Malfouf - Lebanese Cabbage Rolls

You would think the best thing I took away from Memorial Day weekend was the fun with my family and extra time with my husband.

Nope. The food. Ok, yes fun with my family and husband, but really, let's talk about the food.

When my Lebanese Grandma asks me if I want to take left over dinner home with me I usually thankfully decline. Why? Because I dread that I would accidentally not eat it in time and run the risk of having to throw it away. I hate it when that happens. I am an excellent leftover eater. My husband, is not.

However, when my Grandma asked if anyone wanted to take leftover malfouf home, I could have stood on my chair, jumped up and down while raising my hand saying, "Yes! Yes! Pick me! Pick me!" My Mom raised me better than that though. I just squeaked out a little, "We would." from the end of the table.

Photo Credit // Mama's Lebanese Kitchen

We would = not if anyone else wants it, needs it, or could use it but really, I am the oldest granddaughter and most spoiled, so who has two thumbs and took a big bag of malfouf home??

This girl.

Even as I am writing this post, I look over to my empty plate where I just finished 3 rolls of malfouf for lunch. Cold. Yes people, I didn't even heat it up. I purposely put the remaining 8 rolls in the freezer as to savor them over the next few weeks. God only knows I could finish the bag here and now!

Mama's Lebanese Kitchen describes malfouf as, "a traditional Lebanese dish which involves rolling cabbage leaves with a stuffing of ground meat, rice, 7-spices (of course), then stacking them in a cooking pot in layers with garlic in between, and then simmering them on low heat in a sauce made with lemon juice, fried minced garlic, water and salt." My family adds tomato sauce or paste of some sort.

While they are not for everyone, they sure are for me. I am sure my Grandma makes (and this time she ordered some from church) malfouf differently, Mama's Lebanese Kitchen gives a very thorough recipe on their website with lots of pictures!

Is there anything your family makes or eats that you just can't help but take the leftovers of?

Current Music Obsession - Cults

I am currently informally training for an undecided __k this summer. Commit much? What does this mean exactly? I would love to do a 15k, will probably do a 10k, but most likely, I will do a 5k. Right now I am just trying to get a good 3 miles in 3-4 times per week. I hope to build the miles up from there and once I have a solid routine, I can increase my pace.

It helps me get out on the road when I have some good music to look forward to. When I was listening to the radio the other month I happened to hear "Go Outside" by Cults. David was in the backseat and said, "See, again?". I Googled the song later and told Pete I was sort of into this song I heard on the radio.









Pete already knew the whole song. I was like, what the hell? All you listed to is KFAN... Well, here the same song plays on his PS3 baseball game (yeah, I don't know the name, don't care, it is his thing! Ha!) and Cults isn't really his thing. So, I decided I would like them even more.

Photo Credit // Ben Rowland Photography // Last.fm

Last night, with storms brewing in MN, Pete and I sat and had a beer (or two) in our camp chairs in the garage. We just jammed out to all sorts of music. Music we are getting into, music from our past, music that was perfect for a rainy night in the garage. Cults was on my playlist.






For a while, I found myself jogging along to Muse, Beck & Scissor Sisters. However, my early evening runs are my escape from the hectic day at home with the boys. I found myself feeling panic and anxiety when I was running. It was almost like I was getting claustrophobic with my ear buds in.

So, with little tweaking of my tunes to a more light hearted genre, I have found my jogs so much more enjoyable. What's on your playlist?

Diaper Deals for the Day

Photo Credit // Ecomom

I noticed a few good diaper deals this morning in my inbox! Keep your eye out for Memorial Day sales starting early!

ECO BUYS 40% off Bumkins Pocket and AOI Cloth Diapers
KELLY'S CLOSET One free diaper with purchase of $64 or more
ECOMOM Memorial Day Sale with $10 off $30, $20 off $50 and $30 off $75.
TARGET DAILY DEALS Huggies Little Movers Jeans Big Pack $16.79 (size 3, 4, 5)

Happy Thursday everyone!

Free Father's Day Card from Treat.com



Between now and tonight you can get a FREE Father’s Day card from Treat!

Just use the code TREATDAD and enjoy a free, customized, card. This offer applies to all new and returning customers.

Here is how it works:

· You choose your card from their hundreds of Father’s Day designs.

· Personalize it with photos, nicknames, inside jokes, whatever you want to add. This is your chance to make it YOUR card. Be creative. Be funny. Be sappy. Make dad laugh, cry, or just smile.

· Use the code TREATDAD to get this special deal. (Note: This offer is good all customers, whether this is your first time or 100^th time using Treat).

You can choose the “Send it to me first” shipping option to receive the card free. If you choose “Mail it directly to the recipient,” you will be charged $0.44 for postage. Limit one per household. You will also be asked for their credit card to verify your identity and prohibit fraud, but you will not be charged for a free card if you mail to yourself.

Treat will truly brighten your day…and your dad’s! So check them out now and take advantage of this awesome offer!

Thanks, Treat - for the heads up!

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale Plus 10% Cash Back

Nordstrom is having their Half-Yearly Sale with some great items at a great price. Nordstrom also has free shipping and free returns! Shop through Shop-at-Home and receive an extra 10% cash back, too.

The sale includes women's styles, men's, juniors, kids, baby and home & gifts. Here are some good deals I spotted in women's and baby:

In baby:

Robeez Slip-on $13.90 other styles available

Vans Slip-on $15.90 other styles available

Mick Mack Swim Trunk $6.70

Little Me One-Piece Swimsuit $12.97

In women's:

Top Choice Crossbody Braid Trim Satchel $15.90

Lush Print Chiffon Frame Dress $22.90

Button Front Knit Skirt $12.90

Michael Kors Skinny Jeans (in Tile Blue) $38.90

Scalloped Hem Top $16.90

The High's of My Day as a Mom, Wife and Daughter: Part 1

Beginning to end - roughly:

1. James got up to eat at 5:30 am BUT both boys then slept-in until 8:30 am.
2. I slept great all night.
3. I slept so great, in fact, I got up first to pick up the boys - I love their happy, hungry little faces in the morning.
4. David asked me to change his diaper - potty training much?
5. I made David's breakfast, made coffee, changed a load of laundry and handed Pete and pop-tart - with a smile (really!).
6. Pete brought me my coffee (with the perfect amount of carmel creamer) - in bed.
7. We got ready for church with little fuss and minimal snide comments exchanged between Pete and I.
8. I liked my outfit for the day.
9. Both boys were amazing in church.
10. I got to sit next to my own Mom.
11. I had an amazing homemade cookie from my Grandma. I would have had more. Damn, I wish I ate more of them!
12. Pete got to do whatever he wanted, kid free, for a few hours. Happiness is: when my husband is happy (really!).
13. Talking to my Dad about working in New Orleans after Katrina.
14. David POTP.
15. Coming home to a picked up house. Thank you, super-husband.
16. David's face when he sees my husband's parents. Grandparents move my kids like no others.
17. James getting a bottle from his Great-Grandma.
18. Seeing my in-laws faces when they see David and James. Grandkids move them like no others.
19. The way David eats pretzels out of the bag and then shares them with everyone in the room.
20. The way James smiles and I swear he sees secrets in you.
21. Diet coke.
22. The great feeling I get when all the dirty laundry is clean.
23. Not cooking supper.
24. Changing diapers with my mother-in-law. Like we get special time no one else knows about - and we do.
25. Telling my in-laws I am so happy they came over - and I mean it (really!).
26. Nursing James till he falls asleep and then I take the time to let him sleep over my shoulder for a few minutes.
27. Cuddling, jammie time with David on the "Mama Chair" before bed.
28. The way David waddles into the kitchen with his blanket like a cape saying, "Goodnight, Daddy."
29. Wine.
30. Real Housewives of New Jersey.
31. The usual after 10 pm phone conversation with my Mom.

Today was a really great day (really!).

Have a Summer Wedding to Attend?

6pm.com is having a dress for the occasion sale with up to 80% off (and free shippng on everything) through May 20th.

$55 // 80% off

ABS Allen Schwartz - Sleeveless Dress w/Keyhole Front (Coral Floral Print)

$33.60 // 80% off

BCBGeneration - Wraffed Chiffon Party Dress (Black)

$29.99 // 74% off

Pour La Victoire Bridal and Evening - Vida (Seafoam Satin)

more colors available

$137.50 // 50% off

Badgley Mischka - Stretch Ruched Dress (Emerald)

$53.40 // 40% off

Jessica Simpson - Brean (Lili Spiced Coral)

More brands include: Elzabeth and James, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Halston Herritage & more.