#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

Happy Monday!

December 27, 2005 · Narrative

So the holidays are over and it’s back to work tomorrow. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired … I could use the break of work. ;) I did manage to get caught up on a lot of movies this weekend though, watching Surviving Christmas, Christmas with the Kranks, Wedding Date, Must Love Dogs and Stealth. Not bad, eh? I had higher hopes for Stealth, and actually turned it off after 45 minutes. I figure if it hadn’t hooked me by then, hopes were pretty slim it would. Can’t all be winners…

Today I braved two stores for the after-Christmas madness, and managed to get a few deals, including my holiday cards for next year. Once I saw the craziness at the mall, I knew there was no way I was setting foot anywhere near there, and instead made a quick break for Target.

The Neighbors came over for dinner tonight, and since our refrigerator was already burgeoning with leftovers, I kept it simple. I made an Antipasto Platter, a Spinach Salad, and then we had Baked Spiced Shrimp with hot, crusty French bread. The Sister-in-Law was in Mystic, CT recently, and the shrimp recipe comes from a cookbook she brought me back from there. Not light by any stretch of the imagination, it was very yummy. With a cup of butter, how can it not be? The leftovers are going to make a simple Shrimp Scampi over Spaghetti for tomorrow night’s dinner.

For the salad, I used spinach leaves and tossed it with dried cranberries, candied walnuts and chunks of cheese. The dressing was a mixture of maple syrup, olive oil, a few dashes of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Full of veggies and good stuff, it was a perfect, quick-to-throw-together salad.

Growing up, we spent a few years living in England, and my mom quickly took to the tradition of English Crackers. It’s a neat little Christmas tradition over there. A cracker is a tube-shaped thing, brightly wrapped up. If you pull it at both ends, it makes a loud POP, like a small firecracker. Once opened, there’s a festive paper hat, a small toy and a joke inside. It’s a fun Brit tradition, and one that we’ve restarted in the last few years. While we were in England, my Mom even started making them herself. Tonight, we introduced the Neighbors to English Crackers and Nicholas and The Girlfriend had fun popping them open.

Enjoying the Spoils of English Crackers

Here’s Nicholas, passed out after yesterday’s Christmas festivities. Poor baby is sick now … took him to the doctor today and he has croup. He’s been pretty miserable all day today, except for when The Girlfriend came over, putting on a brave face then. It’s definitely no fun to be sick on Christmas when you’re a kid. Luckily his doctor opened the office just to see him and get him on some medication, so hopefully he’ll start feeling better tomorrow.

Christmas Day Slumber

And speaking of Christmas … Santa was very good to me this year, bringing me all sorts of fun goodies for my kitchen. My Sister-in-Law gave me the Mystic cookbook and a Cuban cookbook, which I’m looking forward to delving into. Kitchen-oriented, The Husband got me five cookbooks and, amazingly enough, only one of them is a duplicate! My sister got me a great assortment of cheeses for popcorn (Nicholas and The Husband LOVE an after-dinner bowl of popcorn!) and cookbooks, and my parents got me a bunch of dishes and platters in our new colors, silicone baking pans, tons of napkin rings and more. I’m still trying to find space for everything!

OK folks, all for tonight. Tune in tomorrow, as I reveal the newest weekly event at Sweetnicks … ARF Day Tuesday! It’s something all of you can participate in, and I hope you will. Until then…

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Rachael says

    December 27, 2005 at 1:47 pm

    Awwwww. Cute.

    Now, what kind of cheese is that on your salad???? Its, marbled? So pretty!

    Happy Holidays!

    Rachael

    Reply
  2. Cate says

    December 27, 2005 at 1:49 pm

    It’s a Colby/Jack mixture. Comes in a big block and is SO delicious, ‘specially when it gets all soft. Nicholas loves eating cubes of it by itself, and I’m right there with him. :)

    Reply
  3. The Sister In-Law says

    December 27, 2005 at 4:13 pm

    Sorry to hear Nicholas is sick… must be going around because I’ve been sick since Friday as well. Hope you and The Brother are feeling better.

    Glad you enjoyed the Mystic Book, sorry I was not able to find one at Salem, maybe next time.

    The Sister In-Law

    Reply
  4. it's only fuel says

    December 28, 2005 at 1:16 am

    My hubby is from England and we searched all over the Bay Area for Christmas Crackers this year but they were all sold out:( I think they are a lot of fun!

    Reply
  5. Cate says

    December 28, 2005 at 4:10 am

    The Sister-in-Law — Nicholas is doing a bit better today, and The Husband is doing lots better. Hope you’re doing better as well. Baby steps…

    It’s Only Fuel – If you want me to send you some, e-mail me your address. I already picked up next year’s stash and know where I can get more. :)

    Reply
  6. it's only fuel says

    December 30, 2005 at 5:24 am

    That’s very sweet(nicks!) of you, check your email!

    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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