He put a ring on it :)

There are defining moments in a family’s life- from the births and deaths to the weddings and bar mitzvahs. They shift the family and define the family and ultimately weave the narrative that becomes our lives.

This weekend a chapter in my family narrative was written and I think it's just now hitting me. My cousin Matt proposed to my good friend Rachel and we truly TRULY couldn't be happier. Their union feels like what we all should strive for- they are a continuation of themselves when they are together. They bring out the best in the other. They radiate happiness. They complete each other.

The couple has known one another their whole lives (well all of Rachel’s life, Matt is much much older) but they just started dating a couple of years ago. After we got over the initial shock of "whoa, they’re dating??" we realized that they are a perfect pair and their relationship makes complete sense. Within a month of my move to New York, Matt moved here too. (Half to take an amazing job at Madison Square Garden, half to be near Rachel who lives here…I pretend he also secretly wanted to be near me but that’s neither here nor there).

Living in New York has bound us together as a family, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch them together and hang out with them together and get grossed out by them constantly PDA-ing together. The best part of our countless amount of time spent together is that I find myself happy when I’m around them because they’re so happy.

Andy and his lovely wife Anna his brother Matt and Rachel:

The next generation of Goodmans

Matt is my suave, gorgeously wavy-haired cousin who could do no wrong and Rachel is my beautiful, brilliant friend from college who I’ve always looked up to. My Grandma Letty left Matt with her engagement stone to give to his bride. It’s not a secret that I’ve forever been mildly obsessed with making sure the recipient be well worthy of such an honor. On Friday night, Matt proudly proposed with the precious diamond (beautifully set between two large sapphires) to Rachel Lauren Darrow- the rightful and perfect recipient. I just can’t stop smiling.

Keeping it in the family

My cutie cousins Matt and Andy, My Uncle Wheels (Mark) with Paw-Paw.

Yesterday was a landmark day for my family. It was the 50-year anniversary of my Paw-Paw’s pawn shop called Block’s Loan and Jewelry. Prior to my Paw-Paw owning it, it was my great-grandpa (his father-in-law) Ben Block’s. It is an institution in St. Louis and has been the staple of our family for our entire lives. So excited to see that it was covered by the local news. Look at how cute he is.

I wanted to have this song play when Paw-Paw came up for my candle lighting at my bat mitzvah. That idea was quickly shot down and replaced by the obligatory Frank Sinatra selection. I’m still salty about it.

Holler at your girl

This post is a few days late but I just wanted to give a shout out to all my favorite mama's. Happy, happy Mother's Day so the best mama's I know. I love you all dearly.

xoxoxoxoxox

First time Mama!

Auntie Cathy and Charni

Aunt Sybil!

Auntie Linda, Rumba's Mommy!

Grammy and Auntie Susan

Grammy! The best mama of them all and the #1 Glitter Me This reader

Auntie Sue, Auntie Linda and Cousin Cindy

Surprise! Surprise!

Fresh off the plane. Bloody Mary? Don't mind if I do.

Mother's Day was a hit at the Wilinsky house this year- I surprised my mom and flew in for the weekend. This was a pretty impulsive decision- I found a good deal online last week and decided it was too good to pass up.

I got great suggestions from everyone on how to best do the big reveal. BUT I ended up missing my flight on Friday night and screwed the whole thing up (don't ask me how I did this, I don't want to talk about it). Picture me hysterically crying at the Frontier Airlines gate wailing "pleaseeee there has to be something you can do pleaseeeee." ANYWAY, I got in on Saturday morning. My Dad had blindfolded my Mom on the way to the airport but then my flight got in late so they had to go inside and wait- so she just sat there in baggage claim knowing that someone was coming in but didn't know who. Minorly anti-climactic but that's neither here nor there.

The main thing to take away from this trip was...note to self: DO NOT TRY TO SURPRISE MOM. SHE DOES NOT LIKE IT.

It all started because Dad told her she had to cancel her hair appointment that was on Saturday (a very hard to schedule, very big deal hair appointment) because of "a big surprise." What came next was 5 days of sheer panic. I literally thought she was going to develop an ulcer with "What can we possibly be doing?".... "I don't like surprises, I don't like surprises, what are we doing?" and most importantly "WHAT DO I WEAR!??"

The issue of misdressing for the surprise became almost too much for her to bare. What if she wore heels and a small purse to Sea World? Or what if she wore comfy sneakers and a big purse to a Carole King concert? "Are we going in a hot balloon?" "WHAT DO I WEAR TO A HOT AIR BALLOON!!??"

It all obviously ended up just fine- she was over the moon with me surprising her and it turned out it didn't matter if she wore heels or sneakers or a gigantic purse :) We had the best, best, best time.

Saturday- lovely day spent at Del Mar beach. Sunday was brunch on the water, shopping and ribs for dinner! Didn't take pictures :(

Beach puppy.

Funniest picture ever. I'm not naked I promise, Sophie is though.

More pics to come when I get them off my camera.

Beach! Excuse my mom- she looks like she's literally making out with me in this video and it makes me slightly uncomfortable as I'm sure it does you. But she's so cute it doesn't matter.

Best Mother's Day evaaaaaaaa!!

My boys, my heroes

My dad and brother inspire me daily. Considerate, brilliant and shockingly handsome- I'm constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have such amazing men in my life. They also both happen to be incredible poets.

Growing Pains
by Ben Wilinsky

my father was a giant
and I was in a rocket
launched from his hands
I jettisoned across the water.
splash,

and he’s not so big, now
I’m almost to his chin
can score a couple
at the ping pong table

he gets smaller
too big now to wear his clothes
big enough to use his shaving cream though
never too big for his jokes and

my pants are bigger now
feet, my hands, my head too
I jettison past him

I still get lost in his huge hugs though
lost in his stories too

my heart squirms
it’s funny looking down
when looking up to someone.
my father
my giant

Missing home

I LOVE Jewish holidays. Love love love. They make me giddy. Holidays in general make me giddy...but those Jewish ones? Love love love. While being away from home totally and completely SUCKS, it does make you realize what traditions you really value. For instance: I knew I needed to buy plague masks to pass out at seder. Values, people. They're very important.

For four years the Jewish holidays at the Wilinsky house were a full out party. We might as well have had neon glow sticks and techno beats. Year after year, we were fortunate to play host to all of my friends who were unable to spend the holidays with their own families. We welcomed everyone around the table-clothed ping-pong table and introduced some of our traditions. I don't think we realized it at the time but by the end of college- the Wilinskys had built all new traditions with our new extended family.

During Jewish holidays away from my family and my extended family of friends, I desperately miss so many things. Ping pong ball props for hail during the seder, plastic frogs on the table, silly plague masks. My mom has a way of making every holiday feel electric and full of fun. One time my dad dropped the entire brisket upside down on the ground, then my mom picked up and and served the parts that didn't touch the floor. It was hilarious. Every year my dad asks if we want one [matzo] ball or two then announces he's a two ball man. Every. Year. It's all those little things that make holidays great.

For the first time ever, I'm making my own seder this year. My table seats four and my living room has a maximum capacity of about 6. But we're hosting a 13 person sit down dinner. It's going to be wonderful. I'll incorporate old traditions of the past with fond memories and a heavy heart and smile at the thought of brand new Jewish holiday beginnings with my family of friends in New York.

We set the table 2 days. We cooked in advance too. Is this what being a Mom feels like? Weeeeird.

How is this for improvisation?

Big week

It was a biggg week for the Wilinsky family. First day at my new job and drumroll pleaseeee... MY MAMA GOT A HUGE JOB IN SAN DIEGO!! She will be the Director of Membership and Caring Community (how adorable is that title) for Congregation Beth Israel, the 4th largest temple in California!!! I am so beyond proud of her, she is going to do great.

My mom and dad sent me these beautiful flowers for my first day, and now I'm virtually sending them right back to her! Yay mom!

Glitt'o Pup of the Day- SOPHIE

A travesty has been done on my part and I must apologize to my loyal readers. I have written

on this blog for over two weeks-ish and there has not been ONE mention of the ultimate Glitt'o Pup of the Day- my beloved and oh so fluffy- Sophie Ann Wilinsky. I am SO sorry. Fret not my friends, I will tell you about her now.

Please note: I only had access to the Sophie pictures that are on my computer- I don't have the puppy pictures but I will get them soon and put them up, I promise!

SOPHIE- PART ONE

Because something this cute deserves multiple posts.

Teenager years

My little Georgia peach came into our lives via a classified ad in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 1999. I saved up my money, studied some puppy books and pleaded with my parents until they reluctantly agreed to let me buy her. It was a big decision. Sophie would join our family as the younger sister to The Best Dog in the World, Buddy. At the time, Buddy was already about 7 or 8 (we never knew his exact age) and while always docile by nature, he had definitely started to slow down over the years. We (including Buddy) drove 3 hours into rural Georgia to pick up the fluffiest little white ball of adorableness you've ever seen. She slept in a box next to my bed that first night and I was in love.

Neighborhood Doggie Pool Party '08 (same party as the Glitter Me This logo picture of Jack)

From day one, Sophie was the second in command. (The beta dog?) First with Buddy, later with Jack- Sophie was always content following around her alpha male brother.Watching our two dogs wrestle became our favorite past time. Sophie would happily flop over on her back and kick up her legs whenever Buddy (or Jack) would gain too much control over her.

....funny, that's the same approach I used to take with Ben when we would wrestle (lay down, kick furiously and when all else failed, call time out when he gained too much control) worked like a charm everytime.

High school senior pictures- Sophie and Jack made an appearance

Sophie loves to be tucked in small areas and when she was a baby she used to squeeze herself between pieces of furniture. When she started to grow, we would notice the furniture kept being shifted around because she couldn't quite fit in her favorite spots. To this day, you can usually find Sophie under the kitchen table or smushed inconveniently between the couch and the coffee table.

Stay tuned for part 2 soon...I'm impressed you've made it this far.

Good morninggg

Yowza. A Wilinsky family breakfast favorite is the egg and a basket (fried egg in a piece of toast- everyone calls it different things). Well this bad boy takes the classic to a whole new level. I wonder if I'll ever make this? For now, I just like to look at it. Isn't it pretty?

Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls
Adapted from All You- taken from Noblepig.com

Amounts for this recipe are not set and are dependant on how many you are making.

Crusty dinner rolls, as many as you choose
Eggs, large, one for each roll
Mixed herbs, chopped, such as, parsley, chives and tarragon, about a teaspoon for each roll
Heavy cream, 1 teaspoon for each roll
Salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese, grated, as much as you want to sprinkle on each roll

Slice off top of each dinner roll and gently remove some bread until there is a hole large enough to accommodate an egg. Arrange rolls on a baking sheet. Reserve tops. Crack an egg into each roll. Top each egg with some herbs and a bit of cream. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake in a 350 degree oven until eggs are set and bread is toasted 20 to 25 minutes. After eggs have cooked for 20 minutes, place bread tops on baking sheet and bake until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes.

Place tops on rolls and serve warm.