Five on Friday

Happy Friday! It was nice having a long weekend even though the weather was horrible! Memorial Day weekend, the “unofficial start of summer” and the heat was on and I was wearing my flannel pajamas! My parents were in town this weekend so we enjoyed dinner with them Friday night. Most of the rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and hanging at the house. Here are five plus one from this week:

1. The Museum at Bethel Woods – Friday I had a vacation day.  My husband and I went up to the Museum at Bethel Woods.  This is where the Woodstock music festival was and there’s a whole museum. 

2. Reading – I just finished The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.  This was a historical fiction book about three women code breakers during WW2.  It was informative, since I didn’t know anything about this, and it was a good story.  If you enjoy historical fiction I recommend this one!

3. Eating – Memorial Day we enjoyed ice cream from King Kone.

My husband and I stopped for lunch at a vegan restaurant, Thank Goodness It’s Vegan, on our way home from the Museum at Bethel Woods. We enjoyed the shrooms basket, crabby patties and “meat m’ cheeze” flautas.  It was all snack type foods and was really good! 

4. Watching  – We had another family movie night over the long weekend.  Do you know how difficult it is for us all to agree on a movie?! We finally decided on The Mitchell’s vs. the Machine on Netflix. I don’t think any of us knew what it was about before we watched it, but we all enjoyed it!

5. Memorial Day – Memorial Day we went to Lasdon Park and walked the Trail of Honor.  This trail includes sculptures that honor every American military conflict from the American Revolution to present day.  Since our town Memorial Day ceremony was cancelled, this seemed an appropriate activity.  

6. Cookie Wars – Over the weekend we decided to have cookie wars with the kids.  We paired up by picking names out of a hat and each parent/child team made a cookie.  My husband and son ended up paired together and they made chocolate pizzelles on my great grandmother’s pizzelle machine.  My daughter and I made oreo stuffed white chocolate chip cookies.  Our cookies were unanimously the winner!

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I shared 5 Fun Places to Eat With Kids.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Hello Friday! I’m so happy for the long holiday weekend! Sadly, the weather isn’t looking great. I did take today off from work and am looking forward to a long weekend. This week I went to my son’s away modified track meet up in Lagrangeville and we all went to his last Boy Scout Court of Honor for the school year. I know the school year is wrapping up with how busy the kids’ schedules have become. Here are five from this week:

1. ArtsWestchester –Last Sunday our family visited the recently opened ArtsWestchester ”Together ApART” Creating During COVID exhibit.  The works of over 200 local Hudson Valley artists are on display and all of the art was created between March 2020 and March 2021.

2. Reading – I just finished Giver of the Stars by Jojo Moyes. It was a good read but I think I was expecting an amazing read based on all the positive reviews.

3. Eating – This falafel platter from The Falafel Place.  Our family agrees that this place has some of the best falafel.

These Turkey Hill ice cream cookie sandwiches. The kids really enjoyed these!

4. Watching  – We had a family movie night and watched Without Remorse on Amazon.  It was an okay movie. I just enjoyed that it was something that we all agreed upon!

5. Drinking – This iced chai latte from Peekskill Coffee House. This is my coffee house go-to drink of choice.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! Is anyone else as happy for the weekend as me?! This weekend we finally have appointments to get the kids vaccinated. We are also going to an art exhibit Sunday. I’m happy to be indoors, as it’s supposed to be almost 90 degrees! Here are five from the past week: 

1. HVRW – Have you visited any restaurants for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week? Last Friday, I got lunch takeout from Maria Restaurant in New Rochelle. I brought it to Hudson Park and enjoyed lunch with a view. This dannoli (cannoli doughnut) was amazing!

2. Reading – This week I finished reading Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson.  It was a great suspense book!

3. Eating – Last Friday I was invited to Playa Bowls in Tarrytown to sample their bowls and smoothies before their grand opening. The Nutella acai bowl is one of the most popular bowls….because……Nutella!! And it was delicious!

Over the weekend we went shopping at Woodbury Common Outlets. While there we tried vegetable ramen from the recently opened restaurant Kinton Ramen.

Then we went next door to Shake Shack and shared a Shroom Burger!

These My Mochi were on sale at Shoprite. I picked some up to try and my son loves them! I personally wasn’t a fan, but I have texture issues with food! LOL!

4. Watching – Last weekend I watched The Woman in the Window on Netflix. I’m not sure why I did, because I wasn’t a huge fan of the book. I didn’t think the movie was that great either. Have you watched the movie or read the book?

5. – Visiting – My husband and I went to the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem last weekend. They opened for their 60th season. Although it’s a small garden, it’s so beautiful and peaceful.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Monday I posted my Westchester County Food Truck Guide.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Hello Friday! So happy to see you! Today I’m enjoying another vacation day (have to use them up before June 30th!). I’m not doing anything too exciting on this day off, but hopefully enjoying some good eats! I apologize for being light on the pictures this week. We had a busy weekend and besides family pics, I wasn’t taking a lot of other pictures. Here are five from the past week: 

1. Maryland – This past weekend we ended up taking a last minute trip to Maryland to visit my sister. My brother was also visiting so we surprised my parents by all being there together to celebrate Mother’s Day. The last time we were all physically together was back on our family cruise in November 2019!

2. Reading – I just finished Well Met by Jen DeLuca.  It was a cute romance/chick lit read that takes place at a Renaissance Faire. I enjoyed it but don’t think that I’ll continue the series.

3. Eating – While we were in Maryland we had Indian takeout which was so good! I love Indian food and hadn’t had it in so long. When we were home last week we ordered takeout from a new Greek restaurant that opened. This was some of our spread (falafel, vegetable moussaka, falafel gyro, Greek salad). Greek has become one of my favorite cuisines.

4. Drinking – when we were driving down to Maryland we saw a billboard for Bartenura Moscato cans.  I’m not a big wine drinker but if I am going to have a glass, this moscato is a fave. My parents went to the liquor store while we were in Maryland and found the cans.  I love that I don’t have to feel pressured to drink a whole bottle of wine and can drink a can at a time.

5. – Cooking – This week one of our favorite dinners was Middle Eastern Roasted Eggplant with Couscous. It seriously tasted restaurant quality and was fairly easy to make.

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I shared my April reads.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! I’m so looking forward to the weekend! It’s been a long busy week. I’m wishing all the moms an early Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you enjoy a day of rest and relaxation! Here are five from the past week: 

1. Hike – Last Friday I took a vacation day and my husband and I hiked Anthony’s Nose.  On the weekend, this place is so crowded! But since it was a Friday morning, we only saw two other people! It was so nice and we enjoyed these amazing views! But, my legs might have been sore for the next two days!

2. Reading – I am finishing Admission by Julie Buxbaum.  This is a fictional YA book about the recent college admissions scandal.  It’s an okay read but I’m not loving it.

3. Eating – Low-carb eating hasn’t been super difficult at home but I find it hard dining out.  I did get this tuna salad at a café in Cold Spring after our hike last week and it was really good.

4. App – I’ve been using the free version of the MyFitnessPal to log my meals, water and weight.  It’s been very helpful in keeping track of and seeing the calories in what I’m eating. In two weeks I’ve lost over 3 pounds! 

5. – Puzzle – This week I finished this puzzle that I’ve been working on for awhile. I’m deciding whether to begin working on anew puzzle or starting my paint by number. Decisions, decisions.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! Last Saturday we were notified that our daughter was in close contact with a classmate who tested positive for COVID so she’s been quarantining all week.  My son started modified track and field this week. This is his first year, so it’s a new experience. Here are five from the past week: 

1. Kusama at NYBG – last Saturday my husband and I went to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Kusama exhibit.  I had been waiting since last year, since it had to be postponed due to COVID. It is a great exhibit and we had such a beautiful day to visit!

2. Reading – I am finishing up Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. It’s a multigenerational historical fiction set in Africa book about two half-sisters.
It’s a good, but not light read!

3. Low Carb diet – Monday I started a low carb diet.  I LOVE carbs so I’ve never tried going low carb.  However, four days in and I already feel a difference in my energy.  Hopefully, I’ll also shed some pounds before summer as well.  I’m not going to lie, it’s difficult when everyone else in the family is eating all the carbss.  But I’m trying!

4. Cooking – Last night I made Cheesy Vegetarian Zucchini Enchiladas from skinnytaste. They were tasty but I didn’t realize the recipe only made 4! I ended up making the rest of the family quesadillas with the leftover cheese and tortillas!

5. – Spring Weather – I am loving the spring weather. Wednesday got up to low 80’s! The flowers are blooming and everything is looking lush and pretty! It’s perfect weather for lunchtime walks and weekend hikes!

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Wednesday I shared 6 Scenic Hudson Parks to Visit.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Happy‌ ‌Friday!‌ ‌I‌ ‌hope‌ ‌you‌ ‌had‌ ‌a‌ ‌great‌ ‌week!‌ The big drama this week was my son getting a large splinter in his foot, which turned into a trip to Urgent Care, and crutches. We have had him taking it easy since his first modified track and field practice starts Monday! The other drama was my daughter losing one of her air pods, when it fell out of her ear when she was getting off the bus. Fortunately, one of the teachers at school found it. Here‌ ‌are‌ ‌five‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌past‌ ‌week:‌ ‌ ‌

‌1‌.‌‌ ‌‌Day‌ ‌Date‌ ‌-‌ ‌‌I‌ ‌took‌ ‌a‌ ‌vacation‌ ‌day‌ last ‌Friday.‌ ‌My‌ ‌husband‌ ‌and‌ ‌I‌ ‌went‌ to Untermyer Gardens and the Hudson River Museum, both in Yonkers and both places we know our kids would rather not visit! The gardens were so beautiful and since it was a weekday morning, they were empty.
‌

 ‌ ‌2.‌ ‌‌Reading‌ ‌‌-‌ ‌I‌ ‌am‌ ‌finishing‌ ‌up‌ ‌Shipped‌ ‌by‌ ‌Angie‌ ‌Hockman.‌ ‌It’s‌ ‌a‌ ‌light,‌ ‌romantic‌ ‌fiction‌ ‌book‌ ‌that‌ ‌makes‌ ‌me‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌Galagapos!!‌ ‌

 ‌3.‌ ‌‌Family‌ ‌Party‌‌ ‌-‌ ‌Last‌ ‌Saturday‌ ‌we‌ ‌had‌ ‌family‌ ‌over‌ ‌to‌ ‌celebrate‌ ‌my‌ ‌daughter’s‌ ‌birthday.‌ ‌We hadn’t seen my husband’s family since July! All the grandparents are vaccinated and it was just nice to be able to hug and catch up in person. We ended up cooking a ton of food (eggplant parm, white veggie lasagna, ravioli in vodka sauce) which I took no pictures of! I also made peanut butter brownie bars and key lime bars to have along with the ice cream cake my daughter requested.

‌ ‌4.‌‌ ‌Watching‌ ‌‌-‌ ‌I‌ ‌haven’t‌ ‌watched‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌of‌ ‌anything‌ ‌this‌ ‌week.‌ ‌My‌ ‌husband‌ ‌and‌ ‌I‌ ‌watched‌ ‌a‌ ‌couple‌ ‌of‌ ‌episodes‌ ‌of‌ ‌Billions‌ ‌and‌ ‌we have‌ ‌just‌ ‌started‌ ‌season‌ ‌3.‌ ‌We‌ ‌also‌ ‌started watching New‌ ‌Girl.‌ ‌I‌ ‌can’t‌ ‌believe‌ ‌we‌ ‌haven’t‌ ‌watched‌ ‌this‌ ‌show‌ ‌before! ‌It’s‌ ‌such‌ ‌a‌ ‌fun little show! ‌

‌ ‌5.‌‌ ‌Food‌ ‌Tour‌ ‌‌-‌ ‌Instead‌ ‌of‌ ‌going‌ ‌out‌ ‌to‌ ‌dinner‌ ‌for‌ ‌her‌ ‌birthday,‌ ‌my‌ ‌daughter‌ ‌requested‌ ‌a‌ ‌food‌ ‌tour.‌ ‌She‌ ‌didn’t‌ ‌have‌ ‌any‌ ‌particular‌ ‌place‌ ‌in‌ ‌mind‌ ‌so‌ ‌I‌ ‌decided‌ ‌that‌ ‌we‌ ‌would‌ ‌visit‌ ‌Mamaroneck.‌ ‌They‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌Main‌ ‌Street‌ ‌with‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌of‌ ‌different‌ ‌food‌ ‌restaurants‌ ‌and‌ ‌eateries.‌ ‌ ‌We had everything including pizza, cookies, falafel, quiche and paletas. I think her favorite might have been this Dragon Bowl (pitaya, mango, banana, coconut water, granola, almond butter, chia seeds and seasonal fruit).

Sharing with Friday Favorites. Have a great weekend! ‌

Hello Friday and Hello April! We will be doing a lot of celebrating this month with Easter, our wedding anniversary and our daughter’s birthday. This week I used some vacation days and had four days off from work.  The weather wasn’t great, so we didn’t do too much. However, it was relaxing and restful. On Sunday (Easter) we are hosting just my parents for dinner.  They have been fully vaccinated and it will be nice to finally be able to eat a meal with them.  Happy Easter! Here are five from the past week: 

1. Vaccinated – Monday afternoon I got my second COVID vaccine (Moderna). I am fully vaccinated! I was super nervous that I’d have a reaction, after hearing stories.  However, besides a sore arm and feeling a little achy all over I was fine.  Now that vaccine eligibility has opened up to those age 30 and over, we got my husband an appointment in mid-April. 

2. Reading – I am finishing up What Could Be Saved by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz. I’m trying to finish it since it’s due back at the library on Saturday and can’t be renewed. At this point, I’m not loving it and am reading it to finish it.  Up next is Layla by Colleen Hoover. I’m very excited since she’s one of my favorite authors!

3. Decluttering – This week I spent a LOT of time organizing and decluttering. Yesterday my husband helped me drop off donations to Yorktown Love in Action and the Goodwill.  There is plenty more cleaning and decluttering to be done, but it feels so good to get the stuff out of the house.

4. Baking – This week my daughter made banana chocolate chip muffins since we had some overly ripe bananas.  

5. Anniversary Dinner – My husband and I celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday (Easter).  We opted to celebrate earlier in the week.  Although we’ve been vegetarian for over almost a year and a half now, we wanted to celebrate at Brothers Fish and Chips in Ossining.  They have a seafood tasting menu that is amazing.  You never know what you will get, but everything is always delicious…and beautifully plated.  It was so good and I was soooooo full! 

6. Watching – We started watching Mank (Netflix) because it’s gotten so many Oscar nominations, but I fell asleep. I finished watching The One (Netflix) and have started Tell Me Your Secrets (Amazon). 

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! The weather this past week has been beautiful and I am loving it! The kids start their spring recess this weekend. I’m taking some vacation days next week and am looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Happy Passover to those who celebrate!  Here are five from the past week:  

1. Hiking- Last Sunday the weather was perfect.  We went on a family hike to Turkey Mountain.  The last time we did this hike was March 15th of last year, the day before everything shut down. It was a fairly easy hike and it was great to get the kids outside.

2. Reading – I am finishing up reading Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre.  It is another great suspense book!

3. Eating – Whenever we are near Danbury, CT we go to the Hummus and Pita Co.  They have so many vegan and vegetarian options.  We also finally tried the chickpea Chiller in coffee flavor.  

After our hike on Sunday we stopped at Libby’s Coffee Lounge.  I had an iced chai latte and the kids split an iced mocha, an açaí bowl.

4. Baking – this week I baked these Salted Pretzel Magic Bars from Half Baked Harvest. Sooo good – except the pretzels on top get soggy/stale, so next time I’d leave them off.

5. Buying – the kids have been back in school 4 days.  After the spring break they will be in 5 days.  I want them drinking more water and less sugary drinks, so I bought them these water bottles.  They come in a variety of different colors. The 9 oz. size is perfect because it fits in their lunch bags.  Hopefully, they won’t be dropped and dented too soon!

ICYMI this week on the blog:

Tuesday I shared where to give, donate and sell your unwanted items in Westchester County.

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

You may also enjoy:

Five on Friday {3-19-21}

Charcuterie Boards of Westchester County

Happy Friday! I don’t love losing an hour of sleep with “Spring Ahead” but I do love that it’s light out later! I visited the chiropractor last Friday and discovered I have some major neck and spine issues going on.  I have to go 3x a week for adjustments for 12 weeks! I’m hoping this helps alleviate my pain issues.  Here are five from the past week: 

1. Eating – We visited a new to us bakery in Peekskill, Ty’s Bread Basket. One of the treats we enjoyed was this Oreo chocolate chip cookie. Yes it was as good as it looks! We also had a blueberry scone and a piece of carrot cake.

2. Reading – This week I finished reading The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. It was an enjoyable suspense book with lots of twists! I’m currently reading an ARC of Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens.

3. Watching – Last weekend we watched East Side Sushi on Netflix.  It’s about a Hispanic woman who tries to become a sushi chef. I enjoyed this movie a lot!  I also started watching The One on Netflix.  It’s very loosely based on the book by John Marrs that I read in the fall. I’ve only seen the first episode but am interested in watching the rest.

4. Baking – Wednesday night my daughter and I made Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick’s Day.  I used the recipe that my mom makes.  I’ve just never had to make it myself until now! We did a pretty good job and the recipe makes 3 loaves, so we froze some for another time.  

5. Buying – My daily bedtime routine includes lighting a candle and reading in bed before I go to sleep. I was in need of a new candle so I went to Marshall’s this weekend and bought this Scentsational Tangerine Guava one. It has a nice citrusy scent! 

Sharing with Friday Favorites!  Have a great weekend!

You may also enjoy:

Five on Friday {3-12-21}