January 23, 2014

Smiley Rainbow

"Look Up Mama! There is a smiley rainbow!"
It sometimes takes a toddler to remind you to pause and look around once in awhile.

What a beautiful start to the weekend!


Photo: "Look up Mama! It is a smiley rainbow!" It is going to be a good weekend!



Taken through my sunroof with my trusty i Phone.
Don't worry, we were parked!

Have a great weekend everyone!

January 22, 2014

Monster Fun

Even with reinforced knees, my son somehow manages to wear through even the toughest of denim...
So yesterday as the temperatures dropped, the snow fell, and my son had a full on WWF match against his stuffies, I busted out my needle and thread.

All of my wannabe hippy days, circa 1995, came rushing back... Images of patched pants and denim shorts, the smell of Old Mill, the walks back to Lock -n- Dam....Phew. 
We would patchwork anything that ripped. 
And we would rip things just to patch.
Darn hippies.

Well, hobbies from my youth came in handy yesterday.



Oh, ps.
I can't take credit for this cute project. 
I totally stole the idea off of Pinterest.

January 21, 2014

Breathe


With all of the snow days, holidays and cancellations over the past few months I feel like I haven't had much time to myself (wa...poor me...), 
but I did manage to squeeze in some quality painting the other day!

This baby is making the trip up to the Adirondacks to show with my other paintings at Five Corner's Cafe, in Old Forge, New York. 

She is a big girl!
I can't wait to see her on the wall!


'Breathe'
2014
Oil on Canvas
(42x30)


Also, if you are hungry for a great, clean meal, personal hospitality, some groovy art, and maybe a few glasses of wine, Five Corner's is the place to be!


We hope to see you there!

ps. They are having a Wild Game Dinner this Thursday! 
Stay tuned for more!


January 20, 2014

A Weekend's Digression


Happy Monday!
I hope you all had a great MLK weekend!

I couldn't have asked for a better start to my weekend: 
A 75 minute hot yoga session at Lehigh Valley Yoga!
If you have never tried hot yoga, or Bikram, you seriously should. 
At YVY they practice a 40 pose series that is a little less intensive than actual Bikram, but it is still a wonderful class.
In fact, a lot of people don't like actual Bikram because the instructors tend to yell and be a bit harsh...an oxymoron for many a yogi...

I actually took my neices to a Bikram class in Naples Florida and the instructor was such a bitch that we left calling it 'Hate Yoga.' 
This is not the case at LVY. 
It is a great transition to Bikram, and they encourage modification of poses so it caters to all levels of practice.
Give it a try!




So the weekend started off so peaceful and zen.

But then we ended by going to a Children's "Fun-Zone" where my son decided to lick the ball pit...

Photo: Yuck!

I think it is time to take another yoga class!


January 15, 2014

Gloomy Days


It has been pretty cold, drizzly and damp out there the past couple of days, but as the fog rolled in yesterday I captured these shots.

Sometimes you can find beauty in things if you are just willing to shift your perspective.





Stay warm friends!

January 14, 2014

Gotham City Casserole

I have gotten a ton of positive response and inquiries regarding the 'Gotham City Casserole' I made the other day for my son's Superhero party.

Believe me, it is Superhero worthy!

I actually got the recipe from Deb Perelman's 'The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook (2012).'

Deb is an amazing food blogger that lives in Manhattan and has taken the food world by storm. 
As a home cook, she makes accessible recipes that always turn out delicious.

As you guys know, I am not very good at baking, but her recipes are my new first stop when I am looking for something off of the Food Network spectrum. 
If you haven't checked her out yet, you need to: 





This recipe was not only like diving face first into a New York City bagel shop, but it carries a golden halo because you make it the night before.
This means you can visit with your company and actually enjoy the conversation because you don't have to cook! 
Or hit that snooze button one more time!
Just pop it in the oven, sit back and enjoy.

Recipe:
(This is a loose rendition of Deb's recipe. 
For her actual recipe you have to get her book, which is worth it, and highly recommended; 
Not only for the recipes, but for her banter, food commentary, and beautiful photographs)

Ingredients:
8 cups of good bagels cut into cubes (I used a variety of pumpernickel, everything, sesame, poppy and garlic)
8 ounces of chilled cream cheese, cut into small bits
1/4 medium red onion sliced into thin half moons
1 1/2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
8 large eggs 
2 1/3 cups of milk or half-&-half
1 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper

lox and capers and/or bacon for serving

Steps:
Spread a third of the bagel cubes in a 9x13 inch pan. Dot the bagels with a third of the cream cheese bits, and mix in the red onion and cherry tomatoes. Repeat in two more alternating layers. Whisk eggs with milk, salt and pepper and pour the mixture over the bagel mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning discard plastic wrap and bake at 350 for an hour to an hour 1/4 or until a knife comes out clean. Let it rest 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with lox and capers on the side, and/or bacon


I almost skipped the side of lox and capers, but I am glad that I didn't; 
It made it just that much better.

Thank you Deb for my new go-to breakfast casserole!
Friends, you will be seeing this on my counter for years to come!

January 13, 2014

Hero Up!

  So, this is the reason I have been a little vacant lately... 
I have been knee deep in Superhero everything; 
Superhero decorations, Superhero outfits, Superhero colors, Superhero foods, Superhero colored foods...blah blah blah...

Some people may say I need to get a life.
But I wouldn't have it any other way. 
For my little hero, the sky is the limit.
Like I said he will never, ever need another woman in his life after I ruin him with an over abundance of love and affection.

I love you little man.

Here are a bunch of images from our Superhero Birthday Bash this past weekend:

This way!
The Avengers
Gorilla Glue!
Cape and Mask Party Favors
(I found the capes on-line by Googling 'bulk superhero capes,' and bought the foam glitter stars at 'Michael's Arts and Crafts' store...you can buy the capes with stars embroidered, personalized etc. on-line, and save yourself a lot of time, but they are more expensive)
 



Gear!
Superhero Photo Prop
(Made with a display board from Target)
Testing Out The Goods
Superhero Mantel


Superhero Banner
(Made with Duct Tap and Yarn)

Detail of Duct Tape Superhero Banner

Super 'E'
(Again, made with duct tape)

Living Room Mantel 
Superhero Activity Table
"Gotham City Casserole"
New York Style Bagels, Cream Cheese, Red Onions, Tomatoes and Egg Baked To Perfection
(Smitten Kitchen Recipe: "New York Breakfast Casserole")
Super Fruit
It is amazing how much fruit these kids ate!
It was awesome!
Pulled Beef with Honey - Pineapple Bbq Sauce
Peanut Butter and Jellies
Brownie Cupcakes
Jameson For Super Dads
Bailey's For Coffee Bar
Celebratory Bubbles for Super Moms




Tower of Power

Detail Shots
The Spiderman Candle I found at Party City,
and the other figurines I found at Michael's Arts and Crafts for only a dollar each!

Party City Fun
I have a feeling this will become a permanent wallpiece in our basement....
Party City Spidey Games
PKR - Inspired Super Jump Game
It was a huge hit!
Jump!
Poop and Ponder Bathroom Board:
If you could have one super power, what would it be!?

My favorite answer: "To Grow Flowers in Winter"
What a great response little Lauren!!
Red Flag to Stop...
They finally broke after fifteen years of hard work.
Nobody Ever Eats the Last One...
The End...
I can't believe my little guy is another year older!

Argh!
If I had one superpower it would definitely be to slow down time...


Party Animal
Thank you Everyone for Helping Us Celebrate! Nom Nom Nom!