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

Valentine’s Day 2011

February 14, 2011 · Narrative

I could say that Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays, but that wouldn’t exactly be true, because I like them all.  I might even go so far as putting Valentine’s Day up in my top three.  I have always loved it, single or not, kid or adult.  A friend e-mailed me this morning and mentioned the overcommercialization of “another Hallmark holiday,” and I agree with him, but I just turn a blind eye to it and celebrate it my way.  Our way.  How can you not love a day designed to celebrate love?

Before The Ex and I were married, I used to get together and go out with my girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.  And since our divorce, we have parties.  Love it.  Like seriously love it.  And it gives me a chance to teach the kids that Valentine’s Day (or Single Awareness Day as another friend called it) isn’t just about romance with your significant other.  It’s about love for your siblings.  Your family.  Your kids.  Everyone. Growing up, my Dad always gave me and my sister a Valentine’s Day card and present that he picked out on his own, independent of the joint gift that my Mom gave us from both of them.  He continued well into the first half of my marriage.  I loved that.

Of course the fact that I have 33 pictures to show you should attest to my love for today too.  Don’t take my word for it – the photos speak for themselves!

Good way to start the dayPerfect start to the day.

Mailbox Treats

Maddie's LunchLove notes for my kids’ lunchboxes.

Little Loves

Cookie at WorkCookie from my boss at work.

Feeling the LoveA present from my littlest Valentine.

You know, this one.
Me and My Little Valentine

Valentine's MailThe mailboxes in Madeline’s classroom.

Madeline's School Bulletin BoardHer teacher has the best bulletin boards ever.

Madeline's PartyCupcakes at Madeline’s Party.

Nick's Goodie BagsGoody bags pails for Nick’s class.

BrowniesCoveting this pan from one of the other class moms.

Chocolate Covered StrawberriesBiggest strawberries ever.

Guess How ManyThe class had to guess how many hearts there were in this jar. Can you believe there were over 500?!

From Nick

Assorted Muffins

L.O.V.E.

DeformedA sadly deformed conversation heart.

ConcentrationOne of our class games was a timed competition to see who could stack the hearts the highest without having them topple over.

HelpingMadeline loves Nick’s classmate, Karen, and the feeling is mutual. She is so sweet with her.

Conversation Hearts

Nick's Art(artwork I spied in the classroom today)

Nick's Wish

Art from My KidsArtwork from my kids.

LoveMy Mom got me the coolest cups ever for Valentine’s Day. Love, love, love.

Valentine's Day Flowers

Mood LightingA little mood lighting for our dinner party for 20 tonight.

Ready

Heart Shaped Donuts

Mini Confection

Mini Sweets

If you’re a regular reader, you know that tonight should have been my E.L.B. post, but I couldn’t bump Valentine’s Day, so mine will be up tomorrow.

Project 365
February 14, 2011, Photo #44

Playing TeacherMadeline playing teacher in Nick’s class. I’m trying hard to ignore the misspelling on the board.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    February 15, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Looks like a fabulous day! Loving all the conversation hearts. And those rainbow tumblers! AWESOME.

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    February 15, 2011 at 7:16 am

    What a beautiful valentine’s day! You and the kids celebrated it to the maximum capacity.

    Reply
  3. Kris #40 says

    February 15, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Love all your photos! Those tumblers look very interesting.

    Our class did the same stacking hearts game.
    The pan is from At Home America – I have the same one.
    Great mood lighting – looks so perty!
    Love the photo of you and Maddie together.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      February 16, 2011 at 8:28 am

      Ah yes, At Home America, couldn’t remember the name. She’s a rep for them but doesn’t sell regularly. Do you happen to know any reps in the area? That stacking game was a great way to get the class instantly quiet – I wonder how many times we can play that at home? ;)

      Reply
  4. Ramona says

    February 15, 2011 at 10:31 am

    Looks like ya’ll all had a fantastic V’day!

    Reply
  5. Meg says

    February 15, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Aww, looks like so much fun! I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day, too — single, coupled, sort-of coupled. Always fun.

    Reply
  6. Betsy says

    February 15, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    Great thread. I just had some belated treats from my neighbor. Yum. She has two kids but her school does not allow any homemade treats ever. And, man she is an amazing cook/baker so she cooks/bakes for her neighbors.

    She was soooo looking forward to do those fun school treats, like you posted.

    Love, love, love your attitude about teaching your kids (and adults for that matter) how we all can celebrate 2/14.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      February 16, 2011 at 8:29 am

      I hear ya. My niece goes to a school that doesn’t allow the celebration of “Hallmark holidays,” and I’m bummed about that. Valentine’s Day is especially fun when you’re a kid!

      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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