#minimonday Sacred Heart Cathedral, with Mini Clubman

Taken from Branch Brook Park in Newark NJ

Colorful Golden Pheasant at Turtle Back Zoo West Orange NJ

Found in the mountains of China, the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus Pictus) is one of hte most colourful of all pheasants. It is a hardy breed that can withstand weather extremes, but because its a forest bird it needs plenty of shade in the summer time. Meet the Golden Pheasant and other exotic animals at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange NJ.

Can't Wait To Make My Escape In Montclair NJ

  This afternoon I visited a soon to open restaurant in Montclair "Escape." Created by Bryan Gregg, the recipes will be based on Low Country cooking, but with local and seasonal ingredients.

I had a small tasting menu, loved it, and will be sharing my experience on Devil Gourmet on Monday.

Save The Date : June 22 : Cupcakefest in Rutherford NJ

For more details visit Cupcakefest 2013

It's World Penguin Day : Celebrate with African Penguins At Turtle Back Zoo

Jackass penguins, also known as African Penguins, hail from the rocky coasts of South Africa. That environment is not all that different than New Jersey making these penguins, and their recently expanded exhibit, ideal for Turtle Back Zoo.

The new space for penguins will allow Turtle Back Zoo to participate in breeding programs with other zoos.

When it comes to funny, Penguins know how to work it. Like so many of the exhibits at Turtle Back Zoo, the Penguin enclosure features animals that have characteristics that appeal specifically to children, in this case humor, to spark interest in the natural world. Of course many adults learn, after spending time at the zoo, that they too benefit from a day here.

Turtle Back Zoo is the Crown Jewel in the Essex County Park system. Essex County is host to the oldest county park system in the United States. Anderson Park in Montclair NJ was the first park in the county system. The great county park system, in addition to high performing public schools, has made the suburbs of Essex County the choice for Manhattanites relocating their families to the Garden State.

Turtle Back Zoo is located in West Orange NJ.

Get Your Just Desserts On @VikingRiver Tor : Melting Chocolate Ganache Cake

 Each trip into the dining room on Viking Tor proved to be an overwhelming sensory samba. There were flavours, and colours, and fragrances that just beckoned to indulge.

Too often the show on the table was so engaging the passengers missed all that was to be seen along the Rhine through the windows. And none of seemed to mind.

On the last evening of the cruise, the ageless custom of the Captain's Farewell Dinner teased us with all manner of flavours.   To complete the meal, a dessert of Melting Chocolate Ganache Cake and

Raspberry Yoghurt Ice Cream was presented. Sheer brilliance!

 

More from my first Viking River Cruise aboard the Tor to follow in the coming days and weeks.

 

Words We Love : Promethean

Promethean :

adj. 1.Greek Mythology Relating to or suggestive of Prometheus

 2. Boldly creative; defiantly original.

n. One who is boldy creative or defiantly original in behavior or actions.

In Mythology Prometheus was a Titan, the father of Deucalion and brother of Atlas and Epimetheus, who taught humankind various arts and was sometimes said to have shaped humans out of clay and endowed them with the spark of life. For having stolen fire from Olympus and given it to humankind in defiance of Zeus, he was chained to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver, until he was released by Hercules.

this sculpture of Prometheus is in Rockefeller Center in New York City

The Great Bikes Of Strasbourg, France, EU

Sometimes

Sometimes in order to move forward we have to stop looking back, move away from the known and comfortable, all we have to do is keep moving on, even if we feel uncomfortable, vulnerable again, you may never feel ready to move on, but you have to, because that’s how we grow, and growing is what it’s all about.

(This trail runs through the Los Penasquitos Reserve in San Diego, one of my favourite places to ride)

@VikingRiver Cruise #Foodporn ~ It's Just Starting With An Apple Beignet

Having spent the last week on a Viking River Cruise, I shot a lot of foodporn, as well as the sites along the Rhine. This apple beignet was just one of the surprises on the cruise. As I have so many photos to go through, and so much waiting for my attention now that the new week has started, posting and sharing will be a drawn out adventure. So pop in every now and again to discover the world of Viking River Cruises.

Meatless Monday at Rutherford Pancake House via @DevilGourmet #meatlessmonday

Meatless Monday at Rutherford Pancake House | NJ (via Devil Gourmet)

Breakfast dining can be pretty tricky for vegans. Even if the dish is meatless, it’s usually made with eggs, milk or cheese, which is fine for ovo-laco vegetarians, but not suitable for vegans who eschew all eggs, all dairy products as well as meat. Fortunately New Jersey vegans have Rutherford…

Chorizo Flambe at J & K Steakhouse Montclair NJ

Chorizo Flambe : Chorizo, the spicy latin sausage, cooked in merlot at J&K Steakhouse Montclair NJ.

I had the pleasure of being there opening night, as well as being their first customer and loved every bite.

For this story I was the photographer and Melody Kettle was the writer. Read more about J & K on Devil Gourmet

Chocolate Dipped Macaroons at Montclair Bread Company #foodporn

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart ~ Newark NJ

Meatless Monday at Lalibela in South Orange via @DevilGourmet #meatlessmonday

Meatless Monday at Lalibela in South Orange (via Devil Gourmet)

“Love Veg? Love Lalibela.” That’s the tag line at Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, an omnivorous establishment in South Orange. Lalibela is quite proud of their vegan offerings, and with such a lengthy vegan menu, it’s understandable. Ethiopian eating is always a fun adventure, and involves…

Listening To God

The film adaptation of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” includes a song “Maybe God’s Trying To Tell You Something” – at this point in my life I know that He is. I just have to listen more carefully. Actually I just have to listen to what God's saying.

Celie kept on keeping on through some really tough situations but she persisted. God has a plan for her. She listened. I need to listen.

Gummy Bears

Reality Check : Something In Math Class Doesn't Add Up

Chatni Montclair's Indian Milk Balls (Gulab Jamun) #foodporn

Inspiration For A Green Garden Re-Use Project

This past summer I spied these Red Wagons at the Municipal Complex in Clifton NJ. Simple old red wagons repurposed as planters that bring usefullness, practicality, whimsy, and even a bit of nostalgia to the garden. I am inspired!

Sure, I can go to the local hardware store and buy a wagon or two, but what's the fun in that. Reuse and restoration projects are more fun when coupled by discovery, and sometimes a U-turn. With the weather warming up and the metre tall snow banks melting, there are bound to be interesting things revealed in the coming weeks. We'll see how the curbing goes - there might just be a wagon curbside. Of course there are always the endless supply of garage sales that pop up in spring.