the jersey shore is "shore" to please

Sandy Hook - our beach!

Hello summer, though I am writing this in pants, a shirt, and a jacket! However, summer IS officially here and like most summers, I have been going a mile a minute. Everyone thinks that in the world of fundraising & development things slow down during the warmer months, but in my experience that is never the case - especially for someone that manages the database. While certain people's donor visits may slow down, my work is in full swing because people actually have the time to pay attention to processes and procedures. But enough about work and more about the beach! 

Summer is also our busy season for guests, weddings, and trips to the beach, which is why I have been missing in action from the ol' blog. Truth be told, things are going to get worse before they get any better because I am busy again this weekend, but I wanted to check-in and reassure people I have not forgotten about this little project. While I prefer writing when I am sitting in front of a computer or laptop, I think I need to get better about writing on my phone. I've downloaded the Blogger app...now I just need to use it. 

Life has been pretty crazy lately too, and that combined with my busy work schedule has not really lent itself to much artistic and creative exploration. My husband and I actually had a conversation last Saturday about Columbia House and those deals where you could pick out twelve CDs for a penny and I was going to write about that, but I didn't feel enough about it to dedicate an entire blog post to it. I also want to share my outlook on traffic and my thoughts about how we can make the world a better place by teaching people the kinds of behaviors that create traffic, but that is not fun. While I do share a few serious and sometimes sad posts, I try my best to make this a light and enjoyable read for folks. So, here is to writing more (after the weekend) and being happy. Enjoy your week & weekend, and think sun!     

it's not too late to whip it, whip it good

His waistband says
Mr. Whippy.

We are having an array of guests over for Memorial Day Weekend and I am SO excited - I just can't hide it. Our little beach party was planned far enough in advance that I was able to (finally) use my Mr. Whippy cards. I bought eight of these things years ago - like I am talking at least five, probably more - and have been waiting for the perfect time to use them. I sent three off to our friends, which means we still have five more to use at a later date. Score - more beach parties!

I wish my weekday evenings were not as jam-packed with things to do, but we are just going to have to make it work. Thankfully, the weather looks good for Saturday and Sunday and I typed up a draft menu earlier today. I went with our tried and true dishes, but it is only a draft and we could update it with different options, if we choose. Now I just need to figure out which days are for baking and which days are for cleaning. In addition to great food, fine wine, and friends, we also get to see a concert and dance our tushes off. This is going to be a hectic week, but the prize at the end of it is a three-day weekend and the start to summer. Bring it on. 

visitors to not only our homestead, but also the city

My Dad on the 86th Floor.
Photo credit:  My Mom

My parents came to visit me and I could not be happier! I am actually sad right now at this instant because they left this morning and it is always emotional leaving family, but I LOVE and very much appreciate that they made the trek down to New Jersey and were brave enough to venture into the city with me yesterday for some urban sight seeing and exploring. We took an eight o'clock boat in and walked through South Street Seaport and up past City Hall. We boarded a subway (yes, really brave parents) and headed up to Herald Square, where they entered into the Empire State Building Observatory. We said our good byes in the lobby because I had to go to work for the first half of the day, and they proceeded to travel up, up, up to the eighty sixth and one hundred and second floors. Once their feet were back on the ground, they walked to the northern most point of the High Line and followed it south. I met them after they were through the Chelsea Market Passage and traveled the rest of the way, down to Gansevoort Street, with them. They got a quick tour of my office building and then we walked to Mary's Fish Camp (located on West 4th and Charles Street in the West Village) and enjoyed an A+ lunch full of seafood and deliciousness. We took the subway (again) back to the ferry pier and headed home. We stopped at Strollo's Lighthouse for an after lunch ice cream after we landed in New Jersey. It was the most wonderful day and I wish they could visit every week! Click here for the menu at Mary's and try not to drool.  

enjoying something dark as the days get lighter

So do I!!

It finally feels like spring! I wish I could take a week off from work and (1) completely take care of our yard, (2) go on a long bike ride, (3) go for a three plus mile run, (4) go for a big hike, and (5) grill up a few dinners. Unfortunately that cannot happen, but we did spend the better part of this past Saturday pruning and cleaning up our yard. This upcoming weekend my plan is to rake our beds and put mulch down, then we will be ready to sail into summer and enjoy our surroundings. We moved our table and chairs back onto our patio (out of our shed) and once we were done for the day, planted our fannies on said chairs, relaxed, and enjoyed an ice cold Guinness. I didn't think I liked Guinness, but apparently I do. It looks heavy and although very dark, it is quite airy and light. I also just learned one Guinness is only one hundred and twenty five calories - sounds like a good splurge to me! While the healthy eating and exercise are going pretty well, I did allow for some splurging this past weekend - all in the name of my husband's birthday weekend. In addition to enjoying a Guinness, we also had dinner at our favorite restaurant (Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, New Jersey) and indulged. We didn't go completely overboard, but we definitely ate a lot more than we've been eating. I hope the weather is sunny and bright this upcoming weekend and we can have a repeat - Guinness included...but with a healthier dinner date.      

a-well-a herb, herb, herb, h-herb is the word

I am so excited! I signed up for a class about herbs (cooking herbs, ahem!) for next Saturday with the Monmouth County Park System. It costs fifteen dollars and I am thrilled to learn how to select, plant, grow, and preserve them. We will also learn about the folklore surrounding herbs, which I am really looking forward to because I LOVE fun facts, and their current uses. We also get to enjoy some herbed refreshments, take home recipes, and choose an herb plant to take back to our home. It sounds so happy and fun! I am quite interested to see what one of these park programs is like. Normally I am never around when courses take place I am interested in, but I will be home that weekend and need something to do. While we don't have a garden, I was thinking about planting herbs in pots around our patio and I wish it would warm up, so I could get started. I am antsy in my pantsy to get growing and excited to begin testing herb-heavy recipes with our homegrown creations.   

you'll never get away from the sound

My photo from the show. You
can see Stevie if you look closely.

I saw the best concert of my entire life this past weekend - Fleetwood Mac at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It was incredible - each song was more enjoyable than the next. They played a twenty-five song set with two encores. If they weren't playing the same show every night, I would be going on tour. (I would also need to win the lottery.) I was aware I knew a lot of Fleetwood Mac songs, but didn't think I would know all but one. I love concerts like that. As exciting as it is to see the premiere of a dance piece, I feel very differently about seeing live music I have never heard before. I am a dancer at shows and I want to be able to bop and shake and know what I am moving to. 

Stevie Nicks was obviously my favorite. She had the best outfits and even did a few of her trademark spins. I was most impressed with the guitar work of Lindsey Buckingham. He rips HARD - there is no other way to describe it. Mick Fleetwood won my award for best pants - he actually had knickers on. I wish I could hang out with the band members. They all were so grateful and kind. Their backdrops were beautiful, colorful, and full of nature. I only cried twice because things got a little emotional for me during Never Going Back Again and Silver Springs. The rest of the time I was dancing and smiling and grooving. I want more. I love them. 

looking at the world (and life) in a different way

I am having one of those times in life where I am looking at the world differently. Instead of just putting my head down and going about my day, I am actively looking at the people around me and wondering what their lives are like. Some of my thoughts are petty and ridiculous, like what is she doing with her hair (in a silly way, not a snotty way). Some of my thoughts are much deeper, like I wonder if they have ever loved someone, or lost someone and I wonder who it was. Some of my thoughts are food-centered (of course), like I wonder what their last meal was or what they're having for dinner. Some of my thoughts are neurotic, like I wonder who in this subway car would save us if something bad happened. 

It is strange being in New York City day after day and either being VERY aware of what's around me, or so busy and distracted by my personal life that I hardly notice anything at all. There is so much going on in this city always. It is nonstop. You can literally find anything at any time of day or night, like a steak dinner at eleven thirty p.m. (been there, done that). SO much is happening in such a small space in such a small amount of time. I really felt it after I left work last night and went home. I couldn't imagine working and living here. I like excitement and I am all for having something interesting and cultural to do, but I really, really, really appreciate being able to remove myself from the madness (both good madness and chaotic madness) each night and relax. Our windows at home are open and the sounds outside are very different from the sounds of the city. I am grateful to be able to live away and have the city as a nearby playground. I wish so much, more of our friends lived in our immediate area, but for the time being this is the way it is and the way it must be. Here's to the people I pass or bump into tonight and tomorrow, as I will be in for a full day of work on a Saturday. Quite the week to come back to after my northeast adventures...        

sunny days at the beach require suntan lotion

I am a huge fan of the sun, but really dislike putting on suntan lotion. I know too much sun is bad for you, so I do it - I just don't like it. Suntan lotion turns whatever I am wearing orange, so I can only buy black or mostly black bathing suits and cover-ups. See? My skin makes it hard for me because it doesn't want it. I am a strong Polish girl that can get pretty darn tan during the summer months (and again I put it on because I know I should), I just hate spending the money and I really hate putting it on in front of people. I always try to leave enough time in the morning to apply because I do not enjoy rubbing myself down at the beach - and I also really dislike sand. I love the beach though and found out yesterday what a little lotion can do. I was at the beach for over five hours and didn't leave enough time in the morning to apply before we left, so I put it on when we got the beach and never put more on. I thought I was going to be a lobster when I got home, but instead I was golden brown. I have quite a base already because I have spent the last few weekends at the beach, but after that long I thought I was toast (literally, burnt toast). So, this is my hell yeah to my suntan lotion! I used my staple Coppertone 15 and it didn't disappoint - quite the opposite actually. It is the greatest suntan lotion ever and unless you're the kind of person that has to wear 50, you should use it. I also use specific lip sunblock, but I still haven't figured out my favorite kind. I think they are all great because they smell (and taste) like coconuts.

there is nothing like a cone after the beach

I went to the beach yesterday with my husband's family, who at this point in life I consider my family too. And just to be clear, they aren't replacing my own family; they are just being added to it. There were about twenty of us and we sat on the beach and laughed all day long. I walked back to the car with a cousin and his girlfriend, and was treated to a cone at the ice cream store on the way. The shop used to only sell pre-packaged ice cream novelties, but now they sell hard ice cream and soft serve too. Score-a-rama. I ordered Mint Chunk Chip, which was delivered in a plain cone (aka not a sugar cone). I couldn't remember the last time I got hard ice cream on a plain cone, but to my surprise and delight it was incredible! I don't think I'll go plain every time, but I have made a vow to order one again in the near future. I really love ice cream.

sub time, sub time, sub, sub, sub time

(And we are back to food.) I really knocked it out of the park this past weekend with our beach picnic. It was my first time getting everything ready myself; my husband was traveling for work and we had a friend, a sister, and a cousin visit. I did a pretty good job with portions and number of supplies - no one went hungry or thirsty, and I even remembered trash bags. The beach we go to is carry-in/carry-out and for some reason we have a hard time remembering them. This weekend I not only had a trash bag; I had a recycling bag too. Glorious on all accounts.  

I was torn on what to make for our lunch. Pasta salad crossed my mind, but that requires utensils and plates or bowls. I would have loved to buy grinders (subs), but the plan was to leave the house at 9:00 a.m. and the only place that sells sandwiches at that hour is the gas station. Apparently Wawa sandwiches are fantastic, but I have an issue with buying food at a gas station - not happening, unless I am desperate. I took some time last Friday to scour the interwebs for a sub recipe and found the perfect one. The recipe called for making one huge sandwich on a full loaf of Italian bread (and cutting it into slices), but I made sandwiches with our favorite rolls that came from a nearby Jersey Italian bakery. They are the perfect rolls. The recipe came from the Food Network and resulted in a classic Italian sub. I did not add onions or pepperoncini. I also did not add capicola because the grocery store did not have any, and thankfully the ham, genoa salami, and mortadella were perfect together. I also omitted the oregano, and brushed on the olive oil and red wine vinegar with a silicone brush. I used mixed greens too, instead of iceberg lettuce. They came out really well and tasted like the subs we used to buy at our favorite Italian restaurant that is now a pile of dirt and rocks (bye, bye Ciao Babies). Thank goodness I figured out how to make them on my own. Click here for the recipe.

farm-stand woes from the garden state

A photo from their eNewsletter.

I am having an inner struggle with supporting our local farm. After being part of a CSA when we lived in Vermont, my husband and I were all for joining one when we moved to New Jersey. We really didn't have an option in our last home because the farms that offered them were an hour away. (I value fresh, local produce, but that is a far drive during the week, especially with our commuting and traveling factored in.) Then things were so hectic when we bought our present home, I didn't find out about the new farm that opened in our more immediate area until after their CSA shares were sold out for the year (for Summer 2013). I cried a little. However, instead of being a sour puss, I turned that frown upside-down and got proactive - I signed up to be on the email list and checked my email religiously, so we could support them this summer and have fresh, local veggies. To my shock and dismay I received an email at the beginning of this year telling me they only offered this year's CSA shares to last year's members and would be cutting down on the number, which translated to: if you weren't on the ball last year, you are shit out of luck this year. And because I'm not an idiot and see exactly what they're doing, this also translates to: the farmers can sell more of their produce at their farm-stand and make more money as people visit and pay for things individually - good for them, ugh for us.

I have been to their farm-stand before and although it is adorable and they have great things, I walked away paying over $20 for some tomatoes, a half dozen eggs, a bulb of garlic, a small bunch of flowers, and a jar of homemade salsa. Weren't farm-stands supposed to be a deal - no middle man, right?! I also took a beautiful photo of my bounty when I got home and emailed the farmers the photo. (They include photos in their eNewsletters and I thought I was being kind by sharing, but never got a thank you. Can you say bitter? I can.) They're farm-stand is open this Sunday, but I have such mixed feeling about going. I am still freaking furious over the CSA and I won't even get into how rude it is to not say thank you when someone goes out of their way to do something nice. I mean, I was willing to invest in their local farming for many months giving them peace of mind about funding. I don't know what to do...not to mention it is only open during prime beach hours.

Yes, I know we could just grow our own garden, but with our crazy schedules I fear things would be ignored and standing out in the yard at 9:00 p.m. watering plants and weeding is not my idea of relaxing after work. I can barely find time to eat dinner, balance our finances, and watch a few of my favorite (horrible) television programs. If we could figure out a garden set-up that only needed love on weekends, I wouldn't be opposed to one at all.

ahoy matey, let's get to work...in style

This ferry is going to East 35th
Street. I get on/off at Wall
Street. How cool is it though?

This summer, I am "trying out" the ferry as a way of commuting into Manhattan from our home. It is glorious. No, it is better than glorious. I get to sleep later/exercise in the morning and I get to my destination quicker. I get to board a boat as my means of travel to the office. Who takes a frickin boat to work? I do (for the time being). The train was fun for the five and a half years I rode it, but now it is ferry time. My husband had to talk me into buying a pass for the month and boy, is he going to regret it. How can I get back on the train? I'm actually not sure I can. I have only been riding it for a week and a half, but let me tell you - it is very easy to get used to. I always fear I am going to get motion sickness, and my weak stomach was tested on an extremely foggy day last week, but I was fine! My dad works on a boat and always said to look at the horizon as a way to focus on something constant and stable. Well in super fog, there is no horizon. There is fog on fog on fog. I survived though and am ready to tackle any kind of weather. I don't want my ferry riding to end! I have three and a half months left and I am going to enjoy it while I can.    

riding, riding, riding, we are gonna be riding

That's my new bike!

My husband and I decided to buy bikes for ourselves as our Christmas gifts last year (as in Christmas 2013). We never got around to doing the proper research, so the bike purchasing was been delayed...until a few weekends ago. We visited our local bike shop, which is run by the most adorable man called "Kranky", and buying bikes started to become a reality. We drove down to his shop in Highlands, New Jersey, and saw what he had to offer. We didn't know exactly what we were looking for, but we knew we wanted some kid of hybrid bike that was cruiser-like, comfortable, and could potentially get us down a road-like trail in nearby Hartshorne Woods. Kranky sells mostly Sun and Felt brand bikes, and after a few sessions of looking at different models and colors we have made our decisions. My husband is going gray and I am going black. I decided to go with a men's frame because I am tall and the women's bikes looked pansy-like (worst colors ever). They are being ordered today and we should have them in the next week or two. I can't wait. It has been ages since I have been on a bike and I am looking forward to riding around town and having more shapely legs. We are picking out our helmets tonight because no one is riding a bike without a helmet - not in this family. I will also apply the very important lesson I learned while riding bikes in Colorado - martinis and bikes do not mix. 

what in the world is with the weather

This is the ice cream I am
ready to eat. It is  so beautiful.

I woke up this morning and received a text from my sister that said something about snow. I wrote something back that was similar to "oh no, how awful", but really thought in my head "sucker!". Then I opened my shade. Then I saw snow, too. WTF people? It was seventy this past weekend (felt like eighty to me) and I thought the cold season was over. I proceeded to check the temperature - it was in the thirties. Needless to say I had to go get my puffy winter coat out of the closet, which I put it away for a reason - a reason that winter was finished and summer was beginning. Tricked again, as they say. So, I went to work this morning in a flannel, a gigantic winter coat, and a winter hat. It just so happens that these three items of clothing have collectively become some of my favorite pieces, but I can assure you I would have been fine with keeping my coat in the closet until next season and pulling out the hat or flannel for a chilly night (not snow-filled). I am ready for ice cream and sunshine. Bring it.  

a visit to our neighborhood farm

I was finally able to go and support the farm down the street from us in New Jersey. (I found out in January they had CSA shares a week after they were sold out. I was SO mad, but I joined their email list so I would know about their up and coming events.) They sent out an email last Sunday morning about a secret farm stand that afternoon. I was delighted I was home and available. They are adorable little farmers named Michael and Meg, and I left with a bounty of Jersey goodness from their farm, the Homestead at Seven Arrows . Included in my bounty were; fresh eggs, garlic, homemade salsa, a flower bouquet, colorful tomatoes, and a white cucumber. They also offered things like; homemade soaps, canvas totes, laundry soap, other veggies, and honey. I hope they have another secret farm stand real soon. Click here to visit their website.

almost a hole in one...so close

We had a school night visitor this week at our home, which is why I haven’t written in so long. We have been busy showing him the beach, taking him fishing, dining at our favorite restaurant, and playing mini golf. I really love mini golf and tied for first place. I love winning (all games) and will normally do whatever it takes to come out on top (aka cheat), but this time I didn't have to! I actually did well on my own.

Mini golf reminds me of our summer family vacations on the Cape. It was a huge treat to play and if my sister and I ever asked about it, it would destroy our chances of stopping by a course. The rules were 1. Don’t ask about mini golf and 2. Don’t ask about ice cream. It was tough, but we managed to keep quiet on a few occasions. My favorite places to play mini golf are the Pirate’s Cove courses. They are so well done and semi-natural. The one we played on the other night had waterfalls, but as my husband called it, they had “Gatorade blue water”. Sometimes fake is fun, but in this case it was a little over the top. I hope my summer allows for more mini golf and I hope I win.

major laundry area improvement

Top:  Before
Bottom:  After

I could not be happier. We finally picked up our free cabinets, painted them, and installed them in our laundry room. They sit directly above the washer and dryer. It looks SO much better. Our laundry room is located directly next to our garage, so we get to walk by them every time we enter the house (unless I am coming in from running – in that case I use the front door). Every time I have entered, I have stopped and stared and SMILED. I have been wishing for a set-up like this since we moved in. It looks so much neater and is way more organized.

They came from my father-in-law’s new house. They are going to do some major renovations and had us walk through the original house to see if we could recycle anything. Hello cabinets! My husband sanded and primed them, and I painted them with some leftover paint from our downstairs bathroom. The blue came out lighter on the cabinets compared to the bathroom, but I don’t really mind. We also switched out the hardware for something more modern. The basket on top holds all of our beach towels. Now we don’t have to go back upstairs on our way to the beach. Now I just have to figure out a way to make a foldable drying rack...

favorite things submission

I hug butter when I see it, too.

Not sure what is in the butter or
in the background, but I really
like the sheer mass of the bowl,
which is why I chose this photo. 
Big bowls of butter or bust!

I just submitted a little 150-word story to one of my favorite publications (Edible New Jersey).  I have no idea if they will like it or not, and honestly I don't really care.  It made me remember happy times, which was the point.  They asked:  What food-related items, people or experiences most enhance your food-loving life?  I will share mine with you: 

I have two favorite things, but in my opinion they should be considered one; lobster and butter.  After years and years of watching my grandfather (Pops) devour a lobster on summer vacations, I came up with the very best way to eat one.  The first step is most important; it won’t taste as good unless you can talk someone into removing the meat for you.  Once he/she is done, I rinse the meat in warm water (not a fan of the extras one finds inside a lobster).  I enjoy the tail meat more than the claws, so I break it into small chunks and place them on the bottom of my drawn butter dish (saving the best for last).  The claw meat goes on top.  Then, I let it soak and right before the butter is about to congeal, I squeeze half of a lemon on top, and indulge.  Enjoy.

fresh, local, organic eggs

those are our eggs

My husband found a farm down the road that sells fresh organic eggs.  I love getting eggs from a farm – they usually don’t match.  There are two other farms that sell their own eggs in our area, but they are farther away.  One requires a trip to the ocean or out to Highlands, NJ.  The other is on a more back road that we don’t normally think about taking.  We would prefer having our own chickens, but this is good for now.  

a big blog day

This is only a quarter of it.
I devoured the rest, then realized
I needed a photo.

Big things are happening today- many crafty, holiday-like things.  Today's first post is going to be about the start to our Sunday - CBS Sunday Morning (best television program ever) and breakfast treats from Delicious Orchards - in bed!  My husband ate his usual Crumb Bun, but when I visited the farm market yesterday I discovered something new - the Apple Swirl.

The bottom is similar to a danish, and the middle is filled with cooked apples, raisins, crumb topping, and then drizzled with icing.  It was heavenly and somewhat similar to an Apple Wrapple from the Huntington Country Store in western MA, but instead of pie crust, there is danish dough with the addition of crumbly goodness.

And I would have written about it sooner, but because we indulged in some decadent treats, we had to go running.