Baking & Mama's Birthday

This weekend my parents came up for a quick visit and to celebrate Mama's birthday (which is today) Happy Birthday Mama!  It was the first time they got to see the house, so John and I were busy getting things in order Friday night and Saturday morning, uh, afternoon.  Having people come over always helps give the extra nudge to get that picture hung on the wall instead of leaning against it on the table; in fact, it got us to hang 10 different posters/pictures/pieces of artwork we hadn't yet.  One of them being my huge fan, that I'm amazed has survived as many moves as it's been through including a move from FL back to NY.

Part of getting ready was food shopping Friday for the dinner we made Saturday night and also baking two desserts!

The Menu:

Zucchini Fritters served with plain yogurt and apricot preserves

 Ingridients

2 medium size zucchinis

1 medium size onion

1/2 C Pecorino Romano cheese

1/3 C all-purpose flour

1/2 C finely chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

2 large eggs

How to

1. Grate zucchini and onion on large holes of a box grater, then squeeze dry in clean kitchen towel.

2. Mix together zucchini, onion, cheese, four, and herbs. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir in eggs just before frying.

3. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, boat skillet with olive oil. Scoop mounds about 1-2 tablespoons each of the mixture; flatten slightly using spatula.  Cook until golden brown  and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes each side. 

4. Transfer fritters onto paper-towel-lined plate to drain.  Serve with yogurt and apricot jam.

Chicken spiedies skewered and grilled served on lettuce with feta cheese and cherry tomatoes

Strawberry bread

Blueberry Crumb bars 

Dinner and dessert were both great successes!

Sunday my parents met us at the house.  We had some coffee and we gave mom her gifts; I asked her to try on the shirt and she ended up wearing it!  Then we went to Found's flea market and then walked around inside.  Then hit the Farmer's Market walked around, grabbed a bite, and sat by the water before they headed back home.

What's one of your favorite recipes for zucchini or chicken?  Do you have a favorite dish using strawberries and/or blueberries?  If you live in Ithaca, do you have a favorite food to get at the Farmer's Market?  If you don't, do you have a farmer's market or flea market in your area? Comment below to share! Or email me: shapedbymylife@gmail.com

Happy 25th Birthday Gina Marie!

August 6th, 1986 my baby sister was born. 8/6/86 was a very special day. The story goes like this: sometime in the months before she arrived, my parents told me that they were going to have a baby; they told my little self that it could be a boy or a girl.  But I was adamant I was going to have a baby sister.  And I was right!  We've been through a lot, both good and bad, and I remain forever grateful for you and that you are in my life!

As the years go on...

...I watch her grow...

...as my sister...

 

...and as the beautiful young woman she is...

"Sisters share.  That is the myth, and most of the time I believe it is also the truth...They entrust each other with their private thoughts...They confess the idiotic things they've done, the brilliant...They are stronger for having known each other, because they share the gifts that come from surviving a family's darkest times together...She is our contemporary [and because she is], our relationship with her is often the longest we will have with any other woman.  Even in muted form, the tie will last our entire lives, and as its strongest and most beautiful, it is a treasure we hope we will never live without." -Claudia O'Keefe

HAPPY QUARTER-OF-A-CENTURY BIRTHDAY BABY SIS!!!!! LOVE YOU!

Once known as the Saddest Day of the Year

Yes, that's right. January 23rd was once known as The Saddest Day of the Year.  And living in upstate New York, on one of the coldest days this year thus far-- accuweather called for a high of nine degrees-- it would be easy to succumb to the melancholy. But after a mere five hours of sleep and being curled up all cozy in flannel sheets, I looked out my window pleasantly surprised to see the sun was shining!

After brushing off the dusting of snow from last night, we set out for a birthday brunch at Northstar to celebrate turning twenty three on the twenty third--a once in a lifetime event. It reminded me of when I turned ten on the tenth and being born a little after ten at night, it seemed like a huge deal to me at the time.  Obviously, the celebrant was a bit more reserved about it all, but I've always been a fan of birthdays.  It's the one day of the year that is special, where people get noted for being alive, for surviving another year of the unexpected trials, misfortunes and curious events that come up; and they do: good, bad, and weird. It's the one day that people get recognized in adulthood; there are no invitations sent out with an RSVP for people who aren't engaged, having a house warming party, or baby shower.  And on one of the coldest days of the year so far, who doesn't want a reason to celebrate life.

Brunch was fun; good food, but certainly not the best. A bit disappointing since every time I've gone there for dinner, it has been quite good.

We both had two scrambled eggs, rye toast, potatoes and grits; I had bacon, he had vegetarian sausage.  Honestly, I know for a fact we can both make a much better breakfast, but it's nice to go out, especially when I haven't gone food shopping for the week because I'm trying to conserve the last of my cash until I find out what kind of assistance I can get. And of course, to start the day off in celebration!

By the time brunch was over, the sun was behind the clouds and it had started snowing again. But good company, good music, and a sweet treat mid-day certainly helped today lose it's title of the saddest day of the year, and just became another winter day and will always be an aquarians birthday.