Don’t you love those days or evenings when you get to have a meal with your child; just the two of you? When my husband has to travel, I enjoy having the “girls night” with my 6-year-old “baby.” We’ve run the gamut from pizza night to the time that she selected both our outfits, did her own hair and we went to Sato for Japanese. Most recently, we stayed in and had a good ol’ fashioned spaghetti supper.
Whenever I serve pasta, it just seems natural to accompany it with bread and a salad. Without either of them, I feel like I’m serving some half-baked grad student type of meal. Plus, I love bread and I love salad.
One perfectly perfect salad for an Italian inspired meal is what my sister and I refer to as “the Mullaney salad.” Sometimes, blue cheese hits the spot. But this time, something herbal was in order. So, I mixed up this dressing and I’m still thinking about it:
Creamy Italian Dressing
Ingredients:
1 ½ Tbs red wine vinegar
1 ½ Tbs grated Parmesan
½ shallot, minced (remember: this is NOT a scallion or green onion)
½ tsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
¼ cup mayo
2 Tbs sour cream
¼ cup olive oil
salt & pepper (of course!)
Directions:
Whisk vinegar, cheese, shallot, garlic, oregano & basil together. Microwave about 30 seconds to melt cheese and until fragrant.
Mix mayo, sour cream and vinegar mixture in your blender. Slowly add olive oil in a steady stream. Season with salt & pepper. Place in fridge for awhile to marry the flavors.
** This makes about ¾ cup of dressing
See how easy that was? All these ingredients are probably in your kitchen right this second. Making your own salad dressing is simple and so worth the 5 minutes that it takes. It’s fresh, it’s bright, it tastes better and it’s not packed with stuff you can’t pronounce…unless you’re a professional chemist who specializes in food additives and you like that junk.
They say a man’s best friend is his dog, but I would venture to say that a dog can be a girl’s best friend too. We have a 10-year old black Labrador Retriever named Dafny. She is more than a pet, she is an important part of our family and we couldn’t imagine life without her. Like a mom bragging about her child, I want everyone to know how truly special Dafny is and I think after reading my post, you will think she is too 🙂
Where to begin? She is by far the cutest dog in the world! Of course, I am biased because she is our dog, but she really is one of the sweetest, loving animals I have ever known. What you see in the pictures is what you get with her and is just a small insight to what it is like to have here with us every day. She, like her other furry friends, loves to go for walks (good for us too!) and meal time is her favorite part of the day as she runs in circles with excitement! In a nutshell, she just wants to be loved and to love you back. She is always there to greet you with a toy when you come home. After a long day, all your troubles seem to fade away as you look down to see Dafny jumping up and down, almost smiling that you have arrived home.
Dafny sits in the snow, patiently waiting for her favorite thing - a cookie!
Dafny secured a special place in my heart during my breast cancer battle. It was as if she knew I was sick and that she was going to sign up to be one of my caretakers. She kept me company during the day as everyone was off at school/work, lying beside me for hours as I rested. If I was in the bathroom sick from the treatments, I would open the door to find her sitting there, waiting for me to come out to see if I were ok. She would check on me periodically as I lay in bed or on the couch, coming up to sniff me, lick my hand or face, then laying down as if wanting to be right there in case I needed something. There were many days that I would hold her, crying as I didn’t know if the treatments were going to cure me. She became my confident with whom I could tell her anything and knew that she would keep it to herself. I think what helped is that no one else knew dog language, plus I bribed her with cookies which does the trick every time! 🙂
During that time, I learned just how special she is and how much I valued her companionship. She was my guardian angel and she made me smile even during my toughest days. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have made it through my cancer battle if she wasn’t in my life as she seemed to nudge me forward in her special way. She is more than a dog to us. She is an important part of our family and we are so truly blessed that we adopted her so many years ago.
Do you have a pet that you couldn’t imagine life without them? Have they helped you through a difficult time? Post your story here for the Every Woman Blog family to honor them and appreciate the good deeds they have done 🙂
Inspired by Julie Smith Turner’s “Thank You Project,” I started my own “Thank You Thursday” project for Lent.
Every Thursday, I wrote a thank you letter to someone who made a difference in my life or the life of the community and posted it on my blog. I also spread the thanks by tweeting a link and posting it to Facebook. Following are links to the thank you letters I wrote during Lent:
Easter has now come and gone, but I’ve decided to continue my “Thank You Thursday.” In this hectic world, the project has caused me to slow down and be thankful for the little things, which in so many cases, make such a big difference. Instead of focusing on the negatives, it’s trained me to look for the positives, and when you start looking, you find a gracious plenty.
I encourage you to start your own “Thank You Project.” It doesn’t have to be as formal as the ones that Julie and I are doing, just an occasional thank you to someone who probably doesn’t get many. It will be a nice treat for the person who receives it, and you’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy it, too.
Let me first say I love my husband. We really have some funny moments (see the post about us debating who makes better Peanut Butter & Jelly). Well, this post is no exception. I have written about it before on my personal blog and decided to share the story with Every Woman readers. Usually at night while in bed my husband and I have pillow talk, discussing about our day. It never fails what happens next. I am listening intently, and then I start to feel trapped, stuck, wrapped like a burrito. I can’t breathe! I feel the walls caving in. Ok, maybe not, but it is extremely tight. I then interrupt my husband and ask him the question I have been repeating for 7 years now… “Are you under the fitted sheet?” My husband usually grins and chuckles as he replies, “No.”
I am the kind of gal who makes up the bed with the fitted sheet, flat sheet, shams, pillows and comforter. I will admit to get the bed you have to fight your way through all the décor. I grew up in a house where a bed was never complete without a flat sheet and all of the above trimmings. My husband thinks a flat sheet is pointless! Matter of fact, his response after I busted him was and I quote: “Flat sheets are for women, you always got to have extra!” Say what Dude? What’s extra? Just peel back and jump in the bed. That sounds pretty simple to me don’t you think?
I think it is funny that my husband would rather sleep on top of the flat sheet than under. When I first blogged about this rather “uncozy” matter last year I was surprised by how many men and women nix the flat sheet altogether. One reader wrote: “I have to vote with your husband here Ro; I hate a flat sheet as well. We are fitted sheet with a comforter people here. When I do stay away from home the only thing that makes me crazier than a flat sheet is when they tuck it in at the foot of the bed!”
So what else do you do with the flat sheet, it’s a standard when you purchase bed linens? Do you use it as curtains, a table cloth or tuck it under and pretend it’s a fitted sheet? How do you ignore a flat sheet? It seems so unfair to break up the happy couple (fitted sheet + flat sheet = love). Ok, maybe I am taking this too far, so as usual what do you think?
Meanwhile, I will try to make up our bed without the flat sheet, at least once and find him a support group of other men who loathe the beloved flat sheet.
P.S. Enjoy the short video on how to “correctly” make up a bed. And I would love to hear from you about what’s got your spouse tossing and turning at night.
…For so He giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 KJV
At the end of last year, 2011, I had the honor of doing an ‘acting for dance’ workshop with CCPAC – Central Carolina Performing Arts Center’s award winning dance company, Central Carolina Dance Force. When I was working with these dancers, head choreographer Hiliarie Covington asked if I wouldn’t mind watching one of their pieces.
I had the great honor of watching a raw version of a piece called “Run for Life,” a song by Melissa Etheridge. I was incredibly touched by the piece and was not the only one in the room choked up and wiping away tears after I’d watched the dancers. These young women all danced with utter passion, because they each have had an experience with cancer in some way. Nowadays, most unfortunately, we’ve all been touched by cancer in some form or fashion, whether we’ve lost a loved one to the cancer beast, have helped aid someone in their battle against cancer, or have battled it ourselves.
This song was always touching to me before I’d seen this dance piece. I have always been a fan of Melissa Etheridge and even had the honor of interviewing her twice when I was working in Los Angeles. I interviewed her before her own diagnosis with cancer and had the privilege of interviewing her after her battle when she was in remission. Both times she was positively beautiful, humble, attentive, passionate and kind.
Long story short, the dance piece inspired me so much that I knew right then and there that I wanted to make it into something bigger – I knew that it could touch people’s lives. I immediately had a vision of a music video production for this piece. It took months to make it happen, but despite scheduling difficulties, production details and such, it just all beautifully fell into place. Was obviously meant to happen!
And now I have the honor of sharing it with you! To see this vision of mine come to life is a little dream come true and I truly hope that it can be used in many positive ways – to touch people’s lives and to help raise money for Relay for Life.
The video starts out with special interviews that explain the passion behind the project. Please watch until the very end and take note of the credits and note everyone involved. A big thank you goes out to my amazing sister, Chelsea Vaughan Parler, who shot and edited the video, to Hiliarie Covington, all the dancers and their families. I adore you all! I consider it an absolute honor to have produced this piece and be a part of something so special that will hopefully touch people’s lives and fill their spirits with strength! Please do share!
Filming "Run for Life"
Chelsea and I Getting Footage
Chelsea Gets Close Ups - These Dancers Performed the Piece Over 20 Times in a Row!
Choreographer Hiliarie Covington Watching Filming with her Precious Daughter
May you Run for Life – and carry laughter, love, faith and hope in your heart.
Here’s to the Survivor in us all!
“Run for Life” by Melissa Etheridge
It’s been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Everyday that she gets herself dressed
Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast
If you ask her why she is still running
She’ll tell you it makes her complete
[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me, my friend
I run for life
It’s a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin and they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul
And now I’m still learning the lesson
To awake when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I’ll tell you I run for us all
[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life
And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister, your daughter, your wife
For you and me my friend
I run for life
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life
I’m a first year teacher. I knew the job would be hard. But I didn’t know it would be damn hard. I teach 6 sections of remedial biology each day. Exhausting doesn’t describe it, but it comes close. Exhilarating doesn’t describe it either – but there is a similar emotion felt when a kid that reads on a 3rd grade level, hates high school, and doesn’t believe in college suddenly understands why DNA is important to life.
My wise husband knew how difficult this first year would be for me, even though I didn’t. To show his appreciation, support, love and understanding he planned a surprise vacation for me.
I only knew that the destination was 6 hours away, we couldn’t take our pets (tear), and to take both casual and fancy clothes.
We arrived at the Outer Banks of North Carolina with a very specific purpose: to learn about and enjoy the herds of wild horses descended from shipwrecked Spanish mustangs in the 1500s. As new horse owners who practice natural horsemanship, this was a fantastic experience for us. We stayed in a bed and breakfast housed in a home built in the 1700s. Our innkeeper was a fantastic cook – she and her husband were both trained at the Culinary Institutes of America. On our first day there, she asked if there were any foods we preferred not to have for our breakfasts.
We said there were none. Sure, my husband doesn’t prefer fish or mushrooms, but we didn’t think they’d show up at breakfast.
The first day we had orange walnut waffles with eggs scrambled with tarragon and cream. The second day we had luscious raspberry French toast. The third day we had omelets with spinach and…portabella mushrooms.
It was quite a funny scene: my husband shuffling mushroom pieces onto my plate as our innkeeper hustled in and out of the dining room bringing biscuits, coffee, and juice. I think we were able to keep my husband’s secret hate of mushrooms a secret. He did confess, however, that he liked the taste the portabellas imparted on his breakfast.
Thanks to that remark he saw himself faced with a turkey burger filled with dried mushrooms. He won’t know that the flavor is from until he reads this blog post. I had seen these mushroom encrusted burgers on Pink Parsley a few weeks ago, but dismissed them due to the mushroom content. Who knew he could love the flavor and despise the texture of the same vegetable!?
We really, really enjoyed this burger. They were moist and richly flavored. I cooked them in a skillet, but surely they’re worthy of firing up your grill.
Mushroom-Crusted Turkey Burgers (adapted from Pink Parsley)
Ingredients
1 oz dried mushrooms, divided
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 lb ground turkey
1 scallion, minced
2 Tbs minced fresh parsley
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
cooking spray
4 burger buns, split
Instructions
In the bowl of a food processor, grind the dried mushrooms until they are a coarse powder. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the powder, and transfer the remaining mushroom powder to a bowl. Add salt and pepper.
Combine the turkey, reserved mushroom powder, scallion, parsley, mustard, and worcestershire sauce with the mushroom powder.
Form into 4 equal-sized patties.
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat, and spray with cooking spray.
Working one burger at a time, coat the outside with the mushroom powder, pressing lightly to adhere.
Cook the burgers 4-5 minutes per side, or until the meat is cooked through. Add the cheese for the last minute or two, and continue cooking until it has melted.
It’s funny how “we” (people) are so easily influenced by others’ perceptions and buy into preconceived notions. It’s pretty easy to figure out; someone you know and trust tells you something, you tend to believe it. There’s probably no area of our lives that is more permeated by this phenomenon than the world of food. I’m getting ready to tell you what I think you should do, but I insist that you act on what YOU think.
Kids are practically instructed not to like vegetables. You see it in the oh-so-clever and witty marketing on commercials, even sit-coms discuss how much kids should and consequently do hate vegetables. Then, the adults often follow suit by simply not even bothering to serve the children vegetables, because they aren’t going to like them anyway, so why even try, right?
This brings me to my thoughts today of champagne and caviar. I’d be willing to bet that if Jay Leno and I went out on the street together and quizzed people (you know, those really bright ones that he finds roaming the streets of L.A.), that we’d find over 70% of them believe that champagne is super expensive and only rich people ever get to drink it or even have the palate for it. This same group would also acknowledge that they’ve never tried caviar for all the same reasons as champagne, but then they’d go further to wrinkle up their faces, stick out their tongues and vehemently assert that they wouldn’t even try it anyway, because it’s (GASP!) fish eggs! They’d demonstrate loathing and disgust with as much drama as a vegetable-hatin’ 5 year old!
When I was 12, I was in the Columbia City Ballet. I was a soldier. It was a small part, but it was a part and I got to have specially ordered white pointe shoes. And, I got to fight the Rat King, who would later be named the President of my alma mater. One night the company had a “gala” fundraising party and I was invited, as a member of the “company.” My dad was my date. I got to wear a silk dress, fancy hairdo and high heels. It was very grown up, very sophisticated and very glam. And, they had caviar…
It was the classic presentation: black caviar arranged on top of cream cheese, accompanied by chopped hard boiled egg, capers, chopped red onion (there was a smoked salmon there too). It was absolutely beautiful. When I realized what it was, I wanted to try it so bad, but you know, surely I wasn’t worthy because caviar is so expensive and only rich people like it and I was just a kid. But my perfect date encouraged me to give it a try. I’ve been hooked ever since. When I later learned that you can buy caviar at the grocery store, I couldn’t believe that everyone hadn’t tried this stuff. Granted, it’s not Beluga, but it’s what we have readily available and it’s affordable. Really affordable.
Next, champagne. Same deal, really. Growing up, we were allowed to have an occasional sip at a special occasion, but once we were old enough, we had it whenever there was a holiday, a birthday, etc. Once again, mom and dad enlightened us to the fact that champage is readily available and affordable. Just like anything, there are different varieties, vintages and price points. But, it doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions. It just doesn’t. In fact, about 10 years ago, I got a phone call on a regular day, maybe a Tuesday. My mom called to announce that she and my dad had decided that they had reached a point in their lives that they could and would, from now on, drink champagne whenever they wanted. They needed no reason, no special occasion, and that’s the end of that.
I love that my parents opened up this way of thinking to me and my sister. I have spread our wacky ways to my husband and most of my friends. Life is short. Give your kids artichokes and asparagus. Buy some champagne or cava (Paul Cheneau is a nice reasonable one). Stop at the grocery store and get some cream cheese and caviar and contemplate any other crazy foods that you’ve been told you aren’t supposed to like. Then buy those too!
Many of you know that I battled breast cancer and have been working hard to keep myself in remission. I have talked a lot about life after cancer, but I thought it would be a good idea to take you back to the beginning. Where it all began so that if you or someone you know find yourself in a similar situation that you will know that you are not alone.
I will never forget the day that changed my life forever. It’s on a day like this that every little detail is etched into your memory forever. I had so much planned for the coming months as I was coaching volleyball, working out, summer vacation, family picnics at the lake, and new project opportunities at work. On Saturday, February 27th in 2010, life as I knew it, would change forever.
I had just finished working out and was taking a shower to rinse off the hard-earned sweat. I had been feeling a little more fatigued than usual, but chalked it up to lack of exercise and a not-so-great meal plan. With a new found attitude (or better known as a diet) and making time to actually go to the gym rather than making a monthly donation, I thought the fatigue I was feeling would get better. But in that shower, everything changed.
I found something in my left breast that startled me. It felt like a hard, marble under my skin. What was it!?!?? Did I swallow something and now it resided there? At the time, I was on the hormone patch due to a hysterectomy procedure three years previously so maybe there was an abundance of hormones in this one area, like they were grouping together to riot against my body!! I just didn’t know, so like I did so many times, I brushed it off and went about my business the remainder of the day. But, this “thing” was there and no matter how hard I tried to forget it, it was like it had a voice and was saying “over here!” I kept checking throughout the day and finding new ways to justify its existence. I finally convinced myself that my body was changing and went to bed.
It was now Sunday morning and this “thing” was still there. I was not happy that this new tenant didn’t ask me first before moving in. I felt like I was making a mountain out of a mole hill and needed to know if I was losing my mind. It was time to call in the expert – my husband. I asked if he could provide a second opinion. As any loving husband would gladly do, he thought I was approaching him for other reasons and was all smiles at first. Then, the smiles faded to a confused look and then he told me what I didn’t want to hear – I needed to get this “thing” checked out. Definitely not what I wanted to hear, but I knew he was right and I would make a plan to call my gynecologist.
In short, I made an appointment with my gynecologist Tuesday, diagnostic mammogram Thursday, biopsy that same day and then diagnosed with Stage 2 triple positive hormone-based breast cancer at 11:15 am that Friday. Two weeks later, I started aggressive chemotherapy every two weeks for 16 weeks, surgery and then 36 radiation treatments. I was told after being diagnosed that my cancer was aggressive and that it only took 4-6 months to grow to 2.9 cm. I couldn’t believe that I almost brushed off getting looked at because I had other things I wanted to take care of first. If I had waited, I might not have had a choice and by getting checked out when I did, I gave myself a fighting chance.
“It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run, impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle.”
What I hope you take away from this is that if you notice something changing or that you don’t feel like yourself, make an appointment with your regular physician. I make it a point to see my regular doctor once a year for a check-up and we talk about any concerns that I have. I see the group of physicians that treated my cancer every 2-3 months and I ask them questions that I have. Your health is worth it and I firmly believe that it is better to ask questions so that we can become better educated on what is good/bad for us and how we can extend our health. The medical profession is there to help us reach our healthiest version of ourselves and all we need to do is make an appointment to see them.
Have you or anyone you know been recently diagnosed with breast cancer? Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions. We can conquer anything when we band together 😉 Looking forward to hearing from the Every Woman Blog family!
This week, I updated the Recipes section on my blog, Lean Green MP. Along with a new, cleaner format, I also did some editing; gone are the recipes I made once and never made again. What’s left is the best of the best, and today, I share with you the very best, Glazed Tofu.
Years ago, there was a great Chinese restaurant on Decker Boulevard called, The Orient. It was one of a kind. Recipes were named after local celebrities who frequented it, and whenever I went, I always saw someone I knew. I’m not a huge fan of Chinese food, but there was one dish there I loved, Cheese Tofu. Never had anything else like it. The Orient closed and took with it that wonderful Cheese Tofu, leaving me with only a memory.
Late last year, I found a recipe for Glazed Tofu in Nutrition Action Newsletter, a great source for nutrition and health information. It looked like a good quick and easy recipe — and that it is — but when I took my first bite, I squealed for joy; it tasted so much like Cheese Tofu. I made a few tweaks here and there, and while it’s not a perfect reproduction, it’s pretty darn close.
And did I mention how quick and easy it is? On Sundays, I quadruple the sauce recipe and freeze individual servings; the day I want to make it, I pull one out and let it thaw while I’m at work. When I get home, I saute a container of pre-cut tofu, add the sauce and then Minute Ready to Serve brown rice. In literally no time, you have a fab meal for two.
You may think you don’t like tofu, but I encourage you to pull out your “adventure fork” and give this recipe a chance. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Once you try it, let me know what you think.
Before you try it, one caveat: Cheese Tofu doesn’t taste cheesy, and if you expect that, you’ll be disappointed. The name Cheese Tofu was not descriptive of the taste, but the appearance. The owner once explained that the way she cut the tofu reminded her of fried cheese.
Until tonight! The Glazed Tofu isn’t exactly the same thing, but darn close.
I found this recipe in Nutrition Action Newsletter, which I discovered through Mom. I love the newsletter, and I’m thinking about giving a subscription or two for Christmas!
Today, I was called the wrong name. It happens often. When you have a name that is not “common” people have a tendency to well make up one for you. My name is Roshanda, which I pronounce as Ro-shon-da. It probably should be pronounced Ro-shan-da however, I do not like that pronunciation, and I never have, it sounds pretentious to me. My mother and father were expecting a boy; Lo and behold they got another girl! As the name story goes, my mother says she was reading “Jet” Magazine a weekly magazine targeted toward African American readers, founded in 1951 according to Wikipedia. My mom says she saw some person in the magazine with the name “Roshanda,” she thought it was different and decided to go with that one. Hence, I was named Roshanda. Now, for anyone who has ever read “Jet” each issue includes the beauty of the week. When I tell the story on how my name came to be, I say, I was named after the beauty of the week.
Hey there gorgeous!
Growing up I never liked my name much. Seriously, what is a “Roshanda?” I was the only one in my class surrounded by an abundance of “Jennifer’s.” By the way, Jennifer was a popular name in the 70’s. Matter of fact, my five imaginary friends were all named, you guessed it, Jennifer. My uncommon name hang-ups weren’t just at school, but when I got home too. My older sister is named Lisa. Yes, you heard correctly, Lisa. My sister, like most, would torment me with the story about being adopted since my name was not as common as hers. (Evil sister!)
Senior Year at AC Flora High School
Seriously, what’s a name anyway? In a day when people name their children after fruit, a color in the crayon box, or even just make it up what’s the big deal? Well, a lot. When I decided to have my own children a lot of thought went into the name. I thought about it all. I said the name, I screamed the name, and I imagined what it would look like on a graduation program and how the initials would look on a monogrammed tote. I may have been a little obsessive, but I know what it is like to have an unusual name. My husband and I really wanted names that connected with our faith in Christ. So when it came to our daughters name we prayed and hence the name: Jael Kaelyn. Jael is a Hebrew named pronounced (Yah-el). I like the Hebrew pronunciation, but knew people would not get that right. So we call her (Jah-el). Her whole name means: strength of God delivered. And I can testify He certainly has! All of our children have significance in their name. The reason is simply in the Bible people named their children based upon where they were going or where they left. There is power in a name. I believe what we name our children has a great significance on who they will later become.
So what is a “Roshanda?” According to my years of research (online) it is a Sanskrit or Hindi name which means “shining light.” I hope I live up to my name “shining a light” for Christ to those around me. Now, as a thirty-something woman, I have no problem with my name, now I actually like it. I even discovered there is a world of us, Roshanda’s out there. We even have a Facebook group. So when I am called “Rhonda” (insider. Lol.) or people are not sure to say my name as Ro-shan-da or Ro-shon-da, it doesn’t really matter, because I am doing exactly what my name means…shining a light.
How about you? Do you like your name? If you could change it, what would you change it to and why?
Don’t you love those days or evenings when you get to have a meal with your child; just the two of you? When my husband has to travel, I enjoy having the “girls night” with my 6-year-old “baby.” We’ve run the gamut from pizza night to the time that she selected both our outfits, did her own hair and we went to Sato for Japanese. Most recently, we stayed in and had a good ol’ fashioned spaghetti supper.
One perfectly perfect salad for an Italian inspired meal is what my sister and I refer to as “the Mullaney salad.” Sometimes, blue cheese hits the spot. But this time, something herbal was in order. So, I mixed up this dressing and I’m still thinking about it:
Every Woman Blog 