Kosherfest Round Up and a Kick in the @$$

Honestly, I have been feeling a bit uninspired lately. 
Setting up the rental house and being a mommy to my 5 kids. 
Sometimes we need a little motivation. 
Other times we just need a good kick. 


Kosherfest did just that for me. 

Event #1 Kosher Food Blogger Conference. 

Look who was a sponsor!

The Kosher Food Bloggers are a community of bloggers, brands, and foodies that share a common passion for good kosher food and culinary adventure. Their first ever conference was held at the Carlton Hotel in NYC.  They had some really awesome speakers like Jamie Geller of Joy of Kosher, the genius photographer Noah Fecks, and the SEO master Joe Apfelbaum of Ajax Union.  

Why did I go? Why was I a sponsor? 
It's not like I'm a foodie.....

The truth is that my pieces lend a lot to the food world, especially kosher since I'm an Orthodox Jew. Food bloggers use my pieces in their photos, restaurants use my cake domes in their displays, and event planners use my custom pieces for their clients, weddings, and parties. 

Lunch Sponsored by Fairway

The best part of doing what I do is meeting the friends that I make online and seeing them in person! Melinda Strauss of Kitchen Tested  is truly one of those people. I finally got to meet her Kosher Food Blogger buddy Shelley Serber of The Kosher Home {on a budget}. Of course we became instant friends. Meeting Leah Shapira was also super swell. Not only is she the author of Fresh & Easy, but she also runs the website Cook Kosher and is a managing food editor for Ami Magazine. 

Event #2 Pre Kosherfest Social Media Dinner 

I had the privilege of co-hosting the Pre Kosherfest Social Media Dinner with my SweetUP  partner Esti Berkowitz and the KosherEye team. 

This year, KosherEye and SweetUP served-up the best in social media networking at the 2nd Annual Pre-Kosherfest Social Media Dinner at Abigael’s on Broadway. The who’s who of foodies, magazine editors, and lifestyle bloggers dined on an exclusive menu created by celebrity Chef Jeff Nathan. In true social media style, IPhones, instagrams, Facebook shares, and tweets were just as handy as fork and knife. People followed along from right in the room to miles away by following the designated hashtag for the evening, #kfeast12.

Upon arrival, guests were treated to glasses of champagne sponsored by Royal Wine! This gave people enough time to finally meet their Facebook and twitter followers in real time. 


The sponsors of this year’s dinner were a perfect fit for the impressive group of bloggers. The room was thrilled to hear about some of these brand new products from our Premier Sponsor, Manischewitz Company: The Chanukah House, Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, and Macaroon Dough!

Look out for my next post with some more details
on this super fun project for kids! 

Food man LLC, the creators behind Matzolah and winner in the Best New Passover Product Competition that took place before Kosherfest, brought down what Moses didn't have room for, Matzo granola!

As guests were served three courses, each just as delicious as the next, the “getting to know you” chat began. Each guest presented an “elevator” speech sharing who they were, and what they were about, in no more than 1 minute!

Once the main meal was concluded, delicious desserts were served, complimented by Cherry Heering Coffee Liqueur! A bottle of this lovely liqueur was placed on each table, accompanying after dinner coffee, and miniature bottles were included in the swag bags.

As the evening was drawing to a close, our very special guest, Alex Rapaport, founder of Masbia Soup Kitchen, shared a few words about his organization. When this event was conceptualized, the importance of recognizing and giving back to a non-profit organization was essential. Masbia was that organization and proceeds from the event went towards this organization. It was a great honor to give all additional food items from our sponsors to Masbia, who have been providing warm healthy meals to families affected by the hurricane, and to the teams helping with the aftermath of Sandy. The evening ended on a very positive note.

Esti Berkowitz and me - ready to go home after a wonderful night

In the next few months, the SweetUp Team will be putting on a Chanukah Hangout benefiting the children of Chai Lifeline, A Kosher Cupcake Cook-off, Social Media Soiree and Fashion Show! True to our mission of connecting Jewish bloggers from all backgrounds with brands that want to reach these bloggers, we are you one-stop networking team! Please join us on Facebook and on twitter @sweetup2012.

Event #3 Kosherfest!

Finally the BIG day had arrived! I had never been to Kosherfest before and I was soooo excited! I got to meet some really amazing people and eat some really delicious food. I came home a bit tipsy and stuffed.  

Susie Fishbein with her new Kolatin product!

 Paula Shoyer is like my other half.
She's from Long Beach  and went to HALB and HANC.
It's like she could be me, but I haven't been on the
Food Network nor have I written a book! 

Leah Shapira of Cook Kosher signing my new cookbook
Fresh & Easy

Jamie Geller  from Joy of Kosher
She graciously gave me a new copy of
Quick & Kosher to replace the one that got
ruined in my house debacle. 

Funny costumes!
He could braid those havdalah candles quick!

7th Heaven for my husband. 

Kosherfest was just the right kick that I needed to restart and recharge my creative batteries. Can't wait to show you all the new Chanukah pieces I have been busy creating since Kosherfest! 

Till next time!
Abbey 

Long Beach

I spent my High School years in Long Beach, NY

The “City by the Sea” and hated it.

I never saw the beauty and I certainly never wanted to stay.

Who ever heard of a beach with a raised boardwalk and buildings along the shoreline?

Where were the mountains and palm trees?

The beaches in Malibu never looked like this.

I could never understand why everyone loved Long Beach so much.

It was so hard to get into.

The streets only went one way.

Why couldn’t my parents move to a more central location?

Why did they have to move somewhere so far away???

On the eve of Hurricane Sandy, I sent my husband to Long Beach to bring my parents to my Northern New Jersey home.

They were evacuating the island and my parents refused to leave.

“Don’t worry,” they said. “They blew Irene out of proportion, It’s gonna be fine. Nothing is going to happen.”

Fighting with old people never works.

You are always wrong.

They are always right. 

But you see.

My step father is battling brain cancer and my mother takes care of him.

Elliot can hardly walk.

And they wouldn’t get in the car.

They had just moved. 
His medication was there. 
They were just so tired. 

The bridges started to close and the storm was approaching.

My husband had no choice, but to leave without them.

My parents were locked in.

On a tiny island bordering the main Long Island coast.

With no hospitals.

With no help.

They were there on their own with my sister on the floor above them.

Why couldn't they just listen to me!

I was livid.

So very very worried.

And then the storm hit.

The wind was like nothing I have ever heard or felt before.

The sheer power of its force - Godly.

Green and red sparks lit up the dark sky as transformers blew up throughout the city.

All I could think about were my parents being washed away at sea.

Or trapped in their first floor house like titanic, holding each other as they died.

I swear I thought I would lose my mind.

At 4 am I was a nervous wreck.

I got an update from the Long Beach website that read:

“Long Beach and the entire region has suffered crippling flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy…… There is no water and no sewer – your toilet and sink will not work. At this time water from your faucet is not safe to drink or use for cooking unless boiled. It is not safe to leave your home until later Tuesday morning. We will send out more updates as soon as possible.”

I couldn’t get a hold of them.

My brother called me around 6am Tuesday morning and told me he was going out to Long Beach.

He was going to try to rescue them.

Thank God, but what would he find?

My parents were safe.

My mother was helping my sister clear the front yard like nothing had ever happened.

Pieces of boardwalk and debris littered all around them.

Their cars were flooded with water.

They packed up their stuff and my brother drove them to my sisters in Queens.

And then pictures started to come in......

2pm at low tide. Ocean is getting rougher, it's getting windier.
Photo Credit: Jeff Rosner

Taken at sunset as the storm hit, 2 hours before high tide.
Photo Credit: Jeff Rosner

8 pm during high tide.
Photo Credit: Lauren Friedman 

The morning after. The Boardwalk has been ripped away.
Photo Credit: Jeff Rosner

The Clean Up.
Photo Credit: Jeff Rosner

The Boardwalk
Photo Credit: Matsi Chinskey

Chunks of boardwalk in the middle of the street.
Photo Credit: Matsi Chinskey

Like many historical sites. This one is destroyed.
Photo Credit: Lauren Friedman 

Wanna go on the beach anyone?
A beach ticket booth. Washed up 5 blocks from the beach.
Walnut and Long Beach Road.
Photo Credit: Matsi Chinskey

The Park at Magnolia Blvd.
Photo Credit: Unknown 

They can’t go home for at least a month.

They realize how lucky they are.

God was with them the whole time.

Their home was one of the only ones that was NEVER touched by water.

The ocean rose up to 4 inches from the door and then it began to recede.

Their car will be covered by insurance.

They have their clothes, valuables, and medication.

They have their life.

My children still have their grandparents.

But for now Long Beach is devastated.

I didn't realize how much I cared until it was no more.

My city by the sea will never be the same.

The National Guard is roaming the streets.

There is a strict curfew at night.

They are not letting anyone in except for residents. 

They is no power. 

No cell service. 

No sewer system.

Broken shards of boardwalk are strewn all over the city.  

Many cities throughout the tristate area have been plunged into darkness.

Candles illuminate dinner tables for thousands of American homes.

I cannot help but feel diminished and in awe. 

For it’s not the internet, nor cell phones, nor power that illuminates and gives light.

But it is He who said, “Let there be light.” Who ultimately controls the world.                                                                                                                 Ron Yitzchok Eisenman

To help rebuild Long Beach please click HERE and donate. 

Please watch this video of Rabbi Goodman, the Rabbi of the Bach. 

Tisku L'Mitzvot!

Abbey

Hurricane Sandy

Everyone has their Pekel.

I just got mine first. 

It's all relative you know. 

No heat - No problem. 

No hot water - No problem. 

No electricity - No problem. 

With the garbage I have had to deal with these past few weeks -
It's all relative to me. 

I can get through anything. 

Life is a total adventure and I am so ready for this ride.

Where did I get my strength? How am I handling this???

Because I have realized that I have all that is important to me. 

We are ok. 

My family is safe. 

My parents are ok. 

My sisters are ok.

My brothers are ok. 

I've got what I need to survive. 

I don't need things. 

I don't need power. 

I don't even need the internet (although it's nice) 

All I need are my loved ones. 

God is telling us. 

It's time to get back to basics. 

It's time to see what truly matters.

What will I remember most about Sandy?

The sounds.....

The power of the wind is like nothing I have ever known. 

I have never been so scared before. 

Generators are the new "it" things in my neighborhood. 

Their buzzing is a calming feeling among the eerie quite that surrounds me. 

Gasoline is a commodity. I filled my entire tank before the storm as everyone told me to do. 

I am so thankful. 

No one can get gas for miles away. 

The sights.....

On the night of the storm the sky was lit up in green and red sparks as the wind blew out generators all over the city. 

It looked like an electrical parade from Disney Land.

Driving around at night is so strange with no lights. 

All the houses are dark and silent. 

My boys watching the wind.
You can see the amazement on their faces. 

Taping our windows during the storm. 

In front of our Kosher grocery store.
Don't know when it will re open. 

Trees are down everywhere. 

My friend was in her basement with her family.
The tree went right into her sons room. 

Down my block.

But life goes on.
Who doesn't like finger puppets during a black out??

After looking at the devastating pictures that are all over the news and throughout my small town of Passaic, NJ, you realize that as much as you think that you are in control of the world, YOU ARE NOT. 

I got my pekel first so that I could help others now. 

I have a place that is safe. 

It might have no power, but a place none the less to offer shelter to those who don't. 

Because what I have learned is - when you are stripped of everything you have and are left with nothing, you see that what you have is everything you need to survive. 

STAY SAFE!

Abbey 

Old House - New House

It's the start of the new week and it seems that it's the start of my new life.

New House.
New Job for the Hubs.
New Carpool routes for the kids.


Change is good - or so it seems.
I still mourn my home, but I am trying to make a new one in this house.
At least I'm showing a bright smile for my kids - it's an adventure you know!

I've decided - for the sake of my own sanity to move on and stop wallowing.
{Dude, snap out of it!}

Today I spent shopping for the incidental things - The items we kind of forget that we need, but use daily.
Like.....
Pots and pans
A drain board
Silverware dividers
Cutting board (oysh! I loved my old one.....It was so cute in the shape of a paint pallet -{stop wallowing}
Bathtub stopper
Wine opener and glasses - SERIOUSLY. Don't judge.
And loads more... the list goes on and on.

Got the call that my studio furniture and supplies are being returned to me tomorrow. So happy just a little nervous as to what shape it will all be in.

And then this afternoon another storm hits.
Someone charged close to $1,000 using my business card.
But the card is still in my wallet.
{Stop wallowing}

Bank account suspended till it's all sorted.
No $
{Stop Wallowing.....}

And then when I get to the bank my iphone falls on the floor and shatters.
{STOP WALLOWING}
The shattered glass makes a neat affect - that is an upside....

So tonight I've decided I'm in great need of some comfort food.
I love lasagna. I could eat an entire pan myself. No joke.
I am very serious about my lasagna. Can you tell?
Just call me Garfield.

I've noticed that there is a great lasagna debate between ricotta and cottage cheese. Have you??
 I'm a ricotta cheese kind of girl, but my hubs likes cottage cheese.
I kind of win since I make it - sorry Sim.

What kind do you use? Why?

Here's step by step instructions on how to make my lasagna.
I promise when you taste it, you'll be blown away.
It's that good.
But you've got to use the same sauce that I use.
Of course change out the cheese if needed.
I am not Cholov Yisroel, but when my sis comes to visit with her brood I change the cheese out and it tastes the same.
Trust me. Your kids will be BEGGING you to make it again.

INGREDIENTS
(1) 9" Rectangle Pans
(1) Packs of shredded Cheese
(1) Jars of Barilla - Tomato and Basil Sauce
(1) boxes of lasagna noodles
1lb Ricotta Cheese
Black Pepper
Garlic

STEP 1

In a bowl mix the ricotta cheese with 1/3 a jar of the Barilla
Sauce. Mix in garlic and black pepper. 

STEP 2 

Put 3 DRY noodles on the bottom of the tin and add
1/2 of the ricotta mixture onto them.

STEP 3

Add 3 more noodles on top of the ricotta mixture
Place some more tomato sauce and 1/2 the shredded cheese.

                                                STEP 4

                                   REPEAT STEPS 2 & 3 

                                                STEP 5                                                                                                                              Your tomato sauce jar should be empty now. 
                                         Fill up 1/3 of water into the glass jar. 
                                    Pour down around the lasagna so it's surrounded by water.
                                          Cover and place in oven @350 for 45 minutes. 
                                             Then uncover for 15 till crunchy :) 

                                               STEP 6

Plate & Serve 

So for now my kids are playing and I'm gonna sit at my rented table and stuff my face with some lasagna.
{not wallowing}

Tomorrow is a brand new day.
Abbey

Moving On.....

Most people who know me are familiar with the fact that I do not wallow in my own grief. Many things, sad things, have happened to me. I have a famous saying that goes...... "I could either sit here and cry about it, or I can get up and do something about it."

 

I have prepared a Plan B for almost everything.
What if.......
My husband died?
I lost a child?
One of my children got sick?
I got sick?
We ran out of money?
My husband lost his job?
My mother died?
My sister died?
My car got stollen?
My house got broken into?

Never did I really plan for something of this magnitude to happen to me. I assumed that if something would happen to my house I would figure it out. Isn't that why you have insurance?

Never did I think that I would lose my belongings.
Never did I think that I would be homeless.

My rebbetzin said to me once - In order to fulfill the mitzvah of Chesed you not only have perform it, but you have to be able to accept it.

Thank God I live in a community where people are so kind and helpful.
The outpouring of support from my fans is immense.

I have never felt the need to run away as I did last week.
I honestly just wanted to flee. 
But I have 5 children watching me. What was I supposed to do?
They are all looking at me for guidance and I just wanted to cry.
I am stunned.

I have had sleep.
The packing and cleaning are done.
Tomorrow is a new day.

SO for now, that's it. I am finished wallowing in my sorrow.
It's time to get up from mourning my loss and look forward to what Hashem has in store for me.

Closed For Repairs

At this point in time, I thought I would be working on my Chanukah pieces and writing up my latest blog post regarding my amazing trip to Vermont.

Instead, I am sitting in a hotel room 15 minutes away from my house. A house that is no longer a home. Just an empty shell of broken walls and pulled up floors.

If you don't already know, a leak in my second floor bathroom has deemed my home "uninhabitable" - everything has been packed up and shipped off to a storage facility and all that remains are some clothes that I was able to rescue.


What a humbling experience.
I have no home to go to.
No place familiar.


I have such saddness.
So much.
Everything I had. Everything that was mine. Is gone and I don't know when it will come back.

Thank God the most important thing, my children, are safe and sound. You can replace objects but my children are priceless.

Bereishis, in the beginning.
This week's Parsha.
I have my faith. I have Emunah.
Hashem doesn't call you on the phone to let you know that things will happen.
They just do.

It's time for change.
It's time for Bereishis.

This week brings more challenges and heartbreak.
Please stay with me.
It's your support that helps me stay afloat.
I hope to find a new place to paint and work soon.

Till next time.
Abbey

The FAMOUS Beer Chicken Recipe

A couple of Succos's ago, I made this chicken recipe. I usually use wine and NOT beer, but since we were at the tail end of the holiday and we were totally out of wine I decided to substitute it for beer. I served the chicken and not only was it completely gone, the men started sucking on all the little bits. I ended up bringing the actual roasting pan out to the Sukkah so they could all finish it off! It's that good!

Since then, I have made this chicken recipe EVERY Yom Tov. Everyone always requests the Beer Chicken.

I am now sharing it with all of you. Although the chicken is everyone's favorite part, mine happens to be the potatoes. Try the recipe out and let me know which is your favorite!

FYI - It makes the PERFECT Simchas Torah lunch. Make it before you leave and come back hours later to something sooooo delicious!

Before you begin, if you want this chicken to taste all that it can be, you MUST make it inside of a roasting pan. I have a blue one that I got from Target. They cost around $10. It's not the same in a tin. Trust me.

Here's what you need:
Roasting Pan
1 Onion 
1 Zucchini 
1 Yellow Squash
8 Potatoes
1 Red Pepper
1 Bottle of Beer (Samuel Adam's) 
Black pepper 
Garlic Powder
Salt
Paprika 
Onion Powder
2 or 3 Whole Chickens 

Step 1 - Add some oil to the bottom of the roasting pan. Put the pan on your stove top and turn on (2) burners. Cut up onions and saute. Cut up the zucchini,  squash, and pepper and add it to the roasting pan. Clean the skin of the potatoes well. DO NOT peel the skin off. Cut them up into 4th and add to the pan. The peel adds a really nice rustic flavor to the vegetables. Add some salt and pepper.

Step 2 - Clean your chickens and put them on top of the vegetables. You can now turn off your burners. Cover your chickens with the spices - Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Onion, and Paprika. Rub the chickens so that the spices goes all over, especially on the bottom. At this point I also stick an onion into the chicken, but you can use an apple or a pear. That will give your chickens a fruitier taste.

Step 3 - Pour your beer on top of the chickens and around into the vegetables. Once all the beer is put in, fill up half the bottle with water and add it to the pan.

Step 4 - Cover your roasting pan and stick into the oven at 350 degrees for 4 hours. You know that it's ready when the chicken's skin is brown and crunchy looking - Like this.

OMG! SOOOOO GOOD! 

You want to be careful when serving the chicken. It will be VERY soft. Cutting it will be super easy, so you don't want it to fall apart into bits. It's an absolutely beautiful dish to serve. Cut up the chickens or leave them whole on the platter. The vegetables are the perfect consistency and are my favorite part! Serve the Beer Chicken with apple kugle, pumpkin pie, and a yummy salad!

Perfect additions to this festive meal!