sakura

Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Would love to see them in person some day. Doesn't it look like snow covered trees?

Nothing like a vacation

Time with family, no dishes or laundry to do. Spent time getting to know these beautiful creatures too. 

Great way to tell if a movie is suitable for your kids in your opinion

A lot of fun summer movies are coming out but how do you determine if  you think they are suitable for your children. You know how some PG movies are just fine and you are comfortable with your kids seeing them but another movie, also rated PG has content you are just not happy with:

Check out this site: http://www.kids-in-mind.com

 They list every instance of violence/gore, sex/nudity, and profanity so you can decide what you find acceptable or not. They don't review movies until they are already out so of you like to go on opening night you're out-of-luck. 

Easy treat to make for the 4th of July

This was an easy and tasty treat to make to bring to a Fourth of July BBQ. Pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate with red, white, and blue sprinkles. My photos aren't as good as my favorite blog with recipes (thepioneerwoman.com) but here goes:

1 bag of white choc. chips

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

long pretzel rods (I used about 3/4 of a large plastic tub of them)

sprinkles

1. Cover cookies sheets with wax paper

2. Melt white chocolate chips with the oil in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. My pack of chips said to do 1 minute at 70% power and then stir. Then, if needed do 10 second increments and stir until smooth.

2. Dip the pretzels in the melted chocolate. Shake or drip off excess and wait a few seconds for it to just start to harden or not be drippy.

3. Sprinkle on the sprinkles (or jimmies for anyone in Boston). I tried a few methods and found using a spoon while holding the pretzel over a bowl or plate the easiest way..

4. Put the pretzel on the wax paper. 

5. Once tray is covered put it in the fridge until hardened.

Yum!

Thirsty Thursday

So OK Port Washington natives...have you heard of Thirsty Thursdays? Well, I was lucky enough to go on my friend's yacht. They call it a boat, but at 42.9 feet--that's a yacht. Anyway it was a beautiful breezy evening for a sail. 

We got to watch a Thursday evening tradition. People from all the yacht clubs meet up in the bay and race. It was so fun to wave to everyone as we sailed around, eating tasty treats, have wonderful conversations, and just enjoying the evening. The company was great and our captains were gracious hosts. Too bad I didn't have my camera to take a photo of the sunset.

There is just something so calming about being on the water. I could never live somewhere without it.

Something to do on a date in NYC --fun, romantic, educational, and tasty

At Sunset on a day like today:

• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from NYC to Brooklyn-- that's the fun (and healthy) part
• Read the plaques about the history of the bridge if you want the educational part
• Gaze adoringly in each other's eyes or at the beautiful sunset if you want the romantic part
• At the end of the bridge, turn right and walk down and around to Grimaldi's for a delicious slide of thin-crust pizza: http://www.grimaldis.com
• Take the subway back (or a ferry) if you don't feel like walking back
  

I recommend it!

One of the most beautiful places on earth

I was lucky enough to go to Hawaii last summer with a handsome gentleman no less. It truly is a place that is good for anything that ails you.