I jumped at the chance!

Then…

Panic set in.

As you all know, my blog is all about recipes.  That’s what I usually write about.  Me and the boys in the kitchen whipping up some delight.

All of the sudden I had to be witty and engrossing for someone else?

Ahhh!

The pressure.

As Katie’s blog is not about food I decided to embrace my inner blogger and blog like nobody’s reading…and it was fun, so I thought I’d share it with all of you.  Care to join me?

Have your ever heard the saying “to dance like nobody’s watching?”  The first time I heard it I loved it.  Really loved it.  I thought, yes of course, that is how everyone should live their lives, not caring what anyone thinks, and then I remembered that I have never ever in my entire life not cared what anyone thinks.  I was always the girl in high school concerned about her appearance, about what people thought, about how pretty I looked, how smart I came across, how popular I was, yadda yadda yadda.  It was exhausting.  In college, it was no better.  I was constantly concerned with my grades, my friends, my reputation.  And even now, you will NOT catch me in a bathing suit.  But at the end of the day, who on earth am I trying to impress?  My husband adores me, my kids love me no matter what?  What is all this about?  Why can’t I just dance like nobody is watching?

So a few days ago I go to my first Zumba class.  Yes it’s totally ridiculous and it’s a bunch of old ladies and young hot teeny boppers jumping around an aerobic studio but when I don’t feel like torturing myself for 45 minutes on a treadmill sweating with the masses is my happy alternative.  See, I’m not a dancer, I never was a dancer.  I was a gymnast for a while, but graceful I was not!  I believe my nickname was “froggy legs.”  Anyway, I remember taking some modern dance classes somewhere around junior high and always being the worst one in the class sort of got to me after a while, so I quit.  I’m not exactly coordinated when it comes to choreography.

But you know what?  When you just can’t take another kickboxing or pilates mat class you just gotta step it up right?  So look out Pasha and Anya (uh, that’s a SYTYCD reference for those of you who actually have lives and aren’t attached to your TVs) here comes Alex.

OH EM GEE!  Well I almost killed the poor old lady next to me during some samba shimmy sashay thing but I survived it.  But what struck me during the whole thing was that I couldn’t take my eyes off this woman in the front.

Let’s call her, Sally.

Well, Sally looks like life may have not been the easiest for her.  She’s in her early 30’s, as homely as all get out, she’s sort of a big girl, she’s got the big oversized glasses and if she was a dude she’d be wearing a pocket protecter.

Let’s put it this way, if I was back in high school, we would not have asked her to sit at our lunch table (and yes, as an adult I now know that’s wrong, but that’s a whole other post.)

Anyway, Sally pretty much screams dork.  But there she is, front and center, right in front of the mirror, right next to that tiny little energizer bunny of an instructor…Sally is hard to miss.  And she’s moving before they even turn the music on.  I sort of giggle to myself and the music gets going.

Ok, these people don’t waste anytime.  We’re moving and grooving and I’m trying to pick up and place my feet like a billion times faster than any kickboxing class.  Oh and apparantly there are all these muscles in the hip area that I clearly haven’t used in decades, much to my hubs dismay.

But then there’s Sally…she’s a machine, she’s sweating and adding hops and getting her swerve on!  Now, her dancing skills are not better than mine, and we’ve already established that is not saying much, but you know what?

SHE DOESN’T CARE.

SALLY IS HAVING A BLAST.

And her reckless abandon is making me care a bit less about how stupid I look, and I assure you I did look stupid, but suddenly I’m adding a bit of swagger, I’m adding a little roll, I’m tossing in the sexy arms, and I’m having a blast.  Suddenly I’m dancing a fool, even if there are a bunch of college cheerleaders behind me, I mean really?  Cheerleaders?

I learned a valuable lesson at Zumba.  And I can’t wait to go back.

So thank you, Sally.

Thank you for helping me get over myself…

For helping me learn to live a bit…

For helping me let go a bit.

Thank you for teaching me to dance like nobody is watching.

If you’re a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, and we’ve already established that I am and I don’t, then you know that tomorrow, Saturday July 31st, is National Dance Day.  It is supposed to include a variety of dance-themed activities for people of all ages. It will empower, challenge and inspire everyone to try various styles of dance ranging from hip-hop to ballroom to anything that moves. Above all, it will encourage everyone to DANCE as a means to stay fit and be healthy.  I’ll be at a zumba class.  What will you be doing?  And will you do with as much passion as Sally?

Hello there! If you’re here from the Friday blog hops welcome welcome! Please leave me a note that you were here so I can get back to you this weekend!

Related posts:

• Breast Cancer Awareness & The Pink Glove Dance
• Not-so Wordless Wednesday
• Peanut Butter Cup Waffles
• Mommie Cooks’s Mexicali Rice
• Watermelon Mojito

In the meantime I’m posting the reason that I’m not feeling better already…seems that these things make it a bit difficult to get some rest.

Ahh, the joys of motherhood.

Related posts:

• Not-so Wordless Wednesday
• The Perfect Day – Wordless Wednesday 3
• Please Keep GG in your thoughts

A beach picnic followed by an trip to the ice cream stand at the farm is one of our perfect days.  How would you spend your perfect day?

Related posts:

• Not-so Wordless Wednesday
• Mommie Cooks is in the house!!!!

The first was a place called The Ground Round and it had to be the greatest place on earth because they used to let you get big baskets of popcorn and peanuts and THROW THE SHELLS ON THE FLOOR.  Oh yeah, that was classy!

The second was a little eatery called Friendly’s.  Now this was the creme de la creme.  Not only did they make a mean grilled cheese with tomato BUT they had an ice cream selection that went on for days, highlighted by my favorite, Black Raspberry.  We just didn’t have ice cream like this out west.  Sure we had 31 flavors but it was nothing like this!

Now in my head I thought these amazing little eateries only existed in the small sphere around my Grandma’s house.  I was floored when I got to college and saw that not only were there Friendly’s all over the eastern seaboard but Ground Round’s as well, and in college while I didn’t find their food as spectacular as I remembered, they did serve a lot of beer…that’ll work!

But now being a recent transplant back to the Northeast I got to take my boys out for their first taste of Friendly’s.  To say they loved it is an understatement…check this boy out.

He along with Brady and Keegan gave it a big ol’ thumbs up.  Looks like we may be regulars.

Do you have any memories of restaurants you visited as a kid?

No related posts.

So what do you do when it’s so hot outside you feel like you can’t even move?   You invite over some friends, fire up the grill, and make a pitcher of something that’ll cure ya.  See,  I used to be a bartender.  Oh yeah, back in the day I was a mean drink slinger!  It really was quite a blast, and in fact it’s how I landed the hubs, but that’s a story for another day, trust me, it’s a doozy!  Anyway, summertime always reminds me of bartending as I spent my college summers working the bars, eating nothing but the olives, cherries, and oranges in the service trays. Hey, I had to save that money for going out right?  That’s where I learned when life hands you some lemons (or limes as the case may be when you’re tending bar) you learn to make….mojitos!!!

For one pitcher of mojitos.  Serves 4, or 2, or 1…

One half of a seedless watermelon

8 fresh mint leaves

juice of 2 limes

3 T sugar

1 cup rum

ice

1 cup lemon lime soda

Cut your watermelon into large chunks and toss into a blender.  Puree until smooth then pour through a strainer into a bowl.  Set aside.

In the bottom of a large pitcher toss in a bunch of ice cubes.  Throw in your mint leaves and sugar.  Using the nonstirring side of a wooden spoon smush the mint into the ice and sugar and stir around (ie muddle the mint).  Squeeze the lime juice over the ice.   Pour in your rum, strained watermelon, and soda.  Give it a quick stir and pour into a glass.

Serve with a lime wedge and sprig of mint.  Sit back, relax and enjoy.  If you’re joining us through the Friday Follows what a day to arrive.  Grab a drink and leave us a note so we know you were here and we can return the favor!

Feel free to replace the rum with some lemon lime soda for the kiddies, even some lemonade would do the trick if you’re a non-drinker.  Either way it’s a great excuse to gather some friends and enjoy the summer air.  What’s your favorite Friday night cocktail?

Related posts:

• Gimme Some Sangria consigue caliente aquí dentro
• Come on baby light my fire, we’re grilling corn
• Mommie Cooks’s Mexicali Rice
• Sweet n’ Saucy Sausages
• Sweet Healthy Summer Treats Shell Style

First up, it’s Friday and you know what that means…happy hour starts early?  Uh, no, at least not yet, for goodness sakes it’s only 7 am.  It’s a blog hop Friday.  If you’re not in on the blog hop business you really should check them out.  What a great way to meet new bloggie friends.  So if you’re here from Friday Follow or Trendy Treehouse then welcome, we’re glad to see you.  Please leave us a note to let us know you were here and what you thought and we’ll be glad to get back to you ASAP.  Now, back to business.

Well my cup truly runneth over.  I have been so touched by the recent outpouring of bloggie love and can’t believe that I’ve received 1, let alone 6 yup count ‘em 6  blog awards.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

First up not one, but two beautiful blogger awards from Cameron at Ingenue Mom and Erin over at Making Memories with your Kids

And to officially accept, you apparently must list 10 facts about yourself that people may not know. This is hard because, let’s face it, I’m an open book, I can’t think of 10 things you don’t know about me.  So…Let’s see…

1. I love Bon Jovi, it’s a left over obsession from high school I’ve never gotten over.  Love love love Bon Jovi.

2. I’m afraid of fish.  Love to eat them, hate to be in the water with them.  No scuba certification for me….ever!

3. I collect aprons.  If you have any you want to give me, send ‘em on over.

4. When I was growing up I never thought I’d want a daughter.  Now that I have three boys, I kind of feel an itch for one.

5. I’m allergic to bees.  Even though I was stung 14 times growing up as a kid without issue I got stung when I was 21 and went into full anaphylactic shock.

6. I have a national championship ring from 1995 when I was the head manager for the Division I National Champion Boston University Terriers Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

7. I love the Twilight books, like a lot, but not so much the movies.  Funny thing, books – Team Edward, Movies – Team Jacob.

8. I don’t love the beach.  I didn’t love it when I was young, and I certainly don’t love it with kids…and sand…in every crevice…of everything.  Guess where I’m going today…sigh.

9. I just caught my first firefly last night with my son, Keegan.  Those things are cool!

10. I hate spinach.  Yup, I do.  You don’t see much of it in my recipes do ya?  My dad hates it, so we never had it in the house growing up.  I’m trying to train myself to eat it.  It’s slow going at best.  But you need to teach the kids by example right?  I’m working on it.

Ok so now i have to pick 10 beautiful bloggers that I must pass this along to.  Well I’m picking 10 foodie bloggers, because what is more beautiful than food, right???

Betty Crapper – great recipes, great name

Butter + Cream – the only thing better than butter and cream is Mary and Allison

Lazaro Cooks – his dishes are unique and stunningly beautiful

I Just Love My Apron – nothing is ever ordinary on this amazing food blog

Jenns Food Journey – love her feel good, real people cooking

Anecdotes and Apple Cores – great stories, great food

Kitchen Belleicious – who doesn’t love a southern belle?

Deep South Dish – because food seems to look and taste better south of the mason dixon

and my two closest foodie bloggie friends who could be my long lost sisters…

Mommie Cooks

and

Annie Bakes

I’ve already given them awards, but really, I just love them.

Ok, moving ever onward…

Next up I was lucky enough to receive the super sweet Sunshine Award from beautiful Candice at Stash Mama

Of course, awards come with rules…

1. Put the award on your blog and/or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award

My 12 nominees: in no particular order who brighten my day on a regular basis are…

The hysterical Cheryl at Mommy Pants, every girl needs a pair.

The very smart Tammy at Tammys Two Cents, she’s kind of a hero of mine.

The witty Rachel at Mommy Needs a Vacation, because who doesn’t?

The adorable Krysten at After I Do because she reminds me of when I was young and cool.

The amazing Katie at Sassy Silly Spunky Momma, you can’t not fall in love with her little man, Drake.

The talented Blonde Duck at A Duck in her Pond, she’s going to be a famous writer one day.

The funny as hell Lori at Lex Loci Lori, she makes me laugh every day.

Her royal highness the Empress at Good Day Regular People.  She’s just a hoot, you gotta check her out and besides she’s royalty.

The super cool Kristy at Pampers and pinot as many of you know, sometimes you just have to combine the two.

The super creative Lacie at Creative Attempts who can make pretty much anything pretty.

The stunning Crystal at Wanna Be Balanced Mom who does an amazing job, well, balancing.

and last but not least

The high spirited Rachel the Kooky Queen at A Little Bit of Kooky because I like my gals with a bit of kook!

And alas we have come to the last of my awards.  The Versatile blogger award from Crystal at My 3 Princes and a Princess and the super cool Nick at A Daddys Take, daddy blogger, so cool, and Beverly at Green Gracie Home.  Goodness gracious, I never knew I was so versatile!

Thanks Crystal, Nick, and Beverly!!!

And here we are again with the rules….

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.  check…

2. Share seven things about yourself. you got 10 up top, I don’t have 17…

3. Pass this award along to fifteen bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!

My 15 Fab New Find are as follows…

Singing With Birds – beautiful, colorful, informative

A Latte with Ott, A – enough pep to keep you going all day

The Urban Cowboy – because what’s cooler than a cowboy?

Life Without Pink – we both live with all dudes

Two Maids a Milking – the hubs thinks farm girls are hot

This That and the Other Thing – Blame Canada!

The Butler Way – Frank Sinatra did it my way, they do it The Butler Way

On the Banks of Squaw Creek – we’re scrappers

Making Memories with the McClellens – her boys are adorable

Are You There God, Its Me – she sucked me in with her Judy Blumesque blog name and I was hooked

Saucy B – she is awesome, but don’t call her a Jersey girl

More Than A Mouthful – the man is a chef at high school, he deserves much more than this award

Lil Mop Top – this girl has mad skills

Go 2 The Kitchen – her spirit inspires me

Deckside Thoughts – I want to be Cheryl when I grow up

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award. done and done…

Well I hope you all go check out all these fantastic blog reads.  They are great sites, great sources of information and great fun to read.  I can’t tell you how tickled I am that these lovely ladies thought of me, I really am touched to know that there is someone out there, actually reading what I write…crazy huh????

Related posts:

• I got my first blog award!
• Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
• 2 Time Winner!
• Annie Bakes up Summertime Memories
• Mommie Cooks is in the house!!!!

Whether he is cultivating the boys love of sports at ballgames

Building a snow man

Or just playing outside

He’s the best in the world.  Thanks for all you do, my love, Happy Happy Fathers Day!

Next up, another great dad in my life.  My dad.

Isn’t he cute?

He’s also a great grandpa!

So to the guy who taught me to ride a bike, and throw a ball, and gave me my first job in TV, even if I ended up on the cutting room floor, I wish you a Happy Fathers Day!  Love you and miss you.

Last but not least we have the big man, Papa Fitz, my father-in-law.

That’s him hanging on Cape Cod a few years ago with Brady, they all look alike!  Happy Father’s Day Papa Fitz, hope to see you soon.

And big shout out to my little brother Josh, father of my three adorable nieces and nephews and to Matt, my brother in law, father to two cute as a bug twins and another on the way!  Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dad’s out there!

Lots of yummy love,

Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner

Related posts:

• Mommie Cooks is in the house!!!!
• Second Child Syndrome
• Happy Birthday Brady Boy!

Hello there to my fellow blog hoppers!

If today is your first time here in The Fitzpatrick kitchen, welcome, welcome, pull up a stool…

What can I get you?

I’m Alex…

Otherwise known as Ma…

Yup, Ma, What’s for Dinner?

Nice to meet you,

I’m changing my name…

No not the blog name, not even my real name. It’s Ma I want to lose right now. Or any variation thereof…

You know…

Mom?

Mommy?

Mama?

Mooooooooooooooooooom?

Mamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamamama!!!!!!

It’s all I hear….

ALL

DAY

LONG.

Nonstop. Mama, can I have a drink? Mama, can I have a snack? Mama, can we go outside? Mama, can we go to the park? Mama, Brady hit me. Mama, Keegan kicked Cooper. Mama, Cooper ate dog poop. Ok, so that last one I may pay attention to…

If you’re a mom you know what I’m talking about.

I can’t get anything done around here.

If I’m making dinner it takes me an extra 45 minutes because I  have to stop 72 times to get a snack, fix the Wii, tie a shoe, change a diaper, wipe a nose, change a shirt, or wipe a butt.

If I’m doing the laundry it takes 2 hours to fold one hamper of clothes because I have to open a juice box, make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, find a Batman action figure, locate the DS in the couch, clean the crayon off the wall, and clean the pee off the other wall because little boys have terrible aim.

So I figure, if I change my name, maybe I can get a little work done?  Maybe I can sit and have a cup of coffee?  Maybe I can do my nails?

If I change my name someone else named Mama will wipe some butts.

But then someone else will get the snuggles…

and the kisses…

and the loving looks…

Someone else would get to tuck them in, and wipe away tears, and read bedtime stories.

Hmmm, on second thought, maybe I’ll just keep it.

It’s a pretty good name.

I kinda like it.

It’s grown on me.

It suits me.

Alright, I love it!

And seriously, who wouldn’t want to wipe these butts?

Have a great weekend!

Lots of yummy love,

Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner

No related posts.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

And Pretty Maids all in a row?

Uh, no…try this version on for size

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

How does your garden grow?

I live with my brat in a high rise flat

So how in the world would I know?

That’s more like it.  That second one is courtesy of Roald Dahl’s Rhyme Stew and though I would never refer to my kids as brats, oh no, not me, I can’t grow a thing!

I love flowers, I do.

I love gardens.

I love herbs.

I love all things outdoors this time of year.

I wish, I study, I pine, and I want my own garden.

I spend hours at the nursery sighing over all the things I’d like to do with my yard.  

Then…I leave…empty handed.

Why you may ask?

Because I love the flowers.

I do.

And that’s why I know they’re better off at the nursery.

In someone else’s garden.

Someone who won’t kill them.

This season, I have allowed myself a few small, tiny, uh, let’s call them side dishes…

I bought some herbs and some fruits…

I know I know, it’s not right…to the plants I mean, but they’re pretty low maintenance and I’ve only almost killed them once.

Now I didn’t allow myself to actually plant them.

But they’re hanging in there on my deck.

Want to see?

You know I’m going to show you anyway…

Take a gander at these bad boys!

It’s my portable herb garden.

It came prearranged and it’s still alive!

It’s got basil, mint, thyme, oregano, rosemary and parsley!

Isn’t it cute?

And it’s saved me a bundle in not having to buy all those herbs at the market.

And it’s still alive!

Oh wait, I said that already.

Can you tell this is new for me?

My other little guy is this one…

Isn’t he adorable?

He’s an alpine strawberry plant.

He’s just starting to flower and I can see the itty bitty tiny little buds forming.

I’m so excited I could burst.

Ok, truth be told, I almost killed this guy twice but he’s pretty resilient and seems to be still kicking.

Love him!

Just thought I’d share a bit of my garden, or lack thereof, with you.  It’s sort of a confession for me.  Now you know where I get all my fresh herbs and my mom knows what a bitter disappointment I am in the garden.  She certainly did not pass on her green thumb…sorry ma, must not be hereditary.

What are you growing this year?

Welcome to my first Wednesday Welcome. If you’re new here, please pull of a chair to the Fitzpatrick’s Family Table. What can I get ya?

Related posts:

• Sauteed Spaghetti Squash with herbs
• Rainy Day Rib Eye

Before we get to the good stuff, I’d first like to thank all of you.  My amazing readers, the wonderful community of fellow bloggers, and Moms and Dads and hungry people everywhere.  Thanks for spending time with us, for commenting on what we do, for taking an interest in us, and for just hanging out with us.  We enjoy you all so much and you’re the reason we do this everyday!

Ok, on with the show.  Last week was crazy.  Getting prepared to shoot a cooking show pilot took so much time energy I had no idea what we were up against.  But we managed to pull it off and in just a few short weeks, we’ll be able to see rough cut version of all our hard work.  We had such a great time.  Check out this amazing kitchen we got to shoot in!

That first shot is of all the people who helped us while we were shooting.  From the right we’ve got Mrs. Diane Barry.  She was our boots on the ground in Massachusetts.  She lined up everything from babysitters to hair and makeup.  She’s holding Cooper, who isn’t in wardrobe yet – notice how his shorts and shirt don’t match?  Next to Mrs. B is Fenton, our director.  He did an amazing job.  He’s next to Christian Fauria, 2-time Superbowl Champion with the N.E. Patriots, he was our first Celebrity Guest Chef.  Those 4 beautiful children there in the shot who don’t belong to me, yeah, those are his stunning children.  And they are awesome kids to boot!  The handsome one next to Christian is my hubs, Joe, then me with Brady and Keegan, then our awesome executive producer, Joel.  Next up is Joe who is doing all the camera work and editing.  These guys were great and made me feel so comfortable while being a total rookie in front of the camera.  I’m so used to being on the other side of it!

Just wanted to give you guys a little sneak peak.  It was an amazing experience and we can’t wait to get back to work.  Funny, I never thought I was so short until I looked at myself in these pics!  These guys are tall!!!  More to come, hopefully, on MWFD the TV show!

Related posts:

• 100 Posts!
• Mommie Cooks is in the house!!!!
• Winner Winner Chicken Dinner