Long Time No Bolg Part 1- Becca's Visit

HI Everyone!!!

SO I have a lot of catching up to do!

Let's see where to begin... A couple weeks ago

Becca was here and we had an amazing time!!! I LOVE it when she visits. We went to the Daily Show taping, wandered around my neighborhood and park (which Cooper loved), Saw Speed The Plow with Jeremy Piven- Great show.

Funny story actually about that.. So, Jeremy Piven is known best for his role as Ari Gold in Entourage. One of his characters catch phrases is "Hug it out." Well, when Kelli and Meghan were in town we took the "Sex and the City" tour. The tour ended- as most tours do- in a gift shop. BUT this was the HBO store gift shop. So I bought Cooper a Doggie t-shirt that said "Hug it out Bitch"

Now fast forward to Becca's visit.. after we see speed the plow we line up by the stage door to try and get Jeremy Pivens autograph...Everyone was standing there w/ playbills and posters and i had Coopers Dog shirt ready for a sharpy so Piven could sign it... but ALAS Piven was sick and didn't come out to meet the fans... but don fear... i have every intention of heading back over there some night soon, so I can get Cooper's shirt signed!!! While we didn't get to see Jeremy Piven, the other 2 stars (Elisabeth Moss and Raul Esparza) came out and met with fans and signed autographs. Per Elisabeth- who was incredibly sweet, Piven was really sick. IN fact the show started 30 minutes late because he wasn't feeling so hot.

Other things we did while Becca was here.. Went to Central Park, went to "the My Dog Loves Central Park Dog Fair", went to the Boathouse, went to the Met, had Frozen Hot Chocolate's at Serendipity, went to the infamous Dylans Candy Store- which is pretty much awesome AND we made soup!!! Bec taught me how to make the BEST Butternut Squash soup EVER!!! I'll post the recipe at the bottom of this blog.

CENTRAL PARK

THE MET

THE FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE

Anyhow-- It was a great time! We had so much fun!!!!

Butternut Squash Cider Soup Recipe

**FYI I added a teaspoon of ground ginger-- It was fantastic- - i suggest you do the same!**

Apples and apple cider lend a pleasant sweetness to this beautiful soup.

Servings: Serves 10.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 6 cups)

2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)

1/2 cup chopped peeled carrot

1/2 cup chopped celery

2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried sage leaves

5 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth

1 1/2 cups apple cider

2/3 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whipping cream

Chopped fresh chives

Directions:

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add squash, leeks, carrot and celery; sauté until slightly softened, about 15 minutes. Mix in apples, thyme and sage. Add stock and 1 cup cider and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until apples are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in batches, purée soup in blender. Return soup to pan. Boil remaining 1/2 cup cider in heavy small saucepan until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Cool. Place sour cream in small bowl. Whisk in reduced cider. (Soup and cider cream can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Mix in whipping cream. Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with cider cream. Top with chives.