Category Archives: Christmas

The Anniversry

13 Wednesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Christmas, Holidays, Thanksgiving, Travel

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I’m still the Northeast Epicurean; however, I’m now residing in the mid-Atlantic. Not sure if I’ll capitalize upon the brand recognition of NEE (a shaking of the head and rolling of the eyes would be appropriate here) or come up with a new name; so, for now, I’m going with the Northeast Eplicurean in the Pseudo South (NEEPS. Side note, I would argue this is pretty darn south). 

The Happy Couple

It’s our 20th Anniversary. Our 15th was a bust. A pre-COVID booked cruise that got ‘lifted and shifted’ into oblivion turned out to be a non-event. Since then, over the years, we’ve had some fun trips to celebrate the nuptials, but this year, we’re under the gun to do something fantastic—it is the 20th anniversary, after all. 

We bantered about our options – a cruise, a trip to Puerto Rico, or even a road trip through the mid-Atlantic. Nothing piqued our interest; however, we knew there were a few excursions we’re  definitely doing: 

  • Christmas in Colonial Williamsbug: an almost surreal holiday experience. 
  • Dining on the James River – literally: we did a summer time sunset cruise; so excited for the ‘Farm to Batteau’ experience. 
  • Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination: they do fireworks, does anything else need to be said? 
  • Thanksgiving at Omar’s: the closest thing to Mom’s Thanksgiving I’ve found yet. 
  • Anniversary dinner at the Bavarian Chef – German food done right, and the Sacher Torte is amazing (the surprise for the weekend for Tony is a chauffeured ride through Central VA wine country – a surprising delight for fans of the vino!) 
  • A sojourn to NYC/NJ for a friend’s wedding: can you say “Bagels, Pizza; Pizza,Bagels?”
  • Chesapeake Bay Star Gazing Cruise: because I fell victim to a FOMO ad; first time that’s happened. Since buying the tickets, I’ve refrained from looking at Google reviews for fear that I pissed away a bunch of money. 

While planning all these activities, it hit me like a dim lit light bulb crashing slowly to the floor, why not do 20 super fun things from now through the end of the year; each being dubbed an anniversary celebration.. 

And that was the birth of insanity. All activities above have been booked and will be done; the other experiences are still being planned. My goal: report on the original seven and plan out and report on the remaining 13 as they arise. I’m looking at an Airshow Circus, the Military Aviation Museum Symphonic Airshow, Edgar Allen Poe experience, and Segway tour of Richmond. Even with those, I’m only up to 11. I see the need to get creative with these as the year waxes on. 

The Art Museum at Colonial Williamsburg

I’ll be reporting on our sojourns over the coming weeks and will keep you updated on our celebrations. We recently did the first event happy hour at Norfolk Seafood Company – a wonderful experience any time of the day; later that weekend, we entertained Tony’s Cousin Tina, the original Blue Angel. This weekend, we’re off to the Northern Neck (not sure what/where that is, but that’s what the locals call it) for the Chesapeake Bay Star Gazing cruise. Posts/reviews to follow.  

Until my next missive, wishing you all the fun summer tidings you deserve while we’re still in the season. 

Simple Pleasures

08 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Christmas, Epicurean, Festivals, Holidays, New Jersey, Travel, Weekend

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Woefully behind in posting, I thought I’d do a write up on the various winter carnivals taking place throughout the NE. Disappointingly, however, my list was becoming more and more lame with each search. I’ve previously written about maple sugaring festivals; perhaps I should have updated that post for tonight.

My Not So Simple Salad

It’s been difficult getting back into the swing of things after the holidays, but I’m reveling in simple pleasures, one being my lunchtime salad. Definitely not a simple salad as that walnut commercial boasts about, but rather one that includes everything and the kitchen sink. Definitely refreshing, and needed, after the over-indulging of the holidays.

#Delicious

We celebrated little Christmas this past Sunday. Usually we host a brunch, but this year opted to go out to eat. The place we went, The Twisted Elm in Elmwood Park, NJ has a cozy atmosphere that includes a fire place — a definite bonus — and a menu that’s a combination of quasi-fancy fare and comfort food (literally, there’s a section on the menu entitled ‘Comfort Food’). Well, the Twisted Elm has a fantastic cheese board and its accompaniments — from fig preserves to relished cranberry to mapled walnuts — are simply scrumptious.

I’m restarting my Sunday epicurean sojourns this weekend. These are culinary pursuits I embark upon for our afternoon dinner (sometimes it’s evening, depending on the meal’s intricacy level). There’s little method behind my madness with these meals; sometimes I pick a country and do a traditional feast from the locale while other times I embark upon the season and create a meal based off the holiday du jour. Ultimately, there’s no formula that I follow.

This Sunday, I’m making a Shakshuka. I first had the dish in Montreal and assumed it was Canadian, it was so warming considering the chill in the air that weekend. Little did I know the dish hails from North Africa and the Mid-East. I’m excited, it’s made me dig out my Mediterranean Hot cookbook and has given a reason for me to create a spicy repast for the weekend. Details to follow; I’m assuming I’ll make it out of the kitchen unscathed and we’ll wind down the weekend with bellies’ full of this wonderful…err, soup, sauce, dish?

Thanks for stopping by. I wish you all safe travels, smooth sailings and, of course, bon appetite.

Peter & Tom Sitting in a Tree

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Christmas, Epicurean, Holidays

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Growing up, there was a Thanksgiving song we would sing, “The Turkey Ran Away.” Well, I think Tom the Turkey and Peter the Rabbit ran away; and, now they’re sitting in a tree laughing at the woes of one Paula Rivera.

Goffle Road Pultry

I called my poultry guy (true confession, I don’t yet have enough of a relationship with them to refer to them as my ‘guys’), Goffle Road Poultry Farm, to order a rabbit for Christmas. I could hear the guy smirking as he kindly explained, ‘we’re sold out of rabbit.’ Sigh. What to do for Christmas, get a turkey; order a hen; chicken for my friends? All dismal thoughts (only dismal as we eat these things regularly). So I went for the duck. Yes, daffy duck was the menu for Christmas.

In finding a recipe, I went to all my standard books, Fannie Farmer, two Gourmet cookbooks, and even my Spanish and French books. But, alas, it was Burt, good ol’ Burt Wolf, who came to my rescue.

Taiwanese Duck #Yummy

My husband was lobbying for a crispy duck and that, ultimately, what I would have liked to have made. The goddess of time was not swayed to favor me this Christmas season. The one recipe I found for ‘crispy duck’ was in the Gourmet Cookbook. It was a two day recipe that involved a fan and the duck’s cavity. Burt’s recipe on the other hand only involved four hours of simmering. Yes, simmering. I thought I was cooking the effing thing in the oven and discovered my faux pas early Christmas morning providing enough angst to throw my entire day off.

All worked out well the day’s menu started with stuff clams, shrimp cocktail, cheese, olives and bread, and some Greek apps; duck, turnip and mushrooms, and acorn squash with spinach (again, thanks Burt and #Yummy), followed for the main meal. Dessert consisted of an assortment of chocolates and a selection of cordials to top off the evening.

I’m beginning to plan our winter and spring travels and have determined that I need a winter ‘things to do’ list which I plan to put together over the coming week(s). I’ll keep you updated as the days progress — which are getting longer. Until then, I wish you safe travels, smooth sailings and, of course, bon appetite.

Peter, Where are You?!?

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Christmas, Epicurean, Friday Night, Holidays, Travel, Weekend

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I’ve been side-tracked more ways than I care to think about. The tree has taken a year and a day to buy, ‘install’, decorate, and get in its final place. Oh, and I use decorate sparingly; once the tree was installed, I started hanging lights, as you’re supposed to, only to discover I didn’t have enough. Deep Sigh…

I’ve purchased the remaining lights, finished the decorations as best I could and have since continued on with my life. So, things are good. But there’s still so much to do; another deep sigh. I’m making Peter for Christmas…err, I’m making rabbit (a post will definitely follow as this is not my forte and I feel that everybody, and their brother, should learn from my experiences). And, I really would like to find the recipe I used the first time I threw Peter over the fire as it was good.

While that may not happen, I will find a recipe (and order the bunny himself) and get all subsequent ‘doings’ in order.

I’m signing off for the evening as they advise that one shouldn’t blog while drinking and I’m beginning to believe them. That said, reports and postings will be more frequent, and interesting, as we move forward.

As always, I wish you and your family, a merry Christmas and the most wonderful of holidays, smooth sailings, and the happiest of new years.

Lights Out!

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Christmas, Connecticut, Festivals, Friday Night, Holidays, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New England, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Travel, Vermont

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I’ve been to Lights in the Parkway in Allentown, PA and the Christmas Light Show and Village at Skylands Stadium in Augusta, NJ. Both were pretty fantastic (albeit, I enjoyed the Allentown lights better as you literally drove through a park). I almost went to Bright Nights Springfield (MA) over Thanksgiving, but, unfortunately, time was not on our side.

Waiting to be Lit Up in Hershey, PA

With the days winding down, I am hoping that you’re able to take some time to enjoy the season. And, if that happens to be in the evening consider taking a road trip to your local “light shows.” The roster of displays I’m most familiar with is limited, so I did some legwork and gathered some favorite picks up and down the east coast as culled by people more intimately knowledgeable on the subject than myself:

Eastern PA – The folks over at The Patch identify their Top 5 light displays in the easterly part of the state. While Mommy Poppins (I love Mommy Poppins; even if you don’t have kids, she does a fabulous job curating what’s going on — for young and old alike — in the NJ area and often includes neighboring states!) details out more than 15 shows in the greater Philly area, including the burbs

Hudson Valley, NY – Our friends at Hudson Valley Magazine have gathered 12 light shows ranging from a tree lighting in Nyack to a show in Newburgh that has dancing arches.

Maryland – Chesapeake Family lists out tree lighting ceremonies and on-going displays throughout the month. Most of the ceremonies have taken place, but the static displays are still going on.

New England – Yankee Magazine details out some of the best light shows in New England. For state-specific shows, visit: Kicks 1055 for CT (good ol’ Mommy Poppins also has a list); our friends at Visit Maine present 20 sites throughout the state; in NH, the writers at NH Magazine give their selections for the best; the folks at The Globe have chosen 10 displays from MA, including Bright Nights; and WPRI Channel 12 in RI serves up their choices for the best shows in the state. I’ve left Vermont off as that turned into an expedition of hunting and pecking and, like the writers at Yankee Magazine, I’m left scratching my head.

New York – Of course the City is all all aglow this time of year (more so than usual) and has some fantastic displays as described in Time Out NY (again, Ms. Poppins also has a listing for NYC). For those North of the city, New York Upstate details list out some offerings.

This list is by no means exhaustive, just some thought starters for those of you looking to fill time between now and the new year. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or are traveling outside the Northeast, Travel + Leisure has a list of Christmas light shows in every state.

It’s time for to start thinking about turning out the lights here at Casa Rivera; and, with that, I’m wishing you all safe travels, smooth sailings and, of course, bon appetite.