Raw Images, Almost Raw Food: Zu-ghetti

I need to edit, crop, and carefully select images for the blog if I am going to really keep it going. Today, however, I am bringing you raw deliciousness. Enjoy this unedited (but much paired-down) recipe:

First, I gathered and washed tomatoes from the garden (maybe a pint of cherries). Of course, you can buy these at the store. After they were all washed up, I sliced them using the old Rachel Ray trick of placing them between two deli container lids and slicing right through the middle. Such a quick and easy method to avoid runaway tomatoes! Call me crazy, but I love the look of them all scattered in my sink. In the spirit of raw photos here they are before their wash, cut, and style:

Then I shredded Two Large Zucchinis:

At this point, you will want to gather everything, as the actual cook time will go super fast:

Yup, that's all you need--Zucchini, Tomatoes, Lemon, Parmesan.

Well, almost. You'll also want to prepare a pan with a generous amount of Olive Oil and big scoop of Minced Garlic:

Turn on the heat to high, but be careful not to let it get too hot as the garlic will burn (I added the zucchini almost right away to keep the garlic moist). I put the lid on at this point to allow the zucchini to steam a bit, but you could skip this step if you want more al dente "Noodles." In either case, you don't want to overcook; after about one minute, add the tomatoes and stir.

As I mentioned, it goes quickly (like too quickly to photograph), but at this point, you will want to squeeze the juice of one lemon over the pot and add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Let it cook no more than another minute or two and serve. The great thing is how incredibly adaptable it is. At this point it is Kosher and Gluten-Free. If you are Paleo--skip the cheese. Our resident vegetarians ate it just like that, while I added some leftover shrimp to mine (which obviously makes it non-vegetarian and definitely not kosher). Since it was so low-carb and healthy, I went on and added a roll with European style butter:

It is so simple and so delicious for Summer's End--Enjoy!

Almost that time again!

While my brain is fully on back-to-school-mode today, I am beginning to plan for the Jewish holidays (which will be here before you know it). Here are some of my favorite from years past in pictures (all from my phone, but cute enough to share):
This was my favorite sukkah ever. It was from this past year,and I feel a repeat coming on!

A picture from a few years back. While this is not the finished product, we were building a sukkah that was (not kosher and ) very glam. It was eventually decorated in all white with a "custom" chandelier made by my daughters!

I loved this hospitality basket I took to a host with round challah and honey sticks:

I styled this rustic table for "Rosh HaShanah" for a holiday symposium last year :

Each place-card was on a honey stick with an individual challah napkin ring, while blessing cards on cut-out apples reminded guest of the prayers for apples and honey!

Fall Flowers placed in Cornucopias remind me of the shape of shofars:

While I fill out forms and pack supplies, I am dreaming of crisp days, sweet apples, and tradition!

Linking up with best of the weekend!

A lemonade date!

I will still be back with N's party pics from last Sunday; it was great and I can't wait to share! In the meantime, we are all about back-to-school prep around these parts (including one fantastic PTO Bake Sale and Lemonade Stand). It was so fun and "delicious" to be back at school with friends!

Yep, the oldest idea in school fundraising is new again! We had bags of homemade baked goods and lemonade all for a dollar each. Of course, my job was to style the stand. Most moms brought their items already packed in adorable bags. All in all I think it was precious!

Real Kid Product Review: Balloon Bonanza

Today we are back with my oldest daughter N (who just turned ten and had a fabulous foam party--plenty of pics to come).

If you're wondering how Balloon Bonanza works, I will tell you. Balloon bonanza allows you to blow up 40 balloons at once, and you don't even have to seal them. You get three bunches of balloons with 40 balloons each. So that's 120 balloons!!

The cool thing was that you could fill a large number of ballons at one time, which was a big time-saver. However, you have to use the balloons within 10 minutes, and the seal does not work too well. Just a slight squeeze will break the seal. They didn't fill up with enough water either. The item was 10 dollars, which is a little expensive for the balloons that don't work.

The balloon fight was fun, but I wouldn't buy this product again.

8 year old guest blogger and Ninja Dolls!

As you may know I have been struggling with balancing blogging along with my new work schedule and family time (plus summer is just kicking my tush)! Today, I am making blogging into a little family project. A is here to show you how to make Ninja Dolls. She has made a whole family of these little dolls this summer, and they are as fun to make as they are to play with. Without further adieu, here she is:

Hi, I am happy to be here today. To make the Ninjas, gather your materials. You will need a wooden bead, a marker, some regular beads, 3 pipe cleaners and straws cut into eight pieces (four should be slightly longer):

Begin by taking two pipe cleaners and crossing them in an "x." Then, begin twisting those over each other like this:

Now take another pipe cleaner (mine is purple), fold it over the center of the twisted cleaners to form the stomach--twist it right above the swirl of the other pipe cleaners:

Now draw a face on your wooden bead with your marker:


Then slide four regular beads on the arms and legs:


Ten slide the shorter straw pieces on the arms and legs:


Next slide a bead on each arm and leg to form elbows and knees:

Bend the pipe cleaners to form feet and hands:


Now you are ready to slide on the head:


Style your hair as you choose. I did mine by bending mine backwards :


And your Ninja is finished and ready to play!


I had fun blogging with you!
XO,
A

Kind of a Big Deal!

I have an acquaintance who is a crafter and blogger just like me. Except for she isn't just like me because she's kind of a big deal!

Several years ago she created one of her many crafts (just like me), people started asking about her crafts (just like what often happens to me), and she started selling them (like I always mean to do). And that is where our roads diverge. She started selling this craft (a party supply) like hot cakes. They started appearing in magazine styling. Queen Martha even took notice. Celebrities began styling events using her crafts. West Elm and Pottery Barn sell her craft (which is now handmade in a studio she oversees using a patented process). See, she is kind of a big deal!

To top it all off, her crafts are now on the cover of a major magazine--not as an accessory, but as the main event. She is throwing herself a launch party that I suspect will be fabulous!! I never in a million years would have thought I'd be invited (as I said, we are acquaintances more than friends, though I do adore her). One of our mutual friends mentioned the party to me. Side note: I get my feelings hurt all the time over not being invited places, but truly didn't think twice about not being on this guest list (other than I knew it would be an awesome shindig). My friend, however, must have thought my feelings were hurt. She arranged an invitation for me. I was so embarrassed when the invite arrived. I was not sure if it would be better or worse to decline a pity invitation! I have decided to go, but actually had other plans, so I am just popping in.

I am actually thrilled to celebrate my big deal "acquaintance-friend"! I am taking her this fun little gift that I made using my silhouette on a frame from my beloved Homegoods. She is a big deal, but she is still a crafter at heart just like little ole me, and I think she will love it!

Surf's Up (and a Disclaimer)

If you are my friend IRL, here is an important disclaimer: When A was at camp, she had the option of staying past her birthday. When she opted to come home after a week, I frantically hand-delivered invitations. I accidentally missed someone--a friend who was already hurt that her child was excluded by others. It was not intentional in our case. I want to apologize, but I also don't want to open a wound if you are blissfully unaware. If you see this, you will know who you are. Please know that I am so, so sorry. Here is an invitation you would have gotten if I weren't a fool:

Other than the oops above, my sweet baby just had the easiest birthday party ever! You may recall that she wanted an Oregon Trail theme. For the first time ever, I was truly stumped. As I pondered what one earth I could do, inspiration struck. When Teen Beach Movie came out two years ago, Sweet Baby girl A became obsessed with surfing. I knew that by her birthday the new Teen Beach Movie Two would be out and that would possibly renew her interest in surfing. So, I called a local fitness facility that offers Surf-Set (google it-- it is amaze-balls). I tentatively asked if they would do a kid party. To my surprise not only do they do it, they do it well, with all the cute little details that I normally do myself. All I had to do was make invitations, deliver them (sort of a failed at that) and show up.

Here are the adorable party details. Note the handmade banner and water station to hydrate after the workout!

They even made chose Applesauce in color theme and put in in a cute jar:

Can you believe they get these cupcakes from the local grocer?!

First up, was the girls' surf lesson:

Next were crafts--- they made surf ninjas and beach bracelets: