Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful mamas and mamas-to-be! Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness to you and your families on this special day! Today I am hosting brunch at our house, as I'm 2 weeks away from delivering Baby #2! We are so excited that our family is growing! Enjoy our Mother's Day Brunch Menu...and recipe for my Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans! 

Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans

Serves 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

10-12 slices of challah bread, one loaf (or any other bread of your choice)

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/4 cup corn syrup (or golden syrup)

4-5 medium, ripe bananas, sliced thin

1/2+ cup pecans, chopped

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

6 large eggs

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Powered sugar

Maple syrup (We love our GrandDad Ken’s REAL Vermont Maple Syrup!)

Directions:

**NOTE: Prepare this dish the night before and refrigerate uncooked overnight for best results. Cook in the morning and serve immediately.**

Butter bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup and mix until smooth. 

In another large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half and vanilla to pour over each layer.

Next, you will create a layering effect of the ingredients much like a lasagna. So, spread some of the brown sugar mixture into an even layer in bottom of buttered baking dish. Add thinly sliced bananas and place over brown sugar mixture. Scatter chopped pecans over bananas. Add a layer of bread slices and sprinkle with cinnamon. Then, pour some of the egg mixture over that layer. Repeat until all bread and bananas are layered in your baking dish.

**Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.**

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly, run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen sides and carefully invert pan onto a large platter, dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with warm maple syrup. Enjoy!

Optional: Top with sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.

Mother's Day Brunch Menu



Baked Creme Brûlée French Toast with Bananas and Pecans
Fresh Fruit platter of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple
Smoked salmon platter with capers, onions, hard boiled eggs, cream cheese & bagels 
Ham and cheese quiche, Spinach and cheese quiche
Spinach salad with goat cheese, strawberries and walnuts with balsamic vinaigrette
Lemon meringue pie
Orange juice, Mimosas and Coffee
Enjoy!

Recipes: Hearty, Winter Casseroles

I remember when I was little, I would always see my mom looking through her favorite magazines, Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle and Women's Day. Who would have thought, nearly 30+ years later, these classic women's mags would still be going strong today...and for a new generation of moms!  Now it's my turn as a mom, and I always look forward to receiving my monthly edition of Better Homes and Gardens packed full of home decor ideas, recipes & great lifestyle tips. I can always count on BHG.com 's weekly recipe e-blast for terrific recipes to jazz up my weekly rotation of spaghetti & meatballs, grilled chicken and turkey chili.

As any busy mom (or individual) will tell you, hearty, quick & easy casseroles are a life-savor! They are my go-to meals for feeding my family when it's cold outside...and usually good for 2 or 3 meals! Click this link for all of the recipes...but here are a few of my faves.

Deep-Dish Chicken Pot Pie

It's hard to go wrong with this crowd pleaser -- it's as delicious as the dish grandma used to make. Here, buttery pastry tops a creamy blend of veggies, mushrooms, butter, and chicken.

Bean-and-Beef Enchilada Casserole

For enchilada flavor -- without all the frying, filling, and rolling -- try this mouthwatering dish. Cut fat by making it with ground turkey, reduced fat cheese, and fat-free sour cream.

(Source: BHG.com)

Fall Family Fun in New England!

Hello friends!
Autumn has arrived in New England! It’s time to put on your jeans and sweaters, pack up the kids, and head out to the local apple orchard for some apple picking’... or pumpkin patch to for your Halloween pumpkins! With so many fall festivals & fairs, theatrical performances & concerts, and museum exhibits...there are hours of family fun! I do my best to search the web for FREE or low cost events, which are really the best kind of events for whole family! Enjoy!

:) Melissa
  

Apple Picking & Pumpkin Patches:

Our favorite thing to do in the FALL is to go apple picking, get pumpkins & other root vegetables and see some farm animals! Many farms and orchards have hay rides, trolleys, farm animals, and many other surprises. Visit each website to find out hours, events and pricing. 

There are so man great farms and orchards in the New England area...Here is a great Google Map with all the orchards! http://www.applepickingboston.com/

Below is a PDF you can download with all the locations in MA! http://www.boston.com/travel/special/ene/apple/applepickin.pdf 

Here are just a few...send me a comment or email if you want to add in your favorites...

Belkin Family Lookout Farm 

89 Pleasant Street, South Natick www.lookoutfarm.com

The Farm is open every day from 10:00 - 5:00. Pick your own fruit, enjoy train rides, moon bounce, caterpillar rides, burlap maze and hay pyramid. Weekends also include live kids' entertainment, face painting and more!

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

www.honeypothill.com/ 

144 Sudbury Road, Stow, MA 01775

Great apple and pear the week of September 19, picking is open daily 10 to 5.  Now picking MacIntosh, Cortand, Empire and Bosc Pears. Visit the Farm store, hedgemaze, tunnelmaze and farm animals open daily 9 to 6. Cider donuts, caramel apples, apple & pumpkin pie.  Soft serve ice cream and peach smoothies.

Weekend hayrides 10 to 5 & Weekday hayrides 12 to 5.

Tougas Family Farm 

234 Ball Street, Northborough www.tougasfarm.com

Our barnyard, playground, weekend wagon rides, and farm kitchen are family friendly activities all will enjoy. After apple picking, come visit the barnyard to see the goats climb their mountain of stone and then enjoy farm fresh homemade baked goods, ice cream, and apple cider donuts at the Tougas Farm Kitchen. Fun for the whole day, a perfect Massachusetts vacation & New England experience

Nashoba Valley Winery (yes! a winery!)

100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton www.nashobawinery.com

Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon

http://www.wardsberryfarm.com/

April 1 thru December 31
Monday through Friday 9-7 and Saturday & Sunday 9-6

Seasonal Picking Schedule:

Sept 17th - Oct 30th: 

PYO Pumpkins (daily) - pick, then pay

Hayrides to pumpkin patch (weekends only), $3 pp ages 3 & up

4-H Animal Barn: Petting zoo is FREE; donations to Sunnyrock 4H welcome.

Picnic areas, swingset and hay pyramid:  FREE of charge. 

Fall Festivals:

Topsfield Fair

Sept. 30 - Oct. 10

207 Boston St., Topsfield, MA

978-887-5000, weekdays $10, weekends and holidays $12, under 12 with adult free, www.topsfieldfair.org

Entertaining visitors since 1818, this is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the United States. Throughout the many tents and barns on the extensive grounds, you can observe, pet, and learn about farm animals including pigs, sheep, horses, rabbits, goats, even bees. (Source: Boston.com)

The Big E

Sept. 16 - Oct. 2

875 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA

413-737-2443, adults $15, 6-12 $10, 5 and under free. Special events priced separately. www.thebige.com

The Big E Cream Puff and the Craz-E Burger are only two reasons to visit The Big E, the largest fall festival in the region. This 17-day extravaganza features carnival rides, a circus under the big top, Mardi Gras parade, reconstructed 19th-century New England village, shopping, crafts, live entertainment (Reba McEntire tops this year’s roster), and foods from around the world like shepherd’s pie, corn cake pulled pork muffins, and deep-fried bacon-wrapped hotdogs. (Source: Boston.com)

Newport Yachting Center's International Oktoberfest

Oct. 8-10

4 Commercial Wharf, 401-846-1600, adults $20 Sat or Sun and $12 Mon, under 12 free, 3-Day Weekender Pass $40, www.newportwaterfrontevents.com

Newport, RI may be known for yachting and sumptuous mansions by the sea, but it’s no snob when it comes to embracing beer. When fall rolls around, the Yachting Center celebrates the flavors of the season at this annual festival. Two stages on the waterfront feature spirited Bavarian oompah bands, German dance troupes and yodelers, and Rhode Island’s own Alpenblumen dancers. (Source: Boston.com)

Connecticut Garlic and Harvest Festival

Oct. 8-9

Bethlehem Fairgrounds, entrance at 304 Route 61, 203-266-7810, adults $6, seniors $5, under 12 $1, www.garlicfestct.com

Garlic lovers rejoice! The seventh annual festival is a two-day garlic gala. Garlic specialty food vendors will be selling all manner of dips, cheeses, spreads, and oils, or stop by fresh produce vendors to pick up a head or two to take home. Lectures will discuss how to grow and cook with garlic, including tips for no-fuss gourmet meals. (Source: Boston.com)

STORY TIME for Babies & Kids!

Every week I bring my daughter to different story times around my hometown. These events are not only FREE, but educational...and a great way for your child to meet other kids, explorer reading, singing and being creative, playing musical instruments and having fun in a safe, warm environment. One time an African musician came to do an wonderful hands-on drumming class, while another time a Medeval Jester performed his "unusual" one man show for the audience. Also, I have met many great parents and caregivers...so it's a nice time for adults too! 


Here are some great libraries South of Boston...many which have special programs, musical guests, magicians or puppeteers! Be sure to check your local library for times and events in your town or state!

Walpole Public Library

Baby Book Time - Babies up to 2 1/2 yrs old. Monday mornings at 10:30 am

Preschool Story Time - Children 3-5 yrs. Thursday mornings at 10:30 am.

Music, Movement & Me - Children up to 4 yrs old. Tuesdays at 10:30 am.

http://www.walpolelibrary.org/walpolenew/events.asp

Wrentham (Fiske) Public Library 

Baby/Toddler Playgroup - Birth to pre-walkers with Mom, Dad or caregiver meets on Fridays at 9:30. Toddlers (walkers) to age 2 1/2 with Mom, Dad or caregiver meets on Fridays at 10:30. Meet new friends, play with the new toys and gym equipment purchased with funds from the Friends of Fiske!!!  Come join the fun! No registration required just DROP IN. If arriving before 10AM please ring doorbell.

http://fiskelib.org/kidscorner.html

Foxboro (Boyden) Library 

Story Time - Tuesdays. Ages 3-5 yrs. 10:00 a.m.
Mother Goose on the Loose Story Time - Tuesdays and Thursdays. Infant - Age 3 11:00 a.m.
Story Time -Wednesday Group Ages 3-5 1:30 p.m.
http://www.boydenlibrary.org/childrenspage.html

Norfolk Library

Babygarten - Wednesdays at 10:30 am at Lafayette, Pretlow, Downing branches (or 11:00 am at Park Place and Janaf branches). Infant to 24 months. Spend the morning singing and playing with your baby! Babygarten features actions rhymes, movement activities, shared book reading, and playtime. This program is especially for babies and toddlers and their caregivers. No registration is necessary. 

Babygarten - Thursdays at 11:00 am. Check the website for locations.

http://www.npl.lib.va.us/family/kidscove.html 

Fall Foliage for "Leaf Peepers":

Once September and October come around, but before it is too cold and damp, I love to take a walk through Boston Common (pictured) and enjoy all the lovely colors of the leaves as they turn. Boston.com has a great section on "Leaf-Peeping Itineraries around New England. Click here for the link.


And GoNewEngland.com has a great fall foliage map, for all of you "leaf peepers" - those who enjoy just driving around looking at the beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves! Visit their site for more ideas.

Here are more Fall Fun ideas from the WICKEDLOCAL.COM CALENDAR        

September
“King Richard’s Faire” is a Renaissance fair featuring knights jousting on horseback, fire eaters, stage performances, costumed minstrels, dancers, jugglers, a zoo, rides and showcase of Renaissance crafts and clothing. It runs now through Oct. 30, in Carver.

Nearly 200 years old, the Topsfield Fair has the usual animals and agricultural exhibits, games, rides and music, plus pig and duck races, Bengal Tiger encounters, and blacksmith, beekeeping and furniture making demonstrations. It runs Sept. 30 - Oct. 10, in Topsfield.

October

Check out “A Day in Pompei,” an exhibit of ancient daily life revealed in more than 250 artifacts and body casts of people and animals, buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Interactive stations and multi-media presentation recreate the city’s buildings, sight and sounds, as the exhibit runs Oct. 2 - Feb. 12, at the Museum of Science, in Boston.

It’s time to dance – “Yo Gabba Gabba!” is a live music and dance stage show featuring characters from the  pre-school television show, performed Oct. 2, at Agganis Arena, in Boston. See a sample video below!

Celebrate fall on a working farm operated by Mass Audubon Society, at the Farm Festival, Oct. 4-5, in Lincoln. Visit barnyard animals, pick local produce, hear live music, watch artisans and ride in a hay wagon. 

Every major cultural organization in The Fenway hosts indoor and outdoor celebrations and performances in music, dance, theatre, and art at Open Our Doors Day, a free event, Oct. 10, Huntington and Massachusetts Avenues, Boston.

You want an old-school circus? It’s got to be Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus, a classic three-ring circus featuring elephants, trapeze artists and other performers, Oct. 12 - 16, at TD Garden, Boston.

The Boston Book Festival is a celebration of books where kids can meet picture book and fiction authors, see favorite story characters, and hear stories. It’s Oct. 15, at various locations in Copley Square. Free.

This “Peter Pan” is a unique multi-media stage production from London where hi-resolution video inside a 360-degree tent gives the audience the feel of flying over 1904 London to Neverland.  It plays Oct. 18 – Nov. 27, City Hall Plaza, Boston.

Or check out Tony Award-nominee Cathy Rigby in her “Peter Pan,” as she stars in this theatrical production of the classic story, Oct. 28-30, Hanover Theatre, Worcester.

November

The story of “Peter and the Wolf” set to music by Prokoviev is a highlight of classical musical, performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with pre-concert family activities on Nov. 12, at Symphony Hall, in Boston.  

The Pumpernickel Puppets bring alive the stories of Sir George and the Dragon and Three Billy Goats Gruff, on Nov. 19, at TCAN, in Natick. (Source: Wickedlocal.com)


I hope this has given you some great ideas for fall, family fun!
Have a Happy & Safe Fall Season!
:) Melissa

Provincetown - Cape Cod's Hip, Cool & Delicious Getaway!

Provincetown is Cape Cod's northern-most town, sitting proudly on the very tip of Massachusetts, jutting out into the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean. P-Town is known for it's bustling gay community, great beaches, shopping, art galleries, history, bars and restaurants...this seaside getaway and is a slice of heaven everyone with an adventurous spirit. In a nutshell, Provincetown is gorgeous, sunny and fun by day...delicious and wild by night! Whatever your speed, whatever your persuasion...P-Town is the ultimate summertime getway for the wild at heart!

Every summer it has been a tradition for my amazing husband Andrew and I to rent a condo in P-Town either with friends or on our own. In summer 2007, we rented a 2-bedroom condo just off of Commercial Street with Jaap and Danielle, our Dutch friends who came over from Amsterdam for their summer holiday! We had the BEST time with them, really bonded and got to know the quirky, welcoming, gourmet and wild side of P-Town first hand. The following summer, we rented a cute & modern 1-bedroom right on Commercial Street across from Lorraine's mexican and tequila restaurant (highly recommended!). We relished in being in our own little place, renting bikes and kayaks, finding cute hideaways, climbing the Pilgrim Monument and meeting locals for drinks and oysters. As a rule, I suggest renting a condo or house rather than getting a hotel room when I travel. You have the freedom of having your own place...to cook, relax and sit on your own private deck. Check out HomeAway.com and VRBO.com for the best in vacation rentals around the world.

Last summer, we stayed in Brewster, MA in Cape Cod (mid-Cape) with my sister Sara and her fiance Dan at Ocean's Edge Village. His aunt has an amazing condo with pool and beach access. It was a gorgeous sunny weekend and we spend the days on the beach, and the nights eating lobster and clams, and singing along to the cover band at local dive bar, The Woodshed in Brewster. We had such a blast with them! On Saturday afternoon we hit Cape Cod hotspot The Wellfleet Beachcomber for much needed raw bar fix - Wellfleet oysters and gigantic shrimp cocktail. Goombay Smash rum drinks and Bud Lite Limes were happily consumed...and we had a blast!

Andrew and I snuck up to P-Town for brunch one day (the lobster eggs benedict at Cafe Edwige is highly recommend!) and did some people watching on our way back (ok, it was backwards) to Boston! We wanted to stay longer but had to drive back home after a wonderful weekend on the Cape.


Getting There:

There are 2 ways to get to P-town, by car its about a 3 hours drive from Boston...or a 90 minute ride by ferry from Boston Harbor ($70 one way).

Getting Around:

The two best ways to see P-Town are on FOOT or by BIKE. I highly recommend renting bikes for your stay. Not only can you ride to the beaches, but you can get a crazy, intense workout the bike paths, and at dusk, take in a leisurely cruise down Commercial Street for the best people watching you will ever see! Drag queens strutting their stuff to promote their shows (Thirsty Burlington is a dead-on Cher) , foreign tourists from Japan, Germany and England, couples holding hands, families with strollers, locals, bikers, freaks of all kinds, good-looking sun-kissed people, and celebrity sightings galore (i.e.: Marc Jacobs, Lily Taylor, John Waters, Jennifer Coolidge aka "Stiffler's Mom," and many, many more) many who are in town for one-man or one-women shows.

Site-seeing:

• Whale Watch/Harbor Tour - we saw a lot of whales!
• Fishing Trip - go catch your dinner :)
• Rent Kayaks - cruise around the harbor
• Rent Bikes - go to the beaches
• Pilgrim Monument - climb up the stairs for great view of town
• Dune Buggy Tour - unique way of seeing P-Town's beaches
• Gallery Walks - many have wine & cheese at night
• People Watching
• Nightlife - Comedy, Dancing, Drag Shows, live bands
• Shopping
  

Dining (and cocktails):

-The outside patio at Bubala's by the Bay is great food, drink and peepin' time. (across from Marc Jacobs). http://www.bubalas.com/ We loved the clam rolls, huge burgers with brie and onions, great bloody mary's and fruity rum drinks too. Awesome peep watching place too.

-Next to Bubala's is Jimmy's Hideaway, down the stairs...amazing! Sit at the little bar and chat up the friendly bartender. It's a cute, upscale haven with amazing martinis, steamed mussels with white wine broth and their Bouillabaisse of Scallops, Shrimp, Mussels, Local Littlenecks, and Fish Over Basamati Rice is to die for. 179 Commercial St. http://jimmyshideaway.com/

-Lorraine's is amazing Mexican...all the way down past Bubala's on Commercial. They have 20 kinds of tequila...we stayed in a condo right across the street last summer! We had the best time...delicous food and great convos with the staff and barthenders. 133 Commercial St. http://www.lorrainesrestaurant.com/

-Café Edwige is a restaurant that is upstairs, really cozy and romantic, great food! Go for brunch on Saturday (Sunday they can't serve booze til noon...the horror! lol) and get the LOBSTER eggs benedict with mustard sauce and home fries...a decadent meal! Friendly friendly staff and lovely decor. 333 Commercial St. http://edwigeatnight.com/

-The restaurant at the Crown & Anchor (Central House Bar & Grill) is really good too...its on the outdoor porch. We really liked sitting on the airy porch and watching people walk by. We had a wonderfully romantic dinner with wine, great salads and apps, yummy fish dishes (Grilled Swordfish and Pistachio Crusted Scallops), did I say Lobster Mac n Cheese?! Check it out. http://www.onlyatthecrown.com/centralhouse/

-Sal's Place - awesome italian food...legendary spot, but quite far down on Commercial towards the very West End...but worth it! You must get a table on the deck and dine on the water. We loved our colorful waiter with tales of his winters living in a village in Indonesia and Thailand and summers in P-Town. Anything you order from Sal's is divine. Get the cheap house chianti and get ready to indulge.. We ordered a variety of pasta dishes including Pasta Fra Diavolo with Shrimp and Scallops, spaghetti with Lemon & garlic, and their traditional lschian pasta dish of raisins, pinenuts, walnuts, anchovies. The Veal Saltimbocca was out of this world. Don't forget dessert! 99 Commercial http://www.salsplaceofprovincetown.com/ (At press time, I'm afraid that Sal's may have closed down! I hope not...I will find out for sure and post.)

Nightlife:

When in P-Town, you must catch one of their world famous drag comedy shows. All the best entertainers and comedians come to P-town for the summer to do a show. We usually check out Ryan Landry's latest musical-spoof-tacular. One summer we saw his hilarous take on Cinderella, another time it was The Wizard of Oz...and better still..."Willy Wanker and the Chocolate Highway" HAHA! How amazing is that!? Our friends Julie and Adam love to head up to Provincetown to catch world famous Drag Diva...Varla Jean Merman. So many drag shows, so little time. :)

If you like to sing, or at least enjoy singingvery badly in public while drunk (lol)...you MUST go to Drag Karaoke with Dana Danzel at the Governor Bradford on Commerical St. I don't know HOW she does it, but the show starts at 9:30 every single night. Andrew and I went 3 nights in a row and sang a different song each time! OK, we had a few tequila shots to get warmed up...but once you get up on stage..all the fear goes away and you just sing your heart out! (He sang a great cover of "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash and i belted out "Goldfinger" by Eartha Kitt and an Amy Winehouse tune!) Everyone is welcome and friendly there...and you can be a star for the night! (NOTE: It's especially popular for Bachelorette parties...so beware of the wasted bride-to-be from Somerville in the dime store veil and "kiss the bride" tank top.

Shop til you Drop:

Be sure to hit the Marc Jacobs store -- I love all the fun accessories they have for $5-10 bucks! This is about the only time you will be able to afford a Marc Jacobs original, seeing as his bags run upwards of $500-1000. We usually go in for a cool t-shirt, flipflops, umbrella or some funky jewelry.



Provincia - one of my favorite stores. Owned by Portuguese artist Manuel and his partner John. He designs and imports the most gorgeous ceramics in bright traditional colors. The prices are really reasonable too in the $10-50 range and up. Last year we bought a few of his signature olive dishes and some "good luck" rooster wine toppers for family and friends. http://www.provinciagifts.com/

Toko Indo - I just discovered this cool, Balinese jewelry shop. Beaded necklaces and bracelets with bits of stone, shell or metal in bright colors. I picked up a necklace for myself and braclets for Mom and Sara. :) http://www.shoptokoindo.com

The Army-Navy Store - It has everything under the sun, from nautical-themed housewares and novelties for cheap, to the typical army fatigue pants, sailor shirts and canvas hats.