window love

photo credit Ami

learning a new skill

I grew up cooking with mum in a spacious kitchen; I should also mention the rule in our household was "if you cook, you don't clean up." The result was not bumping elbows and definitely not cleaning as you went. I am not a tidy chef; I have been known to dirty every pot, pan, and counter surface available to me while cooking a meal. So what happens when you take an explosive chef and move her into a cramped Upper West Side kitchen? A lot of complaining that the sink was too small, that the counters were too tiny, that the kittens get under foot! I can definitely say that I used the hot summer weather as an excuse to make a lot of sandwiches. New York's weather is getting a little more autumnal and I've been craving heartier dishes. Tonight I made chicken stew with biscuits and I cleaned as I cooked! I have to admit, it's nice to sit down to eat and know that I don't have to get up to clean.

banyan tree mayakoba

Much overdue honeymoon. Swimming in our pool while raining was perfection, Playa Del Carmen rain is not Victoria rain.

chicken stew with biscuits

Ina Garten, let me count the ways you love rich food. I have learned to replace all the cream and half&half in this recipe with milk. I have learned to cut down on the amount of butter. I use organic frozen veggies so I don't have to parboil carrots. I have learned to make a half recipe, 8 portions?! Who are you feeding with those giant sized portions? However, with all the amendments required this is pure comfort food and I adore it.

On another note: It is also impossible to take a picture of stew that looks good.

gratuitous cat post

How can you not love that face?


Sometimes I wish I had a top hat and a monocle for this little man.


That is all.

touch of sea salt

I completely blame Jojo for my new addiction. And by blame, maybe I mean holy crap how did I not know about this until now?!

shake shack sunday

This past Sunday, Ami and I went outside to enjoy the sun and just happened to both be craving burgers. Now normally, we deny the existence of Shake Shack just a few blocks west of our place to save ourselves from morbid obesity but sometimes you just have to give into the desire for all things delicious.


Seriously, it tastes as delicious as it looks.


My first "Arnold Palmer," aka lemonade mixed with iced tea. Truly scrumptious! (Anyone else just have Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flash backs?) I also love that you eat outside at the Madison Square location and even with snow still on the ground it was busy!