New (to Me) Blogger on the Block #34

So the birthday celebrations for Nicholas have finally come to an end. The Neighbors came over tonight for dinner and to share our birthdays with us. We settled on take-out from a local Italian restaurant and ended up getting quite the assortment of food … black olive pizza for the kids, Buffalo Wings, Arancinis (love them!), Potato and Egg Hot Subs and more. Yum!

Cookbooks are an easy gift for me, because I’m always on the lookout for another one to add to my collection, although I am being choosier lately. The problem is, because I have so many, it’s also a hard gift to give me, as it might be one I already have. That said, I received 6 new cookbooks this week, and NONE of them were duplicates. Better still, I cannot wait to start using them. Since I didn’t cook tonight, I’ll introduce you to one of the new cookbooks I received from The Neighbors, as part of this week’s Rediscovering My Library segment. From now on, if I happen not to cook on a Thursday (hey, it happens), I’ll introduce you to a cookbook instead. That way, I can still continue the segment, and don’t have guilt for not cooking. ;)

OK,let’s go. Have you heard of Serendipity in New York City? It’s a fun little restaurant on the East Side that has a great Hollywood history to it. My sister and brother-in-law took us there a few years ago for lunch, and one of their “house specialities,” Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It’s a deliciously sinful concoction that Nicholas and I just adored. Now, the Hollywood history? Let’s see … Originally established in the 1950s, Andy Warhol declared it his “favorite sweet shop,” and celebs frequently make stops there to satisfy their sweet tooth, everyone from John Travolta and Melanie Griffith to Joan Rivers and Cher. They have a little gift shop, and, of course, their very own cookbook Sweet Serendipity: Delightful Desserts and Devilish Dish, which you know I added to my collection. One of the cookbooks that The Neighbors gave me for my birthday is Serendipity’s second cookbook, Serendipity Sundaes. This one only came 3 months ago – I didn’t even know it existed! Scooped by The Neighbor! If the cover picture is any indication, I’m going to need to start going faster on the treadmill … everything from White Chocolate Sauce, Breakfast Sundaes and Cowards Portion Banana Splits to Hot Maple Sundaes, Homemade Marshmallows and Chocolate Covered Brickle, this one is going to be fun! Tomorrow I’ll fill you in on some of the other cookbooks I received.

Next up is tonight’s nod for New (to Me) Blogger on the Block. I’d like to introduce you to A Fridge Full of Food. Whether it’s Scallops with Balsamic Vinegar Syrup, Chimichurri Sauce or her Weekend Obnoxious But Amazingly Tasty Roundup, you’re sure to find something yummy here. Enjoy!

OK folks, all for tonight. Tune in tomorrow for the roundup of I’ll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours #3 and more cookbooks unveiled. Until then…

A year ago today … delicious pasta.

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