I Love New York

New York Paperweight by Nelley Kelley Studio  

We were in NYC last weekend to celebrate our son's 14th birthday.  He brought along two of his best friends for the adventure.  For 14 year olds a visit to NYC is excitement enough but we were able to squeeze in a little surprise during our whirlwind adventure.

The guys walking through Times Square

The boys had a great time checking out the stores and walking through the crowded streets.

Times Square

Times Square was really hopping - it being the weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday.

The big surprise was yet to come ... 

American Idiot at the St. James Theatre

We surprised the boys with tickets to see the Green Day musical, "American Idiot".  If you love Green Day and what teenage boy doesn't?  - This is the musical to see.  It is different from everything else that is out there.  The set is awesome and that brings us to the next surprise ...

Stage Door at American Idiot

The boys were invited backstage to see the set and to meet one of the stars of the show, Mary Faber. 

(all this was arranged by our older son who is a good friend of Mary's - this was the icing on the cake).

The boys could not believe their good fortune and were so excited to be able to go onto the stage, check out the set and meet Mary and the other actors of such an amazing Broadway play. 

Taking a bow on stage at St. James Theatre

Mary and the boys get a chance to take a bow on Broadway.  

fun memories fill up NYC goodie bag

It was a great time for the boys and for us as well.  One that we will never forget.  Who knows maybe one of them might get a chance to take a bow on Broadway someday again.  

see you soon,

Ellen

A Kitchen Gift for Thanksgiving

photos by Ellen McHale

I ran this post last November and thought it would be worth running again a week before Thanksgiving.
This chutney is absolutely delicious and makes a great little take home treat for your guests ...

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the pressure is on to find meaningful and creative gifts.  A gift from the kitchen is always appreciated and more so when you take the time to package your "kitchen creation" with flair. This Thanksgiving each of my guests will go home with my Cranberry-Orange Chutney in beautiful canning jars by The Concord Shop.  For those of you who don't know, The Concord Shop is a cook's dream.  They call themselves "a hardware store for the kitchen" and that couldn't be more true.  Anything you need for the kitchen can be found on their shelves.

photos by Ellen McHale

Presentation is everything and finding some vintage sauce spoons to tie on to my chutney jars is like the icing on the cake.  I found these gorgeous vintage sauce spoons at Thoreauly Antiques in Concord.  You can find similar spoons at your local antique store and they can be had for under $10!

Cranberry Orange Chutney Ingredients

Ingredients:

1 bag fresh cranberries

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 lg. granny smith apple, cored, seeded, chopped

zest of one orange and the juice of the orange

1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and thinly slivered

1 cup apple juice

1 cup sugar

4 whole cloves

To Make:

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occassionally 5 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop and all sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Store and refrigerate in air tight container.  Can be made 2 weeks ahead.

Tags by Nelley Kelley

Display your kitchen gifts in a beautiful basket by the door so your guests will not forget to take one home before they leave.

Tea towel by Nelley Kelley

As a packaging alternative, wrap your kitchen gift in a beautiful linen tea towel.  I promise, you will make someone very happy.  

Enjoy - see you soon,

Ellen

Nelley Kelley Giveaway and Good News

NK bookplates as seen in Daily Candy gift bags

Daily Candy, the super popular women's lifestyle email newsletter and website, included Nelley Kelley in their 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash Gift Bags! The goodie bag featured Daily Candy's favorites from the last decade and it's current must-haves including Nelley Kelley's own Cardinal Bookplates.

We are so excited to have been included and in honor of Daily Candy's 10th birthday - Nelley Kelley is offering the same Cardinal Bookplates to the first 10 people who post a comment in this blog's comment's box.  Happy Birthday Daily Candy - here's to another amazing 10!

Ina Garten and Ellen McHale

Last Friday I met one of my favorite Cooks and TV personalities, Ina Garten, also known as The Barefoot Contessa.  The Natick Mall was abuzz with people waiting online to get their opportunity to say hello.  I met up with two "foodie" friends of mine and we proceeded to wait in line for hours just to see Ina.  New friends were made while we waited for our glimpse of our favorite Food Network star. It was amazing to see how many people turned out to get their 7 seconds or so with the Barefoot Contessa.  Not missing an opportunity to thank her for her years of bailing me out of "what to make" for my dinner parties, I presented Ina with a gift from the Nelley Kelley studio.  The exciting thing was that she accepted it! Notice on the table the Nelley Kelley craft paper box with a lovely little "Eggs in a Nest" night light nestled inside.

Val, Ellen and Ellen wait online to meet Ina

New Friends, Vic and Marylou with Val and Ellen

Paperweights by Nelley Kelley


Be the first to check out my new Travel Series Paperweights by Nelley Kelley.  Paris, London, Venice, Boston, NYC and my personal favorite - The North Bridge in Historic Concord.  Check out the Nelley Kelley website for more information.

Paris Paperweight

London Paperweight

Venice Paperweight

Boston Paperweight

New York Paperweight

Old North Bridge, Historic Concord

I hope you enjoyed this week's posting.  Don't forget to be one of the first 10 people to post a comment to this blog and I'll send you a package of Nelley Kelley Bookplates just like the one's featured in Daily Candy's 10th Anniversary Gift Bag.

see you soon,

Ellen