Passing of the Torch!

Today is the day the torch is passed and the super talented Melissa is going to carry the purple torch for September. Be sure to check her out, as wel as the July carrier of this fine torch, Karin!

It was such a treat to work with Amber's awesome digis and I feel so honoured - I had the pleasure of meeting Amber while we were in NY and had such a great time, I wish we were closer in distance to do it more often =)

Speaking of NY, I've got more pics to share, so check back later today. I'll have those up before I head out for my Climb of Hope!

You can also see more of the sweet new {th}Ink Tank here (because Amber Ink does the funniest biographies!!) or by heading over to their blogs:

Tasha

Sunghee

Christine

Joni

My first Christmas project of the year...

And it's for the Sisterhood Challenge this week - a homemade gift! Wait...I don't know if this counts anymore - the gift card is not home made. But the package is, so I hope you can forgive me =)

 

I used a bottle holder that I'd kept from one of MrP's scotch bottles (in my opinion, the best part of the damn gift since the contents make me want to wretch) and put a few key pieces of tacky tape down one side and at both ends (only did the bottom for the picture, but you'll have to trust me...I did tape both sides). Then I wrapped the 12x12 sheet, which mostly covered except the area where I ribboned around the top.

 

I then punched a hole out of the top of the tin and lined with two nestie-cut papers, then ran some ribbon through the hole. I discovered after that I needed another knot on the other side of the lid since MrP immediately pulled the string rather than try to remove the lid properly, so I tried putting a little bit of ribbon on the other side, but it only slides down the real red ribbon. Note to self: make extra knot next time!

A little bit of punching and stamping and I have a perfect gift card holder. I plan to fill the tin with treats, as well as the gift card, so there's some chocolatey goodness for the recipient. And I'm taking back my Second Cup gift card....the recipient will just have to wait & see what they get =)

The other side of the gift card holder has just the right space for my own personal sentiment for the holidays! The Verve Snowflake Splendor set was perfect getting me started!

Check out what the Sisters made this week and submit your own homemade gift for our challenge!

J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!

Whew - what an amazing couple of final days! We leave tomorrow to head home (Wednesday) and it's been a fun couple of days. Monday, we headed down to the Chelsea Market to find some great tasting vacation eats!

Ready for lunch at the green table in Chelsea Market

Farm to Table - gotta like it!

MrP's chicken breast

My grilled cheese with apple chutney - YUM!

Fat Witch Brownie & some Figs & Honey Nougat

Chocolate Pudding at Sarabeth's Bakery

People's Pops - MrP had the Real Raspberry

I had the Honeydew Mint - I could eat another right now just thinking about it. So tasty!

Radio City Music Hall

From Rockefeller Center

Top of the Rock

Look at those buildings

Outside Rockefeller

Wow!

Pretty Awesome churches on 5th Ave - I believe this was St. Thomas

We walked for another 10+kms today before heading to the Jets game in the new Meadowlands stadium. It was a fabulous place, but leaving it...SUCKED!

Best seats in the house - Row 1, Section 203A, Seat 14

 Ray Lewis tossing the ball around

 Jets fans?!

Joe Flacco(5), QB and Michael Oher (74) - otherwise known as The Blind Side

 "Oh say can you see...."

C'mon Jason (#99)...how about a QB sack?! No? Alright - just look hot then! 

Halftime - Green Day with the cast of Broadway's American Idiot production 

Fireworks after Green Day 

Mark Sanchez (6)- you didn't leave us much to cheer about, but you're a USC boy, so we'll cheer for ya

Oh hello again, Jason. How about a GQ cover?! Hell yeah! 

J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! 

What a stadium 

Sad for the Jets fans (sorry, Andrea!!)

 But happy for my inner Patriot fan!!

Still, an amazing experience in the NFL's newest stadium (especially after our past two NFL experiences in two of the oldest stadiums in the league - San Diego & San Francisco)

MrP was starving after the game, so we mad a visit to Carnegie Hall for an insane corned beef sandwich that we just couldn't finish.

Apple Dumplings

I made Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings for my uncle when he lived near us briefly about a year ago and have been getting a request for the recipe from his girlfriend, so here's what I did for her. I used the Amber Ink Recipe Card - Ingredients & Recipe Card - Directions, as well as some of the apple images from Om Nom Nom.

Trust me - try them. So simple and tasty. But you might have to take up running like I did if you plan to eat them more than once a year =)

Happy Sunday!

This morning, I had the greatest brunch with THE Amber from Amber Ink! Yep - MrP and I, now considering ourselves "skilled" in the ways of the subway, headed to Brooklyn and met up at Heights Cafe with Amber for some early brunch before we had to check out and make our way over to our new hotel, the Helmsley Park Lane.

Amber & I

Yes - she's that fabulous & cheery...love her!

Brooklyn, baby!

Oh yeah - and on the walk from the subway to the cafe, we discovered Crumbs Bake Shop, which I'd heard of on many a foodie blog, so we had to pick up a pair of cupcakes.

MrP and his Baba Booey

My Red Velvet Cupcake

These were without a doubt the best cupcakes we'd ever eaten. There was a little too much of the super sweet icing for us, but after removing a little, they were still the most moist & unreal tasty cupcakes,  meaning they're #1 in our hearts!

Crumbs was all that was left from our Crumbs visit

Our cupcake eating view of Central Park

Maybe it's just where we were, but I swear, Central Park smells like pee to me.

I'd heard too many amazing things about Levain having the best cookies
that we could not go to NY and not have them (and I'm not a cookie fan)

(I can't visit Picky Palate again - for my hips' sake)

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie 

It's tough to smile in heaven.
Yes, heaven has garbage beside me...and it's called Levain Bakery
once you've shoved some cookie in your face.

I didn't want to show my chocolate & PB chip ridden teeth, but I cannot even begin to imagine how many visits to the gym I'll have to make to feel good about eating the half dozen I plan to bring home. Honest to goodness. Best thing I've ever eaten.

And I don't like cookies.

Heaven!

On the walk back to the hotel, we discovered Screme Gelato Bar, who was sampling Ferrero Rocher (ICK!) but the guy told me to go in & try something else - this Cherry sampling resulted in a small cup for MrP & I to share. Tart & delicious.

And for the smile of the day - MrP when he found a store that sold his new fave beer
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat!

Beautiful architecture

Ready to cross over to Central Park and finish up the last of our 10K walk (so far today)

Max

Yep - I named him. he was too cute - way too friendly.

MrP laughed when I named him and told me he's too unafraid to live for long.

Fountain in Central Park

Cutie!

Lake at Central Park

Wagner Cove

Name sound familiar? Any Beetles fans?

Quite a large room...but here's the real treat...

the view from the 20th floor...

Absolutely AMAZING!

Plus, I was able to learn of my Patriots win!

HALELUJIAH!

Alright - I'm all caught up on pics. Sorry for so many posts today =)