New York Calzone...

When I went to New York, I ate the most delicious calzone and I tried to recreate it when I got home. It was deceptively simple, just ricotta cheese and fresh spinach. I purchased those two ingredients at my local market and some (I'm embarrassed to say this) Rhodes bread dough. Ya, it didn't taste like the one in New York at all. I can fix a few of the things. For example, the cheese had a little salt. Oookay, that's about all I can fix. Did I mention the amazing marinara dipping sauce? Mine was from a bottle from Costco and not so fabulous. I know there's quite a few great cooks out there. I still want to make this, but it has to be really easy because I don't really cook all that much, but I also want it to taste a little better. Anyone have a great pizza dough recipe? Know of fabulous marinara in a bottle? Or any other tips?

Even considering what a disappointment this was, it was not the worst thing I've made for dinner.

Little Missmatched...

I bought these funny leg-warmers at FAO Schwartz when I was in NYC for littl c. They come in a package of three... funny. Little c thought they were hilarious and she loves to wear them. See the fun Little Missmatched site here.

By the way, FAO seemed to have been totally re-done since I was there last time. They seemed to have decided to be FAO again. I was even met at the door by a very cute, very large, very smiling toy soldier with pink cheeks.

Nikki's Cookies...

One of the highlights of the Sun Valley culinary experience this September was being introduced to these Ladybug cookies (no ladybugs were injured in the making of these cookies). They are so yummy. They would make a wonderful cheer up gift for a sad friend I think. I think Jenni gets the credit for these as well. Visit Nikki's site, the Halloween and Christmas things are adorable and you can ship them with an ice pack so that they will arrive in perfect condition.

Granny Chic Cute Item of the Week...

I haven't done a Granny Chic item for awhile, but I still love old-fashioned things which they have in abundance at Rubyjane.com see the apron here.

More Halloween...

Candy is my favorite decoration. I may not take this stuff down.

The Best Zucchini Bread Ever...

3 eggs

1/2C melted butter

1/2C applesauce
2C white sugar
3C grated zucchini
2t good mexican vanilla
3C unbleached all-purpose flour
3t ground cinnamon
1t baking soda
1/4t baking powder
1t sea salt
1/2 C chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8X4 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans. Divide batter into pre-pared pans. Bake for 60-70 min, or until done.

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and I was really impressed with it, but with a few alterations, I think C and I (it was a team effort) made it into something even better. It makes two loafs and so it only has 4 tablespoons of butter per loaf.. pretty good? And, it is just so yummy.. you must try it. Little c had one suggestion... CHOCOLATE CHIPS! She feels that chocolate chips would make it taste much better. :) Maybe.

Gavin de Becker...

If there were such a thing as required reading to be a woman, a mother or even an employer, I would put these two books on that list. I have read them both more than once and have found them to be real, informative, truly helpful and empowering.

It's probably about time to read them again.

The War by Ken Burns...

This is amazing. Did you see it? Are you watching it now late like me?

Ken Burns is amazing.

Autumn Leaves...

The morns are meeker than they were,The nuts are getting brown; The berry's cheek is plumper,The rose is out of town.The maple wears a gayer scarf, The field a scarlet gown. Lest I should be old-fashioned,I'll put a trinket on.- Emily Dickinson, Nature 27 - Autumn

I know this is the third appearance in a year of one of my favorite Emily Dickinson poems.. but someone could have missed it before. I took these shots this morning and doctored them up just a little in order to show how glorious these pear trees really are. I just love them. Hope you are having a beautiful autumn day where you are.

Bunting... in the Shop!

In The Love Boxes SHop

Halloween Decorations!!!

The first thing I wanted to do when I got home from my trip, even before the laundry ha! ha!, was to get all this Halloween junk up. I love it! Every year little c and I add one or two things. She has made a marvelous Scarecrow for the front door. I will show you when I've finished. Also, I finally finished the book review for Mrs. Dalloway, it's clear down the post list but just in case you were interested.... Also, if you like this Halloween banner, I made 3 and put 2 in the shop.

MJ Trim ... Hyman & Hendler

I love to shop for ribbons in NYC. It's so much fun. My two favorite places to visit are MJ Trim and Hyman & Hendler & Sons. MJ Trim has really fun novelty ribbons in stripes, plaids and patterns. They also carry a beautiful selection of floral jacquards like the green pictured above. Hyman & Hendler sells some of the finest and most beautiful ribbons in the world. It is a favorite ribbon shop of Martha Stewart. Both of these lovely shops have a limited quantity of their wares available online.

Norma's

One thing that is really fun about NYC is that you can have an elegant breakfast at 2:30 in the afternoon. This is a photo of Norma's in Le Parker Meridien Hotel. Yum! I had the mandarin orange french toast with candied macadamia nuts which was just heavenly. If you go to NYC, this is a really fun stop.

Pearl River...

If you happen to be dreaming of a Flourishing Happiness parasol, Pearl River is a fun place to visit, but you can also purchase quite a few of their products online here. It was really fun to see the store location and to visit China Town, which is only a few blocks away.

Beard Papa's Cream Puffs....

I don't even like cream puffs, but these are delish! And, they are available in San Francisco as well. This is a photo of The Upper West Side location from gothamist.com.

Another fabulous Jenni recommendation!

Takashimaya...

This is such a beautiful place that it seemed like everyone spoke in a whisper while we were there until something kind of funny happened. We were on the 6th floor in the amazing floral department and we were looking at some of the most beautiful flowers. Not a hanging leaf did they show, every flower was a perfect example. As we turned from the perfect and amazingly large white orchids to look at these fluffy and beautifully round somethings that resembled.. what??? Tumble weed! No, said a lady from Kansas, it can't be! So, we asked the clerk. Tumble weed indeed it was! Lesson: Don't judge things when they have been rolling around in the dirt, they are quite lovely in water and a crystal vase!

The Riot Relief Fund... A Great Cause!

The Riot Relief Fund annual luncheon is the main reason that I traveled to NYC. My friend Peter is President of the Trustees of the Riot Relief Fund. This organization was founded after the New York City draft riots of 1863 in an effort to help the families of fallen police officers who died in the line of duty. The fund has been praised by The New York Times and many others for its efficiency and lack of red tape... it's ability to move very quickly to help the families of officers and now fire fighters as well.

Learn about the Riot Relief Fund here.

Donations are never solicited, but they are very welcome.

Xanadu Broadway Revival...

This musical is a spoof on the original film with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John and it is so much fun! I loved it!

You have ta baLEVE we are MaGIC.. nothing can stand in our way.... very fun!

Correction: Thank you annonymous. Michael Beck played Sonny Malone in the film Xanadu which has some other interesting fact to it. Olivia Newton John fractured her coccyx while filming the Suddenly dance sequence.

The film has been nominated for lots of Razzie awards, and although I agree that it's terrible, the writing is terrible, some of the costumes are terrible, but it's terrible in a really fun way. I like it. :)

The Buttercup Bake Shop Cook Book...

This is the lovliest little bakery. I just adored it. I just returned last night from NYC and this is one of the places that Jenni recommended (she planned my trip). I had the most marvelous time, and eating a German Chocolate Cupcake here was one of the many fun highlights of my very quick trip to New York. See The Buttercup Bake Shop site here. Jenni also recommended that we visit The Fairway Market, which was amazing. Inside there is a tiny, but delightful bakery where you can buy many lovely things, but I purchased a pecan pie square that has to be one of the most delicious treats I've ever tasted. We also visited Zabar's on The Upper West Side famous for their black and white cookies.. and much, much more.

Douglas Cuddle Toys...

Douglas Toys is a company that I admire. Based in New Hampshire, these stuffed animals are made very well, priced very reasonably, soft and cute and get this moms...... drum roll... all of them that I have ever purchased are MACHINE WASHABLE... NOT SURFACE WASHABLE... MACHINE! Hooray! Check them out sometime.