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Tag: Halloween

Reflection

Reflection

 

Thanksgiving has always been a time for reflection.  I guess it has something to do with the fact that my birthday circles it or it circles my birthday, this or both.  Either way, it’s that time a gain.

I moved here on October 1, 2008, which means this is my fifth anniversary of Halloweens, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  I wrote a piece on my first year here and feels like its time to check in and see what I’ve accomplished and what I haven’t, along with what there is still to do.

The first year was spent getting my footing.  I had no job and was living on a friends couch.  Not what you would call ideal at 40.  I left a good job, an apartment I loved and a brand new car.  The number one question one gets asked is, why did you move here?  Best opening line/conversation starter and the most New York thing you can do.  Me? Like most people they want to change and or reinvent themselves.  I wanted adventure, change, attend culinary school, to grow as a person and live somewhere else, other then where I grew up.  A.K.A., get out of dodge.

Over the years there have been many ups and downs.  These are to be expected.  But what is not expected is which ones they are.   I have really grown to like living in Brooklyn. There’s so much here, that honestly no one needs to ever go to Manhattan.  Would I live in Manhattan again. Yes.  My small stint in Hells Kitchen was just a taste.  And it still lingers in my mind.  How resilient I am, surprised me and made me stronger and more secure in myself.  Do I still have insecurities? Yes. Too many to count. But I am tough and can get through what I need to.   NY teaches you that or you leave.  I call this place the most conveniently inconvenient place to live.

I have come to travel more then ever in my life. From up and down the eastern seaboard to New Zealand and back.  I can’t wait for the next adventure.  I’m in a relationship that has also tested my strength, tolerance, patience, challenged my creative side, opened me up to be silly and expanded my ability to love.  Not bad considering I was no where near wanting or needing a relationship when I came here.

My friendships and family are stronger then ever and I wouldn’t change them for the world.  From landing with no job and couch surfing to my first Halloween in the emergency room and getting stitches from bashing back gay bashers, to having more jobs in five years then in the last twenty and knowing I can walk into almost any job and get it done, I can truly say, I am a New Yorker.  In as many ways as I have grown I feel I have a lot more learning, sacrificing and good times to come.  Life is a series of challenges and not all are fun and clear as to their objectives, but I am ready to march on and see where it takes me.  Like the song says. “I will survive.”  Or, as we say here, welcome to New York.

 

 

Final Beach Camping Weekend!!!

laborday prettyinpink panther sun walk servin' Halston arabesque levitation

 

Summer  beach camping has ended.  Our last big blow out was Labor Day weekend.   We made staples like Spam Musabi’s, doctor hot dogs and macaroni salad, cheapest eggs and bacon.  But what camping weekend would be complete without some new menu items?!  We added Spicy Teriyaki Ribs with mashed potato’s and chicken mole with rice and black beans. Well the beans didn’t quite make it cause the tab on the can broke and we couldn’t open it!  But we did take the left over ribs and add them to our Ramen for lunch on Sunday.  I also juiced some cucumbers and ginger to add to our cocktail’s.  My favorite mixer this season.

We did try to continue the faux sports pictures but I forgot the volleyball so we had to settle for a found tennis ball. Not the same thing.  But the high fashion did return. Complete with runway walk editorial photo shoots.

No beach  day or camping weekend would be complete with out our trusty axe’s.  With our Halloween show coming up in October we figured what better time to practice then sitting on a beach for 4 days?  Granted that is what beach ukulele camp is for!!!! Next is wilderness camping!!!!   Can’t wait!

Blood Soup

 

Usually this time of year I hit a few Halloween parties or at least a pumpkin carving party. Unfortunately I only made it to one this year and didn’t have time to make anything. Also our wonderful guest Hurricane Sandy payed a visit and literally put a damper on the festivities. So now it’s the day after Halloween and I am finally getting around to making my famous blood soup. This years will be a little different as I am adding yellow and orange carrots. I wanted to make it lighter and challenge myself to do something different. I went to the local farmers market and grabbed my supplies, a large red beet, a bunch of yellow carrots and a medium onion. I already had the orange carrots and chicken stock at home. Now as some of you know I don’t always measure what I’m making. Especially if it’s the first time. So if you want to make this you must be brave. Also it’s pretty easy if you can guesstimate while your cooking. Like I said a couple sentences ago, I used one large beet, peeled and chopped into small pieces, four medium to large yellow carrots also peeled, two regular size orange carrots, again peeled, plus one medium yellow onion. They are now sitting in around 6-7 cups of chicken stock waiting to boil, with salt and pepper for taste. I usually roast the veggies, especially the beets, but like I said I am trying something new. I also usually top it off with sour cream and pico de gallo, but tonight it will be chopped honey crisp apples. The veggies will simmer till soft, it should only take about 20-30 minutes. Then we will cool the soup off and then blend it. Now, if you are adventurous, try this one out and let us know what you think. Remember, all these measurements are approximate. If not then don’t worry, you can email us later and we will give you the measured out version as soon as we finalize it.

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