New York Bucket List

Last year I won a trip to New Jersey. I decided to extend my trip a few days and had a friend take me on a quick tour of Manhattan, NY. And though the trip was just that, quick, I fell head over heels in love with the City that never sleeps, and it quickly became the apple of my eye. So this year, when I won another trip to New Jersey (this I'll talk more about later), I decided to make a bucket list of items I wanted to experience in New York and this time, I'd get my hubby to come with me.

Before our trip to NY, I had asked my husband to give me his list of to do's and I started to jot down mine. I went through maps, locations and also googled food ideas to gather a quick itinerary. Some of the things I googled were:

Things to do in NYC, What to eat in NYC and Must do in New York.

I came up with my list and correlated it to some of the hot spot recommendations. I went to AAA auto club and picked up free tour maps and books. I recommend this highly if you are a member. My hubby and I had quite a large list compiling and we were trying to figure how we could see what we needed to see on a budget. If we took a taxi and went to each place separately, it would cost a small fortune. So we decided on a "Hop on, Hop off" bus. There are many to pick from but the one we chose was the City Sights NY. We decided on the package that cost about $99 each and it included 48 hours of tours, which also included 4 different bus tours and a by sea tour that was valid for 4 days. All in all, we had only budgeted 2 days in NYC and realistically could have used a whole extra day to do the sea tour also. On this tour we checked off many things from our list and actually experienced many of them first hand by getting off the bus too. We also paid $20 extra for a pass to tour the top of the Empire State Building. If you are staying at a hotel, check with your concierge for discounts and also for an early morning pick up from the bus company at no extra charge.

My Top Ten NYC list

1. Hop on, Hop off bus (see all the sights, learn the area, hear the history, go back and visit your favorite spots)

2. Empire state building at night (if you are looking for romance, this is a must but be warned, take a jacket because it is cold)

3. Central park carriage ride. (you can negotiate price slightly, but they are more willing to give more time than money off)

4. Time Square. Find out if they have an opera at night and try to see one. It is quite spectacular and it is free.

5. Lombardi's Pizza in Little Italy. It is the oldest Pizza place in the US. Take a free tour to the ovens to see how the pizza is made.

6. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a nice jaunt and you are sure to work off your pizza!

7. St. Paul's Church, next to the new Freedom Tower. There is a free “911 memorial” on the inside. It is a must, then walk right outside to view the new Freedom Tower. Trust me, bring some Kleenex.

8. Battery Park. If you do not make it to the Statue of Liberty, you can see her beauty and take photos from here.

9. The Flat Iron District because of the vast history, great shopping and spectacular buildings.

10. The “View in the Marriot at Time Square. It is a spectacular 360 degree revolving rooftop restaurant and bar on the 48th floor. It will cost you $8 pp plus at least a drink each. The coasters come with a complete map to tell you what buildings you see as your view is constantly changing. This is a great way to learn what is where from the very beginning of your trip.

If you can make some other pit stops, I recommend: Fao Schwartz toy store and make sure you see the big piano, Serendipity 3 for a nice frozen Hot cocoa dessert, Mangia restaurant near the Waldorf Astoria and Central Park (it is a nice reasonable Italian restaurant with incredible food. They also have a deli area if you’d like to pack a picnic and eat in Central Park), Crumbs bakery in the Theater district for their style Cronut called a “Crumbnut”or you can head to the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho for the real thing but be prepared to be there at least 2 hours before opening to get one.

Easy Gingerbread Roll

Christmas is near, parties are happening and now is the time for Quick and Easy.  Yesterday I had two parties in a row and decided one dessert could be a little more detailed but the other had to be simple.  I searched through my pantry and found two boxes of Krusteaz Gingerbread mix.  I was thrilled.  I had wanted to do a pumpkin roll but decided to try and make a gingerbread one instead.  To my delight and the delight of the party goers, it was a complete hit, yummy with all the nice flavors Christmas has to offer and delightfully simple.

 

Trust me, you'll love it, gingerbread lovers will love it and everyone else, well, they'll love it too.

 

 So enjoy and happy baking~

 

 

 

 

Easy Gingerbread Roll recipe:

 

2 boxes Krusteaz Gingerbread cookie/ cake mix

(make batter according to directions for cake)

Bake in a jelly roll pan, 10 x 15, that's been lined with waxed paper and greased (This way the roll pops right out and doesn't stick to the pan.) Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Check to make sure it springs back when touched.  Cool slightly.  On a thin cotton pastry towel, sprinkle with powdered sugar and invert roll onto towel.  Roll up from one end to the next and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.  Make cream cheese mixture.

 

Cream cheese spread:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 box cream cheese

1 stick butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix ingredients until smooth. Carefully unroll cooled cake and spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Re-roll cake using the towel to help pull it together as you roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or freeze. Once ready to serve, cut off ends to make it look pretty.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.



 Wrap to cool.

 

Open roll, spread with cream cheese mixture and re-roll.

 

 Serve this bit of deliciousness, or eat it all yourself. I won't tell but trust me, this is big enough to eat as much as you want and big enough to still have some to serve to guests.  Just saying.

 

For more recipes, party planning, decorating and fun, check this blog out for more ideas.  Heck, you may want to be a follower too.  I hear good things come to those who follow, for example, contests, prize giveaways and such.  Feel free to follow me on facebook too @

www.facebook.com/celebratemywhimsy

 

Elf on the Shelf

It's almost here.  Christmas is right around the corner and now is the time to plan, organize and have fun. I'm not talking turkey or planning dinner, not talking cleaning or setting the Christmas table, I'm just talking about the little things to make your holiday extra fun and special for your youngsters, hubby, friend, possibly your employees but especially for the "Spirit of Santa" in you.
These pictures may leave you wondering about the commercial type photos.  I own a restaurant.  It's called Pizza Factory and it's a franchise in Phelan, California.   So if you are ever traveling through, stop by and say Hi. (Did I mention our Pizza, and everything else there Rocks? After 29 years, I could still eat it every day!)
So my daughter Erin,  who was managing the restaurant for my hubby and myself decided that the three little elves on our Christmas Tree needed to get into a little fun mischief around the place.  Our employees and facebook fans were always super excited every morning to see what they'd do next.  They had some great adventures and I'll share a few of them here.  (Feel free to see what they'll be up to this year also at www.facebook.com/pizzafactoryphelan )

Hopefully these little sweethearts and fun seekers can inspire you  to do the same around your home, work place or your business.  Share away our little Christmas adventures with your friends and family too...

Elf on the shelf photos and captions~

 

What happens after hours...goes onto facebook. Sneaky little one having some fun! Pizza factory is a FUN place even for elves!

Meanwhile, back at the Pizza Factory... Another elf spotting last night. I bet they were getting ready to watch....______________________________?

 

We've always known Pizza Factory was a great place for a date night but this really takes the cake, or should I say...cookie!

 

 And the saga continues~ more elf games...

 If the Pizza Factory's open sign comes on at 3am, Don't trust the elf. Buddy, the elf on the shelf that's been up to all sorts of fun things in the restaurant this week is a practical Joker and we aren't sure he can make a superb pizza like your Pizza Factory crew can. Just saying. 

Now we're talking! These little elves really know how to have fun at the Pizza Factory!

 

 

Looks like the elves found our office. It's always entertaining for us to see what they'll do next. Funny, silly elves!

 

 
Lost and found watch. Thank you Buddy for the heads up!

 

I believe Buddy wanted to remind us what a great gift and stocking stuffer Pizza Factory Gift Certificates are. And I agree Buddy, I think they are too.

 

 And what are these three Little ones up to? Oh dear....

 

 

 Oh no, someone snuck a photo of a deliciously sinful Pizza Factory pizza plug in here...(insert drool here,  and lick the screen too if you'd like but the real thing is way more delicious!)

From our family to yours, we all want to wish you a very merry, blessed and love filled Christmas. May the spirit of it fill your homes and may Jesus be the reason for the season.

***

 

 And if that certain little someone in your life deserves something a little special for the holidays, possibly you can be enticed with this ever so adorable apron, made and tailored especially for him or her. My dear friend Aimee is not only a talented seamstress (I think she works at the North Pole too), but you'll enjoy her incredible website also.  Check her out. You'll love her. Your elves will too.  Trust me, Buddy has been pining for one of these babies and he is going to be so elated when his Surprise Apron arrives!

 

 

http://aimeebroussard.com/shop/holiday-aprons/elf-aprons/

 

 

Nutty-Mallow Vodka Shot

 

Nutty~Mallow, for when you crave a little peanut butter and a little marshmallow, in an adult sort of way. Delightful, but potent. Yummy, nutty and smooth. Save some in the refrigerator and have a power punch pudding with a kick.   That's all I've got to say about that...now for the recipe~

 

Nutty-Mallow

 

1/2 cup Marshmallow vodka

1 Tbs peanut butter

2 Tbs coconut milk (the cream off the top)

1 tsp agave

 



 

 Mix peanut butter and vodka until mixed well and smooth.

 

 

Add coconut cream, agave and mix well.

Pour into three shot glasses.  Enjoy or refrigerate for a delicious creamy pudding. Beware~potent!

 

Enjoy responsibly. Yum!

 

Lavender Palmier Pastry Cookies

I just returned home from a fabulous trip from the east coast. I had won a trip last year with the Duncan Hines company and they decided to invite me back for another trip just days ago.  It was amazing. (You'll hear about the whole trip, the Duncan Hines Test Kitchen and the extended New England trip in my future blog.)  After a nice night of sleep, my hubby and I arose in the wee hours of the morning since we were still on East coast time. I decided I wanted to make something a little special for my family since they had survived 9 full days without me.  Palmiers are one of my favorite cookies. I had found a recipe at one time using Pepperidge farm puff pastry dough and it was only going to take minutes to make. So I decided to make some before the kiddos awoke but I wanted to make these cookies with a little twist...Lavender, since on my trip we passed gorgeous lavender plants everywhere we went.

Lavender Palmiers
Two simple ingredients:
Puff Pastry
Lavender sugar
Optional- Dried or fresh Lavender
*hint- to make lavender Sugar, add some fresh chopped lavender, about 2 tbs, to two cups of sugar over night in an airtight container. The next day, food process the lavender leaves with the sugar until blended.

 

On a flat surface, cover with a generous amount of sugar.  Take your unfolded puff pastry, place on sugared surface and sugar the top with a generous amount of sugar also.  Make sure to even the sugar out with your hands. Roll with a rolling pin to incorporate a lot of the sugar into the dough, flattening the dough out a bit more.

 

Take both sides and fold into the middle.

 

Take both of those sides and roll into the middle again.

 

Flip the dough together and you'll see the shape of your palmier.

 

 

 

Cut off the ends. Slice the dough into 1/2 inch- 1 inch pieces and lay flat on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Do Not use Wax Paper.   Your Pastries will resemble hearts. Bake for 6-7 minutes at 450 degrees. Cookies should look like the sugar is melted and slightly caramel like. Remove from oven, flip cookies and bake for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown. When you remove the cookies from the oven, if you really like a punch of lavender, sprinkle a pinch of fresh or dried lavender that's been super finely chopped, quickly over the hot cookies. Let cool and eat.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!  Happy Making, Baking, Eating and Celebrating!

 

 

 

Bread Pudding French Toast

Bread Pudding French Toast. You may ask what is so special about that?  Well this was a celebratory meal that I made for my daughter when I was staying with her after the birth of our first grand baby. I stayed for a little over a week making breakfast, lunch and dinner for her and my son-in-law. This breakfast was actually day two since day one was bread pudding with maple syrup.  So to mix things up and not waste anything, I decided instead of simple left over bread pudding, I'd french toast it up a bit.  Luckily for me, and for the kiddos, it worked!

 

For this recipe, I'll give you my bread pudding recipe first. Generally I just use what ever I have in the refrigerator, sometimes putting fruit inside of it too.   And then day two, is where you'll turn it into the recipe below. Super easy!  It's two meals in one really.

 

 

 

 

Day 1~ Bread Pudding:

10 slices of bread ripped or cut into small pieces.   About 6-7 cups of bread pieces. (I used wheat and white bread for mine and that's why you'll see the marbelization.

2 cups milk

6 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp sugar to sprinkle

 

Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Put bread pieces in a bowl.

 

 

 Beat milk, eggs, vanilla and 1/2 c. sugar in a bowl until mixed well. Pour over bread and quickly stir to coat all pieces.

 Pour into loaf pan, sprinkle with tsp sugar and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25  minutes until starting to brown.  Broil the top of the loaf for 3 minutes to get a nice crispy top.

 

 

 Serve half of the loaf with maple syrup reserving the other half for day two.  Cover and refrigerate second half.

Serves two ( with left overs for day two. )

 

Day 2~ Bread Pudding French Toast with berry coulis:

Reserved Half loaf Bread Pudding

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

 

Coulis:

1 cup fresh berries

1/8 cup water

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tbs sugar

1/2 tsp cornstarch or vanilla pudding mix mixed into 1 Tbs water.

 

Over medium heat, spray pan with cooking spray, add berries and cook and stir until they start to break down, about 6-8 minutes.  Once berries are sauce-like, add water, vanilla, sugar and stir well.  Pour mixture into a mesh sieve fitted over a bowl and push mixture gently with the back of a spoon to release the juice into the bowl. Toss out left over seeds.  Pour juice back into the pan. Over medium heat, once heated, add cornstarch mix to juice and whisk until it starts thickening slightly.  You want a thick but pourable consistency. Turn off heat and set aside.  Mixture will thicken more as it stands.

 

 

In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla. Slice bread pudding.

 

 

Dip Bread Pudding slices into the egg mixture. Coat both sides and cook over med-high heat over stove on a hot griddle or pan sprayed with cooking spray until nice and brown.

 

Serve with powdered sugar and drizzled with berry coulis.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Happy Making, Eating and Celebrating~