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

Visit: Cape May County Park & Zoo

April 12, 2012 · Narrative

zoo - done
Zoo - park
I have loved road trips for as long as I can remember.  At least since Junior or Senior year of high school.  When I was single (before getting married and divorced, not this time of being single), my girlfriends and I would take road trips to the Jersey Shore.  Way before it became known as this Jersey Shore.  Road trips to Boston were a frequent occurrence during the summers.  The Ex and I even road tripped for our honeymoon, heading to Disney World (for my first time ever).  I’ve road tripped with Joanne and Patsy.  My mom and sister.  With the kids by myself.  With Mystic and his kids.  And with many of our friends.

What I love most about road trips?  That you can stop at any time.  For any reason.

When I was making the plans for last week’s Spring Break, although I had a couple specific things I wanted to do with the kids, I also kept our schedule loose so we could succumb to detours.  To whimsy.  To just because moments.

And hitting the Cape May County Zoo was one such moment.  When my sister and I were kids (and even through after my high school years), my parents had a house in Cape May (South Jersey to non-local readers).  We spent many, many weekends down there.  It holds a special place in my heart, and I loved introducing the area to the kids last week, as one of our stops.  Nick was there once when he was a baby, but we haven’t been back since.

Although we spent countless summers in Cape May growing up, I had never been to the zoo there.

Pity that.

That was rectified last week.  And I’m so glad it was.  Both kids are mad, simply mad, for animals.  Of all kinds.  Although Madeline tends to veer towards the aquatic kind, they’ll really take anything.

And the Cape May Zoo?

Zoo - directions

Zoo - map

zoo - gone

Free admission (though donations appreciated).

Zoo - sea otters

Easy to get to off the highway, it is a gorgeous, well-maintained piece of property.  As we pulled in, the guy at the front gate asked if it was our first time.  When he heard it was, he pressed a map into my hands and said, “Well, you’re in for a real treat.”

And he spoke the truth.

We parked our car and started heading towards the entry.  Fair warning, wear comfortable shoes.  The parking lot is a slight distance from the entry, and you will, of course, walk a lot once you get into the zoo.

zoo - monkeys
The grounds were immaculate.

The employees friendly and approachable.

zoo - snow leopard

zoo - miracles

zoo - babies
The animals?  Well cared for, and massive.

zoo - reminder

Like lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my.

zoo - lion

zoo - lion stretch

Giraffes and zebras.  Mini little monkeys whose proper name escapes me.  Animals I’ve never heard of before.  And old favorites.

zoo - llamas

zoo - birthday
Their tiger, Rocky, celebrated his 10th birthday last week.

When we first entered the zoo, we heard this huge roar from a lion (as seen in yesterday’s photo).  It sounded like we were right near him.

We were quite surprised to find out that he was clear on the other side of the zoo.  His bellow was impressive.  Loud.  Far-reaching.

There are picnic areas if you bring lunch, and a small little cafe area if you don’t.  And, of course, the requisite gift shop.  They have gorgeous gold-lined postcards for fifty cents a pop that the kids bought to add to our scrapbook.  A perfect souvenir, if you ask me.

If you happen to be heading down the shore, or even if you’re not, make a road trip detour and stop by the Cape May Zoo.  A perfect little visit for little people.  And big people alike.

Zoo - Hours

Friday? Another unscheduled detour that was right up Nick’s alley.
Saturday?  Off.
Sunday? Easter pictures and Weekend Photos in Review.
zoo - goodbye

Cape May County Zoo
707 Route 9 North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
609-465-5271
Open Daily 10-4:45 (when daylight savings starts)
Winter Hours: 10-3:45 (when daylight savings ends)
Closed Christmas Day
Follow them on Twitter here

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Cape May, Cape May County Zoo, Jersey Shore, road trip, summer

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    April 13, 2012 at 6:26 am

    Did you know that I used to work in a zoo? The Queens Zoo…volunteered, actually, in junior high to give tours. It was fun and I definitely got to know a ton more about the animals than I ever would have otherwise! This sounds like an awesome zoo.

    Reply
  2. Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says

    April 13, 2012 at 8:16 am

    I love a well run zoo. The only zoo we have close to us is Australia Zoo, the one the crocodile hunter ran. We’re local and have never been. I’m ashamed of myself.

    Reply
  3. patsy says

    April 13, 2012 at 8:18 am

    I am so adding this to our summer plans! I’ve only been through Cape May once, and it was a rather quick trip through… so, I think a weekend down there sounds ideal!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    April 13, 2012 at 10:31 am

    I adore the Cape May Zoo. Great post!

    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.

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!

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