Monday, August 31, 2015

This Week's Meals

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Late summer and a short week ahead! We have just come back from a week long holiday in Vancouver. Since I knew we'd be traveling all day yesterday, I knew I didn't want to worry about grocery shopping today, so I ordered groceries from Fresh Direct before we left. I am rarely so on top of things!

I'd actually forgotten what I'd ordered, but realized I'd saved the links as an email draft. Phew! I'm sure we could have figured out something tasty without recipes, but the above picture looked so delicious I'm glad we didn't miss it. Here's what's on the menu:

Thursday night we're planning on heading to Connecticut for the long weekend. I'm already looking forward to it!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Date Night & Kids in Restaurants

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The idea of taking a two-year old out to eat always makes me a bit...anxious. What if there's a melt-down mid-meal? What if we interrupt someone else's meal?

On the other hand, I think it's important to teach kids how to behave in the wild, and so far, my angst has been worse than Jack's manners when we have ventured out. He thinks it's such a treat, and usually his dinner is much earlier than most of the serious NY diners, so we can't offend all that many people. We also live in a neighborhood that's notoriously kid-friendly, which is definitely a perk.

However, I also feel like there's safety in numbers, so I'd never been out to eat with just Jack.

Last week, Peter had a business trip that took him out of town for two nights. On Thursday night, I really didn't feel like cooking, so I bit the bullet and asked Jack if he'd like to go out to eat--just the two of us. He was so excited about it. When I asked him what he wanted, he replied with his standard "noodles. and pasta." When I suggested we try something different, he thought for a minute and said, "fish!"

So, we walked a couple of blocks to the Grand Central Oyster Bar in Brooklyn and ordered home made fish sticks for him, some ($1!) oysters for me, and a side of rice and broccoli to share. It was such a lovely night. Here's hoping next time I'll be a bit more relaxed throughout the meal. :)

What are your thoughts? We have a friend who takes his son out for dinner every Thursday night, and also out for breakfast one morning every weekend. It sounds like such a nice tradition.


Monday, August 17, 2015

Summer Meals

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New York is having another heat wave, and I'd rather be playing with my two year old after work than spending too much time cooking. So, here are a few low-key meals I've found online that don't require using the stove or oven for too long.
I also stock-piled the peaches and tomatoes at the farmer's market this morning. It's going to be a challenge to get through them all. 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Weekend Links



How was your weekend? Ours went by much too quickly. Yesterday morning, Peter took Jack to the Water Lab in Brooklyn Bridge Park while I got a haircut nearby. And last night, we got a babysitter and went out to dinner to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. We went to Emily, which has gotten a ton of hype for it's burger. They only serve Pizza and Burgers for mains, and I have to admit: it lived up to the hype.

Next weekend, we are heading to Vancouver to visit family, so we are prepping this week. I've been trolling the internet for tips on traveling with toddlers. I've bought headphones, and am on the hunt for good apps that will keep a two-year old entertained...any suggestions?

Here are a few links from the web that have caught my eye lately:

This guide to tipping around the world is really helpful! (Domaine)

What are your thoughts on Facebook Scrapbooking? I have to admit, I'm anti. It kind of creeps me out that kids in this new generation have such public childhoods.

Mmmmm. Food Halls around the country.  (Fodors)

Rose wines to try. (NYT) To be honest, I've never been a fan of rose. It always looks so refreshing, but I'm disappointed when I drink it. I have a friend in Bordeaux who is a wine maker, and she said she believes that the paler the rose, the better it is.

A list of the Best Summer Books 2015. Have you read any of them? (Publishers Weekly)

11 Baking Tips from Bon Appetit.

I haven't seen a movie in ages. This list of the Best Movies of 2015 (so far) makes me want to hit up some theaters. (Vulture)

The Coolest Outdoor Art Exhibits for Kids.  We've seen a few of the pieces of Please Touch the Art in Brooklyn Bridge Park, but this makes me want to travel. How cool does that giant Radio Flyer look? (Red Tricycle)

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Wine & Cheese

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The other night, my two-year old son was trying to tell me something. "I do not like ______." I kept asking him to repeat himself so I could understand what he was saying. After about 7 tries, I finally realized that he was saying "I do not like Humboldt Fog"

I'd picked up a small wedge of Humboldt Fog earlier in the week and my parents must have given him a piece for lunch that day.

For several months now, whenever we've given him a new kind of cheese, he's asked "what kind is this?" The point is, we eat a lot of cheese, so I was pretty happy when I saw these 13 Diagrams on Buzzfeed. 

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Easy Recipes for Summer Nights

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It seems as though we are in the dog days of summer. NYC is hot and sticky, and I'm lamenting that we don't have outdoor space for a bbq. sigh.

In the meantime, we're throwing together lots of quick, easy meals. Here are some quick and easy recipes we've hunted down for this week's menu:


Stay cool!

Friday, May 08, 2015

Weekend Links

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New York is the most active State in the country? I'll take it! Note: should probably try to work out sometime soon...

I love this photo series. 

Have you seen the list of Time Magazine's Most Influential People? I read an interesting article about how there are fewer authors than in other recent years. p.s. have you read Americanah? I highly recommend it.

Lovely article about Jonathan Crombie, who played Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables, and who recently passed away.

Must-have French Beauty products from Fodors. Here are my picks.

Have you heard of Ideal Bookshelf? I love this idea. What books would you choose?

Cheap travel? Yes, Please.

Cute flats with a great name. :)

I'm also kind of crushing on this and this.

p.s. I've been browsing Trulia a bit too much lately and would love to live here.  #dreamhouseoftheweek