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!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Letter to My Son – Happy 8th Birthday!

August 2, 2010 · Narrative

Dear Nick,

I can’t believe you’re 8 years old today!  I still remember many vivid details from when you were born.  You were due to arrive on my birthday, and as fun as that would be, I really wanted you to have your own day.  The night of my birthday, your Dad made me Spaghetti Carbonara.  In the middle of the night, I woke up with terrible stomach cramps.  I momentarily forgot about being pregnant (as if!) and figured I might have had one too many pieces of crispy bacon (something you still love yourself).  Four hours later, the cramps were still there and I woke up your Dad.

I waited until 9 am to call the doctor and then packed my bag to go to the hospital.  I wasn’t one of those who had her bag packed weeks before.  Thank goodness you weren’t in any hurry to come!

There was an episode of Friends, where Rachel is pregnant, about to have her baby, and she’s in the hospital bed.  She’s waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  She hears people come in, have their baby, and leave.  And she’s still there.  That was me.  With you.  Twenty seven hours it took you to finally come, just enough to have your own special birthday, two days after mine.

And now here we are.  In another month, you’re going to enter third grade (third grade!!!), and a new school.  You’re excited, although just a eensy bit nervous, but I know you’ll do fine.  You are such a different kid than you were last year … less timid, way more outgoing.  You have come out of your shy shell so much that I’d really like to find just a few pieces of the shell to put back on!

I loved watching you sleep when you were a baby, and still love watching you sleep now.  Mouth wide open, softly snoring, sometimes having full conversations as if you’re wide awake, your little stomach going softly up and down.  Too cute!  Although I wouldn’t tell you that, because we’re at the age where you get embarrassed about such things.

LIKES:  iTouch, bothering your sister, loving your sister, your cousins, iCarly, skateboard sneakers, Heelys, Penne with Vodka sauce, music, swimming, salad, doing handstands under water, Silly Bandz (particularly the hard-to-find tie-dye ones) and art.

DISLIKES:  still most green vegetables, getting up in the morning, the dark, taking time to do anything slowly.

You are bright, funny, quirky and completely adorable, even if you think you are getting too old for some things.  You have a little bit of a mouth on you and come with a wallop of attitude, but we’re working on it.  You are helpful, considerate and kind and love being the man of the house.  You are a great big brother, and we’re so lucky to have you as part of our family.  It wouldn’t be the same without you.

xoxo

Mom

When he turned seven…

When he turned six…

When he turned five…

When he turned four…

When he turned three…

P.S.  No pictures tonight.  I usually add a picture (as you can see from the previous years’) of Nick wearing his Birthday Boy shirt.  The shirt he wore last year is too small now, and after two trips to the craft store, an hour of crafting and about twenty bucks, Nick decided he didn’t want to wear the new shirt.  Apparently he’s too old for such things now.  I get it, completely, but it makes me just a bit sad.  I’m not ready for him to be too old for things!  I do have a picture to add, when the laptop cooperates, hopefully tomorrow.

The reason he was most excited about turning 8 today?  He finally doesn’t have to sit in his booster seat.  The rule is 8 years old or 80 pounds.  He has been asking me, pretty steadily, for the past year and a half when he could stop using the booster seat.  Today was the big day!

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    August 3, 2010 at 1:34 am

    Happy Birthday Nick! Isn’t it amazing how quickly the years seem to go. My son will be 8 this year as well. I am so enjoying these years and watching him grow into a young man. It truly is something special.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    August 3, 2010 at 6:21 am

    Nick is moving up in the world! Happy birthday to him! These letters of yours are very sweet and such a great idea.

    Reply
  3. Casey says

    August 3, 2010 at 7:08 am

    Good for you for sticking with the booster. So few moms do these days. I had Carter in his until the day he turned 8…..even though he was over 80 pounds.

    Happy birthday, sweet boy!

    Reply
  4. Kris #40 says

    August 3, 2010 at 7:27 am

    Happy 8th Birthday Nick! Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  5. Debbie says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Happy Birthday Nick…Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!

    Reply
  6. Cate says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Casey – you ain’t kidding. A lot of his friends get in the car and complain that they have to sit in a booster. “But I don’t have to in my car!” I don’t care. My car, my rules. :)

    Reply
  7. Patsy says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:37 am

    Nick is so much like my 8 year old! Must be something about the months leading up to the 8th birthday and the shyness suddenly dimenishing (I know that has to be spelled wrong!).

    Happy Birthday to Nick! Hope it was a fabulous day. One day he will love to be able to look back at this blog and see how you shared bits of him growing up.

    Reply
  8. Ramona says

    August 3, 2010 at 10:43 am

    Happy B’Day Nick! Luv the post. Hope you are having a very special birthday. LOL…even though I think you’ve had 3 parties so far!

    Reply
  9. Meg says

    August 3, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Happy birthday to Nick! Hope he had an awesome day.

    Reply
  10. Suzi says

    August 3, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Happy Birthday Nick!
    You are an awesome kid! Your Mom has written so much about you and your sister..i think my favorite is what a great big brother you are..you have a kind heart…your Mom is rightly proud!

    Have a great birthday!

    Reply

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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.

Pinterest

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!
I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter b I haven’t had a snow pic on my feed all winter because, well, it’s been a weird one. Despite living in the Northeast, our Winter has had hardly any snow. Not to worry though, we’re going to be having snow in the Spring at this point. 😂 End of the week has a high of 50 degrees, today we lived in a snow globe with awful wind. I don’t even care what freaking season it is, just PICK ONE. And for the love of all things holy, I desperately need sunshine.
Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorro Grey days, perpetual rain, delayed opening tomorrow … all the perfect setting for a cozy night at home and #candleoclock.
Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨ Weekend Photos in Review, old school. ✨

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