Sweet dreams.

Inspired by Pat over Mille Fiori Favoriti, I have become a Daring Baker. Or Sleepless Baker, since it’s after 2 a.m. on the day the challenge is due. With everything going on, I wasn’t “up for the challenge,” if you will, but far be it for me to back down from a dare.

The Daring Bakers are a group of baking enthusiasts around the world challenged each month with one fairly involved recipe. Everyone bakes the same thing, and while you must follow the rules, this month there were variations in cake sizes, suggested additional ingredients, and an optional recipe (I’m lucky I eeked out the compulsory one!). Then, everyone posts the results of the challenge on the same day.

Dolores is our host this month, along with co-hosts Alex (Brownie of the Blondie and Brownie duo) and Jenny of Foray into Food. They chose Shuna Fish Lydon’s signature caramel cake recipe as the challenge for November.

And challenge is the operative word. For my first-ever Daring Bakers recipe, I was to start by making a caramel sauce using only sugar and water (not cream and butter, as I have in the past without incident). Here’s what my first batch looked like:





Nice, huh? And since I didn’t have enough sugar to do this again, it was off to 7-eleven at 11 (p.m.).

The second batch went much better, but it solidified by time the frosting portion of the program rolled around and separated when I attempted to reheat it. You know the saying, “Fool me once…”? Well, this fool was not about to start a third batch of caramel at midnight so the frosting would have to do with the one tablespoon I was able to rescue.

After the caramel debacle the recipe was (pun alert) a piece of cake. Many Daring Bakers commented in the user forum that the cake was dense, but I found mine (in the form of cupcakes) to be pretty light. The dry, wet, dry, wet, dry method of mixing is pretty key to achieving this consistency so do follow it if you give this recipe a try. I also felt the cake and frosting would be way too sweet for me with the recipe as given, so I cut the sugar in the cake in half (to ¾ cup) and the frosting to 2-1/2 cups of powdered sugar (I would have used less but I needed that much just to get the proper consistency). And there was no way I was tossing the cake to the curb if it was too sweet, so I guess I broke the rules by cutting the sugar. Such a rebel, I am. (Note: Still very sweet!)

The recipe can be found on Shuna’s web site. Photos from my Midnight Madness baking session follow…I decided to do old school cupcakes, like that fancy downtown NYC bakeshop has popularized. The cupcakes baked in a standard size muffin pan for 23 minutes. For a much fancier take on the challenge, check out this beauty at Tartelette.

Me (my hand, really), preparing to do battle with the sputtering caramel:

Second time's a charm. Perfect caramel:

The Messy Baker:


Why do I start projects so late? WHY?

Perfectly golden cupcakes:

And the imperfect frosting job (I had a pastry bag out...but decided to keep it real):

Sweet ending:

Thanks for joining me on my inauguration into the Daring Bakers! Don’t forget to comment on my last post to help me raise money for a great cause.

100th post: A very special house tour.

Mom has been sprung from the hospital. Your comments, emails, prayers and happy thoughts have been so kind, there really are no words. That, coming from me! Yes, my dear bloggy friends: You have left the wordy one speechless with your kindness. Nice work!

I started this post last week, and it seems all the more appropriate that it's (finally) up today, the day before Thanksgiving, at a time when I’m just a wee bit more thankful than usual. And always thankful for all that I have.

Behind this door you’ll find one of my favorite homes. Won’t you come inside with me?

This is Hudson Cradle Home for Infants in Jersey City, NJ. Hudson Cradle was founded in 1991 to help alleviate the boarder baby crisis. Boarder babies are infants healthy enough to be discharged from the hospital, but do not have a safe place to call home. Hudson Cradle offers full, nurturing care to these homeless infants with special health and developmental needs, and counseling, education, and support services to birth or foster parents to prepare them to live as a family. Hudson Cradle welcomed their first infant resident in March 1992 and to date has provided nurturing residential care to more than 460 babies.

The babies live in brightly painted nurseries, designed to be functional but also as welcoming as a home nursery would be:

There’s a common space at the back of the house where the babies are fed, and group activities and one-on-one cuddling takes place. It’s a great room, and during the daytime sunlight streams in through the glass that encloses the space. I’ve sang many a round of Mary Had a Little Lamb in this room. And I had one baby who really enjoyed my rendition of Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Or at least I convinced myself she did. :-)


I’ve been honored to work on projects and volunteer there over the years. The people from the top down love what they do. The infant caregivers and nurses are among the most compassionate I’ve seen. They care for and protect these babies as if they were their own. Volunteers log hours and hours each week to rock, comfort, sing and play with the babies. It’s inspiring to watch infants who come in frail, often with a myriad of health complications, grow strong and alert under the attentive care and watchful eyes of everyone involved with the organization.

I’d like to say the house is empty, because that would mean there aren’t babies without homes, but it is filled to its 7-bed capacity and as soon as one baby leaves another is waiting in the wings for that crib space. And there’s the upkeep…carpets and ceiling tiles to be replaced, walls to be painted. That’s where the next part of my post comes in…


I mentioned in my header that this is my 100th post. So I’m doing something special to honor my favorite charity, and to thank you all for being such great “house guests” (even if only online!).

For each comment left on this post through December 1, 2008, I will donate $5 to Hudson Cradle. The company I work for will then match this amount – dollar for dollar.

I’ll go up to $500, so go ahead – empty my pockets. Do it! I double dog dare you. If I raise $500, my company match will take the donation to $1000. And that’s a lot of baby formula.

Hudson Cradle’s executive director is amazing at managing their budget – 93% of the money they raise goes directly to the care of the infants. This is incredible operational efficiency, so it is with my heart and head that I’m able to choose this organization as my favorite.

In celebration of my bloggy milestone, I’ve also got a week-long bloggeriffic party planned. I’ll be taking you on a tour of the house of two of my favorite people, who’ve created a wonderful “retroclectic” (take that, Jonathan Adler - I can make up words, too!) home in the suburbs and are in the process of eschewing their traditional day jobs to follow their design dreams. Plus, it’s high time to share some shore house before and afters (well, at least almost afters). Now that the summer’s over we’ve gotten a few projects done, and I want to share! So stay tuned.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, which has grown a little bit bigger this past week thanks to many of you. Please support the local charities that work so hard to make a difference in your neighborhoods. And if you have a little extra coin left this holiday, consider making a donation to Hudson Cradle.

Post 99-1/2

I was supposed to be sharing my 100th post, but my mom's a little under the weather. Since laughter is sometimes the best medicine, I figured I'd share the above photo, found in a Lambertville restroom on the recent house tour I went on with my mom.

My next post will be my 100th, and I hope you'll come back. It's a very special house tour, with a little bit of a different twist.

In the meantime if you could send well wishes, mahalo, prayers, happy thoughts my mom's way while she's in the hospital we'd all appreciate it. The good news is...one of her biggest concerns was making sure that I cancelled her nail appointment today. So I think she's improving. :-)

Worth "The Weight"

Levon Helm's house, taken by my brother August '08

I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.

Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free;
Take a load off Fanny, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

-- The Weight, The Band

This weekend was a rare weekend away from the shore house. We headed up to Woodstock, NY, to see one of rock and roll's legends, Levon Helm, in concert. AT HIS HOUSE.

Yup...we went to one of the often talked about and somewhat elusive Midnight Rambles that Levon Helm swings his barn doors open for. (Tickets can be a tough get, unless you're a stalker like my brother. And I mean that in a good way.)

Levon Helm was the drummer and vocalist for The Band. The seminal 1960s rockers that a little song writer by the name of Bob Dylan hung around with. The musicians that convinced a young bloke named Eric Clapton to go solo (he was so inspired by The Band's music, he wanted to explore a path that would lead him to develop a sound more like them, so the story goes). They shaped American rock and roll music. They broke up on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. Many people (including Levon Helm, I think) blame guitarist Robbie Robertson for the breakup, so what the heck -- I will too.

In recent years, tragedy struck Levon's unique, raspy and rootsy singing voice. His bio puts it best: "In 1996, Levon was diagnosed with throat cancer and the famous voice with the rich southern nuances was silenced to a whisper." In what can only be described as a rock and roll miracle, Levon not only recovered from cancer, his voice is back and, dare I say, better than ever. I saw him this summer expecting an OK show, where I'd maybe even feel a little bad for him. But he blew the roof off the place. Hence, accelerated interest in going to a Midnight Ramble.

My brother the quick moving super-duper music fan found out through his insanely good stalking skills that there was going to be a Midnight Ramble on his birthday. He went to his first Midnight Ramble this summer, and when I read again today what he wrote back in August he pretty much hit the nail on the head. But he's a writer and all, so that's a good thing.

Levon's house is deep in the Woodstock woods...And at night (in the pouring rain) this is all you'll see:


It is a VERY intimate space. We weren't allowed to take photos inside but here's one from Levon's web site:

Photo, Levon Helm Studios

Talk about a great party space!

I did snap a few shots before heading inside, of the "community food table" that guests are encouraged to bring food for:

And, this sign that totally set the laid back tone for the evening:

I also loved this portrait of Muddy Helm, Levon's companion (who the mister and I went looking for, and found. Much to the dog's chagrin. He barked for a solid 10 minutes. Oops.):


There's not enough space in this post for me to tell you how wonderful this show was (especially since my blog has nothing whatsoever to do with music!), but by the time the show ended with a stage full of musicians (including Cassandra Wilson, and the original keyboard player for The Band Garth Hudson -- what a treat!) singing The Weight, I was smiling ear-to-ear. Much like Levon does through the ENTIRE two-hour show. Because he loves what he does. Loves that he's alive to do it. And I...love that.

As if that all wasn't enough, we were in the first row, stage right (no "stage," so in theory we were on stage with the musicians. Sweet.). When Levon exited he warmly shook the hands of many of the folks up front. When he got to me, Levon firmly grasped my right hand in both of his, lifted it to kiss it, then with that magical grin said, "Thank you so much for coming out tonight."

At that point I think I died and went to rock and roll heaven.

ANYWAY...yes; I had a great weekend. We went into the town of Saugerties on Saturday for a little antiquing. Sadly disappointing. Everything there is MUCH more expensive than it was in my early days of thrifting. We almost left empty handed, but there was a store going out of business (Arcadia, which I was sorry to see...it was one of my favorites to pop in on up there) where we scooped up a stainless steel bistro chair (whose photo I forgot to take -- coming soon!) and some Cucina hand soap at 30% off. As I type this, I'm realizing that at $13 (at least $22 in the city), I should have bought more fancy soap.

We stayed at the Woodstock Inn on the Millstream, in one half of this cute little cottage in the woods:


I loved that tree outside our door, and was tempted to take more than just a picture (but decided they may not appreciate my tree trimming):


Sunday it was off to the tiny town of Phoenicia, home to Sweet Sue's -- the remarkably always busy restaurant (every seat was filled -- about 70 people -- on a nasty, Sunday afternoon) in the middle of nowhere with pancakes that are totally worth the trip. Here's my brother's "short stack" (!!) of buttermilk pumpkins, with the vintage birthday cake topper I bought for him on eBay:


Also in the tiny town is Tender Land Home, one of my favorite stores. (I always find something to buy there. So does my mom, who may still be there today. She was buying up the joint.) Here's where I scored a total coup -- Cavallini & Co. 2009 calendars are half off! That's $10.99 for these beauts. I bought Farmer's Market this year:

Well, that was a very thorough look at my weekend. Hope yours was lovely, too.

And guess what? This is my 99th post. Super special 100th later this week.

All dressed up.

Aren't these paintings beautiful? I love the way they are seemingly dancing off their canvases. They are the work of the super talented Diane Bronstein, whose blog (Inspiration by Design) is one of my newest online crushes. And, as if I couldn't be smitten enough, the first painting in this post is a giveaway on her blog! Head on over there for a chance to win this amazing watercolor, and please be sure to check out Diane's artwork (and the other equally talented artists she features) while you're visiting.

My own dress crush du jour (aside from these paintings) is the newest dress in the Laura collection (how fitting!) at J. Crew. Yum.

Now if only they'd sell those long, lean legs with it - I'd be all in.

While I was over at J. Crew, I noticed the original Laura dress I talked about a while back is on sale now. Big time.

In any event...Please do stop by Diane's lovely blog. I'd love for one of you (re: me ;-) to dance away the winner.

Honoring.

That's my dad. Young, handsome, and no doubt scared out of his mind as he was preparing to go to VietNam. Which he did by choice. I am amazed by the men and women who've chosen this path. And I honor them today, especially - but always.

On a lighter but related note, this is Edith Shain, the 90-year-old woman who claims to be the nurse in the iconic photo of a WWII soldier swooping in to plant a big kiss on her lips in the center of Times Square, NYC.

Photo/Tina Fineberg, AP

As I look at this endearing photo (taken this week) I can't help but think one thing: Please let my legs look this good at least once in my life. Hopefully before I'm 90.

Progress in the MBR

It's Quiltification to the rescue again!


Etsy store owner Charlotte custom made that lovely bolster cover for me, in a size that wouldn't look lost on The Monster (re: king size bed man of the shore house insisted on). She had a fabric that complemented the tree cushions I bought a couple of months ago from her, and when I couldn't find a long cushion I liked I tossed the challenge to the lovely Charlotte. She came up with a couple of ideas, and I went with the rounded bolster. I think it's a good size, and it fills up the bed a bit (tames the monster, if you will).

I'm also happy with the linen duvet cover and shams I scored on eBay. At first I didn't love the striped embroidered design, but at $45 for the (new!) set I quickly got over it. I know a lot of folks aren't big fans of duvets due to "down slippage" -- that phenomena of all of the down bunching up into one, teeny tiny corner -- and I have the solution: Down alternative. No down, no slippage. There's great, environmentally friendly faux down product on the market these days. I'm in love with my Calvin Klein one, purchased at Home Goods for $59 (king size!).

I've also started to pick up some mercury glass here and there to jazz up the thrift store dresser, and Renovation Therapy's lovely little dish has been given a fine new home there, too, as a catch all for the lady's jewels. I hope she approves.

Naturally, there's still tons to be done. The master bedroom walls are still bare. And this poor sailboat painting has now hung in almost every room of the house and still hasn't found a home.

We're working on it. Sort of. Yesterday I worked on my napping skills. And I have to say...I did quite a good job.

Merry...Christmas?

Christmas came early this year when my mom decided she couldn’t keep her secret gift to herself anymore (she’s worse than a little kid, I swear!).

She wanted me to go with her to a local art gallery. I know the guys that own the place, so not an unusual request. But when she got kisses from both of them the second we walked in the door (and I did not) I was a little…how you say…curious. (Huh? Is she hanging out with my friends when I’m not around? Is she squatting in their gallery on weekdays? Do I smell?). As I was trying to figure this out in my tiny little pea brain, I looked at a painting . That looks like…is it…could that be…our HOUSE?


“Merry Christmas! I couldn’t wait!”

To be fair, this is what our house would look like if the wild wisteria across the front porch would produce the large, luscious lavender-colored blooms that this amazing artist miraculously cultivated with the stroke of a brush. And, from this vantage point, you’d typically see five (yes 5!) other houses (have I mentioned houses in this town are very, VERY close together?). As much as I genuinely like my neighbors, this painting has made me want to steamroll every one of them down. (KIDDING! Well…)

Other than that, it’s pretty spot-on and filled with incredible details, like Maggie in her usual perch on the front porch…


…and my mom keeping a watchful eye from the dormered window:

Pretty hysterical. We are honored to have received this amazing gift. And the mom herself isn’t too shabby. (Thanks, mom!)

I am also honored that lovely Pat over at Mille Fiore Favoriti, one of my blogs favoriti, gave me this fancy award.

Pat’s a New York-based blogger who takes readers through virtual walking tours of some of her favorite spots, with fabulous local history lessons along the way. Some of my favorites have been Flatbush (where my mom was born), Bay Ridge and Madison Square Park…and I even got to join her (virtually, at least) on vacation in Key West. And, Pat can cook (and bake. It was her blog that convinced me to join Daring Bakers.). So don’t visit on an empty stomach like I just did, because she’s cooking up lentil soup today.

Lastly, Thrifty Cottage Dreams recently said I was one of her Top 3 Fall-Inspired blogs. Coming from this thrifty goddess, I’m flattered. This lady can shop like it’s no one’s business! I'm passing this Lovely Lady Award right back to her for being...well, lovely! Truly I am grateful to anyone who stops by my online home, so thank you. You are all lovely ladies (and gents) to me.

Have a fabulous weekend! Weather's calling for rain, rain and more rain here. Maybe I'll clean toilets. The exciting life I lead...

Radio Waves

Oh I'd love to get my mitts on this...



It's a fabulous chair fashioned from a vintage radio.

Voting is not a right.

Awesome patriotic Thanksgiving-themed postcards on eBay.

Now that I’ve got your attention…

Voting is an absolute privilege.

I’m not going to tell you who I think you should vote for. But I can tell you that the candidates you vote for should be the ones your hearts AND heads AND soul tell you to – not the ones anyone else has told you to vote for.

I started with a much longer post, but I was boring even myself! It was like when I was 15-years-old and Mr. Aquista was trying to explain the Electoral College to me for the first time. Total. Eye. Glaze. Over. ;-)

So I’ll keep it short and sweet, and will thank my non-U.S. friends for indulging me.

From Greenwich Village...

...to the Village People.

Yup...that's me and Felipe Rose, aka "The Indian from the Village People." (Note: Doesn't my head look a bit oddly twisted? I think I was taken back by how enthusiastic he was to be in the photo. Wasn't ready for the bear hug.)

A little Hallow-history: My first date with the man of the shore house was nine years ago at the Halloween Parade in New York's Greenwich Village. Over the years, the streets have gotten more crowded, our favorite quiet pub now charges a cover, and getting with viewing distance of the parade itself -- which was never easy -- is now an Olympic-like sport. With Halloween on a Friday this year, we knew it would only be worse (or better, depending on you age and tolerance level for throngs of people). So we made it a shore house weekend and Halloweened (word?) in Asbury Park, NJ.

I started off the evening with my fake choppers and some festive elixir:

Felipe was the official host of the evening. And our Native American friend still has the moves.

I was happy we could actually walk through the streets (well, street. This was a quite a bit smaller scale than NYC.) and see the costumes. There were some good ones, like Mister Christmas:

And this fairly realistic corpse with exposed innards (yes; blondie's eating his innards):

Other than that, I'd have to say the night was a real drag. Har, har. Check "the ladies" out:

Miss Cotton Candy won for Best Drag Costume...

Just check out the size of this tall drink of water next to mere mortals:

Hysterical.

I hope everyone had a festive Halloween! Now...off to the voting booths...