Visiting the Gingerbread Man

I took the gum paste flower class at the International School of Confectionary and Sugar Arts. The school has three main areas, the store and gallery, the classroom, and the dining room. Each area has a themed bathroom.

The dining room and it's bathroom are decorated in a loose Tuscan theme.

The classroom has the Cupcake bathroom. It is all pink and brown and has cupcake ornaments, pink striped grosgrain ribbon around the tops of the walls, and a small pink beaded chandelier.

But my favorite bathroom was in the store and gallery area - it was the Gingerbread bathroom. I meant to take photos of all three bathrooms because they were really cute, but I only remembered to get photos of my favorite.

Below is the sign on the door - yes it is a baking sheet and above it is a spatula and a cookie cutter.



The walls were painted a perfect gingerbread cookie brown. The mirror was set in to a cookie sheet and had a rolling pin at the bottom. There were cooling racks on the walls with faux cookies. It was all just so cute. The sink had a gingham curtain and the light was covered with a wire colander.

And the very best part - the shelf with jars containing Sugar, Spice, and All Things Nice!

What I Did During Winter Break

Who says you don't get summer vacation and winter break when you leave school - you just have to know how to plan.

Last week I was in Atlanta taking a 5 day intensive course on making gum paste flowers. It was like camp for kids who like to bake and craft and like flowers too - really it was KO heaven.

I had never worked with gum paste before but my friend from Seattle asked if I would be interested in taking the class with her. It was one of those days and I was in one of those moods so I said sure. Two months later I was in a class room trying to figure out how to roll this little ball of white sugar dough in to a carnation bud.

The class was taught by Nicolas Lodge (pictured below with the K's - Karen on the left and Kristin on the right).




I didn't check out his credentials, but Karen had assured me he was the best. As it turns out he is a world renown cake decorator. He even made one of the official cakes for the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. He was an amazing teacher. He started us off with simple techniques, very helpful to those of us who had not worked with gum paste previously. And as our confidence and skill grew he moved on to more complicated techniques.

On the first day we made small buds and small flowers.



And then moved on to larger parts - the centers for orchids and gardenias and Gerber daisies with delicate petals.





Once all of the petals were formed and dried we assembled and colored the flowers. What a difference a little bit of edible food dye can make!

Hydrangea blossoms ready to be grouped and wired together.




A completed daisy, Dendrobium orchid, sweet pea, lily of the valley , stephanotis, Cattleya orchid, and a rose bud.

And a full size calla lily.

The shading on the Cymbidium orchid was intricate but it turned out so beautiful.

With just 16 people in the class we had so much personal attention from Nicolas and his teaching assistant Emily.

Emily was great. Until recently she was an intern at a popular bakery. One day at lunch she shared a few photos of her cakes. One was shaped like a Louis Vuitton trunk. She couldn't find a stencil to make the signature LV design so she hand painted it - it was incredible, it looked exactly like a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk.

And everyday we were served a hot home made lunch and fresh baked cookies in the afternoon by Scott.

I'm sure they figured out it was easier and quicker to serve lunch as part of the class - but it was really nice to not have to worry about finding somewhere to eat and the students got to chat for a few minutes while eating.

I shipped some flowers home but hand carried a few of the more delicate blooms on the airplane. I did my best to get a few portrait shots of the flowers I brought home (yes these are all made out of sugar and they are edible but probably wouldn't taste great).

Gerber daisy:



Rose:



Cattleya orchid:



Gardenia:





And of top of all of that Karen and I were able to catch up with a dear friend from MBA school. We went to dinner one night and stayed until they kicked us out of the restaurant.

And the last day we were in town she took us on a private tour of the Georgia Aquarium (she volunteers at the aquarium on the weekends).

The set up at the aquarium is amazing - lots of interactive displays, huge tank walls so you can bbeasily see the fish. We didn't get to spend enough time there - luckily I know someone that likes to visit Atlanta to see his Braves play so I can't wait to go back.

The aquarium has the only two whale sharks in captivity. They were sick and the aquarium took them in to nurse them back to health. The aquarium doesn't seek specimens, they only take in animals that have been injured or need to be rescued.

Jelly fish!

And I can't remember the name but it was funny, something like the Turkey Dragon fish.

Of course back to work this week. Some of my co-workers know what I was up to so I get to do some 'show and tell'. I'm sure they all think I am crazy. Now I just need to figure out how to incorporate what I've learned in to a spectacular Mother's Day Tea showpiece!

1/2 Marathon Training

Today completes my first full week of training. (I started this blog a few weeks ago -so this will be an update and a look back .)



I downloaded a plan from the Internet and it seems quite reasonable. Of course in my head I was a week behind schedule but when I put dates to the plan I am actually two weeks behind! I skipped week one and I will skip week three to put me on track. Good thing I figured this out in week 2 and not week 10!



The training schedule includes running, cross training, strength training, and stretching - a well balanced plan. Every weekend includes a 'long run'.



I've been running on the treadmill and training inside the gym in our building. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and (relatively) warm so I decided to hit the pavement and tackle my long run outside. It was the first time I have run outside. Wow did it suck! I needed to do four miles and ended up just under 3 miles (according to my pedometer). And I walked a good portion of that.

I had some wardrobe problems and had to consult a marathon veteran to find out how to best combat wedgies. (Thanks Lisa D. for all of the advice and the phrase that was the most unlikely thing I would ever have someone tell me in my life - I inspired her to go out and have a run that afternoon. Really? Wow that was pretty cool.)

I spent a week in gum paste flower class in Atlanta. What a challenge to keep up with my routine. I did book a hotel with a gym, but what a crappy gym indeed. It was a small, hot, windowless smelly room that had one treadmill, one eliptical, and a rack of dumb bells. I checked with the front desk about the air in the room multiple times. They were less than helpful. I would exercise with the door propped open by a dumb bell and that helped a little bit. The night I had to do my "long run" I left the door propped open for a few hours before I ran in an effort to try and cool the room down pre-run. While the front desk staff was useless in turning on any air conditioning they were very good about making sure when I asked to keep the door propped open it stayed open. The weather in Atlanta was freezing (in the 20s and 30s) and we were in an industrial area - if you are wondering why I didn't try to run outside. I did maintain my schedule, I was under the non-sweeping pace but I logged the miles.

Last night was the end of training week 5. My "long run" was 6 miles, the most I have done in one session to date. It wasn't bad. Did you know when you run that far you burn over 600 calories! I'm still not at the pace I need to not get swept. (So start preparing those nice phrases that make me feel better when I do get swept "it was your first time, you'll do better next time", "it was the effort that counts", etc.)

I still need to get outside and log some miles. It was absolutely freezing here this weekend (in the low 20s). Maybe next weekend I can get out to Central Park and test some of the course.

For Top Chef Fans

This is for Mel and Becky.

I've been meaning to post this to the blog for awhile - I caught this show on New York chefs before Christmas. The show itself wasn't great; it was a local production and the hostess was focused on 'stalking' chefs.

But this little gem came from the show - yes, that is Tom Colicchio with hair! (I think that might be Damon Wise in the background, but I'm not sure.)


The photo and video quality isn't fantastic as they are from my Blackberry recording the television.

The show information didn't provide a date, but seeing how Tom looks it must have been quite a while ago. I think he looks younger now with no hair than he did back then with the long gray hair.

Bleecker St.

After living here for more than 3 years I have never visited the jazz/live music clubs on Bleecker St. They are famous for starting big name careers over the years.

Tuesday night I went out with some people from work (they were in town for a convention - stop thinking I went out with the cats!) and we did a nice tour of Bleecker.

We started with dinner at Fish - one of our new favorite restaurants. In fact if you have been in town to visit lately you've probably been there with us. Not only do we like it, but we like to take guests there as well. Once again Fish did not disappoint (and when you have PBR on tap, it is highly unlikely you will disappoint), the crowd left satisfied but ready for some adventure.

We took a short walk on Bleecker to Terra Blues. We did have to pay a $5 cover, but we sat in on two sets of live Blues. After the end of the second set we moved on to Kenny's Castaway. Kenny's had no cover (sweet!) and Tuesday night is 'neighborhood night'. If you have an instrument you can get on stage and play. They were pretty open with their definition of instruments - next time I am going to show up with my cowbell (because you all know it needed more cowbell). It was a laid back place where even people who were obviously not from the neighborhood were welcomed.

A night where I was just expecting dinner turned out to be a blast and the Manhattan office racked up some good PR.

For everyone that is planning to visit this is a preview - because you know once I find something I like I must share!

No One Puts Baby In A Corner

Part of a series on 'Where's Beckham?'

Recently Beckham (the youngest cat - so he sometimes gets called 'baby') has been hanging out in the corner of the apartment underneath a chair.

As uncomfortable as it might seem, apparently there is a heater on the other side of the wall. The wall and baseboard are very warm and the entire corner gets nice and toasty.

Ahh Delivery

Even by our standards the fridge was really empty last week.

We had been gone over Christmas and we had company in town the week of New Year's (meaning we were eating out all week). By last week it was Mother Hubbard's cupboard - there was basically nothing to eat.

Luckily Michael did one quick trip to the store so we had milk, a small block of cheese, eggs, English muffins, ice tea, tonic water, sparkling wine, and a couple slices of leftover pizza.

Fresh Direct to the rescue!

A few clicks of the mouse and the very next day I had at least a week of meals and I didn't have to go outside in the freezing weather. I love the magic of delivery!

The outside of our fridge had an upgrade as well. My friend in OR sent some very colorful artwork created by her (almost) 3 year old son. Yay for tempura paint and glitter.

Big News

Alternate title: Words I Never Thought Would Come Out of My Mouth

I am running in the NYC Half Marathon on March 21, 2010!

I submitted an application last month and through the lottery system it was accepted and I was assigned a bib number last week.

Time to hit the gym. I have a 12 week training schedule to get me ready. Of course I didn't do anything last week so I am a week behind. I'm just going to start today with week 2.

All racers have to be on target to finish in 3 hours or less. If you are running at a slower pace they come around about mile 7 and pick you up in a sweeper van. My only goal is to not get picked up by the van. (I have images of me running right in front of the van - just trying to stay a few feet ahead of it.)

The course is pretty cool. It starts in Central Park, goes through Times Sq. and finishes in Battery Park.

Wish me luck - I'll need it!

Grand Central Holiday Train Display

The Transit Museum Annex in Grand Central did a great job with it's annual holiday train display this year.

They added a few interactive buttons - you pushed a button and made something move. For example one of the buttons was connected to a toy oil rig and when you pushed the button the rig started "pumping for oil".



The trains start circling the big Christmas tree and then move a miniature version of New York City.

They end up going around the North Pole - passing by Santa Claus of course.

Happy Hanukkah

One of the many great things about New York is the celebration of so many cultures and religions. Hanukkah is celebrated as much as Christmas and you see menorahs in buildings and other places around the city. On Park Ave they have a huge menorah set up and every night of Hanukkah a Rabbi rides up a cherry picker to 'light' up the candle.

This menorah is one of my favorites, I've seen in before but I've never had the right timing to get a photo.

It is the mobile menorah! It is on a trailer hitched to the back of the motor home with the big banner featuring a Rabbi. There is also a broadcast speaker and someone shouts out religious greetings as the menorah drives the streets of New York.

An On-going Series: Unfortunately Named Nail Salons

Another nail salon with an unfortunate name - not as good as DMV nails, but it made me laugh.

Nails n Now...really? What is the 'Now' that is being offered. It just doesn't make any sense.

The Gangs of the Upper East Side

Looks like the kids on the Upper East Side decided to do some tagging in the subway station...

Yes, pip pip cheerio indeed!

Michael noticed the sign yesterday morning, I had to go and get a picture because this is funny on so many levels. And to keep giving proper credit, the one liner is his too.

It's Just What I Wanted!

I just got a packaged delivered - from wine.com, so I knew it had to be good.

It is a lovely bottle of sparkling wine and who gave it to me? Work!

This really is the best job ever.

Bloomingdale's Holiday Windows 2009

Continuing with the Holiday Window series:


The holiday windows at Bloomingdale's were unveiled earlier this month. I went down to see Harry Connick Jr. perform for the big debut, but I arrived too late. I really need to do some research on the Bloomingdale's windows. They just seem to be a hodge podge of flashy displays with no real theme. They repeatedly mention gifts and gift giving; my guess a not so subtle way to get people to loosen the purse strings this holiday season.

The first window talks all about color and it is filled with glitter teddy bears (including a row of dancing bears in colors of the rainbow - Grateful Dead anyone). The main parts of the window are a glittered up bear on a motorcycle and two bears reading a story to a child.





After the bears there is a double window display that featured Dynamic Duos - it is pairs of famous characters waiting in line to see Santa Claus.

The pairs include Batman and Robin, Anthony and Cleopatra, salt and pepper, annnnnnnddddd (wait for it)...........







The President and Mrs. Obama!




The next window is interactive - you can't tell from my picture but if you stand in the right spot (it's marked on the sidewalk) in front of the window you are displayed inside the big smiling mouth. Everyone likes being on TV, so this is a crowd favorite.




After the interactive display we move on to the 'give women shoes' window. It is a big shoe filled with shoes on a conveyor belt with a shoe chandelier and shoes decorating the Christmas tree. I hope that little boy is giving his mom a pair of shoes - this isn't a woman who wants chocolate or a scarf for Christmas!

Moving down the line we get to a window I think is pretty cute. It shows the Dad of the family looking at himself in the mirror and seeing Santa in the reflection. The window talks about the Secret Santa in all of us (or something like that - you get the gist).

The final special holiday window has just a little touch of crazy. It's a huge snowman Santa that kind of swings around. He has a big star in his hand, maybe for the top of the tree?

The best part is, he wasn't holding a star in his hand when the windows were unveiled. He was holding a child! I remember thinking it looked like he was going to eat the kid. It was like King Kong Snow Santa was out to get all of the naughty boys and girls. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought this wasn't quite right because the display has been changed.

Please note, the photo above, with the child in Santa's hand, is credited to a "PMc". I didn't get a shot opening night and when I went back to take a picture the display had been changed. I grabbed this photo from another blog.

Where is the Bloomie's of last year - with nostalgic scenes and music from Tony Bennett?

Anthropologie Holiday Windows 2009

Well with HGTV not doing their holiday window special I am going to step up and do my part - I'll even give you windows and decorations they never covered!

Some of my favorite windows are the displays at the HUGE Anthropologie store at Rockefeller Center. They make their displays with unusual materials and they usually find a way to sneak in a hidden message.

In this window they use fabric, bunting, and bubble wrap to create 'snow' drifts.

This is a close up of how the materials are layered.

In this window the letters 'S' 'N' 'O' and 'W' are falling from the ceiling (get it, falling snow). My favorite part was the snowball that was really a little mouse igloo.

A close up of the mouse house:

All of the white squares and rectangles are pieces of fabric.

The trees are made from loops of long ribbons.

And finally these huge snowballs - some had tags with names on them. I'm not sure if that meant it was supposed to be a gift or if that is the intended snowball target??