December 2016 - NY Foodie Family

Five on Friday {Recuperating From the Holidays!}

Posted on December 30, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hanukkah! I am still recuperating from the holidays. It was a whirlwind weekend and Tuesday I ended up sick with flu-like symptoms. I’m still not one hundred percent, but I’m feeling a lot better than I was earlier this week. It also didn’t help that we spent the entire day Wednesday down in the city. We were outside in the cold for most of the day but had a great day! However, my son has been sick the past couple of days as well now. I’m just glad it’s over the vacation when we have the time to relax and recuperate.

Before I share my five from this week, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year! I hope 2017 brings everyone joy and good health! We are planning our usual quiet night in with the kids, playing games and seeing if they make it to midnight! We also promised our son he’d finally be able to see Rogue One sometime this weekend! Now on to my five from this week:

29430007

1. Reading – It took me forever to finish Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks, but I finally finished it yesterday. I just started reading Home by Harlan Coben.

2. Watching – This week we watched Storks (or more like the kids watched it while I was sick, asleep on the couch next to them!). Before heading out Christmas Eve we watched the classic A Christmas Story with the kids. Neither my husband or I could remember if or when we had last seen this movie.

3. Eating – There was a LOT of eating being done this whole week! My cousin hosted Christmas eve and we ate homemade lasagna, meatballs and sausage. I hosted Christmas with both my family and my husband’s family. Since we don’t host Thanksgiving, we made a turkey with all the sides. And this time we got to enjoy the leftovers!

4. Christmas in NYC – Wednesday we went down to New York City. We have an annual tradition of going down to the city around the holidays to see the tree in Rockefeller Center. We also love seeing the city all decorated for the holidays. We are fortunate enough that the trip into the city is a train ride away. My son also loves getting to visit the Nintendo store after seeing the tree!

5. The Illusionists: Turn of the Century – We received TKTS gift certificates from my brother-in-law for Christmas. We had planned ages ago to go down to the city Wednesday to see the tree and go see a show. Unfortunately, since Matilda is closing Sunday, tickets were not available at the TKTS booth. We were able to get tickets to see The Illusionists. It was a great show, with the Clairvoyants being my favorite act. However, we were up at 6:30 AM and didn’t get home until 12:30 AM. It was a LONG day for everyone!

ICYMI, this week on the blog:
Tuesday I shared my favorite books of 2016 and linked up to the Show Us Your Books linkup.

Linking up with Tif, Andrea and April! Have a great weekend!

2016 Favorite Books

Posted on December 27, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Today I’m sharing my favorite books of 2016 in a special link up with Steph and Jana. Since this link up focuses on everyone’s favorite books of the year, I am really looking forward to adding to my never-ending to read list! Although I read over 100 books this year, (as of today, goodreads has me at 117 books read!) only 10 of them earned a 5 star rating. Several of them were rereads too! Here’s hoping that 2017 brings some better quality reading!

Five Star Reads of 2016 (listed in order read):

November 9 by Colleen Hoover – Colleen Hoover has come to be a favorite author. Her books are New Adult romance books and aren’t for everyone. However, I’m a big fan. It doesn’t happen often but this book made me cry.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin – My “one word” for 2016 was “happy” and this book just seemed fitting to read. I first read this book in 2012 but decided to do a re-read this year. It’s still a five star book after the second reading.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling – These were rereads for me. This time I listened to the audiobooks with my son. We started our reading of the series with book one in April of this year.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly – I love reading books about WWII and always end up learning something new. I had no idea that there were all female concentration camps and knew little of the experiments that they conducted on prisoners As sad as this book was, it was also enlightening.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – This is a YA historical fiction book. It focuses on the Soviet takeover of Lithuania during WWII, which I hadn’t known about. Hopefully I will read more of Sepetys’ books this upcoming year.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K Rowling and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling – After reading books three and four of the Harry Potter series this year, our reading has sadly come to a halt. With the start of school and my son being busy with a bunch of different activities we haven’t had much time to sit and read the books together or listen to them in the car. We are half-way through book five though and I hope to start up again in 2017 so we can finish the series (I never read the last two books) and go to Harry Potter World!

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover – Another Colleen Hoover book. Heartbreaking and emotional = my kind of book.

The Choices we Make by Karma Brown – This book dealt with issues of friendship and infertility and tough choices. This was another emotional book that had me crying!

What were your favorite books of 2016?

What Light {25 Books of Christmas Day 25}

Posted on December 25, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

What Light by Jay Asher

What Light by Jay Asher
Published by: Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse), October 18, 2016
Genre: Christmas, Young Adult
Pages: 272 (hardcover)
Price: $18.99
Source: borrowed from library

From Penguin RandomHouse:

Review: We made it! The 25th book in my 25 Books of Christmas!

Sierra lives two lives. Most of the time she lives in Oregon on her family’s Christmas tree farm. She has her best friends Elizabeth and Rachel and attends a regular high school. From Thanksgiving until Christmas she travels to California and helps sell Christmas trees on her family’s lot. She has her best friend Heather and participates in online classes, when she’s not busy working at the tree lot.

This year, while working the tree lot she meets Caleb. While her dad has a rule about her not dating any of the workers, who are mostly from the high school baseball team, Caleb doesn’t work on the lot. He’s a waiter at a local diner. He collects his tips and purchases Christmas trees for families who visit the local food pantry and would like real trees but can’t afford them. While Caleb has a kind and generous heart he also has a disturbing past. He made a mistake years ago that is still haunting him. Not everyone’s convinced that he’s changed. Sierra has to figure out if Caleb has really changed and if their relationship is worth the long distance.

I read Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why over five years ago and loved it. Although it dealt with a dark topic I thought it was written well. What Light is a much lighter, but enjoyable read. This book deal with the angst of first loves and navigating relationships (friendships, family, dating) while also capturing the spirit and festivities of Christmas. Without giving spoilers away, I think that Caleb’s mistake was a little far-fetched. However, the effects of it play a huge part of the plot line in his story.

I think that this is a great holiday read for teens. While it is a YA book, the subject matter and language are tame enough for older middle school readers. There were not many Christmas themed holiday reads for teens published this year. While this book is not technically classified as a “Christmas” book, the setting and holiday celebrations qualify it as a holiday read to me!

Overall Rating: Recommended Read

The ABCs of Christmas {25 Books of Christmas Day 24}

Posted on December 24, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

The ABCs of Christmas by Jill Howarth
Pictures By: Jill Howarth
Published by: Running Press, September 27, 2016
Genre: Board Book, Christmas
Pages: 26
Price: $7.95
Source: read in-store

From Running Press:

LEARN the ALPHABET and DECK the HALLS!
Spread the joy of Christmas with this sparkly board book that features clever word associations and delightfully festive illustrations.

Review: I know I didn’t get to feature many board books and books for young readers in the 25 Books of Christmas. But here’s another! In the ABCs of Christmas each letter of the alphabet is featured on a page with rhyming text. The vintage illustrations give this book an old time, classic feel. Glitter adorns each illustration and gives the pages texture. This is a colorful holiday read perfect for the youngest of readers!

Overall Rating: Optional Read

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present {25 Books of Christmas Day 23}

Posted on December 23, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present by Harriet Muncaster

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present by Harriet Muncaster
Illustrated by: Harriet Muncaster
Published by: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse), October 18, 2016
Genre: Children’s Picture Books, Christmas
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin RandomHouse:

The Night Before Christmas meets Thumbelina in a toy-filled tale that celebrates the excitement and magic of the holiday season.

Clementine is a teeny-tiny girl who lives with her average-sized family. It’s mostly fun being the smallest, but Christmas can be tricky. Santa brings beautiful toys, but they are too big for this little girl.

Every year, Clementine tries to tell Santa she’s small. But the cookies she ices with a message to Santa are eaten, and the words she stamps out on the roof are covered by fresh snow. It’ll take a whole lot of Christmas spirit for Clementine to find the right way to reach Santa—and when she does, she just might get the toy of her dreams!

Harriet Muncaster’s whimsical illustrations shine in this celebration of creativity, gratitude, and the magic of Christmas.

Review: Clementine is the smallest girl in the world. She enjoys being tiny, but not at Christmas when Santa delivers toys that are way too big for her to enjoy. Each Christmas, she tries to leave a message for Santa to let him know about her size. However, her attempts are unintentionally sabotaged and Santa never receives her notes. This year, her family helps come up with a plan to get the message to Santa. Will they be successful?

This book cover has glitter lettering and the story is accompanied with colorful illustrations that will appeal to readers. Overall, this was a cute story. Clementine doesn’t seem to be concerned about being different, except that she can’t enjoy the presents, as intended, that Santa gives to her. (She is pretty creative in having fun with them!) As an adult, the one question I have is how does Santa not know about Clementine’s size?!! He “sees you when you’re sleeping…” and he “knows if you’ve been good or bad….” I read this to my eight year-old-son who didn’t pick up on this. Besides that concern, this was an enjoyable holiday read.

Overall Rating: Optional Read

Five on Friday {Happy Holidays!}

Posted on December 23, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

An early Happy Holidays everyone! This has been a crazy last week before the holidays. Lots of last minute gift shopping, a band concert and gift giving! But we made it! The kids are super excited about Christmas. Tomorrow we head to my cousin’s house for Christmas eve. Then Sunday we host Christmas day with both sets of parents, brothers and my husband’s aunt and uncle. It will be an enjoyable day with family and good food. Although my husband is part Jewish, we won’t be celebrating Hanukkah until later in the week. We will light the menorah and probably make some latkes to celebrate. Here are five from this week:

29093326

1. Reading – I am currently finishing up What Light by Jay Asher. This will be my last book reviewed for my 25 Books of Christmas and will be posted on Christmas. Next up will be Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks that just came in from the library.

2. Watching – All the Christmas movies! Last weekend we watched Elf (we watch this movie EVERY year!) and Deck the Halls. This week we will be watching A Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

3. Eating – Nothing very exciting this week. I know that this weekend (and next week!) will be filled with lots of good eats! So, I was trying to be good this week! Dinner still needs to be made every night though and last night I made this Cajun Chicken Pasta.

4. Family Fun – Last Sunday we went to Holidays on the Hill at Lasdon Park & Arboretum. They had a train display and light display. This is a local county owned park near our house that my husband and I both asked each other, “Why haven’t we been here before?!” We expect to make more visits, especially when the weather gets warmer and we can see the gardens!

5. Gift Receiving – I am a contributor to the Westchester County Mom’s Blog. We had a “Secret Spoiler” exchange and I received a Bath & Body Works foaming soap and candle. I love Bath & Body Works and the frosted cranberry scent is perfect for Christmas and winter!

ICYMI this week on the blog:
Monday I shared our weekly meal plan as well as a review of A Fairy’s Gift.
Tuesday I reviewed Three Christmas Wishes.
Wednesday I shared our family’s Winter Bucket List and reviewed Young Scrooge.
Thursday I reviewed The Lost Gift.

Linking up with Tif, Andrea and April. Have a great weekend and a Happy Hanukkah and/or Merry Christmas!

The Lost Gift: A Christmas Story {25 Books of Christmas Day 22}

Posted on December 22, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

The Lost Gift by Kallie George

The Lost Gift: A Christmas Story by Kallie George
Illustrated by: Stephanie Graegin
Published by: Schwartz & Wade (an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse), October 18, 2016
Genre: Children’s Picture Books, Christmas
Pages: 40
Price: $17.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From Penguin RandomHouse:

In this charming Christmas-themed picture book that feels like a classic, four animals deliver a lost package for Santa.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Bird, Rabbit, Deer, and Squirrel are eagerly waiting for Santa to fly overhead. When he does, a gift tumbles out of his sleigh, landing in the woods. The friends find the gift and read the tag: “For the new baby at the farm. Love, Santa.” And so, in spite of Squirrel’s grumbling—“It’s not our baby”—they set off on a long journey to deliver it. Sweet, poignant, and starring a cast of truly adorable characters, this is a story sure to be shared year after year at Christmastime.

Review: Four animal friends stand on a hill, looking up at the sky waiting to see Santa. As they watch him fly by the see a present fall out of his sleigh. They sit and wait for Santa to come back and get it, but after waiting for awhile, they realize that he won’t be back. Rabbit convinces the other animals to help find the present and then deliver it to its intended recipient, “the New Baby at the Farm.” The four friends work together to build a sleigh to help transport the present. After finally delivering the present and returning home they discover that Santa has left them a special gift.

This was a cute holiday read! Young children will enjoy the animal characters and colorful pictures. Older children will hopefully appreciate the themes of friendship, cooperation and perseverance.

Overall Rating: Recommended Read

Young Scrooge {25 Books of Christmas Day 21}

Posted on December 21, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R.L. Stine
Published by: Feiwel and Friends (an imprint of macmillan), September 13, 2016
Genre: Children’s Middle Grade Fiction, Christmas
Pages: 192
Price: $16.99
Source: borrowed from the library

From macmillan:

A funny, scary middle-grade send up of A Christmas Carol, about a boy who hates Christmas, from bestselling Goosebumps author R. L. Stine.

Rick Scroogeman hates Christmas. He can’t stand the carols and the pageants. He can’t stand the lights and the mistletoe. But what he hates the most is having to watch the old movie A Christmas Carol every year at school. Since his name is Scroogeman, all of his classmates start calling him Scrooge. And he hates being called Scrooge.

But everything starts to change when three ghosts visit him. At first, he thinks it’s a dream. But then he realizes that it might be a nightmare. A nightmare that could become real.

Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story is a mashup of holiday and horror, a perfect novel for middle grade readers who like their Christmas stories with a side of spooky.

Review: Rick Scroogeman is a twelve year-old bully. He picks on the other kids in his class and is just downright mean. He hates Christmas because December 25th is also his birthday. He is bitter that his birthday never gets celebrated. After getting revenge on his classmates and ruining the Christmas play Rick is taught a lesson. The one thing that he is afraid of is ghosts. In a retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol, Rick is visited by ghosts and taken on a journey to learn from his bad behavior.

My daughter has read several R.L. Stine books and enjoys them. The books are targeted towards older elementary and middle school readers. While this book wasn’t scary, it does feature ghosts, which may be scary to some readers.

Overall Review: Optional Read

NY Foodie Family’s Winter Bucket List

Posted on December 21, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Today is the official first day of winter and boy does it feel like it here in New York! So I thought today would be appropriate to share our family’s winter bucket list. We haven’t created a seasonal bucket list in awhile. However, there are some things that we’ve been wanting to do for awhile. Why a bucket list? Because having something written down makes us more likely to do it. When we create a bucket list, each family member chooses one seasonally appropriate activity that he or she would like to do. We then have three months to try to complete the activities. Although we try to have more than four family fun experiences during the winter, we only commit to the four bucket list items. Two kids means two busy activity schedules. Plus, winter means unpredictable and sometimes bad weather. Here is a look at our 2016 family winter bucket list:

Me: I would like to go snow tubing. I don’t mean sleigh riding down the hill at our local school. I mean visit a ski resort and go tubing down the big hills! The kind of tubing where they have a lift to help carry the tube back up the hill! I even bought snow pants for myself last winter thinking we’d go….but we never went. So, it’s on the list which means we are doing it!

Husband: My husband would like to go to local ice hockey game. Although my son likes to play NHL ’16 on the Xbox, neither of the kids have ever seen an ice hockey game before. We will most likely go see a game at West Point, which is close to home.

Daughter (age 10): My daughter’s bucket list activity is to go see Matilda on Broadway. This is probably our first bucket list item since the show is closing after the January 1, 2017 performance. We are hoping to go next week during their holiday break.

Son (age 8): My son’s bucket list item is going to a basketball game. We seem to have a sports theme this year! My son has been playing basketball for four years now through our local recreation department and he loves it. He’d like to see the professionals play. While I’m not ready to shell out $75+ per ticket for us to attend a professional basketball game, I’m happy to go to the Westchester County Center. The venue is close to home and much more affordable!

Three Christmas Wishes {25 Books of Christmas Day 20}

Posted on December 20, 2016 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Three Christmas Wishes

Three Christmas Wishes by Sheila Roberts
Published by: MIRA (an imprint of Harlequin), October 18, 2016
Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 376 (mass market paperback)
Price: $7.99
Source: borrowed from library

From Harlequin:

Three friends, three wishes—one Christmas!

When three friends visit a shopping-mall Santa on a lark, the jolly old elf is full of mysterious predictions about the thing they’re all wishing for: the perfect man. Or at least men who are perfect for them.

Riley Erickson’s fiancé turned out to be a dud, dumping her for her bridesmaid three weeks before the wedding. But Santa says that she’s soon going to meet her ideal man in a memorable way.

And he predicts that a new man is about to come into Jo’s life. What on earth does that mean? She’s pregnant and already has her hands full with the perfectly stubborn husband she’s got.

Noel has given up completely on ever finding her perfect match. But apparently Noel is going to get a good man to go with that house she’s trying desperately to buy.

These friends are about to discover that Christmas wishes can come true, because in spite of romantic setbacks and derailed dreams, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Review: Three weeks before Riley’s wedding her fiance calls things off. To make matters worse, he dumps her for one of her close friends and colleagues. Her sister Jo is pregnant and due any day. Unfortunately, Jo’s husband is a sailor and won’t be around for her baby’s birth. Jo wishes he had a job where he wasn’t gone for three months at a time and is unsure if she wants her child raised with a dad who’s not always around. Riley’s best friend Noel is a children’s author and illustrator. She’s renting the house she’s living in, until her landlord ends up selling it to someone else. The three women decide to take a trip to the mall to get a picture with Santa. This Santa seems to know what all three women are wishing for….a perfect man. When taking the photo Santa makes predictions for the three of them. They later discover that Santa’s predictions may have come true, just not the way that they were expecting!

I did not realize what a prolific writer Sheila Roberts was! Three Christmas Wishes was the first book I read of hers but it surely won’t be the last! I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. Her writing reminds me of Debbie Macomber. This is not just because both write stories that take place in the Pacific Northwest, but they both pen contemporary romance stories with likable characters in small communities. This book was a heartwarming story with characters and issues that many readers can relate to. While this is a contemporary romance, I didn’t find it too sappy. Three Christmas Wishes was a perfect holiday read.

Overall Rating: Recommended Read