weekend Archives

Weekend Clambake, Seafood Galore

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We decided to do a clambake steamer bucket from Captain’s Market—a.k.a. Captain Stinkies (more on that later)—here in King of Prussia. You’re given a bucket, into which you add wine or beer or whatever you’ll want to steam, along with your seafood like shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, or lobster and sundry ingredients (i.e. corn or potatoes).

You can steam it on a grill or over a fire; we used our stove. We have now lovingly referred to Captain’s Market as Captain Stinkies, christened with the nickname by Angel when neither of us could remember the actual name off the top of our heads. Not disparaging by any means; we loved it and look forward to our next summer clambake!

Massage Time, an At-Home Act of Self-Care

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A few years ago, even pre-Covid, Angel and I became interested in general wellness, which led us to an interest in massages. We became invested in self-care; taking time to center ourselves and focus on our health, instead of a constant preoccupation with stress from a life in the city, our jobs. Trying to clear one’s mind takes effort.

Both of our companies encouraged an interest in wellness, including a stipend that could be used on anything from bikes to massages. For a while, we went to a few spas and studios, but it became hard to schedule around other engagements. We soon learned you could book at-home treatments through apps. We started to use Zeal on a regular basis, scheduling massage therapists to come to our residence. They either bring their own table with them or if you have one yourself, you get a discount.

After about ten massages with massage therapists we liked, we decided to invest in our own table. Now we have a nice set-up for our at-home therapy. You’ll see Peleton in the back, as well as a piano. This is an office by day and an all-purpose, comprehensive wellness room by night.

Weekend Reading for the Soul, at the farmers market

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My company, ZAMARTZ, sponsors the local farmer’s market in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania—or King of Prussia, as it’s known to the locals. As part of this sponsorship, I have a booth at the farmer’s market. Recently, my long-time best friend, Hannah Biddle, came to visit me at my booth.

Hannah’s about to make a big life change and move to another state. In the meantime, we’re trying to find time to spend together amidst our respective busy schedules and the state of the world. Anyway, she came that day to give me a book she’d found: Water, Woods & Wild Things, a memoir by American writer Hannah Kirshner that recounts her excursion to a Japanese mountain town and her introduction to its culture, craftsmanship and community.

Angel and I are both Japanophiles, as I’ve attested to before, and Hannah knows our interests well. This book was a great way for us to get into the spirit of our balcony and its verdant garden. Hannah didn’t even know I’d just gotten my green Japanese maple when she gave me the book! And my garden, Japanese maple and all, is just the right, serene setting for me to sit down, do some weekend reading, and get into the mindset of the Japanese and their slower way of life.

Sweet weekend snoozes

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Most people use the weekends to unwind and pamper themselves. Well, I am the same way, but with my pup. As a dog parent, I always want the best for my little Dyson. Sometimes a nice bath and nap on my Brooklinen sheets is all he needs to feel good.

Whether you are a dog or cat person, furry friends bring so much joy to our lives! Even when Dyson sleeps, just noticing how sweet he looks makes me smile. I think my dog deserves his own Instagram. I am always tempted to fill up my feed with cute pictures like this one.

The world felt just a bit more friendly

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There are a set of birds that constantly visit the Hudson River Palisades across from my apartment. Their favorite spot is the railing right outside my window. Over time, I have gotten to know their little quirks and habits.

I know that these birds are not wasteful. They did not hesitate to eat the seeds from my mums once they started to die. I have also learned that they are resilient. One of the birds dove into my patio furniture, got right back up, and flew away.

As fascinated as I am with these birds, they appear to feel the same way about me. One bird stared at me through my window for about an hour while I worked. Now that we have gotten to know one another, it is safe to say that we are friends.

Mac n’ Cheese Weekend for my Birthday

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I always like to celebrate my birthday with a special dinner. This time around, I was not interested in finding a place to safely dine-out or ordering in, I only wanted one thing: my dad’s mac and cheese.

When I was growing up, mac and cheese was one of the dishes that my family would make all the time. It is simple and delicious, but my dad has a “secret recipe” that makes it extra special. Mac and cheese is something that I can never get tired of, so I enjoyed having cheesy comfort food with my loved ones in honor of my birthday.

Gettysburg Battlefield, FYI the North Won!

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Back in October, while the weather was still bearable, my family and I took part in the Gettysburg Battlefield Tour. We wanted to have a mini vacation that was mostly outdoors because of COVID. The area we visited was beautiful, but the story about the land was tragic. So many people died on those grounds fighting for our freedom.

During the tour, we learned so much about how our country came to be. Recognizing that our country only exists as it does today because of those who sacrificed their lives all those years ago, was a humbling experience. Within our tour group, there were people who wanted a new experience (like me and my family), history buffs, and right-winged patriots – quite the interesting mix.

Side note: my family and I were annoyed because President-elect Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the day we were leaving – missed him by just a few hours. Seeing him in person would have made the trip even better, nonetheless we had a great time.

Weekend Bath time with Dyson & bathbombs.

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I got a taste of what it is like to be an influencer. A brand called Bubbly Belle sent over some bath bombs for me to try. I love bath bombs and so does my dog, Dyson. He loves to see the splashing water and exploding ball of soapsuds.

I decided to incorporate Dyson into my sponsored post. Before I tested out the bombs, I snapped pictures that showed off the product and my adorable dog. After giving them a try, we both agreed that it was a great product!

Weekend First Fall Hike in Westchester New York

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After spending the week working indoors, it was nice to get out and experience nature. This weekend, I went to the Baxter Preserve located in Northern Westchester. There was a beautiful combination of park land and open farm space.

Everyone was welcome to roam. There were people going for walks, riding horses, and running around with dogs. I even brought a long leash so my dog Dyson could explore the area more freely.

Right outside of the nature preserve were nice shops and places to eat. I met up with a coworker who lived nearby and we had a good time hanging out. This was truly the perfect weekend.

I have to give credit to Sarah Philips, pictured above, for the idea to come out here. It was the perfect escape during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Sleepy Saturday Baby – this bed is my bed

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Another ongoing photo series of mine—taking pictures of Dyson—is also an ongoing ode to him. Anything he does is worthy of commemoration. He’s just that cute! Look at that sleepy Saturday baby, all curled up and comfortable. Here’s Dyson snoozing on our pillows and Parachute comforter. Like many dogs, he thinks our bed is his bed and prefers to take his naps there.

This is his typical “baby face” when he wakes up in the morning—sort of sleepy, sort of “hey, how’re you doing?” Sometimes he’s just too cute. He looks like he’s posing and showing his good side, but I can assure you, as his owner, every side is his good side!

Cherry Spelt Galette

Cherry Spelt Galette is my favorite kind of dessert: the sort that doesn’t ask for perfection, only a little attention. The dough is rolled out in whatever shape it wants to be. The fruit goes in like a small, bright heap. The edges fold up and over, as if to keep the good part from escaping.

Spelt flour makes the crust taste a little toasted and nutty, and it bakes into something sturdy at the rim and tender underneath. In the middle, the cherries go soft and glossy, their juices turning darker as the heat concentrates them into a jammy puddle. It’s messy in the best way—the kind of mess that proves you were here, that you made something real.

This is a weekend bake, meant for slow mornings or late afternoons when the kitchen feels like the warmest room in the house. If you can, let the galette cool just enough to set, then slice it while it’s still faintly warm. The crust will crackle. The fruit will hold, mostly.

Serve it plain, or with a spoonful of yogurt or cream if you like. Either way, it’s simple and generous: a rustic circle of spelt crust holding cherries in place, asking only that you sit down for a minute and eat.

Mexican Razor Blade

There’s a certain kind of weekend quiet that asks for a drink you can hold like a small, cold candle—something bright, something steady, something that doesn’t rush you.

The Mexican Razor Blade arrives pale and calm, a milky pool over ice, with ribbons of cucumber folded on top like a green note left on the surface. A few dark flecks—spice or pepper—float there too, as if the glass has its own weather.

I keep thinking about how a cocktail can feel like a room you step into. The wood of the table is warm under the glass; the drink is cool enough to fog the edges, cool enough to slow the minutes down. It’s not just refreshment—it’s a small reset. The kind you take when the week has been loud and you want the evening to live alongside you, not on top of you.

And the words on the glass—love is love—sit there without explanation. Not a slogan, just a truth you can see while you sip. Simple, settled.

If you make a Mexican Razor Blade this weekend, let it be unhurried. Let the ice crack softly. Let the cucumber keep its clean, green breath. Let the drink do what good rituals do: make the ordinary feel a little more spacious.