Upon Request

My dear friend Abby has requested two things:

Write a blog post.

And share some recipes.

So here I am.

These recipes are easy and seriously delicious.

Ina Garten's Potato Basil Frittata: I love all things basil in the summer. Especially since I get to go outside and pick my own; I feel just like Ina. Then spinkle a little--ok, a lot--of gruyere. And, voila, you have a winner. So yummy.

And Sugar Donut Muffins. How could they not be good? And, even if they only ate the sparkly part, the kids loved them too.

Best of all was spending time with my sweet friends and their little ones. Life is flying by but isn't it wonderful when you can take a moment to be and laugh with people you love? And eat yummy food, of course.

loc.al.ert / Train Restaurant

Two Toots Train Whistle Grill

As you may have already figured, this is a good one if you have kids (between 1 and 10) and live in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn Area.  I mean really good. The first time we went here was the first (and only) time we have seen Levi (2) cry for joy. Literally (He LOVES all things train).  We were sitting on the stools that are strategically placed in front of a train that circles a track to bring your food as its freight.  As he was watching the small train carry baskets of fries and burgers to the customers, a real train stopped on the tracks just outside the restaurant window--too good to be true and the excitement levels were rising. Suddenly, Levi realized that Thomas the Tank Engine was playing on TV in the restaurant, and well, it was too much. He started to screech and shake a little, and tears welled up in his eyes. Dan and I were rolling and could not hold our excitement in either :)

The food is just right for kids too; burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc.  Not the healthiest menu options but at least they are trying: 100% grass fed, 100% prairie raised beef even for their hot dogs.

Try it!

cute crib bedding

can be hard to come by. I love the simplicity of patterns at Auggie:

Kid Art

I am a huge fan of incorporating "real art" into kids rooms. Its never to early to appreciate color and creativity and design with your little one. Levi's first birthday is coming and I was thinking of getting these original prints for his bedroom (available at the Etsy shop, berkleyillustration):







Poster Caberet is such a fun place to look for art, poster style. My sister Rachel pointed me toward artist Holly Chastain. I love these prints:





Also from Poster Caberet:





And, as sweet and simple is this print? A nice Valentines day gift. Inspired to try this at home: