In the car this morning:

CW: “Hey Catcher show Louisiana your nose.”

Catcher: “Sister this is my nose.” Points to his nose.

Louisiana points to her nose.

CW: “Show her your eyes.”

Catcher: Points to eyes. “Eyes.”

Louisiana points to her eyes.

CW: Show her your mouth.”

Catcher points to his mouth.  Louisiana points to her mouth.

CW: What’s inside your mouth Catcher?”

Catcher: “Teeth mommy.” Pointing to his teeth.

Louisiana points to her nose.  Then she sticks her finger up it.

Catcher: “What’s in your nose Weeziana?  Boogers are in your nose!!!!!!”  Catcher maniacially laughs and then sticks his finger in his nose.  He then proceeds to pull one out and show his sister.  Louisiana follows suit and begins scream laughing (the most pleasant sound ever) still with her little finger up her nose.

Happy morning to me.

Let’s start ‘09 off right.  Shall we?

This past holiday season, which is now thankfully packed tightly away in boxes that live in my attic, I came across what would soon turn into my favorite local boutique.  I (and my checkbook) discovered Room Service, a very sophistimicated and super smart shop in the Detroit Shoreway.   

Say that three times.

At a book club meeting, the conversation drifted away from Vonnegut and this lovely lady ended up talking about her friend’s store in the shoreway.  Book club ended early that day and I snuck out of the restaurant to take a peek.  That peek turned into a month long obsession that still hasn’t quit.  

Room Service reminds me of Paris.  Especially the Ile St. Louis area.  The store is welcoming, walking in from the shoreway. The eclectic array of items is…magnificent!  Danielle also likes to focus on local producers something the Widow family certainly stands behind.  I am personally now rocking Defend Cleveland fingerless winter gloves.  And they rock.

Biggie Smalls rocks her new Christmas cap

As a token of my appreciation wonderment that anyone actually reads my little ‘ole blog I would like to give away a gift certificate to Room Service.  This gift certificate, graciously donated to Chef’s Widow by Danielle, is good for in store purchase as well as online (for my peeps not in the Cleve).  But if you are in the C.L.E you should definitely check out the store on the shore.  Make a day of it.  Get some coffee at Gypsy Bean, have a snack at Luxe, and then get yer shop on!

All you need to do to win is let me know what you DON’T want to change about yourself in ‘09.  ABSOLUTELY NO RESOLUTIONS!!!.  Tell me what you like about yourself.  NO, tell me what you absolutely LOVE about yourself. Don’t be shy.  A little self love never killed anyone.  

Winner will be announced a week from today, January 12th, 2009.

 

Bonne Chance.

 

***A super big mess of Potato kisses go out to Cleveland Magazine for naming Chef’s Widow a HOT BLOG!***

 

 

Hey Everyone

KV Book Club meeting is cancelled for today.  Please let me know if you are still interested and I will reschedule for February 2009.  Thanks.

 

CW

 

A new New Years Eve tradition began this year for the Widow family.

Happy New Year!

 

An update on the book club:

The meeting is this Sunday.  5pm.  Lolita.  Please comment or email me if you can come or not.  I absolutely need a final count.  Thanks.

CW

Punk Rock Biggie Smalls Gets Ready for the Bubbly!

In the time old tradition of looking back and figuring out what you will do different next year I have found that there is not much I will do differently.  Maybe lose some weight.  Do more yoga.  Workout.  Blah Blah Blah.  But I did compile some old posts that I truly enjoyed.  I hope you do as well!

My 2 Year Old Drops ‘F Bombs’

To Be a Chef’s Widow

Another One Bites The Dust

A Thunder Hating Robot Lives in My House

The Family That Sled Together

The Weight of a Woman

May Day Rocks

500 Posts Ago

Absinthe Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

One Lucky Mamma

Champagne Sabering Takes Over

The Most Beautiful Girl in The World

Louisiana Celebrates in Style & Pasta

Come Quickly, I Am Tasting the Stars!

Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself

December is the Most Funniest Month Ever Mommy!

Widow’Mas 2008

While writing this list the Chef (who now stands over my shoulder when I write) told me I should compile a lit of how many posts I had about Ewan McGregor 2008 vs. 2007.  Here you go honey!

 

2008                                                                                                       

9 Posts   10 Posts (including this one)        

2007

4 Posts                               

 

More than DOUBLE!!!!       

Catcher’s smile rarely disappears, something I look forward to in ‘09

 

****A moment of thanks to you my readers.  I would never be able to do this on the daily if there was no YOU!  Also to my amazing husband Jonathon.  Starting a new year without you would be like starting a day without thumbs.  I heart you.  And to Catcher & Louisiana, I hope this new year brings you a new adventure each day.  I hope that our laughs destroy any sadness we may encounter.  My children, my life.  My heart is yours.

Peace & War Bitches.

 

Each moment: A new lifetime

My daughter breaks my blackened heart every nanosecond of my life.  She is astonishingly beautiful.  I can’t stop staring at her sometimes…

Since she started walking a few weeks back she has turned into this powerhouse of a girl pushing her brother out of the way, stealing his toys and leaving a trail of dust in her wake.  She is hardcore awesomer.  She is a riot grrrrl and it’s not even 1993.  Her quirky hilarious personality lights up my day and also makes it quite interesting.  There is never a dull moment, there is never a second of silence, we never sit ever.  And I like it like that,  I like listening to her ba ba ba ba ba’s, na’s, grrr’s, and ooooooooooo’s.  She is expressive and reacts to everything like she just came sliding out of the birthing canal minus the goo and screaming.  It is always new and exciting for her and although I fear the day that excitement leaves her eyes and mouth I know that it will still be there.  Because that is who she is.  And always will be. That light behind her eyes will shine forever.

I love my Louisiana.

The Kurt Vonnegut Book Club is changing locations for this Sunday’s meeting.  More information here.

The Chef’s Widow Network is growing large and fast.  We are now at 40 members and would love to have more~  Check it ouuuuuuut.

The Chef got named one of Cleveland’s 30 Most Interesting People.  A very cool honor for him because it’s so true!  That man is by far the most interesting person I have ever know beside my children and my grandmother.

I would also like to send my own personal thank you Cleveland Magazine not only for naming the Chef but for also including me in their Hot Blogs section of the January issue.  Awesomer (Catcher’s new word of the second)!!!

I am also going to start doing more freelance including my About.com columns since the Chef is now unemployed.  Anyone with any leads or ideas of how to start email me puhlease!  

The Cleveland Playhouse Square is offering FREE ADMISSION to their International Performing Arts for Youth Showcase.  The conference includes many plays, musicals, and events that are all free to kids and families.  I personally just confirmed tickets for 4 for the Dream Jam Band concert.

Congrats to Hope for winning the adorable pair of Stride Rite shoes!

Congrats to JP & Sarah Sullivan on your wedding and marriage!  We had a groovy time in Michigan.  Especially when we got detoured in the hood and all the traffic lights were out.  But that’s another story…

We had a spectacular Christmas week filled with friends and family, Festivus, and food.  

We have certainly been blessed this year with so many new great friends and so many great times.  The Chef’s last night at Cento was sad, fun, and enormously busy but we got to hang out with some of our favorite people, Mike & Liz, Julie & Steve, Roni & Kevin, Billy & Barbara (and Henry too!).  We are a lucky family that seems to be getting bigger and bigger with each new venture the Chef & I take on.  Life is good.

No,

Life is fucking awesome.

I hope that you & yours had a special Christmasukahwanza!!!

 

Cheers Bitches.

 

Happy Holidays!

Many many kisses to you & yours,

Chef’s Widow

and 

the 

FAM:

Jonathon, Louisiana, Catcher, Potato, & Vito