My heart is heavy today and my thoughts are with all of you who lost a loved one or were affected in some way by the tragedy of 9/11. We will never forget.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
We Will Never Forget
Driving into New York City this morning was a somber experience, as it always is on the anniversary of 9/11. I know all of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing 12 years ago today when we found out the towers had fallen. It's hard to believe so much time has passed, but the sadness of that day never really goes away. Thankfully, neither does the feeling of courage and solidarity of our communities coming together to support one another in a time of loss and devastation.
My heart is heavy today and my thoughts are with all of you who lost a loved one or were affected in some way by the tragedy of 9/11. We will never forget.
My heart is heavy today and my thoughts are with all of you who lost a loved one or were affected in some way by the tragedy of 9/11. We will never forget.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Laughter for the Soul
Ah, another Monday. This weekend was spent doing a few of my favorite things, and a few of my not-so-favorite things. Friday night was a homebody night, which was much needed and really great. I worked until about 8 until Matt dragged me from my office and cracked open a bottle of red we bought at the wine fest last weekend.
We ordered pizza - real pizza - as our cheat meal for the week and ate it while sipping the wine and watching three more episodes of Sons of Anarchy. Omg I told you I was hooked again. I love those kinds of Friday nights.
Saturday included a little gym action, some housework and some errands, which I'll be honest, none of which are my favorite things. BUT, late afternoon we dropped Riker off at his grandparents and packed up some tailgating gear since we had a pretty awesome evening planned.
A few months ago I gave Matt tickets to the Oddball Comedy Fest for our anniversary, and the night finally arrived. So many great comedians were there - Hannibal Burris, Jeff Ross, Al Madrigal, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Silverman (a surprise guest!) and most importantly, Dave Chappelle. They were all amazing, but my favorite was actually Flight of the Conchords. I used to love their show on HBO and they killed it. SO funny.
We had a really great time. We had lawn seats so we sat in beach chairs eating salads in a jar and drinking Coronas and just cracking up for five whole hours.
Laughter is just so good for the soul. Watching Matt laugh so hard was making me laugh even harder. I love this pic!
Sunday morning came really fast, and Matt had soccer so was out the door early. I made a nice leisurely Sunday breakfast for me and Riker - broccoli & basil omelets. With buttered toast. It was Sunday and I was tired.
I never make omelets that look that pretty, and I was pretty proud of myself for flipping and folding it so nicely this time. Yes!
The rest of Sunday included a lot of cleaning and organizing, some work, some cooking for the week, taco salads for dinner...
...and a bunch of football watching in between.
<3
Speaking of, I've got a pile of clean laundry to fold and an Eagles game to watch. Have a good night!
We ordered pizza - real pizza - as our cheat meal for the week and ate it while sipping the wine and watching three more episodes of Sons of Anarchy. Omg I told you I was hooked again. I love those kinds of Friday nights.
Saturday included a little gym action, some housework and some errands, which I'll be honest, none of which are my favorite things. BUT, late afternoon we dropped Riker off at his grandparents and packed up some tailgating gear since we had a pretty awesome evening planned.
A few months ago I gave Matt tickets to the Oddball Comedy Fest for our anniversary, and the night finally arrived. So many great comedians were there - Hannibal Burris, Jeff Ross, Al Madrigal, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Silverman (a surprise guest!) and most importantly, Dave Chappelle. They were all amazing, but my favorite was actually Flight of the Conchords. I used to love their show on HBO and they killed it. SO funny.
We had a really great time. We had lawn seats so we sat in beach chairs eating salads in a jar and drinking Coronas and just cracking up for five whole hours.
Laughter is just so good for the soul. Watching Matt laugh so hard was making me laugh even harder. I love this pic!
Sunday morning came really fast, and Matt had soccer so was out the door early. I made a nice leisurely Sunday breakfast for me and Riker - broccoli & basil omelets. With buttered toast. It was Sunday and I was tired.
I never make omelets that look that pretty, and I was pretty proud of myself for flipping and folding it so nicely this time. Yes!
The rest of Sunday included a lot of cleaning and organizing, some work, some cooking for the week, taco salads for dinner...
...and a bunch of football watching in between.
<3
Speaking of, I've got a pile of clean laundry to fold and an Eagles game to watch. Have a good night!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Time to Give Back (FoodBank Culinary Classic)
A few months ago I was invited with some other food bloggers to The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties for a tour of their facilities, and to talk about promoting their biggest event of the year: the 22nd Annual Culinary Classic. It's taking place on September 23, and if you're a local, please keep reading - this is a culinary extravaganza + amazing fundraiser you won't want to miss! This year’s event raising funds that will help provide emergency food and services to over 127,500 people in our local communities.
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We talk about food so much around here that it's hard to imagine how some families are struggling to put meals on the table. When I toured the FoodBank I was shocked to learn how many children in our counties are hungry, and saddened to know how many families need help. I also learned that The FoodBank not only supplies food to donation centers all throughout the two counties, but also offers culinary training programs to provide education for people in need of better paying jobs, a kids cafe and backpack program to ensure kids have food to take home after school and on the weekends, and other advocacy and outreach programs. It truly is an amazing organization and I was so inspired by how much they do and how passionate the program directors are about this cause.
The number of families in need of assistance is growing every year, especially with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last year, so The FoodBank is constantly trying to keep up to make sure that no one goes hungry. Fundraisers like the Culinary Classic are thus SO important to make sure that every child has a full belly when they go to bed at night.
So...if you love food (I'm guessing yes if you read this blog) and want to help make a difference for hardworking families and kids who need our help, please join me in coming to the FoodBank's Culinary Classic. Not only will you be serving a great cause, but you'll get to enjoy amazing artisan foods and craft beer and wine from New Jersey. Let's do our part to make sure no one goes hungry in OC!
Here are all the deets:
The 22nd Annual Culinary Classic
Where: The Mill at Spring Lake Heights
When: Monday, September 23 from 5-9 pm
Tickets: Get your tickets here!
What You'll Eat:
Over 40 of the Jersey Shore’s culinary legends will present an epicurean’s delight of food, wine, drinks and desserts. This year’s Culinary Classic has an exciting new twist with each restaurant providing drink pairings for their menu. A sample of restaurants include:
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We talk about food so much around here that it's hard to imagine how some families are struggling to put meals on the table. When I toured the FoodBank I was shocked to learn how many children in our counties are hungry, and saddened to know how many families need help. I also learned that The FoodBank not only supplies food to donation centers all throughout the two counties, but also offers culinary training programs to provide education for people in need of better paying jobs, a kids cafe and backpack program to ensure kids have food to take home after school and on the weekends, and other advocacy and outreach programs. It truly is an amazing organization and I was so inspired by how much they do and how passionate the program directors are about this cause.
The number of families in need of assistance is growing every year, especially with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last year, so The FoodBank is constantly trying to keep up to make sure that no one goes hungry. Fundraisers like the Culinary Classic are thus SO important to make sure that every child has a full belly when they go to bed at night.
So...if you love food (I'm guessing yes if you read this blog) and want to help make a difference for hardworking families and kids who need our help, please join me in coming to the FoodBank's Culinary Classic. Not only will you be serving a great cause, but you'll get to enjoy amazing artisan foods and craft beer and wine from New Jersey. Let's do our part to make sure no one goes hungry in OC!
Here are all the deets:
The 22nd Annual Culinary Classic
Where: The Mill at Spring Lake Heights
When: Monday, September 23 from 5-9 pm
Tickets: Get your tickets here!
What You'll Eat:
Over 40 of the Jersey Shore’s culinary legends will present an epicurean’s delight of food, wine, drinks and desserts. This year’s Culinary Classic has an exciting new twist with each restaurant providing drink pairings for their menu. A sample of restaurants include:
Porta
Melting Pot
Taste
Chef Mike's ABG (my favorite!)
Yvonne's Café
Brandl
Chocolate Carousel
Danny's Grill & Wine Bar
Dearborn Market
Doolan's Shore Club
Fratello's
Joe Leone's Catering
Molly Pitcher Inn
Pearl Oyster Point Hotel
Piccola Italia
Sweet Tease
The Mill at Spring Lake Heights
Kitchens Catering
Good Karma Café
There will also be some pretty cool entertainment. Brian Kirk & the Jirks will be playing, and celebrity Chef David Burke will be around as well.
For more info, check out the Culinary Classic Facebook Page. I am so looking forward to this event, and hope you'll grab some friends, buy a ticket and come support our community!
There will also be some pretty cool entertainment. Brian Kirk & the Jirks will be playing, and celebrity Chef David Burke will be around as well.
For more info, check out the Culinary Classic Facebook Page. I am so looking forward to this event, and hope you'll grab some friends, buy a ticket and come support our community!
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