saacnmama's Profile
Campfire Thanksgiving
Looks like it'll be my son and me at a campfire for Thanksgiving. He's 9, so we are not into spending the entire day re-enacting the trials of the first Thanksgiving by preparing an entire meal "authentically" over a fire. We would, however, like to have a little something special to mark the day.
So far I'm thinking of chilled cranberry salad mixed in the blender at home and a turkey loaf. I've seen recipes that use pastry shells in a pie iron, so might do pie that way. He does not like sweet potatoes or squash, but if there's a simple way to do them over a campfire, I might tuck one in for myself. I'm sure Chowhounds can improve on this menu.
Any suggestions?
Help--Exploding volcano cake !!
Maxie, that sounds fantastic!
This year's party featured a hilarious fail at making ice cream with dry ice--it bubbled over and just wouldn't stop. Maybe I'll try to improve my reputation with this cake next year. Thanks for posting it!
Help--Exploding volcano cake !!
Today's the day! We're finally doing it. We've had things come up on his last few birthdays, but this year we're having 8 little friends over for his 9th birthday, and I'm baking the cake today.
Foods that unreasonably gross you out...
Husband? It's been a while since I was in here. Last I knew was you were dating someone. CONGRATULATIONS!
I assume deviled eggs were not served at the reception?
do you get crabby when hungry?
My mother, son and I all do this when we are hungry or tired. My son and I talk about it openly without guilt or recrimination, but Mom seems to feel she's being accused of a horrible character weakness. Whatever Mom, just eat the toast I made for you while we're getting ready to go out to brunch. She's gotten more aware since having been diagnosed as prediabetic. For me the problem is forgetting to eat for so long that I don't want to eat, have to force myself to take the first bites. With my son, I'm trying to get him to do most of his eating at mealtimes rather than having 2 bites, claiming not to be hungry, and raiding the kitchen half an hour later.
do you get crabby when hungry?
People certainly can and do apply stereotypes to themselves!
do you get crabby when hungry?
Can't you do both; get a small bite of something that may not be so good just to tide you over while you join in a happy quest for what you really want?
Teaching children to behave at restaurants
I said it earlier in this thread, but it's very long so I'll say it again:
The early-dinner-for-kids strategy only works if there are several adults along (or enough kids to entertain each other). For single parents dining with one kid (yes, single parents like nice meals too, and don't want to wait til the kid hits puberty to get them) that strategy is a nightmare! Once the child has eaten their meal, s/he's done. It's much easier to entertain a child who's doing the same thing you are (nibbling on appetizers while you wait for your meal) than to try to enjoy your dessert/coffee/last bites while keeping a little one occupied.
If the meal is delivered in inexplicable batches (not 1 course at a time or all at once), I lower the tip, regardless of my dining companion's age.
Teaching children to behave at restaurants
Sounds like a plan IF you have a sufficiently large group of other people to keep eating. In families that consist of 1 parent & 1 kid, it seems extremely unlikely that it would work. If my son was "done" before me, I sent him away from the table, wouldn't talk to him if he came back, and didn't serve up the next food any earlier than usual (the last point was somewhat moot bc we nursed on demand for years). He genuinely enjoyed/s eating and talking with me, so that worked. The lavish praise from waitstaff we frequented when he was 2 probably also helped.
Teaching children to behave at restaurants
But of course the babe has to eat too! Why not at the table with everyone else?
Teaching children to behave at restaurants
I don't scold other people's kids. If a child is offtrack in my direction, I will give the same kind of direction I do in the grocery store when a child tries to climb out of the cart while the parent is comparing items or something. But unless I know the situation well (or the parents are willfully ignoring something egregious), I refrain from finger-wagging.
Teaching children to behave at restaurants
We've been to a few places that bring DS his food first. I think it's awful. We generally enjoy family dinner together, but when a person's done eating, there's only so long they want to linger. I wind up having to choose between enjoying my meal and focusing on him. When everyone receives their meal at the same time, conversation rhythms naturally shift. I suppose it might work with a large group of grown ups, but for a mom & kiddo, just the 2 of us? No way!
Also don't understand your point about bringing along food. If we're in a restaurant, that's dinner. Maybe it's a special occasion or maybe we're low on groceries, time or energy, but I just don't see how/why I would present the child with 2 meals at the same time.
Shame to waste the bell peppers
Oh my. The bell peppers for the tapenade got thrown into the blender before they were cooked. What am I going to do with them now? There are about 2 cups of freshly blended fresh orange peppers.
Any ideas?
What food find still haunts you - that you had once and haven't found since?
Mehlka in a Tunisian hole in the wall in Cambridge, MA. Had it for dinner on a trip a couple years ago, have not seen it on menus elsewhere and can't find any recipes. It had eggplant, feta, all the classic ingredients in just the right combination.
Escape the heat wave--Maple Sugaring plans
Sorry 'bout that! Trying the link again. http://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/maple-sugaring-day-trips-from-new-york
Here are the names of the places listed.
Nature Place Day Camp, Chestnut Ridge, NY
Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY
Westmoreland Sanctuary Nature Center and Wildlife Preserve, Mount Kisco, NY
Hoyt Farm, Smithtown, NY
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly, NJ
Millbrook Village, Millbrook, NJ
Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford, CT
I'm guessing that it's a regular thing for most of them, and am trying to get an idea of if it's doable/which is most accessible. Google maps says they're all within a 90 to 120 min by public transit, but that isn't right. Also, we'd rather be out on a farm than in a suburban shopping center.
Thanks for your help!
Escape the heat wave--Maple Sugaring plans
I'll be back!
But mostly, at this point, I'm just wondering if the whole plan--head up north, get something hearty and warming to eat, do the sugaring thing, come back to town by bedtime--is workable. Am I going to find the kind of places I'm looking for with accessibility from the public transit we take from the city? Being cold and hungry and far from our hotel room and dealing with a cranky (because he's hungry) kid sounds miserable. Will that be our situation?
Harlem with my son
Broadway, that's the kind of "been there" comment I was hoping for. Chicken isn't always chicken, and if there are "weird" things added to the green beans that don't show up on the menu, that might spoil the meal.
Les Ambassades sounds great for both of us, each in our own way ;)
Fries with mayo? <> no thanks!
Harlem with my son
Excellent! The only Ethiopian place I know of here is pretty bland. It's hard to figure out how they manage that, but they do.
red rooster eating at bar?
Good to know, rose water. You are quite right that a hungry child would not take competition for a spot lightly (not this one anyway)
Sneakeater, that's good to know too. I had been picturing the local chain we go to here that are fun and laid back for us during the day, but vicious meat markets at night.
Best Street Food Near Rock Center
I love that link! I didn't see any mention of an iphone app. Is there one, from them or similar?
Top of the Rock, Broadway
Thanks for your replies!
I'm embarrassed I didn't research at least as well as Kathryn did, but a slightly earlier show is probably fine--he'll be tired after his big day. He will arrive on a Tuesday, around lunchtime and we'll have a bite in the room before heading out on our adventure. Top of the Rock is the one essential that afternoon; the rest is just to get him in a New York state of mind and fill time before a show.
If there's a burger joint, there must be veg options too. Which are tastiest and have a bit of flair?
A Briyani cart sounds about perfect. I hadn't considered food carts being closed during chilly weather, and had hoped to eat at one good restaurant and one food cart every day. Perhaps we should check out some of the city's famous delis instead? But we'll still want a restaurant for our first big night out.
Dinner for mama and son
Ooops--got the name of the tram and the name of a park mixed up. Sorry!
Ride the 59th Street Tram
Although the tram is currently closed for renovations, once it reopens, kids will again be able to get a kick out of taking a $2 trip on the red airborne trolley with its bird’s-eye views of Manhattan. We recommend riding at midday, when the “special seat,” located between the conductor’s stand and the tram’s bench, and specifically earmarked for little ones, is usually freed up. From Manhattan: N, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to Lexington Ave–59th St; board at Tram Plaza, Second Ave at 60th St. From Queens: F to Roosevelt Island (rioc.com) http://timeoutnykids.com/things-to-do/61110/essential-nyc-for-kids?page=0,4
red rooster eating at bar?
Yes. I think gutsofsteel has already given me the most important info here--individual policy of this establishment
red rooster eating at bar?
Good to know. Only places we've ever tried it have been "family friendly" locations Applebees or Brio, which both allowed it.
We are unlikely to sit at the bar in Red Rooster, unless there's a long wait for a table and the bar has lots of open spaces.
At what time does it change from "everybody" to "mature"?
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Brio
137 E 61st St, New York, NY 10021
Applebee's
205 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027
What Do You Wear When You Cook?
I'm always barefoot in my house, and usually have my hair pulled back too. Otherwise, I wear what I'm wearing, usually quite casual.
What Do You Wear When You Cook?
A lie? I didn't realize she sold her show as reality tv!
Honestly, do you really think they have everything quite so perfectly prepped when it's just them and the fam? I don't. They're there to sell us something, and dress accordingly.
