community, Dining, Family

Birthday Celebration #NicksTuscanGrill

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We all agree people today are just so busy. It seems that instead of having plenty of time, we have to make time for the things that are important. Which brings us to celebrating every birthday because each one is a gift. Marlene, the birthday girl chose Nick’s Tuscan Grill.  The place was packed, noisy and smelled delish!!

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That’s a good sign in our books. 🙂 We started out with a glass of wine and we shared a chopped salad. Wish I had taken a photo of the bread, but it did not stand a chance. We gobbled it up.

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My sister Marianne ordered the Eggplant Rollatine with pasta. The Birthday Girl ordered Short Rib Lasagna with Sausage. Portions are generous and we all went home with a doggy bag.

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I ordered the Seafood Lasagna, which was stuffed with shrimp, clams, calamari, mussels and scallops. I could only eat half. So good. Merci went for the Chicken with Butternut Squash keeping in the season. She ate it all up!

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We shared two desserts The Homemade Brownie Sundae and Nick’s Homemade Cannoli. Now make a wish,blow out the candle and hand me a spoon.

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Birthdays are the time to think about all of the wonderful times we’ve all shared together. So thankful for our adventures and all of the things that we’ve done as friends. Looking forward to making many more memories with you. Happy Birthday!

product review

Monday At Jelly Roll Dog Park by Jennifer Schreiber #Jellyrolldogpark

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IMG_3454 Monday At Jelly Roll Dog Park  is the story of pure bred dogs who thought that being a purebred gave them clout and prestige and the right to snob their tales at mutts.

Pure breeds like Rex the Rottweiler, Ginger the Golden Retriever, Champ the Jack Russell terrier, and Princess the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to name a few.

Then one day Muttley, the mutt, walks into Jelly Roll Dog Park and when the  purebreds realize  that  Muttley’s blood line is not so pure, they turn there tails on poor Muttley. Muttley only wanted a friend.   IMG_3456 (1)The story has a happy ending.

The bully dogs DO NOT WIN.

And Muttley learns, with the help of Daisy Mae, the guardian angel of Jelly Roll Dog Park, that he is special.  Muttley discovers his strengths and rises above the bullying and earns respect from the other dogs.

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My granddaughter loved this story and it taught her that you need to face a bully the way Muttley did.

The author of Monday at Jelly Roll Dog  Park  is the first book in a children’s anit-bullying series.  Jennifer Schreiber is the CEO of Just Jenerous Inc.

Her endeavors are centered around inspiring acts of generosity to reinforce her belief that peace on the planet begins with  peace on the playground.

Family, Travel

The Isle Of Capri #Capri #AmalfiCoast

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When we went to the Amalfi Coast it was a must that we visit the Island of Capri.IMG_3066 (2)

We hopped on the ferry and ferried across the sea.  The  turquoise blue, fresh and clear sea.  The sea that had not a  blemish.  IMG_2996

I tell you if I could swim, which I can’t,  I would’ve swam the sea across to Capri!

Capri so lived up to it’s name.  Capri is an island (part of  Campania) in the Bay of Naples in southern Italy.

Capri is a Italian girl name. The meaning of the name is `Fanciful`

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Here we sit at Faraglioni: Gardens of Augustus.  IMG_3024

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The Faraglioni are the two large rocks that jut out of the Mediterranean sea.

As we looked down from way on top of the hill I saw what appeared to be some type of road.

I could not help but imagine Roman chariots rolling down these paths to reach the bottom of the mountain.

IMG_3050  We walked the town and saw the shops.  Pretty pricey stores! All designer shops. I did stroll into  a eye glass shop, thinking maybe I would buy designer sunglasses.  Well,  that idea went right out the frame window.  The pair I fell in love with were priced at 1,200 Euros…Holy Moly!  Designer, Chanel.   No wonder they looked so fine…needless to say we marched out of the store and just ended up IMG_3022window shopping from that point on.

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We loved Capri but made one mistake.  We didn’t go to AnaCapri where I was told you take a cable ride up the mountain and there you would be at the highest point of the island.  If only we had known.

Book, Food and Health, product review, recipe, Video

In The Kitchen With David #ITKWD #BackAroundTheTable #ATasteOfFall #ComfortFoods #QVC

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I had the most amazing evening last week meeting QVC’s Resident Foodie David Venable. Let me just say David is so adorable and one very groovy guy. From the moment we met he was  generous, thoughtful and so down to earth, did I mention adorable, making all  the dinner guests feel welcome like we were family and friends.  The topic of the evening was “comfort foods”, my favorite topic ever!

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The evening started with two of my favorite starters. Spinach-Feta Cups (page 11), Mini Crab Cakes with Old Bay Mayonnaise (page 25)

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Apple Gorgonzola, Red Onion and Candied Walnut Salasd. Does Not Need Bacon 🙂 with Pomegranate Vinaigrette (page 24)

We then watched how to prepare the best Beef Pot Pie I have ever had. I know my grandchildren will love this one.

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We started with Halibut in Parchment Pouches. Perfection! (page 208)

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Next came the Beef Pot Pie (page 187) served with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes (page 226) and Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles (page 156)\

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How do you end a perfect evening? With a cupcake of course!!. David sent us home with dessert, Black Bottom Cupcakes (page 269) and a copy of “Back Around The Table”. This sweetheart knows comfort.

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You can watch David on QVC In The Kitchen With David every Wednesday at 8pm (ET) and on Sunday at noon (ET)

To follow David Venable QVC click here