The Herb Garden Becomes A Butterfly Garden

The Black Swallowtail is a North American Butterfly that is black in colour with bands of yellow on the anterior portion of their wings. The butterfly lays its eggs on plants that are members of the carrot family which includes dill, Queen Anne's Lace, fennel, and parsley.

These Black Swallowtail Caterpillars were found on and in close proximity to parsley in the garden.

Needless to say next season there will be much more parsley in the herb garden, as well as dill and fennel, and if I can get some of the Queen Anne's lace that is growing wild along the car park at work I will plant some of that in the garden as well.

Haiku Sunday : Summer

Brilliant Blue Skies

The Garden Bursting With Life

Summer Is Now Here

We've Moved: We're now at BlackTieAndFlipFlops.com

Find us at our new site BlackTieAndFlipFlops.com 

Discovering Newark: The Colannade and Pavilion Apartments

Just outside of the south end of Branch Brook Park in Newark, and about a block from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is the Colonnade and Pavilion Apartments. Built in 1959, the stand-out feature of these apartments is that they were designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the German born architect who was a pioneer of Modern Architecture. He fled Nazi Germany in the early 1930's because his work was "not German enough." Perhaps more well know than his building are this two phrases "Less Is More" and "God Is In The Details."

Bonne Poisson d'Avril

Bonne Poisson d’Avril

I'm not entirely sure why April Fool's Day in Quebec

 is called Poisson d’Avril

 but the idea of doing something

 completely immature with fish

 does have a stinky,

 yet entirely funny appeal to me!

We Have A Brand New Home: BlackTieAndFlipFlops.com

BlackTieAndFlipFlops.com

"When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting." ~ Saint Jerome

Black Beans ~ Stocking Up On Lenten Inspiration #meatlessmonday

For a little Lenten inspiration I hit the canned bean section of Whole Foods in Montclair and ideas popped off the shelf! Black bean soup, black beans and rice (Indian spiced and Cajun Spiced versions), and well as salad ideas filled my thoughts - subsequently these beans filled my cart!

Whole Foods 365 is the company's house brand and surprise surprise, the quality is superior to most national brands. The black beans are just beans, but other Whole Foods 365 products like Peanut Butter, Cookies, and Jams often have much lower sugar and sodium than larger brands brands and the prices are in line, or in some cases lower than, items found in mainline grocery store. Plus, these black gems are organic, so my Lenten Discipline will have limited impact on the environment which goes right along with what this season of transformation is all about.

Taste Of Montclair Is Almost Sold Out

Over 45 Chefs, Restaurants, Specialty Food Firms, and Much More on March 9 at Montclair State One of the most delicious ways to celebrate the end of this winter’s deep freeze is to meet your friends, colleagues, and neighbors at the Montclair Rotary Club’s Fourth Annual Taste of Montclair event. The Taste of Montclair is also the kickoff event for Montclair Restaurant Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. [caption id="attachment_7503" align="alignright" width="370"] @TasteMontclair[/caption]

During the 2015 Taste of Montclair, sample cuisine prepared by Montclair’s top chefs, who represent over 45 restaurants and specialty food purveyors. Also, taste creations from gourmet bakers, confectioneries, and beverage firms on Monday, March 9 from 6 PM until 9 PM. While enjoying superb tastings, guests can view the late winter sunset and New York City skyline for Conference Center in University Hall on the Montclair State University campus. The address of Montclair State is One Normal Avenue, Montclair, N.J.

Tickets for The Taste of Montclair cost $60 a person and they are selling rapidly. The price includes complimentary parking at Montclair State’s Red Hawk Parking deck and shuttle transportation to University Hall. Individuals and groups are asked to purchase their tickets online on Eventbrite. 

In discussing The Taste of Montclair, the Montclair Rotary’s Event Chair Joseph Solano said, “This is Montclair’s one-of-a-kind culinary festival that recognizes all those talented and innovative men and women who have transformed our town in to one of the top dining destinations in the Garden State. You’ll want to be here for the appetizing food, fun, and friendship as we all sample our community’s wonderful cuisine and bid farewell to winter.”

All of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to three nonprofit organizations that provide meals and non-perishable food items to individuals and families facing tough times. The Rotary plans to donate over $15,000 and those funds will be divided between the Human Needs Food Pantry, Toni’s Kitchen, and Salvation Army Montclair Citadel. Taken together, these programs help feed and provide food to hundreds of people, from children to the elderly, each week.

In addition to exceptional cuisine, The Taste of Montclair will feature live music and specialty beverage called “Azariah Crane Cocktail,” which has been concocted by Warren Bobrow, a noted mixologist and chef. Known as the Cocktail Whisperer, Mr. Bobrow’s concept drink is a tribute to one of the first white settlers of “the Mountain,” when the area was still a Royal Colony.

For more information about 2015 The Taste of Montclair, visit the Rotary Club’s website at www.montclairrotaryclub.com or contact Robbie Furman at 973.316.8200.

Participating in The Taste of Montclair are:

A Gardener’s Kitchen Ah Pizz Anderson’s 1949 -brooklyn Anthony’s Cheesecake Aroy-D Asalt and Buttery Beyond the Pita Brick Lane Curry House  CARS Delivery DeNovo European Pub  Egan and Sons Escape Fin Raw Bar and Kitchen Fricassée French Bistro Gina’s Bakery Greek Taverna Halcyon Jams By Kim Java Love Jersey Artisan Rum Jersey Barnfire Hot Sauce  Le Salbuen Cafe Market Long Valley Creamery Mac Attack MEAL Mesob Montclair Bread Company Next Door Old Canal Inn Olive That And More Pig and Prince Red Eye Café Salugo Salute Bistro Spice Thai Stuffed Tassot Apiaries Terre A Terre The Chocolate Path The Manor The Office Tiny Elephant Toast Montclair Yalo and Me Yogic Chai

The Taste of Montclair is supported by a generous group of corporate and individual sponsors and their donations are critical to success of this annual event. Sponsors are DCH Montclair Acura, DCH BMW of Bloomfield, Otterstedt Insurance, Haven Savings Bank, Investors Bank, Whole Foods, Partners for Health, Tracey Diamond Design, TAP into Montclair, The Conference Center at Montclair State, Tricarico Architecture & Design, Essential Public Relations, Silver Family Foundation, Cohn Lifland Pearlman Attorneys, WH Linen, “Little Angels,” and Dealer Active.

Be sure to like the Taste of Montclair on Facebook and follow them on twitter at @TasteMontclair 

Vegan Chili ~ A Sneak Peak At A New Lenten Favourite #foodporn

Recipe To Follow Soon

Montclair Township Hires Acting Animal Shelter Director

Montclair Township Manager Timothy Stafford is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Dawson as acting Animal Shelter Director. She will serve at the Shelter until the position can be permanently filled.

Ms. Dawson brings to the shelter extensive knowledge and experience with animal welfare operations management. Most recently she served as the Interim Director for the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter after the NJSPCA took receivership of the agency. While there, she developed a business plan for a financially sustainable and humane shelter which was presented to the borough’s council.

Prior to that Ms. Dawson was the Executive Director at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, where she helped triple adoption numbers, significantly increased TNR rates, and raised the awareness level of the organization, thereby helping double donations over previous years.

“We are confident that Ms. Dawson will provide our shelter the appropriate guidance to help organize operations and offer a smooth transition for the person who will ultimately fill the director position,” said Township Manager Stafford. “We look forward to working with her in the coming months to ensure that our shelter animals have the best care possible.”

Episcopal Humor

How Many Episcopalians Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

Change! Change! You Can't Change A Lightbulb! Father Renn installed that lightbulb himself!

We're Thinking About Authentic French Macarons at Asalt and Buttery

Save The Date: Taste Of Montclair Is March 9th

First Congregational Church #Montclair NJ

Church Street Montclair In The Snow in @MontclairCenter

The Duck at Le Salbuen at #TasteOfMontclair 2013 #tbt

Snowy Panorama at Edgemont Park #Montclair NJ

The Veteran's Memorial in Edgemont Park stands serenely

 in the white silence on a January Afternoon.

We Love The French Toast at Tiny Elephant in Montclair NJ #foodporn

The Portfolio Collection - Some Of My Favorite Photos (That I Took Of Course)