Hello I'am Meggan Welcome to my website.
Puppy Love
Nice boots make me sleepy
Benny the puppy loves pooping on the Persian rug, chasing squirrels, sitting on laps, and chewing on expensive shoes and accessories. This is a photo of Benny in a deep sleep cuddled up to my black knee high boots. He loves them. He also loves all things expensive and fashionable. My list of expensive and fashionable things has diminished greatly since having children, but the few items I still possess Benny likes too. Benny likes to chew on my Isaac Mizrahi maroon patent leather boots that I am to be buried in. Benny loves to run down the hall with my Eric Micheal boots trailing from his mouth full of puppy slobber. Benny loves to nap directly on my Dansko knee high boots…see photo above. In fact his favorite place to sleep is in my closet next to the shoe rack.
Benny is a puppy fashionista.
My good friend Katrena Rochell is an amazing actress from London. She was in Los Angeles recently to promote the new film she is in called Kick Ass, starring Nicholas Cage. Since Katrena lives in London I rarely get to see her. When she was unexpectedly in Los Angeles I jumped in the car with Benny and we went for a quick two day trip.
Just enough time for Benny to love on her Gucci heels and Chanel watch.
I was horrified.
Relaxing in his dog bed, Benny happily gnawed on one of Kat’s Gucci designer heels. I would of got a picture, except I screamed when I saw him chewing on the shoe and he dropped the heel. I offered to get a loan and borrow against my house to pay to have the shoe repaired, but Kat graciously said it was no big deal, she loves dogs and understands. As I was putting her heel away don’t think I didn’t secretly try and stuff my size 9.5″ hoof in Kat’s 7.5″ Gucci heel…when in Rome.
Kat must REALLY love dogs, because not more than one hour later Benny had jumped on the couch and got a hold of Kat’s GEORGEOUS white Chanel watch on the side table and was licking away at it’s diamonds. I hoped it was water proof. Again more apologies, screaming, and a new one….anxiety and stress sweat on my part. Kat just laughed, plucked the Chanel watch from Benny’s mouth and graciously replied ”it’s no big deal.” Kat must think I have some juicy dirt on her from “back in the day” because she was so great about the whole thing. I think I am going to go with that. Meanwhile Benny’s dog toys lay ignored to the side. No rawhide bone, Puperoni stick, or stuffed animal compared to high fashion.
We have to hide all my nice boots. I don’t have the heart to tell Benny though, that the boots he is chewing on…they are so last season.
Don't even think about wearing these boots
He Didn’t Get It From Me
There are many things of mine that were transferred to my son Lucas through the DNA.
1. The ability to laugh at our own jokes…despite the strong realization that we are the only ones who think we are funny.
2. The ability to look good in black and wear it year round.
3. A deep and sincere appreciation for food dipped in ketchup.
4. A hatred for wearing jackets.
5. Dancing when the food gets delivered in restaurants.
HOWEVER where the DNA splits off is at housework. I hate housework and LUCAS LOVES TO CLEAN. He loves to sweep, mop, dust bust, and he will even dump over his own water just so he can grab a towel and clean it up.
What Lucas REALLY loves to do though is vacuum. Vacuum in the morning. Vacuum in the afternoon. Vacuum in the evening. Vacuum at Nana’s. Vacuum at Mommy and Me. Vacuum – vacuum – vacuum. First thing when Lucas gets up in the morning, while I am still bleary eyed and puffy from sleep and contemplating the choices I have made in life, Lucas has RUN to the closet and is demanding that I get the vacuum out.
Sometimes I just throw stuff on the floor so he can go vacuum it up.
People think I am doing an awesome job with Lucas “training” him to help with chores, but it just comes naturally. When people comment on Lucas’ cleaning I can honestly tell them…
“He gets it from his Father.”
Valentine Raspberry Meringue Hearts with Kiss The Cook
Perfect for Valentines Day…Raspberry Meringue Hearts and the word stiff…we are talking about the meringue. Ettore makes absolutley the best meringue and the Raspberry Meringue Hearts he shows us here are easy breezy to make. You will need parchment paper, and disposable pastry bags…but don’t be scared…go for it. I promise the Raspberry Meringue Hearts are DEE-LISH! Your sweet will love this treat.
RASPBERRY MERINGUE HEARTS
6 Egg Whites (approx. 1 cup)
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tbls. Sugar for whipped cream
Raspberries
Powdered Sugar
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees. Separate egg whites and SLOWLY begin to beat in sugar. Be sure to go slowly and use blender on slowest setting. Adding the sugar to the egg whites should take several minutes and continue till the meringue is stiff. Add meringue to a disposable pastry bag.
On a cookie sheet place a piece of parchment paper. Draw hearts by hand or trace around a heart shaped cookie cutter. Take pastry bag filled with meringue and outline the hearts and fill in the center. Outline the heart twice. Bake for thirty minutes or until meringue heart is stiff.
In a separate bowl beat manufacturing cream with sugar to taste until whipped cream is made. You can also add vanilla for flavor. This will make the filling for the center of meringue. Once meringue hearts are baked, spoon the fresh whipped cream into the center of the meringue heart. Top with fresh raspberries and dust with powdered sugar.
Finally take meringue heart with you and lock yourself in a closet and devour by yourself and refuse to share…they are that good.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Love,
M
Rain Rain Go Away…Come Again Some Other Day
It has been POURING rain in Northern California for the last TWO WEEKS. I LOVE this weather, unfortunately my two year old son and his puppy do not. They have bravely been facing their indoor internment, and with enough Sauvignon Blanc I am surviving as well.
This was the scene today at the sliding glass door with Lucas and Benny. This picture says it all…”Hello outside I miss you!” Lucas and Benny were looking at the water soaked back yard like I look longlingly at my size 4 jeans…we will ever be together again???
I did release them into the wild only to have them both go stand ankle and paw deep in puddles of water. They both became instantly relaxed standing in mud. You just got to roll with it and love it. So is life in the fabulous Haus of Boys.
Reilly’s Special Salad Dressing
This last summer the whole family vacationed down to the beach in Ventura, California. My amazing friend Monica and her family live in Ventura which is a TERRIFIC town, a hidden Southern California gem for families. It was during that time that my stepsons and their friend Kyle decided to cook for us, no questions asked. I gave the boys cash for groceries, a quick talk about teamwork and lighter fluid safety, said a prayer, and took a nap. When I awoke the boys had created the most fabulous meal of pasta, bread, vegetables, and a salad with the most amazing salad dressing that was Reilly’s own creation. It truly is fabulous, healthy, inexpensive, and most important for busy Moms…easy to make!
Reilly does a fanatastic job in the video re-creating the dressing and is a true pro. He is easy to understand, fluid, and patiently tolerates my bad jokes (he has a lot of practice at that). Hope you enjoy the video and dressing. The recipe is below and please let me know what you think, I would love to post your comments.
On a side note, apparently I need a video shoot stylist. My apron is not tied all the way and I look pregnant or like I am smuggling Hyundais. Neither is the case…my goodness.
Enjoy Kiss The Cook…Happy Eating!
REILLY’S SPECIAL SALAD DRESSING (OR MY STEPMOM IS SUPER AWESOME SALAD DRESSING)
In a large mixing bowl whisk together:
The zest of 1/2 lemon
The juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
2 tsp. Champagne Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Grey Poupon
1/2 tsp. sugar
2 Tbl. Olive Oil
Pour over salad and toss or use as a dipping sauce for vegetables.
Thank You Therapy
I tease Ettore that for our second date he took me to a therapist’s office saying “I love her, but can you fix her.” I kid, I kid. However it is somewhat true. Some variation of Ravazzolo has been seeing a therapist since Ettore and I first got together, me being the one who has seen a therapist the whole time. A man I affectionately refer to on this site as Therapist Richard. He is awesome and the the reason I am the happy, non-medicated, loving, kind of calm, somewhat non-neurotic, often dramatic, grateful Stepmom, Mom, and Wife I am today…and I mean it.
I am happpy. I really do love my life with all it’s mis-steps, victories, typos, successes, laughter, and daily grind.
Ettore is always a bit shocked that I am so vocal and open about seeing a therapist. I think people are relieved.
“Thank God she is seeing SOMEONE.”
Rest easy America.
I think it puts people at ease to know that somewhere in an office tucked away a man named Richard with a degree on the wall and wearing a nice sweater is helping me navigate through my brain and life simultaneously.
I feel like I should say, “Don’t worry I have a therapist. This will all be worked out by Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. next week.”
I love it. Therapy has been good for me and it has been good for my family. We all have gone. In fact I used to walk to Richard’s office with Lucas and tell him Mommy is off to Dr. Let It Out and Get Happy. Kind of like a trip to the mental colon therapist. Colon therapy is a different kind of let it out and get happy. However both therapies do make you feel lighter on your feet.
The above photo is an example of the benefits of therapy. We are a step-family. I am the new kid on the block and I made another new kid. No matter how everyone tries to adapt and take the high road from divorce and re-marriage there is emotional fall out, confusion, anger, GUILT. It is a bag of mixed emotions and I have tried to tread lightly and do the right thing. Still, it is good to talk it all out…and out…and out…and out.
Therapy.
Yes, there we all were. Walking down the river the day after Christmas blended up like a Frappucino. Sure Reilly is in the baby’s wagon holding his Dad’s hand while Lucas is the one pulling him, and Ettore and I are so tired we can barely move, and Benny the puppy refuses to pee or poo on the walk because the river is nothing in comparsion to our persian rug, but we are…together. Harrison took the picture and if you could see the photo from the other angle you would see a smile splashed across my face.
We are doing it.
Family.
One session at a time.
You Gotta Raise Them Right
Lucas loves to dance and he loves his Auntie Lady Gaga. We dance everyday together and Lucas is VERY particular about his music He likes B-I-N-G-O, Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed, and Paparazzi by Lady Gaga (obviously where my DNA takes over). Speaking of gifts from his Mother, check out Lucas eating a chocolate chip cookie while dancing.
My boy.
You’re welcome Lucas.
Keep an eye out for our faithful audience of one, the puppy Benny makes a cameo as he looks on through the mirror.
M
Take Yourself To The Store With That
Eric Michael Ankle Boots in "Smog" Leather
Feast your eyes on the following marriage of fashion and comfort. I LURVE these boots from Eric Michael. They are delicious for the feet and the eyes….and they look great with skinny jeans.
I came into these wonders because, in a nutshell, I was feeling veeerrryyy sorry for myself. I was having a hard go of it emotionally and I couldn’t quite shake my funk. I loathe feeling sorry for myself and usually snap out of it fairly quickly. None of my go to aides were helping though…not even a dose of Oprah magazine could shake it. I even resorted to my emergency “feel better”…bacon. It’s true, usually some processed pork products have me doing the happy dance, but this time not even some applewood smoked bacon had me cutting even the slightest rug.
I was desperate.
When I had succeeded in making everyone around me as miserable as I was, Ettore jumped into action. He was going to save the day.
“Do you want to go out to dinner?”
“No.”
“Do you want to watch Golden Girls?”
“No.”
“Do you want to go to the gym?”
“NNNNOOOO!”
“Do you want to play “winter cabin?” (That’s where I pretend it’s snowing outside and we light candles and snuggle. It’s very adorable).
“NO!” (my not so adorable response)
“Do you want to go look for a new pair of boots?”
“What did you just say?”
A smile crept across my face, my heart skipped a beat, my vagina even twitched (oh hush, you know it’s true. It happens to you to when you score AMAZING footwear. If not buy these boots…you’ll see).
YYYYYEEEESSSS!!! New boots, new boots, new boots. My husband was a genius. I love boots! How could you not love boots…they are like kyrptonite to a crappy mood. It is impossible to feel bad in boots.
Off I went and I found this pair of Eric Michael’s Soho boots. They are so soft and different than what is out there and so very very very comfortable. The buttons are a hammered metallic and the premium leather is so supple. The zipper is on the side and there is small padding on the insole. They were on the pricey side, but I found a great deal on the boots at zappos.com (click on boot photo for link) and I wear them practically everyday chasing around a pooping puppy and three boys. My feet are never uncomfortable. The Soho also comes in tan, black, and brown.
Eric Michael Boots are made in Spain so you get to feel very international and Euro without having to be French or smoke cigarettes. The designer also named the line after his son which melts my Mom heart and makes me go “OOOHHHH, how cute!” SWOON. I get a ton of compliments on these boots and my family has complimented me on my change in attitude.
I still would like to do the bacon happy dance though…in my new boots of course.
*I did not receive a product sample or compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
My Faboo TV Reel
Just spent mucho dinero and seven hours of my life updating my television reel…and IT WAS WORTH IT. I love it!! My previous television reel was in bad need of some love and I wanted to include the new Kiss The Cook video series I am doing with Ettore.
This is my 2010 gift to my self, more of what I love and I love working in television and the arts. This reel is being shipped off to QVC as they are looking for new hosts…a dream job…swoon. Plus Oprah is discontinuing her show in the next year and a half. Somebody has to let Tom Cruise jump on their couch and the kids already jump on mine so I figure what do I have to lose.
I am very proud of my work in this reel as I feel that the video is true to who I am and what I feel I represent. In the end being true to your voice is all that matters…a great job at QVC never hurt a girl though.
Any readers know anybody at QVC (or Oprah) I shamelessly ask to put a good word in for me!
QVC…Oprah…call me.
Much love,
M
Kid Quotables
Sign of the times in an ipod world…
Reilly: “Meggan, how do you play a CD on the stereo?”
My Twitter
Just worked out on treadmill and stretched outside in drizzling rain. Felt very earthy. Sill would rather have a hamburger. 1 day ago
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