friday.

 Taking a deep breath before closing the week tonight. Last night I went to bed around midnight having just seen the devastating news of the tsunami in Japan. Much was still unknown at the time but we knew it was going to be bad. I woke 6.5 restless hours later with a text message on my phone. It began, "Don't want to wake you if you're still in bed. There is a tsunami warning for the west coast..." Not really the way I'd planned on beginning my day. But, as we all know now, the San Francisco Bay remains unscathed. And for that, I feel grateful.

I received two more heartbreaking electronic messages over the next few hours. But I went about my business, because, as I understand it, that is just what one does.  Now tonight I sit with a heavy heart and a deep compassion for so many different people across the world. Some that I know and love dearly. Others that I will never have the chance to know. And again. I feel grateful.

But it's Friday. And that alone is certainly worth a small celebration. And a nod to just a few of the brighter parts of my week...

Like the Martha Stewart fringe centerpiece (pictured above) and found here yesterday. Coincidentally only one day after I stripped our Thankful Tree (yes, I am aware that it is March) and left it barren by the front door. Bet you can't guess what I'm going to do to it next!

Or my dear friend, Lisa's Fat Tuesday celebration. And the oh so comical hunt for the sugar baby that ensued.

And then there was this. A spontaneous dinner theater performed for me tonight. Turns out a little tootie tata & boom de atta was just what I needed.

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spring is here!

Well, the season may not have official arrived yet but the Spring edition of Modern Handmade Child is here at least!  It's fun...and it's FREE.  Click on over and take a peek.  And don't forget to checkout my handmade valentine spread beginning on page 22 as well as my dear friend Lisa's yummy spring recipes beginning on page 48.  Happy reading!

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petit appetit

Do you have one of those friends that you hide the processed goldfish crackers from? You know, one of those fabulous moms that serves their kids only organic, home cooked, unprocessed foods. No exceptions. And the kids eat it. All. Happily? Well, I do. And I adore her even still!

Meet Lisa Barnes. Owner of Petit Appetit, children's chef extraordinaire, and author of two novels, the second of which becomes available March 3rd on Amazon.com (among other places). This edition focuses on party foods for kids of all ages. If you entertain, or have kids, or entertain kids...check it out. Lisa has fed me well far too many times to not recommend her!

pizza...petit appetit style

I wish this had been my idea. But alas, the custom pizza party was courtesy of my friend Lisa from Petit Appetit. I wish I'd had my real camera to photograph the preparation and the meal because the pizza was definitely better than the mobile phone pictures!

The kids rolled and formed their own homemade dough and then topped the pizzas with their choice of sauce, cheese, olives, artichokes, prosciutto & oregano. As you can see they all came up with different combinations. The sophisticated eater that she is, Zuzu made hers with sauce only. Lisa's daughter topped hers with cheese only but added olives after the pizza was cooked. Either way they were all yummy!

Checkout the Petit Appetit website and the Organic to Be blog to which Lisa contributes for other healthy, organic and most importantly fun food ideas for babies & kids.