pignoli cookies

Pignoli Cookies are an Italian family tradition, and my all time flavorite cookie!

I've perfected a recipe and hope you use it as often as i do, enjoy!

Ingredients: (makes 1doz. cookies)

- 8oz can Almond Paste

- 2 egg whites

- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar

- pignoli (pine) nuts

- parchment paper

Instructions:

- Preheat oven to 350

- Whip egg whites until they form a slight peak. Set side.

- In a separate bowl, grate almond paste

- Add powdered sugar. Blend.

-Slowly add in the egg whites a little at a time (you might not use all two, the egg whites are just used to bind the ingredients together) until the dough forms into a slightly sticky ball.

- Form into balls (approx. 1" in diameter)

- Dip into pine nuts and place on parchment covered pan.

- Bake for about 18-20 minutes, until tops are golden brown.

- Let cool, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Mangia!

*cb

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.- soulemama

a nice "feel good" album...

Michael Franti and Spearhead "All Rebel Rockers"

"The Road Not Taken" -Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

"Yesterday's the past and tomorrow's the future. Today is a gift - which is why they call it the present."

-Bill Keane

I've been taking the time to think (it didn't hurt too badly, i promise), because this year has come with some horrible rough patches, and I was starting to lose track of what's important to me and what "all of this" is for. I forget about all the little gems that have been there, hidden beneath the rocks. I almost forgot about how happy I am that my best friends found love within each other and will soon be sharing that love with everyone at wonderful weddings! I forget that I'm in a show with, not only very talented, but very LOVELY people, and that I'll soon join the proud ranks of the Actors Union in a mere 2 weeks! I forget about the little things that make me happy, like a day off, sleeping late, a cup of coffee, flowers blooming, picking up a new book, baking, finishing some knitting projects. But here- here is where I'm remembering it all and will keep it clutched closely to my chest.

[breathe and smile.]

a little treasure given to me by le petit hibou. just because [heart]

And I've been working on some little treasures of my own.. update ensues..

just remember to take time to stop and smell the roses :o)

*cb

Free time, whats that?

These rare moments when I have off are definitely few and far between.

And today i got to spend mine in the lovely company of:

(The Nazi Officers Wife)

*cb

A Question...

to all my green-crafty friends:

What exactly is "thrifted fabric" and where do you go about finding/purchasing it?

*cb

Life's little treasures...

A closer look into my present day inspirations:

work :o)

I had always wanted a Mary Poppins' umbrella..

..rainy days are just more fun this way

Oliver

Now that's what I call a day off...

home-made matzoh ball soup, and some knitting,

...a day complete with a pedicure with the momma.

And now, back to the chaos that is:

But, did I mention, I love it? ;o)

*cb

My Double Stuffed Oreo..

i'm going to miss you so much.

Expecto Patronum!

After 3 1/2 months, I can officially and proudly announce that I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series.. Why am I overly proud of this completion? Because of the journey it brought about in myself; from resistance to curiosity to excitement to adoration, then blind hatred for a portion of it, to acceptance, tears, and above all, fulfillment!

Starting this series was not an easy thing for me, the “Fantasy” genre had not exactly been my cup of butterbeer *wink wink*. I would even refuse to read things of that nature for school (cliffs notes would do me just fine on those occasions). I’m more of the Biography/ Historical fiction kinda gal. In fact, I have strongly resisted the Harry Potter craze for about.. 11 years? ..Oh good gracious, are Harry Potter and I really the same age?.. I digress.. I just REFUSED to see myself read a book that 10 year old claimed to love. What would I be getting myself into if I was caught reading a child's' book? Was I really about to jump on the bandwagon and turn into the likes of a Harry Potter groupie? But as time went on I was persuaded by the movies (or lack there of, at present) friends, the novels themselves taunting me from the dusty corner of my bookshelf, and eventually my own nosey curiosity. I finally decided to put those old Christmas presents to use. What was it about these books that had everyone so captivated? Myself included, without even having cracked a binding.. Well, by the first letter inviting Harry into Hogwarts, I had been invited into what proved to be an exciting adventure. I was hooked, quite in the same navel-pulling fashion that comes from Apparation, I had been sucked into Harry’s story. The characters, the events, the places, even the food! ..There have been times where I would come home after a long day and set up a bath to de-stress myself along side a cup of tea and my book and read until the bubbles disappeared and the water ran to ice burg temperatures, and had not even noticed.. having finished an entire book. I would cry for hours over an unfortunate turn of events, or feel anxious over a looming Quidditch match, or even open my fridge craving some ice cold pumpkin juice! I would not be surprised if these books did truly contain some sort of wizarding magic to lure you into their ever fascinating world, (perhaps one of Fred and Georges’ love potions?)

I don’t want to go into much, or any detail for that matter (now that I feel I have sufficiently geeked out all over you), because I don’t want to ruin anything for those of you who haven’t read them yet. And if that is the case to any of you reading this blog… GET ON IT!

(I really do think it would have taken me even less time to read this series if real-life hadn’t gotten in the way… and trust me, sometimes I found it hard to make the distinction between mine and the Wizarding world.)

Along with the start and end of this series, was the life of my poor bookmark... "holly, with a phoenix feather core."

*cb

Happy Opening Nights...

Lately I've become quite intrigued by the idea of a blog: growing up as a little girl with a "diary", and presently, a young woman with a slightly similar version I now more maturely dub a "journal" ;o) ..But now, like the hoarder I am, I feel I must get my hands on this Internet journal-ing as well!

Writing has always had a special little home in my heart. I have dabbled in 'The Mechanic's of..' and Poetry classes in college, though I must tell you truthfully, even after all of that skoolin', I'm still not quite sure I have the skill and eloquence one needs in writing a blog for someone to deem worth while. (I blame my self diagnosed ADD for that) Even still, I hope to maybe share with, spread joy to, discuss, and even enlighten some of you readers, in due course. I hope you to be a patient audience, for it might take me a while to find my groove and niche in all of this, but i do hope to, and maybe in the future, provide some written entertainment for you lot!

Now onto another happy first... This past Saturday was Opening night to our lovely little production of "Fiddler On The Roof" playing at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Northport, NY from now until June 20th.

Opening Night/ May Day flowers for the Ladies' dressing room, brought to you by none other than your fellow blogger Le Petit Hibou! (who plays our beautiful "Hodel" and also happened to be my final push into the blogging world, whether she knew it or not ;o))

I'm truly honored to be a part of this production. It's such a special piece of theatre, with a tremendously talented and, beyond that, LOVELY cast. If you're in the Manhattan/Long Island area, and in need of a little culture, music, or just a night out, I recommend coming to see "Fiddler On The Roof".

With that.. I am beyond thrilled at my little contribution to this production: I'm playing the part of Fruma Sarah, and, although nerve-wracking, it is one of my favorite theatre experiences to date! I won't tell you much more, but i WILL leave you with this lovely transformation:

*cb