TFH Family Favorite Finds

Guest Post: Lidia's Italy - A Mom's Favorite Pasta With Cheese By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

 
 

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love watching Lidia's Italy.

She reminds me A LOT of my own mom (slight accent, awesome cook) and her book, "Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes," is on my birthday wish list.

"But, you don't like to cook!"

Actually, I love to cook...just, not during the week.

"I'm getting it for Daddy!"

Shhhhh...don't tell him...because, with my working 4 afternoons/evenings out of the week, he gets home a couple of hours before me and is turning into quite the Mr. Mom, thankyouverymuch!

"You're messing with my mojo!"

I called and told the kids to go ahead and make up some hot dogs, the other night, not knowing that my husband was already defrosting the beef stew he made, a few nights before and, well, um, now I only get to test drive my Frigidaire range on weekends.

[heavy sigh]

Tough duty, I know.

[wink-wink]

I am very excited to be able to feature "A Mom's Favorite Pasta With Cheese" by Lidia Matticchino Bastianich.

In this article she offers advice on using the three most common cheeses found in Italian cooking: Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, and Grana Padano.

This article also includes a great recipe Spaghettini With Olive Oil and Garlic (pictured above) that go with either of the three cheese depending on what you like!

Buon appetito!

GameStop/ESRB Holiday LIVE Chat at 3 pm ET, TODAY Hosted Here on This Full House!

Last year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced new video game rating summaries -- a FREE internet tool available to help parents (like me) figure out, you know, just what in the heck is in all those video games the cool kids are playing, these days -- and featured This Full House in the official press release.  

They came to my house, we locked the dog out in the yard and they filmed my kids playing their video games and everything.

My friends as the ESRB are at it again (helping parents, like me, I mean) by holding their first joint online press conference with GameStop.

Here is a quick rundown of the event:

• When: Dec. 17, Thursday, at 3 PM ET
• Who: Eliot Mizrachi, ESRB Director of Communications and Chris Olivera, GameStop VP of Corporate Communication
• Topic: Game ratings summaries & holiday gift shopping
• Prizes: Participants will be entered into a chance to win prizes including GameStop gift cards & a video game console!

Aaaaand, we have the pleasure of running the chat LIVE -- once it starts (3:00 p.m. est) you can join in at any time!

Eliot and Chris will be answering all your video game-related questions, so grab yourself a warm beverage and if you have any questions about ESRB's ratings or specific titles on your kids' wish lists, have them handy!

Feel free to add your email (will not be shared) and you'll be sent a reminder (up to 15 minutes before) when the chat goes LIVE!

Aaaaand, if you need me, I'll be upstairs, wrapping presents...YO!

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN THE CHANCE TO PERHAPS HELP OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) KEEP FROM GOING A LITTLE NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF ATTENTION U.S.A. AND ESRB.ORG

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days DVD and Commemorative Book Set

[COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN (#63) ANITA YANCEY (#60) AND AMANDA (#57) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Sesame Street is turning 40 in November -- Download 40 Years Coloring Sheet!

WOW!  Has it been 40 years, already?  It's hard enough to believe that my oldest daughter is turning 16 (someone, hold me, please!) I mean, it feels like only yesterday, I can still remember her sitting in front of the television, in her Barbie pajamas (don't ask!) eating a bowl of cereal and watching her favorite cartoon, Little Bear.

[sniff]

My middle girl couldn't get enough of Pooh Bear, my son was all about the Power Rangers and my youngest daughter, well, Dora the Explorer was okay -- especially, since she pronounced it, "Do-wuh the Explo-wuh!" -- but, I still cannot seem to wrap my head around the Doodle Bops, who I did NOT link to, only because they've got some really, REALLY LOUD music on their website and, well, mommy's ears are tired.

[shiver]

However, I am proud to admit that all 4 of my children are PBS Kids (me, too) as, I believe there are many benefits to watching good quality television programs -- especially, for families who perhaps lack access to educational resources we take for granted.

My twin brother and I learned to speak English watching children's television shows like, Sesame Street and The Electric Company (My parents immigrated from Hungary during the 1956 Revolution) in fact, these programs were the closest to a preschool education we had, for a lot of kids, too!

Sesame Street is turning 40 (or, celebrating the 10th anniversary of their 29th birthday) with the debut of SESAME STREET: 40 YEARS OF SUNNY DAYS, a two-disc DVD set being released on November 10th from Vivendi Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street.

Interview With AskPatty.com: Jody DeVere Gives Automotive Advice for Women & Review of Rain-X Car Care Kit

[This giveaway has ended: WE HAVE A WINNER - Congratulations, Jill W!]

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I arranged for a mommy and daddy play date, last weekend and headed over to Jiffy Lube -- we are married, with children, what did you expect? -- and, while we were waiting for the oil to be changed (shuddup!) I pointed to the Rain-X display in the reception area.

"I want a pair of those for Valentine's Day!"

What?  Okay, it's not diamonds (see "married" note above) but, since I seem to spend most of my time driving my kids here, there and everywhere,  I would much rather he spend the money on my minivan.

Cars can be real high maintenance, especially in the winter, right?

It is with extreme pleasure that I introduce to you Jody DeVere, the President of the Women’s Automotive Association International and CEO of the auto-advice site AskPatty.com -- AskPatty is in the house to answer a few questions about car care!