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SWEETS

Watermelon Lime Mocktail (Or Cocktail)

June 3, 2014

Being pregnant makes me way more inventive when it comes to my drink menu. I always like the idea of serving a "specialty drink" at a party, but usually it sounds like way too much of a pain to make, and I end up just setting out some beer and wine, having a few cans of soda on hand for anyone who wants something non-alcoholic, and calling it a day.

But I'm kind of sick of ginger ale and was feeling like something a little more fruity and summery, and so when I had a few friends over on Sunday afternoon I decided to make a drink (adapted from a recipe I spotted in US Weekly) that would work for equally well as a cocktail and as a mocktail (and for the kids).

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Decor

Zio Ziegler For PBteen Collection

May 30, 2014

Tell me this is not the coolest kid bedding ever.

I mean, it’s not even “kid” bedding; not really. It’s just “cool” bedding.

PBteen – a store that I’ve been patronizing for decades beyond when I qualified as a “teenager” (and that I suspect you have too; they have some very good stuff in there) – just released a limited-edition collection of bedding, backpacks and accessories created by artist Zio Ziegler.

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ENTREES

Easy Breaded Veal Cutlets

May 29, 2014

Veal almost never occurs to me as something you can actually eat.

When I see veal listed on a restaurant menu, my eyes skip right past it. I've bought it in the grocery store maybe five times in my life.

It even took me a second to remember what kind of meat it is (ssh). It's safe to say the stuff is off my radar.

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SIDESSALADS

Pasta With Ricotta, Olives & Tomatoes

May 27, 2014

This pasta dish - which reminds me of Caprese Pasta, but is just a little more salty and spicy and grown-up tasting - is both awesome and awesomely summery. It's one of those dishes that takes thirty seconds and can probably be assembled from stuff you already have in your refrigerator (especially if you happen to be Italian and keep things like dry ricotta hanging around, in which case you probably don't need my advice on excellent pasta combinations), and that makes the perfect addition to a day at the beach, or a picnic, or a backyard BBQ.

Or the middle of the afternoon for no reason whatsoever, because it's just that good.

P.S. I take zero credit for this dish: Francesca's mother made it as part of our dinner last weekend; yet another example of Why I Love Visiting Francesca's Family.

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