I didn't post last night because I was so tired. It was our block's 45th annual party--the first was in 1974. I was a teenager living north of here in Dumont, where I didn't know of block parties. Dan and I bought our home 25 years ago, in November 1994. Figgy was born nine months later. Punchy came into the picture in 2007.
I've been running the bake-off for years, and people count on it. Since I've chosen to detour from the Sugar Road, we did pizza this year. (Party planner Heather's idea.) I also try to avoid that, but planned to indulge--you have got to see this stuff.
Nick finished his pizza on his backyard grill; Nate brought a prosciutto/fig jam/goat cheese/balsamic glaze wonder. We had Punch and Vaurie's Tropical Storm Dessert Pizza, a pineapple upside-down number that caught their eyes online; Beth's grilled veggie; Iam's two deep dish, one with meat, one with veggies; John's vegan [amazing]; Lee's veggie with pesto; young Sam's two, one with capers and olives; and Liliana's cauliflower crust with soy cheese
and her adult-entry winner, Best of Montclair, a rectangular "grandma" pie with fresh mozzarella from Rosario's, sauce from Cucina 98 on Walnut Street, her husband Michael's homegrown basil, and dough from Whole Foods.
Punch and Vaurie won for ages 13 and under and were proud. Their apple crisp didn't take the prize last year in our APPLE OF MY EYE contest.
Picture floral tablecloths, fresh garden flowers, shiny kitchen tool gifts for every entrant, cute pins made by neighborhood artist Maiko for four judges and me/George/Catherine. We three coordinated the event and our pins said UPPER CRUST. George tallies the numbers. Catherine cut the portions and brought a pitcher of ice water for the judges. Dan and I donated two $15 gift card prizes. Our neighbor, Peter, pitched in the great stainless-steel utensils for entrants. They were from his business and included kick-ass pizza cutters, spatulas, spoons, etc.
Our house is up the hill, so it's a lot of trips up and down with supplies, etc. Dan and Fig helped, but it was still tiring. And my friend Amalia made two trips up for me!
The bake-off is a highlight; kids and adults enter. But we also have an ancient tug-of-war rope that's been passed down, barricades to close the streets so kids can run free, pinatas, a bubble machine and music! And this year, two nice new neighbors, a married couple--both young, handsome men--hired a bounce house. It was amazing.
Those two generous fellows, Mark and Derek (sp), also brought a chocolate layer cake with thick vanilla frosting in a white bakery box from Little Daisy Bake Shop. Meg brought a rich chocolate on chocolate layer cake with the words BLOCK PARTY on top. And someone baked an excellent rich yogurt pound cake. I decided on the spot that I would indulge and start my day count again today. I don't think I regret this decision--if it can remain an isolated incident.
It was the little girl in me, the one who helped her mother bake Duncan Hines cake--the one who had her own miniature cake pan. Cake was honored in our family, a treat when we had it.
Onward. That's over, as my friend Jane would say. It doesn't help that I saw a picture of myself. I hadn't taken time to do hair and makeup. I looked heavy--and doughy. Did not like that.
After the party, Punch always says,
I think we should do this twice a year.
TCOY for yesterday and today; Monday is new Day 1 off Sugar Road
- Mass.
- Oats with fruit before bake-off. Probably filled me up a bit but not enuf to crowd out cake!
- Water. If I drank alcohol at party, would have been even more off course.
- Asked for help--from Dan, Fig, Punch, Amalia, Catherine, others. And requested clean-up help ahead of time on neighborhood list serve and Facebook group. Many people pitched in.
- Biked to and from bank Monday.
- Cleaned up my act. Fresh peach; Greek salad; chicken cutlets; artichokes.
$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET
- Sunday, Kings, fresh pineapple and maraschino cherries for girls' Tropical Storm Dessert Pizza; dog treats; and paper plates for bake-off. $19.19.
- Monday, Kings, freshly breaded chicken cutlets, Greek salad, Palmolive dish soap, dog food x2, 1/2 pint heavy cream and 1/2 gallon whole milk [dairy products not organic, since only had $20.50 on me]. $19.91.
TOTAL DAILY SPEND Sunday: $19.19.
TOTAL DAILY SPEND Monday: $19.91.
RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF SEPTEMBER 23: $1,714.86.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $74.56.
Compare to last month:
TOTAL SPEND FOR MONTH OF AUGUST: $2,895.06. ⬆️
AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39. ⬆️
Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:
🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, NYC, dinner; plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.
🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.
🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.
🎟 ShopRite, groceries, laundry detergent etc., $50.
🎟 Sky Zone [worth it, Punchy went with her nice friends], $25.
🎟 Joyist, $29.
🎟 Kings, groceries, $46.
🎟 Piazza della Sole, comfy, high-end shoes, half-price, $90.
🎟 Gasoline, twice, $52.
🎟 Chinese lunch with Sis, $33.
🎟 Grocery shopping in Connecticut w Sis, $48.
🎟 CPAP dr. co-pay, specialist, $50.
🎟 Whole Foods again, including 3-pack soy candles, pound smoked salmon and Hydro Flask for Punch, $166.
🎟 Jackie's Grillette treat, casual dinner and soft drinks for three, plus tip, about $45.
🎟 Salon 212 blowout plus tips for job hunting Friday, $45.
🎟 Kings, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella for women's group platter, $58.
🎟 CVS, melatonin gummies, milk, Listerine, $30.
🎟 Kings, 1/2 gallon organic milk, 1/2 gallon oat milk, yellow baby potatoes, teriyaki sauce, Cabot shredded cheese, fresh black figs, 1.38 lb flank steak, etc, $48.
🎟 Kings again, groceries, $39.
🎟 Chez Josephine dinner with Candy and Allegra, $60.
🎟 Duane Reade, emergency makeup in Port Authority, $25.
🎟 Prize donation for pizza bake-off, 2 gift cards, total $30.
🎟 ShopRite, bake-off ingredients for girls plus a lot of groceries, $84.
🎟 Healthy Friday afternoon Joyist for Punch, Figgy and me, plus metal straw with cleaning brush, $33.
🎟 Kings, coffee beans x 2 plus other groceries, $34.
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