Latest Favorite Thing

Maple Cotton Candy!

Yes, cotton candy made from maple syrup sugar.

I read about it awhile ago. I can only get it at the Union Square Green Market. The company only makes small batches so it sells out pretty quickly (read that as, I have to get to the Farmer's Market relatively early when I want to buy some.)

The farmers that make it dry their maple syrup and grind it in to a fine sugar. They had to have a cotton candy machine specially made because the maple sugar has finer grains than regular cotton candy sugar.

It is the most delicious cotton candy, like little puffs of maple that just melt in your mouth.

Cutest Cats Ever

Roxy was absent for this afternoon photo shoot - but Trixie and Beckham could not be cuter!

Big Apple BBQ

**Sniff**







**Sniff**















What's that? The smell of smoke and roasting meat? Must be time for the Big Apple BBQ.










Truly one of our favorite weekends in the city - pit masters from all over the United States circle their BBQ pits and smokers around Madison Square Park for one weekend of pulled pork and brisket bliss.

















Over the years we have learned to start each day with a pulled pork sandwich from Big Bob Gibson's (they are so popular they always run out of meat by the late afternoon).




















And when you think you've added enough sauce, give it one more squirt.

And welcome back to one of my favorites - Salt Lick from Austin, Texas serving up their delicious sausage. (They have a location in the Austin airport - you know I am ordering up a sausage sandwich on my way out of town in a few weeks.)

Another one of our favorites is Jim and Nick's BBQ also serving sausage with a side of pimento cheese. I don't want to know what is in pimento cheese all I know is it is creamy and cheesy and a little spicy. A perfect compliment to the smoky sausage.

We did not have great weather for the BBQ this year, Saturday it rained for at least two hours. on the positive side, it made for short food lines later in the day.

Sunday it was warm and sunny, we visited the bourbon tent and 11 Madison Park to enjoy some refreshing beverages (don't you love the color in my drink - it was something with peach and bourbon and quite refreshing).

Once again The Crooners were there to play bluegrass inspired music.

Of course we are already counting down the days to next year's BBQ. (Thank goodness J didn't schedule her wedding for that weekend - it would be almost as bad as the family wedding that was the same day as the USC vs Cal game.)

More Crafts

I've been particularly crafty lately - I think it means I've been working too much and my brain needs to be creative to even out the numbers side.

It all started with the idea I could whip out a quick and super cute hankie for J's wedding shower. My first attempt was too much, my second attempt too little - finally it worked out just right.

I used the 'save the date' card as inspiration and added the tree graphic. It took longer than I planned but I was really happy with the final project.

I added some scrapbook paper, tulle, and a decorative brad to a blank card to make my gift card. I stamped the inside with 'Keep Calm and Carry On' - which was just perfect for this bride to be.

Just Like POTUS

I've always liked how the White House has a clock for just for the President. Where ever he goes the clock shows his time.

A while back we went to IKEA and now we each have our own clock.

I think I need a little plaque under each clock to designate the KO and the MW clock. Of course the 'big clock' is always set to local time.