Disney Junior Scalloped potatos

It's been a while since I have posted anything.
Not because I've not had anything to write about. I have.
I've interviewed and gotten a new job. So I now have 2 1/2 jobs not including Mom.
It's all good. I still have time to spend with Ella, and being a real live music teacher (not just private lessons) is super fun.
A shit ton of work, but fun. When I got the job it was sort of like when Broadway called that one time. Exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
I digress.
Because of our busy schedule I've tried to stock the freezer with all things tasty for dinner. But I don't defrost every night, because sometimes I figure out short cuts to super yummy things that will take you only a 15 minute episode of Mickey, Doc, or Jake and the Neverland Pirates to make.

This will be my first blog post with actual recipes. I've avoided this in the past because I think it's sort of over done in the mommy blog-sphere. But maybe I have a different point of view....

I'm not crunchy enough to keep chickens. We don't live in the suburbs. I think it would be looked down upon to keep them on the fire escape. AND I let my kid watch TV, and don't apologize for it. She doesn't watch it all the time, and she knows how to play by herself, dance, and color, we just like TV, and there are some pretty darn good shows out there these days. 

I also let her have sweets occasionally. Mostly stuff I've made, or we have made together, but she gets sugar sometimes, she's not addicted to it. It doesn't make her act like a lunatic. It doesn't keep her from eating her broccoli.
Yep! I've outed myself.

Here is the recipe for Disney Junior Scalloped potatoes for two. You could add more potatoes and make it for 3 or 4

2 medium red skinned potatos
Shredded mexican blend cheese
Smoked Spanish Paprika (to taste, a sprinkle per layer)
Salt and Pepper
Milk
Panko Bread crumbs
Cooking Spray
Olive Oil

Peal (or not) the potatoes and slice thinly.  Spray individual ramikens with cooking spray. Layer the potato slices with the cheese in the ramikens adding salt, pepper and paprika as you layer. Toast the panko in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil till golden brown. When you have finished the layers of potato and cheese, pour a small amount of milk in the ramiken, just enough to keep everything moist in the oven. Sprinkle panko over the top, and bake until cooked through and bubbly about 20 min covered, and 25 min. Uncovered at 350*.

The handy thing. And what I did. Was let Ella watch an episode of Mickey this morning while I put these together and then I pop them in the fridge to bake off later this evening before dinner. They will go along with the turkey breast that I cooked yesterday wrapped in bacon and seasoned with Herbs d'Provence.
With Salad, not bad for a Monday night.

Into the Deep

Today (in my mind) marks the day where we begin the delicate, strategic, and sometimes terrifying navigation through the New York education system.
Ella had her first day of what I like to call Preschool Lite. A 90 min. class broken up into large motor time (that's preschool speak for the playground,) snack and free choice (Ella chose art and lining up farm animals.) The morning is guided by a teacher and the parents.
Since we are enrolled in the parent toddler program we don't have to line up at 6am like a chorus call for Lion King at the Apollo for regular preschool registration in January. We get a week head start. Which is why we are doing the class, well... And other things like academics and stuff. This place was on my radar before I was even married let alone had kids. All that being said I still have a list of other places to look at and tour. I even have a list of elementary schools although Ella is not 2 yet. Looking ahead is imperative.
I am convinced that we can give Ella a good education without spending 35 thousand dollars a year to do it.
Yes friends. 35 thousand dollars.
Here we go New York! I accept the challenge!!!

Blessings for Baseball, bananas, and Boker Tov

"Back in the olden days before Jews lived on the upper west side. They lived in tents and were kind of like cowboys. They wore boots and stetsons, and in the morning (when there was a bright golden haze on the meadow) and before they would even say boker tov they would come outside of their tents and shout Yeehaw!" said the Rabbi this morning.

I love Rosh Hashanah. I love making all the food, it's better than the January New Year. It's a wonderful time for reflection and renewal as we go into the fall and winter months. Since Michael and I have been married we celebrate with our urban family, our wayward Jewish and non Jewish friends here in New York. The last two years we have celebrated as well with the lovely Ella.

Today we went to the children's service at our Synagogue and had a great time. This year the parents were on good behavior and there were much fewer women wearing stilettos that would puncture the little darlings toddling across the floor. Not so last year.

Last year the hard working Rabbi's didn't stand a chance against the upper west side elite. The children's service was fashion show/social hour. Meh

This year, well meaning adults and their children and grandchildren did their best to listen and enjoy the wonderful child centric service. When it came to the part of the service to talk about what everyone was thankful for one mom raised her hand and said "I'm thankful for a wonderful children's service that we can enjoy with our kids." I second that, lady. Her son was thankful for Banana's. To each his own.

The rabbi was funny, and engaging. He told the tales behind the prayers that we say, and told them in a a way that everyone found the humor, terror, and wonder of the old stories. We had warm ups, and snack time, and Ella's timer was up just after the Torah parade, but luckily they did the shofar portion of the service (the Shofar player dude had just a quick min. to spare away from the adult service.) So we hit the highlights this year, and didn't have to fear for Ella's fingers and toes!

Happy New Year!
L'Shana Tova!

I am thankful for my family and friends, our continued good health, and that we have jobs, and a roof over our head.

Mystic Crystal Revelations

For weeks now I've tried to figure out how to say thank you to my parents, to CATCO, to Columbus, for such a magical wonderful summer.

As Brian says to Kate Monster at the end of Avenue Q. "Just say, thanks."

So.
Thanks. Thank you, The whole Monster Community thanks you!

This summer has been one of big revelations, and discoveries for me. And thank you, if you were a part of that.

On the family end of things, it has been a truly amazing summer for Ella. She has gotten to know her grandparents (all 7 of them) and various cousins and aunts and uncles in a way that will ensure that she
most likely will remember them come holiday time. With the aide of skype for the in between times.

She has enjoyed playing in the backyard every morning with the dogs, and been a regular at the pool.

And most importantly she has had amazing bonding time with Daddy. This summer would have not been possible with out Michael playing Mr. Mom. And when he had to return to the city while I was in tech, my parents and Anna of course did a bang up job covering!!

On the job end. Avenue Q was one of the most rewarding theatre experiences for me. I have enjoyed playing with old friends and making new ones. Furry ones, and of the people variety. I've learned so much and had so much fun in the process.

We/I am very glad though to be back home in New York. The city has become home for us and our little family and this summer has made us realize that fully. The biggest question on everyones mind when they saw us in Columbus was "Oh! are you back?" or "Oh! Are you moving back now that you have a kid?" And the answer is.
No.
We have learned to appreciate our small space, we realized how much we really don't like driving, and while the city smells in the summer, and is slushy in the winter, you can get any and everything delivered, and things are open all the time.
We love it.
And besides we are kind of tied into our quirky money pit of an apartment.

But what about the schools, you say? Where will Ella go to school?
We don't know.
BUT! We have a plan. I have lists! Of preschools, of elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Middle school, now that will be tricky.... but maybe not.
We have some time.

Now that we are home the biggest question by the regulars on the corner is "where'd you go? We thought you hit the numbers!!"
We wish.
You've got to play them to win them.
Good Night and Good Luck Columbus, see you next time.

Bryden Road Express

I miss the subway.

I never thought I would say that and mean it.
Particularly during the summer when the smell and heat of the New York subway platforms burn the inside of your nose, and eyeballs.
I miss it.
Well, not the burning sensation. But the ease at which you can go to and from, and can read while doing it.
Ella likes the Subway too. The weird people, the attention from little old ladies. The car just doesn't offer the same perks. Only Raffi. Which she sometimes needs to hear so that she forgets the restraints of the car seat. She loves going places, but doesn't like to be in the car to get there.
I have to agree with her.
Does this mean that I am a New Yorker now?
I wonder.
Does it also mean we're full stop new yorkers when Michael and I talk about how less space is not such a bad thing with a toddler around.
Maybe so.
The backyard is great, the quiet at night is wonderful, and being able to be in an amazing show with amazing people has been really terrific.
We open this week, and I am so excited! My shoulder blades are smarting, and I have one giant bicep from all the puppet work, but the anticipation of an audience overrides all of the pain and lack of sleep. It has been one of the most rewarding rehearsal processes I've ever had and I'm looking forward to a successful run.
In the mean time we'll keep driving the BRE in the Chevy SUV the two miles to the theatre, and quarter mile to the grocery. And know that when we get back to the city in September cooler weather will be close, and the burn of the stench will begin to wither away, and I'll be whisked away through a whole in the ground once again. It'll only be a matter of time when we will pine away for a giant car to shlep things too and from storage, or go to the New Jersey IKEA.

Belting before noon... Day three.

It turns out I can still bring it before noon.
Singing for preschool kids in the classroom doesn't count.

I'm talking full on belting my face off at day three of Avenue Q rehearsal.

After a five year hiatus I have found that getting back into rehearsal and performance mode is just like riding a bike.
However, it's just a bigger heavier bike!
I am grateful for all of it. The job, my entourage consisting of Ella, Michael, and of course Luna who are willing to part with me for the majority of the weekend, and weeknights. And my parents for putting is up for our two month adventure.

My reality is just so extraordinarily different than it used to be.

All that being said I have found in the last few days that this job, this whole experience might lead to my best and most rewarding work on stage....
Stay tuned.

Deli Wars: Let me pop in for some foie gras and a forty.

Delis, bodegas, convenient stores. Whatever you want to call them, they are a booming business in our neighborhood.
And they are at war.
Fierce competition. New ones pop up everyday. Some provide Halal options, some are beginning to jump onto the organic/soy/good for the environment band wagon. All provide coffee that is like drinking scalding hot petrol.
At the Red Apple, they tell us every time they order soy milk and Seventh Generation dish soap that they think of us when they are buying it.
For the record. We don't drink soy milk.
We just fit the demographic.
For our area, the sign of real gentrification is not who is moving in, moving on, or moving out. It's what you can buy and where.
There is a huge difference between El Presidente beer and Magic Hat Number 9. We will walk an extra 2 blocks for the Magic. At the Majestic. The Red Apple doesn't have it.

Zam Zam has beef bacon, and I must say I was skeptical, how can anything be as mouth watering as the swine, but it's truly amazing stuff. BUT Zam Zam doesn't have the ice cream treats we like so it's back across the street to the mustachioed man at the Red Apple.
Every day a man next door walks to the Red Apple for a can of cat food, a lithe one eared black cat following along, not his cat exactly, but lives around his building and so he has taken responsibility for it.
Speaking of cats, all the bodegas have them. It keeps down the rats, and mice.
I'll take that.
They never used to mind if I carried in my little Stella when I was out for a walk and realized I was out of milk. How could they argue a little dog when there is always a giant orange cat lounging on the top shelves amongst the bottles of soda.

The newer joints are also being named Gourmet.
Well. That's a stretch.
I don't think the block boys on the corner are going to run to the deli to see if they can get some toast points for their dinner parties, or they just happened to run out of foie gras and cocktail napkins and thought the Zam Zam might just have what they need.
"Oh! If you all will excuse me please, I'll just pop down to the store and see if they have any truffle oil, I seem to have run out!"
Right.
Gourmet my ass.
Just because you put down new tiles, some wood paneling, and sweep the floor more frequently, does not make you Citarella. (For those non New Yorkers Citerella is a extravagantly expensive gourmet market that sells things like kangaroo meat and elk ribs)

Most delis these days offer premium cold cuts on their sandwiches, and are becoming more and more varied in supplies. You can choose your own adventure with the sandwiches, we will get them at some and not others, we inspect the layer of dust and grime on the deli cooler before we choose. But they are all slinging eggs, bacon, and toast in the mornings, and smelling bacon cooking while walking down the street with the dog and baby is not a bad way to start the day.
As the days, weeks and months go buy the layers of dust and grime are becoming less layered in our tiny shops. They are stepping up their game.

They have to. The times they are a changing and these places are going to have to be able to compete with the brand new GIANT Duane Reade that is going in down the block.

Rite Aid or Wrong Aid as we call it has never in my opinion been much competition for the little stores. They are inefficient, very often rude, and certainly will not extend credit when you realize you're short a dollar.
Not that Duane Reade will give you credit either, but the new ones have sandwiches, artisan bread, fancy baby food, AND nail polish.
So my little stores, watch out, and keep those counters clean, keep the cats, but keep them out of sight. We love Duane Reade, but we love you more. We love that you are interested in what we buy, that we can catch up on the neighborhood gossip. Who's gone to jail, who had died, when the memorial is, or who had a baby. I love that you will extend the kindness to a harried mommy who needs an ice cream treat for herself, and the baby, but is 25 cents short. Most of all we love that if we need you at midnight for ice cream, beer, or Pedialight, you are open and ready to do business.
And if we ever decide to start drinking soy milk...
We know you're lookin' out.