What a view!

I live within walking distance from the East River, and at river's edge there is an amazing view. This shot was taken about 15 blocks south of my neighborhood. Isn't this view just spectacular? When I took this photo, it was a smoggy August day. But with a little bit of photoshop, I brightened and sharpened up the photo a bit. I love looking at the city from outside the city! Very serene!

Hanging Out

The cats love to hang out on this rug we have in the dining room. The rug feels like a burlap, its made of ropes tied together. They like the rug because its like a cat scratcher to them. As you can see on the corner, it looks pretty raggedy because they bite on it and scratch it. Poor rug! It didn't stand a chance!

Frank Lloyd Wright has a new fan

Our grandma is moving soon, and is starting to give away items in her house that she no longer, needs, wants or has room for. She gave us these great Frank Lloyd Wright pillows, seen in this photo they are these two green pillows behind Dante. As you can see, he enjoys the pillows just as much as we do! Thanks grandma!

Boxes

Lately, Sebastian has been finding new places to take a nap. He still has his favorite spots, but recently, he's been trying out new places. Here is one of his new favorite place to sleep. On top of one of our many boxes! It doesn't look comfortable to me, but he loves it!

A Glove of a Toy

The cat's Aunt Judy got them another toy, and its a funny one! She got them a glove, that at the end of each finger tip there is a toy and bell to play with. You can see Dante on the right, trying to figure out what actually this toy is. He was really afraid of it, he didn't want to come near it. He probably thought it was some kind of monster! Our Aunt Judy is funny, she does pick up the strangest toys!!

Jamaican Beef Patties

I learned this new recipe this week! Jamaican beef patties!! They are sooo good. I make this with Scotch Bonnet Peppers, which is the same as habenero peppers. Spicy and absolutely delicious.

Bath Mat

For some reason, Dante really loves the bath mat in the bathroom. Sometimes, when I can't find him in the living room, I find him sitting in the bathroom just hanging out by himself resting on the bath mat. So one day, I decided to put the bath mat in the middle of the living room floor. And look who sat right on it! Hahahahahhaha

New Toy

Aunt Judy bought the cats new toys. And what neat toys there were. We've never seen anything so extravagant before. This one in particular had a handle, and on the bottom of each one was a toy to play with. One of the toys had a fevver and the other had a ball! How cool is that? Dante especially loved the toys.

More Pat Benatar

Here is another video from the concert in Coney Island.. This is Pat Benatar singing "Love is a Battlefield". She still sounds and looks amazing.
I just realized today that summer is quickly coming to a close. It makes me so sad! This summer flew by so quickly! It's been a fun summer filled with lots of activities!



Photos from the show.

When we first got to the park, we saw the band's tour buses!


A blurry upclose photo of Pat singing.

Concert in Coney Island

The best thing about Summer in NYC is that there is a plethora of free events and shows. Tonight, The Donnas, Pat Benatar and Blondie was playing and all for FREE. It was an amazing concert! Pat Benatar and Blondie really reminds me of my childhood. I remember dancing to their songs when it played on the radio. So fun! I must say, these Ladies can still ROCK. Here are some pictures and video from the show. Enjoy.

Debbie Harry singing The Tide is High.


Here is The Donnas on stage.


Debbie Harry on Stage


I have other photos of Pat Benatar and video, I'll post in the next posting.

Sticking Out My Tongue

Yaffa loves to stick out her tongue. I'm not sure why, but sometimes we catch her sticking out her tongue for like 10 minutes. It's adorable! Doesn't she look so funny? Cutie pie! I suspect that this might cool her down with her tongue sticking out. Or maybe she's just taunting the other cats.

You Happy Now?

Okay, okay, so it's only been two days since the cats have been out of wet cat food. They had the dry Friskies, but they love, love love their stinky goodness. So off I went yesterday to Petco and picked up their favorites. Okay, kitties, no more of those stink eye looks anymore, alrightie?

Homemade Chili

This is not something I usually make in the middle of summer but I had a craving for it. This week, I made homemade Chili with ground beef, kidney beans and yellow onions topped with melted cheddar cheese. I made it a bit spicy with Cayenne pepper, chili powder and black pepper. I also baked country biscuits with a cheddar cheese and scallion topping. Soooo good!!!

Bike Pillow

Sebastian has found a new pillow. He's such a funny cat! I don't know if this is comfortable but he seems to like it.

Cupcakes

Our nephew had a 4th birthday party and they had the cutest cupcakes at the party. Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie monster. All the kitties were so curious but we wouldn't allow them to have any. Aren't they so cute? They were delicious too!

An Oldie But a Goodie

Dante rarely lies down with his belly all exposed, but this particular day I caught him with my camera. I would love to give him a belly rub, but I don't dare because he gives the biteys. Isn't he so cute though? Tempting, right?

Oh, from my last post, a lot of people asked what Zeppoles were. Zeppoles are Italian donuts, that are around here fried and then immediately dunked in powdered sugar.

Wikipedia says they can also be stuffed with jelly or cream but in Brooklyn, we can only find them with powdered sugar.
They are best eaten when freshly made and hot out of the fryer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeppole

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival

Every summer, near our neighborhood, there is a street festival called "Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival". The festival celebrates with the feast that honors both Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and San Paolino. The festival last two weeks and with a procession of the statue through the neighborhood. (see images below) I finally got around to posting these photos!

My favorite part of the whole festival are these beauties! ZEPPOLES!! Brooklyn Zeppoles are Ah-Mazing!

There is so much yummy Italian street food throughout the festival! Delicious!

This is a statue of San Paolino. Weighs about 4 tons and over 100 men lift it up and down the street!

Wordless Wednesday: Peek-A-Boo

Yesterday's Dinner

The southern cooking continues. Yesterday, I made Fried Chicken, with home made mac n' cheese and summer corn. YUM-O as Rachael Ray would say.

The Creek Cats asked for the macaroni and cheese recipe. So here it is below, Enjoy!

Mac n' Cheese

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups of whole milk
16 ounces of cheddar cheese
1 box of elbow macaroni or box of shells
1 tsp of italian seasonings or parsley flakes
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cook macaroni according to box instructions. Drain macaroni.
2. Create a bechamel sauce by Melting butter. When butter is melted, add flour. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, until thick.
3. Whisk in slowly 1 1/2 cups of milk. The bechamel will be a thick sauce.
4. Add in cheese, one handful at a time, so it's melting into the sauce. Reserve some of the cheddar cheese for the topping.
5. Add in the italian seasonings.
6. Add in the cooked macaroni. Stir until mixed very well.
7. Add the pinch of cayenne, salt & pepper, mixing well.
8. Grease a baking dish.
9. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish.
10. Mix together the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl.
11. Sprinkle over top of the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top.
12. Bake for 25 minutes until top is brown and melted.

Enjoy!

Move Over Paula Deen!

Last month, I was home and saw too much Paula Deen. I don't usually like to watch her because she uses so much sugar and butter in everything. Then something weird happened. All of the sudden I felt like making southern food. So I whipped up these bbq ribs and home made macaroni and cheese. It came out pretty good, and I didn't even use a recipe. I'm ready for a throw down Paula Deen!