tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36317378253128880672024-03-07T06:41:06.369-05:00Izzy (and Mama) Eat: The Gourmand Goes To CollegeTales of Empty Nest and College Boy Eats.. The Next Chapter..Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.comBlogger952125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-82832516655850901012013-07-21T23:07:00.000-05:002013-07-22T00:13:42.651-05:00Here Today....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gone tomorrow..<br />
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And oh how I wish it weren't so. Yet I know that I did all I could to prevent this surgery. Unlike <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?_r=0">Angelina Jolie</a>, I did not and could not bring myself to choose a prophylactic surgery. My choice was surveillance, in the hopes that if cancer were found, it would be found early.<br />
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Despite the encouragement of my breast surgeon and others, never did I wish to undergo a surgery while my breasts were healthy. Even though I am BRCA +1 and a high-risk patient, my breasts are near and dear to me and I couldn't conceive of removing them without evidence of cancer. Instead I opted for surveillance and I underwent any and all necessary procedures to assure that nothing would slip by unnoticed. In the past 3 years I have undergone three invasive procedures, regular 6 month MRIs, ultrasounds and yearly mammograms. <br />
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These last two months have been a whirlwind of ups and downs, starting in May when an abnormality showed up on my breast MRI and a biopsy showed evidence of cancer. After two months of conflicting diagnoses, visits to four breast surgeons and a lumpectomy two weeks ago, my cancer diagnosis has finally been confirmed. Now I no longer have a choice.<br />
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And so it is that on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, I will undergo bilateral (hopefully) nipple-sparing mastectomy with reconstruction. It is my intent to share my journey here, in the hopes of helping others faced with similar decisions. <br />
<br />Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-43975093175133835252013-04-07T17:20:00.000-05:002013-04-07T17:20:07.994-05:00The Oranges - East and West - A Tale of Two Abandoned Cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The "Oranges" - East and West</div>
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These two cats appeared in our backyard in early January. They are two shy brothers that remained together after they were most likely abandoned. Somehow they managed to weather the snowstorm, always sticking together. We watched as they snuggled together and shared their food.</div>
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We finally trapped them on March 4 and had them neutered, tested and given rabies shots. We initially thought they were feral but it seems they once belonged somewhere. They were traumatized at some point, perhaps when they were dumped so they are somewhat shy. </div>
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They are need of a patient, loving home, ideally together. We already have 4 cats of our own so we cannot keep them. Please consider taking these boys in. </div>
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<br />Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-81745381264315782192012-05-12T08:34:00.002-05:002012-05-12T08:34:59.320-05:00Don't Miss it !: Ernesto Neto: Art Appeals to ALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the last day you can catch this fantastical show at the<a href="http://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/"> Tanya Bonakdar Gallery</a>. This exhibit appeals to both children and parents. Spend an hour or so exploring this unexpectedly enticing world of colorful nets, all suspended from the ceiling in unusual configurations. We went last weekend and we didn't want to leave! Make it an afternoon and spend sometime exploring Chelsea and all it has to offer.<br />
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<br />Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-52261189430255679222012-05-10T13:11:00.000-05:002012-05-10T13:11:10.836-05:00Great Theater in Our Own Backyard!: Beauty and the Beast<br />
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Right here in downtown Jersey City,<a href="http://www.arthouseproductions.org/events2012/event-0160.html"> Art House Productions</a> is hosting the musical, Beauty and the Beast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining in OUR backyard before the show</td></tr>
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Izzy and I went with friends last night and were bowled over by the talent of the young performers, as well as that of the accompanying musicians. Katie W. was cast as BELLE and she does a phenomenal job. The exuberance of the other performers shines through the evening. A great opportunity for theater right in our own backyard and a perfect way to introduce your kids to the wonders of theater. Tickets may still available for tonight's performance although it seems that the others have already sold out. If you can't catch this production, keep Art House in mind for upcoming performances.<br />Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-20903320028005387522012-02-05T22:03:00.001-05:002012-02-06T20:11:13.511-05:00A Day On The Slopes - Izzy SkisA few weeks ago, Izzy and I joined his great friend J. for their first skiing adventure. We went to a nearby mountain, <a href="http://www.skicampgaw.com/">Campgaw </a>in Mahwah N.J. There, Izzy and J. maneuvered their skis on the ultra-easy, gradual bunny slope, perfect for the smallest of skiers. After their first hour-long lesson the two of them were whizzing down the tiny hill with ease. Although this was a good introduction to skiing, Izzy was eager to try something slightly more daring.<br />
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I researched some other local options and this weekend we tried <a href="http://www.tuxedoridge.com/">Tuxedo Ridge</a>, perfect for us because you can get there from Hoboken via the NJ transit train. Not only that but the resort offered to send a van to pick us up at the station.<br />
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We set out early this morning with a group of Izzy's classmates. Everything went according to plan and we arrived at the slopes by 10:30. This time, I got myself a snazzy, warm ski outfit so that I wouldn't spend my day shivering, sniffly and miserable as I did a few weeks ago. I couldn't ski that day as I didn't have warm enough clothing and wasn't feeling up to it. This time I decided to do it right. I even signed up for a lesson, along with Izzy and his classmates.<br />
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Our instructor was a sweetheart and he patiently provided basic beginner skills, such as putting on skis, stopping and turning. Izzy was bored at first as he was eager to get moving, but I appreciated the review. You see I haven't skied in 20 years, since my days on the slope with my old beau Mr. B who was quite the daredevil skier. Back then he managed to get me on the black diamond slopes even though I had very little skiing experience at the time. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadowing Izzy....</td></tr>
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It was exciting to be out on the slopes after all these years and today was the perfect day for it. At first glance, the bunny slope at Tuxedo Ridge definitely appeared more challenging than the one at Campgaw and it had a real ski lift instead of the "magic carpet"(which is perfect for first-timers or little ones but less so for Izzy). At first I couldn't imagine that Izzy or I would even attempt this bunny slope but after I taught him how to zig-zag, I decided he was ready ( and I hoped that I could manage it myself). By the afternoon, the two of us were gliding down the slopes with ease, Izzy following my trails and eventually going up the lift on his own.<br />
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Both of us were thrilled with the experience and hope to return to Tuxedo Ridge soon and check out some other nearby ski areas as well.<br />
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If you go:<br />
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<a href="http://www.skicampgaw.com/"><b>Campgaw</b> </a><br />
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pros: Bunny slope is ideal for first-time or very young skiers. The snow-tubing area is right next to the bunny slope. Close to NYC.<br />
cons: Lodge is noisy, loud music. Food didn't look great, crowded, no intermediate ski-area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tuxedoridge.com/"><b>Tuxedo Ridge</b></a><br />
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pros: Close to NYC, easily accessible by public transportation. Snow tubing, patient instructors.<br />
Nice-sized bunny slope. Low-key. Two dining options.<br />
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cons: Bunny slope may be too challenging for little ones (kids 6 and under may find it difficult without a private lesson or a parent to accompany them).<br />
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Also, I recommend packing a lunch and snacks. We spent very little time eating as we wanted to maximize our time on the slopes.<br />
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<br />Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-61206536970251668562011-10-19T21:43:00.000-05:002011-10-20T13:41:49.163-05:00"Please Don't Pass That Gas" (pipeline through Jersey City): Izzy attends a protest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please don't pass that gas (pipeline)"</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/10/jersey_city_public_hearing_on.html">Spectra</a> financed natural gas pipeline which is slated to run underneath downtown Jersey City, is a source of great concern and outrage for the city's residents. Today was our chance to speak out against its construction, which would surely do more harm than good, bringing toxins and danger to a densely populated area. The public hearing was scheduled for this evening and since it wasn't too late I decided it would be a good introduction for Izzy, into the world of protests. Although this wasn't the first protest he has attended it will undoubtedly be the first he will remember. <br />
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Izzy and his pal Y., waved their signs dutifully and then sat patiently while many of our city's leading politicians spoke out against the pipeline's construction through our city. Many of the speeches were engaging and well-done. But of course the most memorable speaker, from the kids' viewpoint, was the woman who incorporated the phrase "Please don't pass that gas (pipeline)" throughout her speech.<br />
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The majority of the attendees were anti-pipeline protesters but there was a small but vocal bunch of pro-pipeline union workers sprinkled amongst the audience. The kids managed to sit through over an hour of the hearing but they began to get sleepy so we had to leave before it ended.<br />
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When the final decision regarding the pipeline is made in 2012, let us hope that our voices were heard. May our children learn the importance of speaking up for what they believe in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2011/10/20/raucous-crowds-flock-to-final-public-hearing-on-proposed-natural-gas-pipeline-through-jersey-city/">Click here for the latest news on the event</a>...Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-83483059694404533932011-08-27T15:57:00.000-05:002011-08-27T15:57:46.079-05:00Hurricane Preparedness, Shopping for Irene and An Agonizing Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzHS3tvFifUVV7YM9_lVe0-MOgLcqYUMzfS1G9PJuDAGtTSs1YJxHat4R1DbtHgVP7CT1tpe_cQIfS74yPgE2i8iUDN7vWUKu8M4RwFUh8xu4Y6902RipNm9OAwdc-OGmmyZjNyVs1HA/s1600/DSCN8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzHS3tvFifUVV7YM9_lVe0-MOgLcqYUMzfS1G9PJuDAGtTSs1YJxHat4R1DbtHgVP7CT1tpe_cQIfS74yPgE2i8iUDN7vWUKu8M4RwFUh8xu4Y6902RipNm9OAwdc-OGmmyZjNyVs1HA/s320/DSCN8619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Most of our summer has been spent elsewhere, Europe or the shore. As a consequence, our pantry and cupboards are shockingly bare. Of late, I have been making daily shopping trips and haven't replenished any dry food goods and other staples. With all of the panic and hoopla surrounding the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene, I decided to make an emergency trip to Shoprite, a place I have managed to avoid for the better part of the past year. <br />
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I went there with the intent of picking up water, batteries, cleaning supplies and some canned goods. I assumed others there would be doing the same. What I found however, were shelves empty of gallon water jugs and shoppers piling their carts with all manner of junk food. An acquaintance, whose cart contained the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_Cheese">spray cheese of my youth</a> (oh so delectable on a Ritz cracker during those summer camp days of yore), and all sorts of other goods out of my realm, tried to persuade me to throw out my foodie/organic convictions and just stock up. After all, this was about survival. I explained that I didn't just want to buy food that I wouldn't eventually use. Her rationale (and a good one at that), was that if we didn't end up using the food, we could just donate it. Yet I looked around and saw the carts stuffed with all manner of processed foods and couldn't exactly follow suit. In my own fashion, I did shop with abandon, as I purchased some things that would not ordinarily find their way into my cart.<br />
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With Izzy at my side, we carted home the following: 13 bottles of fizzy water, a lone bottle of Fiji water, hearts of palm, water chestnuts, olives, chickpeas, cannellini beans, olive oil, canned pink salmon, coconut water, organic granola, blueberry pomegranate juice, organic rice milk, coconut milk and whatever else you seen in the picture. I marveled at the spread and how it differed from what I saw in the carts of my neighbors. I knew that come what may, would we still manage to eat healthfully.<br />
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Not only did we shop for groceries, we also managed to snag the last light stick at Sears, get a bag of ice from the bodega and stop at the bank. Yet my efforts were for naught. I have been tracking the storm and reading the dire predictions, wondering if we needed to evacuate or not. This morning, A. insisted that Izzy and I leave Jersey City. <br />
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After much agonizing, I have left my stocked pantry and made the decision to leave my kitties and house behind. A. has remained home, guarding the house and the kitties. We chose to go stay with my brother since Flemington is merely a tropical storm zone instead of a category 1 hurricane site. Though the rain is falling steadily around us, inside my brother's kitchen feels like a pretty safe place to be.<br />
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May everyone left on 8th Street and elsewhere stay safe and dry. My thoughts are with all of you.<br />
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p.s. Thank J. for sharing your bedroom with us!Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-32657406120777003102011-07-27T17:36:00.000-05:002011-07-27T17:36:32.569-05:00Paris - Eating InFor me a trip to Paris usually means a scramble to eat as many fabulous meals as I can. This time was slightly different, given my many and various food limitations, which is one reason I chose to stay in an apartment, allowing me the ability to prepare meals at home -which we did for all breakfasts, most lunches and some dinners. Going to the French market is always fun for me and Izzy got a kick out of helping me select the ingredients for our meals..from gorgeously sweet grape tomatoes to sparkling red currants.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arugula Salad with Tomatoes and Chickpeas/Green Beans Vinagrette</td></tr>
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As you can see, I didn't really do any heavy duty cooking but more of an assemblage - salads, pate, bread and fruit - and one pasta dinner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Currants Snack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arugula, Cherry Tomatoes,Cucumbers and Tinned Fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed Artichoke, Rabbit Pate, Duck Rillettes, Beet Salad</td></tr>
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Our new Italian friends wondered where we would eat better, in Italy or in France. They were certain the food is better in Italy. What do you suppose they will say now?Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-45660890040621257842011-07-25T17:44:00.000-05:002011-07-25T17:44:30.962-05:00From Praiano to Paris - weather or not...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare moment on a carousel in the Marais (note the winter hat)</td></tr>
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After our eleven day Italian idyll, we left the brilliant warm sunshine and spectacular scenery of <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2011/07/when-life-gives-you-lemons-loll-of-our.html">Praiano</a> for my heretofore favorite city, Paris. I toyed with the idea of remaining in Praiano and canceling the trip to Paris but it was impossible. Our apartment was already paid for and we couldn't change our flights. Besides, we had to go to Paris to get our train to London. So to Paris we went and there we were met with an autumnal chill and days of rain. Izzy wondered aloud as to why it had been "summer in Italy and it was now winter in Paris". I wondered the same.<br />
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I didn't expect much from Paris, simply some days of meandering, a few good meals, a bit of frolicking in Place des Vosges, Jardins du Luxembourg and Les Tuileries and perhaps a visit to a small museum or two. I also wanted to shop, for Izzy, myself and my friends. Hardly got to do any of those things as the weather foiled most of our plans, except for <i>eating</i> and <i>shopping</i>, of which we did far too much.<br />
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Whenever we stepped outside, the sky would darken and the drops would begin falling. I had no choice but to duck into the nearest shop. We spent an inordinate amount of time in bookstores, clothing shops and whatever else crossed our paths. Izzy began to amass a collection of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Island-Adventures-Tintin/dp/0316358355/ref=cm_lmf_tit_7">Tintin books</a>, which entertained him during my forays into clothing shops and shoe stores.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcqNfSOdI7SXn2QeVbS0JTncg4alVrnqIvgn_eOkyGlnTODzWAOVpIO3tmGw4gVC6VBnQKU-bQqLU20p9sm5Ew2xOv2_WR8aIwyFpRV6CFsFjAsIAN60AjVgsy-BQWLRni3eYX5T1HkI/s1600/DSCN8598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcqNfSOdI7SXn2QeVbS0JTncg4alVrnqIvgn_eOkyGlnTODzWAOVpIO3tmGw4gVC6VBnQKU-bQqLU20p9sm5Ew2xOv2_WR8aIwyFpRV6CFsFjAsIAN60AjVgsy-BQWLRni3eYX5T1HkI/s320/DSCN8598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tintin au restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And so we spent our days in Paris, scurrying in and out of shops, escaping the rain, enjoying occasional bouts of sunshine and a few other activities...Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-44070436692863835312011-07-22T17:05:00.000-05:002011-07-22T17:05:39.910-05:00A Room With A View (and then some) - Our apartment in ParisWhenever I visit Paris, I try to stay either in, or near the Marais ( 4th arrondisement), where I lived many years ago. It was, and still is, my very favorite place to be. This time I selected a little apartment on the Rue des Tournelles, just a few doors down from where I lived way back then. Among other essential features like free Wifi, the apartment offered a classic Parisian street side view. And as Izzy later discovered, a bit more...<br />
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We were playing scrabble in the living room the other evening, when out of the blue, Izzy looked up at me, with quite a grin on his face and asked, "Why is the lady across the street cleaning her apartment completely naked?"<br />
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Why indeed! It wasn't even particularly hot out (in fact, au contraire) yet there she was, with her backside to us, washing her dishes. Together we giggled over this and Izzy suggested I photograph her for the blog (not a good idea, I explained). He continued to glance over at her and we watched as she turned toward us to sweep the floor. Eventually she realized she was being watched and disappeared into another room, only to return in her pajamas. <br />
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Of course I was then left to explain why she might have been cleaning in the nude. I could have chalked it up to a, "Only in Paris" occurrence. However I had to confess that on sweltering days in New York City, long before he was born, when I lived on the 9th floor and the shades were drawn, I had been known to do some cleaning, similarly clad. And so I told him that it was likely she was most comfortable that way and probably didn't realize that all eyes were upon her.<br />
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He hoped to catch another glimpse tonight but clearly, she was on to him and didn't make an appearance.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-11407850255322970822011-07-20T02:27:00.001-05:002011-07-20T02:33:06.748-05:00Leaving Praiano - was it meant to be?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient tower - Praiano</td></tr>
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Neither one of us wished to leave Praiano but sadly it was too late to change our plans. We were resigned to leave as planned, far too early on Sunday morning - by taxi at 6 a.m. to catch a 9:20 flight from Naples.<br />
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Getting up at 5 wasn't as bad as I thought and Izzy awakened easily. It was getting the hotel staff up to help assist with dragging our luggage up the stairs that proved challenging. In fact, when I told them of our early departure, they seemed quite surprised that anyone would consider leaving so early. They made our early departure seem unheard of and were unsure as to how I would manage. One suggestion was that they carry my baggage up the steps in the late evening, leaving it near a locked gate (no thanks). I was baffled as to their response and as I was recounting this tale to some other hotel guests, a kind fellow from Australia offered to wake up and carry our bags for me. He said he was going kayaking and needed a wake-up call anyway. Ah the kindness of strangers. With that settled, Izzy and I went off to our room. On our way, N., one of the hotel family, stopped me to let me know that HE would be getting up to help with our bags. I was skeptical but he insisted...so I canceled with the Australian and we went off to bed. <br />
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The morning of our departure, Izzy and I put all of our bags outside of our room, walked up to the reception area (locked) and peeked around for someone to help us. Nobody was there but I figured N. would arrive shortly. Meanwhile we walked up all of steps in search of the car service - not there either. We walked back down and still nobody had arrived to help. I sent Izzy up and down a couple of more times in search of the car service and still nothing. At that point I began to fear we would miss our plane. I also began to see the error in taking an early flight from Italy. I had no signal on my phone so I couldn't contact the car service and there was no sign of N. to help with our luggage. Little by little, Izzy and I inched our luggage up a few stairs at a time, until we got it to the reception area (not even halfway, mind you). Our car was scheduled for 6 a.m. and it was 6:15. All remained quiet as Izzy and I pricked our ears at the sound of each passing car. Finally we heard a door slam. We ran up the steps to meet <a href="http://www.italylimousine.com/en/index.php">Giovanni</a>, our driver. He apologized for his tardiness and came down to carry our luggage (phew). We piled into the car and we were off.<br />
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Turns out my worries of lateness were unfounded. The car service had booked us at 6 but it didn't take us very long to get to the airport, even with a stop along the way for Izzy. It seems the early wake-up and winding roads = car-sickness for poor Izzy. Our driver was most sympathetic and helpful with the clean-up, which more than compensated for his tardiness. Not only that but he is an excellent driver, taking extra care along the narrow coastal roads.<br />
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In the end, we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare and boarded our flight - destination Parigi- on time. As we settled into our seats, I finally began to relax and the fact that we were really leaving this magical locale began to sink in. As the plane took flight I stared out at the shining blue sea and wished we had remained as we were earlier, stuck in Praiano, baggage and all.<br />
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Arrivederci Italia.<br />
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p.s. When we arrived in Paris, I received a very apologetic email from N., from our hotel in Praiano who had set his alarm to help us with the baggage but never heard it sound - apologies accepted; we love you anyway!Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-29252334733499027692011-07-14T13:10:00.000-05:002011-07-14T13:10:21.865-05:00When Life Gives You Lemons - Loll: Of our days in Praiano, Italy - Lemon Groves and Locanda Costa Diva<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night falls on the lemon grove</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We arrived in Praiano a week ago and here we have stayed, nestled amongst lemon groves in our most adorable hotel, <a href="http://www.hotelspraiano.com/en">La Locanda Costa Diva</a>. It is in fact, a restored farmhouse and the rooms seem to be built around the lemon, olive and other fruit trees which grace this cliffside retreat; the entire property boasting spectacular views of the sea and other local scenery.<br />
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Praiano is a small, quiet village along the Amalfi Coast - an easy distance (along narrow, harrowing roads) from its more boisterous neighbors, Positano and Amalfi. At first I wasn’t sure how Izzy and I would fare here, as there is little more to do than go to the beach and figure out our next meal. <br />
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For our first 4 days we befriended a traveling mother and her teenaged daughter from Calgary, also at the hotel. It was nice to exchange tales of our daily adventures with them, breakfast time or dinner each day. Once they left I wondered if we would find some other travelers to entertain us, as many of the other rooms here are occupied by honeymooner types. In fact one evening, we heard some loudish music emanating from a room below ours and Izzy went to peek out over the balcony only to discover a couple in their private jacuzzi (not as private as they thought!).<br />
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We settled into a routine and each day we have come to appreciate our surroundings all the more. Each morning, we sleep until 8 (or Izzy later if I don’t awaken him accidentally). We make our way to breakfast at around 9 where a copious spread awaits us in the dining room. There is plenty to fuel us for the day - yogurt, blood orange juice, croissants, rolls with jam and butter, fresh fruit cocktail, assorted farm fruits - plums, cherries, etc, cereals, cappuccino, tea and specially for me, rice milk.<br />
After gorging on these delights we usually spend some time in dining room while I use the WiFi hotspot - as there is no free internet in the rooms (something that distressed me at first but is probably for the best as I am forced to limit my time at the computer).<br />
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After breakfast we usually meander back to our room and either take a bus on an excursion or go to the beach. Each day there is some small discovery to be made. Often, Izzy wanders along the paths created in and amongst the lemon groves, and takes great pleasure in snitching lemons (which we use in our endless bottles of fizzy water) and other fruits.<br />
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Lizards flit along the paths, surprising us at every turn and the hotel dog, “Billy” is our constant companion whenever we approach the dining room. I think he must appreciate our truffle scent (I packed truffle salt in our luggage as gifts and all of our clothing carries the aroma).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Billy" rolls over for a scratch</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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The more we learn of this charming locale, the more we have come to love it. We have gotten to know our surroundings and the super-friendly and accomodating staff and we will certainly be sorry to leave here on Sunday.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-27258616056362720652011-07-12T04:40:00.000-05:002011-07-12T04:40:37.018-05:00Travel Indecisions/Decisions: Where do we go from here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T-nJf8wyMjHNLCKCfxv1DwX5tglLdXEGQXhRK-ExbAKht8KS009-ijqFfyuOY9lDa0HwK3q4vl6TXbQlhM-dTf94OUYIaZgJrpPEr46T7BfTY-uWaMwNmvJr2qfxgNNTdDfV9GH5hog/s1600/DSCN8526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T-nJf8wyMjHNLCKCfxv1DwX5tglLdXEGQXhRK-ExbAKht8KS009-ijqFfyuOY9lDa0HwK3q4vl6TXbQlhM-dTf94OUYIaZgJrpPEr46T7BfTY-uWaMwNmvJr2qfxgNNTdDfV9GH5hog/s320/DSCN8526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEVJty-ZzhJ-0ZUau02Weu71T8P-QQ6JgcXXhxJbWAAz-yrIEVVxpp1u702zfJSZ2HKiPbmtt4XIRlZhKggoiAcLqwlOwk37VEz_Mp0PpnQt9aP5hk_aOpiHEyorkVsOEgEBf5Ya1clI/s1600/DSCN8523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> It has been four years since Izzy and I made <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2007/07/izzy-eats-italian-days-in-greve-in.html">our first journey</a> to Europe. Far too much time has passed since that trip and we have longed to take another one. This year, in celebration of my one year cancerversary (Yes! June marked one year since I finished cancer treatment) I decided we would go on a long voyage. Where we would go? I wasn't exactly sure but I knew we would go to Europe.<br />
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At home I planned the first and last weeks of our trip. We would start out in Germany where we would visit with Aunt B. and Uncle Rabbit in Altotting. This would be relaxing, or so I had hoped. At the end of our trip we would visit with our old Jersey City friends, Helen, I. et al. in London. We would be gone for five weeks total.<br />
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With the first week and the last week of our trip planned, we left Jersey City. I spent that first week in a state of agitation as I tried to resolve the question of where we would actually go. As I had packed far too much luggage, we were somewhat limited to places that would not involve too many train/plane transfers and other maneuvers that would involve carrying the luggage. I had initially imagined a stay in just one place - renting a house or an apartment and exploring one town for a month. I mulled over places like Provence (been there), <a href="http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/in-apulia-vacationing-like-an-italian/">Apulia (saw great article in the NY Times about it</a>) and Sicily (intriguing), Ischia (worried about getting around) a<a href="http://www.italyfarmactivities.com/link/about/about.htm"> farmstay in the Sora</a> (sounds wonderful) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praiano">Praiano</a> - a small coastal town between Amalfi and Positano which seemed to have the most appeal. I tried to book the farmstay as well as a week in Praiano. At first this appeared to be the perfect plan but I began to worry about the luggage situation and felt that the traveling between place to place would be less relaxing than what I had intended. In the end I booked a ticket from Munich to Naples and we took a car service to Praiano where we would stay for 11 days.<br />
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Our flight to Naples was uneventful. We found our luggage and our driver from <a href="http://www.italylimousine.com/en/amalfi-coast---naples-airport-private-transfer.php">Italy Limousine</a>, met us and whisked us off to Praiano. He was an expert and I never once felt uncomfortable as we wound our way around the narrow main road of the Amalfi Coast. The scenic drive was merely an introduction to the beauty of this area, where houses are built into the rocks of the cliffs. We arrived at our hotel, <a href="http://www.hotelspraiano.com/en">La Locanda Costa Diva</a>, at about 8:30 p.m... We set our bags down and looked around. I was relieved to find that I had selected a most beautiful and peaceful locale. Perhaps I would finally be able to relax...<br />
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We have now be at La Locanda Costa Diva since July 7th. This small coastal village is a quiet respite from life as we know it... to be continued...Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-7962697599668365212011-07-08T13:07:00.000-05:002011-07-08T13:07:48.540-05:00Antics in Altotting: of biking, hiking and picking, or living the country life June 28-July 6 2011For the 8 years since Aunt B moved to live with her Rabbit in Germany, I had a certain image of where it was she lived. My mind’s eye envisioned a small, stand-alone house quite like the one she lives in, though hers is attached. Here it is, on our final day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little House On the Stinglhammer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The house has three floors. On the first floor is a living room and kitchen, bathroom and backdoor which leads out to a lovely backyard. The second floor houses a sitting room/office and the master bedroom and top floor contains the guest quarters.<br />
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During our stay Izzy and I shared the upstairs quarters. Attic bedroom with street view, small bathroom and a room in which to leave our luggage. The light (sometimes sun) shone brightly into our room each morning, awakening me earlier than I would have liked. Though somehow not interrupting Izzy as he slept on.<br />
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Each morning Aunt B. prepared our breakfast - for Izzy, a bowl of fruit and yogurt, for me a bowl of fruit and tea. On nice days we could have our breakfast in the backyard - gazing out at the large sunflower patches, mint and other assorted flowers which decorated the grasses. Chickens occasionally clucked by, stopped for some crusts of bread<br />
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Each day was a lazy one, in which we wouldn’t usually get out of the house until 11. Should we go to market? Go out to lunch or have an adventure? Before any of that, we stopped at the local bakery to select our daily pretzel snack. Sesame, poppy, salted or pumpkin seed? Izzy and I favored the sesame seed ones which came pretzel-shaped or round, which I daresay are true kin to the bagel. <br />
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After our snack we chose an adventure. Our first outing was a visit to the local Wednesday market in Neutotting. There we bought some fixings for lunch etc. - head cheese, bread and other tidbits. That afternoon Brooke and Isadore went for a walk in the woods in search of frogs. <br />
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Next day was bike riding in the fields and woods. We met some cats along the way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izzy and his new cat friend</td></tr>
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One day we visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burghausen,_Alt%C3%B6tting">Burghausen</a> - to see the castle<br />
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A highlight of our trip was blueberry picking at a nearby field where rows and rows of plump, juicy berries were ripe for picking. Izzy, Brooke, Peter and I managed to collect about 10 lbs. of berries on our first outing. Half were given away and we managed to eat 5 lbs. in 2 days. They were a steady part of our diet and we liked them so much that we went back a second time to collect more so that we had extra to take with us on our trip to Italy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry fields forever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last but not least, was our hike in the Bavarian Alps, worthy of a post all its own.<br />
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So much more to say but have to get to the next part of our trip. Thank you Aunt B. and Uncle Rabbit for a most unforgettable visit. See you next year :)! <br />
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</tbody></table>Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-82315092806992819932011-07-07T12:56:00.000-05:002011-07-07T12:56:34.173-05:00July 4th BBQ Celebration: Altotting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9m9BmbzS69ouwv925h5rF7Y5aQSaM_4hgQD4NVCbnj8x2-pTu0mmbn-ktXwo7IKGfHPE8B0EvBQpGd_dzDASpDU9USBGiFPXu-M0gYuxP_QxW54eFXYvZEGr3m1Lrlo_SA4fPYbX_w/s1600/IMG_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9m9BmbzS69ouwv925h5rF7Y5aQSaM_4hgQD4NVCbnj8x2-pTu0mmbn-ktXwo7IKGfHPE8B0EvBQpGd_dzDASpDU9USBGiFPXu-M0gYuxP_QxW54eFXYvZEGr3m1Lrlo_SA4fPYbX_w/s320/IMG_0127.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Uncle Rabbit grilled pork filet. Izzy assisted. He especially enjoyed fanning the fire.<br />
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There were roasted potatoes and salad too.<br />
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I contributed my version of German bruschetta - stale bread, sliced, grilled, rubbed with garlic and topped with chopped salami, basil and olive oil.<br />
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For dessert - Toasted Marshmallows!<br />
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The evening ended with sparklers - in the light, and later on when it got dark.<br />
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Happy Belated July 4th!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_1693593598"></span><span id="goog_1693593599"></span><span id="goog_473147169"></span><span id="goog_473147170"></span><span id="goog_1159046512"></span><span id="goog_1159046513"></span>Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-43816480959540800702011-07-04T17:02:00.000-05:002011-07-04T17:02:39.627-05:00Splendid Eats In and Near Altotting: Birni's and Ming'sIt has been nearly a week since we arrived in Altotting, a small village in South East Germany, best known for religious pilgrimages. I have heard tell that the pious travel from far and wide, coming here to be magically cured - evidence of crutches left behind adorn the chapel where people pray, not far from a fountain purported to have healing powers. I couldn't resist a dip but unfortunately have to say I haven't been magic as "the rash" persists (will come to that some other time). In the meanwhile, I have encountered some fine things to eat (other than Miss B's cooking), namely two restaurants, <a href="http://www.birnis.de/presse_und_birnis.html">Birni's</a> and <a href="http://www.mings-lounge.de/home.html">Ming's Lounge</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.birnis.de/presse_und_birnis.html">Birni's</a>, which is not actually Altotting but is instead in Neutotting (about 5 minutes away by car) is certainly a destination restaurant - worthy of far longer than a five minute ride to be sure). They offer locally inspired and updated German cuisine - think airy foams rather than heavy sauces - in a lovely, light-filled setting, where wood, candles and flowers abound. This is delightful experience not to be missed if you are within an hour or so. Friendly staff only add to the perfect evening. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad with crispy mushrooms from Birni's</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.mings-lounge.de/home.html">Ming's</a> is a more casual option but equally noteworthy. This hip, Thai restaurant offers a nicely rounded menu of expertly sauced Thai dishes. I thoroughly enjoyed my crisp duck with coconut curry and the other dishes looked equally tantalizing. Here too, service was warm and friendly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy Duck in Coconut Curry</td></tr>
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Rest assured, that the next time you visit Altotting, you will be able to find something really good to eat.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-31049845127989982152011-06-30T17:13:00.000-05:002011-06-30T17:13:15.657-05:00Jet lag lazy: First days in AltottingMy friend H. had counseled me to fly to Europe on a daytime flight, something that in all my days of traveling I had never done or even considered before. We took a 9:00 a.m. flight and arrived at our final destination at 9 p.m. There was no place to get dinner so we had to order room service which turned out to be pricey and mediocre. During past travels, I always enjoyed arriving in Europe for breakfast, where I could have a fresh croissant or baguette to begin a lazy, tired day. This was indeed different though I am still uncertain as to whether it was better.<br />
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The rationale for taking the daytime flight was that Izzy's jet lag would be less problematic. I am not sure which I prefer as he now enjoys staying up until midnight and sleeping until 10:30. I, meanwhile can't seem to sleep past 6 a.m. and then become exhausted throughout the day.<br />
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Since we are staying with Aunt Brooke and Uncle Rabbit I have had the luxury of just lolling about. I have been mulling over the possibilities for our upcoming travels whilst at times, Brooke entertains Izzy. They have visited a nearby creek in search of frogs and together we have gone bike riding. We biked near farms, passing some chickens and barn cats along the way. Then through a forest where Izzy and I were eaten up itchy by some tiny black insects. On our way out of the forest we stopped at a "Pick your own flowers" farm where Izzy insisted on buying one daisy with some euro change he had in his pocket.<br />
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We have also been eating in style, thanks to Miss Brooke who has been cooking up a storm while I sit idly by. She showcases local produce, fish and meats. Dinner our second night...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5toPh83Z-WOy-C9OmABtRYd9MXEIRLhMJ_8yozDyQv0Tdsc4ZGMC3pUFOF-VTR5texob-i2Yhjof_vIju817xpveyUJh8Qip22D98xtGBsrnOENDgU8OoVcg_tSWVnu96AP1fdeFHvmE/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5toPh83Z-WOy-C9OmABtRYd9MXEIRLhMJ_8yozDyQv0Tdsc4ZGMC3pUFOF-VTR5texob-i2Yhjof_vIju817xpveyUJh8Qip22D98xtGBsrnOENDgU8OoVcg_tSWVnu96AP1fdeFHvmE/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moroccan Vegetable Stew, Couscous and Turkey Breast</td></tr>
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Dinner our third night...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBUo-6Tx92UVRvqOIddW6pFTQIuCdUlazA0VqE_8lxRdA7xRXXsdUTMu03ppZ7tbUI33fL703r9_VqOHO_9BU9CZsN8Qri5EpxKOZ_UlePEWSzfRoJaMrUoH3Cj5WBo0QTtuj5hspDbo/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBUo-6Tx92UVRvqOIddW6pFTQIuCdUlazA0VqE_8lxRdA7xRXXsdUTMu03ppZ7tbUI33fL703r9_VqOHO_9BU9CZsN8Qri5EpxKOZ_UlePEWSzfRoJaMrUoH3Cj5WBo0QTtuj5hspDbo/s320/photo%252812%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout with Riesling and Shredded Carrots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibva_XBpw720PG-aVXsScitKQmGy8fecQAT7jmZnL0aktl7qdB2deQou679nPQCPgqoPxMpg1cKJOMtmtp3JnCBbSRsx6Vof3QD4VBItyKtf0UHZx38Cy-mFl3YVgxAG2zyXm7aX-itwc/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibva_XBpw720PG-aVXsScitKQmGy8fecQAT7jmZnL0aktl7qdB2deQou679nPQCPgqoPxMpg1cKJOMtmtp3JnCBbSRsx6Vof3QD4VBItyKtf0UHZx38Cy-mFl3YVgxAG2zyXm7aX-itwc/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato and Green Bean Salad</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Oh and I forgot to mention our first meal in Altotting... We went to dinner at a local Beer Garden within a forest...quite a Bavarian meal. A very porky experience to say the least! Tomorrow's agenda is too include a visit to long Bavarian castle...stay-tuned.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-60860380991722375012011-06-29T08:19:00.000-05:002011-06-29T08:19:06.402-05:00Wake me up before my blog goes...(New adventures on the horizon)This blog has remained dormant for too long.<br />
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Why? You ask. I can't say for sure.<br />
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I have begun many a blog post, only to leave it dangling, unfinished. Good Eggs have been eaten. Praying Mantises have hatched. Each moment has a story. Thoughts come and then they go. New ones arise and I leave them too. And I do regret not telling many a tale. For several months, the urge to tell tales has fizzled. Perhaps I have need to be quiet.<br />
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I started this blog in part as a way of chronicling Izzy's childhood through the perspective of food; which I have tried to maintain throughout. My other goal was to share how I turned the idea of raising a child who is willing to eat most things, and revel in it, into a reality.<br />
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My eight year old Izzy, yes indeed he is now EIGHT, is a very fine eater. He regularly orders escargot at our <a href="http://madameclaudecafe.com/mcc/">favorite local French restaurant</a>, enjoys making and drinking fresh carrot juice and considers Swiss Chard to be one of his favorite vegetables. I still love the idea of sharing tales of Izzy and his eating adventures yet I also wish to share more.<br />
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The good news is that right now I couldn't ask for more inspiration as Izzy and I have embarked upon a month-long adventure in Europe. We arrived in London on Monday, June 27th for an overnight stay at an airport hotel (something I have never done before and hope not to do again) and then a flight to Munich. We are now relaxing in the small Bavarian town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alt%C3%B6tting">Altotting</a>, where we are staying with my most gracious friend Brooke and her husband, Peter Rabbit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1EieZdlhAE7jtN-tXRvs-nkhihlOPVtq_49XH-4EykgqsRjylNhdEXrRzwkj5Ob24RYhLHPpnn9JyF4OQ1wVmbKN_KZn1Vdb8ORIF_8hYifYCq8dIkRyRU2jZbRCgNQ_uKdLE_zdGjs/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1EieZdlhAE7jtN-tXRvs-nkhihlOPVtq_49XH-4EykgqsRjylNhdEXrRzwkj5Ob24RYhLHPpnn9JyF4OQ1wVmbKN_KZn1Vdb8ORIF_8hYifYCq8dIkRyRU2jZbRCgNQ_uKdLE_zdGjs/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>In the meanwhile, as I seek more blog inspiration, I wonder if I need to begin a new blog, one which will encompass more than just Izzy and our adventures. I hope to share more than just food tales as I make new discoveries of all kinds.<br />
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And so dear readers - if there are any of you left.. I turn to you for new blog name suggestions -the sooner the better, as I do plan to keep you abreast of our latest adventures and beyond.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com484503 Altötting, Germany48.2279266 12.67886659999999248.201334100000004 12.619620599999992 48.2545191 12.738112599999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-88995153187572371282011-04-21T23:28:00.000-05:002011-04-21T23:28:04.528-05:00Matzoh For Maira....A Passover StoryPassover is my favorite Jewish holiday and even last year, in the throes of illness, I somehow managed to host a pseudo-seder. I can't even remember most of what I served but I somehow remember that <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2010/03/roast-chicken-recipe-caramelized-s/">David Lebovitz's chicken</a> figured into the menu. In any case, this year, now that I am feeling mostly well, I felt inclined to host not only one seder but two. I had my work cut out.<br />
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I tried to be organized about it and began my cooking on Friday, with the stock for my gefilte fish. On Saturday I prepared the gefilte fish, horseradish and soup. By Sunday I knew, tedium would be settling in. At least that day would be dessert. <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/314385/chocolate-chunk-macaroons">Chocolate-Chunk Macaroons</a> and <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2007/04/let-my-people-and-yours-eat.html">Chocolate-Caramel Matzoh</a> - for no Passover would be complete without it. <br />
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At some point over the weekend, my "goyisha"(thank grandma for that term) friend Tracy posted on Facebook, seeking a good Passover dessert to bring to a Seder. I told her of my cooking agenda and invited her to join me for a Chocolate-Caramel Matzoh tutorial. And so it was that she appeared at my house early Sunday morning. During our kitchen chit-chat,as preparations were underway, it somehow emerged that Tracy would be<i> Sedering</i> with none other than <a href="http://www.mairakalman.com/">Maira Kalman</a>.<br />
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Some people girls have all the luck, don't they?!... Still and all, even though I couldn't Seder with Maira myself, I was especially tickled by this news. I so fondly recall my days teaching English at the Lycee and introducing her books to my students. I read "Ooh La-La Max in Love"<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=widgetsamazon-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0140555374&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0140555374" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> so many times I practically knew it by heart...And if you love whimsical books or Paris or both, please read it too, along with the rest of her wonderful works.<br />
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But wait, back to my Chocolate-covered Matzoh. Knowing that Maira would be sampling it made the preparation that much more fun. Tracy and I each prepared a batch of it and had a grand old time doing so. Having a friend in the kitchen was a treat after several days of solo cooking. And so I mentioned that I would be preparing Chocolate-Chunk Macaroons that evening...figuring that Tracy could be two treats to Maira's Seder and I would have a partner in more cooking!<br />
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By the time evening came, I had just about had enough of cooking. When Tracy called to ask if I would be up for baking the macaroons, I was just about ready to take to my bed. Instead I told her to stop by and see if she couldn't just perk me up enough to get it done. When she got here, I had already gone up to bed but tried to muster a second wind. And lo and behold, we whipped up two batches of macaroons in record time.<br />
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My cooking student was so pleased with the results of her first Chocolate Matzoh experience that she went on to prepare THREE more batches of the stuff to bring to Maira's Seder. Behold the spectacular results...<br />
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I couldn't have asked for a better student AND apparently her efforts were much appreciated and mine were rewarded. The first night of Passover, Tracy sent along this lovely photo of Maira and the matzoh. What more could I ask for!!<br />
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Happy Passover to all...<br />
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p.s. I recommend Guittard chocolate morsels, the ones in the pink bag if you can find them!Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-38090241270371780362011-01-17T23:27:00.000-05:002011-01-17T23:27:56.608-05:00Rue Viet: Haven't been there yet?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDXF8eTkvJiJypxymDCA2X8YIjEoGmCk_1aSqduSKlKUpZL3fCEvwcN3FPa-82lhXyV_yXCXwwaG0gQVo0WBvWMNWBCMQPdPihJFUEBzvvt6UOjELLSZRH8iLP0MeyySkS4y_3FC1Ogw/s1600/DSCN8361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDXF8eTkvJiJypxymDCA2X8YIjEoGmCk_1aSqduSKlKUpZL3fCEvwcN3FPa-82lhXyV_yXCXwwaG0gQVo0WBvWMNWBCMQPdPihJFUEBzvvt6UOjELLSZRH8iLP0MeyySkS4y_3FC1Ogw/s320/DSCN8361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have never actually set foot inside <a href="http://www.rueviet.com/">Rue Viet</a> but I can't resist welcoming this newcomer to the Jersey City restaurant scene, and that is based upon my take-out experience alone. <br />
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My crush with Rue Viet began with the arrival of a courteous, prompt delivery person, who arrived 20 minutes from when I placed my order and actually seemed grateful for his tip. I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover but when I opened the biodegradable bags and found these lovely brown and white cardboard boxes, thoughtfully labeled inside, I was smitten. Finally, a take-out restaurant in Jersey City with environmentally-friendly packaging, it almost didn't matter how the food tasted...Could it possibly live up to its packaging?<br />
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Indeed it can and did. The seafood spring rolls arrived crisp and flavorful. Curried noodles with chicken were well-spiced and plentiful. Mushroom buns were tender. Tofu Banh Mi was packed with carrots, daikon and tofu, which would make an ample lunch (too much for me). The only oddity was the "Pad Thai" noodles with coconut-braised pork. This homey dish was chock full of tender pork chunks but the only thing "Pad Thai" about it was the noodles. Call it something else and it would be fine with a drizzle of hot sauce. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8zOoalE0nN8TNVarotPxR4TosYApoS8MV3bDsoW7aTArIWqzdYPRPWK6_IT7Ul447MfNgjwI7yz1TrICqbUDO-kzZ8SERf9pJ3_B4qo-lbl2SeRaWq5cwNDgHsjE81Z2uCOvIPQCntQ/s1600/DSCN8364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8zOoalE0nN8TNVarotPxR4TosYApoS8MV3bDsoW7aTArIWqzdYPRPWK6_IT7Ul447MfNgjwI7yz1TrICqbUDO-kzZ8SERf9pJ3_B4qo-lbl2SeRaWq5cwNDgHsjE81Z2uCOvIPQCntQ/s320/DSCN8364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With more cold winter days ahead, Izzy and I look forward to more takeout from <a href="http://www.rueviet.com/">Rue Viet</a>. Maybe it will even inspire us to crawl out from hibernation and walk on over to the restaurant. I hear the brunch is good.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-13247954311845329422010-11-03T22:28:00.000-05:002010-11-03T22:28:32.953-05:00A Visit with Uncle G.: Stockton Market and Howell Living History Farm<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvWV2Tjc-pq854f_fRJZbHC12Zj1k-OaEeAR5oRsoS1e13UtakYsYaXYgXX496kKth_ju7iEd8XUTVkDuH5czvVFFnJiw8ws_vR37w8AwmkmTqveBNnE2vlVneNd42l6Ye5TDJ7Q1Cjg/s320/photo(4).jpg" width="240" /> The weekend before Halloween, we made a trip out to see my brother G., who just happens to live in the land of farms and pumpkin patches. It is somewhat surprising to find that in less than an hour and half from Jersey City you can be surrounded by, clucking chickens, oinking piggies and horse manure, but indeed we were.<br />
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We arrived at my brother's house and quickly started out on our adventures. Our first stop was a pumpkin patch, which we spotted along the way. There Izzy selected a <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2010/11/my-little-bat-witch-celebrates.html">75 lb. pumpkin</a> to adorn our front stoop. Luckily S. managed to help us take it home!<br />
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Our outing continued with lunch and shopping at the <a href="http://www.buckscountytaste.com/2010/01/welcome-stockton-market/">Stockton Market</a>, which holds a treasure of tasty comestibles, including local meat, dairy, vegetables, soaps and more. My brother supplied me with yogurt, eggs and other goodies from the market while I was sick and it felt good to finally be able to shop there myself. I even got to meet the folks from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.flinthill-farm.org/">Flint Hill Farm</a>, who supplied the luscious yogurt my brother delivered to me on a weekly basis, while I was ill. Their yogurt was one of the few foods that sustained mean while I was unable to eat very much. <br />
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After our delicious meal and some shopping, we continued on to our final destination, the <a href="http://www.howellfarm.org/">Howell Living History Farm</a>, where my brother G. and his wife M., had spent many a day with their own children. It was a glorious fall day and the foliage viewing added additional beauty to the experience. Izzy and I were both entranced by our surroundings. We could not get enough of the country life. To begin with, the chickens were awfully compelling. Izzy took great pleasure in feeding them greens and listening to the sounds of their clucking. When he tired of the chickens, he spotted this red-handled water pump.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNohEEqdgkIWPDQHUGyYa6Xfbst8KLeJ12367-3z8nfALBV1HD07yidr4MDnxs0rH5Hsd2J-MxFLHwP5R-_9zTJ8FU6G7xuC8lhc3xCS1c34DCYvtLJGbWMYVOkr0yWbr6fG7w2ghWPA/s1600/photo(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNohEEqdgkIWPDQHUGyYa6Xfbst8KLeJ12367-3z8nfALBV1HD07yidr4MDnxs0rH5Hsd2J-MxFLHwP5R-_9zTJ8FU6G7xuC8lhc3xCS1c34DCYvtLJGbWMYVOkr0yWbr6fG7w2ghWPA/s320/photo(6).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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He spent a good, long time pumping water from the well. He filled bucket, after bucket, which he carried over to "water the horses", just the way it is done in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Little-House-Nine-Book-Set/dp/0064400409?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Little House on the Prairie</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0064400409" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> books that we have been reading daily. Izzy and I have been immersed in these books for more than a month <br />
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now so it was nice to come and get a taste of what life was like so long ago. Pumping the water proved so exciting for Izzy that it was difficult for us to get him to go elsewhere. We did take a break to remove dried kernels from the corncobs for the pig feed - watching them laze about in the mud was also stop on our tour - but what finally managed to draw his attention away from the well was going to see "Daisy" the resident milk cow in action.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9lssqInW_-mx0fh1PasWnlzwq1vLHAD2r8xOnYonTXOLPiEU9eNvyccT-868Bf3XeNv2AaMpgrZcvLxNWHmj1_K1UpWCwa2PQvQkTooueBhGff7jrtTfFuU_nK7BvqcKt3r0g_nYrl4/s1600/photo(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9lssqInW_-mx0fh1PasWnlzwq1vLHAD2r8xOnYonTXOLPiEU9eNvyccT-868Bf3XeNv2AaMpgrZcvLxNWHmj1_K1UpWCwa2PQvQkTooueBhGff7jrtTfFuU_nK7BvqcKt3r0g_nYrl4/s320/photo(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I personally found this to be the highlight of our farm visit. I was positively giddy with excitement as I watched the milk spurting into the pail. I even asked the farmer for a turn but apparently visitors are not permitted to touch the teats! Oh! I did wish to try the milk but alas, that was not permitted either.<br />
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After Daisy was walked back to her pasture, it was time to leave so as to have time to visit the farm's corn maze, located a ways down the road. Izzy had been looking forward to it all that day and he couldn't have been happier. This large and well-conceived maze, took about an hour to navigate, by which time I was completely worn out, Izzy completely content.<br />
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We all piled back into the car for the trip to Uncle G,'s house and then home. Izzy already looking forward to his next trip to the farm.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody></tbody></table>Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-50182400159372692802010-11-01T20:31:00.000-05:002010-11-01T20:31:57.183-05:00My Little Bat-Witch Celebrates Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8GhYc7VCxTU9oZTEtTmG-Wvbo6Cj_MiY2OZVzI_7vox-bN1wjfKfNxDmEk3oHY9I1yAzGsJH8q0mha-UQwXU3rESS1M36CUHLcpyudAIB3JDNSDsiRwZM6CaXFKE3YP8c3aRhsjeSI/s1600/DSCN8235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc8GhYc7VCxTU9oZTEtTmG-Wvbo6Cj_MiY2OZVzI_7vox-bN1wjfKfNxDmEk3oHY9I1yAzGsJH8q0mha-UQwXU3rESS1M36CUHLcpyudAIB3JDNSDsiRwZM6CaXFKE3YP8c3aRhsjeSI/s320/DSCN8235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Izzy awoke slightly sulky on Halloween morning. Instead of eagerly awaiting trick-or-treating, he was fretting over his costume. He had thought he would be his favorite heroine, Franny K. Stein, mad scientist, but decided that since he had already sported that costume for his birthday (and several other times thereafter), it was no longer very interesting. In search of new costume ideas, he emptied out his drawers and turned his room upside down. It was then he came up with this fetching get-up, that of a "Bat-witch". With that out of the way, he could concentrate on the days amusements.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_oP7nI_BUTv_52oG-w8Yf0cDo7RPqNBMXRKGgUjHlAVfMRxIufqN4xGm8pN8pJsDuLanGvdqgDXcu3iY3KJPnrG77U41eqOr81LNLNMAkQ4YJeaR7s3jEuZg3A0ckd58Xlr8AYz37Q4/s1600/DSCN8240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_oP7nI_BUTv_52oG-w8Yf0cDo7RPqNBMXRKGgUjHlAVfMRxIufqN4xGm8pN8pJsDuLanGvdqgDXcu3iY3KJPnrG77U41eqOr81LNLNMAkQ4YJeaR7s3jEuZg3A0ckd58Xlr8AYz37Q4/s320/DSCN8240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First up was pumpkin carving with this papa. Leave it to A. to come up with a biting pumpkin. Exactly what we needed to complete our festive front stoop display. Seeing it illuminated was even better.<br />
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After pumpkin carving, Izzy spent the early afternoon at his friend J's birthday party, revving himself up by eating eyeball cupcakes. After the party, at 5 p.m. it was time for trick-or-treating. Oh, the creatures we saw! In less than two hours, Izzy amassed enough candy to rot his teeth for years to come.<br />
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Back at home, warm and cozy, Izzy dumped his spoils upon the floor and sorted them out, putting most of it aside for the <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2009/10/to-give-to-get-to-give-away-willy-wonka.html">Switch-Witch</a>. He knew he could keep a small bowlful for himself but I didn't even have to tell him that he couldn't keep it all. He was more than happy to give it up for the promise of books.<br />
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May future Halloweens prove so simple and easy. Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-54052485483925764682010-10-29T22:27:00.000-05:002010-10-29T22:27:55.196-05:00Friday Afternoon Excursion: Starn Brothers Bambu Exhibit at the MET<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ_8Acr1CotKcHr1QRlrvniMBmWmm2rwEHMcsRmizmPkB3q0vgdWDY91onCQbdwN5woXbS-Ks3FXfjtO902cF2jgTTsy2f6lOVRi-smjJowJUhFAnvbHwXpg36fE6qOtPq4oP9DZdyBc/s1600/DSCN8213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ_8Acr1CotKcHr1QRlrvniMBmWmm2rwEHMcsRmizmPkB3q0vgdWDY91onCQbdwN5woXbS-Ks3FXfjtO902cF2jgTTsy2f6lOVRi-smjJowJUhFAnvbHwXpg36fE6qOtPq4oP9DZdyBc/s320/DSCN8213.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>As Izzy and I walked home from school today, he seemed a bit forlorn. He was feeling left out as he watched his classmates walk off for a playdate, knowing we had no particular plans.<br />
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I thought I would cheer him with a cup of hot vanilla (warm milk, honey and sprinkle of cinnamon dust) which we both sipped as I looked through the Weekend section of the New York Times. Yes, I still read the hard copy of the paper. Am I the only one left?<br />
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I immediately honed-in on <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/arts/design/29art.html?_r=1">Last Chance section of the Art listings</a>, where I noted that the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B9C6923D2-D348-4761-BEB3-A943934068D2%7D">Starn Brothers Bambu exhibit</a> on the rooftop of the MET would be closing this weekend. I suggested we go since the MET is open until 9 on Fridays and Izzy quickly agreed. We made it there by 5:30, just in time to catch the gorgeous sunset upon the foliage of Central Park. Better yet, A. happened to be working nearby and joined us. Not only did we catch Bambu - which is a wondrous configuration of bamboo poles - but we also managed to peek in a few other places, including the Egyptian section - where Izzy clamored to see the mummies. Izzy was skipping from room to room but I had to cut our visit short since it was already 7 p.m. and we needed to eat dinner.<br />
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We hopped in a cab across the park and made our way to <a href="http://gazalaplace.com/">Gazala Place</a> which I have been meaning to write about for ages. I discovered this narrow storefront in Hell's Kitchen in springtime and somehow managed to eat there during my treatments. I ate there a couple of times on the days my treatments were canceled and I actually had an appetite. This delicious Middle-Eastern spot features <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze">Druze</a> cuisine and it was so delicious, I was eager to have Izzy and A. join me there. We ordered the Mezze plate which showcases many of the wonderful offerings, including the smoky baba-ganoush, meat-filled cigars, Kibbe, falafel and hummous, served up with their incredible version of pita bread, made on the premises. This paper-thin delight is addictive and Izzy held onto the bread basket to make sure he got the last bit before the waitress cleared the table. Meanwhile, we polished off a fresh Fattoush salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, lettuce, crisped pita), a roasted fish and a lamb/beef kafte platter. By that time, Izzy was falling asleep in the noisy restaurant and it was time to waddle along. Taxi to the Path and we were on our way. Certainly a memorable afternoon/evening for all.<br />
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Gazala Place will probably be around for awhile but you can only catch the Starn Brothers exhibit until Sunday. If your kids are over 10 you can even go on the guided tour atop the bamboo poles for a real adventure. Definitely worth the trip!Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-47876076622202073082010-10-15T23:19:00.010-05:002010-10-16T22:33:45.444-05:00A Visit From My Cousin Sherri (And her boyfriend Silvio): Long Lost Relatives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhVyTyGhP4CcND-oYtbgLJye2Z8JVgkeoHhaFcy4-7ajUZOZV9bB5zOae_N1IA7R7ECmyB68LhV4wXrAxvpasjBEzawHovRvg-ISKaF-A00ADj3d772FW6g7Qc3SSRIR5KUXpMQYgcuE/s1600/DSCN8019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhVyTyGhP4CcND-oYtbgLJye2Z8JVgkeoHhaFcy4-7ajUZOZV9bB5zOae_N1IA7R7ECmyB68LhV4wXrAxvpasjBEzawHovRvg-ISKaF-A00ADj3d772FW6g7Qc3SSRIR5KUXpMQYgcuE/s320/DSCN8019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I have but two first cousins. Sherri and Danny. As a child I had heard tell of them but we were never given the opportunity to meet. Distance was a factor since they grew up in Toronto and I, New Jersey. Such a shame since Sherri and I were born only a month apart and it would have been nice to have had a relative, so close in age. We finally met, quite briefly in our late twenties but our meeting didn't amount to much.<br />
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Last year, things changed. Sherri, feeling the need for some familial connections, made an effort to get in touch with me and we began a correspondence, via email and phone. We made plans for a visit and then I became ill. We put the plans on hold until I recovered. <br />
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Little did I know what I was in for when we arranged to host Sherri and her boyfriend Silvio, this past August. We agreed to spend half of their visit on Long Beach Island (at my dad's) and half the time in Jersey City doing New Yorky stuff.<br />
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It all began with picking them up at the airport. Izzy, A. and I went to Newark airport to greet them and it was only then I realized that I had no idea what they looked like. I tried contacting their cellphone but to no avail. Instead I found myself approaching strangers with suitcases, while trying to surmise which ones resembled my cousin. They eventually found A., who found them at customs. We all piled into the taxi and were on our way to the shore. Turns out that Sherri looked pretty much the way I remembered her from our one meeting so many years ago.<br />
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Thankfully, we got along swimmingly, catching up on our entire lives along the way. Instantly apparent was that we shared many physical similarities, primarily body shape and size. We also seem to share an immense fondness for cats, both of us calling after them in incessantly high-pitched tones. Of course you won't ever find me referring to my cats as "pussies" and therein lies one fundamental difference between us. Not to mention the disturbing fact that my <b>cousin must rank in the top 3 pickiest eaters</b> I know, far pickier than even some toddlers I have encountered. <br />
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Now while we were at the beach, my cousin's picky habits were of little consequence as she selected her breakfast from the options available in my dad's gigantic pantry and we dined out the rest of the time. When we got back to Jersey City, her food issues became glaringly apparent. I didn't really comprehend the extent of it until I noticed that she had been eating the same thing for breakfast every day, toast with either peanut butter or almond butter. When I offered French toast, pancakes or waffles she declined. Now really, who can decline a fresh waffle?<br />
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Now despite her picky ways, my dear cousin managed to find a beau, Silvio, who is quite the gourmand. He is game to try most anything and comes from a family of cooks. In fact he showed us photos of his family and their sausage and cured meat cellar. He regaled us with tales of the wondrous foods his family cooks up and we we also discovered what a fantastic cook he is. One Saturday we went to Union Square and shopped together for dinner. We bought lamb chops from <a href="http://www.dairysheepfarm.com/">3-Corner Field Farm,</a> along with some purple potatoes to complement other ingredients we had at home. When we got home, I became his sous-chef while he prepared dinner. We had grilled lamb chops with herbs, tomato-basil salad, potatoes with rosemary and a platter of radishes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lamb chops `a la Silvio</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Everything was lip-smackingly delicious. Having Silvio around provided an important counter-balance to the pickiness factor and kept us well-fed and content. From seafood feasts on Long Beach Island, to dinner at <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2010/08/abc-kitchen-altogether-perfect-birthday.html">ABC Kitchen</a> and a night at Bin 14, overall we ate quite well during my cousin's visit. At least I know Izzy and I did! And I do hold out hope that Silvio's eating ways may one day rub off on my cousin!Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631737825312888067.post-11426183721939264452010-10-10T22:24:00.000-05:002010-10-10T22:24:09.168-05:00Doughnuts and Carnival Kitsch: Doughnut Plant/Park Avenue Armory Carnival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How can I choose?</td></tr>
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Starting at the <a href="http://www.doughnutplant.com/">Doughnut Plant</a>, followed by several hours at <a href="http://www.armoryonpark.org/index.php/programs_events/detail/carnival/">The Park Avenue Armory</a> and ending with pizza at <a href="http://www.artichokepizza.com/">Artichoke Basille</a>, today we crammed in as much old school food and fun as we possibly could.<br />
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I had earmarked The Park Avenue Armory Carnival as the perfect outing for this three-day weekend. Just the mention of a 50 foot Ferris wheel inside a building was enticement enough. Never one to just go into the city without planning where to eat, I quickly hatched a plan to stop on the Lower East Side for doughnuts, before continuing on to our destination.<br />
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The Doughnut Plant has been on my radar ever since it opened so I was anxious to finally give it a try.<br />
We arrived to find a line out the door of the tiny store front. Izzy patiently awaited his turn, spending his time pondering the selection. There were yeast doughnuts and cake doughnuts, glazed and more. With fillings such as blackberry jam, creme brulee or chocolate pudding, it was a tough choice. When it was finally our turn, we chose two creme brulee, one chocolate pudding and a vanilla glazed. By the time we left the doughnut shop, it was already lunchtime and Izzy knew that we needed to eat before we had our treats so I tucked the doughnuts in a bag and we ventured off in search of lunch (which I hadn't exactly planned for since only doughnuts were on my mind).<br />
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As we were on the Lower East Side we weren't far from somewhere to decent to eat. We meandered over to Clinton Street and had lunch at <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cafe-pedlar02/">Cafe Pedlar.</a> There we lunched on "Lancaster County Eggs" to fortify us for the adventures ahead. Lunch over, we hopped on the "F" train traveling uptown and made our way over to Park Avenue.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunned by mirrors and lights</td></tr>
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</a></div>The scene at the Park Avenue Armory was oddly alluring. Crowds thronged the vast hall where there were but a few rides, the Ferris wheel played the starring role, backed up by an elephant ride, a large slide and the Trabant. Yet the other features of the carnival more than compensated. I had the sensation of being privy to a Coney Island sideshow in the middle of Manhattan. The roving hula hoopers were quick to engage kids as they waited for the rides and as you can see, Izzy was always game to join. Oh, and don't let me forget to mention that there were plenty of snacks to be found, including freshly made cotton-candy, popcorn sold in small white paper bags and Prosecco by the glass for the grown-ups.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izzy hoops</td></tr>
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After testing out all of the rides, Izzy led me to the show corner where we watched a contortionist and other circus-type performances. He was particularly entranced by the fellow below, who could not only balance on one chair but also managed to stack up several and do a handstand. Talented as he was, so glad he is not my son, as the worry would be too great!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please don't fall</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XJsWq6OF1pYXfNE3gdhITtSg_2YWKtak0rrlTIuthZalIdrnxUY252bIOQv8XFxuCX07tof57a6HJ90pRPEQcZ1AlmQu9Qr35a_PtfokhuJ1DRCzw3jXqE-R26PSS0ccVxdtJuYGnOU/s1600/DSCN8170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
When all was said and done, I was exhausted. Izzy, however, wanted pizza. In keeping with my desire to make every morsel count , we cabbed it back down to 14th street where I was able to cross off yet another "must" from my "where to eat" list, <a href="http://www.artichokepizza.com/">Artichoke and Basille</a>. Not surprisingly, we were met by throngs outside this oft-lauded store-front pizzeria with an extremely limited menu. We ordered a slice of their signature artichoke pizza and one Marguerita, and had each cut in two, to share. The artichoke slice was thick, filling and unlike any other pizza I have ever tasted. The Marguerita, on the other hand, was fragrant with basil and somewhat akin to the pie at <a href="http://www.izzyeats.com/2010/02/on-sheitels-and-pizza-in-heart-of.html">Di Fara</a>. We finished the former and merely tasted the latter. Our bellies were full and we were happy. We left the second slice in the box. It was time to go home.Izzy's Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549823591119220768noreply@blogger.com2