Category Archives: Holidays

Irish Blessing

Get your St. Patty’s  Day on… Enjoy a green beer.  Munch out on some corned beef and cabbage.  Kiss the Blarney Stone. Listen to The Frames-One of my personal faves!  Glen Hansard  starred in and did a great soundtrack for the movie “Once”.  And let’s not forget a few more great sound makers of Ireland like Enya, U2The Irish Tenors or Flogging Molly. You can also get classic with Johnny Cash’s song Forty Shades Of Green!

Or go epic by picking up a romantic flick like The Quiet Man and cozy up to your honey:)

Whatever you do may your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go – Irish Blessing

Junior’s Cheesecake Equals Love

Did you ever eat a piece, a bite or perhaps a whole Junior’s infamous cheesecake?  If that was a big fat “NO”, then up until the day before Valentine’s Day I was with ya.  But I am no longer a Junior’s virgin! My wonderful husband Byron (the B in the A & B Photos) not only surprised me with many chocolates and trinkets for Valentine’s Day, he really pulled a fast one on me with a WHOLE Junior’s cheesecake.  Clever he is and oh, so good at surprising one, which is annoying and fantastic at the same time!  How did he do it you may ask, well he cleverly had the cheesecake delivered elsewhere.  Wrapped it in the most fantastic wrapping paper, smuggled it in to our house on Friday night and managed to keep me out of the fridge until morning…..I was making our ritual weekend coffee, opened the fridge door to grab my soy creamer and ahhhhhhhhhh the light radiated off the giant, beautifully wrapped box, and for a moment I lost all sense of where I was.  I am not kidding.  One knows that if you (a foodie) find a giant wrapped box in your fridge on V-day weekend that it is some VIP food item that a certain someone went to great lengths to obtain.  And that my dears was enough to get me all worked up.   As I opened it I was beaming with great excitement and anticipation. I truly had no idea what I would uncover and then with the second rip there I uncovered “Junior’s”   on the box.   That did me in.  Waterworks galore!  I hugged, I laughed, I cried and I couldn’t wait to eat it! You see since we left NYC five years ago we have seen Junior’s on the food network, on the internet, cheesecake this, Junior’s that, Brooklyn, blah, blah, blah and my husband could never believe that I had never tried the infamous dessert.  We actually made the devils food cheesecake last year when a Junior’s chef was on the “Throw down with Bobby Flay”! We even ordered a Junior’s catalog and would plot before holidays which one we were going to order. But for  one reason or another we never did.  That is why when I discovered what one may think was just a cheesecake from back East, for me I uncovered such a reminder of the deep love and connection I share with my husband, Byron.  His thoughtfulness is astounding and WOW I must say Junior’s Cheesecake does equal LOVE, down to every last bite!

And, OH MY GOD-it is the BEST cheesecake ever! EVER! Run, don’t walk and order the sampler, but the plain is really the best if you ask me!

Lover’s Valentine’s Day Ideas

Here is our list of what to do for Valentine’s Day for you and your lover.

THE ADVENTURER-For the thrill-seekers.  How about a Quebec Snowmobiling Adventures - Winter Romance Tour or an Amazon kayaking adventure in Ecuador!

THE BEACH LOVER-For those of you lovers who relish in the water, sun and sand. Try a really private beach getaway by renting a villa or apartment in sunny Florida from By The Sea Vacation Villas. Ask for Tiff! 954.771.7705

THE CLASSIC-Always a winner, dinner and a movie. Find your favorite food and find a table at Open Table. Find your perfect movie and tickets.

THE CREATIVE-How about an opera ball in Phoenix, Arizona at the Ritz! On St. Valentine’s Eve-Saturday, 2/13/10 at 6:30 p.m.

THE DO IT YOUR SELF-Classic love story movie and a Valentine’s dinner prepared by you for two…take a quiz to create the perfect Valentine menu.

THE FOODIE-Find an epicurean delight to dine at in your favorite city.

THE GAMER-Unplug from the TV or PC for a night and play a love oriented board game with your lover.

THE GIFT GIVER-There is nothing better for some lovers than a really swanky gift from their significant other.

THE MUSIC LOVER-Give the gift of music, go to a concert.

THE NATURALIST-Go hiking, climbing, bird watching in your national park and don’t forget to take along a romantic picnic.

THE PROPOSAL-There is nothing like a destination proposal!  Fly or drive somewhere that is befitting of you both!  Plan your proposal in style and find the perfect ring. Make sure you hire a photographer like A & B Photos to document these monumental moments!

THE READER-Grab a book on poems or prose from your nearest Barnes and Nobel and recite it to your lover. Try one of our faves Kahlil Gibran’s, The Prophet.

THE ROMANTIC-Pen your own love letter, and deliver a lush bouquet and delectable chocolates.

THE SENSUALIST-Light some candles, play soft music, gather chocolate covered fruits, and oils for a truly sexy evening and don’t forget the lingerie.

THE SPORTS FAN-Be active and go out and get tickets to a game.

THE SWEET TOOTH-Satisfy your lovers cravings with chewy brownies,  or order a dozen or more cupcakes and maybe one of Cathy’s Rum Cakes for delivery.

THE TECHIE-Get that IPod for your lover and fill it with romantic songs.

THE TRAVELER-Whisk away your loved one on a last minute love rendezvous.

THE WINE CONNOISSEUR-Put your own wine label on a bottle of wine or order a delicious bottle of Spellbound, Petite Sirah or Medusa, Zinfandel.

THE TRINKET GIVER-Let’s face it Valentine’s Day just wouldn’t be the same for some women without some bling, bling to make her heart sing!

Happy Holidays 2009

Face Book Xmas Ecard AB Photos 2009 Final ShorterWe thank you all for your patronage!

We wish you all a happy & healthy holiday season!

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