Autumn in New York City

Mr. O and I are off today for a weekend get away in New York City and I couldn't be more excited. Autumn is my favorite time of year so its no surprise that its also my favorite time to visit The City.

Did I mention we are going with out the littles? Yep, this is only our second time to leave Little Mister and Baby Duex. I know we'll both miss them but I'm not going to lie I'm really excited about waking up Saturday morning and lounging with no responsibilities for a few hours. Enjoying room service, reading the newspaper.. isn't it always the little things?

So, it all started with All I Want for Christmas post from last year. (Yep, there's a nod to RPatzz in this list, natch.) I should have known that Mamere was taking notes! So she surprised me this year with a 6 course tasting dinner and *possible* meet up with Chef Eric Ripert tonight at his restaurant, La Bernardin! I have had a mild crush on the French gentleman-chef-extraordinaire for years now and I'm pleased to say Mamere now shares my, ahem "interest."

I am so excited about dinner and I fully expect to embarrass Mr. O by taking pictures and taking notes. If any turn out I'll be sure to share them with you along with our menu.

With dinner reservations booked Mr. O asked what I wanted to do during the rest of our time. I immediately thought of the Metropolitan Museum of Art! As you may recall from my latest book review I'm slightly obsessed with the museum at the moment. There are a number of pieces I can't wait to see but I'm most looking forward to viewing my favorite Van Gogh, First Steps. I've loved the intimate love shown by father, mother and child in this painting from the first time I saw a photo of it and now that I have children of my own its even more moving. I actually have a framed print in our home and smile every time I see it.

I also got a great recommendation from a girlfriend for visiting Bryant Park. Their Christmas vendors are up and its supposed to be charming and beautiful, plus it's just two blocks from our hotel. Perhaps we can pop into the Bryant Park hotel for a scotch to warm us up! Isn't autumn grand?

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! See yall next week.

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Butternut Squash Kugel

One of the many reasons I love twitter is the group of women I've met through a mutually shared ... umm ... errr ... love-hate relationship with Twilight. Mr. O would probably say otherwise but I can really only discuss Twilight for so many hours before I digress to other topics. Usually the discussion turns to our kids, husbands, jobs and the crazy guy on the metro.

In the case of today's recipe it was a "whatcha cookin tonight" chat. I have two lovely, sweet and funny as hell fellow mom friends who educate me on a whole host of things including their faith, Judaism and some of their traditions. Lets call them Mrs. R and Mrs. Z, they are always around to answer questions and make me laugh. So when they both suggested making a kugel as a side dish I was more than a bit confused. I thought kugel was a dessert, turns out I was thinking of ruglua. Who knew? Okay, apparently a lot of people know the difference. {blushing}

Our farmers market is full of butternut and acorn squash this time of year so after playing around with a few recipes I came up with a butternut squash kugel that was a huge hit with my boys. Both Mr. O and Little Mister were fans, as was Baby Deux but to be fair he'll eat anything and when I say "eat" I really mean "gobble up with the enthusiasm of a man starving."

This works as a great seasonal side dish and the mild flavor would go well with turkey!

Happy Fall Baking!

Butternut Squash Kugel
Serves 6 as a side


1 lbs butternut squash, roasted and chopped
1/3 C butter
2/3 C all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C 2% milk (plus extra as needed)
1 tsp vanilla extract
ground cinnamon, for dusting
*Optional 6 oz. No Yolk noodles


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees


Mash together the butter and butternut squash in a large bowl. Whisk together the flour, eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into the butternut squash (and the egg noodles if using).


Spread mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle top with cinnamon. Bake until golden brown for about one hour.

Cheers, 
Ouiser

My Latest Book Obsession~ Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Okay, so I'll admit the title isn't exactly winning any friends. It sounds more like the title I'd give a high school paper that had a word count requirement.  But title aside this is one of the best books I've read in years, years I tell ya! And I read all the time.

The author, Danny Danziger interviews more than fifty employees, contractors, volunteers, curators and trustees of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for this book. The group couldn't be more diverse, from their backgrounds, professions, personal interests and even their beliefs on art and the museum, the basis of their connection.

Each of the interviews is written in a way that gives the reader a feeling of comfortably chatting with each person while gaining a glimpse into their fascinating lives. Some you just know are going to be great, like Vice Chairman of the Board, Annette de la Renta and Museum Director and CEO Philippe de Montebello while others are a warm surprise like Senior Fire Safety Officer, William Westfield who speaks passionately about his respect for his brother, a fellow fire fighter and all those who fought and died on September 11th.

Monet's Gare Saint-Lazare

I was particularly touched by Juan Aranda, a cleaner at the Met for nearly forty years. Immigrating in 1968, he talks about "owing everything I have to this country and this museum." After a lifetime of hard work he has been able to build the home of his dreams on the beach in his native Honduras and where he plans to retire.

Not every interviewee is as charming but every singe one is fully dedicated to the museum. I was floored by that. Imaging interviewing a cross section of employees at your office. Would everyone feel their life's dedication to the company's success?

Vermeer's Maid Asleep

I also enjoyed hearing from several of the curators and trustees on their philosophy on maintaining and sharing their collections with the public. While I agree it's important to get the public in the doors I do think the museum has a responsibility to educate those coming in as well as entertaining them. It's a thin line to walk for sure.

I truly hope that this has peaked your interest enough to pick up a copy. {just click the pretty little link below} I bought mine on my kindle but I will likely buy a hard copy as well. This is definitely a book I will go back and reread.

And I want to thank profusely the uber talented and (second) best hugger I know, Ms. Tanis for recommending this book to me! *kisses*

Happy Reading!

Cheers, 
Ouiser 

Happy Election Day

Be honest you vote for the free sticker, don't you? 

I can't speak for the rest of the country but for those of us working in the business of politics or in my case a former-political-junkie-turned-stay-at-home-mom just near politics, Election Day is like a holiday. A very nerdy one I'll admit but a holiday nonetheless.


This is the day folks seems to have an extra bounce in their step. When everyone is tuned in to cable news, internet news and yes print news, even more so than normal. There are election night parties complete with election scoreboards and election brackets. Bars have all their music turned down and their tvs tuned in to news channels. There are betting and bragging rights on the line and to be honest jobs and careers on the line as well.


I'm giddy with anticipation for my "watch party" with Mr. O. I've long passed the time when I want to sit in a bar or overcrowded hotel suite as the results come in. When I first moved here in the late 90's you could count on early results but these days you'd have to stay up all night and in some cases (looking at you Alaska and Washington State) days or weeks. Instead we're going to settle in with tasty treats, a good wine and a lot of channel surfing!


In honor of today I thought I'd share a political ad you may have missed. This is clearly a high school student project but it's pretty funny and it features the US House race I'll vote in later today. The 10 term democratic congressman Jim Moran is poised to loose his seat to republican candidate Patrick Murray. Statistical Note: this prediction is based solely on the number of yard signs in my neighborhood.


Oh and the camera angles really made me giggle! 


Don't forget to vote early and often!

Cheers,
Ouiser