occupy.

parent teacher conference karaoke.

we plan lessons.  we grade tests, quizzes and papers.  we call parents.  we give detention.  we go on field trips.  we do hall duty.  we talk all day.  we think about other jobs we could have.  we get dehydrated.  we babysit.  we take attendance.  we pray for snowdays. we wonder why kids can't multiply and laugh at the things they say.  we teach. 

some say we are role models.  

but on the friday after parent teacher conferences....we are stars.  

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.

she and her friends got talent

we could have sung happy birthday to you and been over with it, but there are so many other great hits and lets face it, we all just wanna be stars...

here are a few hits that come to mind...

happy birthday pretty, little lady.

the empire party

New York City has always been a little bit faster paced and over the top compared to those other cities.  It goes above and beyond.  I don't know why, but it just does.  The City.  The Big Apple. The City that Never Sleeps.  Call it what you will, but I think its the people...not the buildings and the lights that make it what it is....

We are dreamers; 

and we are dancers.

We are friends;

and we are lovers.

We like to eat...

and maybe even drink a little too much;

...and sometimes we get crazy;

and even a little silly.

But we are family.

And yes, it's easy to turn your back on this concrete jungle, but for some reason when you're in this great city, on the roof top, celebrating with Danielle, Paul and the best of them...it just seems like your own little empire.  Even if the next day your memory of it all is a little blurry.

Thanks Danielle and Paul for making your wedding one of the best.  You have a beautiful family and amazing friends.  And somehow you brought them together flawlessly.  If it wasn't for your love affair we would never have had Cabo.  There would never be an empire night quite like this one.  These memories will surely last a lifetime...

an eating tour, two legends, a new stadium, and a silent game

WHO: new york yankees, goldie & myself representing the 9-1-4

WHAT: a baseball game.  america's pass time.  a commemoration of yankees announcer bob sheppard and franchise owner george steinbrenner.  two new patches on the uniform and a silent game.  literally....silent.  all versus the tampa bay devil rays.

WHERE: the new yankee stadium...slightly offset from the former, non-existent yankee stadium.  161st street and river avenue...you can't miss it. upper deck

WHEN: 7.16.2010

WHY: goldie scored tickets. she asked me to join her.  i had never been to the new stadium.  we have a soft spot for cheap beer at the cost of premium beer + $3.  we appreciate concession stand vittles within the price range of gourmet food.  one can never "high-five" too many times.  there are bound to be some good characters sitting around us.  singing "new york, new york" like a fool is completely acceptable and highly encouraged.  i'm a met fan, but i find it perfectly okay to go to  yankee game and cheer for them.  pato gets in for free.

swisher hits a few runners in during the bottom of the ninth.  yankees win.  swisher gets a pie to the face.  everyone is high-fiving.  everyone is singing. if only the mets could do this.