Keeping Tea-Times Cozy

And we're back! Thanks for holding out on our super-long weekend away... Thinking of all you miserably snowed-in east coast/mid-west folks; while we frolic in our 75° weather (na-na na-na boo-boo!), you girls are possibly stuck at the homefront today with a household of school-free children to entertain through the blizzard.

With you ladies in mind, I noticed the coziest little teapot ever! When snow-days at home chill you out and bog you down, the least you can do it make sure you keep high-tea high. Invite the neighbors to gear up in puffy parkas and rubber snow-boots and make the trek over to your place for some high stylin', bone warming, herbal infusions via the "spout", while the kids down the remains of last night's hot cocoa. This would make for an absolutely lovely gift for a hostess, friends, mother etc. Such a charming way to bring the tea to the table while entertaining...sweater and all! These white glazed stoneware teapots feature a rustic corked lid, spout, and a variety of tea cozies to choose from!

Spout Tpot from Paige Russell, $125.00

If you are in fact snowed-in with the kiddies today, you can re-visit this snow day post. Stay warm!!

Root for Latkes!

By far, my all-time favorite vegetable latke recipe (was featured in a "circle dinner" series in Cookie Magazine). Much lighter than the original fried potato fare, these little veggie cakes + a dipping dish of sour cream can actually be a pretty complete meal for the little guys. The parsnip and carrots hold much more flavor than the original recipe, and this is super delicious when you mix some chopped fresh dill into the sour cream.

Root Vegetable Latkes:

1 large parsnip, peeled and shredded

2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and shredded

2 large carrots, peeled and shredded

3 leeks (white and light green parts only) or 1 onion, chopped

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs, beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup LIGHT extra-virgin olive oil

1. In a colander, rinse the parsnip and potatoes under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels; transfer to a mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the carrots, leeks (or onion), flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Drop in large spoonfuls of the batter, flattening each with the back of the spoon. Cook, turning once, until brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel–lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven until serving.

For those of you looking for something a bit more spiky or if you're hosting a wild and crazy Chanukah sin-dig, definitely check out this recipe for Vodka Latkes!

Petite Pies

Hope you're all having a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!! This week Freida came home with her very first "made at school" loot: the most adorable petite pumpkin pie I've ever seen! She was so excited, and even ate most of it (was pretty darn delicious, to boot!).

Wanted to savor, share, and document this small, sweet, and special moment...

Thank you Morah Esther!!

Enjoy the last day of this perfectly extended holiday vacation...laze around, and snuggle up!!

Thankful for: Dads & Desserts

With so much to be thankful for, somehow chocolates made it to the top of the list... :) Sat Freida down with some (complimentary) Thanksgiving stickers (from Trader Joe's and Target), some markers - in seasonal shades, orange paint (nothing like the classic handprint turkey!), and decked out a white little shoebox (from her Minnetonka Mocs). Filled it with Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles (thanks for the recipe Rivky!), and will be gifting the guy we are most thankful for... her Daddy.

We love you Daddyfroo!!! So thankful for family...

P.S. How sweet is her little handprint??

Give Thanks for Paper Turkeys!

 

This is by far the most fabulous idea for a kids Thanksgiving table I've ever seen! Featured on One Charming Party (the very best spot for party inspiration!), this popcorn-filled paper turkey is sure to keep the kids table occupied until the actual meal is served up... For those of you hosting a Thanksgiving meal with little ones on the guest list - check out this easy step-by-step, and up your neighborhood status to hippest mom on the block! :)

This is also a wonderful in-school craft + snack for you preschool teachers out there who need to "cover" Thanksgiving...

And don't forget to give thanks for all the wonderful little people in our lives!! Here's to the ones who keep us forever young and playful... The carefree, the innocent, the imaginative... Here's to the children!