Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
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!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Back to School Party

September 8, 2009 · Narrative

Back to School Rainbow Cake

It was a semi-last minute idea, but I decided to have a small Back to School party for Nick.  I quickly fired off an email to a few friends before I could change my mind and start to worry about all the boxes still left to unpack.  Considering we only moved three weeks ago, I think the house is in pretty good shape … and what better way to kick it into high gear than to entertain?

While making an effort to keep the shindig small, I also wanted to keep it simple.  There are still kitchen items I have yet to uncover, so I didn’t want to go crazy with an all-out affair.  Definitely not ready for that yet.  The first thing decided was dessert (but of course!).  After all, if I think Rainbow Cake is the perfect way to end the school year, it stands to reason that it’s the perfect way to begin it as well, no?  (Hence the pretty stack of dirty dishes in last night’s photo round-up)  To both serve as an activity and make sure the kids had something fun to eat, I went with make-your-own pizzas for dinner.  Menu aside, I think the biggest surprise for everyone was the fact that I don’t have a rolling pin.  No, it’s not lost.  Not still in an unpacked box.  Just.don’t.have.one.  When it comes to kitchen things, I don’t like having a lot of extra things in terms of tools, gadgets, machines and what-not.  The main uses for a rolling pin (aside from the need for it last night with the pizza dough) is for making bread and rolling out cookie dough for cut-out cookies, neither of which I really do.  A plastic cylindrical cup did the trick nicely for the pizza dough and was really easy for the kids to handle. A little tomato sauce, heaps of mozzarella and a smattering of mini pieces of pepperoni and into the oven it went.  For the grown-ups, I made a version with pesto and fresh mozzarella from the farmer’s market.  By the end of the night, every last speck was gone.  My kind of clean-up!

I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that tomorrow Nick is heading off to the second grade.  Where the heck did time go?  I still remember when he took his first steps… it’s like the first picture of Madeline from last night’s post – all the sudden she doesn’t look like a baby anymore.  They’re both growing up too fast!  Someone actually asked me today when she is going to go to school – ack!  I am all for savoring every little bit of their childhood as long as I possibly can.

These days, with everyone being more and more conscience of spending money, this Back to School party is the perfect way to entertain.  Very easy, fun, ideal for the celebration and affordable.  All told, between using what I had on hand, combined with a few simple things from the store, we fed four adults and 5 kids for under ten bucks.  The kids had fun, the grown-ups got adult conversation and it was the perfect way to kick-off the new school year.  Priceless.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Back to School, Rainbow Cake

Comments

  1. Starnesfam says

    September 8, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Yes, indeed. Money smart and fun!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    September 9, 2009 at 6:13 am

    Sounds like a fun time for everyone! I’ve been toying with the idea of having a make-your-own-pizza party for my 22+ year old friends. It’s the kind of thing that is enjoyed by people of all ages!

    Time definitely flies so enjoy every second of it while you can.

    Reply
  3. Kris #40 says

    September 9, 2009 at 8:40 am

    I still love that cake the second time around!

    I’m now off to search your archives for some brunch recipes. We are having an “inlaws are leaving to go back to Florida” brunch on Sunday. My sister is doing most of the items, but I want to throw in a few.

    Reply
  4. Cate says

    September 9, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Starnesfam – money smart and fun – perfect combination. :)

    Joanne – I love make-your-own pizza parties – perfect for any age, and the end results were really delicious.

    Kris – me too! Oooh brunch … Barefoot Contessa has a great Smoked Salmon Fritatta and there is a delish Overnight French Toast from Paula Deen – yum!

    Reply
  5. Debbie says

    September 9, 2009 at 11:11 am

    I love that cake and what a fantastic idea!!!!

    Reply
  6. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says

    September 9, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Wow, that is one intense looking cake! I am sure the kids loved all the rainbow colors!

    Reply
  7. Ramona says

    September 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Sounds like everything turned out great, wasn’t expensive and everybody enjoyed the food. Good deal.
    Ramona

    Reply
  8. Sarah Caron says

    September 9, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    That sounds like a great way to kick off the school year. What a fantastic mom you are for doing things like that!

    Reply
  9. Patsy Kreitman says

    September 9, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    great way to start off the new school year! I love that cake, and one of these days will have to give it a try. I’m in the process of trying to plan a Halloween party, so any simple tips for that kind of party are very welcome!

    Reply
  10. Pamela says

    September 11, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    What a beautiful cake! i have made one with jello packets mixed in for color, but the texture was off. i’ll have to try your version.

    **thanks for your nice comment on In My Shoes.

    Reply

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Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.

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Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
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!

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