‘eggs’traordinary

March 7, 2014

Inspired by the playful works of art in Japanese character bento boxes, Williams-Sonoma sells a product that changes the shape of a hard-boiled egg! I was fascinated with the idea of this product when I spotted it at the store…and, with Easter quickly approaching, I knew I had to try it out! I am sharing the adorable results with you on today’s Friday field trip.

Following the easy directions on the box of the Egg-Design Molds, I set out to create a heart, a star, a rabbit, and a bear from some hard boiled eggs.

My true interest was in the rabbit (for Easter), but I also wanted to test the star to use for deviled eggs later this summer – very patriotic for our 4th of July party on the beach!

Creating these eggs was really easy. I just followed the simple directions on the box. Basically:

Cook 4 extra-large eggs
Dip one egg in a bowl of ice water, then peel off the shell
Place egg in a mold
Set in ice water
Repeat for the other 3 eggs
After 10 minutes, remove from molds

Aren’t these sure to be a hit at the ‘kids’ table on Easter?

These molds can be purchased on sale online here. Three sets would make a dozen eggs at a time – or, a half dozen star shaped deviled (half) eggs.

Since I tested my deviled eggs, I included the recipe. I am not a big mayo fan, so my version cuts the mayo with sour cream. Enjoy!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Silver Pennies, Little Red House, and Crafts a la Mode.

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a valentine delivery

February 14, 2014

This year is my favorite Valentine’s Day.

For Friday field trip today I am sharing the reason why.

I don’t have any big dinner plans…I didn’t receive a romantic gift…

I was given the opportunity to create and deliver fresh flower arrangements to residents of senior living facilities in my hometown.

The arrangements were created by some of the members of my garden club. With some basic flower choices from a local wholesaler and some miscellaneous containers collected by members, arrangements were lovingly put together one night this week.

The gals got together – clippers and gloves in hand – enjoying conversation and indulging in refreshments homemade by some of the members.

There is such a joy in giving Valentines to people that may not otherwise receive them, and although I did not personally know any of the residents receiving the gifts of flowers, strong connections to all the nursing facilities visited made the impact of the gesture very real to me.

If you belong to a garden club, consider adding this activity to your calendar for next year :)…if you don’t belong to a garden club, think about inviting a group of friends over next February for a special Valentine activity. Cute containers can be collected all year at yard sales or from flower arrangements you receive. (Just remember to keep the arrangements small since there is usually limited space in resident rooms. Also, call the residence in advance to find out about any special needs.)

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful evening. Here is my Valentine gift to you…the best ‘set the mood’ songs of all time! Enjoy!

Here in the Northeast we are again getting blanketed with snow. Luckily, the Valentine’s Day arrangements have all been safely delivered. :)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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super bowl 2014 review

February 7, 2014

For Friday field trip today I am sharing a few photos from my trip into New York City last weekend to celebrate Super Bowl XLVIII. Also, I am including some links to my favorite Super Bowl moments – none of which are clips of the actual game!

This year, the pregame frenzy associated with the Super Bowl was amped up in our area…for the very first time, the Super Bowl was played in the Northeast – my part of the country – hosted by New York and New Jersey. So, of course I couldn’t resist checking out all the excitement associated with this nationally recognized sporting event and cultural phenomenon we call “the Super Bowl.”

No, I didn’t attend the game – I traveled into New York City to check out all the pregame craziness! And, craziness there was!

Craziness was witnessed from the time I got onto the train in Connecticut heading to New York City, where people were popping opening bottles of champagne at 9:45am – drinking to celebrate their favorite team’s anticipated win the following day!

And in New York City, Times Square hadn’t seen such action since New Year’s Eve…where the entire area from 34th to 44th was turned into ‘Super Bowl Boulevard’ celebrating all things football. The week-long schedule of events culminated on Saturday with contests, freebies, interactive booths, visiting NFL players signing autographs for the crowd, and a photo ‘op’ with the Vince Lombardi trophy (stand in line to get a photo with a hunk of metal shaped as a football…I don’t think so!).

There was a time when I would watch the Super Bowl every year. Not to watch the game, mind you. I couldn’t miss the commercials! Or, the halftime show. Now the commercials are all available on YouTube before the game is even played…and, the halftime show is just as accessible online after the big contest. This eliminates any reason for me to actually tune in to see ‘the big game.’

And if you were wondering, no…the ‘Puppy Love’ commercial was not my favorite commercial. I like an ad that uses a little humor, is cleverly done, and best uses talent that makes sense in promoting the product. These were my top three favorites in no particular order:

Top Super Bowl 2014 Commercial Ellen,

Top Super Bowl 2014 Commercial Tim,

Top Super Bowl 2014 Commercial Anna.

There was also one commercial that was notable and worth watching…it starred the 10 year old Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis (who was gifted a Maserati for her role in this ad)…awesome job and wonderful photography. You can see the Superbowl XLVIII Maserati commercial here.

As for the halftime show – this year, the Bruno Mars concert was definitely worth a watch in real time – Congrats to Pepsi and Bruno for an awesome halftime performance! No wardrobe malfunctions or gimmicks here…just straight up talent and a wonderful display of showmanship:

Some Bruno Mars Super Bowl performance highlights are here.

A real cool part of being in New York City Saturday pregame – aside from all the energy surrounding me – as I battled the crowds to get back to Grand Central Station to head home, I was able to watch the Super Bowl inspired contest results determining what colors would light the Empire State Building.

All week prior to the ‘big game’, the colors illuminating the building were determined by tweeting NFL fans. Each night, the colors (I have admitted I am color obsessed, so this was right up my alley.) displayed on the building were determined by the largest number of tweeting fans…orange and blue if Broncos fans tweeted the most…blue and green if Seahawks fans tweeted the most.

Here is the closing ceremony light show for the Seahawks:

You can see the Empire State Building Super Bowl XLVIII Light Show here.

So that’s my Super Bowl 2014 review…hope you enjoyed it…if you expected game highlights, sorry…that’s not my thing. I only enjoy watching football games where I know the people playing. ;) Not that I would mind knowing Eric Decker personally!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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sweet scones

January 24, 2014

I think it is a natural instinct to have the urge to prepare food when the weather is cold. With the temperature dipping into the single digits, and 10 inches of snow freshly fallen here in Connecticut, it is no wonder this instinct has kicked in!

The result of this urge today are some freshly baked scones. A friend gave me the recipe for these particular scones, written on a brown paper bag, well over twenty years ago. I call these ‘the sweet scones.’ So, for Friday field trip today. we are taking a trip back to twenty years ago as I share the recipe given to me by my friend Kathy.

The scones after adding the sweet glaze.

With a sugar glaze, these scones are sweeter than the ones I typically make. Other than adjusting the cooking time for my oven, I haven’t changed this recipe a bit over the years… and, the result is still as delicious as when I first tasted these scones at a regular get-together of friends.

They are wonderful to bake for some friends stopping by because they are very quick to prepare – give them a try!

Thanks so much for stopping by to share. Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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persian cotton candy

January 17, 2014

I am excited for Friday field trip today to share a dessert from another culture. For Valentine’s Day this year I can serve a dessert that I find new and exciting… So, move over chocolate… this year I am serving Persian cotton candy!

I enjoy exploring other cultures and having a friend from the Middle East helps me learn about foods from that part of the world. Remember that wonderful Persian Love Cake I made last year?

My latest food introduction was a Middle Eastern dessert that compares with our cotton candy. It is made from sugar like the American variety, but also contains shortening, flour, and cardamom and has a very delicate flavor.

Interesting, isn’t it?

Because it is sold in a box, the challenge is to find a pretty way to serve it to guests. It is very soft and separates into strands easily. I found out from my friend that it is often packed into a glass to give the candy a shape and it can be served with nuts.

Since pistachios are so often used in Middle Eastern cuisine, I decided to use some chopped pistachios as a garnish for my cotton candy dessert.

And, on one of my presentations, I could not resist adding a pool of honey. I know – the ingredient is mostly sugar, so why add honey? But, it tastes really good!

I hope you enjoyed exploring another culture with me as I tried Persian Cotton Candy.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a really wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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2014 word for the year

January 10, 2014

food for the soul

I hadn’t planned on assigning a word of the year for 2014. I had seen many others choose one and I wasn’t particularly motivated to choose one for myself. I toyed with the idea of using the word renewal …but, I decided against it; thinking it sounded like such a cliche…and how could I possibly use a word like that for the entire year…the idea made me think of the movie Groundhog Day.

Okay, I thought…no word for the year.

Then I met a friend for lunch that I hadn’t seen for a while. One of those friends that you can just jump right into a conversation the second you get together…start right where you left off with no hesitation.

So today’s Friday field trip ends up being the short journey I took to discover my word for the year.

It didn’t happen right when we devoured the artisan cheese plate…

Or even as I ate my local greens salad….

It wasn’t until sometime during my banana cream pie with sweet potato sorbet and pecans as I reached over to try my friend’s chocolate hazelnut budino, and spooned into the caramel at the bottom of the glass, that it really hit me…

My word for the year… Friendship.

It had to be Friendship.

Because the true nourishment that afternoon did not come from the food…the true nourishment came from a friendship…two friends connecting in a special way that only friends can.

In the words of Marcel Proust “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Even when I think of my wonderful family relationships, it is the friendships that make them special.

So for 2014, I want to acknowledge all the friendships that make my soul blossom…reconnect with some old friends… get together with some I don’t see as often as I would like…schedule regular family get-togethers…let those that I do see know how much they mean to me…

For it is truly the people in my life that give it meaning.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau “The language of friendship is not words but meanings.”

I value and acknowledge my friendships with a special focus this year and I look forward to creating some new friendships. :)

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

P.S. The photos in this post were taken at the wonderful restaurant Le Farm in Westport, Connecticut…a “must try” if you live in the area or plan on visiting.

Sharing at Craftberry Bush and Finding Silver Pennies.

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christmas sweets

December 20, 2013

Only a few days until Christmas and I haven’t even started my baking!

With this year’s work schedule, I haven’t had time for any of my usual holiday preparations.

Friday field trip this week is a kitchen visit as I fit in a little late night baking session to make the top priority holiday cookie. I am referring to the one most requested by my family – the “Italian” cookie.

My recipe comes from an old Italian woman many years ago. She was very ‘old world’ so I have always thought this recipe must be very authentic and I have never altered it.

And, I always stay true to the original recipe and use margarine, even though I never use it in any other baking.

I am sharing the recipe with you here. (I topped mine with white non-pareils.)

So now I have the favorite cookie baked and ready for Christmas Eve. If I can’t squeeze in any other holiday baking, at least I have the most important baking done! I hope you have time to bake some of your favorite holiday sweets!

Are you thinking these cookies aren’t very consistent with my woodland theme this year? Don’t worry, I got that covered…maple crème brulees, ice cream ‘pinecones’ and fireplace s’mores should fit the bill…don’t you think?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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seasonal spirit

December 13, 2013

It seems every year I forget to wear my Christmas pins until the season is almost over. I really should have a special calendar note reminding me at Thanksgiving to take out my holiday pieces!

I thought I would share a couple of my favorite ‘jewels’ with you on Friday field trip today and it could serve as a reminder for you to be sure and wear your seasonal jewelry…or scarves…or socks. Or, maybe to acquire some! ;)

One of my favorite holiday pins…a miniature frame that contains a photo of my daughter dressed as an angel one Halloween long ago.

My first Christmas pin was given to me by my grandmother when I was a young girl. It was a battery operated Santa pin and if you pulled a string, Santa’s nose would light up red! I loved it! One of my favorites in recent years is a hand painted one by artist Roberta Hyatt that says “I Believe.”

This year my favorite is a special pin to coordinate with my woodland theme…it is a vintage piece that is leaves and acorns – so perfect!

Feel free to share your favorite holiday accessories on pleasure in simple things Facebook or Instagram…would love to see them!

Dust off that old stocking cap and take pleasure in the season and simple things!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jackie

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an anthro home for the holidays

December 6, 2013

Do you have favorite places to visit during the holiday season? Are there a few stores you visit as an annual tradition? Anthropologie is one of those places for me.

I always enjoy checking out the unique home items in the store, but I find it especially fun at holiday time.

As a tradition, I always purchase a tree ornament as a gift for my daughter…but, I can always find some great stocking stuffers as well…

If you are an Anthro shopper, you know that the store always provides a fun package tie-on for gifts purchased at the store during the holiday. This year, there are a couple choices – one is a miniature Russian nesting doll…cute!

Of course I took special note of some of the woodland themed items!

Anthropologie is always a fun place to visit…I hope you enjoyed sharing a few of my favorite things in the store on this week’s Friday field trip.

You have seen two of my annual store traditions – one last week and one this week…do you have any stores you visit as an annual tradition at the holidays?

Thanks so much for visiting.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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shopping frenzy?

November 29, 2013

I hate the term ‘Black Friday.’ To me, the day after Thanksgiving signals the start of all that is good about the holiday season. I would prefer the term for the day signify the start of the holiday spirit and not the start of retail frenzy. How about ‘Magical Friday,’ or ‘Enchanted Friday,’ or even ‘Family Friday.’ How would you sum up the seasonal spirit in one word?

I am not saying I don’t enjoy visiting the stores. I do. But, not the ones that have long lines at midnight or that spotlight the latest ‘must have’ toy. I prefer the stores that showcase the magic…the sparkle…the beauty of the season…the kind of store that contributes to the spirit of the season – not the spirit of commercialism.

Taken for Granite in Stony Creek, Connecticut embraces the holiday spirit by providing homemade holiday treats for visiting shoppers.

One of my favorites is Taken for Granite. So, today’s Friday field trip on ‘Black Friday’ is a trip to Taken for Granite in Stony Creek, Connecticut to a store that helps kick off this magical time of year in a way no other store can.