A Winter Walk on Orchard Beach | Sundays in My City {photos}

Earlier this month, we took a long winter walk along Orchard Beach (in The Bronx) and I wrote about the poignant moments between fathers and sons I witnessed that weekend. Today I wanted to share some of the photos I took during our walk. 

From a distance, we saw a boat washed ashore from the storm. It was pretty crazy seeing a boat on the beach.   

What would a walk on the Beach be without looking for seashells? 

And of course, we have to hit the playground. On a cold winter day, it's a nice treat to have the playground to ourself.

My Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

The first time I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my family, my mother said:

You're not a great cook, you just buy fancy ingredients. 

Oh my mother…she's quite the character. 

Growing up our Thanksgiving dinner was pretty much a typical Puerto Rican dinner: arroz con gandules, potato salad, tostones and/or sweet plantains. And we ate turkey. But there was no stuffing, sweet potatoes or cranberry sauce. In fact, I didn't have any of these things until I married The Husband and I learned that this is what he wanted for Thanksgiving dinner.   

I don't cook full meals often. But I enjoy cooking for friends and family when I can.  And I am so excited to be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year for my family. Even though I know my mother will have something to say about what I prepare. It's okay, she's amusing. And I'll ask her to make arroz con gandules. 

What I'm Cooking on Thanksgiving

Truth be told, I'm not crazy about turkey but The Husband is, so I make it. This year I'm making a Mojo Cubano Turkey. I've never made it before but this recipe got rave reviews on Food.com. 

Every year I ponder the same thing: Sweet Potatoes versus Yams. Are they the same?  What's the difference? Seriously, does anyone know?! I just started to like sweet potatoes this year and I'm super excited about this Pomegranate Lacquered Sweet Potatoes recipe my friend Ericka from Nibbles and Feasts shared on her site.    

One thing I absolutely love is stuffing made from scratch - none of that box stuff over here.  I especially love corn bread and this Chorizo Sausage Pistachio Pear Stuffing by my friend, Nicole of Presley's Pantry sounds scrumptious!   

And now…for the Cranberry Controversy! 

The other day I got into a heated debate with my BFF over cranberry sauce. I like fresh cranberry sauce and she likes the jelly canned stuff (gross). And it surprised me, because my BFF is sort of a food snob. We spent a good 15 minutes discussing cranberry sauce. I feel like cranberry sauce is a hot topic and everyone has an opinion about it. Which do you prefer? 

Anyway, since I prefer fresh cranberry sauce, I'm going with this recipe by Alexandra Guarnaschelli - one of my favorite Iron Chefs on The Food Network. Do you know about Alex? (I'm going to call her Alex, because even though I don't know her, I think she'd be cool with it.) I mean, the way this woman talks about food and bacon - I know we could be friends. I just know it. And so when it comes to food, I trust her completely.  

As for dessert do I want to make:

a. Horchata Cupcakes 
b. Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake 
c. Apple Yam Crumble 
d. all of the above

So…what are YOU making for Thanksgiving dinner? And seriously, if someone can explain the difference between a Sweet Potato and a Yam I'd appreciate it. Thanks. 

AND  for the kids check out this cute DIY Thanksgiving Placement for the kids by Ruby of Growing Up Blackxican.

Curious to know how I'm teaching The Boy about Thanksgiving? Check out my latest post on Babble, click ---> http://bit.ly/1iOiMnq

Arthur Avenue Playground (Sundays in My City)

The church bells were ringing, The Boy was covering his ears.

The Money Shot.
Love when I capture a photo that
really shows his joy.

Share your city/town/suburb/you name it with The Unknown Mami! I did :) 

NY Road Runners Coogan's 5K Kid Races

 

Lower East Side #NYC (Sundays in my City)

Before I was a mother, I used to spend most of my time was spent wandering around Lower Manhattan.  And in the years before The Boy, The Husband and I walked hand in hand up and down streets with no destination in mind. But in the recent years, there just hasn't been to wander, roam or window shop. I had miss the richness and the history of those streets.

Earlier this week, we three found ourselves in the Lower East Side. It was too cold to roam. But I am longing for the warmer weather. So that we can all walk hand in hand up and down streets aimlessly. 

The Bronx Equestrian Center (Sundays in my City)

I can't believe we got The Boy to ride a pony! For details on experience click - HERE. 

My Least Favorite Household Chore

I grew up in the kind of home where one could easily eat off floors. My mother prides herself on that.

However. I wouldn't recommend eating off my floors. Not even with the 2 second rule. Though that doesn't stop The Boy from doing so. And on the rare occasion when he does, I just have to not think too much about it.

Don't get me wrong. We don't live in a sty. I will dust, do laundry and wash dishes. But there's just something about mopping that I absolutely hate.

I'm more of spot cleaner. (With the exception of the bathroom, I clean that floor thoroughly twice a week.)

But I'm home for the day and just looked at my floor and said - ENOUGH.

So I mopped. Brought out the bucket and everything. I poured in my Fabuloso and went to town. It's the only thing that I love about mopping. The scent of Fabuloso throughout the apartment and the gleam of my floors.

Though I am sure either The Boy or The Husband will spill something on my squeaky clean floors before the day is done.  

Because mopping happens so rarely I decided it was blog worthy. Because one never knows when it may happen again.     

What's your least favorite household chore? 

Disclaimer: This is a non compensated post. I am just a huge fan of Fabuloso. If they were to decide to send me a case of Fabuloso upon reading this post, I may mop more often. (I'm lying. I totally wouldn't. But I'd still appreciate the gesture.)

Happy 7th Birthday to The Boy

Today is The Boy's 7th birthday. And like most mother's I wonder where the time went. It seems like only yesterday I brought him home from the hospital. 

Birthday parties are tough when you have a kid with autism. And for the last few years, we've really struggled about what to do to celebrate.  Last year, we went to the Monster Truck show. We get by with going to his school and bringing in cupcakes. But this year, the NYC School Bus Strike kind of put a damper on that. 

So this year, we kept it really low key. We went to friend's house yesterday and we had cupcakes and sang. The Boy had fun playing with his friends.  And today, we spent the day in Connecticut - just me, The Boy and The Husband. We went to the Maritime Aquarium, the Stepping Stones Children Museum and to P.F. Chang's for an early dinner. 

The Husband and I wish we could have done something more...typical (for lack of a better word). But The Boy had fun. He got some cool new toys and books. He got Chinese rice and cake. And as long The Boy has a good time on his birthday, that's all that matters.

How do you celebrate birthdays?    

Mesmerized

Feeling very Downton Abbey in this photo.  

They were so serious. I got hit a lot.  

Having a blast! (not to self: next time, short sleeves are best.)

Stepping into a Diego Rivera painting

The Elephant in the Playground [Sundays in my City]

I love taking The Boy to the playground early on Sunday mornings. 

This morning, we were the only ones there. I was able to sit on the bench, relax and just let The Boy have the run of the place.  I didn't have to worry about him hurting anyone or anyone hurting him.

And I got to practice my photo skillz. 

I Survived NY Comic Con 2012

This was our very first New York Comic Con Convention. And it was...an experience. I knew it would be crowded. 

But really, I had no clue. It was. INSANE.
 
It was so crazy in there I could not even tweet. I couldn't Instagram. There was no time for a quick FB status update. 

I never let go of The Boy's wrist while weaving our way through the aisles. My hand was sore by the time we left. That's how hard I was clutching onto him. The thought of losing him in that crowd...

(At one point, The Boy took off his name tag and threw it on the ground. Someone found it and called us. We were able to meet up with them to get it back. Nerds are so nice.)

The Boy had a good time. It was loud. He spent a lot of time covering his ears. But there were some things he liked. And that made The Husband feel good. And we picked up some cool things for Christmas. (We start early.) 

I am really disappointed I didn't get my picture taken with Adam West. But as much as I have a school girl crush on him, I could not justify paying $60 for his autograph and photo.  I'm nerdy but I have to draw the line somewhere. (And I'm cheap.)

The Husband was totally in his element and was snapping photos like a mad man. It's nice to see him with that geek twinkle in his eye.

I have a feeling Comic Con will be an annual outing for us.

Note to self: Next year, we're pulling him out of school and we'll go on Thursday or Friday when the crowds aren't as extreme.  

He wanted to take a picture with these guys. (They sort of freaked me out.)

I think this was his favorite!

My little scoundrel - this is the money shot right here. 

Was so proud of The Boy. He said "Oh hello there," with NO prompting.

You KNOW I had to buy this poster by Ex-Boyfriend Collection. I cannot wait to frame it and hang it up. It's perfect for us. Check them out, they have really cool stuff.