A Day on the Town

Since we are of the Chanukah celebrating sort, today we had our day wide open for a nice family outing. We are constantly on the lookout for nice things to do with the kids, and this worked out so well, I thought I'd share it with y'all. 
I come from the far flung shores of Michigan, so anytime we go to "The City" my eyes go all googley eyed, and my feet start doing a little dance. Big D. on the other hand grew up on the Big Bad Streets of Brooklyn, so to him, going to the City is phfffghhht. Just like that. To him, its just one big traffic jam.

How sad.

So it was thuper duper exciting when by some stroke of a miracle I convinced Big D. that we would take the kids on the subway to the City, and then head over to Roosevelt Island on a cable car, check out Lighthouse Park and head back home again. 

Thank goodness my kids have my Michiganian blood coursing through their little veins, because they had the jiggles all the way to 42nd Street. We all held tight to our buddies, while walking like completely dorky tourists, staring up at the huge skyscrapers. 

Except for Big D. of course. He was pretending he didn't know us.
I must tell you, when we go on a family trip, I have to walk a very fine line. See, I like to view the outing through the lens of a digital camera. It's just in my blood. One snap too many though,and whoops-I've lost my husband.  Anyhow, here's what I was able to snap while he wasn't paying attention:

I definitely want to come back here one day with Big D.

 I just didn't want to scar my kids for life as of today.

I thought these guys were brilliant little monsters. Dress up like Elmo so that your kid begs you to take a picture with him, then ask for a tip. How can you refuse?

Some of New York's Finest helping us out when we got off at waaaay the wrong subway stop. People were really friendly today!

I went a little crazy taking Skyline silhouette pictures- they are totally addicting...until you look at your pictures later on that night and realize that you have 26 of the exact same picture. 

View from the cable car to Roosevelt Island.

Today was the perfect day to go to- it was totally empty!

And on our way home...

Love, love, love Manhattan at night.

We'll be back...as long as Big D. doesn't have  say in the matter.

An Announcement...Whooo!

Remember singing that in day camp? 

"An announcement, whoo! An announcement, whoo!"  

No? I guess it was just me then....

Anyhow-

Guys, I have to share something with you.

And NO, its not cookies!

I'm over-baked. 

Stick a toothpick in me and call me done. 

Who would have thunk it would happen to me. I thought I was heatproof. 

But I am burnt out. 

Can we please get some more baking cliche's in here? Its so much fun!

The egg shell that broke the camels back.

Anywaaaays....I am going to be going on a Bakation.

 Came up with that term myself, I did. You have to pay me a quarter to use it. But I guess there is no one else in this world who would actually take a bakation, so you're probably safe. You can keep your quarters.

Back to the matter at hand, in a perfect world, I would actually stop baking during my bakation. But I'm not sure if that is actually physically possible. So let's pretend I am taking a break from baking, and meanwhile, I'll post some super easy recipes for the general public.
Why do I get the feeling I just heard a collective sigh of relief?
Yes, you, Big D. I heard you all the way over here. 

Oh, and by the way, there may or may not be pictures accompanying the recipes. 

Just sayin.

So that's the plan of action, er-inaction, for the next few weeks.
And now, for your viewing pleasure....

Moving along with Hyper D's wedding preps, her bridal shower was today.

I've been wanting to do a bridal silhouette cake for ages, so when I saw the shower invitation, it was like a little birdie tapped me on my shoulder and told me to make a silhouette cake.

And my interpretation in cake:

Tada!

See that cool cupcake tower? More on that in a few weeks...

Stay cool guys! Have an amazing week!

Actually-wait! 

If you are new around here, and you haven't voted yet for the most amazing and awesome kosher blog (You know it!) then make sure to head over here to vote.

RIGHT HERE.

And if you are scratching your head saying, 

"Helloo, doesn't this lady realize its Chanuka in like two days.  Where are your Chanuka recipes??"

 Yes, I do in fact know this. So check out this recipe and this recipe, and voila: Chanuka  food!

Now, you can go have an amazing week :)

Warm Mushroom and Frank Salad

Warm Mushroom and Frank Salad

(Concept adapted from Binah Magazine, July 25th 2011)

10-12 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded

1 colored pepper, diced
1 cucumber,diced
cherry tomatoes


1 tablespoon oil

1 onion,sliced

1-6 ounce carton button mushrooms, sliced

1-6 ounce carton baby portabella mushrooms, or 3 regular portabella mushrooms,sliced

handful of cremini or shitake mushrooms, sliced

4 hot dogs, sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

Dressing:

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon mustard

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup duck sauce

1/2 cup oil

2-3 tablespoons sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onions. Saute until soft and transparent- about 8  minutes. Add mushrooms and hot dogs; saute another 10 minutes.  Set aside. Combine all dressing ingredients together and blend until smooth.  For individual serving plates: Line each plate with a handful of lettuce. Arrange diced peppers, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes on top. Top with warm mushroom mixture, and drizzle with dressing. Mushroom mixture can be made in advance and refrigerated until use- just warm before serving. Enjoy :)