March 13, 2021
It’s that time of the school year! Though I missed Pi Day in my classroom last year because of, well, you know, it was on the calendar eerily when I returned back to my classroom finally 6 months later. This year Pi Day would fall on a Sunday, so I Read more…
February 14, 2021
I have plenty of chickpeas leftover from making marshmallows… and with more beet puree to utilize, beet hummus was the natural choice. Once again the hue blows the mind. Sorry I didn’t write down exact measurements. I usually just eyeball making hummus–chickpeas, beet, and salt then drizzle in olive oil Read more…
Now that my binge-bake of pink and red colored beauties is over, some me Valentine’s eats… I am not a fan of using gel coloring gratuitously in my own eats especially when the almighty beet, a favorite thing, does the trick very naturally and with added nutritional value. Authenticity is Read more…
February 12, 2021
The last time I visited Chinatown for the Lunar New Year celebration was 12 years ago… the last Year of the Ox. But 2021 would be a drastically different experience as large gatherings are banned, masks hide the smiles, and the small businesses in the area are struggling. The small Read more…
This is it! The last of my Vegan Victuals Valentine Inspirations. These cinnamon roll hearts capture the uniqueness of every heart–its complex chambers, its vault of secrets, its oddity. Using this recipe, you can shape your own dough hearts to your exact standards. The first time I’ve used my pizza Read more…
February 11, 2021
Ok, so bread isn’t a typical Valentine’s Day treat… but this bread… this bread! Come on! With a few tweaks to this recipe from Foodie.Yuki, maker of show-stopping Instagram eats, you too may create this Leopard Milk Bread from just basic pantry items. It utilizes the tangzhong breadmaking method to Read more…
February 10, 2021
Behold the gorgeous rainbow cookie all dressed up for Day 5 of my seven day series, Vegan Victuals Valentine Inspirations. This is another offering that takes a bit of effort… but with a spectacular pay-off. There isn’t much more delicious and pretty. The white chocolate layer, which is optional, makes Read more…
February 9, 2021
Making good use of my massive anatomical heart mold, another Vegan Victuals Valentine Inspiration that is truly special due to its lack of availability. Vegan Jello! But don’t let its beauty fool you! This heart is likely the easiest recipe of this entire series. The striking layers of red, pink Read more…
February 8, 2021
If you hadn’t noticed, my Vegan Victuals Valentine Inspirations are unique and thoughtful sweet offerings for you or your loved ones. This is no exception–a delicious, decadent chocolate cake made of beets that is gluten free, easy to make, has a natural red hue and honors the worship of the Read more…
February 7, 2021
Making vegan marshmallows is a pretty impressive feat and, therefore, a very romantic undertaking to take on for someone else’s benefit. Really, the hardest part about making them is getting the supplies you need. Again! Planning, forethought and execution are really hotπ₯ in a partner. Anyone can have an idea–and Read more…
February 6, 2021
Hoping to woo a vegan this Valentine’s Day… or hoping to woo yourself? For your consideration, a series of vegan treats that aim to please! And boy do vegans deserve it for all the good they do. So bask in the red gel coloring that is this series: Vegan Victuals Read more…
January 30, 2021
I’ve always wanted to make a vegan King Cake, the festive bread traditionally eaten during the feast of Epiphany on January 6–when those three wise men finally got to Bethlehem to give Baby Jesus those impractical gifts. But the purple, green and yellow cake’s season extends to Fat Tuesday, the Read more…
January 7, 2021
As we enter 2021 still within this health crisis, still within political insanity, the Scenes continue! Freshly testing out of a quarantine, to follow are Scenes from several quarantines past, in-between negative Covid tests… the ones before seeing my family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as after my Read more…
January 3, 2021
Shelling, like astrophotography, is hobby best completed when one takes into account the moon, the season, location. With a big, bright full Cold Moon in the sky, strong winds and within the winter season, I was hopeful to get some shelling in while visiting Florida’s Suncoast. Unfortunately with the long Read more…
December 25, 2020
If ever there was a day to bring it, it’s Christmas Day! So instead of a boring cake, I did my second Pom Pom cake for the special day. But I couldn’t stop there. It’s also a Polka Dot cake–a cake with colorful cake polka dots within. I never made Read more…
December 24, 2020
I’ve spent a good amount of this holiday season creating my own set of holiday greeting cards. This was the final addition. A quick trip to Staten Island’s Bayley Seton Hospital with a little bit of festive trim. The hospital was bustling, as most are right now. And the decaying Read more…
December 20, 2020
The holidays are an excuse for light-hearted foolishness, an alibi for a few weeks of colorful magic and wonder. Before it ushers in the wave of New Years’ productivity, some revelry. Hot chocolate with jumbo Dandies marshmallows for a quick walk to the fabulously tacky Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. I Read more…
December 18, 2020
After a quick trip to my folks’ house, where I scored a large quantity of their mid-century glass ornaments that had been in storage, my Christmas tree is officially done. And I can’t stop taking pictures of it. This one on top was my favorite when I was a kid. Read more…
December 11, 2020
I love a holiday where eating is featured prominently. And the traditional eats of Hanukkah are especially delicious—fried… miraculously. The oil represents the “miracle” oil that burned inexplicably for 8 days, spreading word of the Jewish victory over the Greeks over 2,000 years ago. Today’s themed eats would include a Read more…
December 5, 2020
Though I’ve pronounced the mermaid season over several times, I haven’t put my seashell stash away. After scoring the absolute perfect base for a full mermaid costume, I’m reinvigorated. Before that though, a wreath that will unfortunately not be able to hung as it’s way too much weight on a Read more…
Though I am not finished with dressing up my apartment for the holidays, I am delighted by my progress thus far in creating a mid century modern holiday wonderland. It truly is just beginning to look a lot like Christmas. After a hot tip, I checked out Newburgh, New York’s Read more…
November 27, 2020
I was excited to try Chloe Coscarelli‘s Vegan Thanksgiving Spread offered by Whole Foods this year. She covered all the bases… and with her vegan cred, I trusted the holiest of food holidays in her hands. So let us look and admire… From left to right: Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole: Read more…
November 25, 2020
With the Thanksgiving meal taken care of, I’d need to make a sweet treat that traveled easily. I’ve been wanting to make Rainbow Cookies since I failed at them last Christmas. So now, a Thanksgiving version! Though they are a bit candy corn-ish… Thanksgiving (or Any Day) Rainbow Cookies Adapted Read more…
November 24, 2020
I don’t know how it is possible after years and years of blogging that I don’t have more πΎπππππ puns on here! In fact the only one I could find was a two-sentence post that was referencing The White Stripes album… in 2007. So now, a post totally dedicated to Read more…
November 7, 2020
As an educator, I found the election of Donald Trump appalling; he is the antithesis of the values I have devoted my professional life to, the antithesis of the values I hold dear in my personal life. He flaunts proudly the absolute worst of the absolute worst of human traits. Read more…
November 3, 2020
As I drove home from my birthday excursion, I found out my cousin had died suddenly–a massive heart attack at age 45. The shock has since given way to confusion and more heartache. 2020 continues to upheave. The philosophical and theological rumination that can only be born of close contact Read more…