Society Editor for Town and Country Magazine

and great grand daughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst…..Fresh faced beauty Gillian Hearst Simonds is marvelously grounded and passionately involved in her children’s lives. Over pear martinis at Bistro Chat Noir on the upper east side, we chatted at length about our children and the importance of routines and structure and how it provides a sense of security and helps them develop self-discipline. Gillian’s devotion to her family and strong commitment to being a positive role model for her daughters embodies what being an Old Fashioned Mom is all about.

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Gillian Hearst Simonds as our third Celebrity Mother!

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1. How would you describe yourself?

I think I’m a confident grounded woman, who’s very in love with her husband and daughters. I enjoy a good challenge, respect hardwork, and appreciate honesty and loyalty. I cherish the time that I get with my friends and family because I know that time is a gift so I try to enjoy every second.

2. What do you love most about being a Mother?

Watching them grow! every day they are learning something new, I love hearing “mommy” come out of my 18 month old, even at 3 in the morning. With two girls, 18 months old and 5 months old, we are still really only in the early stages of childhood, but it has been amazing. I love watching how excited they get with every new experience from bubbles to Christmas trees. It’s wonderful experiencing and rediscovering the world with them.

3. Please tell us what a typical day is for you?

I know that having a schedule helps the girls be relaxed and comfortable because they know their routine so the girls get up around 6:30, then there’s breakfast for them and coffee for me and my husband. We play for a bit, then a nap for one or both girls. Harper, the oldest, usually has some sort of morning class followed by lunch at home while we watch an episode of Sophia the First. Nap for both girls from 1230-3ish, then some afternoons Harper has a swim class or we take the girls up to the playroom or on a playdate. A lot of evenings we will take the girls to see a light show set to music because they really enjoy that. Any and all christmas lights are a huge hit right now. Around 5:15 home for dinner and some playtime before bath time, we read some books and bedtime. Around 7 pm everyone is down. When they are napping or asleep I also find time to work as a contributing editor for Town & Country magazine, and do work with Memorial Sloan Kettering Associates Committee, UNICEF Next Generation, New York Botanical Gardens, the High Line, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, which we are in full swing planning the Explorer’s Club party for May 13, 2015. There’s also the charity events and parties that happen around the city, and, of course, date nights with my husband or nights out with friends to catch up.

4. What activities do you and your children love doing together?

We read a lot. Do puzzles, there’s a gym class, painting and coloring, going to the zoo and the park. In the fall we went apple picking and looked at the changing leaves.

5. Reading is so important for children, what are some of your favorite books?

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses, Goodnight Moon, My Chincoteague Pony, Good Night New York City, The Night Before Christmas, The Pelican Chorus/Quangle Wangle’s Hat by Edward Lear, Black Beauty (40-page picture-book adaptation by Sharon Lerner.)

*Gillian is actively involved with Memorial Sloan Kettering Associates Committee, UNICEF Next Generation, New York Botanical Gardens, The High Line and The Wildlife Conservation Society.

Reprinted from timeout.com.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Even if the sidewalks are overrun with tourists, your crew will have ample room to skate at the city’s most iconic rink; only 150 people are allowed on the ice at once. Unfortunately, that also means that your family should prepare for long lines—unless you plan on going early in the morning or between 9am and noon on Thanksgiving, expect a one- to two-hour wait. Reservations for the first skate of the day (daily 7am) can be made online and, new this year, families can reserve a spot and stay up late for a Starlight Skate during the final session of the day, 10:30pm–midnight ($45 per person, rentals included). Open from October 10, 2015 through April 2016. General admission $25–$32, children ages 11 and under $15, skate rental $12. Group rates available for 15 or more.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

During the winter months, Bryant Park opens a no-charge 17,000-square-foot skating rink. Don’t get too excited: The admission may be free, but you gotta pay to rent skates (or BYO). On the upside: The complex holds 500 people, holiday shops, an indoor pavilion and the Canadian-themed lounge Celsius, which conveniently offers a full children’s menu and plenty of hot chocolate. Open from October 30, 2015 through March 6, 2016. Skate rentals $15–$19 per pair.

Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink

We know what you’re thinking: Yeah freakin’ right. But the trip is sooo worth the scenery: Clove Lakes Park boasts some of New York’s few remaining wetlands. Open from October 31 through April 3. Admission $10, skate rental $5.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park

This $74 million project overhauled 26 acres of the park’s southeast corner and now offers year-round fun. The LeFrak Center houses two seasonal ice-skating rinks—one covered and the other open-air—plus a cafe. Kiddos can get in on skating lessons through the Skate School, take clinics with the Hockey Academy, or even try their hand at curling and broomball. Open October 31, 2015 through March 27, 2016. Admission $6 weekdays, $8 weekends, skate rental $6.

The Rink at Brookfield Place

Located on the plaza in front of the erstwhile World Financial Center Winter Garden (it’s now called Brookfield Place Winter Garden), this rink brings a much-needed cold-weather option to the seasonally popular outdoor spot overlooking the North Cove Marina. At 7,350 square feet, it’s even bigger than the Rink at Rockefeller Plaza. New this season, the rink offer Learn to Skate classes with Olympic medal–winning husband-and-wife team, Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov. The ice-dancing pros will lead Intro to Basics lessons and Parent & Me classes throughout the season. Ice-hockey lessons are on offer too, in case your crew’s in need of a little coaching. Open from November 14, 2015. General admission $15, skate rental $5.

Trump Lasker Rink

This rink is less crowded than Wollman, but go for the hockey: Competitive leagues for Gretzky wanna-bes practice here daily. If your tot has a winter birthday, this spot also offers party packages. Open from late October.

McCarren Park

This Brooklyn park straddles the two hipster-fied nabes of Greenpoint and Williamsburg but continues to be a family favorite, too. There are baseball, football and soccer fields, dog runs, a track, tennis courts, a skate park and more. Stop by on select summer nights for outdoor film screenings, food trucks and music, or a romp in the playground at Lorimer Street and Driggs Ave. And as of 2013, the park has also transformed into a winter destination, now that the ever-popular McCarren Park Pool operates as an ice rink during the colder months. Opens November 2015. General admission $11, children $6, skate rental $6.

Trump Wollman Rink

Skating newbies can sign up for the learn-to-skate program—it’s the largest in the country. But no matter what your child’s skill level, there’s nothing quite like skating in the middle of our city’s most beautiful park. Open from October 24, 2015. Admission $11.25, children ages 11 and under $6; skate rentals $8, cash only.

Abe Stark Rink

This 40-year-old venue began its life as the Ravenhall Baths, a saltwater swimming pool that was quite the Coney Island hot spot in its day. It was destroyed by a fire in 1963, after which the space was converted into a destination for the heavily sweatered and uncoordinated. Arrive at the rink promptly at 12:30pm when it opens; the ice fills fast and it closes at 3:30pm. Open October 31 through March 27. Admission $10, skate rentals $5.

World Ice Arena

Although this rink offers hockey programs and private lessons, families can enjoy free-skate sessions every day of the week. World Ice also hosts inexpensive birthday parties; the fee ($23–28 per child) includes skate rental, pizza and several hours of ice time. Open through July 3, 2016, open most holidays and school breaks. Admission $6 weekdays, $9 weekends; skate rental $5.

City Ice Pavilion

The five boroughs’ only rooftop rink stretches an NHL-appropriate 85-by-200 feet under a weatherproof air dome (if it’s good enough for Canadians, it’s good enough for the wussy New York winter). Stop by Wednesdays from 12-4pm or between noon and 2:30pm on the weekends. At other times, the rink is devoted to skating lessons, hockey practice and private parties. Open yearround. Admission $6 weekdays, $9 weekends; skate rental $5.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers

There’s no need to wait until winter for your family to glide across the two NHL-size rinks at this megacomplex—they’re open year-round for general skating as well as hockey and figure skating. Unlike most indoor ice arenas, this one doesn’t feel like a cave; ample windows afford sweeping views of the Hudson River to the west. General skating September 14 through December 20, 2016. Admission $10, skate rental $5.

Staten Island Skating Pavilion

The borough’s only year-round ice rink is a skater’s dream, offering figure-skating and hockey programs for kids and adults of all levels. Public sessions take place on Fridays from 8–11pm, Saturdays from 2:30–4:20pm and 7:30–9:30pm, and Sundays from 2–3:50pm. Parties and private rink rentals are also available. Admission $11, children $10; skate rental $5.

Riverbank State Park Ice Skating Rink

Located about 85 blocks north of the midtown mayhem, the covered rink here—part of a 28-acre recreational facility—provides some of the least-crowded weekend skating in Manhattan. Riverbank Park overlooks the Hudson, so your crew will have nice views of the river and the George Washington Bridge too. Bonus: Families celebrating birthdays at the rink can reserve tables for after-skate cake and ice cream. Learn to Skate, Ice Dance, Figure Skating and Ice Hockey programs are also on offer. Open November through March, weather permitting. $5, children $3; skate rental $6 per day.

“Oh my……this recipe is deliciously delicious!!! This is certainly one way to jazz up green beans, and it takes practically no time to make. Doesn’t everything taste better with sugar and bacon?
Enjoy!”
View the Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans Recipe at sixsistersstuff.com

Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) package frozen green beans
6 pieces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
garlic salt, to taste

Directions:
In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until done (but not quite crisp).
Drain off grease and add butter and brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until the brown sugar has dissolved.

Place the green beans in a pot and fill with about 1 inch of water. Bring water to a boil and then place the lid on the pot. Steam the beans over medium heat until cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Drain the water from the beans, season with garlic salt, and stir in the sugar and bacon mixture. Serve immediately.

If the brown sugar mixture starts to go hard, you can quickly reheat it before pouring it over your beans.

Opera Star and Reporter legend, Aimee Marcoux Spurlock, who was honored by The Royal Television Society, is deliciously down to earth and funny. I first met Aimee at an intimate birthday dinner that a dear friend of ours was having. We bonded immediately and delighted in sharing stories about our children. I love her ease at being completely un-filtered but thoughtful when it comes to discussing her family.

We here at Old Fashioned Mom are proud to introduce Aimee Marcoux Spurlock as our second Celebrity Mother!

1. How would I describe myself?

I am a bright, funny, caring, fiercely loyal woman who is blessed every day with the gift of the Holy Spirit. I find humor in the fact that while writing this, I asked myself this question out loud and my daughter, Hadley, said virtually the same list except she said, “pretty, too”. She’s so observant.

I am also a Clergy Spouse, which means I am married to a Clergyman. My husband of seventeen years is an Episcopal priest at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City. Most of my spare time away from the family is given to the many jobs of a Clergy Spouse at the church. Ministering, comforting the sick and hospitality are just some of things that I feel blessed to be able to do.

I find humor in almost every facet of my life. I am a wife, mother, singer, actor, watercolor painter, writer and award winning journalist. My singing resume boasts over fifty world-wide operatic, and musical theater roles to my credit , but my most challenging and rewarding project to date has been Motherhood. I love it. Some days more than others.

2. Please tell us about your children?

How long is this article? Okay, I’ll keep it short. My son, Atticus, who was born in New York City, was named after Atticus Finch in, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. My husband, before Holy Orders, was in publishing at Harper Collins and I was in television at the time. We both had a love for American Literature and would take turns reading to one another. One of our choices was ,”To Kill a Mockingbird”. Michael read “Atticus”, and I said, “Wow, what a great name for a boy”! And that was it!

Atticus has truly lived up to the big name which we gave him. He is a brilliant young man. He is 15 years old and a Freshman in High school. He is a budding classicist with amazing strength in History and Latin. He is kind, handsome and extremely good to his younger sister. He was in a major motion picture with Catherine-Zeta Jones last year and is saving his money to go to Oxford University in Great Britain.

Hadley is my gift from God. I had quite a few miscarriages (actually Atticus was a twin) and had given up on having another child. I remember the day of 9/11 as I was running from the toppling Trade Center, the police screaming for me to,”move”, and, “run for your life”. As I was running down the street, I remember verbally praying, “Lord, please don’t let me die, because I want to have another baby”. It was Hadley’s face I saw in that vision.

She was born during my husband’s last year of Seminary in Wisconsin. She was a blessing from the start. Hadley is sweet, bright, beautiful, funny, charming and full of energy. She is 7 and in the Second grade. Her passion is ballet. She is just finishing her first year with The Joffrey Ballet and will be in their production of “The Nutcracker”.

They both attend private schools in Manhattan.

My Mother has always said to me, “Aimee, you rear children and you raise cattle”. I never really fully understood that until I became a parent. Being a full time Mom is more than a commitment, it is an opportunity for greatness.

Cattle don’t require much work…you just feed and water them. Child-rearing, on the other hand, takes finesse. Cattle don’t ask for help with homework, or have a broken heart but children do.

Having children who have different interests is challenging sometimes, but that is the “art form” called parenting. We,as mothers are called to be in three places at once and be interested in everything. To do
that requires grace!

3. What makes you an Old Fashioned Mom?

I’ve always felt as if I were a salmon swimming upstream with regard to my choice of lifestyle. It is a difficult choice to be “old-fashioned” in this ego-centric culture we have today.

I secretly always wanted to be an Old Fashioned Mom-even when I was globe-hopping as an opera singer, I knew that one day I would trade my sequined gowns for my vintage, ruffled aprons!

Cooking, baking,cleaning and making house are only a small part of what makes me traditional.
It’s an attitude. An attitude of putting the family first.

I love being “there” for my husband and children. The most important time of the day for the kids is right after school. I like to sit with them over a hot cocoa and a snack whilst homework gets done. They are happy that I am there to listen about the day at school and if I’m lucky, I’ll hear the latest gossip from the second grade.

4. What rules are you adamant about with your children?

Good Manners, clean underwear and thank you notes.

Seriously, Good manners are more than just, “Please and Thank you, Yes Ma’am and no, Sir”. Etiquette is also about good social conscience. We need to care for those people who make up our day… the bus-driver, the teacher, the students at school, the homeless man. Everyone deserves respect. In the eyes of Christ, we are all equal.

For the last five years, I have encouraged my children to serve with me every Saturday morning at our church’s Soup kitchen. We make over 300 meals and distribute them to the Homeless throughout Manhattan.
This act of service awakens their senses and encourages and attitude of gratitude which they share with others.

5. Describe for us your Family traditions.

We as a family all gear up towards the highlight of the day which is Family Dinnertime.
I begin dinner preparations early in the day and try my best to make something everyone will like! Sometimes I fail completely, like the one night I made “Frito Pie”. It was awful.

Our time together is special. Even if the food isn’t so great.Dinner always starts with a Prayer from one of the children. We trade stories from the day, make plans for the week and come up with the most
ridiculous puns and jokes. We have fun.

A perfect ending of the evening would be to pile up in Mommy and Daddy’s bed for popcorn and a movie!

6. How do you find time to do it all…Or do you?

Do you remember the old-fashioned plate spinner from the circus? I often feel like that. Somedays I am pulled in five different directions with the possibility of breaking countless plates along the
way. On those days, I take a deep breath and think about what is best for the family as a whole.
I try to reschedule the things I can and if it is impossible, I just “punt” and do my best!

Those are the days I am so thankful for take-out food, school uniforms, taxi-cabs and the internet. Because even though I may be old-fashioned, I know a good thing when I see it!

*Aimee is currently collaborating on a recital of the Debussy Ariette’s Oubliees for performance in New York City and World Premiere of The Yellow Wallpaper at Duke University.

I couldn’t agree more!! Our family tradition is going to Palm Beach, soaking up some sun and frolicking in the Ocean. Family traditions are so important…..and here are some wonderful warm weather places to start them in!!!

View the Top 10 Warm Weather Getaways for Thanksgiving

My 3 year old daughter adores Mussels….I think it is the visual presence of all those gorgeous shells, and the adventure of pulling out the meat. I must admit they are fun to eat, and this easy recipe is wonderful. Add lots of garlic butter and a little salt….that’s what makes it so divine. Make sure your mussels are fresh…I love the Prince Edward Island Blue Mussels, very high in quality and sustainably grown.
View the Mussels with Garlic Butter Recipe at epicurious.com

Ingredients

• 3 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed debearded
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) butter
• 3/4 cup finely chopped shallots
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Preparation

1. Place mussels in heavy large Dutch oven, cover and cook over high heat until mussels open, shaking pan occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain mussels, reserving liquid. Transfer mussels to bowl; discard any that do not open. Tent bowl with foil.
2. Melt butter in same Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons parsley, lemon juice, lemon peel and reserved liquid from mussels and bring to boil. Season to taste with pepper. Drizzle garlic butter over mussels. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley.

“Having meals as a family is so important. Take the time to set the table and sit down together. This is where you will discover so much about your child. Family meals foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging. This will also give you time as a parent to teach your child meal etiquette….how to hold the utensils, napkin in the lap, not speaking when mouth is full, saying grace, etc. Remember, to keep the mood light and happy…children learn best by example. The Family who eats together stays together!”

View this recipe at Chow.com

I know why all children adore Macaroni and Cheese…it’s delicious!!!! This recipe is decadently divine…after you make it a few times, you will be a pro, and can add your own variations of cheese. My son loves smoked Gouda, so even though it does not melt as well as I would like…I always add a little of his favorite cheese. My daughter is a master with the whisk, and has the grandest time twirling the ingredients round and round….cooking with your children can be so fun as well as educational, memories that will last a lifetime.

For the béchamel:

4 cups (1 quart) whole milk

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

To assemble:

Kosher salt

1 pound elbow macaroni

8 ounces shredded 2-year aged sharp cheddar cheese (about 3 cups)

3 ounces grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 1 cup)

2/3 cup panko (optional)

View 10 Best Ski Resorts for Families at Forbes.com

Family-friendly resorts provide a multitude of options, so that parents can entertain their kids, relax with their spouses, and enjoy the fabulous North American outdoors…

Read Top 10 Family Vacations at Travelchannel.com