We've been considering adopting a greyhound for some time now. Yesterday, we attended a meet & greet, spoke to a few folks from Greyhound Friends of NJ, and were utterly charmed by the dogs with them.
The breed seems perfect for us. Low maintenance grooming and walking, super friendly, laid back, easily correctable, and just the right size. Plus, the ones from GFNJ are retired racers, so they're already socialized with humans and other dogs. Ideal for first time dog owners!
So we buckled and submitted our application. Once approved, we can then visit the kennel and meet the dogs they have available!
June 27, 2010
June 22, 2010
Mazel Tov!
Just got back from a wedding! Lots of singing, dancing, yummy food, and so many smiles!
Now that I don't have to worry about ours anymore, it's nice to just sit back and enjoy everyone else's!
Now that I don't have to worry about ours anymore, it's nice to just sit back and enjoy everyone else's!
June 13, 2010
Potluck Weekend
Two potlucks this weekend! Got rave reviews on our dishes for both:
Spud & Spinach Casserole
5 large potatoes, milk, butter (for mashing)
2~3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
2 large bunches fresh spinach
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 stalks green onion, sliced (green part only)
paprika for seasoning
the basics: olive oil, salt, ground black pepper
(1) Peel and boil potatoes; mash with milk, butter and salt to taste
(2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
(3) In large skillet, heat olive oil medium low. Add garlic and onion, then saute until soft
(4) Add spinach and saute until just wilted
(5) Stir in ground pepper to taste
(6) Now the casserole part: spread mashed potatoes in lightly greased 9x12 inch baking dish
(7) Cover with sauteed spinach mix. Layer cheddar cheese on top, then sprinkle feta and paprika on top
(8) Bake 20-25 minutes until hot and cheeses have melted
(9) Garnish with green onion
Lemon Cheesecake Squares
Crust:
9 whole graham crackers
5 tablespoons butter
Filling:
1 8-oz package cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
3 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
berries of your choice for garnish (my personal favorite is raspberries)
Crust:
(1) Prep 8x8x2 baking pan by lining 2 sheets of aluminum foil inside the pan, one lengthwise, the other crosswise. Leave about 1 inch overhang on all four sides.
(2) Once pan is lined with foil, grease foil along bottom and sides.
(3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
(4) Place graham crackers in heavy duty plastic bag. Use rolling pin or mallet (we use a hammer!) to crush crackers finely
(5) Melt butter in skillet over low heat
(6) Remove skillet from heat. Add crumbs and toss to coat
(7) Time to get your hands dirty! Pour buttery crumbs into prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly along bottom to form crust.
(8) Bake crust until golden brown, 12~15 minutes. Cool crust while preparing filling!
Filling:
(1) Beat cream cheese and sugar in large mixing bowl until smooth.
(2) Beat in egg and sour cream
(3) Beat in lemon juice and vanilla
(4) Spread the batter evenly over crust
(5) Bake cheesecake until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes. The toothpick test works well here - if it comes out without any batter sticking, the cake is done.
(6) Let cool in pan. Keep in pan, chill in fridge until cold, at least 2 hours
(7) Then comes the awesome part! Once cold, just lift the entire cheesecake out by using the foil overhang along the edges. Peel foil off bottom, cut cheesecake into squares and serve with berries.
Spud & Spinach Casserole
5 large potatoes, milk, butter (for mashing)
2~3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
2 large bunches fresh spinach
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 stalks green onion, sliced (green part only)
paprika for seasoning
the basics: olive oil, salt, ground black pepper
(1) Peel and boil potatoes; mash with milk, butter and salt to taste
(2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
(3) In large skillet, heat olive oil medium low. Add garlic and onion, then saute until soft
(4) Add spinach and saute until just wilted
(5) Stir in ground pepper to taste
(6) Now the casserole part: spread mashed potatoes in lightly greased 9x12 inch baking dish
(7) Cover with sauteed spinach mix. Layer cheddar cheese on top, then sprinkle feta and paprika on top
(8) Bake 20-25 minutes until hot and cheeses have melted
(9) Garnish with green onion
Lemon Cheesecake Squares
Crust:
9 whole graham crackers
5 tablespoons butter
Filling:
1 8-oz package cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
3 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
berries of your choice for garnish (my personal favorite is raspberries)
Crust:
(1) Prep 8x8x2 baking pan by lining 2 sheets of aluminum foil inside the pan, one lengthwise, the other crosswise. Leave about 1 inch overhang on all four sides.
(2) Once pan is lined with foil, grease foil along bottom and sides.
(3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
(4) Place graham crackers in heavy duty plastic bag. Use rolling pin or mallet (we use a hammer!) to crush crackers finely
(5) Melt butter in skillet over low heat
(6) Remove skillet from heat. Add crumbs and toss to coat
(7) Time to get your hands dirty! Pour buttery crumbs into prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly along bottom to form crust.
(8) Bake crust until golden brown, 12~15 minutes. Cool crust while preparing filling!
Filling:
(1) Beat cream cheese and sugar in large mixing bowl until smooth.
(2) Beat in egg and sour cream
(3) Beat in lemon juice and vanilla
(4) Spread the batter evenly over crust
(5) Bake cheesecake until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes. The toothpick test works well here - if it comes out without any batter sticking, the cake is done.
(6) Let cool in pan. Keep in pan, chill in fridge until cold, at least 2 hours
(7) Then comes the awesome part! Once cold, just lift the entire cheesecake out by using the foil overhang along the edges. Peel foil off bottom, cut cheesecake into squares and serve with berries.
June 10, 2010
June 5, 2010
Crafts in the Park
Went to the Renegade Craft Fair today in Brooklyn. Me plus artists selling their wares equals serious wallet danger. I am such a sucker for handmade stuff.
My favorites:
* Awesome wood block print studio: Tugboat Printshop
* Hand painted resin from Fernworks. The photos on her website don't do these mini masterpieces justice. They actually have an incredible 3D depth effect.
* I can't quite explain The Mincing Mockingbird. He is clearly talented - several of his original paintings were on display and quite amazing. But then he does this thing with the subtext...it almost feels like a gimmick, except it's too damn well executed.
* Pretty shiny silver things: Daphne Olive
My favorites:
* Awesome wood block print studio: Tugboat Printshop
* Hand painted resin from Fernworks. The photos on her website don't do these mini masterpieces justice. They actually have an incredible 3D depth effect.
* I can't quite explain The Mincing Mockingbird. He is clearly talented - several of his original paintings were on display and quite amazing. But then he does this thing with the subtext...it almost feels like a gimmick, except it's too damn well executed.
* Pretty shiny silver things: Daphne Olive
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