St. Michaels Cemetery
Astoria, Queens

I have many NYC lists filled with all sorts of things of interest. But now I will begin the slow process of crossing as many places off my list as possible. St. Michaels Cemetery is one such places. Since we were in Queens for a baseball game, we made a Read more…


A Bay Ridge Best: Beets & Carrots

Over and over on their Yelp, Beets & Carrots is referred to as a “hidden gem” and I couldn’t agree more. Their food is fresh and delicious and they have a pretty amazing vegan veggie burger. Other vegan options are clearly noted on the menu. The service is always wonderful Read more…


May the Fourth Be With You (2023)

One of my favorite baking themes merges with my love of costumes on Star Wars Day! This May the Fourth had some themed treats, starting with Han in the carbonite chocolates. A few air bubbles, but this is the first time I have used this mold. Next time I will Read more…


Welcoming May In Green-Wood Cemetery

After some wacky school events, my school was evacuated to another right next to my beloved Green-Wood Cemetery. So lunch meant a meander in its buddy green. I’ll be back soon!


April Picture Purge

And with that, it is now May. As this year continues to blaze at unprecedented speed, an addition to the everyday archive, April style. Making cookies as usual My hair is pretty big and long these days. Somewhere around this length I always wind up chopping off. What should I Read more…


JÜS Organic
Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

JÜS Organic was a breakfast dream come true for a couple of famished explorers. Vibrant and healthful options for the nutrient starved, our tastebuds rejoiced at each bite. We enjoyed our food so much that we made a point to return the next morning. First juice and a ginger shot Read more…


Let the Good Times Roll πŸ›Ό

Though we were looking forward to skating at a rando roller rink in New Jersey, we were completely spent. My itineraries suffer this flaw often. They leave no room for rest; they render you useless after its checks. But staying overnight across from a horrifyingly hilarious strip club, we decided Read more…


Abandoned Sand Plant Silos
Toms River, New Jersey {Pictorial}


The Matawan Man-Eater Mural
Matawan, New Jersey

The shark attacks that inspired the Jaws film series took place on New Jersey’s coastline in 1916. The ferocious shark was a Bull shark–and not a Great White as depicted in the movies. The Bull shark is considered by experts to be the most dangerous in the world due to Read more…


Abandoned Movie Theater
Sayreville, New Jersey

On a recent trip back from the Jersey Shore to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn by way of the Outerbridge, this location caught my eye. An “eyesore” for many is pleasing to mine… a dilapidated multiplex, covered in plywood, tagged and overgrown with weeds. Ah, such things lure me in, boggle my Read more…


Going Bananas 🍌

There is a point in a banana’s life cycle… or should I say death cycle… that excites my brain with baking opportunities! Since my school has a tradition of giving bananas out to students taking the state exams, I was left with many in my classroom. So two sweet treats Read more…


Trying to See the Stars

It was a new moon; I had a car… and it was also one of the first recommended nights to see the Milky Way of the season. So despite having a full day under my belt I pulled myself up at 10 pm to drive two hours to the closest Read more…


These are a Few of My Favorite Things: Tulip Fields 🌷🌷

Long time, no new addition to my ongoing series: These are a few of my favorite things. Well inside this magical field of 8 million tulips, I remembered. Two hours flew by like a few minutes. Have you ever seen something so beautiful then these colors as far as the Read more…


🌸 Meet Me Under the Cherry Blossom Tree 🌸 {Pictorial}


Date Night In Rochester πŸ½οΈπŸ’–
Ferona

Welcome to a new series of posts about vegan food in and around Rochester, New York! Date Night with a vegan and a non-vegan… I had stumbled upon Ferona somehow, learning they had a vegan paella dish. And since, it has been high on my list. The beautiful restaurant in Read more…


Lots of Vegan Food in Rochester, NY {Part 9}

More vegan food reporting from Rochester! Though there are some oldies but goodies included, there are some notable new recommendations as I eat my way through the Flour City. Unlike many eateries in New York City, most eateries in Rochester have thoughtful vegan options on their omni-menus. Sure, they’ve got Read more…


Chimney Bluffs State Park, Again

We were back at Chimney Bluff State Park to complete the Bluff Trail. It is on this trail where you can see the dramatic views of the pointy spires looking out at the blue expanse of Great Lake Ontario. A quick trip before my flight back to NYC… We’re down Read more…


Stale Ciabatta Goes to France

As if you may need another reason to eat bread… a dry loaf of ciabatta makes for a delicious French Toast that freezes and reheats easily. I made this easy recipe and upped the recipe to accommodate two loaves of stale bread. Soaking ’em up first I love this flat Read more…


Misc. Potter County, Pennsylvania

With the morning on fire, we hit the road to see some sights before heading back to Rochester. We came upon two spots in this rural area of Pennsylvania to return to when time and perhaps rubber boots are more plentiful. First, the ruins of the Austin Dam. Its story Read more…


Checking In On Cherry Springs State Park

It’s been several years since I visited the first place I ever shot the stars. Though that evening was clear, too many times my plans were thwarted by the mountain’s tempestuous clouds. But we would give it a shot anyway, staying in town to allow for an easy check on Read more…


Alleghany County Poorhouse

I would call the place a mess but it seems that even back in 1864 a county physician called it “rotten and filthy.” Still it persisted in some form until the 1960’s. Since then it lay on this land abandoned, a dumping site for many–which makes its allure multifaceted. Here Read more…


Vegan Pizza Wars πŸ•
Rochester, New York

Swan Dive is a hip bar that happens to have some pretty outstanding vegan options. I appreciate a completely cheeseless, or marinara pie–especially when each component hits with simple perfection. Pillowy crust dreamy enough to make this a filling pie despite no hearty toppings. If I had to make a Read more…


Hunting For Wonder In Western New York
Star Trails at Chimney Bluffs

After the mermaid shoot I had another photographic mission in Chimney Bluffs State Park: Star trails on a clear night looking out at Lake Ontario. The stars were crisp even though there was quite a bit of light about. Before my programmed sequence, some foreground shots standing on the bench Read more…


Mermaids of Lake Ontario (2023)

I’m getting ready for a mermaid shoot at one of my new most favorite places, Chimney Bluffs State Park. We’d shoot at dusk and stay for the stars. The chosen rock… Goodbye sun, hello mermaid It was really windy and the lake was cold. The inspiration from the Brooklyn Bodega: Read more…


In The Yard: Birds & Flowers

It finally feels like Spring. The birds, the bees, the flowers and the trees. So here a quick little celebration of the season in its early onset. To more green…


Almost Summer Rolls

Since I brought my fresh basil in my carry-on, I knew I’d be making a batch of summer rolls, using the rice paper rolls I bought last summer that still were loitering in my guy’s pantry. Determined to use up some of the other produce in the fridge, these are Read more…