Friday, May 30, 2008

The Crane

After the crane collapsed a few months ago, I told my husband, "we really need to get some renter's insurance, what if one of those hit our building...among other things that could happen in this city." He bought insurance for us that week. The building across the street started going up this fall, but about a month or two ago a very large crane was set up. I would walk down other streets to avoid it, remembering the people that died when the last crane collapsed in March (also on the Upper East). My husband and I had recently even discussed where it would fall if it fell down. It scared me every time I saw it.

My sister-in-law arrived late last night and was asleep in our living room. My husband and I stayed up late, so we were a little behind this morning. I jumped in the shower about 8:00am and he took Daisy out for her morning walk. He came inside screaming "The Crane collapsed, the crane collapsed---look out the window." The crane had collapsed just minutes before he went outside. He does not normally walk Daisy right where it happened, but I walk her there in the afternoons. The Dwayne Reade in the pictures is our Dwayne Reade. We actually looked at the building the crane hit. It is hard to not think of what could have happened. It was also a bad flashback for me of the shooting scene months before. Police, ambulances, firetrucks, helicopters--everywhere.

I snapped these pictures this morning on the way to work. Please say a prayer for the people who died this morning and for the injured. This is ridiculous and our city needs to take action. They should not be able to build these buildings unless safety is stepped up--A LOT! Our lease is up in a few months and we are probably moving (staying on UES) but I think I've had enough scary memories on 1st Avenue for one year.











Thursday, May 29, 2008

Recipes

Green Salad with Candied Almonds and Strawberries Recipe from this cookbook

1/2 head of boston lettuce torn into bite-size pieces and 1/2 head of leaf lettuce torn into bite-size pieces (I just used fresh Spinach)
2 green onions sliced thinly
1 cup of fresh red grapes (optional)
1/2 cup of celery (optional)
1/2 cup of slivered almonds
1 pint of fresh strawberries (or sub mandarin oranges when strawberries aren't in season)

Almonds--
Cook the almonds and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a small cast-iron skillet over high heat until the almonds are coated in syrup and light brown stirring constantly. Pour onto a foil-lined surface. Let stand and cool. Break into pieces....OR if you live in NYC, cheat and buy two packs from the Nuts and Nuts lady outside of work! =)

Dressing--Mix together--
1/4 cup of salad oil (I used EVO)
2 tablespoons of sugar
Couple dashes of Tabasco
2 tablespoons of vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon of salt

A friend emailed me this potato soup recicpe that she made and it is SO, SO good!!

ok so there really is no exact recipe or measurements it is all to taste and it is my mom's recipe...and sometimes we only do pot. and onions and other times we add carrots, or other veggies- cauliflower- anything really....
here are the basics and you just "taste it and cook it" until you like it:
- 5 lb bag of white pot.- peel and chop
- one or two onions- I puree down - but you can do whatever you like
- we use lots of parsley- if you use lots- it kind of has a green hue- but who cares- it is healthy for you- dried or fresh- does not matter
- chicken broth or chicken bouillon cubes
- water
- any other veggies- yesterday I did a whole bag and maybe some more of baby organic carrots
- butter and sour cream (to your taste)
so basically, put the pot. and onions and any other veggies and parsley in a BIG pot- put water in it- I would not pour the water way over the veggies- but prob. just to the top- Yesterday I added 2 chick bullion cubes - then boil- and boil until soft enough to mash- Before or after you mash (does not matter) add butter (as much as you like- half a stick? to a BIG pot ) and let it melt (it "rounds out" the flavor)- You can always pour some of the water out if it looks like it is going to be less thick than you like???... you can make it as thick or as thin as you like with the amount of water..... After you are done mashing- you can make it as chunky or as smooth as you prefer... then take it off the heat- add pepper to your taste...and if it needs salt add to your taste (it usually does not bc of the chicken bullion cubes- i usually use 2 or 3 or more chicken broth than regular water)... and then take sour cream- I used the reduced fat kind- but whatever works- and just take a spoon and as as much as you like until you get the flavor you are looking for..... i have never used more than half a thing of sour cream- but you can do what you like. Just add little by little until you say "yum"- we do this and some people do heavy cream and flour instead... we only do the reduced sour cream and it tastes the best... Stir and mash again...
does not freeze... you eat it plain or add bacon/cheese on top...

~A YEAR AGO TODAY~

Babies!

Meet my babies! You've heard me talk so much about all of these little ones I thought I would share a picture of the four that have come thus far. We still have five more of our best friends to come this year!

Sara Clark


Sam

Scarlett

Alexandra "Allie"

Thursday, May 22, 2008

May Days

*I owe y'all an update. Let's see what have I been up to? How about a list!

*My sister came to visit and in addition to our visit to the Statue of Liberty we also went to 80's Prom. OMG-Totally Awesome--pictures to come I promise! Then I took the day off on Monday and we hit up Filene's Basement and scored some really cute shirts and dresses. I got a great maxi dress I'm going to wear on our 2nd honeymoon. I had gluten free mac and cheese at S'mack. It was so yummy--a restaurant that ONLY serves mac and cheese!

*My big meeting is in a few weeks! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Work is really crazy and promises to get even more crazy in the weeks to come so please excuse the lack of posts during the up coming weeks. I have to work this weekend so no exciting plans. I'm really sad about that. But, A and I are going to look at apartments in case we decide to move. We want to stay UES, but move down and over. =)

*One of my husband's best friends and girlfriend came in town. He proposed on Top of the Rock so we had a celebration dinner at a local spot and another fabulous dinner with more friends at Wolfgangs last Friday night.

*We spent the day in the Beer Garden last Saturday. This is my second time there and it is a ton of fun. I even drank some beer and had no problems with the wheat thing.

*My husband's younger sister is coming to stay with us next Thursday. We are very different and I'm hoping this will be a good bonding weekend for us!

*Be on the watch for my Pay It Forward Contest. I received the cutest goodies from Preppy Pink Crocodile and can't wait to share the pictures with you. You can click here to see pics now on her blog.

*I bought this and this and this during the last 20% off Jcrew sale. I hate them, I mean I love them.

*Dinner last night went great! Thanks for your suggestions. We had an excellent potato soup and I made a Strawberry Spinach salad. I'll post both recipes soon along with the pie recipe so many of you want.

*Almost a month until I'm on the beach in the Dominican Republic!! SO EXCITED!! It is still cold outside. Seriously, why do people live in places where it is cold in May. I don't get it. I'm so ready to go home to the South.

Preppy Swap Questions

I'm a little late with this for my preppy SUMMER swap partner. But here it goes:

1.Favorite preppy designers? Jcrew, Lilly
2. Favorite preppy accessories? Anything and everything monogrammed, polka dotted
I also love pearls and cardigans.
3. Any hobbies? Besides blogging, working, eating and shopping?
4. Enjoy crafting, if so anything in particular? I'm not that crafty, but I do wrapping paper, tissue, ribbons
5. Favorite books/magazines? People (I have a subscription and read it every week)
6. Any other favorite things? My favorite colors are pink and green (in that order) if the two are polka dotted together--even better.
7. Collect anything? Cookbooks, silver picture frames, earrings, greeting cards (I have quite a collection), stationary
8. Any kids/pets? Daisy, my 3 year old golden retriever
9. Any allergies? Apparently I have a sensitivity to wheat products (gluten). Just found this out and I'm not liking it.
10. Favorite thing to do in the Summer? Go to the beach, boat riding, drinking tropical drinks!
11. What most makes you think of Summer? Warm weather---it still isn't warm in NYC!
12. Favorite treat/drink? Margaritas, anything peanut butter/chocolate, cupcakes, wine, sweet tea
13. Anything else your partner should know about you? I think I covered it, but my blog tells it all!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Blueberry Pie and Salad Suggestions






I made my first blueberry pie! It was a pretty simple recipe I got from this recipe book. I did pretty well according to my pie loving husband. He now asks each afternoon what kind of pie I'm going to make him. =)

I need some last minute help. My friend A and I are making dinner tonight for my friend K (who had a baby about 2 months ago). A is making some kind of soup and I'm bringing salad and dessert. I've been so busy this week that I completely forgot it was tonight. So---I need your best salad and quick dessert recipes ladies. I may just buy dessert and make a special salad. Anyways, all the recipes I found have blue cheese in them and A is pregnant (due in one month) so any recipes you send my way need to have pregnant friendly pasteurized cheeses. Thanks for your help in advance!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Spotlight Store!!

Remember all the really cute stuff I got from my fabulous spring preppy swap partner? Well, after a lot of us telling her she should open an Etsy store...she did just that. Check out her cute new store here and buy lots of goods from our favorite Canadian blogger! Congrats Lisagh on your store!!

PS. Daisy still has not torn her bone to shreds and she sleeps with her chin propped on it all the time. It is by far her favorite toy!

A Vist to Lady Liberty

My little sister "A" was in town two weekends ago and we had a wonderful time together. One of the things she wanted to do was get up close and personal with Lady Liberty. My husband and I had never actually been over to Liberty Island so we took a little boat ride and here are some pictures to show for it. Want some fun facts about The Statue of Liberty? Click here.

City and Statue View
Downtown Manhattan
Great view of the city for "A"!


My sister and I in our pink and green trenches being silly. I love this pic!

Me being artistic!
Me being artistic again!
Close up of Miss Liberty's backside


Sailing in the harbor
Lady's Backside



Hot Nuts!


View from the boat



Monday, May 19, 2008

Thanks and Prayers

Last month I won a contest on Some Like It Southern's blog. And here is what showed up in the mail a few weeks ago! Thanks so much, I LOVE it! Also check out her cute blog today and send a few prayers her way for her family.





My Ebay Find!

This is my fabulous Lilly coat I talked about here. Price tag on---$328.00---Ebay--$88.00! Go me! I have already worn it to death b/c I love it so much. Wanted to share so you can love it too.=)

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Friday, May 16, 2008

Fund Raiser for 2 Paws Up Rescue Group


Your Purchases Can Help Save a Life! Fund Raiser for 2 Paws Up Rescue Group

Kitten and Puppy season is upon us! There are many many little lives out there that need help saving. I am a volunteer with 2 Paws Up. Please help our rescue group raise funds to pull more dogs, cats, kittens and puppies from the high kill shelters, provide them with medical care, vaccinations, spay/neuter and to find safe happy forever homes.


ALL profits for ALL sales from Ladybugs and Lilypads on May 15th and May 16th will go to 2 Paws Up Rescue Group. We have everything from TOYS (look under Gifts) , FURNITURE, Diaper Bags, Clothing, Car Seat Covers, Shopping Cart Covers (these are a must!), blankets and TUTU's! Stock up on your children's clothing, gifts for new moms, baby shower gifts and birthday gifts! Think Christmas! Buy early and know that not only are you buying for a child but you are helping us save the life of a furry friend. Please tell EVERYONE you know.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Hyde Park, New York

Here are some pictures from my husband and I's day trip to Hyde Park, NY a few Saturdays ago to see the Vanderbilt home and FDR's birthplace. The cherry blossom pictures are from the garden at the Vanderbilt home.



FDR's birthplace
FDR's Grave

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