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There are two sacred weeks a year when Doctor J gets vacation, so we've pledged to make the most of them.  We are off on our adventure.  No pagers allowed.

Ciao Ciao

Grandma Beth's Matzah Pancakes

It is almost Passover time so for those of you who celebrate, it means a lot of Matzah in your future.  It can be a grueling 8 days, so I wanted to share with you one of my favorite family recipes to help fill your tummy.

Here is what you will need for Grandma Beth's Matzah Pancakes
2 Pieces of Matzah
1 Egg or 2 Egg Whites
Salt
Cinnamon
Butter (or some kind of substitute) for the pan

Procedure:
1.  First break up the Matzah into small pieces
2.  Then cover Matzah with hot water and let it soak for 20-30 seconds
3.  Drain the Matzah
4. Fold in 1 egg (or two egg whites) a pinch of salt and a pinch of cinnamon
5.  Heat pan and add butter for a non stick surface.  You can use Pam, but butter tastes better and we know the Matzah needs as much flavor as possible!
6.  Place Matzah onto hot pan in small circles and cook a few minutes on each side
7.  Serve and Enjoy.

If you have never celebrated passover and are curious what this holiday is all about, click here for a simplified Passover story.

Packaging makes perfect

I am always one to love ribbons, bows and anything frilly but I recently received a gift with the above packaging and I was overwhelmed by the beauty in it's simplicity.

In a world of excess, this gift packaging stood in stark contrast to everything else I had received during my magical wedding year.  Boxes in boxes, stuffed with packaging peanuts, wrapped with wrapping paper and toped with a huge bow.   Those type of gifts are fun to open, but most of the materials end up in the garbage.

This packaging is definitely something that you can DIY (do it yourself)

What you will need:
A brown paper lunch bag.
A pair of fun scissors
A few brads
A stamp

Newlymed Note: Buy lunch bags made from 100% recycled paper and you have a green wrapping idea.

Procedure:
1.  First cut the paper bag down with a fun pair of scissors (you can use scrapbooking scissors that create pretty edges like the scalloped edge shown above)
2.  Place item inside your brown paper bag, wrap with tissues-you can use white or a pretty color, and fold over the edge of your bag
3.  Punch holes with a sharp pair of scissors or just push your brads through the bag. (as seen below)



You can customize the bottom of your bag by stamping your signature, your logo (if you are a business) or the date as seen in the picture below.  Put your own unique twist on it!

Aspen Extreme

Two weekends ago the Newlymeds packed their bags and headed out west to the Colorado rockies. The weekend was extreme in every way.  Extreme eating, extreme drinking and extreme skiing; three things that normally don't go together (at least in my past)

Phase one: EXTREME EATING
We barbecued, baked, chopped and broiled our way through the weekend.  Night one we cooked dinner which included bbq chicken, mushrooms, truffled asparagus and the controversial kale salad.  Night two we headed out on the town for Mexican food and took some Skiers-Only shots.  (I'll get into that in phase two)

Holy Kale!

Phase two: EXTREME DRINKING
This weekend I was schooled in the shotski... It's exactly what it sounds like, shots on a ski.  (and it was awesome)  Below the Newlymeds + friends line up for their first shotski.

Boys, Bathing Suits & Beers

Phase three: EXTREME SKIING
I have been indoctrinated since I was young to be extreme when it comes to individual sports.  I wouldn't say I am particularly talented at any group sports, but I started my training in snow and water skiing early.  So early mornings, quick lunches, stashed MilkyWays in jacket pockets and catching the last run of the day are normal extremes in my family.  I am just glad Doctor J can keep up!

Extreme Fashion

Oh, and some EXTREME DANCING too!

EAT-DRINK-SKI-DANCE-REPEAT

These streets will make you feel brand new....

Ok, so I know there have been a lot of New York-centric posts lately but I am still on the high that New York City gives you.  This is the last one of the week...I promise.  At the risk of looking like a tourist in a city I once called my home, I snapped several shots of the city as I frolicked around on Saturday and Sunday.    I wanted to try and capture the spirit  of the city in some of my photographs.

Here is my city tour below.  First stop: Essa Bagel (duh!)

Egg whites and American cheese on a hot plain bagel-perfection

Stopping to smell the roses

Union Square street art

Normal?

"Hats for Sale, 50 Cents a Hat" (more like $150)

Oh, hello!

Shake Shack in Madison Square Park

Wine on Houston

Creative Store Windows

Piano playing in Washington Square Park

My Favorite Things: The Medical School Match

The Newlymeds are back from a whirlwind weekend in NYC.  After getting some much needed Z's I am ready to report back about the wedding weekend.  Two of Doctor J's med school friends were getting married.  There are two of six friends from med school who are marrying each other.  Those med school kids spent A LOT of time together!  The rest of New York will have to be in a separate post because there was too action to fit into one!

After a delayed flight (do flights ever make it on time anymore?) almost caused us to miss the rehearsal dinner, we sprinted off the plane, changed in the tiny airport bathroom and arrived at the rehearsal dinner at Rouge Tomate.  It was a charming venue for a rehearsal dinner, quite romantic and cozy in the downstairs party room.  After mingling with old friends and a glass of wine...or two...we were feeling much better and thrilled to be back in NYC!  My favorite detail of the rehearsal dinner was the candy jars.  They had the couple's picture and personalized ribbon.  I mean, you can't go wrong with candy, and I heart personalization!

Saturday night we bused it to Long Island for the wedding.  We were in good company with several other med school friends and some of their significant others (my fellow army wives), making the trip as well.  Needless to say there was a lot of Doctor Talk, but it was great to have the whole gang back together again.  My favorite wedding details were the beautiful chuppah and the flowers lining the aisle at the wedding.  The chuppah had a Tallis, a religious shawl, worn in the past by the bride's grandfather attached to the top.  It was really special that they included this special garment as part of their ceremony.

High-fiving Doctor J-so mature!

I love everyone dancing in the background of the below picture.  It really captured the spirit of the night.

med school girls + med school boys' significant others

Doctor J & K

We twisted.  We shouted. The bus departed back to the city at 2:30am!

Lovingly yours until the next wedding....

In a New York Minute

This weekend flashed before my eyes faster than a New York minute.  It was a great success!  So successful that I am about to put myself to bed before 10pm.  I have lots to share from the wedding and the Newlymeds weekend adventures in New York, but I am going to have to say...until tomorrow.

XX
K