Creativity and Ramblings from the heart of NYC and around the World

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Birthday Party Day

This week was a blur of sleeping, working and trying to remember if I should be sleeping or working.

Thursday afternoon I was struck by a car key chain that I saw in the Let's Make Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo! book. From that key chain shape I decided to make up a pillow for my nephew since he was about to get his very on room for the first time. Between Thursday early evening and late night (before and after the wine bar) and Friday evening after work before we drove up to Massachusetts, I was able to finish it up.

The result? A super cute zooming car pillow!!

Zoooooooooooooooom!!

I was happy to have all of the materials in my cupboards awaiting this whirlwind project. Even had the rick rack and piping ready to go.

I found the pillow in his fort on Sunday while helping him look for a misplaced toy, so I guess he likes it. (Hard to compare with new toys at the party... I mean.. it was a GeoTrax fest!)

The party was, as always, contributed to by many creative types. From the "cake" -- a jumbo rice crispies/marshmallow mix in the shape of a dinosaur... to the decorate your own cake car from the Tar Pit!

While some of the big kids were putting together the GeoTrax pieces (old and new), others were building the K'Nex Double Ferris Wheel. How many engineers does it take to put together a toy marked at good for ages 8+?




As the party wound down we busted out the Laser Discs and sung Karaoke until we were dog tired! Fun was had by all! Hmmm...now what to make for my niece for her new room? Her birthday is in a month...

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Friday, March 06, 2009

You Take The Good, You Take The Bad...

Sitting here in Chang Ping, China I must announce that the videos are in and the choice was made and sadly I was not chosen this time to join Bobby Flay on Grill It season 2! It would have been fun for sure.

Perhaps they didn't like the video (it was difficult to cut it down so much!), didn't like the recipes (which would be shocking since all of my taste testers have left their plates clean) or I simply didn't fit into the mix this time. There's always next time.

Longer versions of both recipes I'm adding below (includes more info on the recipes themselves that was cut from the submitted version.) Thanks to the great Jimmy Chan for both doing the photography and editing! I will be helping Jimmy on a project of his own between trips to Massachusetts, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Toronto and California...and that's just the travel coming up on the next 2 months!


Grilled Pork Skewers



Grilled Red Snapper with Thai Vegetables


Enjoy!

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