Westchester Weekly {December 30}

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

Eat:

Brothers Fish & Chips: (Ossining) They have a couple NYE preorder takeout specials that include surf & turf, lobster tostones, fish cakes and a paella mixta platter.

The Cookery: (Dobbs Ferry) The Cookery is offering New Year’s feasts to take out. They have several different entree choices with a variety of add-ons.

Meraki Taverna: (Armonk) This Greek restaurant is open for their normal dinner hours on New Year’s Eve and opens at 4 PM New Year’s Day. They are serving their regular menu.

Meso Mediterranean Cuisine – (Rye) This restaurant opened in Rye earlier in December. They are open New Year’s Eve and will be serving brunch January 1, 2021.

Modern on the Rails – (Mamaroneck) Modern on the Rails is ringing in the new year at 8 PM on New Year’s Eve. They are serving their regular dinner menu. Reservations are requested.

OKO – (Rye) This Japanese restaurant is open New Year’s Eve with seatings between 5 PM – 8:30 PM. Takeout is also available.

Tredici North – (Purchase) They are offering both indoor and outdoor seating, takeout and delivery for New Year’s Eve dinner.

Z Prime Italian Steakhouse: (White Plains) Z Prime is serving a 5 course dinner with beer, wine and soda for $225/person. There will also be live entertainment. Reservations with a deposit are needed.

Shop:

Beascakes Bakery: (Armonk) Starting today they have special New Year DIY cookie decorating kits.

Longford’s Ice Cream – (Rye) is selling mini sundae bars to go that serve up to 10.  Everything, from ice cream and four toppings to the cups, napkins and spoons, costs $35.

Play:

Amaze in Pottery (Briarcliff Manor) open this week for walk-ins and pottery to go.  Closed January 1.

The Cliffs – (Valhalla) Through tomorrow (12/31), The Cliffs is open from 10 AM – 6 PM for staff assisted climbs with free gear rentals. You need to book in advance.

Hudson River Museum – (Yonkers) Thursday (12/31) at 2 PM, enjoy a virtual family science project: Snowflakes in Spaaace! Registration is required for this free event.

In The Area:

Florrie Kaye’s Tea Room – (Carmel) Florrie Kaye’s Tea Room will be hosting a special New Year’s Day candlelight breakfast from 9 AM – 2 PM. There will be a special breakfast menu along with their regular menu. Reservations are required.

Snow Tubing in the Hudson Valley

Winter has arrived in the Hudson Valley. The temps are cold and we did have some snow at one point! Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can still enjoy some outdoor winter fun. Snow tubing is a fun activity that requires no special equipment or skills, just warm clothes!

We were planning on going snow tubing this past weekend, but the Christmas storm melted all the snow! We are going to hold off on going until we get more snow. However, most of these places make their own snow and are operating. As always, check directly with the location for up-to-date information. Here are some of the places we found where you can go snow tubing in the Hudson Valley.

Holiday Mountain (Monticello)
99 Holiday Mountain Road
Monticello, NY 12701
(845) 796-3161

Holiday Mountain snow tubing sessions sell out quickly. Be sure to call (845) 796-3161 to book your session. Snow tubers must be 44″ tall.

Cost: $20 for a 2 hour session. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (845) 796-3161.

Sessions: 2 hour sessions on Friday, Saturday, Sundays and holidays

Hunter Mountain (Hunter)
64 Klein Avenue
Hunter, NY 12442

Hunter Mountain has tubing lanes that are almost 1,000 feet long, the longest of any of the destinations listed. Children have to be at least 36″ to snow tube. Tickets have to be purchased 48 hours in advance of your intended date.

Cost: $25 for a single tube, available for any rider over 44″
$35 for a double tube, for an adult and child between 36″ and 44″

Sessions: 2 hour sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Mount Peter (Warwick)
51 Old Mount Peter Road
Warwick, NY
(845) 986-4940

Mount Peter has a multi-lane 600 foot snow tubing run with a carpet lift to get you to the top of the mountain. Riders must be at least 42″ tall to ride in a single tube. They have tandem tubes for those riders 36″ – 48″ that can ride with an adult. Online reservations/ticket purchasing is highly recommended. For children under 42″ tall, Mount Peter has a Little Tikes tubing hill.

We went snow tubing here several years ago and had a blast! You can read more about our experience.

Cost:
$35 for a 1.5 hour session weekends & holidays, $25 for the Little Tikes hill
$30 for a 1.5 hour session weekdays, $20 for the Little Tikes hill

Sessions: 1.5 hour sessions, Thursday – Sunday (check the website for sessions times)

Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury)
469 Plattekill Road
Roxbury, NY 12474
(607) 326-3500

Plattekill has two tubing lanes that are 500 feet long. A conveyor carpet lift to get you to the top of the mountain. Children have to be at least 3 feet tall to snow tube. Plattekill only has single tubes, but related parties can go tubing with the tubes together as conditions warrant.

Cost: $27 for a 2 hour session, $79 for a season snow tubing pass
Tickets must be purchased in advance online

Sessions: 2 hour sessions Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM – 5 PM

Windham Mountain (Windham)
360 County Route 12
Windham, NY 12496
(518) 734-4300

Windham Mountain has six, 650 foot snow tube lanes in their Adventure Park. Enjoy a conveyor ride up the mountain.

Cost: $25/person. At this time, reservations and pre purchasing tickets is not available. It is recommended that you call ahead to check availability.

Sessions: 3 hour sessions, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays

Westchester Weekly {December 23}

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

Eat:

Benjamin Steakhouse: (White Plains) The restaurant is offering a three course prix-fixe menu for $79.95 on Christmas. The menu is available for dine-in or takeout.

Risotto Restaurant: (Thornwood) Risotto officially reopened yesterday for dinner service. They are open this week from 4:30 PM – 10 PM, including Christmas Day.

Rory Dolan’s: (Yonkers) This restaurant is offering a 4 course Christmas dinner for $32.95/person. Open from 11 AM – 10 PM.

Sea Flame Restaurant: (Scarsdale) The restaurant is offering a four course dinner on December 24 and 25 for $79.95/person. Reservations only.

Whiskey River: (Peekskill) This restaurant is open on Christmas Day from 5- 10 PM for dinner and drinks.

Shop:

Branches of Beauty: (Scarsdale) This skincare boutique in Scarsdale provides facials, microblading, laser hair removal and so much more. They are currently offering a holiday promotion. When you purchase gift card of $100 or more, you receive another $25 gift card for yourself.

Double Barrel Roasters: (Yonkers) Buy their new limited edition holiday Cinnamon Chocolate Truffle flavored coffee. They also have limited quantities of their other holiday flavors like Candy Cane, Biscotti and Anisette. You can choose decaf or regular (caffeine). Orders are placed online via their website.

Play:

December 15, 2020 – January 4, 2021: (New Rochelle) Take a StoryWalk with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, the New Rochelle Library and the City of New Rochelle. Start at the New Rochelle Public Library’s Lawton Street Drop off/Pick up entrance windows. There you will find the first few pages of the classic children’s book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. A map shows where the next few pages of the book can be found. Enjoy this free, outdoor, socially distant family-friendly activity.

December 24 – December 31: City of Yonkers Jingle Jangle Virtual 5K (Yonkers) This is a free virtual 5K to get people active and to raise community awareness. The run can be done inside or out. Head to the site to print up your participant bib.

December 28 – December 30: Holi-Daze Mini Camps at Teatown (Ossining) Teatown is offering mini camps for children ages 4-12 from 1 PM – 3 PM. There’s a different theme each day (December – 28 Reptiles, December 29 – Mammals, December 30 – Raptors). 11 AM each day there’s a 30 minute zoom session with the Animal Ambassadors. In the afternoon, there will be exploration in the woods. Members: $120, Non-Members: $150, includes morning zoom session.

Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide

Upcoming Events:

January 2 – 31: Downtown White Plains Restaurant Week

January 25: Chappaqua School Foundation Virtual Dumpling Night with Dale Talde of Goosefeathers

Opening January 2021: Fusion Food Hall (Peekskill)

2

Five on Friday {Walking in a Winter Wonderland}

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Happy Friday! Did anyone else get hit with Winter Storm Gail?! Yesterday the kids and I enjoyed a snow day! It was nice to have a day off from school and work! Although I hate shoveling and the cold, it sure is pretty! This weekend is a busy one with our Supper Club cookie exchange, a virtual holiday party/White Elephant gift exchange and then a trip to the NYBG train show! I hope everyone has a great weekend! Here are five from this week:

1.Cooking – Last weekend I baked sugar cookies and the kids helped decorate them. Yes, due to poor planning on my part, we may have only had Valentine’s Day sprinkles! LOL!

Sunday night we celebrated Hanukkah, with a delicious dinner of homemade latkes and noodle kugel and matzo ball soup (from a box mix).

My husband made homemade jelly donuts too!

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2. Reading – This week I finished Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. I rated this book 3 stars but it was more like 2.5 stars. I don’t want to give spoilers but let’s just say that I hated the ending.

The year is technically not over yet and I hope to finish a couple of more books. But I like the infographic that goodreads created!

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3. Watching – This past week we watched Prom on Netflix. It’s the movie of the Broadway musical, which we had not seen. It has a great cast including Meryl Streep, James Corden, Kerry Washington and Nicole Kidman. My kids enjoyed it too, although they said there was way too much singing! LOL!

4. Eating – Chinese Food. Chinese is probably my favorite takeout. Plus, I love a night off from cooking! Dinner and movie nights are a rare time for the family to enjoy doing something all together at home!

5. Snow Day – Yesterday, in between shoveling snow, I made a snow angel!

Then I spent a good amount of time on the couch drinking hot cocoa (White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bomb from Jane Street Sweets) and reading In a Holidaze.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Monday I shared where to buy DIY Cookie Decorating Kits in Westchester County.

Wednesday I posted the newest edition of Westchester Weekly.

Sharing with Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!

Westchester Weekly {December 16}

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

Eat:

December 18th – 20th: 4 Bros Pizza: (New Rochelle) Grand opening weekend for this restaurant. Sunday, there will be music by Mixx Labs. The restaurant serves pizza, calzones, wings, pasta, sandwiches, salads and more.

Saturday, December 19th: Holiday Donut Pop-up at The Cookery (Dobbs Ferry) Pre-order your donuts and cocktails now for pickup on Saturday 10 AM – 3 PM.

Penny Lick Ice Cream Collaboration – Penny Lick Ice Cream teamed up with Jeanne Muchnick, food editor at LoHud, to create LoHud Lemon Bar. This ice cream is flavored with lemon and nilla wafers and is only available for a month, so get yours now!

Shop:

December 19 – 20: Holiday Market at Makers Central (Tarrytown) Shop at Makers Central last market of the year. Find handcrafted goods made by local artisans.

Amaze in Pottery:(Briarcliff Manor) has new paint your own pottery kits in the shop.

Phat Olive Oil: (Katonah) The shop has a 12 Days of Christmas Deals with a new deal each day. Stock up on oils, vinegars, dishes and more.

Where to Buy Hot Cocoa Bombs in Westchester County

Where to Buy DIY Cookie Decorating Kits in Westchester County

Play:

December 15, 2020 – January 4, 2021: (New Rochelle) Take a StoryWalk with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, the New Rochelle Library and the City of New Rochelle. Start at the New Rochelle Public Library’s Lawton Street Drop off/Pick up entrance windows. There you will find the first few pages of the classic children’s book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. A map shows where the next few pages of the book can be found. Enjoy this free, outdoor, socially distant family-friendly activity.

December 16 : Virtual Video Holiday Party: (online/Peekskill) Every Wednesday in December at 7 PM enjoy a Virtual Video Holiday Party with Cap’n Goodtimes Entertainment and Gleason’s. Order themed cocktails and food and snacks and you will get a link for the movie with your order.
Movies include:
December 16 – Gremlins
December 23 – Classic TV Specials (Rudolph, The Grinch and more)
December 30 – Trading Places

Monday, December 21: Nutcracker Party! at Breaking Ground Dance Center (Pleasantville) Little ones can enjoy a fun party that includes dance, games, crafts and a visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy. 1-3 PM for ages 3-4 and 4-6 PM for ages 5-6. Register online – $55/members, $65/non-members.

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

Hudson Valley Holiday Events

Upcoming Events:

December 24 – December 31: Jingle Jangle 5K (Yonkers)

December 28 – December 30: Holi-Daze Mini Camps at Teatown (Ossining)

You may also enjoy reading:

Hudson Valley Gift Guide

Cookie Decorating Kits {Where in Westchester?}

Cookie decorating is a fun, indoor holiday activity! It keeps the kids entertained and you end up with a tasty treat to enjoy! I am fortunate that my kids are old enough to help make sugar cookies which we recently did. However, making the cookie dough and then letting it chill, baking the cookies, making the icing and then finally getting to decorate the cookies takes a lot of time!

Here are some of the places in Westchester County where you can purchase DIY holiday cookie decorating kits. Everything is prepped, packaged and ready so you can immediately get to the fun part, decorating! Most of these businesses require you to preorder the kits. If you want them in time to do with the kids over the holiday break, get your orders in soon!
*Please check with the vendor directly for the most up-to-date prices and information.

Flour and Sun Bakery: (Pleasantville) Kits cost $15.00 and include 6 cookies (2 different shapes) with 2 tubs of royal icing and sprinkles.

Flowerbake by Angela: (Pelham) Flowerbake by Angela sells puzzle cookie decorating kits. You can purchase a baked cookie kit which includes an instruction sheet as well as all the cookies and icing, a dough kit – which includes a ball of cookie dough, cookie cutters, icing, parchment paper and instruction sheet or a cookie dough mix kit – which includes the sugar cookie mix, cookie cutters, icing, parchment paper and instruction sheet. Prices range between $35=$38. Available for pickup or delivery.

Mama Ingram Bakes: DIY Christmas cookie kits – $15 for 6 cookies or $30 for 12 cookies. Kits include cookies, icing and sprinkles.

Sugar Mama by Kim: (New Rochelle)
Kim sells DIY cookie kits that include 12 cookies, 3 bags of icing, a container of sprinkles and decorations for $35. She also sells Paint Your Own cookie kits. Each cookie is $6 each or 6 for $30. Orders are submitted via a form that can be found on her Facebook page.

Sugar & Sweets by Stacey (Yonkers)
Sugar & Sweets by Stacey is selling Winter themed cookie kits. They are $39 and includes 12 cookies, 3 icings, 6 popsicle sticks and 2-3 containers of sprinkles. There are 4 different themed kits to choose from: gingerbread men and women, snowflakes and snowmen, mittens, hats and penguins and ugly sweaters. They are also selling stencil cookie kits for $33. These kits include 6 cookies and 3 paint brushes. Orders can be picked up in Yonkers or delivered.

Wildly Cakes: (White Plains) Cookie kits are $35 and include 12 baked cookies in the shape of your choice, frosting to match the theme, sprinkles and directions. Orders must be placed one week in advance. Pickup in White Plains. Delivery is available for an additional fee on a first come, first serve basis.

Five on Friday {Ready for the Weekend!}

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Happy Friday! Is everyone else ready for the weekend too?! This weekend was busy with a LOT of errand running. I’m in charge of the fall product sales for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop. I had to pick up the troop’s orders and sort them so that parents could come pick them up. This week I had to run to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine to give to my co-worker for her 50th birthday. I got carded when I went to pay! Add in a library pick up, a stop at Walmart and a stop at Kohl’s and it’s been a busy week.

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah. Dana is half-Jewish and we normally celebrate Hanukkah with his mom’s side of the family….but obviously not this year. Since he and my son had Tae Kwon Do Thursday night, we are going to make latkes either tonight or tomorrow to celebrate.

The weather isn’t looking great for Saturday, so we are not sure yet what we will be doing. Our school district has gone fully remote until January. Being home all this time has been rough for the kids, so I like to get them out of the house on the weekend. Here are five from this week:

1. Cooking – My daughter requested Gigi’s (Hadid) Pasta that is trending on TikTok. Of course I told her that she had to help make it. We made some minor tweaks to this recipe and I have to admit it was pretty good!

One of our favorite meals this week was this Vegan Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup. We used Sausageless Sausage from Trader Joe’s. It doesn’t look like much from the picture, but it was delicious!

2. Watching – It is a family tradition to watch Elf every December. We watched it this past weekend and it is STILL so funny! What is your favorite Christmas movie?

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3. Reading – I am slowly making my way through White Ivy. It was very hard to get into, but I’m about halfway through and it’s picked up. I have a fun looking holiday read that I’m looking forward to next!

4. Shopping – Sunday we visited the White Plains Holiday Market. We bought some treats from Flour Power and I got a candle from Two Knit Wits.

5. Eating – We made a stop at The Hummus and Pita Co. and enjoyed a Vegan Shawarma Bowl and a Falafel Laffel.

We ate these donuts from Beascakes Bakery after I found out they had sold out of Hot Cocoa Bombs.

We are enjoying Jingle Jangle from Trader Joes. It’s a delicious mix of milk chocolate and dark chocolate covered pretzels, dark chocolate covered caramel popcorn, chocolate covered Joe-Joe’s cookies, milk and dark chocolate mini peanut butter cups and milk chocolate gems.

6. Hot Cocoa Bombs – I wrote my Hot Cocoa Bombs blog post and mentioned not being able to get any in time, since most have to be pre-ordered. Jane Street Sweets reached out to me and offered to deliver me some! As I’m writing this post, we haven’t tried any yet. But we are super excited to! They have 4 different varieties: classic chocolate, gingerbread, cookies n’ cream and peppermint.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Monday I shared Where in Westchester County you can get Hot Cocoa Bombs.

Tuesday I shared my November Reads.

Wednesday I posted the newest edition of Westchester Weekly.

Sharing with Friday Favorites. Have a great weekend!

Westchester Weekly {December 9}

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

Eat:

December 12: MAD Donut Popup (White Plains) 8 AM – 12:30 PM at Memorial Brew in White Plains (250 Bryant Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605). Preorder your donuts from this week’s popup menu.

December 12: Sourdough Night Bites 123Dough Bakery Pop-up Snack Bar (Pound Ridge) From 2- 7 PM the 123Dough Bakery will be having a snack pop-up selling sourdough corn dogs and dessert pancakes.

Mangia Mondays at Public Pizza Italian Restaurant Ridge Hill.  (Yonkers) From 4 PM – close enjoy 50% off the dinner menu (except steak and seafood). This offer is good for dine-in, takeout or delivery. Please check this post for more details.

Shop:

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

Hot Cocoa Bombs – check out my post on where you can find this season’s hottest food trend in Westchester County!

Peekskill Brewery just launched new branded merchandise. Stock up on t-shirts and sweatshirts for the holidays.

Play:

December 11: Virtual Cooking Class with Ashley Covelli of Big Flavors (online). In this class participants will be making Sausage and Peppers, Garlicky Broccoli Rabe and Settino’s Bruschetta. (6 PM – 7 PM, $25)

December 12: Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens (Yonkers) The Grand Holiday Illumination begins December 12. Admission is free, but timed-entry reservations are required. Guests have 20 minutes to enjoy the garden. Tickets can be reserved for the week of Dec. 12 – 18 here. For dates, after, tickets are released on a weekly basis on Wednesdays at 8 AM.

December 13: Virtual Kids Cooking Class with Ashley Covelli of Big Flavors (online). In this class kids will be making Snickerdoodle cookies. (11:30 AM – 12: 15 PM, $15)

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

In the Area:

December 11th & December 12th: Silent Nights at Boscobel (Garrison) Stroll the grounds of Boscobel while you enjoy the twinkling lights.
3 PM – 7 PM in two-hour time blocks. Advance reservations required. Admission: $12/adults, $10/seniors, $6/children (ages 5-18), Free/health care workers, members and children under 5

December 12: Visit with Santa at Boscobel (Garrison) Help welcome Santa in person at Boscobel. He will be on the front porch of the Historic House Museum, for socially distant visits. Guests are welcome to take pictures and talk with Santa. 11 AM – 4 PM, Admission: $12/adults, $10/seniors, $6/children (ages 5-18), Free/health care workers, members and children under 5 (Also taking place December 19)

December 13: Renegades Holiday Mart and Tree Lighting (Beacon) 3 PM – 7 PM, Shop local vendors, enjoy food trucks and watch the tree lighting. Admission is free, $5 parking

Check out our Hudson Valley Holiday Events guide.

Upcoming Events:

December 19: Holiday Donut Popup at The Cookery (Dobbs Ferry)

December 19-20: Last Minute Market at Makers Central Market (Tarrytown)

20

November Reads {2020}

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It is almost the end of the year and I am 9 books away from reading 100 books this year! I likely won’t reach that goal, however, I surpassed my 75 book goal with flying colors. Thank you quarantine! Today I’m sharing my November reads with Steph and Jana’s Show Us Your Books linkup. If you are looking for something new to read, I highly recommend checking out this linkup. Book lover/bloggers share their monthly reads and I always get tons of new book recommendations!

3 stars

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Followers by Megan Angelo – (January 2020, Contemporary/Science Fiction) This book shows the power of technology and social media and its dangerous effects. The story switches between 2015 and 2055 as it follows two characters. This was a pretty slow read for me that I thought was just “eh.”

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Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber – (October 2020, Christmas/ Romance) A vacation booking mistake leaves a busy real estate executive on a guided tour down the Amazon River instead of a relaxing beach resort she had requested. During the vacation she ends up forming a friendship with the ship’s naturalist. Will it lead to more? This was an okay holiday romance read.

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Room-maid by Sariah Wilson – (October 2020, Contemporary romance) Madison Huntington has decided to live her own life, which means being cut off from her wealthy family. Since she can’t afford her own apartment on her teacher’s salary, she ends up agreeing to be a “room-maid” for Tyler Roth. Since he travels so often, he needs someone to help keep his apartment clean while he’s away and look after his dog. The only problem is, that she has no idea how to clean. This was a light, fluffy read. Madison and Tyler’s characters were very likable. However, Madison’s lack of real life skills was a bit annoying.

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The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss – (October 2020, Christmas/Romance) Kate Turner signs up for a dating agency’s “The Twelve Dates of Christmas.” However, each holiday themed date seems to be worse than the one before. Will she find love before Christmas?

4 stars

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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman – (April 2019, Contemporary Fiction) During an apartment open house, a bank robber takes the group hostage. The bank robber and hostages all have a story and learn more about themselves through the situation. I’m a Backman fan and this book didn’t disappoint.

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Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman – (June 2015, Middle Grade/Mystery) Garrison Griswold, creator of Book Scavenger, an online book hunt, is planning an epic new game. However, he is attacked and hospitalized right before the debut. When a 12 year old girl discovers a book, she believes it may be the first clue to the new game. She and her new friend James have to work to try to solve the puzzles. This was a fun, middle grade read. I borrowed it from the library in hope of getting my 7th grade son to read it….which he hasn’t yet.

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The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult – (September 2020, Contemporary Fiction) A woman surviving a plane crash reexamines her life and the two different paths that her life could have taken. There has been a lot of criticism and negative reviews for this book due to the textbook heavy information on Egyptology. I will agree that a lot of the info on the mummies, tombs and the actual The Book of Two Ways did not interest me. However, I give Picoult credit for writing a well researched book. Aside from the Egypt stuff, I also enjoyed the storyline. Picoult still remains one of my favorite authors, this book just wasn’t a favorite.

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Slider by Pete Hautman – (September 2017, Middle Grade) David mistakenly charges $2,000 to his mother’s credit card. To pay his mom back before she finds out, he enters a pizza eating contest. While training for the contest he also has to watch his autistic brother. This was a fun read. I got this for my son to read, which he did and enjoyed.

You may also enjoy reading:

October Reads

September Reads

Hot Cocoa Bombs {Where in Westchester County?}

Hot cocoa bombs are the current internet sensation. A hollow ball of chocolate is filled with cocoa mix and marshmallows. When you pour hot milk or water over the ball, it opens up, you stir everything and then enjoy all the chocolatey goodness. It’s fun to watch and a tasty treat!

I’ve researched where in Westchester you can find hot cocoa bombs. But, if you want to enjoy one of these homemade treats, you need to place an order now! I’ve discovered that almost every business requires preordering. The few locations that sell hot cocoa bombs onsite end up selling out very quickly! Due to lack of time, in trying to get this post out, I opted to visit Beascake’s Bakery this weekend. Sadly, when I arrived they were all sold out.

So, get your orders in now, especially if you would like the hot cocoa bombs as gifts for the holidays. As I mentioned, these treats have been VERY popular and are selling like crazy! They make a great stocking stuffer but are also great to enjoy all winter long (the snow hasn’t hit Westchester County YET, but I have a feeling we are in for a loooong winter!).

If you know of a business that should be included on this list, please send me an email!

Auntie Liana’s Baked With Love (Popup Shop at the Jefferson Valley Mall)
650 Lee Boulevard
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Auntie Liana’s has a popup shop in the Jefferson Valley Mall. Her hot cocoa bombs flavors include Cocoa, White Cocoa, Peanut Butter, Unicorn, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Mint, White Chocolate Mint, Bailey’s and Red Velvet. You can buy them at the popup shop at the mall or you can contact the business via DM on Instagram or email auntielianas@yahoo.com.

Beascakes Bakery (Armonk)
575 Main Street
Armonk, NY 10504
(914) 273-3612

Beascakes Bakery is selling hot cocoa bombs and their individual sugar cookies on a first come, first served basis. They are not accepting pre-orders on these items.

Photo courtesy of Bradley’s Cafe

Bradley’s Cafe (Larchmont)
2 Chatsworth Ave.
Larchmont, NY 10538
(914) 833-1095

Bradley’s Cafe sells a variety of hot cocoa bombs. Each hot cocoa bomb is $4.75 and comes in flavors like Peppermint Caramel, Milk Chocolate w/Marshmallow, Sea Salt Caramel and Mocha.

Chocolations (Mamaroneck)
607 E. Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, NY
(914) 777-3600

You can buy cocoa bombs here in singles ($7) or 4 packs ($28). They can be made with milk, dark or white chocolate. You can purchase in-store.

Custom Creations (Rye Brook)

Custom Creations only sells chocolate hot cocoa bombs. Each cocoa bomb is $6. You can order hot cocoa bombs via DM on Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Fleetwood Bakery Shop

Fleetwood Bakery Shop (Mount Vernon)
561 Gramatan Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10552
(914) 667-3434

The Fleetwood Bakery sells hot cocoa bombs in Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Peppermint and Maple Pecan. Each cocoa bomb is $6. Individually wrapped cocoa bombs are $7 each. They sell 2 cocoa bombs packed in a box for $15.00 or 4 cocoa bombs in a box for $28.00.

Flour and Sun Bakery (Pleasantville)
19 Washington Avenue
Pleasantville, NY 10570
(914) 495-3232

Hot cocoa bombs need to be ordered at least two days in advance from Flour and Sun Bakery. They sell Classic Hot Cocoa, Peppermint (with pieces of candy cane inside), Salted Caramel and sometimes Strawberry Unicorn. Each cocoa bomb comes individually wrapped and are $5 each.

Flowerbake by Angela (Pelham)
136 Fifth Avenue
Pelham, NY 10803
(914) 632-2253
info@flowerbake.com

Flowerbake by Angela is selling a set of 3 holiday hot chocolate bombs for $18.00. For an additional $5 you can get the hot cocoa bomb packaged in a special ornament case. You can mix and match with a decorated snowflake, Christmas tree or Grinch. Each bomb has “a little special something inside…” Order online and pickup in store. Items can also be shipped at an additional cost.

Heavenly Treats by Rosemarie (Eastchester)

Hot cocoa bombs are sold in singles ($5) and in boxes of four ($20) or six that can be customizable. Choices include milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, mint chocolate and white candy mint. Order via Facebook.

Jane Street Sweets (Croton-on-Hudson)

Jane Street Sweets is currently selling a 4 pack hot cocoa bomb box ($20). You can choose from classic hot cocoa, candy cane, gingerbread or cookies-n-cream. Ordering is via email, DM on Facebook or DM on Instagram. There is no pickup – local deliveries are made on Thursdays only (December 10, 17, 24 and 31).

JNA Sweetz (White Plains)

Hot cocoa bombs are $5 each, or $6 with a chocolate spoon. Choices include Swiss Miss and Abuelita hot chocolate. At this time orders are via Instagram DM only.

The Poppery (Mt. Kisco)
255 N. Broadway
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 218-8447

The Poppery is selling Grinch, Peppermint, Salted Caramel and Nutella hot cocoa bombs. These sell for $7 each. There is also a 6 pack Chocolate Lovers Hot Cocoa Bomb box that includes 3 Nutella, Marshmallow filled hot cocoa bombs and 3 Salted Caramel, toffee bits and marshmallow filled hot cocoa bombs ($39). For those celebrating Hanukkah this week, you can get a festive blue and white decorated hot cocoa bomb. All hot cocoa bombs need to be preordered on the website.

Queerios Bakery (White Plains)

Christmas hot cocoa bombs are $6. They can be personalized in cursive for an additional $1. Flavors include Swiss Chocolate, Abuelita, Peppermint, Pumpkin Spice and Mocha. They also have a Vegan Peppermint, using vegan chocolate. At this time orders are via Instagram DM only.

Steph’s Sweet Creations (Port Chester)
(914) 565-1101

Steph’s Sweet Creations makes a 6 pack Hot Cocoa Bomb Box ($30). The box includes 3 milk chocolate and 3 white chocolate cocoa bombs.

Sugar Hi (Armonk)
380 Main Street #1821
Armonk, NY 10504
(914) 273-4777

They are currently taking Christmas preorders for a holiday 6 pack ($36) that will be ready for pick up starting December, 19th. The 6 pack contains 2 peppermint white chocolate bombs and 4 milk chocolate bombs.

Sweet Delites Pastry Shop (Somers)
119 Market Plaza
Somers, NY 10589
(914) 276-6444

Sweet Delites Pastry Shop sells their hot cocoa bombs for $7.99 each. Each hot cocoa bomb is individually wrapped and decorated for Hanukkah or Christmas. They have milk chocolate hot cocoa bombs in store but white chocolate cocoa bombs can be ordered. Hot cocoa bombs are available at the shop or can be preordered.

Sweets by Cari (Ossining)

Hot cocoa bombs are available by pre-order only. Currently, the holiday pre-sale is currently closed. I have included a link to her site, as Cari is planning to open up ordering again closer to the holidays! Flavors include classic milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, white peppermint mocha, salted caramel and Grinch. Prices range between $5 – $6 each. She also sells a variety pack of all 6 flavors for $30. Packaging costs $1 extra for each bomb, unless they are purchased in sets of 6 or 12. All orders need to be picked up in Ossining.

Sweets by Smooches (Yonkers)

Hot Cocoa bombs cost 3 for $15, 6 for $25 or 12 for $45. Flavors include white or milk chocolate with options for Nutella or caramel filling. Orders should be placed a few days in advance. The preferred ordering method is to text Lauren (contact info in the Sweets by Smooches FB page).

You may also enjoy reading:

Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide

Hudson Valley Holiday Gift Guide