When I was a little girl I used to pretend I was a mermaid; I’d place my legs in first position and imagine I was a fish swimming in the ocean. I find when I see the ocean and feel it on my body I turn into that little girl again wishing on the moon …
Ashley’s Lucky Thirteen Gastronomic Guide
The Dallas Fort Worth area is a bit like the Gemini zodiac; it has two faces! The city can be sleek and sophisticated, but also down-home country. I’ve read that Dallas has four times more restaurants (from eclectic to traditional) per person than even NYC. Food groups in Texas consist of: chicken fried steak, Tex-Mex, …
Meeting President and Mrs. George W. Bush: Unwavering courage and parenting philosophy courtesy of Midland ’64
Midland, Texas is a flat, dry, hot, sandy, and windy place full of tumbleweeds, oil rigs and Friday night lights. It is where my Dad, Bill Wood, grew up. I think there is a Midland parenting philosophy; have love and respect for your children, parents, neighbors and elders. The small West Texas town were my …
Here’s looking at you kid
As a fan of Humphrey Bogart, “Here’s looking at you, kid” takes on new meaning to me as a mother. It’s the perfect way to say cheers with your children. A cocktail is any mixed drink (alcohol or not). Think beyond the Shirley Temple! When you play in your kitchen, you become your own chemist. Keep it simple, you really …
Our Daily Pasta
There is religion in food; we can worship the gastronomic experience. Our daily pasta is like our daily bread. We’ve all eaten that special warm delicious dish of pasta and thought, “Oh thank you God!” Voltaire said, “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as …
Celebrate Friendship with SATC2
Sex and the City is a celebration of friendship, love and soul mates. Women have a craving for love that our friends can sometimes fill in different ways than the men in our lives. These four characters make up a complete woman that most females can relate to. They are hard working, very smart, and feminine …
The Fabric of Our Lives
Just as a song or scent can evoke powerful memories, so can clothes. Our favorite outfits can hold powerful memories. Think about the happy feelings of nostalgia that can sometimes radiate from clothing. We all have those pieces in our closet that can almost speak to us about their own wonderful vignettes. When we put …
Forever Dance/ Forever Young
I’m a dancer…Give me the chance to come through– The Music and the Mirror lyrics from A Chorus Line I think dancers are the most beautiful people on Earth. Look at the way a ballerina carries herself. She is graceful, long, and elegant. A dancer’s regal carriage is strong and confident. Isadora Duncan said, The …
I will survive May…with chocolate!
May is such a busy month! There are: graduations, ball games, recitals, school award programs, end-of-year parties…I naturally increase my chocolate intake during the month of May! It’s too easy to say, “I’m so busy!” Everyone is busy the month of May, everyone’s head is spinning! Just think, if there was an “I’m so busy” …
Ashley’s Pilates for Kids Class Get to Know Joe and say…Ich mag Pilates!
“I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They’d be happier.” -Joseph Pilates said this one year before he died at the age of 87. As a second grade teacher and a certified Pilates instructor, I have married my …
Ashley’s Pilates for Kids Class Get to Know Joe and say…Ich mag Pilates!Read More
Flying Lessons from Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web belongs in a very special class of literature. It’s a classic and not only does it appeal to children and young adults but also adults. I’m in my tenth year of teaching second grade. This means I have read E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web for a decade now and every year it just keeps getting better! …
Giada De Laurentiis, Everyday Italian Mom
Have you ever met someone who is famous and an inspiration to you and when meeting face to face you find your brain slows down so much that you don’t know what you are saying or doing? Well, I recently had that moment meeting Giada De Laurentiis on her book tour for Giada at Home. My friend Craig …