Saturday, May 26, 2012

Going on "Summer Vacation"

FYI, I will be going on "Summer Vacation" a bit early this year, as I am working on a very "Special Delivery!" I'm doing great, and can't wait to share our big news! :) Best wishes, mel


Friday, May 25, 2012

Tips for Traveling with Young Children!

Summer is here...and it's time to start thinking about your next Summer Vacation! If you have children, then you are no doubt looking for some family-friendly places that will not only be fun for you, but ideal for entertaining the kiddies! Before you go away, I wanted to offer some helpful and useful tips that have helped me so much. Planning and preparation is key, so that you can enjoy as close to a "hassle-free" vacation as you can for you and your little ones. Here are my Top Tips for Traveling with Young Children!






HAVE CAR WILL TRAVEL:
  • Drive to your favorite destination. So many great vacation destinations are within 1-2 hours away from you home, while others are 3-5 hours, such as Vermont, New York and Montreal, Canada. I have friends who make the 8 hour drive to Washington, DC each year, or some crazier (haha!) friends who plan cross-country family vacations to Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon in a big RV or Winnebago.  
  • Driving is not only budget-concious, but convenient. You have the freedom to come and go as you please and you can pack your car to the rim with all of your luggage, baby gear, food and supplies. It's a great feeling to have all of your belongings at your finger tips. (Just be sure to lock all of your luggage and valuables in the trunk when parking, as to not attract thieves.)
  • Day Trips are great fun! And, they are a quick and inexpensive way to get out of town for the day.
FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES:
  • Fly Non-Stop to your destination. Fly direct whenever possible...it will save your sanity! 
  • Try to book seats close to the bathroom to avoid long trips to the bathroom. 
  • Pack your carry-on bags with some of your child's favorite toys, a mini DVD player, snacks, bottles of milk or formula, extra diapers, baby pain reliever, and anything else you can think of to keep your little guy/gal entertained!
  • Get through security faster. Most TSA agents will let families with young children move to the front of the security line...talk about VIP Service! 
  • Once you are at the gate, families often can board ahead of the other passengers as well. So, be sure to take advantage of these great perks while you can! 
  • Also, they typically don't charge you to check your car seat and/or strollers at the gate, which is a good plus.
RENT-A-CAR:
  • Book a Rental Car when traveling to another city. That way you will be in control of where and when you go, and you can secure your child safely in the car. With young children, it would be very tricky or even unsafe to travel in a taxi cab, as you can't properly secure your car seat.
  • Reserve car seats and/or booster seats for your rental car. That way, you don't have to lug your heavy car or booster seats with you. (If you have an infant, then you will most likely carry her in the carseat...so remember to pack the base as well.)
  • Check AAAOrbitzHertzExpedia or your favorite travel site for the best rental car deals.

BOOK A HOTEL or RESORT:
  • Always Do Your Research to find a family-friendly hotel or resort. You don't want to travel all the way to your vacation, only to find out it's an "adults only" hotel (which many boutique hotels are these days), or there are no amenities for children. 
  • Reserve a crib or pack 'n' play for your baby, cots or rollaway beds for your young children, at the time of your booking. And, always follow up with a phone call a few days before you arrive, to be sure it will be in your room when you arrive. 
  • Find out if there are any Kids Eat Free or other specials for the children's meals.
  • See if there are Kids Clubs or babysitting services at your hotel or resort, if you are interested.
  • Check ExpediaOrbitzTripAdvisor or your favorite travel sites for the best recommendations for family-friendly hotels.
RENT A COTTAGE or CONDO:
  • I have always enjoyed renting a cottage or condo when on vacation. That way, you have privacy, more space and freedom on your vacation. And, it is usually quite a bit cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. We've rented cottages in Cape Cod, Florida, Maine and even an apartment in Amsterdam...just do your homework, rent from an owner that you trust, read reviews and read the contracts very carefully before signing and paying your deposit.
  • Cottages are wonderful, as you have all the amenities of home, you can cook your own meals, have a porch or yard, walk to the beach, or even your own hot tub or swimming pool. 
  • You will have multiple bedrooms, so you, the kids, grandparents or friends can all vacation together.
  • Save money by cooking at home, BBQing or having a lobster boil in your own backyard. Buying your own groceries, alcohol and other snacks to eat at your leisure is so convenient.
  • Visit VRBOHomeAway or any other popular vacation rental sites to book your vacation. Be sure the condo or cottage allows children and/or pets, if bringing along the family dog. 

Most of all, no matter where you go...near or far...just remember to enjoy this special time with your family on your vacation! Just spending time together is is the most important thing...time is precious, enjoy every moment...and have a wonderful time! Here are some of our most recent, and most successful vacations!

Bon Voyage!
Mel :)


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful mamas and mamas-to-be! Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness to you and your families on this special day! Today I am hosting brunch at our house, as I'm 2 weeks away from delivering Baby #2! We are so excited that our family is growing! Enjoy our Mother's Day Brunch Menu...and recipe for my Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans! 



Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans
Serves 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
10-12 slices of challah bread, one loaf (or any other bread of your choice)
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup corn syrup (or golden syrup)
4-5 medium, ripe bananas, sliced thin
1/2+ cup pecans, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Powered sugar
Maple syrup (We love our GrandDad Ken’s REAL Vermont Maple Syrup!)
Directions:
**NOTE: Prepare this dish the night before and refrigerate uncooked overnight for best results. Cook in the morning and serve immediately.**
Butter bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup and mix until smooth. 
In another large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half and vanilla to pour over each layer.
Next, you will create a layering effect of the ingredients much like a lasagna. So, spread some of the brown sugar mixture into an even layer in bottom of buttered baking dish. Add thinly sliced bananas and place over brown sugar mixture. Scatter chopped pecans over bananas. Add a layer of bread slices and sprinkle with cinnamon. Then, pour some of the egg mixture over that layer. Repeat until all bread and bananas are layered in your baking dish.
**Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.**
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly, run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen sides and carefully invert pan onto a large platter, dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with warm maple syrup. Enjoy!
Optional: Top with sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.

Mother's Day Brunch Menu



Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans
Fresh Fruit platter of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple
Smoked salmon platter with capers, onions, hard boiled eggs, cream cheese & bagels 
Ham and cheese quiche, Spinach and cheese quiche
Spinach salad with goat cheese, strawberries and walnuts with balsamic vinaigrette
Lemon meringue pie
Orange juice, Mimosas and Coffee
Enjoy!