#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

June 2010 Recipe Round-Up

July 19, 2010 · Narrative

Earlier this month, I debated if I could continue doing the new recipe round-up, because with the way we’ve been eating over the past month or so, there hasn’t been a lot of new-recipe-making-from-cookbooks. Or from any other place, for that matter.  Our meals were quickly consisting of heavy rotations of stir-fries, grilled proteins and vegetables, salads, things on the fly with no recipe.  But then the tides turned and I started finding more and more recipes that fit in with our eating lifestyle (four new recipes tonight alone!), so even though the June round-up is a tad tardy, I think we’ll be able to keep up with it.  As long as the lack of chocolate (for now) doesn’t keep you away. ;)

  1. Turnip Green Soup – Paula Deen magazine.  A decent hearty soup that isn’t so thick you can’t have it in the summertime.  Reviewed here.
  2. Lemon Chicken with Potatoes – WW magazine, May/June 2009.  Simple and easy, but not exceptional.
  3. Lindsay’s Chocolate Cafe Chocolate Chip Cookies – voted a “best of.”  They were good, but didn’t wow us.
  4. Cheesy Rice Fritters – Food Network magazine.  Very good, review coming.
  5. Zucchini Fritters – Michael Symon.  Love these.  Review coming.
  6. Open Chef Salad Sandwich – Cheeky Kitchen.  Good quick meal that you can feel good about serving and eating.  Reviewed here.
  7. Best Ever Banana Bread – I Am Baker.  Good, but still like Nigella Lawson’s better.
  8. Mushroom Ramen – Food Network magazine, January/February 2010.  Think it might be worth writing about, slightly on the fence.
  9. Beer Battered Fish and Chips – Cooking Light magazine, November 2009.  Had such high hopes for this one, but nothing special and not repeatable.
  10. Veggie Quesadillas – Weight Watchers magazine, May/June 2010.  Your average quesadilla, nuthin’ special.
  11. Gemelli with Spicy Sausage and Spinach – Woman’s Day magazine, May 2010.  Not bad, nothing to write home about.
  12. Cucumber-Feta Toasts – Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, July/August 2010.  Love these.  Made for the first time and reviewed here, and enjoyed several times since.  Favorite of the month.

Project 365
July 19, 2010, Photo #129

Lights Out Laura Ingalls Style

After dinner, we were outside in the backyard for awhile and all the sudden, I noticed the kitchen go dark. And the ceiling light come back on, but only faintly so. We rarely lose power here (maybe three times over the past nine years or so) and when we do, it comes right back on. This time it didn’t. My bet was a brown-out. Wonderful. Jamie had just gotten home and finished dinner, so we quickly got to work digging for matches and candles before we lost complete light. I remembered we had a bunch of those glowsticks, leftover from Halloween, in our seasonal drawer, and they were perfect. The kids had fun with them, and I used a bunch to light up the stairs for them, and added more in their room. In the meantime, we took ourselves back to the days of Laura Ingalls and Little House on the Prairie… no ac, no tv, no computer, no ice machine. Lots of talking, a little bit of laughter and a slight panic from the kids as they slowly realized just how much we use electricity on a regular basis. But two hours later, the power was back on and a peace fell over the land.

May 2010 Recipe Round-Up

June 8, 2010 · Narrative

My creation

1. My Bite, 2. Nutty Chocolate Hot Bites, 3. Mother’s Day Dinner, 4. Brownie Goody Bars, 5. Greek-Style Tuna Salad Sandwiches, 6. Jamie’s Omelet

Every month when I work on the list of recipes for the round-up, I’m reminded of how many I still have to write about here.  And how many fun delicious new recipes (and complete failures) we got to experience. A little bit late, but here are the new recipes that came out of the O’Malley kitchen last month.  I think the standouts for me were the Brownie Goody Bars, and the pasta that Nick and Jamie made for Mother’s Day.

  1. Basic Omelet – Jamie Oliver.  I added roasted broccoli and cheddar to mine.  Delish.  Reviewed here.
  2. Mini Shell Pasta with Creamy Smoked Bacon and Peas.  Jamie Oliver in his newest cookbook, Jamie’s Food Revolution. Quick and easy weeknight meal.
  3. Honey-Oatmeal Clusters – Food Network magazine, May 2010.  The clusters were part of a trail mix recipe.  They didn’t “cluster” and were completely tasteless.
  4. Tres Leches Cake – Food Network magazine, May 2010.  Review coming.
  5. Greek-Style Tuna Salad Sandwiches – Betty Crocker magazine, reviewed here.
  6. Grilled Taco-Barbecue Chicken – Betty Crocker magazine, reviewed here.
  7. Brownie Goody Bars – a yummy, chocolate-y tasty sweet treat, reviewed here.
  8. Triple-Cheese Spirals – another go at finding “the” mac and cheese recipe.
  9. Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto – review can be found here, recipe is from Food Network magazine, April 2010.
  10. Nutty Chocolate Hot Bites – recipe from Pillsbury Bake-Off magazine, you can see the picture here, recipe coming this week.
  11. Classic S’mores – a microwave, 15-second version, reviewed here.
  12. Chocolate Cobbler – recipe from The Tasty Kitchen
  13. Fat-Free Refried Beans – reviewed here.
  14. Sauteed Mushrooms and Garlic – added on top of Tri-Tip Steak.  Delish.
  15. Ranch Oyster Crackers– reviewed here.  Crazy simple to make, a yummy snack and fond memories.

Project 365
June 8, 2010, Photo #107

Intensity

April 2010 Recipe Round-Up

May 3, 2010 · Narrative

Another month has come and gone, and it’s time for another recipe round-up. Truth be told, even though this month’s list of new recipes is shorter than I wanted, considering the fact that I didn’t make a new recipe until the middle of the month, I think I did ok. For me, the stand-out this month was definitely Jamie Oliver’s Vegetable Bhajis. They’ve been made three times since that first time last week, and are on the menu for a party this weekend too. I think the Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken is a close second, followed by the Rocky Road Fudge Bars.  Would love to hear about a favorite new recipe YOU made last month!

  1. Iced Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies – Multiply Delicious website.  Good and thumbs up from the kids.
  2. Carrot Salad – Country Living magazine, February 2010.  Terrible.  You won’t be hearing about this one.
  3. Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken – Taste of Home magazine, review here.
  4. Pico de Gallo – The Pioneer Woman, review here.
  5. Guacamole – The Pioneer Woman, recipe here.
  6. Chicken Patty Pockets – Emeril via Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, review here.
  7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes – review here.
  8. Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Frosting – review here.
  9. Phyllo and Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus – Weight Watchers recipe, review coming.
  10. Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups – Fly Through Our Window, review here.
  11. Rocky Road Fudge Bars – Pillsbury, review here.
  12. Vegetable Bhajis – Jamie Oliver, review here.
  13. Cracking Burgers – Jamie Oliver, review coming soon, excellent and easy.
  14. Chopped Salad – Jamie Oliver, review coming soon.
  15. Cookies and Cream Cupcakes – The Cupcake Doctor, review coming.
  16. Strawberry Lemonade – review on Wednesday.
  17. Cheddar and Bacon Toasts – Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, review coming.
  18. Fettuccine all’Alfredo – Rachael Ray, review here.

Project 365
May 3, 2010, Photo #87

Ooops

The expression is because the baby’s bottle fell out of her mouth (it’s by Madeline’s foot).  After the baby was fed, she got a bath.  In Madeline’s play washing machine.  I swear I have never given the kids a bath in the washing machine.

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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