#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

New (to Me) Blogger on the Block Thursday

April 14, 2006 · Narrative

Mmmmm, dinner tonight was deeeeelish! Nicholas and The Girlfriend haven’t seen each other since last Friday (horrors!) because she has been suffering from the same nasty head cold that Nicholas and I have … come to think of it, I think she had it first. ;)

We couldn’t keep the lovebirds apart any longer, so we all converged tonight for a nice easy, impromptu night of grilling and outdoor play. The kids had fun racing around the backyard and taking turns on Nicholas’ mini-trampoline (a steal for $5 from a garage sale last year!), but when I tried to get a cute picture of them jumping on it together, they out and out refused. Blasphemy! The nerve! The Girlfriend with her hand on her hips and Nicholas and his arms firmly clenched across his chest. Geesh, I don’t take THAT many pictures!

For starters tonight, I made a tried-and-true, Sweetnicks Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s very simple to make and full of healthy goodness. One of Nicholas’ favorites, it’s an easy way for me to sneak in those veggies with him being none the wiser. Carrots? What carrots? For the main course, in keeping with my Rediscovering My Library segment, I turned to Steven Raichlen’s How To Grill in search of a new steak recipe and found Tuscan-Style Steaks, which The Husband grilled up. With the fresh rosemary and sage, it is a perfect entry for Kalyn’s Weekend Herb Blogging. It smelled insanely delicious when it came off the grill. I would definitely make this one again, since you can’t beat how easy it is, but next time, I’d cut back on the olive oil. Waaaay back. I halved it while making it and that was still too much.

For this week’s nod as New (to Me) Blogger on the Block, I’d like to introduce you to The Cooking Critic. Whether she’s being creative with risotto, making Greek Chicken Strudel three ways or even taking part in a Grilled Cheese Championship (yes, you read right), I think you’ll enjoy this site.

One more thing before I sign off for the night. Need Easter inspiration? There’s still time to get creative … check out my latest article for Paper Palate here for some ideas. I love Martha’s Spring Chick Cakes… too cute!

Alright folks, that’s a wrap for tonight. Tune in tomorrow to find out my exciting new discovery that’s perfect for ARF/5-A-Day Tuesday. Until then…

A year ago today … mmmm, delicious pasta.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. jae says

    April 14, 2006 at 12:52 pm

    i heard about yer blog through 28 cooks. thought i’d pop by.
    my food blog started out as a knitting blog (not that i have time for knitting these days – i’m so busy in my kitchen!) so i’m out of the food blog loop somewhat.
    i’m going to have to spend more time with your links!

    Reply
  2. Amy says

    April 14, 2006 at 1:14 pm

    I think that picture is cuter than if you’d caught them mid-air!

    Reply
  3. s'kat says

    April 14, 2006 at 1:26 pm

    I agree with Amy- love the sass! :)

    And what a nice-sounding salad for a light supper… summer’s right around the corner!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    April 15, 2006 at 12:44 am

    That Chinese Chicken Salad looks great — I can’t find the ginger paste. Any suggestions on what to substitute (and how much)?

    Thanks,

    Reply
  5. Cate says

    April 15, 2006 at 12:50 am

    Jae – thanks for dropping by … always nice to have a new visitor. :)

    Amy – they’ll definitely be happy to hear that! ;)

    S’kat – sass is definiitely nothing they’re short of. The salad is delicious — I usually switch to more salads this time of year in an effort to keep kitchen time low, and this one works great.

    Anonymous – you can substitute fresh ginger, and the salad will also work well without it (I usually add a little bit extra garlic in lieu of it when I’m out of it). I find my ginger paste at an Indian grocery store, in case you happen to have any Indian or Middle Eastern food stores around you. Hope this helps!

    Reply
  6. sher says

    April 17, 2006 at 8:06 pm

    Well, I can smell it just by looking at the photo. Saliva puddling in mouth….must have steak!

    Reply
  7. Cate says

    April 17, 2006 at 9:16 pm

    Sher – it smelled insanely good, hope you get a chance to try it.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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