Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Friday Night Date Night (aka We’re Baaaack!)

November 19, 2005 · Narrative

Our turn for Friday Night Date Night couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Nicholas was beyond excited to get together for dinner and playtime with The Girlfriend tonight, and The Husband and I got a little breather. Neither of us were especially hungry, and since I haven’t had a chance to hit the grocery store, we ended up at a local diner. I got a Patty Melt, which I haven’t had in ages. It was SO delicious. Problem is, I think both of us are still overly full from all the food on the cruise, and just the smallest bite to eat really puts us over the edge. I don’t think I plan to eat until dinner tomorrow. We also both have a major case of sea legs. Those who have cruised before know what I’m talking about. Even though we’re on terra firma, the ground still feels like it’s bobbing and swaying as if we’re on the ocean. In fact, The Husband opted out of the few errands I wanted to run because he was feeling a little lightheaded … hey, reality is tough!

The Neighbor took one guess as to my first stop for errands tonight and nailed it. Can you guess? The bookstore. She knows me too well. That was definitely my biggest itch in getting back home … I wanted to see what magazines I might have missed in the last week, and there were plenty. There’s a new Olive issue out, along with Fresh, the Australian Vogue Entertaining and Travel, delicious. and the premiere issue of Paula Deen’s new magazine. Just a little light reading. ;)

OK, going to wrap up the post for now to call it an early night. But before I do, I leave you with some pictures from our Bermuda vacation. Tune in tomorrow for the ones from the Grand Midnight Buffet and the towel animals Lincoln left us. Until then… Don’t forget to send in your pup pics for Weekend Dog Blogging #10!


All Aboard! Nicholas was NOT a big fan of the safety drill.


Starting the Trip Off Right. Nicholas grew to love Strawberry Coladas (virgin, of course) as much as I do!


Lunch Time!


The Shrimp and Lobster Stuffed Ravioli


Day Two… Dinner Time cocktail


Elevator Floor – they change it every day so you can keep track (you know how hard it is to lose track of days on vacation!)


We’re Here!


The Bermuda Rum Cake Factory, a tiny place, but famous for their cakes


The Ship Docked in King’s Wharf, Bermuda


Snorkel Park, a tiny little beach area within walking distance from the ship’s dock


A view of the other side of Bermuda


The Clock Tower Shopping Area, right across from the ship’s dock


The View of King’s Wharf from the Ship


I know, a Fashion Don’t. Tried as he might, The Husband could not talk Nicholas out of wearing his boots poolside.


The Dolphins from Dolphin Quest


The view from the very top of the ship as we leave Bermuda… look how crystal clear the water is.


Getting Ready for Another Feast


Sigh … the last Strawberry Colada of the trip…


Some of the Wait Staff serenading the guests on the last night.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. kima says

    November 19, 2005 at 4:52 am

    Welcome home!

    You and are so alike in the bookstore addiction! I don’t buy quite as many as you but I think you were in my head yeserday as I splurged and bought three glossy British mags-I love those. Only one was food related (BBC Food) the others were their Good Housekeeping and She magazine.
    Anyway nice to have you back on terra firma. See you on the BB.

    Reply
  2. Barbara (Biscuit Girl) says

    November 19, 2005 at 1:36 pm

    What great pictures! Nick looked like he had the time of his life.

    I got my hubby hooked on cruises last month when we went to the Pacific Northwest on Celebrity’s Mercury. Looking at your pictures just makes me want to book another cruise right now…. :)

    Reply
  3. abe/happy says

    November 19, 2005 at 1:42 pm

    Nothing worse then having ‘sea legs’ on land, almost like the feeling after you’ve stepped out of an elevator :)

    I am seriously saving my pennies and going on that ship!

    Reply
  4. MeBeth says

    November 19, 2005 at 8:50 pm

    Welcome back! I tried out that spinach, artichoke and bacon dip – it was delicious.

    Reply
  5. Cate says

    November 20, 2005 at 4:31 am

    Maureen, you and I are definitely soul sisters in more ways than one! :)

    Mebeth — isn’t that dip fantastic? Even better the next day.

    Abe – exactly! You know, if you book waaay in advance, the cruises really aren’t that expensive. I’ve seen them as low as $550/person, and you only give them a deposit up front, and pay the balance 30 days before departure…

    BiscuitGirl – aside from being homesick, Nicholas DID have a great time. How’d you like Celebrity? We’re actually making plans to do another one in June, and are open to other lines… suggestions?

    Reply

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Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!

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