Every year at Christmas, us kids are assigned a dish to bring to the table. I elected a salad and decided to make my best imitation of a seasonal Saladworks Harvest Salad. I must say that the Pumpkin Vinaigrette really made the salad complete! And it just shows that there is always a season for pumpkin dressing.
Here is the recipe below. Enjoy!
Salad
-1 pkg of spring mix greens (I used the organic since the container was bigger)
-1 pkg shredded carrots
-pre-sliced red onion
-1/2 c to 1 c of craisins and dried apples
(this is what I put in. Feel free to add your own harvest mix. The real recipe also called for corn, sunflower seeds and turkey)
Dressing
-1 tsp minced garlic
-1/8 tsp pepper
-1 tsp maple syrup
-1/2 tsp salt
-2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
-2 Tbsp rice vinegar
-4-6 Tbsp EVOO
Depending on your number of guests you may need to double some of the liquid ingredients. I added more maple syrup and EVOO and it was still great!
Always a season for pumpkin
Save on Crib Bedding
I was given some good advice by a fellow pregnant friend to shop for crib bedding on eBay. You can find many new items at bargain prices. And I found just what I was looking for!
I was on the hunt for a toile crib bedding with pink and green. I found a pattern from My Baby Sam called Rose Floral Toile. The only problem was that it was sold out of many retailer sites and it was a little pricey at $240. However, I took a chance and searched for it on eBay and low and behold I found it new for $99 (+s&h). What a deal!
If you are weary about buying used products, eBay sells many new items. Always contact the seller with any questions just to be sure.
Cozy Pasta Dinner: Bell's Tavern
Last night Rob and I dined with my other friends & spouses at Bell's Tavern in Lambertville for a little holiday fun.
Bell's Tavern is nestled among homes and businesses on North Union St. in Lambertville. On a weekend evening, don't expect to get a quick seat, but it is well worth the wait. Upon entry is the bar area with stools surrounding a oval shaped full bar. Feel free to enjoy their fabulous bruschetta or calamari appetizer or enjoy a beer from their custom made tap from Ireland.
The eating area is cozy and warm. The service is friendly and accommodating. You can choose from over 10 different pasta dishes made with homemade sauce. If pasta is not your thing or if you ware watching your starchy carb intake, there are some steak, chicken or burger choices. I had a magnificent vegetable lasagna and was almost completely full halfway through! Another highly recommended dish is the Pesto Sauce pasta with green beans. Rob had classic spaghetti and cleared his plate!
For as busy as it was, there was never a wait for food to come to the table. Unfortunately we were all too full for dessert, but the menu included tiramisu, key lime pie, sorbet and others.
If you're looking for a cozy pasta dinner to spend with friends or just on a date, take a trip over to Lambetville. When you finish with dinner you can then stroll through the historical town which is brilliantly decorated for the holidays. And if you have more time, drive over the bridge into New Hope. It's amazing that such story book towns exist so close by!
Bell's Tavern, 183 North Union Street, Lambertville, 609.397.2226
Talking about blogging
Well I never thought my blog would lead me to public speaking, but it has!
This morning I spoke to the Hamilton-Washington Township Rotary about blogs and what they can do to spruce up a current website. But how did I end up speaking to them? Back in October (I think) I attended a WIN lunch (Women Interested in Networking) and met a woman who was in the rotary club. She asked if I would speak for them about blogging. Then in November I was contacted to do just that!
I put together a brief PowerPoint presentation to discuss the pros & cons of blogs, examples of some rotary blogs, and blogs vs websites.
I had a good time at the meeting. The group seemed to have a lot of fun and really enjoyed what they do. I hope I can help them initiate the blog process in anyway possible. Having a blog connected to a formal website is always good PR for an organization that does so many good things for the community. This past moth, the group made a $4500 donation to Home Front which included a $2000 grant from the Hamilton Walmart. The rotary is a great organization, but I don't know if I'd be dishonorable to my husband, the Lion member, if I were to join a rotary club!
Here is some more information about the Hamilton-Washington Rotary and about Rotary International.
Best product for quick dryng hair
Voted 2007 Stylist Choice for "favorite product you simply can't live without", Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum really is a product no woman should be without.
I was first introduced to this by my stylist Sandra at La Jolie in Princeton. She said it gets some of the moisture out of your hair before you blow dry it. She uses it all the time with me. I decided to pick up a bottle for myself and it really does live up to the claim.
Depending on the quantity of hair, use 1 or 2 drops and run through your ends to the roots. Within a few minutes, you will feel your hair start to dry (which takes a load off your drying time and damage).
You can find this wherever Paul Mitchel products are sold. I got mine at Ulta for about $17, but here are some other links to check out:
Restaurant Review Express
From Ryan in Morristown:
I went to Hennessey's recently. Had Bangers and Mash, probably the best I've had anywhere.... also chili nachos which were great and plentiful. The new restaurant is really nice and open and inviting compared to the old one. The food was well valued too.
Braunschweiger Jewelers to the Rescue!
My mother's home away from home, Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown, recently posted video on NJ.com of not 1 but 2 robberies that they were able to stop due to quick thinking and brave company employees.
The first robbery, in October, involved a man who tried to get away with $66,000 worth of Rolex watches. But as you can see by the video, he didn't get very far!
The 2nd robbery, in November, involved a man who got in a tug-of-war fight with the salesperson while he tried to get away with diamond earrings. He dropped everything on his way out the door.
Word got out to the various media outlets of the robbery, assuming they were happening at that moment, and swarms of news vans headed to the scene. One TV guy decided that since all was good, he would have some jewelry cleaned!
Thankfully, neither man had a weapon on them, but all employees said that although that came to mind it didn't stop them from fighting back.
Great job! I knew there was a reason why my mother loved this place...in addition to their David Yurman collection!
Finding the perfect holiday card
It may be too late to send out your cards this year, but it's never too early to buy your cards for next season. If you are always struggling to find the perfect card to send to friends and family, your search is over! I found a great brand of cards at TJ Maxx and Marshalls that were discounted more than 50% off the retail price. The cards are from the Gift Wrap Company and feature some beautiful dicut images attached with foam to appear somewhat 3D.
Here are 2 of the cards I sent out this year (but there were so many to choose from):
You can also find non-holiday cards and gift wrap from the Gift Wrap Company at various retail outlets. Some of the collection feature:
Holiday Gift Wrap Assortment
Thank You Notecards
Playful Invitations
Fun family activities after Christmas
Patriots’ Week is a celebration of the city’s role in the birth of the American nation. From December 26th through 31st, downtown Trenton will explode with events that both commemorate the patriots who fought for American independence and honor the ideals of the Revolution that thrive today.If you and your family have energy after Christmas, take a trip to downtown Trenton to engage in the many activities for Patriot's Week. This 6-day event commemorates the birth of America and takes a look at Central NJ's role in the revolution.
~Patriot's Week website
Some of the lessons you will learn, people you will meet & feast you will enjoy include:
- A meeting with Hannah Till, George Washington's cook
- How to trace your Revolutionary War ancestry
- 18th century music with the Practitioners of Musick
- A Colonial Feast at the Trenton Marriott
- The "Ten Crucial Days" bus tour
- Governor Livingston Press Conference
- The music of Benjamin Franklin
- Battlefield walking tour
- The Colonial Ball
- The Battle of Trenton
- Quaker Tea
- The Myths about Masons
Last chance Omaha Steaks discounts
Act now for some great deals at Omaha Steaks. Check out packages from $34.00 (reg. 68.99) to $119.00 (reg. $224.00). Just click below for savings!
Great gift for anyone: family, friend, boss, co-worker, etc
What to do when you don't know what to get someone for Christmas?
Send an amaryllis from White Flower Farm. You can't go wrong with this festive and long-lasting flower. Just choose from 4 different containers and 13 colors (all shades of red or white) and write a personal greeting to the recipient.
We get one every year from Rob's grandmother and it adds a special holiday flare to our front window. Water the plant when the soil seems dry or as foliage appears. Once it sprouts, you can water it more often but be careful not to water it too much.
I decided to make this plant my door prize at my annual Thanksgiving party knowing that it would take a few weeks to bloom in time for Christmas. As expected, both recipients were elated at the though of having their own amaryllis for the holiday!
Now you don't have to use the excuse, "I just didn't know what to get!"
Fab Find of the day
Liz Claiborne Wool Tartan Plaid Swing Jacket
found at TJ Maxx
Reg. $129.00, TJ Price $39.99
Vera Bradley Sale
- Windsor Navy
- Medallion
- Petal Pink
- Classic Black
- Capri Melon
- Hobo
- Tie Tote
- Little Travel Case
- Metro
Holiday Store Hours are:
Reduce bottle gas
A friend of mine recommended a really good baby bottle to reduce gas, colic, & burping among other feeding ailments.
Dr. Brown's Baby Bottles are doctor created and offspring tested and feature a 'no vacuum' design that helps to reduce the problems listed above. The tube in the bottle controls the air that usually transfers through the formula into the baby. In this bottle, the air enters but stays above the liquid keeping them separate as the baby feeds. The 'no vacuum' construction helps to prevent middle ear infections. Traditional bottles have a vacuum that inhibits the liquid consumption and as the baby sucks harder for more liquid, more air is ingested.
To learn more about Dr. Brown's baby bottles including pricing and FAQs, click here.
To purchase Dr. Brown's bottles pick from one of the links below:
Holiday Scenes in Princeton
Beautiful Scenes around Palmer Square in Princeton after the first snow of the season:
Holiday Cheer at the Festival of Trees
My long awaited Bucknell Club event went off without a hitch last night! Here's more...
On Thursday December 6th, a group of Bucknell alumni and parents came out to Morven Museum's annual Festival of Trees. With a reception brilliantly catered by Tillies Nasaus St. Catering company, co-owned by Bucknell Parent and Parent's Association President Jack Morrison, guests enjoyed mingling and meandering through the decorated rooms. Each tree was sponsored and custom decorated by local businesses. The event was co-hosted by Hilary Morris, club president(me), and Clare Smith, '76, Assistant Director of Morven.
It was great to see familiar faces from previous club events and it was nice to welcome new alumni and current parents to the group.
I would especially like to thank Mason Irving, catering director, and his staff for a wonderful service and menu and Clare Smith for welcoming the Bucknell Club to the museum for the private event.
The Festival of Trees runs until January 6th, 2008.
Here are some scenes from inside the museum:
Pay attention men...
The editors for the online men's magazine Debonair have compiled their 2007 Girlfriend Gift Guide. Here we have men advising men on how to touch a woman's heart with the right gift. And men, you can't go wrong with this list. For each gift idea, they provide a range of prices from $ to $$$ and they don't restrict ideas to just clothing. You can be creative depending on the needs or interests of your significant other.
My favorite picks from their list are:
- The Mary-Kate Satchel from FredFlare.com
- Chocolate Suede boots from J.Crew
- Cartier Santos Demoiselle Watch (I'd look for a more budget friendly piece)
- Skyn Iceland Stress Defense cream from Sephora
Be sure to refer back to Debonair for more ideas.
Hip and Trendy knows no age
Trendy fashion doesn't just have to be for adults. Stylize your little one this winter with the latest trendy fashions.
- a Quicksilver vest For your little surfer dude
- a Roxy striped hoodie for your little surfer girl
- a warm-up suit for your baby Beckham
- every little girl loves leopard print
- Logo Onesies
- Baby UGGs
- Baby Pumas
- No style icon can be without Burberry booties or Metallic
ballet flats - For the baby Kingston wannabe
- Rock Ballad tee
- Cool kicks for the future sk8r boy
Register your holiday wish list
Registry lists are no longer limited to brides and moms-to-be. Now anyone can make a registry of gift ideas to let friends and family know what to by.
MyRegistry.com has an A-Z library of stores online including such name brands as Amazon.com, Babies 'R' Us, Best Buy, Calvin Klein, GAP, Land's End, Kitchen Aid & Target. You can also set up a cash registry for whatever you are saving up for.
The registration process is simple and it's free! There is even a feature where you can receive text message alerts when a gift has been purchased.
Sign up now and get what you want this year!!
