Month: November 2020

Westchester Weekly {November 25}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Check out this week’s edition of Westchester Weekly to find out where to eat, shop and play in Westchester County this week:

Eat:

Bona Bona Ice Cream Pop-Up at the Westchester Mall – (White Plains) This pop-up opened November 21st. You can enjoy Bona Bona’s signature meringue topped ice cream treats while you do your holiday shopping! The pop-up is located across from the Lululemon store. They will be selling ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and pints.

PB Pizza and Beer at the Jefferson Valley Mall – (Yorktown Heights) Peekskill Brewery has opened up an extension of their Peekskill production facility at the JV Mall. Visit the new restaurant on Level 2. Enjoy their selection of beers as well as pizza, wings and more. You can dine in, take out or get delivery.

Shop:

American Christmas: (Mount Vernon) The well-known Christmas Display Company is having a warehouse sale open to the public for the first time! You can shop their Christmas decorations sale November 27, 28 and December 5 from 10 AM – 5 PM.

Auntie Liana’s Baked with Love and Vintage & Vine Pop-Up Shop at the Jefferson Valley Mall: (Yorktown Heights) Enjoy Auntie Liana’s cakeballs and buy Vintage & Vine’s antique arrangements filled with live succulents. This pop-up featuring woman-owned shops will be open November 21st – December 24th.

hOMe Beauty & Wellness: (Chappaqua) The owners of Cold Spring General have opened a new store in Chappaqua. hOMe Beauty & Wellness is a wellness studio and boutique selling all kinds of beauty, wellness, home and holiday gifts.

Makers Market at Makers Central: (Tarrytown) Saturday, November 28, 11 AM -5 PM. Do some holiday shopping at the Makers Central studio and support local. This will be a socially distant, COVID conscious event. Dress warmly, as it will be similar to an outdoor market.

Play:

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland: (Valhalla) This year’s Westchester’s Winter Wonderland will be a 1.2 mile drive-thru experience featuring lights and music. (November 27 – January 3) Tickets are $25/car and are for a selected date and time.

Upcoming Events:

Katonah Museum of Art Jewelry Show: (Katonah) This year’s show will be virtual, where you can purchase, “a diverse array of contemporary jewelry from a curated selection of artisans.” (December 1-4)

White Plains Holiday Market: (White Plains) This holiday pop up market will feature over 40 vendors. (December 3 – 13)

You may also enjoy reading:



Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide

1

Five on Friday {Quarantine is over!}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com
This post contains affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for additional info.

Happy Friday! Today my husband and son are finally out of quarantine! Yesterday was Dana’s birthday, which was also his last day of quarantine.  I took the day off from work today and we are going out for a belated birthday lunch date to celebrate.  Field Hockey season ended earlier this week, so no more early Saturday morning practices for my daughter (and us). This weekend I’m hoping to get our Christmas card picture taken.   Here are five from this week:

1. Author in the family – I received a special package in the mail Wednesday: a copy of the book that my dad wrote!  We have a published author in the family!  It’s an historical biography that he’s been researching and writing for years. It’s amazing to see it finally in print!

the queen’s gambit l to r anya taylor joy as beth harmon in episode 107 of the queen’s gambit cr phil braynetflix © 2020
Photo Credit: Phil Bray/Netflix

2. Watching – This week I watched the entire season of The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. It’s based on a book by Walter Tevis. I don’t play chess but really enjoyed the show!

3. Baking – This week I made pumpkin bloodies. I’m not over pumpkin quite yet! I also made this no-knead bread. The bread is made in a Dutch Oven and was really easy. Hot, freshly made bread is delicious!

4. Eating – This week we ordered a Grandma Pie from Stella’s.  

Dana made Carrot Dogs.  They surprisingly tasted like hot dogs!

And we loved these African Curry Quinoa Puffs from Aldi’s. They were so flavorful!

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5.Reading –  I am finishing up Anxious People by Frederick Backman.  It’s not my favorite book of his, (Beartown is definitely my fave!) but it’s enjoyable enough.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Monday I shared our Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide.

Wednesday I shared my Westchester Weekly post.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Westchester Weekly {November 18}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Check out this week’s edition of Westchester Weekly to find out where to eat, shop and play in Westchester County this week:

Eat/Drink:

Christopher’s by Chef Joe: (Larchmont) Enjoy lunch or dinner at this new restaurant in Larchmont. Christopher’s by Chef Joe opened at the beginning of November and serves steak, seafood, pasta and more.

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: (multiple locations) This is the last week of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. It is taking place until the 22nd. (Lunch $25.95, Dinner $35.95) Make your reservations now!

Meraki Taverna: (Armonk) This new Greek restaurant opened yesterday in Armonk. Head chef and owner, Mike Sarris is not new to the restaurant world, as he formerly owned and ran Elia Taverna in Bronxville and Yia Yia Taverna in Brooklyn.

Shop:

Clay Holiday Annual Sale: (Port Chester) Shop online or in-person, by appointment for the holidays. They have a variety of handmade products include decorative sculptures, mugs, serving pieces and more. Sale begins Saturday, November 21.

Play:

Hoe Down at PizZaZzles (Jefferson Valley Mall): (Yorktown Heights) Saturday, November 21st, 6:15 PM – 8:45 PM. A drop off event for children ages 4-10. Limited to 30 kids. $45/per child. Games, fun, fried chicken and cornbread and more. Register at: Jessica@pizzazzles.com.

Saturday Clay at Clay Arts Center: (Port Chester) Get introduced to clay at this class. Participants will be guided through themed handbuilding projects by professional ceramic artists. Pre-registration is required.
$25/person, ages 6+
Select Saturdays: November 21, December 5, December 19 (2 – 4 PM)

Other:

Holiday Clothing Drive: (Yorktown Heights) Clean out your closet and drop off any unused clothing at the Yorktown Love in Action Holiday Clothing Drive. Saturday, November 21st, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Curbside drop off.

Upcoming Events:

Katonah Museum of Art Jewelry Show: (Katonah) This year’s show will be virtual, where you can purchase, “a diverse array of contemporary jewelry from a curated selection of artisans.” (December 1-4)

Westchester Winter Wonderland: (Valhalla) This year’s Winter Wonderland will be a 1.2 mile drive-thru experience featuring lights and music. (November 27 – January 3)

White Plains Holiday Market: (White Plains) This holiday pop up market will feature over 40 vendors. (December 3 – 13)

You may also enjoy reading:

Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide

4

Five on Friday {Quarantine Edition}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com
This post contains affiliate links. Read our Disclosure Policy for additional info.

Happy Friday! This week has been a bit crazy and stressful for us. One of my son’s friends tested positive for COVID earlier in the week. Both my husband and son were in close contact with him and need to quarantine for two weeks. The friend, fortunately, has mild symptoms and is doing well. However, I didn’t realize how difficult quaranting could be! My husband has been relegated to the sofa to sleep. We moved my daughter’s stuff out of the kids’ bathroom and she is sharing my bathroom. When we are in the same space in the house as each other, we wear masks. COVID cases are increasing as seen in ALL the schools in our area. Sadly, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up and cooler weather where people have to be indoors, the cases are likely going to increase. Please stay safe everyone! With my husband and son still quaranting this weekend, I’m not sure what our plans are. The weather is getting cooler and it looks like it’s going to rain all day Sunday. So, we likely will not be outside very much. Here are five from this past week:

1.Day Date – Last weekend the weather was beautiful. My husband and I tried a new-to-us Filipino restaurant, Karederya in Nyack. We ordered takeout and then went to a local park and enjoyed a picnic with this amazing view.

This was our first time trying Filipino food, but it won’t be our last. Everything, including this Pancit Bihon with mushrooms and crispy tofu was delicious!

2. Aldi’s – Do you have an Aldi’s near you? Our nearest Aldi’s is about a half hour drive, but we love shopping there. I hear they have several Advent calendars including a cheese one, a wine one, a beer one and even a coffee one! Last weekend when we stopped in, I didn’t see any of them (FYI – sadly ,NY Aldi’s stores don’t sell alcohol). But I did buy myself this chocolate Advent calendar that I’m excited about! #itsthelittlethings

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3. Reading – I am almost finished reading The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. She is one of my favorite authors and I usually love everything I read by her. So far though, I’m not loving this one. It’s very well written though, as she always does a ton of research for her books.

Midori Francis as Lily and Austin Abrams as Dash in the Netflix show "Dash & Lily."
Photo Credit: Alison Cohen Rosa/Netflix

4. Watching – Wednesday, I had off for Veteran’s Day. It was cold and rainy so I did something I rarely do. I binge watched the entire season of Dash & Lily on Netflix! The series is only eight episodes. It’s based on the YA book Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan Rachel Cohn. It was a fun, cute holiday series!

5. Eating – Star Fruit. It looks cool and tastes a little tart and a little sweet.

Our favorite dinner of the week was Pinch of Yum’s Creamy Red Pepper Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes.

Bonus: Tuesday I shared my October reads. One of the books that I read and reviewed was Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey. I’m not sure how she found my post, but she commented on it! It was a great book and now I want to read all her other books!

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I shared my October 2020 Reads.

Wednesday I posted the newest edition of Westchester Weekly.

Sharing with Friday Favorites. Have a great weekend!

Westchester Weekly {November 11th}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Check out this week’s edition of Westchester Weekly to find out where to eat, shop and play in Westchester County this week:

Eat/Drink:

Broccoli’s Luncheonette: (Dobbs Ferry) Enjoy all kinds of sandwiches, salads and more at this newly opened lunch spot in Dobbs Ferry.

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: (multiple locations) Hudson Valley Restaurant Week begins Monday, November 9th and takes place through the 22nd. (Lunch $25.95, Dinner $35.95) Make your reservations now!

Shop:

American Christmas: (Mount Vernon) The well-known Christmas Display Company is having a warehouse sale open to the public for the first time! You can shop their Christmas decorations sale November 14, 15, 27, 28 and December 5 from 10 AM – 5 PM.

Apple Farm: (Peekskill) Apple Farm is having their grand opening celebration of their newest grocery store in Peekskill. The grand opening sale is taking place November 6 – November 13.

Bucko Shop: (Peekskill) This new clothing, gifts and home goods shop opens Saturday, November 14th in Peekskill.

Play:

Code Ninjas: (Mount Kisco) Code Ninjas is opening November 19th in Mount Kisco. November 11-November 17 they are holding open houses where families can tour the facilities and learn about their coding and robotics programs. Sign-ups for the open houses is required to limit the number of families at one time.

Exit 5 Live Music: (Katonah) Enjoy listening to the band Exit 5 play live in downtown Katonah. They will be playing their blend of classic rock, 80’s, 90’s, country, punk and R&B at the gazebo.
Saturday, November 14 at 3:30 PM

Virtual Cooking Classes with Zwillings Cooking Studio: $35/person
Friday, November 13: Virtual “Mexican Fiesta” (6 PM – 8 PM)
Saturday, November 14 : Virtual “Holiday Menu” (3 PM – 6 PM – $45/person)
Sunday, November 15: Virtual “Baking Basics for Kids” (1 PM – 3 PM)

YoFiFest: (Yonkers) The 8th Annual Yonkers Film Festival is taking place November 6 – 15. This year all of the films are available Virtual On Demand (VOD) with scheduled live talkbacks with the filmmakers. Check out the site for a listing of the films and live event schedule.

Upcoming Events:

Katonah Museum of Art Jewelry Show: (Katonah) This year’s show will be virtual, where you can purchase, “a diverse array of contemporary jewelry from a curated selection of artisans.” (December 1-4)

Westchester Winter Wonderland: (Valhalla) This year’s Winter Wonderland will be a 1.2 mile drive-thru experience featuring lights and music. (November 27 – January 3)

White Plains Holiday Market: (White Plains) This holiday pop up market will feature over 40 vendors. (December 3 – 13)

31

October 2020 Reads

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com
This post contains affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for additional info.

Another month has flown by. My reading has continued to slow down, but I think part of the problem is that I haven’t been reading very good books. Most of my books this month were 3 star, “okay” reads. We are almost half-way through November and I am going to continue my tradition of reading some holiday books over the next month and a half! These will hopefully be light, quick, enjoyable reads! I’m sharing my October 2020 reads with Steph and Jana’s monthly Show Us Your Books linkup.

3 Stars

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Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel – (Mystery/Thriller – March 2020) – A twisted mother/daughter relationship resulting in a dark and disturbing read. I honestly couldn’t decide who was crazier!

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Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – (Contemporary Romance – November 2019) A cute romance book about a chronically ill nerd and a red-headed apartment super/artist. I found the couple to be so awkwardly cute. A fun, light read.

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Whisper Network by Chandler Baker – (Contemporary/Mystery -July 2019) A group of women working in corporate America take a stand when one of their male colleagues will likely become the next CEO. This book is a mixture of the #metoo movement and a mystery. However, I found it to be a very slow read.

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You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkaner – (Mystery/Thriller – March 2020) A lonely girl witnesses a suicide. Then she meets sisters who befriend her and help her turn her life around. But is it too good to be true?

4 Stars

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Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey – (Contemporary Romance – April 2020) – Two strangers end up helping each other out and forming a deep friendship. With likable characters, this was a fun, light read.

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Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy – (Thriller/Mystery – October 2020) A newlywed couple move from the city to upstate NY. The The husband, a therapist sees his patients in the perfect office, in the basement of the house. He doesn’t know that a vent in the ceiling allows everything that is said to be heard in the house. Then one stormy night, he ends up disappearing. This thriller had lots of twists that made for an enjoyable read.

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One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London – (Contemporary Romance – July 2020) A plus-sized fashion blogger becomes the next star of a Bachelorette-esque show. Are the guys there for the “right reason” and can she find love? As a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette series, I found this to be a fun read.

You may also enjoy reading:

September Reads 2020

August Reads 2020

2

Five on Friday {All the leaves are brown….}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com
This post contains affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for additional info.

Happy Friday! Since we turned the clocks back last weekend and it gets dark at 5 PM, I’m all about getting into my PJs when I come home from work! It’s all about the cozy for me. Sadly, all the leaves are falling off the trees and the ones that are left are turning brown…..winter is coming! However, we are currently experiencing 68 degree temps, that are continuing into the weekend, so I am NOT complaining! This has been a very stressful week with the election. I don’t like talking politics on social media and my blog. However, the anxiety has been high this week! Here are five from this week:

1.Halloween – Halloween was almost non-existent for us this year. My 12 and 14-year old are getting too old for trick-or-treating. My son didn’t even want a costume this year! He went to his friend’s house and hung out for the evening. My daughter, barely got dressed up as a bunny and went to a friend’s get-together. There were no trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood. So, while waiting to do child pick-up duty, Dana and I ate homemade pizza and watched the Great British Baking Show!

2. Spirit Week – Last week was spirit week at work. From wearing pink for breast cancer month, to crazy sock day and Halloween costumes, each day was something different. It was a lot of much needed fun in the office. I didn’t even take a picture of me in my “deer” headband costume! Some of us brought candy for our colleagues to “trick-or-treat” around the office. However, one of my colleagues was handing out these tea and biscotti treats. I thought it was such a unique and fun adult treat, instead of candy.

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3. Watching – This weekend I watched Holidate on Netflix. It was a cute, mindless movie. I also finally finished season 1 of Emily in Paris. Dana and I visited Paris years ago, pre-kids, in February. It was pretty cold. Watching Emily in Paris has made me want to go back in the spring or summer!

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4. Reading – I am finishing up reading Followers by Megan Angelo. It’s about the future of social media with a sci-fi angle. I’m not loving it and think I should have stopped reading it awhile ago. However, I’m too invested now, so I’ll hopefully finish it this week. Up next I have Jodi Picoult’s new book, The Book of Two Ways, which I’m excited to read.

5. Eating – We tried a new-to-us Ethiopian restaurant, Lalibela over the weekend. We enjoyed an avocado salad arepas, a cheese empanada and this vegeterian/vegan sampler platter. You eat with your hands using the injera (flatbread) to scoop up the different dishes. It was sooo good!

I made one of our go-to dinners again this week, Sheet pan Cauliflower Fajitas.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Wednesday I shared this week’s Westchester Weekly.

Sharing with Friday Favorites. Have a great weekend!

Westchester Weekly {November 4}

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Check out this week’s edition of Westchester Weekly to find out where to eat, shop and play in Westchester County this week:

Eat/Drink:
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: (multiple locations) Hudson Valley Restaurant Week begins Monday, November 9th and takes place through the 22nd. (Lunch $25.95, Dinner $35.95) Make your reservations now!

Second Mouse Cheese Shop: (Pleasantville)
Wednesday, November 11th: Zoom! Cheese 101 Online: Join owner Ivy for an evening of cheese sampling and wine pairings. 7 PM – 8:30 PM (online). Your ticket includes cheese and adult beverages. You must pick up your Cheese 101 kit between 3-5:30 PM on the day of the event. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the event. ($40/ticket (alcohol-free), $50/ticket (incudes wine).

Shop:

Apple Farm: (Peekskill) Apple Farm is having their grand opening celebration of their newest grocery store in Peekskill. The grand opening sale is taking place November 6 – November 13.

Greenburgh Nature Center Holiday Market (11/7): (Scarsdale) Taking place Saturday, November 7, 10 AM – 3 PM (rain date, Sunday, November 8). Enjoy shopping at this outdoor arts & crafts market, featuring local vendors and artists. Members: $5, Non-Members: $10. Pre-registration required.

La Petite Occasion: Toffee season started October 29th and La Petite Occasion’s 7-day promotion of 25% off all online toffee orders ends today! You can enjoy the 25% off savings with a future delivery date of up to 2 months.

Play:

A Maze In Pottery: (Briarcliff Manor)
Friday, November 6: Sip’n’Paint Fall Mandala Class: Sip wine while you paint a Fall Mandala Platter. Ages 21+, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday, November 7: Vintage Trucks & Christmas Trees: Reserve a spot and preorder your a Christmas tree or Christmas truck to paint at the studio or in your home. 10 AM – 6 PM.

Virtual Cooking Classes with Zwillings Cooking Studio: $35/person
Friday, November 6: Virtual “Steakhouse Menu” (6 PM – 8 PM)
Saturday, November 7 : Virtual “Kids Baking & Desserts #1” (12 PM – 2 PM)
Sunday, November 8: Virtual “Family Time” Home Made Pasta (4 PM – 6 PM)

YoFiFest: (Yonkers) The 8th Annual Yonkers Film Festival is taking place November 6 – 15. This year all of the films are available Virtual On Demand (VOD) with scheduled live talkbacks with the filmmakers. Check out the site for a listing of the films and live event schedule.

Yorktown Fall Farm Weekend: (Yorktown) The weekend of November 7th & 8th, the town of Yorktown is holding its first Fall Farm Weekend. Eight local farms are part of this weekend. Visitors will get a chance to learn more about the goods these local farms produce, while enjoying some outdoor time.