Let There Be Light...

Sometimes, I just get the urge to be creative. 

I don't want to focus on being practical. Or efficient.

I just want to make something pretty.

Monday was one of those times when the "be-creative-and-make-something-pretty" urge came upon me. 

So I decided to make these:

Our kitchen doesn't have the best lighting...and it is amazing what a difference a simple garland of lights complete with origami lanterns will make.

Sometimes the smallest things can bring you a disproportionate amount of happiness.

Is there something you do when you feel the urge to be creative? 

If so, I'd love to hear what it is.

Hiking and Pie: A Good Combination

While visiting my family in California earlier this winter, Matt and I took a trip to the Palomar Observatory with my brother Aaron. 

Although many think of California as the land of eternal sunshine, it is quite possible to experience legitimate snow in the Golden State. 

After our two-hour drive to Palomar, this trail marked the beginning of our hike:

Note the tiny animal footprints. We were headed into the wild. 

As many of you know, I spend my days commuting in and out of New York city. So a lot of my time is spent running to the train, racing through the grimy subway, and dashing through city streets. 

It was a nice change of pace to be surrounded by pristine snow and green, growing things.

Our trek through the snow also provided me with answers to several burning questions I have had throughout my life. 

Question 1: How do chipmunks store their food in trees? 

The only frame of reference I had were cartoons featuring Chip and Dale (before they were Rescue Rangers). 

And some might say that a cartoon from the 1980s is not a reliable source.

Well, folks, here's your answer. 

Yes, that's right. Chipmunks can actually store their nuts in trees! Amazing. (And no, we did not carve the "E" into the tree. But it is cool that it was there.)

Question 2:  Does "X" really mark the spot? 

Answer: Yes. And here it is.

Question 3- Are there indigenous woolly mammoths/elephants in southern California?

Clearly the answer is yes. 

After hiking for close to two hours, we decided to take a rest. We found a great spot, one with a view of the observatory and a large, high rock for us all to sit upon. 

Aaron the-eternally-prepared had thought it prudent to bring pipes for us all to enjoy.

I went along with the boys but, alas! I found myself unable to enjoy the fine, English tobacco as much as Aaron did. 

I myself am more inclined towards sweet things. Fortunately for me, we were headed to a land famous for its sweets.

As we left the Palomar Mountains, we were treated to some spectacular views. 

Having left the snow behind us only minutes before, we could now see all the way to the ocean. 

Not too far from Palomar is a small town called Julian. It is famous for its apple pies. 

My parents used to take Aaron and I when we were kids. It was always a treat for the four of us to hop in the car, heading towards the mountains and anticipating that first bite of apple pie. 

Nowadays, Julian apple pies are shipped to nearby grocery stores. But everyone knows that eating a pie in the town of Julian is still "the real thing."

There are several stores that sell apple pie but we always went to Mom's. 

There are a variety of pies- apple, apple boysenberry, strawberry, cherry...the list goes on. You can choose between an "American flakey" and a "French crumb" top. 

While both are good, my vote is always for the crumb top. 

But you can't really go wrong. 

Hiking in the great outdoors, fun with family, and apple pie. 

It was a good day.

Celebrating Mardi Gras in the Northeast

For those of you who do not know, Mardi Gras is a big deal in New Orleans. I am talking about a parades-for-weeks, decorations-everywhere, time-off-from school-and-work, kind of big deal. 


Not that I actually know this from personal experience. This is all based on the enthusiastic testimony of my husband Matt...the born and raised Louisiana boy.


Of the many, many Mardi Gras traditions, there is one that is perhaps most cherished by Louisiana expatriates. The thing that individuals who have experienced the glory of Mardi Gras and who are now exiled to other parts of the country wish for, pine for, and sigh over at this time of year.


The King Cake. 


While king cakes come in a variety of flavors, the 'general template' involves a sweet bread dough (think of something similar to cinnamon rolls), a cream cheese filing, icing, and (of course), sprinkles in the colors of Mardi Gras (green, yellow, purple). 


So, as the wife of an individual who wishes for, pines for, and sighs over king cake at this time of year, I decided to make a king cake.


No one in New Orleans makes their own king cake. I repeat- no one makes their own king cake (this may be an exaggeration, but it sounds very dramatic). 


This is perhaps due to the fact that, over time, the bakeries there have achieved king cake perfection. It has become their art. This is an example of such a masterpiece:

This is what I was aiming to achieve. 


I made my first king cake last year, for the Saints/Colts Superbowl game. We had around 12 people crammed into our tiny home and provided a variety of Louisiana-inspired dishes; jambalaya, chicory coffee and, of course, king cake.


That particular king cake looked not at all like the above king cake. Don't get me wrong- it had green, purple, and yellow sprinkles, and icing. However, while in the oven, the dough had completely baked together. There was no artistic hole in the center.


Next year, I vowed, it would be different. And this year was different. Behold, my creation:

First and foremost, there IS a center. Hooray! That is already a step up from last year's king cake. However, note the sad lack of frosting. Where did all the frosting go? Answer: it dribbled down the side and was not at all like the white frosting seen on professional king cakes. So sad.


This, however, did not deter Matt one bit. He was very happy to be enjoying a king cake. Even one with meager frosting.

And Matt's enjoyment made me happy, too. As did eating the king cake. :)

* Please take note that a certain Astrid Rodrigues greatly contributed to the creation of the above king cake. Sadly, Ms. Rodrigues' presence was not captured in any photos.