happy birthday to me.

I have three more hours of being 25 and then it is goodbye and onto being a bit older. This year has been a challenge but a good one. I feel so thankful for my life, my beautiful boyfriend, my dynamic loving family and of course the MANY wonderful friends that I share the days with. I think this year has made me stronger, brighter, richer (yes I save in nyc) and a bit more new york (come on I am finally no longer getting lost on the subway). Although I still have not found my calling and what exactly I want to do with my life for the next few years, I have found who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Ron is such an inspiration to me daily-there are hard days in your mid twenties and no one warns you about what happens next but Ron saves me…he gives me his strength and in turn he has made me into a much stronger person. We both feel a bit lost now with our nonexistent careers, but what has never been lost is our love. If anything I think it shines brighter than ever…

So go on blow the bright candles out and suck it all in. Being 26, being happy, being strong, being loving,

being me….and that is the best birthday present that god ever gave to me. 

you gotta just ignite the light.

Here are some of our photos from our 4th of July on the Hudson.

 It was such a beautiful night with an 

amazing sunset, great weather, my love, friends

 and of course the Macy's fireworks

 (which are incredible if you have never seen them.)

Happy 4th Recipes

So as I promised here are a few 4th of July recipes. Of course to start the Holiday off right- I have included a delicious cocktail to start!


Watermelon Margaritas

serves: a pitcher of 6-8 drinks

ingredients: 

• 1 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup cointreau 
• 2.5 cups of cubed seedless watermelon
• 3 cups limeaid 
• 1 cup club soda 
• juice of 2 limes

garnishes:

• fresh jalapeno slices (trust me - so good)
• salt & sugar (equal parts) mixed for the rim
• lime wedge

You can make these either by hand or with the aid of a blender.  if you have a blender and a strainer -- you can pulse the watermelon into a pulp in the blender and strain out the solid parts before mixing with the tequila, etc. if you're at your summer rental, though, and they don't have a blender -- you can do this all with your bare hands.

Put the watermelon into a pitcher and either use your hands or a potato masher to crush up the watermelon until it is in a mostly liquid state. Add the tequila and the cointreau, let sit for a few minutes, then stir to combine. Next, add the limeaid and the club soda. Finally, juice the two limes directly into the pitcher. stir, taste, and adjust as necessary. the margarita should taste refreshing and a little tart.

To serve, run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass, then dip it into the sugar and salt mixture (a small plate works well for this mixture). Fill the glass full with ice cubes and pour the margarita over the top. garnish with fresh jalapeno slices, a lime wedge, and/or more watermelon. The jalapeno won't make your drink spicy, but you will get some wonderful herbal notes from it that for me, made my watermelon margarita experience that much sweeter. 

The next recipe is a great breakfast for the 4th of July but can also be a dessert at any party you are attending. I think French Toast is a staple in any home and this is such a easy recipe that uses Challah bread! 

Happy 4th French Toast

ingredients

• 1 loaf Challah bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 
• butter (I use soy butter)
• mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, whatever you have!)
• powdered sugar

In a bowl, gently whisk eggs. Add milk, vanilla, cinnamon & brown sugar, and mix until sugar dissolve.

One piece at a time, dip sliced challah in the egg mixture, flipping the bread so both sides are fully coated.  You may also want to let the bread rst in the mixture for a minute, so that it can really soak up the egg mixture. Repeat with the remaining slices.

Heat a large pan over medium heat, and add butter. When butter is melted & bubbly add challah slices, making sure to avoid crowding the pan. Cook for a few minutes until the underside of the bread becomes golden brown, and flip to cook the other side. After each side has been browned, lower the slightly and continue to cook a few minutes more to ensure the bread is fully cooked though. Repeat for remaining slices of bread.

Serve dusted with powdered sugar and topped with fresh berries! 

I am still thinking of what else to make so that is all I have for you now...But enjoy your 4th! And share with us what you are making!