Springtime with Easter Bonnets

Easter Sunday along 5th Ave in New York City is overcome with one thing, Easter bonnets! The parade has been around for over 100 years, not just to celebrate Easter but others (like me) view the parade as a formal welcoming of Spring. People come out from all five boroughs and beyond to see some of the most obscure and breathtaking bonnets.

Some bonnets were rather traditional,

While others had more of a political undertone.

Many decided bonnets just weren't enough,

So they dressed as a flower from head to toe.

From sisters, to moms, brothers, and even dogs dressed in attire.

As I was walking along Park Ave, heading over to the parade I noticed flower beds were popping up all over. This picture reminds me that even though New York is filled with hustle and bustle, a little nature, a little serenity is just right around the corner.

Every Picture Has A Story..

When I feel the least inspired is when I tend to blog. After a little soul searching and digging around to see what inspires me, the words and ideas naturally flow out. As mentioned previously I enjoy photography as well as motion pictures. I love pictures. Every picture has a story to tell; I love the idea of being able to capture rare moments, memories saved only by a quick flash. You can go back to that memory time and time again, take a peek inside and remember. That rush of feeling you once felt comes rushing back at you, sometimes so strong you want to burst!

Or you could go back and relive it. Irina Werning brought this to life with her 'Back to The Future' Project.

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future."


Irina Werning

Ready For Passover

Kugel is one of my favorite Jewish traditional dishes. It can be made many different ways, either sweet or salty. You can add raisins, apples, cottage cheese, potatoes, spinach, you name it! After searching for days for the perfect Kosher for Passover Apple Kugel, I finally found it. Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

-4 Large Granny Smith Apples

-1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

-1/4 Cup Orange Juice

-6 Plain Matzo

-8 Eggs

-1 Teaspoon Salt

-1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

-1 1/2 Cups Sugar

-1/2 Cup (8 tablespoons) Melted Butter

-1 Cup Raisins

-1 Cup Dried Apricots Chopped

-4 Tablespoons Butter, cut into small pieces (for Casserole Topping)

Preheat Oven to 350. Toss apples, brown sugar, and OJ into bowl, set aside. Break matzo and soak in 1 cup warm water until soft, not mushy, set aside. Beat eggs with a wire whisk in a large bowl until blended. Add salt, sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, raisins and dried apricots. Squeeze out liquid from matzo and add to egg mixture with apples. Stir well and pour into lightly greased 2 1/2 quart casserole dish or 10 x 14 inch pan. Dot the top of kugel with 4 tablespoons of butter (I only did half). Bake for one hour, cover top with foil if top begins to become too brown early in baking. Remove from oven & cool to room temperature.

*kugel can be made 2 days ahead of time, cool in the refrigerator, covered. To bring to room temperature, reheat in oven at 350.