ready to get tested. I made a slideshow.

If you’ve ever doubted me when I say that I’m a geek at heart that should clinch it for you.

I’m a total geek.

In my slideshow I also paraphrased every bit of data I had learned. Including the recommended next steps for which I included this chart:

 

After I laid out my family history and then overlaid the facts, it was a bleek outlook and I wanted us to be on the same page. By my calculations I was at a much higher risk of testing positive.  I was convinced I was going to be looking at a mastectomy and possibly an oopherectomy as well (removal of ovaries).  I was prepapred.

Have I mentioned that I have a slight anxiety issue? It’s possible I was overreacting.

I made us both read  Pretty is What Changes the autobiography of Jessica Queller and her journey to get a preventive mastectomy after unceremoniously receiving test results that she tested positive for the BRCA gene.  It’s a MUST read for anyone considering genetic testing as you will walk away with a clear understanding of what you must be prepared to face.

 

I also lurked on message boards over at FORCE, an acronym for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered which was mentioned in Jessica’s book. They talked about a new group of women, called previvors who upon learning about their genes took their destinies into their own hands. It was truly empowering.

Armed with information and my powerpoint presentation I met with Rosemary and had two vials of blood drawn. And then waited…

For three weeks we waited.

It was the longest three weeks of my life.

Part 4: The Results… (coming)

 

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Wordless Wednesday: On Vacation

Aug 3, 2011 by Sara

I’m on vacation.

Here.

It’s amazing.

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