Tag Archives: New Jersey

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.

And We Sang…

13 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Christmas, Holidays, New Jersey

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Nothing says Christmas like caroling; and few things are more inspiring than caroling at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in beautiful downtown Newark, NJ. “Newark,” you say.  Yes, Newark. 

The Cathedral Basilica

This is the second year I’ve been to the Candlelight Carol Sing at the Basilica and it was as magical this go around as the first time.  The conductor, John J. Miller, judiciously picked 20 carols for the evening, half of which were song by the choir, the other half with audience participants joining in.  It’s a fantastic program with traditional and religious carols and the manner in which Mr. Miller has the choir and audience playing off one another is delightful.  

Caroling Song Book

The evening began with the choir strategically placed throughout the Cathedral singing “E’en so Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” and ended with a tribute to the 200th Anniversary of “Silent Night” and, of course, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” In honor of Silent Night’s anniversary, the first two verses were sung in traditional German, accompanied by the harp, and the remaining verses were sung by an audience draped in candlelight. 

Do You See What I See?

The Basilica’s Carol Sing started 48 years ago.  Then director of music, John Rose, had a concert planned for mid-December.  As fortune would have it, the area was assaulted with a storm and the organist was unable to traverse to Newark.  Not wanting to disappoint the 50 or so concert goers in attendance,  Mr. Rose treated the audience to a preview of the Cathedral’s Christmas mass music and lead a round of carols creating, unbeknownst to him at the time, a long-standing and much loved holiday tradition.  This year, there had to be close to 500 people in attendance, if not more. 

On that musical note, I’m signing off with the sweat melody of “Carol of the Bells” in my head.  And, to you, I wish safe travels, smooth sailings and bon appetite. 

Newark, NJ…Really?

29 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in Epicurean, New Jersey, Portuguese, Travel, Williams Sonoma

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Homemade Mustard…#Yummy

I’m a bit of a crazed woman at the moment.  I recently read that as a content creator, yes, apparently, that’s what I’m trying to be, I need to publish at least one post a day — actually, the website I read this on the guy was saying multiple times a day. I’m down to 3 minutes left in Wednesday and the odds of this going live before midnight are slim.  I also wanted to write about my mustard, a recipe I was planning to share (and it takes a lot for me to share a ‘secret’ recipe), but I lost the bloody card w/ the recipe jotted down on it. 

I make great mustard.  It’s actually a recipe I adapted from a Williams Sonoma purchase (not really nor’eastern, but a fantastic store none-the-less).  A few years ago, while desperately scouring the one table in the store with ‘deep’ discounts I came across a make your own honey mustard kit.  Ripping open the ‘honey’ package, I realized I was about to dump a bunch of brown sugar into my mustard mixture; I tossed it instead.  While one might say I ruined the whole ‘thing’ I really made a fantastic discovery.  The flavorful mustard I created, which my spice-loving husband can’t get enough of, was amazing.  And, thankfully, for some reason, I jotted down how much flour was in the pre-packaged envelope and how much mustard seed was provided, thus creating my own recipe.  Of course, at this exact moment, when I have 3 minutes left in the day, I can’t find the effing little card the recipe is on. 

Welcome to…Newark Ironbound District!

With that, I’m going to share a cool blog, 
 The #1 Itinerary, I tripped across and an even cooler post. The #1 Itinerary folks have liked a few of my posts and I decided to meander over to the site.  As I was perusing it, I found a really informative write up about the Iron Bound District of Newark, NJ.  The thing about Newark is that it gives the rest of New Jersey a bad rap (yes, I know, everyone from Jersey says that).  But, it really does.  However, if you’re a traveler, it’s probably not uncommon to find yourself, at some point or another, going through Newark Airport.  And, if you’re going through the airport and have a few hours to spare, go to the Iron Bound District…just do it.  It’s a 10 minute cab ride (assuming all goes well with the traffic) and for the food alone, #Yummy, that 10 minutes will be worth your while.

Tales of Newark will be the subject of another post, when I’m not 1+ hours late in posting my ‘blog a day.’ 

Newark Airport

Thank you, as always, for visiting.  For those on the road, I wish you safe travels, smooth sailing, and, of course, bon appetite!

What’s A Girl To Do? Martini Edition

20 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Epicurean, Holidays, Massachusetts, New England, New Jersey, Thanksgiving, Travel

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Woodland Cabin

Here I sit, in front of a roaring fire hunkering down for what I believe is Boston’s first winter weather advisory (not sure if they had an advisory during Thursday’s ‘storm‘); they’re expecting 2 – 4 inches of the white stuff.  We’re not in the greater Boston Metro area, we’re close enough that we might get caught up in it.  And, really, 2-4 inches isn’t a lot of snow – we’re slogging around in that now; the advisory is for those traveling – and who would that be this Thanksgiving week?!? Considering its one of the first storms of the year, traveling will be less than optimal. Thankfully, I’m on top of a hill, am fully stocked with provisions for, at least, a week; and have plenty of wood.  “Let the snow come!” I exclaimed as I realized, I have no where to be and nowhere to go; a rare moment of quiet bliss.

I worked all day — Tony and I were just discussing the wonders of a personal hot spot — and the big man ran errands.  We are now completely situated to the extent that Tony is cooking over the open fire – chestnuts as an afternoon treat and a poached pear for dessert this evening.  This week, beyond being simply fabulous, will be a foray into film.  I’m hoping to take video or two – and obviously posting it – of Tony cooking over the fire.  This will be a free-flowing video so if you have anything you want him to discuss or explain about cooking over a fire, do let us know.

Other thoughts on this rainy evening (thus far, we’re only dealing with rain):

Traveling Off Peak:  As I previously mentioned, it really does eliminate stress to travel during ‘off peak’ times.  We drove up, from NJ to MA, yesterday afternoon and the 2.5 hour drive was, indeed, a 2.5 hour drive.  

#Yummy #Martini

Martinis:  I love a dirty martini.  And now, apparently, I love ‘em in the woods.  We bought ½ the ingredients of a Martini with us – the Gin.  This morning Tony got the Vermouth and Olives.  Of course, nobody considered the toothpicks. Well Tony our fearless mixologist found these tiny little forks and, voila, we had a whole Martini kit ‘picked’ olives and all.  What can I say, except ‘What’s a girl to do?’

The Flue:  It needs to be primed, there’s no getting around it.  After coming home from dinner last evening,  we quickly started a fire and immediately the alarms went asunder — annoying for about 10 minutes or so.  Yup, while the flue was open, it wasn’t properly primed and the smoke couldn’t deal with itself.  This morning, the opposite tactic proved the point of the post — prime the bloody flue.

Assuming we’re able to get off the ‘hill’, prior to the big day, we plan to go to a local orchard to pick up some apples and a farm for some fresh cut meat; we’ll also be nibbling on MJ’s ginger snaps (so #yummy) over the coming days and will be messing around with video…All good stuff.

Until then, we wish you safe travels and, or course, bon appetite.  

Sunday, Sunday

11 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in Christmas, Holidays, New Jersey, Travel, Yeast

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Here I sit, watching a Christmas movie — this one with Dogs and Kids, always a winning combination. I’ve yet to bake for Thanksgiving (in a nod to Ms. Scarlet, ‘I’ll worry about that tomorrow’).  Unfortunately, while I  cross referenced my baking list with the ingredients in the pantry, I forgot one key item — wax paper.  While I don’t mind being adventurous, making a pumpkin roll without wax paper isn’t high on that list. My husband and I did make bread dough, however.

NYC From Lambert CastleYes, we make our own bread.  Tony adheres to a Paleo diet which prohibits processed food, essentially eliminating flour and sugar from his diet.  While I’m not completely on the bandwagon, by default I’m also following a Paleo lifestyle. Tired of being breadless, a sad and unacceptable state, my husband started researching for, quite literally, ‘low carb bread that doesn’t suck.’  That, coupled with a few recommendations from his nutritionist, lead us to ‘Gluten-Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day.’ And, what do you know?  Following the book, its gluten free flour mixtures and master dough recipes churn out some darn good bread, that is actually pretty easy to make.  This is our second go-around making the dough and as I become more familiar with the wonders of yeast (I still haven’t figured that one out), we’ll dive deeper into the book as it has a fair amount of recipes — everything from white sandwich bread, to brioche and even flat bread and pizza doughs. #yummy.

Lambert CastleEarlier in the day we went to Lambert Castle in Patterson, NJ.  Yes there is a castle in Patterson of all places.  Home to the Passaic County Historical Society, their annual fundraiser is a holiday craft fair held throughout the month of November.  Driving up the side of Garret Mountain, we came upon what truly is a castle, built back in the late 1800s by a local silk baron (Patterson used to be known as the silk capital of the world). Walking into the castle itself, we were quickly submerged into all things Christmas as the building was stuffed to the rafters with all kinds of goodies — from provisions to ornaments and festive holiday decorations, to clothes for the kids and on and on and on — three floors of ‘on’ to be precise.

It was a fun day.  Not as productive as it could have been, but fun none-the-less.

At some point this week, I”ll bake.  Until then, happy trails and bon appetite!