And the Pursuit of Happyness

This part of my life I'm calling LOSING.  I feel like Will Smith in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness.  No I'm not homeless and yes I have a career but I'm doing way too much, in search of the perfect work/life balance.  And all I can say is when I saw Sarah Jessica Parker's role in the movie  I Don't Know How She Does It, I thought someone was secretly filming me from my closet.  So let me ask the question, "Can two upwardly mobile parents that work successfully have a family?"  Does this actually work?  Now don't get me wrong, I ♥ my family more than anything and would die for them.  And I ♥ my field of work.  But both are demanding, so do the two mix? 

All my life I have been an observer, watching how people interact, and I've always loved seeing families out and about.   Something that has always stuck with me is the economic impact on relationships.  I could never help but notice that couples that appeared to have less fortunate financial circumstances appeared to be happier.   It might just be my opinion, but the look of love I would see seemed genuine.  A simple life can be highly underrated.  Could it be the stresses of  work, or the age old adage "More money, more problems" that can sometimes tear more financially stable families apart?

BTW is it the stress that has an effect on the number of children couples are having? It blows my mind that couples with less seem to make it with multiple kids and those that are "well to do", bringing in more than decent salaries settle upon one child. Those that could provide so much for a child / children, generally don't have the time to do so.

Now of course any situation can work...  But two working parents with demanding jobs can be a set-up for disaster.  I have come to the realization that someone needs to either have a more flexible job (i.e. work from home, adjustable hours) that can help with the work / life balance, or a job that plays a supporting role.  Both of which make life easier with the kids, volunteering and the countless activities. 

So my time is now!   Luckily my hubby and I are on the same page in this fight for the pursuit of happyness.  And yes it is a fight!  This country has set the average couple up, from the price of a home in a  middle class neighborhood to the unacceptable public school education turning families to private school.  This can make a standard level of savings unattainable for most...and causing strain on relationships.  But each family HAS to be smart with choices.  ...choices in cars, vacations and total lifestyle depending on income can definitely have adverse effects.

So be smart and start working on balancing your life. I've recently let go of work to make more time for my family, because "all money is not good money".  Remember to enjoy your family!  And don't ever live without date night.  It's a must for married couples w/ kids!

Keep the ♥ alive and we all win!

 

A happy couple = happy children = 1 Big Happy Family

 

Thanks for reading

I would love to hear your opinions

Walk this Way....

So I am determined to be down 20 pounds by the New Year!  Nothing a little walking can't handle.  Really, I am a firm believer that food is the biggest culprit.  So I will eat what I want, I don't eat so bad and just cut back on my portions.  But in addition, I will run and jog but predominately walk a total of 30 miles per week.

In competition with my sister, we will see if her no carb, no food, no good diet will work better or just as good as my method.  Have fun with your green tea!

♥♥  kisses  ♥♥

 

-20 pounds by 1/1/2013!

 

 

I'll keep you posted..... weekly

 

PS.  I promise to tell the truth.

 

My physical She-ro!  I can only hope at 54 years of age.  So Fly!

 

Sneak Peek: Salamander Resort (Opening August 2013)

Sheila C. Johnson has outdone herself with what will be coined the 1st DC Resort.  The former first lady of BET has just added another notch to her portfolio (in addition to the DC sports teams Mystics, Caps & the Wizards) that will leave its mark on the DMV area.   Salamander, located in Middleburg, VA just one hour from the heart of DC will be the new "IT" property.  It will be a very quaint Main House, modeled after the farms "mansions" of Middleburg but will be vast in its acreage and offerings to include: a 22-stall equestrian facility, wine bar, farm-to-table restaurant, a lovely market "Market Salamander", cooking studio with guest celebrity chef demonstrations, zip lines, hiking and not to mention a 23,000 square foot spa to include "treehouse" treatment rooms  all nestled on a 340 acre estate.

Building on what Middleburg has to offer: wineries, antiquing, the prestigious Gold Cup and simply gorgeous scenic views with the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop.  This highly anticipated addition will definitely add value to to the DC Hospitality scene.

"Ever respectful of the past and the present"  Sheila Johnson is delivering another level of luxury to the town of Middleburg in the form of the
Salamander Resort & Spa.

Anticipated Debut Fall 2013

♥   ♥   ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annapolis Book Festival TODAY! ~ Celebrating 10 Years (Love to Read)

It's time to hit the books or bury your head into a great novel.  Put the ipads, iphones and remote controls down for a second and take in the JOY OF READING.  This is a shameless plug to promote the Annapolis Book Festival on behalf of my son and The Key School.  The Festival will have something to offer for the whole family.  A great panel of nationally renowned authors will discuss recent Best Sellers.

The Festival will also feature:

Live Music

Children's Activities

Used Book Sale

and a Coffee Shop

KOMI - A Culinary Delight!

I was oh so excited to go to Komi....  It has been the #1 restaurant in DC for at least 3 years now, with it's rock star Chef  and Co-Owner Johhny Monis.   I finally made the trip over to try it out and was in the clouds for at least a week straight.  All I can say, it's well worth every penny.

I would first like to say they need to teach a Hospitality School.  Even with an incredible meal if the service is not up to par, your experience is ruined.  From our first step into Komi until the end of our 3 hour Culinary Delight the night was absolutely perfect.  Our server and sommelier were very knowledgeable, professional but very laxed which I can appreciate.  You would think a restaurant of this caliber would come across a bit stuffy, but it has a very casual vibe.  The servers come off very friendly, which makes the entire experience enjoyable.  How they space their seatings you feel like you are your servers only guests, which is great! 

The restaurant has minimal decor, it is very simple and quaint...not what I had pictured in my mind. 

I'm ready to begin my journey, I will try MOST things at least once.  I'm no Andrew Zimmern but I am adventurous.

Now for the big show, the meal begins:

TARAMOSALATA
The first amuse bouche was a brioche, topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fire orange trout roe that just bursts in your mouth.

SEA URCHIN
Next came a thin slice of Hiramasa New Zealand kingfish sashimi topped with Alaskan sea urchin. I love sushi, but never a fan of how sea urchin looked. But tonight I was trying EVERYTHING and it was creamy deliciousness!

SCALLOP
Scallop crudo two ways. A thin disk of scallop sashimi arrived, laid inside a large pearly white shell, garnished with a slice of rhubarb and a sprinkle of lemon salt. Next to it was a spoonful of scallop tartar, diced into a fine brunoise, combined with thick coconut milk topped with a tiny purple chive blossom.

Wine & Beer Pairing List

SALMON
A slice of house-cured Scottish salmon on top of black squid ink toast, garnished with tatsoi microgreens and red-veined sorrel leaf.

ASPARAGUS
Burrata was served with asparagus so lightly grilled it was almost still raw. The fresh crunch of it played well with the cool, creamy cheese, and a sprinkle of garlicky, lemony breadcrumbs on top added a nice dimension to the dish.

SPANAKOPITA
♥ Squared!  When they said the next amuse bouche was spanakopita, it drew my mind to the million ballroom receptions I have attended.  But THIS tiny little square, full of spinach, feta and dill awesomeness, literally explodes in your mouth. It was one of the the first things that come to mind when I remember that evening?

HALF SMOKE
Served with Farmhouse Ale (as any decent half smoke should),one of Komi’s signature dishes shows the "street food" side of the Mediterranean. (which doubles as a DC staple)  This half smoke gives Ben's Chili Bowl a run for its money.  This couture dog is served on a buttered grilled bun, topped with tomato jam and Old Bay-dusted Chicharron.

FOIE GRAS
The next best thing to a hot dog :) this foie gras, was house-cured and smoked! Buttery, and smooth it was served over sautéed mushrooms (to die for), slices of kumquat and peashoots.  Foie gras is not an everyday dish if you like having a healthy heart but this was worth skipping a beat.

DATES
A sweet treat before we moved the main course, roasted dates filled with mascarpone cheese, generously dusted with coarse sea salt, and drizzled with olive oil.  A favorite as well!

GNOCCHI
Yukon gold potato gnocchi in sea urchin butter sauce made you crave for more.  Hmmm, I just craved some as I closed my eyes.  This dish was amazing.

TAGLIATELLE
Small morsels of  tagliatelle was next on the menu, served with salt cod, thin shavings of flash-fried nutty caper berries, tiny currants, and pine nuts in a tomato sauce…YUM!!

KATSIKAKI
The pièce de résistance was the Katsikaki – a massive serving of an entire bone-in leg of baby goat, slow roasted for four hours. Prior to this, the only goat I have tasted was curried Jamaican style.  This was crispy outside, like a perfectly prepared duck and the most tender meat I have EVER tasted.  The goat was served with homemade pita and gourmet condiments, which I love! Included in the line up: charred red onion mustard, preserved lemon sea salt, slightly pickled Fresno peppers, homemade tzatziki, and translucent slices of baby radishes.  You were encouraged to eat with your hands and I did.  The charred red onion mustard needs to sold in stores, because I wiped it out!

President Obama and our First Lady (Mimi O)

The main entree was followed by chocolate ganache and salted caramel layered over a crust of peanut butter crunchies & praline and we parted with a gift of gourmet lollipops.  

Bottom line, the meal was memorable as well as the wine & beer pairing.

A meal fit for a king or a queen, lets make that the President and his First Lady...... and me too!

Enjoy

Komi Restaurant

1509 17th Street NW
(between P & Q Streets)
Washington DC 20036

(202) 332-9200