give us this day...

Our son wrote a poem about the Fall season at school, and I found it quite moving and apropos for today, Thanksgiving Monday.  Here's an excerpt...

Fall

Fall is a very balanced time of life. The air is never too hot or cold. The dirt is both wet and dry. The outdoors of fall is a blessed time.

It is a time of friends, family, school and fun. It gives you freedom and time to enjoy creation, like trees, grass and clouds. It's a fresh graceful time for learning and playing, planting and seeding, and especially living. When leaves fall and change colour and birds start singing songs, it is a sign of fall.

There are many different roots of fall like harvest, balance, world and grace. There are only a few bad things about fall like bugs and colds and allergies, but they all have their place in the fall.

The change of fall, the roots of fall, the cool of fall , the great of fall. It is an all important part of God's never ending, on-going, greatest, coolest, unimaginable, unforgettable universe, starting with the season of...Fall!!!

I think we have another writer in the family!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

serving thanks

We have a lot to be thankful for.  Bounty of food.  Gathering of family and loved ones.  It's a beautiful time of year where we celebrate being grateful.

It's a special time of year where I like to appreciate the simple things, and it's evident in the table settings and decor used in our home for Thanksgiving. The beauty of something simple like an apple. A pumpkin.  Or even squash. To revel in it's colour, it's texture, it's taste.

We are all very blessed to have such abundance of beauty surrounding us this season.  A season of appreciation of all things simple, beautiful and now.


To all my Canadian friends, enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!

{This post is linked to My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia}

a hole in the heart

After a whirlwind weekend of indulgent window shopping, seeing the bright and dazzling Times Square, admiring the million dollar architecture and enjoying the scrumptious culinary delights in NYC a few weeks ago…we felt we needed to end our weekend trip by visiting a special place to bring us back to reality and reflect how fortunate we really all are.

{Above photo, courtesy of CNN}

You see, ten years ago, we had planned to be right here in New York.  Before going to a London/Paris excursion on Sept. 12^th, we were planning on stopping by as a post birthday celebration, before heading to London.  But circumstances led to us to stay home instead. Now, not a September goes by when I don’t think about what could have been. It’s amazing how many stories you hear, of someone missing their flight, and someone else taking their place.  How one person was saved because of someone else’s sacrifice. 

Ten years later, looking at the void where the towers were, the enormity of it, the place where monumental heartache took place…I realized that for every hole that is created, somewhere else, another hole is filled.

And even though life seems unfair on the surface, we are guided to fulfill a destiny, a purpose.  And for some reason, all our lives are intertwined in some form or another, with meaningful adjacencies.  (to read a beautiful article about how meaningful adjacencies relate to this memorial, please read Paula Grant Berry's CNN article)

I hope I fulfill my purpose in life…to help create a simple world of love, kindness, and appreciation for our beautiful world.  And especially, during this upcoming Thanksgiving season...to remember to be grateful, and thankful for all we have.

To simply…fill the holes.

Heart Shaped Jam Filled cookies 

(makes approx. 30-40 cookies)

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus 4 tbsp extra for dusting.
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Preparation

• Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl.
• Add the egg and vanilla.  
• Add the vanilla and 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• Slowly mix the flour into the mixture until dough consistency.
• Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350degrees
• Roll out the dough into desired shapes, creating enough for a solid bottom and one with a cut-out on the top.
• Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
• Top one solid cookie with your favourite jam, and sandwich with a cookie with a cut out.
• Dust the cookies with powdered sugar.

Enjoy...with all your heart.




{Attending these beautiful  parties...House of Hepworths, Fireflies and Jellybeans}

one big apple

For the past few years, there has been a huge trend towards eating local and using the freshest ingredients possible, so during our NYC visit, we browsed through the food market in Chelsea to discover all the wonderful breads, deli meat and cheeses.  There were even great cupcakes.

Funnily enough, I noticed that, despite the nickname, "the big apple", there really isn't an abundant of that fruit in this town.  There are many stories to the origins of why New York City is called "the big apple".  One of them is this:

"In the late 1920s and early 1930s, New York City's jazz musicians began referring to New York City as the "Big Apple." An old saying in show business was "There are many apples on the tree, but only one Big Apple." New York City being the premier place to perform was referred to as the Big Apple."

{source: gonyc}

There really is only "one big apple". The sights.  The sounds. The action. The overstimulation of taste buds!   And as a tribute to that, here's a quick and easy apple crisp that uses...you guessed it, only one big apple.

One "Big Apple" Crisp

This is quick dessert when you're craving for something sweet.  Great topped with maple syrup or vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients


•   1 apple, cut into chunks

•   2 tablespoons brown sugar

•   2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats

•   1 tablespoon flour

•   1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

•   1 tablespoon butter, softened

Directions

1.   Place the apple in small ramekin or baking dish.
2.    In separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients (it will have a doughy or crumble like texture), then sprinkle over fruit.
3.    Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes OR microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes or until the apple is tender.


Instantly satisfying.

{This post is linked to 33 Shades of Green}

you're welcome

It's amazing how sometimes a simple door or window can attract or welcome you to enter.  I am obsessed with beautiful doors, especially old antique solid wood ones.  It creates a sense of boundaries, yet with it's warmth...it tempts you to enter and hopefully meet an equally warm greeting.

I could say the same about store shops.  Of course, I couldn't write about New York without talking about the shopping.  Ohhh, the shopping.  How my husband was amazingly very very patient, and waited while I checked out a few places.  Some piqued his interest...some, not so much.  

But I think it's all in how you're welcomed into the door.  There were many  beautiful and unique displays in and around the city, and even my husband appreciated the craftsmanship of some of the displays, and entered the store.  Like a museum, it creates a sense of respect for the art.  No large, sales-manic crowds in the stores.  No pushing or shoving.  Just a stillness to allow you to appreciate what's inside.  

Although I've visited both beautiful and some generic stores in NY, the stores my husband was least frustrated in visiting were the ones with artistic displays.  A welcome reprieve from the crowds, to enjoy the art, and to enjoy the wait. 

 And for his patience, I am forever thankful for.

taking a bite out of the big apple

My husband and I visited many wonderful places to enjoy the culinary delights of NYC. There is no shortage of fabulous, award winning restaurants.  We walked a lot to take in all the culture, and let our noses (and stomachs) guide us.


When we arrived in New York, for lunch, we enjoyed  La Gazzetta (the cafe that's part of the famed Villa Pacri), where we enjoyed home made panini's, local beers and great conversation with a friendly New York couple who sat next to us on the patio.  It was a great time to meet the locals, providing advice on interesting off the beaten path places in New York, and they were equally intrigued with our own view as visitors.

For dinner, we had pre-reserved our seats at Gotham Bar and Grill. (it's advisable to reserve on Open Table at least a few weeks in advance). This restaurant is considered a staple to visit...it's been around for years (I'd almost equate this to the old Rainbow Room), and had elegance and incredible culinary offerings . Not as "hip and young" as other choices we were considering, however, the excellent service and the feeling of being treated very very well was something the more "hip" offerings seemed to lack.  And the food was unquestionably delicious.  In particular, the Roasted Muscovy Duck (one of their signature dishes) was spectacular! 

The next morning, we ate at The Standard Grill for a light breakfast.  This outdoor/indoor schoolhouse themed cafe (the staff wore school-like uniforms), and the interiors had beautiful old schoolhouse pendant lamps and checkered floors.  They served mostly organic fare, and their variations on anything with eggs provided lots of protein for the day.  We ate outdoors, and enjoyed our eggs with the birds in the trees surrounding us.

Before heading home, we were taking a leisurely walk in Greenwich village, where a quaint little restaurant caught our eye. We had a late brunch at  The Little Owl, a casual and quaint spot popular with the locals (the exterior of this building was used for the opening sequence of the Friends television series.).  The meatball sliders (their signature at brunch) were incredible, but what was amazing was the friendly service. Although we were visitors, we felt like locals here.

It was hard to leave without wanting to continue our gastronomical journey through the villages, the city and side streets, discovering unique little spots and enjoying all the various tastes of New York.  I think we definitely took our share of "bites" of The Big Apple.

architectural digest

This past weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a fabulous trip to New York City, an amazing birthday gift from my husband.  We stayed at a great hotel in the Meatpacking district, called The Standard, and it's anything but.

This is the view through the floor to ceiling windows of our room.

It’s been awhile since I’ve visited this great city.  What never ceases to amaze me is the scurry of activity amongst the jungle of concrete and bright lights.

And in surrounding areas, so much calm amongst the beautiful historical architecture in places like Greenwich village, Tribeca and Soho.

I’ve always inspired for my home to look like historic brownstones you see so prevalent in NYC.  The beautiful limestone.  The wrought iron details.  The grandeur and history of it all.

There is so much architecture to take in.  The details that create a sense of grandeur.  But also beautiful simplicity.  So many faces of New York.  What I found amazing was the juxtaposition of various styles, put together so seamlessly.  Old and rustic with new.  Modern details married with antique.  All so harmonious.  


I sometimes wonder (and hope) if behind those walls,  if all the differences in people's cultures and beliefs can mimic these "architectural walls of harmony" and stand together to co-exist beautifully, just like these buildings.

turning a new leaf

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. The sun casts a warm glow, the leaves turn colour, and the weather becomes more comfortable.  You can feel the end of summer warmth greet the chill of the autumn air.

Many people think summer is the only BBQ season, but there is nothing more comforting than eating something cooked over the fire, something to take the chill out of the autumn air.  The smoky scent fills the air like a warm blanket, while your hands are warmed by hot chocolate.

For the longest time, my husband would only BBQ meat with only a little seasoning.  He's a BBQ purist.  However,  this is a tasty recipe, which doesn't require overnight marinating.  I think I've changed his mind.

Quick Marinade

This also works well with all kinds of meats...pork, chicken, and even fish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1 small sliced red onion
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• 4 pieces of meat, approx. 8oz each.

Preparation

• Mix the marinade. 
• Place your meat in a large glass pyrex baking pan.
• Stir in the marinade, turning to coat.
• Cover and let sit in then fridge for approx. 30 minutes (or at least 15 minutes).  Do not marinade more than 30 minutes, as the salt from the soy sauce makes this recipe quite salty.

Grill and enjoy the first day of Autumn.

balance and the fig prosciutto pizza

More often than I’d like to admit, it's easy to be overwhelmed with our own lives.  Working, writing, public speaking, chauffeuring, homework, volunteering, cooking, cleaning, exercising…always answering!  These on top of the little details that keep the day moving forward makes it challenging to enjoy leisurely activities with each other as a family.  

It’s difficult to lead a balanced life.  The feeling of accomplishment doesn’t factor when it feels like you’re never done, when you're finishing one task while your mind is on another.  As I approach a very busy season of birthdays, Thanksgiving and travel, I start to breathe deep, and remind myself about the reason.  The motivation behind it all. 

I’ve realized that what I really want to do in my life, is to create magical moments.  That no matter what the task is, that every moment can really be cherished as part of a positive memory.  To balance the sweet and not so sweet (Yes, even if doing the dishes, with a little music, can make the task more magical…or at least seem faster!)  And that sometimes to achieve that, I’d have to venture out of my comfort zone, to realize and admit, my strengths and weaknesses.  And to allow others (and myself), to accept both. 

Fig & Prosciutto Pizza

Enjoy the sweetness of the figs and honey, saltiness of the prosciutto, mellow tastes of the cheese, and the freshness of the arugula.  

Ingredients

• Pre-made or homemade pizza dough
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2-3 figs, sliced in quarters 
• Salt (to taste)
• Thinly sliced goat cheese, blue cheese or mozzarella (to taste)
• 6-8 thin slices of  prosciutto
• 1 small bunch arugula
• 1 tbsp. honey
• ½ cups shaved parmesan

Preparation 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Roll out  the pizza dough as thinly as possible. Place on a large baking or pizza sheet.
• Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. 
• Lay slices of cheese of your choice all over the surface. 
• Layer prosciutto and figs all over.
• Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
• Remove then turn off the oven.  
• Layer on arugula and parmesan shavings, the drizzle with honey.
• Place back into turned off (but still warm) oven, until parmesan melts.
• Serve.  

Perfect balance.


{Linked to Homemaker on a Dime}