Chocolate Covered WHAT????

One of my favorite places in the entire world is Ocean City, NJ.  It's like coming home.  It's the beach my family has gone to my whole life and the one I hope to take my kids to one day.  My dad was away on a motorcycle trip this past week, and so my mom just wanted to take a day trip to the beach on Sunday.  We left around 6:30 a.m. only to get to the fogged in OC.  It was perfect though.  The fog lifted two hours later and  the rest of the day was just perfect.  I fell alseep on my stomach for a long while and as a result, got badly burnt on my legs. But all in all, it was an excellent day.  I got some reading done, took a nap and just enjoyed the day with my mom.
We went up on the boardwalk to get some Mack N Mancos pizza for lunch.  As we were sitting on a bench facing the stores of the bordwalk, my eye caught a sign that completely knocked my socks off.  CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON.   What??  Are you kidding me?   Sure,  we have chocolate covered strawberries and bananas, but bacon?  Really?  I am a lover of bacon to the point of ridiculousness.  I love bacon. Period.  But I would have never thought to have covered it in chocolate. 

In the words of my friend Hannah:  "I actually really like chocolate covered bacon. Same principal as chocolate covered pretzels. Sweet and salty. Ummmmm."

I really do want to give it a try.  The next time I head to OC, my first stop will be the chocolate covered bacon store.  I'll let you know how it is. 

Summertime Cookouts

I have the privilege of living in an apartment building with many young professionals that come from all different walks of life:  engineers, artists, actresses, furniture makers, accountants, doctors, chefs, musicians.  We are an eclectic group. Last winter, my friends Joe, Becky and I started a party planning committee here at our building where we wanted to plan events for the whole building.  Our first event was a progressive dinner around Christmas time.  We moved from loft to loft for different courses of a meal.  The idea was pretty well received and we had a blast.  It was fun getting to know my neighbors; people who you live in such close proximity to and see almost every day.
Over the weekend we had a cookout because many of my neighbors are moving out for a few different reasons.  They are really cool people, and I am sad to see them go.  Saturday was filled with chicken pot stickers, noodles and cabbage, butternut squash, sausage filled peppers, hummus, veggies, fruit, corm on the cob, berry pie, carrot muffins, and a whole bunch more deliciousness.  There was impromptu singing as 90's music filled the air.  New friends were made; ideas and philosophies exchanged.  The rain held off and it was just a great time.
At the end of the evening we gathered in my friend Mark's empty apartment while he made a ceremonial goodbye speech. "....I now pass on the responsibility of keeping a good community around this place."  With that he unplugged the Christmas lights that had been on since our Christmas party and handed them over to Roger, the new "Mayor" of Auburn Station.  It was actually a really sad moment.  We have had some awesome times, this community of neighbors.  But now those of us that remain look forward to meeting new people and continuing on the tradition of party on the patio at Auburn Station. 
What are some of your neighborhood stories???

Chicken Piccata

As most of you know, I am not a huge chef.  You will not see me on America's Top Chef.  You might, however, see me with my good friend Kristi on "Worst Chef in America"... oh the stories we could tell.  :-)

When I was down in North Carolina a month ago visiting my friends Jill and Ben Ressler, I was introduced to an easy, tasteful recipe called Chicken Piccata.  A whole new world has been opened to me.  It is delicious.  I like using the white wine instead of the chicken stock.  It gives it just that extra flair of flavor.  I made this for my mom for lunch yesterday because she was celebrating her 32nd Wedding Anniversary without my dad because he is on a motorcylce trip with the guys.  She was impressed... so trust me when I say if it was good and I made it, YOU will have much success!!  Bon appetite.....


Chicken Piccata



1 teaspoon garlic powder, pepper, and dry basil


2 tablespoons butter or margarine


2 tablespoons olive oil


1 cup white wine (also can use beef or chicken broth)


3 tablespoons lemon juice


1 lemon, thinly sliced


2 tablespoons capers, drained


Cut chicken breasts with the grain into ¼ inch slices. Pound any end chunks to about ¼ inch thick. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, pepper and basil. Rub into chicken slices. Coat chicken evenly in flour, shaking off excess. Heat butter and oil in a wide frying pan over medium-high heat and add chicken slices. Cook chicken 2-3 minutes on each side. Once chicken is all cooked, add wine and lemon juice to pan. Arrange lemon slices over chicken. Reduce heat to medium/low, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with capers.

Rediscovering Allentown

So I have lived in Allentown my entire life and consider myself a city girl.  I loved growing up in my parents' house off of Lehigh street, and now find myself living in one of the coolest apartments in Allentown (in my own humble opinion).  I will blog about my place at a later time.  Recently my boyfriend was visiting from South Carolina where I guess life just isn't as exciting as it is here in A-town. He kept saying, "This place is so happening".  I looked at him with a smug look on my face and said, "Really?"  I guess I have taken some of the wonderful places in Allentown for granted; the Rose Garden being one of them.  John and I went for a walk there the other day and let me tell you.... I hadn't been there in a few years and the city of Allentown has completely redone the place.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  The day we were there, there was a bridal party getting pictures done, which is a regular occurance at the Rose Garden.  My mom told me she used to have her mom drop her off at the Rose Garden on a Saturday and she would sit there for a long time and admire all the beautiful brides that would come through.  My mom and dad themselves had their wedding pictures done at the Rose Garden.  It really is just a peaceful place... I recommend going on a Sunday just around noontime..... complete peace.    There is always ample parking and the scenary is just breathtaking... roses, statues, stone structures, ponds, bridges... gorgeous.  I fell in love with this place so much that I recommended my mom, sister and I take pictures here for my dad for Father's day.  That is all he wanted... pictures of his girls.  We were planning on going down to Lehigh Parkway, but after visiting the Rose Garden, I knew we had to go there.  I encourage you to take a visit to the Rose Garden real soon and let me know what you think.  Are there any place in Allentown or where you live that you have rediscovered? Tell me...