Lauren Myracle

Source : Amazon.com

How exiting it is for a eleven year old to meet one of her favorite authors? An author who has a way into a girl's head that Riya is certain the author can almost read her mind. May be a book I should read soon.

Lauren Myracle is visiting my daughter's school. Riya got to be one of the lucky people to go.

In my daughter's favorite, well known series, the Winnie years, Winnie shares her adventures about growing up from starting as a spazzy (that's my daughter's favorite word, so had it fit in somewhere) idea generator to being a role model for her little brother. I think she likes the series as she can relate to the relationship between the brother and sister.

My daughter hopes to get an autographed copy of one of the books from the Winnie Series and eat cake with her. Amazing, how important cake can be for a 11 year old. Riya also has an idea that she wants to share with the author for her next series. Lets see how that goes.

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Mudge and Dinosaurs

After years of doing girl's room, it was time to pep up my little boy's room. We started off with a Snow White room for my daughter, which was pretty much easy-peel-off-stickers on our apartment, then an yellow Winnie The Pooh room, then came along the pink room and now a purple room. I find it easier to do the girl's room; almost like living-my-dreams-through-her-room kind of a situation. I can only put off a my son's room for so long and we started working towards it during the holidays.

Henry and Mudge is a captivating series about a little boy and his pet dog Mudge. That big pillow-pet on his bed is Mudge. Well, that's also my answer to his request for a dog. Shame on me. However, keep in mind, everything is fair in parenting.

We pulled in things he likes as a 6 year old. Lots of animals and a few posters of the games he's been to. Above is a rug art of one of the characters in Rugrats. Didn't really mean to add it for the rhyming effect.

We painted the letters of his name in different colors. Added custom knobs in the shape of a football to his closet/sink area. The valance came with his dinosaur bedding set. The rest of the wall is empty for him to fill it up with things he likes. Yes, I am open to the idea of posters on the wall.

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Cauliflower Manchurian

I find deep frying a tedious task and a big waste of all the oil that goes with it. Again, anything breaded is a big turn off for me. When I make manchurian, instead of deep frying,  I cook the cauliflower until it's 3/4th done in boiling water/salt and to get the crunch with every bite, I broil it on high for a few minutes until its crispy. 

I generally do not give out ingredients as in Indian cooking, use your own judgement.

Recipe

1. Chop a bunch of cauliflower into big florets.
2. Boil water and cook cauliflower until its done 3/4th with salt.
3. Pre-heat the broiler on high settings.
4. Transfer the cooked florets on to a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil and pepper powder.
5. Broil on High for 15 minutes or until the florets turn golden/ crunchy
6. Mince 1 big or 2 small onions, a few garlic pods, an inch ginger and some green chilies
7. Heat oil in a wok and sautee the minced onions, garlic, green chilies and ginger until onions are translucent.
8. Add soy sauce, chilli-garlic sauce and saute for a few more minutes until the raw garlic smell leaves
9. Add a cup of water.
10. Dissolve starch powder in water and add it to the mixture to thicken it on low heat. Keep stirring.
11. Add the crunchy florets and cook for a few minutes.
12. Switch off heat and give the cauliflowers a few minutes to soak in the flavor. Garnish with green onions/chives and serve.

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Pearl Steet Brewery, Buffalo, New York

Thanks to the 21st century's ways of connecting and socializing, spontaneity is no longer a virtue. You can start off as unplanned as you need and with a handful of gadgets you can accomplish all you want. 

 

We found this restaurant at the last minute in Buffalo city before our drive back to Albany in June this year. As the name implies, the restaurant brews it's own beer. A tour can be arranged if the master brewer is in facility. 

I am not a big fan of anything deep fried. But thus started my obsession with onion rings.

The posters all over the restaurant on brick walls give the restaurant an old world charm. There is usually music Friday/Saturday nights. Service is good and you won't be disappointed with the all-American food fare.

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Urban Myth?

I honestly thought missing 13th floor was an urban myth. Apparently not so in New York City.

For all I like to believe and tell about myself, there are a few a superstitious beliefs I blindly follow. But never bought the missing 13th floor. Not that the 13th floor is really missing, except the room #s and elevators show as 14 instead of 13.

Don't believe me, see the picture above.

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Ola Winter !!!

I can't really complain, it was in the 60s and Sunny most of December. It's getting cold and feeling more like winter now. Gone are the days of cooking like Jamie Oliver. Miss a trip to the grocers, all I had to do was step into the backyard to see if there was enough beans or okra.

Last harvest of the season.

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...And Then There Were More

Pricy, Pricy, Pricy. This is probably the most expensive diner in NY for the quality of food they serve. The saving grace is the staff. They are friendly.

Good Indian food, close to Times Square. Its one of those places where you can take your colleagues and they will not be disappointed or over whelmed with the spiciness factor of Indian food. Best part - went here with a good friend of mine. We were too busy chatting than to be focusing on food.

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Street Food, New York City

Cheesy but true. Street food with the family is way better than solo dining in the best of restaurants. The truck on 53rd and 6th Halal court in Mid town,West serves some of the best Halal chicken and lamb. We waited for 45 minutes to get our food. There were passers by asking those waiting in line why they were doing so and many would join the line on hearing rave reviews ...more so on the assumption that the others knew what they were doing.

Later, a friend mentioned the street food close to the intersection of Barckays St and West Street is #1 and this one is #2. We are in NY a little number game won't hurt.

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Central Park, NYC

"Familiar" and "Greenery in the middle of the city" are two things that pop up when you see Central Park. This is the most over exposed park. The park is a familiar sight, if you watch way too many chick-flicks or NYC based TV shows.

As you probably know, my daughter loves ice skating and the minute she knew she was coming to NYC, all she wanted to do was ice-skate and drink hot chocolate. She wanted to bring her own skates and the whole nine yards. Thanks to the additional baggage fees, we chose to travel light and rent the skates instead. She wasn't too happy with it and started lecturing how Michelle Kwan and other ice skating pros would have never done that. Yes, what goes around comes around in parenting. If you lecture, trust me it will come back to you.

You are bound to see rickshaws who can take you around the park for $60 or less, if you know how to haggle, if not wear old fashioned walk around the park is not a bad idea either.

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Europa Cafe, New York City

Right in the epicenter of Times Square, there is never a dull moment in this pastry shop/cafe. You can watch the  hustling and bustling Times Square, a place that lives up to the reputation of  a city that never sleeps. We stopped by here for a dessert and shared a tiramisu.

This is more like a grab and go place. You are lucky if you find a table to sit. Again, a crowded place is a good sign.

This post is dedicated to my friend who was a single girl in the city until a month ago. Now she is neither single nor in NY.

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