I work right across the street from Crumbs Bake Shop in Stamford. I’m not much of a sweet tooth these days, but their cupcakes are so visually tempting I have to be careful. I stick to the coffee (dark roast, please) whenever I wander into the bake shop. Here’s a High Ridge secret: Crumbs is guaranteed to be more peaceful than the Starbucks that’s just a few doors down. Thanksgiving weekend my niece and nephew came up to visit from Bucks County, Pennsylvania and I wanted to get them a sweet surprise. Jack immediately had his eye on the brownie cupcake: chocolate cake filled and frosted with chocolate fudge, drizzled with chocolate and topped with walnut brownie bites. What did he think of this oversized serving of chocolate upon chocolate? The photos say it all…
You might think all this sugar would have Jack bouncing off the walls, but not so. Here’s one last shot: hanging with his Uncle Blue, watching TMNT. Yes, ninja turtles.
Archive for November, 2009
serving smiles daily
November 30, 2009wilson’s bbq in fairfield, ct
November 27, 2009I wouldn’t say I know much about BBQ, but my favorite spot around these parts is Wilson’s Holy Smoke BBQ in Fairfield, CT. We recently stopped in and tried some different items from their menu. And you don’t have to take my word for it… Guy Fieri featured this spot on his Food Network show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
stuffed
November 26, 2009When you have two turkeys, it’s a lot of carving! Drumsticks are sought after in this household.
View from the kitchen window.
One of my all-time favorite pies: the trusty apple crumb from Oronoque Farms. I’ve been eating this pie since elementary school and it warms my heart that some traditions still taste every bit as good as you remember.
The living room was silent all day. At Christmas it’s filled with family and gift-giving… wrapping paper flying in the air. This room used to have a rich red wallpaper and I still can’t quite get over the new neutral color scheme!
Thanks for having us Aunt Grace & Uncle Steve. I’m grateful for this day together with family.
happy thanksgiving
November 26, 2009Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Here’s a pearl necklace from my aunt’s vintage jewelry collection. Soon I’m headed to her home for some turkey. This year we are taking a break from our usual Thanksgiving routine at my sister-in-law’s in Yardley, PA. I will miss the sausage and chestnut stuffing!
quad cities wrap-up
November 25, 2009This wraps up our trip to the Quad Cities. I think we’re all a little tired of wedding photos, but no worries! There’s no such event on the agenda until June when it looks like we’ll be headed to Vegas, baby! (I really hope I can get a tour of the Boneyard at the The Neon Museum).
These final photos are from the River Music Experience in Davenport, where you can get oriented on the music of Mississippi River area.
I LOVE: zee avi
November 24, 2009and now a musical interlude from Zee Avi… Born in Borneo, raised in Malaysia and discovered by Patrick Keeler of the Raconteurs. I love these quiet melodies. The second song is a cover of Morrissey’s “First of the Gang.” Her singing reminds me a little of Sally Ellyson from Hem.
dancing the night away: a+j (part III)
November 24, 2009A few final moments from Ann + Jason’s wedding
I don’t know the band’s name, but they rocked. No cheesy music. No oldies. They covered a bunch of current hits and some reggae and did it well.
details from the figge: a+j (part II)
November 24, 2009Off to the Figge Art Museum for Ann + Jason’s wedding reception. I can’t tell you what a surprise it is to see this modern building in downtown Davenport, Iowa! 
So I know you’re thinking… what’s the big deal with the luminaries? Each one was hand-cut by the bride. The designs are different southwestern plants (the bride and groom in Phoenix) and the A+J logo from their wedding invitation. 
How involved was this wedding labor of love? Just look at how many luminaries line the stops of the Figge. I think Ann said there were over 100?
Some quiet moments before the reception gets going. I love a museum as the backdrop for a reception. On the right, Ann has more dessert themed plants for the table centerpieces.
You can catch a glimpse of their engagement photos at the Chihuly exhibit in the Desert Botantical Garden in Phoenix (left side of the guest book)
Reflections from the Figge lobby. 
What’s the perfect autumn wedding favor? Why caramel apples, of course! Here my percussion section gets their maracas going post-reception.
we’re not in moline anymore
November 23, 2009Nope Dorothy, we’ve crossed the river to Davenport Iowa. Coming Soon: A+J’s reception at the ultra modern Figge Art Museum.
Check out the view from the museum entrance
Smithies in the house: Left to right: Blake, Katrina, Ann, Carolyn, Christine, Liz
married: a + j (part 1)
November 19, 2009Ann and I went to the same college, at the same time, but we never crossed paths. After graduation, we became fast friends when we both took our first jobs in Stamford, Connecticut. Over the years we’ve stayed in touch, even after Ann moved back to Illinois and later on to Arizona. I wouldn’t have missed her wedding for the world and it was just the ticket to finally visit her hometown of Moline that I had heard so much about. Of course Ann + Jason had a photographer documenting their day, so I just grabbed a few shots here and there and mostly tried to stay in the moment, as a guest. 
This was the first time I met Jason. Over the years, I’ve heard so much about J, I felt like I had met him before. And how lucky to have a brother like Bob officiating your ceremony. I love how Bob and Ann have the same laugh!
A few musical interludes:
The weather turned chilly when the sun went below the treeline. Here’s Ann rockin’ out in her grandmother’s fur jacket. 
I’ll wrap things up with a reading from their ceremony, from Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece:
And then one day it came upon another piece that seemed to be just right.
“Hi!” It said.
“Hi!” said the piece
“Are you anybody else’s missing piece?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Well, maybe you want to be your own piece?”
“I can be someone’s and still be my own.”