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!
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Summer 2011: Six Flags Safari

July 13, 2011 · Narrative

Entrance
Warning: Picture overload.  If you know me and the kids and how much we love animals, then you’ll know that the 30+ pictures below show great restraint on my part.

When my sister and I were kids, summers meant one thing: a trip to Six Flags/Great Adventure with my Dad and friends.  We’d leave the house super-early to make sure we were at the park gate when they opened, and spend the entire day riding the rides, doing the loop-de-loops and sustaining ourselves with hot dogs and sodas.  ‘Tis just the type of adventure that cherished memories are made from.  Of course now that I’m a full-fledged grown-up and pretty chicken-sh!t about rides, I no longer do anything that goes upside down, super fast, defies the laws of gravity or vows to make me sick.

Although the safari has been there seemingly forever, I have never been.  The kids actually went last year with The Ex, but after our visit this weekend, I think it’s safe to say they’d go again and again.  So would I.  It was on my Summer Bucket List last year, but we never made it.  This summer, I was determined.

Billed as the largest drive-thru safari in the US, it’s four-and-a-half miles of jungle goodness. You pay per person ($21), and can drive at your own pace.  It tickled me to see the giraffes and bears just ambling up to the cars like it was a completely normal occurrence.  Why of course the giraffe is eating off the top of my car, why wouldn’t he be?

We entered the safari with six pictures on my camera card.  Nick checked when we left, and the total was up to 511.  Yeah, we took a few pictures.  On the way home, we talked about our favorite parts and we all agreed: the giraffes, the bear cubs and the baboons.  I totally just typed baboobs there first.  Oops.

Welcome to the Jungle

Four Little Monkeys Sitting on a Tree
Love this photo because it reminds me of one of Madeline’s favorite books, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree, and of course, her nickname, Monkey. Even if these are baboons.

Warning
Baboob Look-Out

Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

Llama Llama Where's Your Mama

Paws Up
We could have watched these bear cubs for hours. They alternated between playing with huge sticks and logs and cleaning in between their toes. Too cute.

Bear Cub Bath Time

All Better

Balancing Act

Hunt and Peck

Giraffe Facts
The giraffes were so graceful. And gentle. And freakin’ huge! The tushes of the adult giraffes were higher up than the top of my truck. A few of them found something they liked on my roof, and we held up traffic for a good while as they feasted on goodness knows what. I tried to pull away a few times, but they were so close, I was afraid of running over their hooves.

Giraffe Neck

Giraffe Kisses
A baby giraffe kissing Nick’s window.

Snack Time

Huge

Feed Me

Giraffe Crossing

Giraffes on the Loose

Traffic Jam

Rear View

Zebra Feeding

Steer

Anticipation

Rhea

Elephant Close-Up

Gentle Giant

Disinterested

Moose Walking

Safari - Entry

My friend Cathy asked about damage to your car while going through the safari. There are definitely a number of different types of animals roaming free and walking up to the cars that are going through, but I didn’t worry about my car once. They come up, sniff around, and wander off. Some of the more active animals, like the baboons for example, are behind fences and gates and although you can get close, they are confined.  Well, except for that one that somehow got loose last week…  But I swear, no worries.

There are a number of (reasonable) rules posted throughout and reiterated. You can’t get out of your car nor open your windows. That last one hurt just a little. Not because I wanted to touch the animals, but it’s a challenge to get good photos through the window glass. But I’d also rather enjoy the safari with my littles safe and sound. We did see a few people open their windows; one guy tried to touch a giraffe as it came close and seriously spooked it. Poor thing. The giraffe, not the guy. Idiot.

If you’re within reasonable driving distance, I think it’s totally worth it to go and visit the safari. We were there for nearly two hours, and the kids were bubbling over with excitement for the rest of the day. Great summer activity. If you want to make a day out of it, you could, of course, also visit the amusement park and Hurricane Harbor, their adjoining water park.

Six Flags Great Adventure
P.O. Box 120, Route 537
Jackson, NJ 08527

PS – If any of the above photos made you swoon, they’ll be available in my Etsy shop by the end of the week.

July 13, 2011 – Bonus Photos
Mission  Organization - Open Shelving
This is the only bookshelf area where the books are color-coded. I swear I’m not that OCD about it. Because the shelves are white, and near a window, I just thought this space was better suited to rainbow-like organization. One of my personal summer projects is to go through the house, corner by corner, and organize and purge. For the past few years, I’ve been moving more towards a “less is more” philosophy and just want less stuff. I want to enjoy space and memories more, and not be so weighed down by material objects. Since leftovers were on the menu tonight, I used the extra time to organize this bookshelf area and the baking drawer below. One area at a time…

Mission Organization - Baking Drawer
Those cookie cutters taunt me every time I open up this drawer. I can count on one hand how many times I use cookie cutters on an annual basis, so really feel that they should give up the valuable drawer real estate and move on to another home, but for some reason, I’m having a hard time parting with them. I think I’m ready though. Any takers? Have quite the collection to send along to the first happy baker that speaks up.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Etsy, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree, Great Adventure, safari, Six Flags

Comments

  1. Kris #40 says

    July 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Send those cutters up to me! I will put them to good use – and will share.

    Fun adventure you had!

    Reply
  2. beth says

    July 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    no cookie cutters needed in this home, but i do have a suggestion – i keep mine in one of those plastic file box thingies you can get at target and i store it next to the bin with all of my other cookie baking supplies. our in-kitchen storage space is just too precious for once or twice a year to take up residence in it.

    Reply
  3. Cathy says

    July 13, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    thanks for the deets on the safari – we went to one as a kid and it was back when they let the monkey’s run wild – my dad has picks of the monkey breaking his windshield wipers!

    cookie cutters used to drive me nuts too – mine are in one of those plastic shoe containers and they live in the basement with my lobster pot and other items that are not kitchen friendly :-)

    Reply
  4. Susan J says

    July 13, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    Looks like fun! I love to go somewhere like that.
    And I would love those cookie cutters! ;D

    Reply
  5. Joanne says

    July 14, 2011 at 6:22 am

    I can’t believe I’ve never even HEARD of Six Flags Safari…let alone been there!

    Reply
  6. Ramona says

    July 14, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Neat place to visit with the animals. Glad your AC was working!

    Reply
  7. Tyanne says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I don’t use mine much either, so I gave them to my kids to use with play doh, they love it!

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      July 15, 2011 at 10:49 am

      Great idea!

      Reply
  8. Cate O'Malley says

    July 15, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Kris and Susan – will split the cookie cutters between the two of you (have more stashed in boxes!). Susan, e-mail me at cate AT sweetnicks DOT com with your mailing address.

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    July 15, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    If it’s not too late, I wouldn’t mind some cookie cutters either! Either way, that’s so generous of you :)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

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.

Pinterest

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!

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design