Who is Annabelle Ship? She is the owner of Green Planet Kids in Newton Highlands. A great toy store in the middle of Newton Highlands Village, and an active member of the business community. She is a great small business owner. She creates buzz around the Village. She wants you to visit the Village center - often and of course buy toys from her shop. Annabelle and her staff can pick out a toy in any price range for any child. You won't find any Fisher Price here. . . . it is all really good stuff. Her second floor has a great arts and crafts section. I love shopping here, as do my kids.
This past June, she ran a scavenger hunt from the last day of school to July 1. She organized local businesses in Newton Highlands and around the area to be part of this fun event. We started out with her, where the kids picked a little something . . . then we walked over to visit Eunice's bakery, Bread and Chocolate, where the kids cashed in their ticket from the scavenger hunt to get a cupcake. We then walked over to the new dentist in the village and got something else. We drove to Rosie's Bakery in Chestnut Hill, and picked out a cookie for each kid. Naomi had never been to Rosie's - how did I let that happen? We got bike bikes at International Bicycle. We got a free slice of Pizza from Sweet Tomatoes. All local stores. . . . . and all had their doors open to kids. Annabelle wants people to visit the small businesses in Newton.
Last night at the awards ceremony TWO independent bookstores were honored, and we are happy to be customers of both. In the Kindle Age and in the Amazon Age it is great to have TWO bookstores in Newton, and both owners are thankful for their loyal customers. I love going to New England Mobile Book Fair (40% of their sales are children's books) and browsing the cookbook selection and my father in law loves the remnants room. I love going to to Newtonville Books and having the staff help assist my kids find new books. The staff listen to my kids likes and dislikes, and then help find a book just right for them.
What other businesses do I go to? We love International Bicycle. They fit the kid to the bike. If your kid outgrows the bike in two years (common occurrence), they give you 50% back if you bring back the bike (no paper receipt needed, it is in the computer). China Fair is a great place to browse and ask and you might find a kitchenware that is a must have!
Cabots Ice Cream - YUM. Kids love going there and there is a flavor of ice cream for everyone. He too gave out a free cone for the scavenger hunt. The owner donates pancake mix to our school's annual community pancake breakfast. Cabot's Ice Cream is part of the community and it has been here for years.
The Craft Beer Store - we wandered in there a few weeks ago, and the staff was telling us all about the beer. I don't even like beer, but I left knowing more about beer and wishing I did like it. The staffer told us about his other job. It made me want to come back.
Keyes Drug Store - a place that ALWAYS has the prescription medicine - even if it is hard to find.
Town Cleaners - Effie has hemmed every dress, skirt and pant that I own. I love her, and she always greets me with a smile.
One Stop Cleaners in Newton Highlands - another great place!
There are the many great restaurants - 51 Lincoln, Walnut Street Grill, Cook, and The Local.
Whole Foods is a chain, but they are always willing to donate to the school or local community. The management has allowed their staff to become part of the community and be a local business.
These stores, plus many more make Newton a unique and wonderful place to live.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Butter Balls!
This recipe has been tested and well received by MANY of my workers! Mary's Butterballs by Gale Gand!
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
Filling
Cookie Butter (From Trader Joe's)
Raspberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Sugar from The Spice Store in Evanston, IL.
Directions:
In a mixer, beat the butter for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light. Mix in the sugar, and then add the flour. Mix until a ball forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for three hours.
Take off pieces of dough, and roll into 3/4 inch balls. Chill balls for 30 minutes in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place the balls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. They will spread!
Bake the balls for 13-15 minutes - watch like a hawk so the balls do NOT burn!
Let the cookies cool on the sheet. Spread the flat face of the cooled cookie with one of the filings, and top with a second cookie. Roll in the vanilla sugar.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
Filling
Cookie Butter (From Trader Joe's)
Raspberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache
Vanilla Sugar from The Spice Store in Evanston, IL.
Directions:
In a mixer, beat the butter for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light. Mix in the sugar, and then add the flour. Mix until a ball forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for three hours.
Take off pieces of dough, and roll into 3/4 inch balls. Chill balls for 30 minutes in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place the balls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. They will spread!
Bake the balls for 13-15 minutes - watch like a hawk so the balls do NOT burn!
Let the cookies cool on the sheet. Spread the flat face of the cooled cookie with one of the filings, and top with a second cookie. Roll in the vanilla sugar.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Rugelach
DOUGH
3 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks) - I used Mother's margarine. Cut into chunks.
3 large egg yolks
1 cup sour cream - I used tofutti
Filling
mini chocolate chips
cinnamon and sugar
Garnish - one egg beaten
In a food processor, place the flour, salt and sugar. Process. Add chunks of butter and process until mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks and sour cream. Pulse until combined.
Smooth dough, and form into three balls. Chill in fridge for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with foil and then spray with Pam. Roll one ball of dough into a large circle. Spread with cinnamon and sugar. Spread with mini chocolate chips. Use a pizza cutter and cut into wedges (12-14 of them). Then roll the wedge from larger end to smaller end. Place on baking sheet. Repeat. with all balls. Brush each piece with some egg wash.
Bake until golden (25 to 35 minutes) depending on your oven and the dough. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then put pieces on baking sheet to cool completely.
OTHER FILLINGS - you can use raspberry jam, apricot jam, chopped nuts or raisins. I happen to like the mini chocolate chips.
3 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks) - I used Mother's margarine. Cut into chunks.
3 large egg yolks
1 cup sour cream - I used tofutti
Filling
mini chocolate chips
cinnamon and sugar
Garnish - one egg beaten
In a food processor, place the flour, salt and sugar. Process. Add chunks of butter and process until mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks and sour cream. Pulse until combined.
Smooth dough, and form into three balls. Chill in fridge for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with foil and then spray with Pam. Roll one ball of dough into a large circle. Spread with cinnamon and sugar. Spread with mini chocolate chips. Use a pizza cutter and cut into wedges (12-14 of them). Then roll the wedge from larger end to smaller end. Place on baking sheet. Repeat. with all balls. Brush each piece with some egg wash.
Bake until golden (25 to 35 minutes) depending on your oven and the dough. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then put pieces on baking sheet to cool completely.
OTHER FILLINGS - you can use raspberry jam, apricot jam, chopped nuts or raisins. I happen to like the mini chocolate chips.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Holiday Time
Rosh Hashana is one of my favorite holidays. How can you go wrong with HONEY all the time!!!! This year we are trying something new. On eruv Rosh Hashana (Wednesday night), the four of us are going to eat a festive meal, as the four of us. No rushing off to services and no company. Just the four of us. I can't remember a time we have ever done that. I am going to use my grandmother's china and we are going to have fun (I hope).
On Thursday, we are hosting the dinner, and on Friday we are going to be a guest!
The big question is what does the menu look like?
On Wednesday night, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Date Glazed Chicken
Tuscan Beans with Sage from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Basmati Rice with a potato from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Broccoli
Chocolate Mousse from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Fruit
On Thursday's festive meal, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Knishes from the Butcherie
Moroccan Tomato Dip from the Persian Bride Cookbook
Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Saffron from the Persian Bride Cookbook
BBQ Tofu
Honey Glazed carrots
Oven Fries from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Fruit
Apple Crisp from the Temple Beth El Cookbook
Pastry Tray - homemade chocolate brownies (not sure which recipe), Bubbe's apple cake form the Temple Emanuel Cookbook, Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot from the Boston Globe and Rugelach from the Jewish Baker Cookbook.
On Sunday I will be busy making soup, pastry and challah!
Here is a photo of the grocery list.
On Thursday, we are hosting the dinner, and on Friday we are going to be a guest!
The big question is what does the menu look like?
On Wednesday night, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Date Glazed Chicken
Tuscan Beans with Sage from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Basmati Rice with a potato from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Broccoli
Chocolate Mousse from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Fruit
On Thursday's festive meal, I am serving:
2 homemade challahs and honey
Chicken Soup from the Temple Emanuel Cookbook
Italian Vegetable Soup from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook
Knishes from the Butcherie
Moroccan Tomato Dip from the Persian Bride Cookbook
Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Saffron from the Persian Bride Cookbook
BBQ Tofu
Honey Glazed carrots
Oven Fries from the Low Fat Moosewood Cookbook
Fruit
Apple Crisp from the Temple Beth El Cookbook
Pastry Tray - homemade chocolate brownies (not sure which recipe), Bubbe's apple cake form the Temple Emanuel Cookbook, Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot from the Boston Globe and Rugelach from the Jewish Baker Cookbook.
On Sunday I will be busy making soup, pastry and challah!
Here is a photo of the grocery list.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Life as a Mom
I remember how I wanted to be a mom . . . . so badly. And it seemed to take forever. I dreamed of having cute little babies, that grew into curious toddlers and preschoolers and BOOM, now I have a pre-teen and an eight year old. BOOM - just like that. I also dreamed of having great snacks for my kids after school, and delicious dinners that everyone LOVED and reality has set in.
Let me give you my post work schedule for this week:
Monday - picked up both kids from different after school programs. Got home at 5:30 PM and assisted pre-teen with organizing homework that needed to be completed, while throwing dinner and having pre-teen fed by 6:30 PM because trombone teacher was arriving for lesson.
Tuesday - left work early (but HIT TRAFFIC on I95) to pick up eight year old at after school, then picked up another boy and then picked up pre-teen to be driven to religious school for a 4 PM start. Realized that boys had to be there by 4:10 PM due to field trip . . . . . called religious school that I was running late due to traffic and was told to be there by 4:10 PM. GREAT. It was 3:55 PM and I was 15 minutes away - NO PROBLEM. Drove my usual way, only to find out there was a MAJOR accident, and main roads are closed and blocked. Turned down side street and prayed that WAZE would find me a better way. Pulled in front of temple at 4:11 PM, and bus was loaded but still there.
Rushed home and tried to log into work and locked myself out of the VPN - had to wait for IT to call me back.
The 6 PM pick up person was told bus was going to be late due to the same accident that I was caught in.
I think I prepared a nice dinner that night too!
Wednesday - left work to pick up preteen and 8 year old (in two different locations), drive to 5:30 PM, then drive to 6:30 PM Bar Mitzvah lesson - drop off pre-teen; race home and throw in frozen pizza into hot oven. At 7:15 PM, hubby walks in with son, and I walk out and drive back to synagogue for Sisterhood Event.
Thursday - Today, I will be leaving work at my normal time, picking up eight year old kid and two other kids from religious school at 6 PM ish and dropping off at various homes, while hubby picks up pre-teen kid. Throw dinner together and be out the door to Back to School night for daughter's school, which is no longer located in the neighborhood.
Mom's taxi service is in full service this fall!
Let me give you my post work schedule for this week:
Monday - picked up both kids from different after school programs. Got home at 5:30 PM and assisted pre-teen with organizing homework that needed to be completed, while throwing dinner and having pre-teen fed by 6:30 PM because trombone teacher was arriving for lesson.
Tuesday - left work early (but HIT TRAFFIC on I95) to pick up eight year old at after school, then picked up another boy and then picked up pre-teen to be driven to religious school for a 4 PM start. Realized that boys had to be there by 4:10 PM due to field trip . . . . . called religious school that I was running late due to traffic and was told to be there by 4:10 PM. GREAT. It was 3:55 PM and I was 15 minutes away - NO PROBLEM. Drove my usual way, only to find out there was a MAJOR accident, and main roads are closed and blocked. Turned down side street and prayed that WAZE would find me a better way. Pulled in front of temple at 4:11 PM, and bus was loaded but still there.
Rushed home and tried to log into work and locked myself out of the VPN - had to wait for IT to call me back.
The 6 PM pick up person was told bus was going to be late due to the same accident that I was caught in.
I think I prepared a nice dinner that night too!
Wednesday - left work to pick up preteen and 8 year old (in two different locations), drive to 5:30 PM, then drive to 6:30 PM Bar Mitzvah lesson - drop off pre-teen; race home and throw in frozen pizza into hot oven. At 7:15 PM, hubby walks in with son, and I walk out and drive back to synagogue for Sisterhood Event.
Thursday - Today, I will be leaving work at my normal time, picking up eight year old kid and two other kids from religious school at 6 PM ish and dropping off at various homes, while hubby picks up pre-teen kid. Throw dinner together and be out the door to Back to School night for daughter's school, which is no longer located in the neighborhood.
Mom's taxi service is in full service this fall!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Thank You!
Your donations have helped TEAM WEITZMAN raise over $2,000 for Hadassah Hospital! We are raising money to outfit the new Sarah Wetson Davidson Tower at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem! The new tower is 19 stories, including five underground, and including underground operating rooms!
I am a third generation Hadassah life member and Naomi is a fourth generation Hadassah life member.
Hadassah Hospital is a
special place in Israel because it treats every patient, no matter what their
religion, race or gender. It is truly a unique place in Israel.
When I was in Israel (years ago), it was one of the highlights of my visit.
I am a third generation Hadassah life member and Naomi is a fourth generation Hadassah life member.
Please give through this
website (you will notice people giving in increments of 18, as 18 is a special
number in Hebrew):
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Movie Reviews
This weekend we had some time, and Adam and I got to watch two movies.
The first movie was the Jewish Cardinal, which I recommend if you don't mind reading subtitles. A Jewish Polish boy converts to Catholicism during WWII. His mother is eventually killed at Auschwitz. His father never forgives his son for his conversion. What makes the Cardinal so interesting is that he never forgets he is Jewish. In fact, he says he is Jewish and Catholic. It was interesting to watch him rise in the Catholic Church and eventually become Catholic. His relationship with his father is strained, even at his father's death.
The biggest professional challenge he faces is when nuns settle in Auschwitz, and how he has to work through the peace process between the Jewish People (in Europe) and the Polish people and the Church.
The other movie we watched this weekend was Black Fish, about orca's held in captivity. One of my high school classmates recommended the movie after I returned from Sea World, and I know why she recommended it. It is very one sided, however after the movie ended, I felt as though orca's should not be held in captivity and the history of this is strong. Orcas have strong family ties, and watching the whales in the wild as their family member is carried away is amazing. And then later on, as a female orca mourns the separation of her calf - after viewing this movie, you can see the grief. The same grief a human has, and the management of Sea World for separating family, when they know orcas have a strong sense of family is terrible.
SeaWorld was a place that I took my family, but after this, I won't be saving my pennies for another SeaWorld visit. I see why people like to visit SeaWorld, but I hope in the future the treatment of orcas and other animals is better.
The first movie was the Jewish Cardinal, which I recommend if you don't mind reading subtitles. A Jewish Polish boy converts to Catholicism during WWII. His mother is eventually killed at Auschwitz. His father never forgives his son for his conversion. What makes the Cardinal so interesting is that he never forgets he is Jewish. In fact, he says he is Jewish and Catholic. It was interesting to watch him rise in the Catholic Church and eventually become Catholic. His relationship with his father is strained, even at his father's death.
The biggest professional challenge he faces is when nuns settle in Auschwitz, and how he has to work through the peace process between the Jewish People (in Europe) and the Polish people and the Church.
The other movie we watched this weekend was Black Fish, about orca's held in captivity. One of my high school classmates recommended the movie after I returned from Sea World, and I know why she recommended it. It is very one sided, however after the movie ended, I felt as though orca's should not be held in captivity and the history of this is strong. Orcas have strong family ties, and watching the whales in the wild as their family member is carried away is amazing. And then later on, as a female orca mourns the separation of her calf - after viewing this movie, you can see the grief. The same grief a human has, and the management of Sea World for separating family, when they know orcas have a strong sense of family is terrible.
SeaWorld was a place that I took my family, but after this, I won't be saving my pennies for another SeaWorld visit. I see why people like to visit SeaWorld, but I hope in the future the treatment of orcas and other animals is better.
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