Meet little Clara...

Saturday was filled with errands, but the highlight of the day was clearly our visit with the newest member of the family - Clara Brianne.  The girls were so excited to meet their new cousin, and Uncle Jay Jay was pretty darn psyched as well!

The girls ran in, washed their hands, and lined up on the couch!

 And yes, then Auntie Ra Ra jumped at the bit.  I'm sorry - I just couldn't contain myself!

 Emma is totally a natural.  She takes such good care of her baby dolls...she had it down.  Support the head, gentle cradle...the whole nine yards.

 Clara was calm as could be in her arms...

And she even smiled for Emma!

Then Uncle Jay Jay got his turn...she's so tiny in his arms!

Uh-oh.  Don't even think about it... we are man to man.  Zone defense is a whole other game!

But he's so adorable loving the little one...

 Maddy made Clara a fuse bead butterfly to hang in her window...and she opened her eyes to check it out!

It was a short but very sweet visit, but I think any visit with someone so precious is always too short!

We love you, Clara!

Blue Mango, baby.

I think I found the best veggie burgers. And I am forever grateful for their taste, texture, and ease of cooking...since this week I needed something quick to throw together to take to work for lunch. 

Yay, Blue Mango!  Made in Portland, and consumed frequently from now on wherever I am!

So, Tuesday morning, I whipped up 4 of these delights and ate them throughout the week. Tuesday, I had one with left over roasted veggies, and then the rest of the week I added goat cheese and avocado to the mix. This morning, the last was consumed chopped up with egg whites and...goat cheese. Mmmm...  

Let me share that they are a great texture, with just a hint of kick, and the flavor is delish! Not reminiscent of cardboard like some other veggie burgers. These actually had some moisture, heft, and were filled with pure enjoyment!

Then, in the same pan, I made breakfast.  Backwards, I know. But at least I make time to cook and eat this week.  That wasn't easy...

My stand by: egg whites, baby bellas and spinach. And, of course, goat cheese.

Skip ahead to Friday, because again - it was that kind of week. I had a cavity filled on Friday morning. May I remind you, I hate the "dentist." Not my dentist, because he is angelic, talented, charming, and most importantly, gentle and kind.  Especially when he has both of his hands inside my mouth and that little drilling thing.   He takes his hands out of my mouth if he asks me a question, but really, he chats me up before hand, gets the job done, and we chat after. Ahhhh, a dentist with manners!

Since I was numb for most of the day, I made an easy to eat (and cook!) lunch. Pre-made lentils from Trader Joe's, steamed and peeled beets (from Trader Joe's), shelled edamame (again, Trader Joe's) and goat cheese (Vermont Creamery). A nice warm salad with minimal chewing required!

 Then, Friday night ended the week perfectly! My cousin Rachel invited me and Mary Beth - our other cousin and my "big sister role model" - over to her new place for dinner.  

Look at these beauties!!!

Rachel and Kate have a beautiful apartment in a fab location in Newton. Its a stone's throw from where one of my friends grew up...among other places.  Love it!

Dinner - Rach, Oh MY! - so good. Homemade meatballs and sauce, spinach pasta, whole wheat garlic bread...you spoiled us! Everything was perfect - from the snacks to dinner, to the conversations. You ladies have no idea how good it was to have you to talk with, laugh with, and share. You both inspire me, and are so beautiful, strong, and sassy. And its kind of crazy (you know, creepy in a good way) how similar we are deep down inside. I'm glad I finally figured it out, but hope that we can share many more days and nights like last night.

And one of the sweetest discoveries of the night: Organic wine is kind to you in the morning! 

Clearly, judging by this photo, my bedtime is definitely 10pm. Love you girls! XO

The greatest gift...

Is a new niece!

Welcome to the world, Clara Brianne.  

What a gorgeous little girl!!!  And I get to spoil her! How lucky am I?!?!?

As I was driving Desmond to the hospital on Wednesday to meet his new baby sister, he said from the back seat, "I go see new baby sistah Clara. Give baby sistah Clara big hug and big kiss." I almost melted in the drivers seat. And then I chuckled...wishing I had it on tape, because it may be the last time he says something that sweet about his younger sibling...

I honestly have to say, I've loved the quality time with Des over the past few days - and he is the cutest little boy. Ever. After dinner on Thursday night, still at the table, I said to him, "Who is auntie's favorite handsome little boy?" His response: "Unca Jay Jay." We laughed, and then I said, "Yes, but who's my favorite little boy?" He just smiled, knowingly. He's got it locked up.

The rest of the Websters are very excited to meet her this weekend! In fact, its 7:30 am on Saturday, and I've already been asked 5 times if today is the day we get to see Baby Clara!!! Congratulations Bridget, Brian and big brother Desmond! Looks like we'll see you soon!!!

A Boston Cocktail kinda weekend...

Have I ever mentioned that Friday is my favorite day of the week?  It is...it kicks off the weekend, its a very administrative/catch up kind of day at work, and sometimes, just sometimes, I can work from home.

I am really getting the whole work-from-home thing down.  Now, I just need to improve my home office...

But, I do love that working from home means lunch with my little one!

Miss manners needs to chew with her mouth closed...

She actually listened!

 And here is my handsome little furball...

Look at that profile!

 The two of them get along really well...

Friday night was uneventful - movie night! I love the snuggle time on the couch with my girls and Jason.

(Sadly, it was Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2...the girls were well behaved, so they won the chance to pick the flick. Ugh...)

Saturday morning brought my typical breakfast on the run...all natural whole grain english muffin, Teddie's Natural unsalted peanut butter, a 1/2 banana and ground flax seed.

After breakfast, Jason, Emma and I ran errands: Marlborough Savings Bank, looking at garage doors, a quick lunch at Wholly Cannoli in Worcester, and then new dance shoes for the girls. After we stopped at home, I snuck out for some new running sneaks and SuperFeet. I really hope this does the trick and I can get back to running this week!

Saturday night was our family St. Patrick's Day dinner, combined with a St. Joseph's Day celebration so both sides of our "Boston Cocktail" heritage were represented. Poor Auntie...she is so ready to have this precious little girl...but is still all smiles!

I'm kind of freaked out that Desmond looks about 4 in this photo...not to mention that he said repeatedly out of the blue, "I have a big stick!" Which, by the way, didn't sound like that at all...

Mmmmm, corned beef and cabbage with all the fixin's was soooo needed.  I love traditions!

Mangia tutti!  Zeppole for St. Joseph's Day.
Thanks, Gerardos (and Brenda for sharing where you got yours)!!!

 Everyone definitely ate well...and then, sugared up, we sent everyone on their way.

 Look at this hat!  Uncle Sean loves it too!!!

I wrapped up the weekend with my yoga date with Lauren, a few hours of work, finishing our taxes (YAY!), church, and a quick dinner.  Tonight also wraps up the lax eating habits that holidays and stress have brought on.  I've been feeling a bit off my game, and the scale confirmed it tonight, so Jason and I are getting up early for a run.  I have to get my foot and my head back in the game with my new kicks...

Wish me luck!

Have a great week everyone!

Tonight's Remedy: good food and a nice cold Celtic...

Ahhh, the day is just about over...except that I still need to do our taxes!  But, that may have to wait until the weekend.  I am, by the way, an excellent procrastinator...

For now, let's talk foot and food.  But separately.  I am not a huge fan of feet...so it would be gross to talk about them together.

My foot it still killing me, but by the time I got the chance to call the Doc today...it was after hours.  I will totally call tomorrow, see the doc hopefully this week, and then head out to buy new sneakers!  So how do you combat that at the end of the work day?  

A nice cold beer while cooking!

Emma kept winding up a doll that plays one small snippit from "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" while I cooked...it was appropriate, I suppose.  I do like smiling Irish eyes...

Dinner tonight was grilled lamb and goat chops from Springdell Farms, sauteed kale, and couscous. The meat and couscous recipes were from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet Recharged. The kale was sauteed with olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt (which wasn't necessary), pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Good, and quick!!

The sauteed kale was easy...took all of 3 minutes...and check out the steam!

My grill master.  They were cooked perfectly, despite the flames.  

He's just that hot!

Dinner is served...

Today's News flash: I resisted the urge to order one of Panera's chocolate chip cookies today while at a meeting in Newton Center. Unfortunately, I thought about that addicting chocolate the whole way home.  Man, there are times (many, many times) that I miss chocolate. I try to avoid the urge to reach out for it...and save it for a little treat. Its not easy to let it be, especially when its on my mind. Luckily, my bum foot won't impact my ability to do crazy amounts of sit ups. Sheesh. 

I'm going to go have some yogurt with flax seed and fruit before bed...

So proud, yet so sad...all at the same time.

Which is worse?

Feeling old, or being out of shape?

I'd like to think I'm in descent shape.  I'd also like to think its true...but yesterday's Celtic 5k may have shined a bit of reality into my rose colored perception.  

I still don't dedicate enough time to the keeping of me.  Clearly, since my foot is still screaming when I walk.  The hip flexor and the knee have recovered for the most part, but the outside of my left foot is very displeased with my attempt to run a 5k with very, very little training.  Ok, it's down right pissed.  So I need to start putting a bit more time into my working out since this "accept a challenge, recover from said challenge, repeat" pattern isn't working out so well.

But let's back up, shall we?

I was psyched to get the tech shirt for the race, my number, and of course, paint my nails green for the occasion!  After all, a good half-Irish girl has to play it up when the Holiday rolls around...when else can you openly say to people, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish?"  

I was 918 and Jason was 919.  We finished in 35:12...which for me, with no training, was pretty good.  I think I have been out for a run 3 or 4 times since January 1st.  Jason, who ran 13 miles on Saturday, was a gem and stayed with me. He also attributed my new found "speed" to the green eyeliner and flashy nails.  I'm going to have to agree since my body is revolting today...

So, it looks like we're going to try to get into the BAA 5K in April.  It always takes a race to get me excited for the next one, however, I didn't plan on the time and patience for an injury.  I'm not sure how much room is left, but I don't want to commit to it until I can at least put all my weight on my foot. Here is reason #77 why I should dedicate more time in my day/week to working out/training.  At least the evenings are beginning to hold a little more daylight now...there is hope!

Speaking of the foot...do any of you know what this mystery pain could be?  Its along the outside of my left foot, kind of in the middle, along the bottom. And it really only hurts when I walk/stand on it. Someone please tell me there is an easy fix...

Now that I've thought about it...as much as I hate to admit that I'm out of shape...I'll do that before I claim I'm getting old.

Ho hum...and then some...

I've been thinking all day today about blogging.  I haven't been that consistent lately, and honestly, I think I've been trying to re-prioritize everything in life!  My crazy season at work has technically subsided, although the reality of it is that its a 12 month cycle that doesn't really end because the markets I work in complement each other so well...

However, no matter how I look at all that's on my buffet-du-life, blogging is one thing that I want to give more time to.  I have been checking out some new blogs thanks to twitter, and I am starting to realize that I want to take the Perfectionista to the next level.

Check out some of these ladies:
@RunningOnCoffee
@LilMissRunshine
@SRLNeudel a former colleague's awesome blog
and my first ever favorite blog @CarrotsNCake

There are so many more...maybe I'll give some highlights in upcoming posts!

I love all of these blogs that I'm discovering, and am really working toward amping up mine over the next few months.  How do you do it ladies???  If there is a secret, please, pretty please, let me in on it!!!

In the meantime, I am trying to get organized for a week filled with a family funeral service, trying to get ahead at work, sneak in some jewelry work, and a 5K on Sunday that I am in no way ready for! And, poor Maddy has strep again.  Will the rest of us be lucky enough to avoid it this time, too???

But, before I leave this haphazard post, I do want to share some highlights from the past week or so...because its not all stress and juggling...there is definitely some fun in the Perfectionista's life!

March 1st, my nephew Desmond turned 2.  I scored a train cake mold at the William Sonoma outlet in Wrentham a month or so ago for  6th of the original price, and asked if I could make him a cake...and decorate it like Thomas.  I had no idea what I was getting into...but with the help of the Wayside Penny Candy Store and their stock, I pulled it off!

It was the same recipe that I used for Maddy's basketball cupcakes a few weeks back.  Not great for decorating, but it was definitely tasty.  Even Beppo liked it!

The next day, I went to an event at the Perry School in South Boston where Tyler Seguin (Bruins rookie center, #19) came to celebrate the Jump Rope For Heart program, and yes, jump rope!  He is actually 19 years old to boot.  We won't linger too long on the fact that I may or may not be old enough to be his mother.  But what a great guy!

And talented on top of it all!

That night, I wanted fish for dinner and tried a Patti and Larry inspired meal...fish in parchment!

And look!  Parchment HEARTS!!!

Yes, I'm a dork about my meals...but whatever.  The salmon with peppers tasted great with the brown jasmine rice and steamed asparagus.  And really, that's what matters :)

So...here I am.  At the end of the post.  Ready to get to bed and start Lent tomorrow with some, well, determination of some sorts.  My colleague Kathy inspired me to take on the 3 S's of Lent: Study, Service and Silence.  I think I'm going to try it...on top of giving up chocolate (hah!), ice cream, and all of the other things I should be eating less of! This will be good for us to re-group and re-ground, and if anything, I might get 15 minutes or so of quiet me time.  This could be really really good...or dangerous depending on how long I'm left alone with my own mind!

As always, I love your comments and feedback...so comment away!