playgroupsarenoplaceforchildren

One of my children’s favorite books is The Polar Express.  They’ve been begging to have it read to them nearly every night since the first Christmas commercial was broadcast back in October.  I also love this story, it’s beautiful illustrations and the reminder about the true magic and spirit of Christmas.

On the other hand, BAH HUMBUG.

I think I first began to lose the magic of the Christmas season the first December after Tate and I were married.  Instead of looking forward to all the merriment and celebration, it started to feel like nothing more than a to-do list.

1.  Attend the same Christmas party that had been cranked out every year before.
2.  Fret and stress over over every gift purchase.
3.  Travel long distances home for the holiday and bounce from one relative’s house to another, trying to keep everyone else happy.
4.  Unpack 1,000 ornaments out of their boxes to decorate the tree, only to have to repack them three weeks later.
5.  Hear the same sappy Christmas songs on loop, no matter your location.

And the list could go on and on.  So for the past several years, I’ve invited Scrooge and all his angst into my heart to endure the purgatory of December.

Will Jennifer allow Scrooge to dominate this holiday season?  Will she soften her anti-Christmas stance?  Will she post a video of her singing Christmas carols while hula hooping?

Find out!  Click on over to Blog Nosh Magazine to read the exciting conclusion and learn more about this Blog Carnival, sponsored by the Tide Loads of Hope program.

Let’s all take a moment and give thanks to our host, Neil, for reminding us to remember our first commenters as we prepare for the most thankful of all holidays, Thanksgiving.

Though I still find it incredibly thrilling to see that I have a new comment, nothing really compares to the very first comments you receive. In the early days it was so amazing that someone actually read something that you wrote (and it wasn’t your mom or your English professor.)

I’d first like to give thanks to Heather, Queen of Shake-Shake, before she was actually the Queen of Shake-Shake. She was just a friend of mine I met in a playgroup. She was the very first person to comment on my blog. It was a comment she left on this beautifully written masterpiece, Finagling.

However, no offense to Heather, but since she’s a friend of mine, I feel like I actually should give some credit to my very comment from a stranger. Let’s all bow our heads and give thanks to Mommiebear2, from Who Cries Over Spilled Milk who also left a comment on the same post.

The comment she left:

“Like said above, a double stroller is awesome! My daughter was about 1 1/2 when my son was born (premature at that – 25 weeks) but somehow I managed, and you will too. ”

True words, Mommiebear2, true words. Thanks for the smiley face, too.

I remember sitting at my desk in our office, staring in amazement at my computer screen. I couldn’t fathom how she’d found my blog, but immediately felt like we’d be close friends forever. Unfortunately, we lost touch several years ago. I’m glad Neil had this idea, giving me the nudge to look her up.

So Mommiebear2 (and Heather), thanks for my very first comments!

I know that conventional wisdom would dictate that if I’m going to post a recipe on the Monday before Thanksgiving, that the recipe would be Thanksgiving-ish.  Well I’m going to buck conventional wisdom and pour some hoisin sauce down her gullet.

So this is a recipe for great beef stew.  To be perfectly honest, I don’t really like beef stew.   Actually I didn’t really like beef stew until I met Mahogany Beef Stew and we began a torrid love affair.  He’s so meaty and hearty, there’s plenty of him to share.

This would be a perfect thing to fix, say, today or tomorrow, then reheat and serve on Saturday when you’re really sick of turkey or have already run out.

Let’s put on our aprons.

(Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit) (Fancy!  I know!)

4 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces (or pre-cut stew meat)
1 medium-large onion, chopped
2 cups red wine (pinot noir, cabernet, zinfandel…whatever you like)
1 can reduced-sodium beef broth
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
1/2 cup hoisin sauce (can be found in the Asian aisle)
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots, peeled, cut diagonally into 1-inch lengths
1 package of baby portabella or white button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1 1/2 cups of peas (frozen or canned)
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper. Add meat to pot; sauté until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove meat from the pot and place on a plate to add back later. Allow the pot to cool or the onions will burn.  Once cooled, set the heat to medium-low; add 2 tablespoons oil to pot. Add onions; sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add carrots and mushrooms.  Cook for 7-8 minutes.  Mix meat into vegetables. Add 1 cup wine, beef broth, peas, tomatoes with juices, hoisin sauce, and bay leaves. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the remaining cup of wine. Cover; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover, increase heat to high; boil until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes longer. Reduce heat to medium, add cornstarch mixture and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Season stew with salt and pepper.  Serve sprinkled with parsley.

Head on over to Rachel’s place for more recipes!

I have this really strongly worded post in my drafts folder regarding my current feelings on blogging and all of my insecurities that seem like they are highlighted by blogging.  It continues to darken my drafts folder rather than my front page for several reasons, one of which being MY INSECURITIES.

I’m guessing that if you’re going to BlogHer in Chicago this summer, especially if it’s your first time, you’re probably nervous.

1.  What if nobody knows who I am?
2.  What if nobody talks to me?
3.  What am I going to wear?
4. What if I don’t get invited to any of the parties?

This will be my second time attending BlogHer and #1-3 all apply to ME, but I know, logically, that mostly my fears are just my little demon insecurities creeping in and attempting to sabotage me.   Fear number 4, though, you’re covered because you’re already invited to a party, a party that I’m helping to host.

The People’s Party 2009
open-invite pre-BlogHer party
Thursday, July 23, 2009
8:30-11pm
Sheraton Chicago X (“Ten”)

~~~

Hosted by:

The Bloggess
Green Mom Review/ IzzyMom
Motherbumper
Mrs. Fussypants
Playgroups Are No Place For Children
Velveteen Mind

A private performance by Chris Mann, Share the love on his Fan Page!

The People’s Party is aptly named because it is for EVERYONE.  I hope that when you read “everyone” you realize that “everyone” includes YOU.  And you.  And YoU.  And yOU.  It’s the perfect place to meet people, so that you’re not just sitting in your room, alone, watching p()rn in your PJ’s, scratching your butt, and eating an overpriced hamburger you ordered from room service.

What I need for you to do now, is go over to Megan’s place, and RSVP that you ARE coming to the Party, when you get back, we can chat about insecurities #1-3 (listed above.)  Hurry back!

Did you RSVP??

Okay!  {clap, clap}  Let’s talk about our feeeeeeelings.

1.  What if nobody knows who I am?

I’m SWEAR I’m not trying to scare you, but many of the people you’ll meet will have never heard of you, or your blog, or your Twitter name.  That’s okay, though.  I’d never heard of Amy in Ohio or Mommy Bits and they hadn’t heard of me until last BlogHer and now this year, I’m driving from Tennessee to Cincinnati and driving with them the rest of the way to Chicago.    It’s like, we all became friends or something.  Weird.  I know.

If someone hasn’t heard of you, it doesn’t mean you’re not worth knowing. Introduce yourself to people and don’t be offended when they have no idea who you are.

2.  What if nobody talks to me?

Okay, I swear AGAIN that I’m not trying to scare you, but you *might* have to talk to people first.  I know it’s scary and all your insecurities start bubbling up in your throat and choking you at the mere thought of walking up to someone, sticking out your hand, and saying, “Hi.  I’m Jennifer from Playgroups are no Place for Children.”  The thing is, though, if you’re standing alone in the corner, it’s not very likely that someone is going to just come up and talk to you out of the goodness of their heart.  That’s just not how it works.

Every year after BlogHer, there is a backlash against the “cliques.”  With THAT many women (especially women), who rarely get to see one another, there are bound to be groups that form.   Many of the so-called cliques are groups of women who’ve known each other for years, send one another Christmas and birthday cards, call one another on the phone.  In other words, they have a HISTORY together.  It’s natural for people to hang out with the people they already know, and usually they aren’t purposely leaving anyone out.

I promise you, though, that if you go up to people, introduce yourself, ask them questions about their blog and where they’re from, most people will AMAZINGLY talk to you.  If you’re with a group who decides to go to dinner, say, “hey, mind if I come, too?”  If they are not complete a-holes, they’ll say, “Of course you can!”

Something that I did last year with a group of people was to form a sort of support group and exchange cell numbers before leaving for the conference.  That way I ALWAYS had someone to call if I was suddenly feeling like I had nobody to eat lunch with or to go to the free swag suites.

Remember that if you don’t make an effort, you will SO regret it when you get home.  Take the chance, it will be worth it.

3.  What am I going to wear?

Go read this post by OHMommy.

During the conference, I’ll probably be wearing simple tanks, t-shirts, jeans, and possibly a casual, flowy skirt.  In the evenings, I’ll probably go fancier with a dress and some cute wedges.  Last year, I felt TOTALLY underdressed at all the cocktail parties.  I won’t be making the same mistake this year.

Anymore fears that I didn’t cover?  Any questions??  I hope that you have RSVP’d by now for the People’s Party!!   See you in Chicago.

This one’s for you, Angie, on your wedding anniversary.

Today, I’ll be thinking about you and your inspirational, devoted, beautiful marriage to Brian.

Comments closed.

This is my first time participating in Lotus’ Weekly Winners! Please be gentle.

Vans.

My baby girl.

Ella thinks the elbow pads are gloves.

The most adorable croquet set ever.  Thanks Target!

Probably staring at some smoker at the park.

I’d love to tell you all EVERYTHING right now instead of being a teasy, teaserton, but I can’t…

Sometimes you need a little help teasing from a friend, like Katie at Motherbumper.

This big announcement we’ll all be revealing, well, maybe it’s to tell you all some insider info on an upcoming wedding? Brad and the Octomom Angelina?! Jason the most-hated Bachelor in history and Molly?! No? Seems unlikely, but maybe this chick Megan from Velveteen Mind could tell you more.

I suppose it’s possible we could be announcing that Prince (or is it the artist formerly known as Prince still?  I forget) is going to be giving free massages at BlogHer.  That would be weird cool, right?  Alli, aka Mrs. Fussypants, might know the answer.

Maybe we’re going to announce that Disco BALLS are all the rage in home decor for 2009.  Ha!  I said BALLS.   Maybe The Caffeitnatrix herself knows if disco BALLS will become a fixture in all of our homes.

Maybe I have no idea what’s going on.  Surely Jenny the Wolverine yelling Bloggess could explain this better.

Thoroughly confused yet?

Yeah, me, too.

Just GO HERE next and follow the links to find out what we are trying to tell you….