christmas cheer!

let’s make something! bird treats.

November 25, 2013 by zeelemons

One morning while walking back from brunch, we noticed how chilly it had become over the previous week. I then thought that I should put out extra feed for the birds to enjoy; I did after all have to winterize the porch. And then the idea of a vegan alternative to suet came to mind.

While understanding that most birds in the ‘hood are indeed omnivores, I’d prefer not to purchase any products made of animals and bring them into our living environment. I quickly turned to the Internet for a recipe and took to the kitchen early yesterday morning. It was the chilliest day yet!

Veggie “Suet” Blocks Makes four blocks

2 cups of veggie shortening
just over a cup of bird seed
about half a cup of peanut butter (it’s all I had in the cupboard)

Melt the veggie shortening over a low heat to prevent it from burning. Once completely melted, turn off the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Then stir in the seeds. Pour into a mold (I used an aluminum pan) and cool until solid- I put the pan out on the back porch and it only took about thirty minutes to harden. Cut and put into feeder; I had a leftover suet cage from last winter. Hang and watch the birds gobble it up!

Oh, and you can keep the leftovers in the freezer until the next time you need to refill.

This was a softer recipe and next time I think I’ll try adding a little chickpea flour to firm it up more- but it did hold it’s shape well. I love having birds around and jump out of bed in the morning when I hear them in the (glass) feeder. I’ve only seen one blue jay this year and he was gorgeous! Don’t get me wrong, the little chickadees are darling but I’d love to have mister blue come to visit again this winter. Here’s to lending a helping hand and enjoying every bit of nature, even while living in the city.

simple Christmas.

December 26, 2012 by zeelemons

It’s almost embarrassing to admit that these are the only photographs that I have of the holiday in my apartment and at my parents’ place. But in my defense I can say that I wasn’t glued to my cell phone the entire day- just for about five minutes to wish some of my closest friends a Merry Christmas.

The beau and I drove up on Christmas Eve to spend the night at my parents; my sister and her boyfriend drove up later that night to join us. It was great waking up and rolling out of bed like we use to. As a family we decided to keep our holiday very simple, each of us received three gifts total. One gift from each family member. I can tell you this- I prefer it! Shopping was easy and there was no pressure. We bought items that we absolutely, positively knew that person wanted or needed, or surprised them with something we knew they’d love.

To follow along the lines of keeping things simple, the beau and I agreed on getting each other three gifts within a specific budget. A want, a need and a surprise. We only exchanged our want gifts in front of my family and then waited until the evening to open the rest- and I’m glad we did! It kept things low-key and I could really appreciate what was given to me, rather than be distracted by others in the room. I loved it and fell asleep with a smile on my face.

This morning was easy not having to scramble to find room for all my gifts; everything already fits right in! I did venture out onto the fire escape to hang kitty’s bird feeder that Santa left him and now we’re both laying here patiently waiting. I’ve managed to give away all of my shifts this vacation despite needing the cash to have a real vacation from all work- completely forgetting about tonight’s random Wednesday shift that I never have. Hopefully someone will pick it up for me so that I can have dinner and open my stocking with the beau’s family.

And then be snowed in! I love a good, heavy snowfall and would be over the moon if I woke up with shoveling to attend to. Can you tell I’m loving my vacation? I’d shovel, come in to warm up and cook with my fresh veggies! Oh do I have a story to share about my vegetarian Christmas! I’d also write that while watching the snow fall. But for now, I’m off to the bank and the hair salon to chop off the length that I’ve managed to accumulate over the past year. ‘Tis the season!

tenth day of Christmas…Troy Music Academy.

December 23, 2012 by zeelemons

What the Troy Music Academy has to offer downtown Troy and your gift recipients this holiday season is one of a kind.

And it’s not just because of what they offer, it’s also because who’s offering the services. When I first met Lori Friday and Kenny Hohman a year ago, I thought it was too good to be true. You’ve probably met people along the way and think, “can they really be that nice, provide great services and be genuine while doing so?” These two really are all of the above. When they stop to chat with you, whether it be on the street or in shop, they both listen to you; which is what I think threw me off in the beginning because it can be hard to find people who listen to every word you share. They are great!

Now take that wonderful image and imagine learning to play that musical instrument you’ve always wanted to learn. Or being greeted by them when dropping off your son or daughter for their lesson. You name it and the Troy Music Academy has someone on staff to teach it. Guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice, ukulele, woodwinds, banjo, mandolin, and strings lessons are offered along with some group lessons that are switched up every couple of months. This past fall was beginner vocals and rock and funk drums; doesn’t that sound like a great evening out each week with your friend/lover?!

I personally have never taken lessons at the Troy Music Academy but have thought about taking piano lessons… I just don’t have enough cash to buy a piano or rent a keyboard… but the day will come! The beau’s niece took the Kindermusik class with Casey and is just the cutest little thing tapping along to the songs she still remembers. These classes are great because not only does it introduce the kiddos to new music and sometimes little instruments, it gets them socializing with new kids and creates a sense of community- not only for the kids but the parents. Can you tell I attended Kindermusik classes with the kiddos when they were young? We all loved it!

What’s wonderful about it is that there is no commitment to fear; you can sign up for individual classes and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. You aren’t forced to continue lessons or to buy a whole month’s worth- which is great for parents if the kids loose interest. But I doubt that would happen with these guys; they are very in tune with each person that walks in and realize that everyone learns at a different pace, sometimes in a different way. Each Troy Night Out the Academy gives the students the opportunity to show others what they’ve learned during a little show right there in the studio; let’s just say there are smiles all around!

You can learn about each instructor’s history and experience here (there’s a lot of credit to be given!) and I ask this: did you know that February 25th has been declared Super400 Day in Troy, NY??? Well, it is- because of this duo (and their drummer of course)! Stop in at 9 Third Street to see the studio and the lesson rooms or check out their website here. Their services would be a gift that keeps on giving and is a wonderful experience rather than an item that might be overlooked a month from now. You’re very welcome.

on the ninth day of Christmas… Sweet Sue’s.

December 21, 2012 by zeelemons

Today is the 21st of December and I’m on the 9th day of Christmas in Troy… no big deal. I’m getting it done for all you last minute shoppers/planners/eater-outers. Yes, I said it, eater-outers.

Sweet Sue’s is semi new to the neighborhood (this past summer Sue opened up shop) but her treats aren’t new to the area. Sue has had and continues to sell at the weekly Farmer’s Market here in downtown Troy and it finally got to the point that she was just so darn busy! Something you’ll never hear a business owner complain about… So, she opened up shop down on Riverstreet near the bead shop and hair salon. Great choice. That end of Riverstreet has a lot more parking available for easy access to her shop and is growing with more shops (Some Girls Boutique just relocated at this end of the street).

Back to Sweet Sue’s. This is the place to indulge. She’s got cupcakes. She’s got bark. She’s got cakes to order, cakes to go. She’s got truffles, candy apples, mini pies… and now has a soup of the day. I had no clue that she had a soup until I walked in to take a couple shots. Makes perfect sense: enjoy a warm bowl of soup in house on the comfy couch, indulge in a sweet after. Everything is made in house and sometimes you can stand there and watch treats come right out of the oven.

I have ordered and suggested this place to my coworkers on various occasions, and they’ve all loved it! Personally, not being a carrot cake fan, I like hers. And those truffles that I could die for over at the confectionary, well you guessed it, she makes them. Her packaged sweets would make the perfect stocking stuffers or hostess gift if you’re looking for something to bring along with that bottle of wine. Cannot forget the wine!

Hurry in to 203 Riverstreet to pick up your goods and while you’re at it, pick something up for yourself. You’re worth it.

currently.

December 18, 2012 by zeelemons

Watching: Sometimes, when the beau and I start a great season of something on Netflix (Sons of Anarchy for example), we “aren’t allowed” to go further without the other person; just out of common courtesy. Well, I have a hard time not doing that. So instead, I’ll start watching a really lame series that has a million episodes so that I’m never tempted to watch the other. Recently, that has been Say Yes to the Dress. I don’t know what I’ve gotten sucked in? I mean, it’s the same thing over and over and over again and yet I can’t click away. Other than that, we haven’t been watching much of anything; both of us being extremely busy this time of the year. I’d love to watch some classics: Rudolph, Frosty, ELF!, Love Actually… and it came about yesterday while on the subway that the beau has never seen Ghost… this Redbox will be my go-to this vacation.

Thinking about: Well, this one is conflicting. I’m thinking about all that needs to be done for the holiday (ie shopping) and then last Friday’s happenings, well, happened. And although I don’t have a television to watch the updates as they are happening, I have been flooded by information on social media sites. And I think it’s a little much. Yes, what happened was HORRIBLE. Yes, I think changes need to be made (not getting into any politics here people) but I also think that the way the media deals with situations such as this needs to also change. I am not a mother. I can not even imagine what it feels like to lose a child. But I was a nanny. I am a sister. I am a daughter. I work in education. We all have family and have lost someone that we love. To be bombarded by this constant coverage must be overwhelming. I will be lighting a candle tomorrow between 3-8pm to honor the life of Dawn L. Hochsprung, who was a doctoral candidate in Sage’s Educational Leadership program and the Sandy Hook Elementary School principal. We are all connected, somehow, and I think it’s important to stop for a moment and honor, thank and appreciate every single person that surrounds our daily lives.

Listening to: Christmas on Pandora! I’ve got some cleaning, organizing and decorating to do around this apartment and just a lot of errands and will be tuning in the holidays as much as possible. The beau and I have started this little ritual of having a mini 90’s dance party as we get ready in the morning (sorry neighbors). Me being on vacation has kind of halted this. I miss it and will be making an effort to get up at a decent hour to make this happen.

Excited about: Having the time to catch-up on life. I’ve never been so excited to do my laundry, cook!, write, and shop with one week left before Christmas. I’m going to head out early and get it all done in one day. It’s simple this year with my family; we are only buying 1 gift for each other. That means, with only four people in my family, I will receive three gifts. Not huge, expensive gifts. Three gifts that we really want or need in our lives… and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m truly appreciating the smaller things in life and experiences, rather than the number of “things” in my apartment. It should be a simple and easy day… once I figure out what I’m getting everyone.

Reading: Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. Ruth was the food critic for the New York Times (I think for a decade) and tells her stories behind some of her favorite, and famous, reviews. I’m about half way through and love it. For every restaurant that she writes about, she chooses a new disguise so that they can’t recognize her and give her better treatment/food. It’s a fun read and with just having been in the city yesterday, it was almost as if I got to be a part of the book and what she describes…if that makes any sense at all?

It was a wonderful day in the city with the beau and we walked for miles! Just soaking it all in, eating some delicious vegan meals, and being tourists while visiting the tree and other must-see landmarks this time of the year. The city also reminds me of how much I love Troy/the capital district… I am not made for the hustle and bustle!