Security Alert

OMG - when will it end? I mean, who would have thought that a shoe could bring down a plane. But now explosives in underwear? It scares the cr+++p out of me, especially living in NYC... Are they going to pat down our 'crotch' from now on? Get on it homeland security for better x-rays in every terminal!!

There is only one victim of 9/11 that I knew, Norm Rossinow. He was a consultant when I worked at USA Networks a billion years ago. He was such an amazing guy, always friendly on the phone and in person and it was devastating to see his name under the list of victims.

Maybe it was a 'Christmas Miracle' that this recent terrorist attempt failed, and despite not being the religious person I perhaps should be, I pray that there are more of them.

BBC America is the Superior News Channel

I feel somewhat guilty writing this, because a very good friend of mine is a producer for one of the major news channels here in America (and even here in NYC), but I have to say, that BBC America News, Matt Frei in particular, really is the only source of 'worldwide' news that everyone should be watching...They seem totally unbiased, and provide more educated news that you can get from any source here. They did their 'In Memoriam' Section this morning - I was in tears by the end when they elegantly ended it, not with the huge tabloidy death of Michael Jackson, or the other worthy entertainers that passed this year, but with the death of the last three remaining WWI veterans. It was incredibly classy, and so well done, that I was literally a blubbering wreck by the end.

Taylor Swift's Year? Come on.. Lada Gaga is a genius

I don't think this is a biased New Yorker talking here, but I do believe that the un-be-lievable Lady Gaga surely deserves entertainer of the year over Taylor Swift?

Don't get me wrong, Taylor Swift, is gorgeous and talented and seems to be super sweet. Oh, and funny, I LOVED her opening skit on SNL, but Lady Gaga really does blow me away with her pure genius. There isn't a song I can fault, and every look she exhibits can surely only be pulled off by her. She gets my vote for entertainer of the decade, let alone 2009.

(Joe is currently cringing in the corner right now)

Ho Bloody Ho

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
Oh boy.. wish I could say it was a jolly old xmas, which it was until approx 4pm on Dec 27th when sadly the first and hopefully last argument emerged between me and one of my sister in laws....

I was told by Sally in Switzerland (a possible movie title there) that the average family fights on Xmas day at 10am so I am WAY behind the average! Stupid, silly argument, blown up in the face of stress, lack of sleep, absent husband, ... oh humbug. Anyway moving on.. Until then we had a GREAT Christmas!


We took advantage of the recent snow storm which was perfect for a second fridge:

Here are the little munchkins in their new wagon:

Easy Mince Pies? Nigella, You LIE!!

Ok, Ok, I am ALWAYS being compared to Ms Nigella Lawson over here.. Maybe it's the same voluptupus figure we both possess, the fact that we are both British, we both like to cook, we each have a son and a daughter, we have a husband familiar with the arts, but seriously, that's where it has to end. Because in terms of baking, I simply cannot compare with this domestic goddess.

I recently tried making home made mince pies after seeing her doing it so effortlessly on the Food Network. To speak like a yank... "boy did i suck"....

this is what came of it...

There's A Party in My Tummy

I just realised I didn't post about a recent show I took Spencer and his friends (Denin and Luke) to - Yo Gabba Gabba at the Beacon Theatre.

www.yogabbagabba.com

First I should explain where the show was - in Manhattan, on the West Side at the Beacon Theatre which is a beautiful theatre that I have passed a dozen times and never been inside so that was a treat in itself.

Then the show - for those of you who don't know Yo Gabba Gabba, you should check them out if you have kids age 12 months - 8 years old. Their shows are fantastic, and great if you need to shower/wash dishes/gab on the phone - as the kids get transfixed for approximately 27 minutes.

The show, despite the hefty ticket price, and the bloody mark ups on all the merchandise they sell right there, that the boys HAVE to have ($27 for a kids t-shirt??!) - it was a really great show. It featured all their songs, some of which are, "There's a Party in my tummy", I'm so sorry, I like to dance, and my favourite 'Let's get the sillies out'.

I really recommend it if it comes your way. Spencer was too shy and basically stayed rooted in his seat, but Denim rocked out and danced like her really did have a party in his tummy, Luke was somewhere in between.

It's Siberia in NY

Jeeze Louise it is cold here. I mean FREEZING. But no snow. Which is a good thing because everything seems to come to an abrupt halt here in NY/BK with just an inch of the stuff.

I decided not to wear gloves as the sun was shining brightly so I thought it couldn't be that bad. (kick myself number one). Then I went to pump gas (notice how American I am sounding?) and forgot that over here, they have locks on the pumps so you can sit in the comfort of your car, listening to the crap that is American radio, and forget that it's minus 80 outside. But of course that lock thingy escaped my peanut brain, so I stood outside holding the damn pump for what felt like an eternity (kick myself number two). My fingers were numb and i was kicking myself (for the third time) for sending Margaux to her sitter without gloves (major kick for that) - however, before anyone calls social services, her coat sleeve is about four inches too long so it covered her little fingers.

Then I went to Costco and came out $600 poorer (Joe will kick me for that one). How the hell did that happen? The only frivolous item I bought were a dozen red roses for $15!! That place is dangerous. I got yelled at by the lady at check out for having too many items in my 'cart' (ie trolley). Oh humbug, tis the season to spend spend spend right?!

Curtis Stone flogging Lyle's Golden Syrup

This morning I was watching Kathie Lee and Hoda, (in between nappy changes with Margaux, and potty breaks with Spence) because I knew Curtis Stone was on. I have always been a huge fan of is and miss his 'Take Him Chef' show.

I almost turned it off after cringing like Tiger Wood's mum must be right now, when I saw the segment on 'What men think' (Curtis Stone looked like he wanted the ground to open underneath him). However, I love these two women and Curtis, so I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did! Curtis made the most amazing egg nog that I'm going to try this w/end (can you say 'pissed after one glass?"!), and he then made a pecan pie using Lyle's Golden Syrup. He tried to get a word in about the delicious-ness that this stuff is (and about how he is trying to pcik up its popularity over here), but that's always hard on this show with those loquacious ladies. I have been extolling its virtues for years and make the most amazing carmel bars using it. Here's the recipe:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Caramel-Slice-238232

Go to this website for more ideas.
http://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/lylesgoldensyrup/default.htm

It's pretty easy to find, even here in Brooklyn. I get mine from the wonder that is Fairway in Red Hook, or I rope someone who is flying over to bring it to me. Either way, it's amazing stuff and should be a staple in every kitchen.

Four years of wedded bliss

And two kids later...

We recently celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary - so yes, if you look at our wedding piccy, I am four months pregnant in it and not just 'bloated'!...

Joe surprised me with:

a) getting his youngest sister to drive up from Philly to watch the kids
b) book me two amazing treatments at Great Jones Spa - www.greatjonesspa.com
c) book a wonderful dinner that night at my favourite NY restaurant ever - Il Cantinori.

It was wonderful, I feel truly blessed to be married to such a gorgeous, wonderful, loving husband.

George Clooney was born for this role

I know I'm contradicting myself when I say I have no time to see the movies, then write in when I do see something amazing, but I had to make the time to see Up In the Air (not to be confused with the other movie I blogged about, Up).

This movie was written solely for George Clooney. He nailed it. It was a brilliant performance, a dull first ten minutes or so, but it built up momentum and by the end I was a blubbering wreck like most movie goers around me.

I recently got laid off in April and it was such a horrendous experience so I could relate. The two inept women doing it (one was so new to HR my neighbour's cat could have done a better job) were so callous and nasty to me that I left wondering if they actually possessed a 'soul'. If only George Clooney had bore the news!

Go see it, it's a guaranteed bet for Best Picture. The performances by 'real' people at the beginning and end blew me away and I was thrilled that they could be included and perhaps gained some joy by being in such a great movie after going through such a traumatic experience.

Love from the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter!
We had a great Easter. We had the inlaws up for the day, then went over to our 82 year old friend, Nanda, apartment to her neighbours, Jonathan and Andy who attempted to cook an entire half a lamb... The lamb took about 3 hours longer to cook than Andy had anticipated, needless to say, by the time the lamb was served it was a pretty drunken, sloppy affair.

I will safely say, give me lamb chops or rack of lamb any day over an entire carcass of it.

Battle of the duvet cover

Good Lord is there anything harder than changing an American King size duvet cover? Is there an art to it? Because I can't do it without breaking into a sweat, cursing about 20 times and end up giving up half way through. Here I am this morning attempting the task. I swear there has to be a secret code to this that I am yet to crack.

Spence tried getting involved but it's still not on. I have a feeling hubby may be finishing the job later.

Who the hell are Tokyo Hotel?

OMG - I am getting old... Finally got round to watching the European MTV awards which has been on my dvr for eons. As there is simply nothing else on a Tuesday unless The Good Wife, and even that is being replaced by the Victoria Secret Fashion Show tonight and also on BBC America is 'My fake baby' which is soooo disturbing I can't watch..

I digress. Best band was just won by Tokyo Hotel.. Am I getting old? I have never heard of them. I look like I could be their mother. I thought I was being hip loving Kings of Leon. I guess I really am in my forties...