Generation X, commonly abbreviated to Gen X, is the generation born after the Western post World War II baby boom ended. While there is no universally agreed upon time frame, the term generally includes people born in the 1960s through the late ’70s. Gen X’ers have proven to behave differently than any other generation in history in that almost half of them are opting to be childless. About 43% of Gen X women have no children.  This is largely attributed to women delving into their careers. One difference between the 1950s housewife and a 2011 career girl is that women don’t need to “couple up” in order to survive.  In many instances, women are earning far more than their male counterparts.  But this doesn’t come without a price.  Because of 60 hour work weeks and more often than not, crushing student loan debt, women barely have enough time to take care of themselves, let alone other human beings.  Families are certainly shrinking in size, and with 43% of our Gen X’ers without children, we shall surely see the effects of this in our society in 10 years.  Interesting!  Did you opt for career of children?  Or both?

Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey) has just written an incredible book on the art of Italian cooking.  More than just a cookbook, this is more like a great book with recipes, because there’s lots of dialogue and pictures to go along with the amazing recipes.  I especially love the pictures she shares of her house and family (four darling little girls and her juicy husband, Joe.) 

I was so impressed with Teresa’s book.  I mean, who doesn’t want to have access to a girlfriend whose parents are straight from the old country and taught her everything they know about old-school Italian cooking?

I adore that she believes so strongly in her heritage.  I adore people of any culture that maintain their roots and are deeply proud of being Italian, Swedish, German, etc.  I love tradition.  It’s something I wish I had in my own family.  Truth be told, I really have no idea where I came from.  I’m blonde, blue eyed, and not exactly what you’d call dark complected.  I know that originally my family came from France.  Beyond that,  it’s a bit unclear.  I’ve always found it to be so interesting to listen to people who have deep heritage.  I need to visit Ancestry.com. 

Teresa shares recipes in her new book, Skinny Italian, that have gone back many generations.  She shares all of her bag of tricks…all the while doing it with her Jersey-Girl attitude and sass! 

I have literally not been able to put this book down for two weeks.  Teresa has even inspired me to try my hand at canning this summer (there’s a whole section on this in her book along with step by step instructions.) 

Admittedly, the Real Housewives franchises have tried to market almost every one of their ladies into a brand…(think Vicki Gunvalson with her new book or LuAnn the Countess with her singing.)  With all the personal branding  promotion, I admit I looked at Teresa’s book with a side-eye, ala Tardy For the Party. 

But Skinny Italian is the real deal.  Real authentic recipes taught by real authentic Italians.  Teresa, I love, love love your new book.  Super-impressive work, Jersey-Girl!

Backyard dinner dates….one of my very favorite things!  You don’t need to find a sitter for the kids and spend a ton of money in order to have a dinner date with your man….or entire family. Create a beautiful place in your yard or on your balcony to dine outside.  I created my secret spot under a huge tree in my yard, and designed a seating area, lined with Brassfield Chips (pebble ground cover seen above.)

Beautiful linens/tablecloths can create so many different looks.  The picture above happens to be a Saturday morning breakfast date with the newspaper and fresh papaya juice (coffee being brewed).  It’s a beautiful way to start the day or end an evening.

A backyard dinner date just takes creativity.  It can be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner; the backyard dates are especially beneficial when you feel like you haven’t been on a real date in 100 years.  Create a romantic dinner for two (don’t forget candles), or serve dinner for the entire family there.   Have coffee and bagels in the morning, or gourmet cheeses and a bottle of wine in the evening.

Get creative and surprise your guy with a backyard dinner date.

The June 1st edition of BusinessWeek magazine featured the new book, Womenonics, written by Claire Shipman (ABC News and Good Morning America) and Katty Kay (BBC World News America.)  In summary, the book denotes how beneficial it is to employers to exercise flexibility in work schedules, depicting how important it is for women to have this flexibility to accommodate their home life, their life as a mother, and all around multitasker.

While I agree with their theory on the whole, as flexibility in work schedules make life far more enjoyable and makes employees more efficient with time management, my mind was boggled at statements such as this “Capital One thought work flexibility was a key issue only for female employees.  Turns out, it was true for the men as well.” 

Is the fact that a man would like to enjoy his children and home-life as much as women such an epiphany?   Is is too far out of the realm of 9-5 that a man would like a personal day?  While I know the double-standard usually takes presidence in favor of men, on this issue, I’m siding with the boys. 

Perhaps it’s that I have two sons, as opposed to daughters, that I understand the need for equality for everyone.   When my boys have children of their own some day, I want them, too, to have the flexibility in their work schedules that women have.  After all, they’ll want to see first home runs and school plays, too. 

Perhaps having sons teaches one how to be a better woman?   Because of my sons, I have a greater deal of empathy with the boys club. 

Discovering that men would like a little flexibility in their work schedules is a bit simplistic and naive, is it not?  It’s human emotion, a human need.  The fact that BusinessWeek mag and Womenomics feels that this is an epiphany makes it feel like three giant steps back for womankind. 

Have we grown so accustom to men being big strong providers that we forgot that they have feelings as well?

It didn’t take a recession for smart girls to know that the library is the most valuable free resource on the market!  Go take advantage of your local library for books, DVDs, (workout DVDs are my favorite…especially new releases), magazines, books on tape, etc.  There’s so much to love….and best of all, it’s so recession-friendly.  Free!

Did you know that the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was voted the busiest library in the nation for four years running?  I’m proud to say, I think I single-handedly have helped improve our numbers!  I adore the library.  Take the whole family, and have a free night out at the library…and get smarter in the process. 

Happy Birthday, to my little Einstein.  You are the smartest, most fascinating little miracle to me.  Happy birthday, Dylan!    

Happy birthday, Chrissy-pie…..you know who you are!

A 1990s study of 141 senior class photographs from the 1960 yearbook of Mills College examined the nature of smiles in the photos: genuine smiles, the so-called Duchenne smile, versus a forced photo-smile. Researchers found that genuine smilers were more likely to be married, to stay married, and to experience more personal well being.

That makes me think of these pictures.  I asked Dylan what he was doing to his cheeks when he was smiling, and he said he was trying to smile big, like I do.  He achieved his goal in the bottom picture. 

  Tender Butter Lettuce salad, no spines….at all, crumbled bleu cheese, pine nuts, balsamic vinaigrette.

  Vine ripened tomatoes with fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

   Lamb (pre-grill) for the Irishman.

  Lobster tails with drawn butter and filet mignons.

    Delicious fresh brewed dessert coffee, Vanilla Cream.

Happy Thanksgiving.   I sure know I’m thankful for the blessings in my life.  I wish you a beautiful day!