no one loves these more than md

NY Times Magazine giving props to the clothespin.

gone, but not forgotten

Today Erin sent a picture of the tree, or lack thereof, that used to stand in the center of our apartment courtyard at Georgetown (a.k.a.) The Fishbowl. It has been cut down since the last time we visited. And I just can't resist . . .

“And after a long time the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "but I have nothing left to give you-
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone," said the tree.
"You cannot swing on them-"
"I am too old to swing on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone," said the tree.
"You cannot climb-"
"I am too tired to climb," said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something... but I have nothing left. I am an old stump. I am sorry..."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy, "just a quiet pleace to sit and rest. I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is a good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.”
― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

a woman with a plan

Have you ever bought a baseball bat for a little boy that you don't have yet? Or a tutu for a ballerina who hasn't been born? Just got off the phone with a really wonderful Chicago customer! She needed a Christening gift and we had an adorable 6 to 12 month dress in stock for her (featuring pretty paisley pink fabric - one of my favorites). She told me that she has a maggie delaney dress at her house, but that she can't give it away! It is for the little girl she knows she will have one day! :)

keeping creativity in school

maggie delaney loves creativity. With spring semester comes standardized tests and "getting through the material" -- the very things we loathe about teaching and learning this time of year. Our hope for 2012 is that every maggie delaney girl has a chance each day to be creative in some way. The readings today at church was about the 3 wise men bringing gold frankincense and myrrh. The story of the 3 wise men always reminds me of my favorite education reformer, Ken Robinson, who talks about creativity, frankencense, and schools in perhaps the best TED talk ever. Watch Ken's talk, listen for the story of the 3 wise men, and comment with your favorite quote.

Let there be light!

Last night, after about 12 hours without power, the lights (and most importantly) the air conditioner turned on. However, my sister is still without power after a week of being in Texas, where I am sure it is not too comfortable. So, we're keeping our fingers crossed and hoping her power will return. The neighborhood generators that kept her up all night are in some serious peril, if not.

So what is the antidote to hot night, power or no power? Greek Salad. My favorite. It's what's for dinner tonight.

My favorite recipe is kind of a collaboration between myself and Dave Lieberman (the cutie from the Food Network):

4 Boneless breast of chicken (I use the thin cut, usually. You can use full breasts or tenderloins. For four of us, I use 3/4 to a lb.)

Marinade for the chicken:
1 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp oregano (Dave says 1)
a couple of pinches of salt (I like Kosher or ground sea salt)
10 grinds of black pepper (I like more, but I think some might say I am a tad aggressive with the pepper)

Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 lemon juiced (if you don't have the extra lemon - it is more important in the marinade, just add about a tbsp more red wine vinegar)
2 cloves of garlic, finely diced (I use one clove because I don't strain them out. If you are going to strain them, use 2.)
1 tsp dried oregano
3 pinches salt
10 - 15 grinds black pepper

For the salad:
2-3 heads of romaine or 1-2 heads of red leaf washed and cut lettuce (Dave likes romaine, I like red leaf lettuce.)
1 cucumber (peeled or unpeeled chunks or rounds . . . you choose)
3 vine ripened tomatoes (cored and cut into 1/2 inch chunks) - sometimes I used halved grape tomatoes instead
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup pitted Kalmata olives
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Marinate the chicken in a zip lockish type bag in the refrigerator for a few hours.

To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a resealable container and shake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill or put the chicken on a grill pan (cooking time depends on chicken you have chosen). Let the chicken for 10 minutes before cutting it (if necessary depending on type of chicken you used)

Assemble the salad leaving the feta for last. Add the chicken. Shake dressing and pour over the top. I like the garlic in there, but Dave strains the garlic using the top.

home again, home again, with no power...

Kelly made it home to Chicagoland today from the weekend at the BSAF. She flew into O'Hare, so the delayed flight wasn't a shocker. But, she texted me to report that once she got home she was surprised at how strong the storms were when they went through Chicago this morning. Knocked off porches and destroyed garages. Lots of trees down. Her house is fine, but the power is out and she doesn't expect it to be on again for a few days. Yuck.

new! maggie delaney meadow top

Trying to decide whether she likes the new maggie delaney Meadow top more than her maggie delaney dresses, our model had to pause to think about it... Finally, she decided she likes the Meadow top better, and this is coming from a girl who is all about dresss. Clearly, she knows cute when she wears it. We think she has room in her closet for both.