Lost In Central Park... What a Wonderful World

The other day I followed my puppy Gigi in Central Park and went down whatever paths she chose. It ended up being a great adventure, traveling parts of the park I had never seen before. There are some parts of Central Park where you feel like you are in a wild forest in New England. This section in particular was through the entrance on West 81st Street, take a left up the hill. You forget that there are skyscrapers outside the canopies of trees — and other than the squirrels, turtles, birds and geese around you, is a city of more than 8 million people. 


The famous architect Frederic Law Olmstead designed Central Park with Calvert Vaux, after winning a contest in 1857 to create a park in New York City that would rival those in London and Paris. There is a great website that not only gives great historical insight to Central Park, but also other attractions in New York City: http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/centralpark.htm


Olmstead envisioned a place where people could relax and find peace, amidst the chaos and fast city living of Manhattan. In these 843 acres of respite is a few hundred thousand trees, reservoir, pond, so many habitats of birds, insects, fish, geese, squirrels and so much more. Of course there are the modern additions like the Zoo, Alice In Wonderland Sculptures, tennis courts, water fountains and the children's carousel. For a good link on things to do in Central Park and sites to see visit the official website: http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/


After that day in Central Park I heard the song What A Wonderful World sung by Louis Armstrong on the radio. I know we all love that song, but I really listened to it this time, and realized it has the most beautiful lyrics making the song so uplifting and eternal. Sure the melody perfectly matches the lyrics, but when you really listen to what Louis is singing, you think, This is what life is about, the simple joys. 

These simple joys can be experienced by all people in parks, gardens, forests —NATURE. Conserve Nature and conserve our parks. Our earth is too precious to not preserve our land. Please help by holding our government accountable, and by visiting the National Parks Conservation Association to donate: https://secure.npca.org/site/Donation2f_id=1390&1390.donation=form1&s_subsrc=top_nav&JServSessionIdr004=8l4k823l4c.app331b


First read the lyrics, then play the song on the video below, and hopefully you will have a new found appreciation for the song... just like I did.

What a Wonderful World
Songwriters: George David Weiss, George Douglas and Bob Thiele

I see trees of green.... red roses too
I see em bloom.... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... What a wonderful world.


I see Skies of blue.... clouds of white
Bright blessed days... dark sacred nights
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world.


The colors of the rainbow.... so pretty... in the sky
Are also on the faces... of people.. going by
I see friends shaking hands... say'n.. how do you do
They're really say'n... I love you.


I hear babies cry.... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more... than I'll never know
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world

From Thanksgiving to Christmas: All Purpose Holiday Recipes

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In my household it's a day of complete relaxation: eating a great homemade meal with no schedule or timeline, and doing so very comfortably with the people I love most. It's great to have big holiday get-togethers with 10 to 30 family members, but there is something so intimate, honest and loving with a small gathering whether that's two, four or six. This Thanksgiving couldn't have gone better from waking up and having a great breakfast of Manchego Cheese with Fig Spread and toasted French Baguette, while watching the Macy's Day Parade with my mom, husband and Gigi, to then prepping the food with the rest of my immediate family of cooks, my brother and grandfather -- and the five of us getting to gobble it all up on our own time savoring the moments.

(From Left) Hubby Charles, Mom Val,
Pappou Jimmy, Bro Christos & JoJo

Thanksgiving is the one holiday where there is five cooks in the kitchen all at once. Since we're a family of foodies, restaurateurs, culinary students and cooks we can never cook the same thing year after year. Somehow we always change it up a bit to see what we like, or slightly modify classics to experiment with, and basically get creative to always try improving main dishes. This year was no different.


My two plates were brussel sprouts and maple glazed carrots, while my husband was in charge of smashed potatoes. My brother stepped in for an emergency gravy, and made an apple walnut pie in advance. My pappou came with his famous stuffing and my mother stole the show with the big bad turkey.


Since Thanksgiving came and went and most of us don't want to hear one more thing about an abundant turkey dinner, I thought I would improvise some of the recipes from Thanksgiving that could be made as is, or slightly modified for a wonderful Christmas dinner.



I'll start with the recipe for the greatest golden, juicy turkey that could also be used for a Christmas Goose or Duck. Thanks to Michael Symon and his clever idea to use Cheesecloth to keep in the juices as opposed to constantly basting or using foil for a cover. I was watching The Chew on ABC and saw Symon boiling a side of broth with all the fixings in it, and then putting the cheesecloth in it to simmer for 20 minutes, once done covering the turkey with the cheesecloth (watch the link above to see exactly what we did).

Symon was right on with his herb choices, we also used a bunch of fresh oregano and thyme in the cavity of the turkey that we additionally boiled in the stock for the cheesecloth. In addition to the fresh herbs and lemon, we also stuffed the cavity of the turkey with a Mirepoix of carrots, onions and celery, while also distributing that all around the turkey in the pan, which helps create a great broth to use for making gravy and soup. Other than following the directions from the link above, I would suggest adding the left-over boiled broth that the cheesecloth was in on top of the turkey. The results are really astounding how wonderfully golden and juicy the turkey came out. Just as important as preparing the turkey is letting it rest for 30 minutes prior to cutting it.


For those who like to eat Turkey on Christmas this is a great recipe because you can switch out different herbs like using rosemary or sage, while making a different gravy and then you have a different main entree from one holiday to the next. For those who get sick of turkey after Thanksgiving (me included), try roasting duck or goose. 

Pancetta, chestnuts, golden raisins
and fresh thyme simmering before
the brussel sprouts are added.

As for side dishes, this year I created my favorite recipe for holiday brussel sprouts. Usually I like my brussel sprouts roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper -- perfectly simple and delicious -- but for Thanksgiving I wanted to add some pizazz. So I boiled the brussel sprouts in salted water for 4 minutes and then took them out. I sauteed chopped up pancetta in olive oil, then added chopped roasted chestnuts, golden raisins and fresh thyme mixing it up with the brussel sprouts. You could saute them, but since I had too many to fit in a pan I tossed everything in a roasting pan and shredded a little Manchego cheese on top. They broiled for a few minutes and got nice and crispy. 

If you want to change to a different veggie for Christmas, you could use the same recipe but with asparagus, broccolini or broccoli rabe. You could also switch out chestnuts for pecans or golden raisins for cranberries or dried cherries.


We also had sweet glazed carrots that were delicious, and smashed creamy potatoes with minced chives and scallions. Of course my all time favorite Thanksgiving dish, my pappou's stuffing. It's a bread stuffing with a little smoky bacon flavor. Very straightforward -- no nuts or meat or veggies -- but absolutely scrumptious. I haven't tasted a better stuffing yet, and it is so addictive. I don't know the recipe quite yet -- it's still pappou's secret -- but I plan on getting it sometime soon to start practicing.


Now to the wine!!! Courtesy of the big V, aka, Mommy Val, we enjoyed two wonderful bottles of Caymus Special Collection Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. It's a fantastic wine, and especially nice for Thanksgiving with its full body yet subtle fruit and rustic notes. 

Floral Wedding Bliss: Reception

The Place Card Table had
a centerpiece with Calla Lilies & hanging
votives on gold dusted branches. 

Mom and me getting things ready
Saturday before the big event... & Gigi

White roses in antique cracked mirror glass vases on the
mantle of the ballroom fireplace. There were many
candle votives placed around them & the wonderful
wedding cake in front from Crown Bakery. White Cake with
Raspberry and Blood Orange Filling and Buttercream Frosting. 

I think one of the funniest memories I have of Saturday prior to all the festivities beginning, was me running around the estate barefoot ensuring everything was falling into place, and meanwhile my glam squad captain, a.k.a celebrity hair stylist extraordinaire, "Christian" from Salon 647         
running behind me trying         to get me upstairs to the bridal suite for nearly two hours. For some that sounds like a nightmare to do any arrangements before one's own wedding and worrying about the details, but for someone like me, dare I say a slight control freak, I enjoyed doing my part and seeing things through to completion -- it actually had a very calming effect. 

So when the florist arrived with all the flowers and I saw them for the first time not only was my morning complete, but I could finally go upstairs. It was such a gratifying moment when I could relish in the beauty of the centerpieces, bouquets, vases -- all the flowers that I envisioned for my wedding right there before my eyes in gorgeous arrangements.  

The most talented designer who has to take all the credit and who I cannot speak more highly of is Maureen Szczurko, owner of The Flower Stop in Worcester. Maureen not only listened to every detail I told her from months in advance, she not only could see exactly what I was envisioning, but she took it to levels I couldn't even imagine. It's really special to meet anyone who is so gifted and passionate about their craft, and it shows through their work. 

These 3 Ft. Cylinder Vases had a variety of either

Calla Lilies or Orchards sunken in the water with

candles floating on top. They were spread throughout

the foyer and especially in the grand fireplace shown left.

Centerpieces: White Eggshell Roses,  Calla Lilies Picasso,
Dark Eggplant Calla Lilies, Snow on the Mountain as filler &
Dusty Miller Silver Lace around the bottom.

I wanted a French, Chic theme. Not over the top like Marie Antoinette, but not too Provincial either. Something elegant and en vogue, timeless like Coco Chanel. I wanted all white but bursts of deep eggplant from the Callas and Picasso Lillies, then highlights of sage that would tie it all together. Maureen fully accomplished that, a literal translation that she created. Not only with the flowers, but the vases she used for the centerpieces to the decorative scape on the fireplace mantle.  

The table design with gold chargers, matching crystal candelabras
and frames, satin eggplant napkins and centerpieces.
The linens were satin champagne tablecloths with
crystalized organza overlays. 

Rather than have each table be a number we used artistic creations that inspired love. For instance, my husband got to choose our head table so his choice was John Coltrane's album, A Love Supreme. Above you'll notice the table has a frame of Romeo and Juliet which is where my pappou (grandfather) sat. He would always tell us in his younger years they called him "Romeo." Other tables included: Phantom of the Opera, A Farewell To Arms, Casablanca, & Moonlight Sonata. Whether it was film, song, opera, play, book, poetry or paintings -- we chose our favorite works of love.

The head table had the tall crystal candelabras as well as short votive candles spread across the table. Since the bouquets went with the overall floral theme in the dining room I wanted to highlight them and use them as centerpieces. All we did was purchase extra vases for each bouquet to be evenly distributed across the table. The white roses with the deep eggplant and Picasso Calla Lilies stayed on theme.

We really wanted to emphasize the arts throughout our wedding. One stunning touch was having ballet dancers perform "Over the Rainbow" during dinner. They were local dancers from the Albany Berkshire Ballet non-profit. For a donation, the lovely ballet dancers performed so wonderfully and really added such a nice touch. To be honest I was inspired by the Kanye West "Runaway Music Video" -- great video!
We also had gospel singers for the ceremony from a local Church, in addition to a special gift from family members playing the trumpet and violin. Poetry and song was dedicated during the ceremony. We had a big brass band playing jazz and standards during the reception, and after-hours with a live Greek band.  The party kept going and the ambience was just right :)


Some of these photos were from family and friends -- Thank You! Most are from the professional photographer we used, Rich Frederick -- a wonderful job capturing these moments -- thank you!

Floral Wedding Bliss

One of the most magical days of my life was my wedding day. It was so special because of all the love Charles and I felt all weekend long with our family and friends in the Berkshires. As the bride, what made the wedding so spectacular in my eyes, was having all the details we worked so hard at over the past year come together on that day, and transport us to a gilded era of a black tie affair with Champagne flowing, flowers everywhere, a big brass band playing and having all of this done at the Elm Court, a Vanderbilt Estate in Lenox, MA. 

Since this blog is dedicated to either flowers, food or wine I wanted to post an entry about all the flowers at my wedding from the centerpieces and bouquets to the creative pieces spread around the estate. Maybe this will inspire others searching for a similar theme, or if anything it will allow me to relive the magic.

My beautiful flower girl Cloe & lovebug Gigi

Our wedding on August 27, 2011 was the weekend of Hurricane Irene! I didn't believe in having a "plan B" for rain prior to knowing there was going to be a hurricane heading our way. So we set up for the ceremony   as we originally planned in the back of the Estate with a 50 foot red carpet and a vista over looking the mountains and trees behind the cresdenza. 

Thankfully I have a pic of what we envisioned, because the rain drops started to  come down and we moved over to a spontaneous plan b on the terrace. 

A Red Carpet as opposed to white adds a stunning backdrop
against the bride's dress & tuxedos for photos.
A way to save money & time on flower pots is
bring the pots to a local landscaper to do them for you. 

Although the ceremony didn't take place where I had envisioned it, I didn't even notice when the time came and my father walked me down the aisle. I guess that's the magic of the day when everything just feels perfect.

Colorful Gladiolas for the Ceremony.

         

I had known I wanted the reception done in white with bursts of deep eggplant and some sage green for slight accent colors. So I decided I wanted the ceremony to be different with lots of color. I love gladiolas -- they're a flower that just makes me happy when I see them -- they're lively & fun! Incorporate your favorite flowers in your wedding because it will make a difference when you see them in the photos.

Butterflies remind me of my late yiayia (grandma in Greek). When my yiayia Mary died, soon after I was suddenly seeing lots of butterflies  around me, sometimes in the most random places that you wouldn't expect a butterfly to be. And every time I saw them they made me smile and feel warm. So on our wedding day we let out butterflies as a gesture to my yiayia being there in spirit. 

A big reason Charles and I chose Lenox as our wedding destination was for its natural splendor. We loved Lenox for Tanglewood, and its overall arts and culture, but Nature is very important to me, and we both appreciate natural wonders. So we wanted to incorporate the majestic scenery all around us in our wedding photos. 

My next blog will be about the reception flowers that were throughout the interior of the Estate.


I will end this blog with a poem by ee cummings that one of my best friends dedicated to Charles and I and read during the wedding ceremony.  


i carry your heart with me


i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
                                  

i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Fall Festivities on the Hudson Valley

On a beautiful fall day my husband and I decided to escape the city in a rental car to the Hudson Valley. The 30 minute drive on the Henry Hudson Parkway through the mountains and some very late foliage was well worth it, let alone the whole day of activities I had planned for us including a Rockefeller Estate tour, apple picking, and 4,000 lit up Jack O' Lanterns.

Our first stop was Sleepy Hollow, a village in Tarrytown, where iconic American author Washington Irving wrote the tale of the Headless Horseman. We didn't get to go to the terrifying Horseman's Hollow haunted walk through the forest, but we did do a fantastic tour at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate.

Not only was the home, gardens and overall property breathtaking, but it was fascinating listening to the very knowledgable tour guide's stories on John D. Rockefeller and his family.

One thing I especially liked was one of Rockefeller's mantras that he was known to tell his children, "Order and Balance." He was extremely organized and disciplined, and found balance in life from making an abundance of money through owning Standard Oil, and giving back an abundance through all his charities focused on world peace, education and health.

It was so admirable to hear about all of the Rockefeller charities starting from John D. Sr. all the way down to the youngest son and daughter-in-laws. The Rockefellers did so much for New York City from creating Lincoln Center and the MOMA, to building lower Manhattan to keep business thriving downtown, getting the bid for the United Nations Assembly to be built on the East Side of the city, considerable land and park preservation, and of course son Nelson being the state's four term Governor and Vice President to Ford.

Next was off to Wilken's Fruit and Fir Farm via the Saw Mill Parkway for apple picking, but mostly buying lots of lovely things in the gift shop and eating lots of lovely things from their bakery. I'm not much into donuts,

but Wilken's homemade APPLE CIDER DONUTS were simply AMAZING! They sell so many that they are constantly being made fresh and hot. The donuts were light, dense and flavorful -- not syrupy or artificial tasting -- just perfect. Honestly, I wish I could wrap them up and send them over to everyone right now... Not too mention enjoy one myself as I write this post!

So with time to kill before the 8:30 Jack O'Lantern Blaze, we decided to go to a restaurant on the Hudson River to have a glass or two of wine, and something to eat to relax and reflect on our great day.

We heard of Harvest On Hudson, sitting right on the River with a great big lot of grass for customers to sit on benches and enjoy the view.

It was like an amazing first date all over again seven years later. We sat there for a few hours philosophizing, conversing, cuddling and just plain loving life. So far the day couldn't have been any better, and we still had 4,000 pumpkins to check out.

To end our day, Charles was such a good sport to drive back towards Tarrytown 20 minutes out of the way to the great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. It was really something walking through thousands of creative, artistic carved pumpkins all lit up in the great outdoors. There were probably more adults than kids enjoying it. It was well worth the drive and $17 ticket to go. Of course I had another apple cider to end our fantastic day.