never before seen interview with sophia grace

for still photographs of sophia's birthday party and other summer fun with all the kiddies, click here.

there is something about...

going home to the garden...picking some veggies;

and some herbs;

and making some pesto;

and calling it dinner.

There's nothing better.

low flying objects

an NYDP chopper getting in the way of things.

eataly

Due to the heat wave, our plans to have another picnic at Madison Square Park were nixed and we lunched at Eataly's La Verdure.  In attendance was April, Lauren, Webmamma, and Ximena.  There was even a celebrity sighting...Sami from Days of Our Lives. Unfortunately, we were so enthralled by the scenery, the food and conversation that I never took any photos!  So unlike me.....I know.  

 La Birreria...eataly's rooftop.  

 signage.

 where beer is made at eataly.

 the only food photo of the day.

all stairs lead to a la birreria.

quite possibly the best little ice cream shop.

On one hot June day my co-worker brought me to her sister's new ice cream shop on Carmine Street.  The frozen yogurt is made from goat's milk and all of the ingredients are local.  I wasn't sure how the goat's milk aspect of this dessert would taste, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. 

I ordered rose petal frozen yogurt with pistachios.  The taste was subtle and refreshing.   

Little goat prints leading me to the counter.....genius! 

Love this little guy!

If you are in the area, visit Sophia and Victory Garden on Carmine Street.  

Victory Garden

dips and sauces

The second meeting of teachers on summer vacation involved a picnic at Brooklyn Bridge Park with a theme...dips and sauces.  It was pretty hot outside, but we made it a point to sit on the green pasture that would provide a landscape for the outdoor opera later that evening.  Goldie serenaded April with a little happy birthday tune with a mic she borrowed for the opera men.  All in all it was a great afternoon that ended with taking the east river ferry home.  

 mango salsa, guacamole, dill dip and some sinful napkins.

the spread... equipped with graduation plates. 

 with Goldie comes the hula hoop.

 birthday cupcakes.

 birthday hugs.

everyone needs a little hoopin' once in a while.

For more culinary snapshots, please click here.

the 1st inaugural teacher cooking club

Teachers all across America have one thing in common right now. . . summer vacation.  Very few of us are actually away for the entire summer.  So in between short trips to the shore and our parent's home, we are left with a lot of time on our hands.

There was a lot of talk all year long by the 6th grade chair and resident baker to get together over the summer as a group with something else to talk about other than students and school . . . how about food and drink?  Her vision came through yesterday with the inaugural cooking club event hosted by Webmamma.  Although we all love Webmamma's roof, the heat kept us inside with air conditioning.  We had a civilized meal at the dining room table with amazing food and Blue Point Summer Ales.

the official sponsor.

 fresh, seasonal and delish.

eyes: vegan chocolate chip cookie dough (april)

mouth: mixed seasonal berries (maura)

1 o'clock: field of greens with chopped cucumber and avocado; dressed with a lemon vinaigrette (lauren)

5 o'clock: mixed grain bread (webmamma)

7 o'clock: blanched asparagus with an asian green onion & sesame seed sauce (ribods)

10 o'clock: fettucini with grilled zucchini/squash, chopped tomato, basil, and smoked mozzarella (webmamma)

For more culinary snapshots, please click here.