Don’t forget about mom this holiday season. Saturday Night Live host Kristen Wiig highlighted what Christmas morning really looks like for some moms, in a sketch that went almost instantly viral when it aired in 2020 because it was so on point. In the sketch, Wiig gets woken up early by her kids, played by Kyle Mooney and Chloe Fineman.
Her kids and husband begin revealing all of their gifts, and mom, well… she doesn’t have much.
Mooney sings about receiving a Nerf gun, Hulk hands, a drum set, and a telescope. Fineman gets a hat, a phone, and a copy of Catcher in the Rye. Wiig’s husband, played by Beck Bennett, gets a signed baseball bat, a laptop, and a tie. And mom gets a… robe.
The song continues with the family listing off more and more presents, including the piano from Big. Wiig thanks her family (rather unconvincingly) for the robe, which she suddenly notices was also on sale.
While making breakfast, Wiig emerges from the kitchen with a dishrag over her hand letting her family know she burned herself. “It hurt pretty bad, but I didn’t even scream/because I keep the pain inside of me,” she raps.
When it looks like there might just be some extra presents for her after all, the kids and dad announce, “It’s presents for the dog!” The dog opens all of his gifts, which include a bone, treats, and, why yes, even his own robe.
As the sketch ends, an exhausted Wiig is sitting alone on the couch holding a glass of red wine. “Your mom does everything for your family,” says a voice-over. “This year get her more than one present. Moms like stuff, too.”
From matzo ball soup and bagels and lox to delicious pastrami on rye, we’ve rounded up the best Jewish delis around LA. Get ready to put on those stretchy pants, cause it’s time to nosh!
Mmmm…smell that? Follow the intoxicating aroma of pastrami and corned beef straight to Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in Culver City. Wise Sons prides itself in making nearly everything in house using the finest ingredients around. Baked goods (like their Jewish rye) are baked at their offsite bakery and delivered multiple times daily for the freshest sandwiches in town. So whether you’ve got a hankering for the OG Rueben, a double-coated bagel with a shmear or some piping hot matzo ball soup, Wise Sons should absolutely be on your list of go-tos. Good to Know: They are offering holiday catering.
What to Order for the Kids: The classic smoked salmon bagel sandwich is fantastic and kids will love the turkey club on toasted challah.
A San Fernando Valley favorite, Brent’s Deli never disappoints. This family-owned business features two locales—the original in Northridge and a newer addition in Westlake Village. Brent’s offers high-quality meals, super friendly service and is widely known for its famous mile-high Rueben sandwich. They have a fantastic kid’s menu as well. Oh and parents—the Westlake spot houses Brent’s Bar which features specialty cocktails, craft beers and mimosa flights—you’re welcome.
What to Order for the Kids: Nothing's more comforting than Brent's matzo ball soup and a black and white cookie for dessert.
Since 1947, Langer’s Delicatessen has been serving generation after generation of Angelenos and has proven to be a vital part of LA’s cultural heritage. Die-hard deli fans flock here for Langer’s famous hot pastrami sandwiches which some have deemed “the best in the world.” But the other food is fabulous as well—so awesome in fact that they’ve been honored with the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award—twice!
What to Order for the Kids: The pastrami and swiss can’t be beat, especially for first-timers.
This LA favorite prides itself in using old-school methods to handcraft their amazing pastrami and smoked salmon that keeps patrons coming back for more. All meats and fish are smoked in house and are hand-sliced before your eyes ensuring the utmost freshness. The lox especially rivals some of the best in NYC. With locations downtown in Grand Central Market and a shop in Santa Monica, Wexler’s should absolutely make your Sunday brunch list.
What to Order for the Kids: The O.G. with pastrami, mustard and rye is a simple yet delish intro for kids who’ve never dabbled in pastrami before. The grilled cheese with challah and cheddar is always a safe bet as well.
Mort and Betty’s maintains the culture and tradition of the incredible deli food you’ve grown up with, but they’ve gotten rid of animal products—making it one of the only vegan Jewish delis in town. Additionally, 5% of every purchase is set aside to help create a farm animal sanctuary. From dill pickle latkes and sliced mushroom brisket to carrot lox and vegan challah, you can find Mort and Betty’s at SmorgasburgLA in the Arts District downtown or you can order online and pick-up at various locations across the city.
What to Order for the Kids: The dill pickle latkes and chocolate Babka deliver major amounts of YUM!
Fall in NYC is glorious, but it’s also a good time to get away and enjoy some time outside of the city. Looking for a day trip with kids but don’t have a car? No worries: we rounded up day trips you can get to by train. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning—it’s time to get away, even for a day!
Oyster Bay A quick 90-minute train ride can transport you to this hamlet on the North Shore of Long Island in Nassau county. Visit the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, dedicated to our Former President who was once a frequent commuter on the LIRR himself.
Families with train-lovers should check out the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum (open Saturdays and Sundays) and learn the important role railroads played in America's history. A quick taxi ride will bring you to the Planting Fields Arboretum, a 400+ acre 1920s Gold Coast estate with gorgeous gardens and landscapes designed by the Olmstead brothers, two greenhouses and a preserved Tudor Revival mansion showcasing the art and artistry of its time. Planting Fields offers lots of free resources for kids and families to make exploring the natural landscape even more engaging.
You can also take a trip back in time at the Raynham Hall Museum, home of George Washington's secret agent Robert Townsend!
Farmingdale, NY Fall is a great time to visit Long Island amusement park Adventureland, which opened in 1962, and offers rides for little ones and kids a bit older who want some thrills. The park is open on weekends until Nov. 7, and is hosting Halloween shows and events in October.
Get there: Take the LIRR Ronkonkoma line to Farmingdale
2245 Broad Hollow Rd. Farmingdale, NY 631-694-6868 Online: adventureland.us
Enjoy fall fun at Schmitt’s Family Farm Annual Fall Festival, happening now on weekends until October 31st. It’s accessible by a 1-hour train ride followed by a 10-minute taxi ride. Admission fee of $10 a person includes a hayride, playground, mini-golf and photo ops. The farm also offers pumpkin picking, vegetable picking, a haunted house, a corn maze, petting zoo, a farm stand and more all priced separately.
Get there: Take the LIRR Ronkonkoma line to Pinelawn Station or the Port Jefferson line to Huntington Station and catch a 10-minute cab ride.
26 Pinelawn Rd. Melville, NY 631-271-3276 Online: schmittfarms.com
METRO-NORTH RAILROAD
Wikimedia Creative Commons
Beacon, NY & Storm King Art Center
Sit on the left side of your Metro-North train car for spectacular views of the Hudson River. Shop local and support handmade at one of the many shops or pop into an art gallery. Beacon is home to celebrated contemporary art center Dia: Beacon. If you want even more art, take advantage of thispackage deal which includes a short shuttle ride and admission to Storm King Center (shown here) where you and the kids can take in the oversized sculptures among incredible foliage across 500-acres.
For food, we'd recommend Melzingah Tap House on Main Street in Beacon for a sit down meal, and Beacon Pantry, is a good stop for sandwiches or fancy picnic supplies on the go. Don't leave Beacon without visiting Glazed Over Donuts, where you'll find all kinds of extreme confections.
Get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Beacon Station
Get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Cold Spring Station
Wikimedia Creative Commons
Poughkeepsie, NY Experience walking across the world's longest pedestrian elevated walkway with a view of peak fall foliage. You can get to The Walkway over the Hudson Historic Strate Park by train in under two hours from Manhattan. Walk across and back for a stroll just under three miles, or turn around at any time. Be sure to stop by the seven-foot bronze statue of Sojourner Truth, an American Abolitionist and women's rights activist. This monument commemorates the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage.
For food, we recommend Farmer's & Chefs for yummy farm-to-table, Lola's Cafe for good food and major convenience (it's located right next to the stairs to the walkway), and its sister restaurant Lolita's Pizza, also nearby.
Get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie Station
Jackson Township, NJ Got kids hankering for some Halloween thrills? Check out this NJT deal that includes a round-trip bus trip and admission to Six Flags Great Adventure. (Yes, this is a bus, not a train.) Little ghouls and goblins will enjoy a "Thrills by Day" adventure that includes areas decorated for Halloween, a Trick-or-Treat Trail and live shows.
Get there: Take the 308 Express Bus to Six Flags Great Adventure from either New York Port Authority Bus Terminal or Newark Penn Station
American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, NJ If you want to do something fun with your family but can't decide on what, then head on over to the American Dream Mall where you'll find lots of choices! Some options include Legoland Discovery Center, SeaLife Aquarium, an Olympic-size ice-skating rink and indoor amusement park Nickelodeon Universe which is hosting Halloween-themed fun through October 31. Halloween weekend will feature a costume contest, trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, and spooktacular fun for everyone. Other Halloween fun at American Dream includes a huge 50-spider installation and Spooky Skate at The Rink.
Get there: there are several ways to get to American Dream Mall including their official rideshare partner: Lyft.
Jersey City, NJ While we realize that some of our readers may live in Jersey City (we know why—it's nice!), it's also a fun day trip for NYC-area non-residents. Head straight for the Liberty Science Center (you must buy tickets in advance) which boasts several floors of hands-on exhibits and impressive climbing structures. They celebrate Halloween with gusto here, with a giant spider web maze, just for starters. If you want to relax afterward bring a picnic and enjoy Liberty State Park, which has tons of green space for the kids to run around and an incredible view of the NYC skyline.
Get there: Take the PATH to Pavonia/Newport or Exchange Place station and transfer to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR). LSC is just five rail stops from the World Trade Center.
Closed on Mondays Liberty Science Center 222 Jersey City Blvd. Liberty State Park 201-200-1000 Online: lsc.org
With summer weather in full effect, now is the perfect time to get your grilling gear in order! Whether you prefer the purity of a charcoal grill or you go for a trendy Traeger, these grilling accessories have you covered from prep to serving. Bonus: they make great gifts as well!
Grilling Essential Bundle from Brandless
If you're not familiar with Brandless, let us tell you that you are going to love everything about this company that values quality and affordability. Get your grilling started with their essentials kit that includes grill tongs, spatula, grill brush, spice jars and more. It makes a great gift for the griller in your life.
These new spices from over-the-fire cooking expert Derek Wolf will definitely bump up your grilling game to a whole other level. $13.95 each.
Bourbon Prime is a rich, smoky and spicy bourbon-infused blend that redefines traditional prime rib rubs with innovative flavor notes of mushroom, butter, Worcestershire and even seaweed.
Lemon Chili Rye is a smoky, slightly bitter and rye-infused blend that finishes with an approachable heat and perfectly balanced acidity.
Smoked Chipotle Mezcal brings a peppery citrus aroma that emulates the experience of sipping mezcal with a citrus back.
Sweet Teriyaki Sake - With notes of sweet, spicy and fermentation from the soy, this sake-infused blend brings a delicious sweet heat to practically any protein.
Melinda's All-Natural Pepper Sauce
Add this one to the list, for sure! Made with real peppers and all-natural vegetable and fruit bases sourced from Colombia, Melinda’s products are non-GMO, gluten-free, Kosher Certified and Keto-friendly. The griller in your life will love adding them to meats on the grill and sides in the oven. The black truffle hot sauce is our favorite on fries and the mango pepper sauce goes great with a breakfast burrito.
BBQ Sauce in a Can (Made with Beer!) from Rufus Teague
Rufus Teague, a leading independent maker of craft BBQ sauces and rubs is once again partnering with Boulevard Brewing Company to expand on their beloved Can-O-Que barbecue sauce. The unique Can-O-Que barbecue sauce is made with Boulevard beer and packaged in an actual beer can.
You'll love getting this grilling box shipped right to your door as it is the perfect option for weekend grilling, or to take with you on your next camping trip. You provide the buns, Porter Road provides the pasture-raised sausage (bratwurst and hot dogs) and Cleveland Kitchen provides the Classic Caraway Kraut and Roasted Garlic Kraut. It's pretty much a match made in grilling heaven.
When you need the perfect oil for grilling, check out Chosen Foods avocado oil. It's high smoke point makes it ideal for grilling and the mild flavor works well for salads and marinades as well. Their lemon garlic dressing is our favorite for summer salads and the avocado oil mayo is the burger fave.
Save yourself the guesswork of knowing when your meat is ready and snag a digital thermometer. This one is instant read so you won't let all the heat out waiting for your temp.
This ultra-affordable knife set has everything you need to thinly slice that flank steak, chop those onions and debone a salmon. Your griller will love the knife blade covers for bringing them along when camping or grilling on the go.
How fun is this sampler that gives you a six pack of beer-infused rubs that are perfect for your next grilling soiree? Resealable lids are included. The Jalapeno Pilsner Lime Rub gives you a fruity, crisp and slightly hoppy kick while the Hickory Peach Porter Rub has chocolate, caramel and toffee tones.
If steak is your thing, this spice set it the ultimate as it comes with everything you need for a steak taste test. Try the top seller Black & Bleu Rub that is a perfect blend of Cajun blackening spices mixed with creamy bleu cheese for the spicy cheesy flavor of your dreams. We also loved the Cowboy Crust Espresso Chile Rub that give you Thomas Hammer Fireball Espresso mixed with chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, and a touch of cayenne.
Get ready to say hello to Newman––Seinfeld is getting its own LEGO set! A creation of LEGO Ideas, the 1,326 piece set is dropping this August and is a must for super fans.
Seinfeld comes with everything you need to recreate the iconic show, including minifigs for the whole gang. Jerry, Elaine, George, Kramer and Newman star in their own bricktastic remake of Seinfeld’s apartment that comes with accessories to reenact moments like Festivus, the Marble Rye situation and of course, all the stand up you an ask for.
Created by super fan Brent Waller, this new set leaves no detail out. Builders will love all the Easter Eggs they come across as they put together the show that was filmed in front of a live audience for nine seasons.
The set is geared for 18+ and retails for $79.99. You can shop starting Aug. 1 at lego.com.
It may have been Stan Lee who penned, “with great power comes great responsibility,” but moms live this truth daily. Whether it’s heading a start up, running errands or coaching our sidekick’s weekend soccer game (or all of the above!), moms really do do it all. Flip through to meet 13 Seattle moms who prove you don’t need to wear a cape to have super powers.
Rachel Yang, Chef/Owner Revel, Joule, Trove and Revelry
Rachel Yang, mom to Pike (6) and Rye (4), and her chef husband, Seif opened their Seattle restaurant, Joule, 10 years ago, after moving from the East Coast. The first of four restaurants, Joule paved the way for all of their eateries becoming part of the community. Joule holds a special place for patrons and the people who work there: they’ve seen Rachel pregnant, peeked in on babes sleeping in car seats, and now watch as the boys run around in their home away from home. One of the Trove cooks grew up eating there, and now, ten years later, he’s learning how to cook alongside this master chef. Stories like these align with Rachel’s philosophy that her restaurants are more than a place to feed people, they “help them create everlasting memories of good times.”
If you’re wondering where Rachel’s ability to immerse herself in new experiences comes from, we can only imagine it has something to do with her move to the United States when she was 15. She not only survived, but thrived, learning a new language, a new culture and making new friends. All before she found her true calling after college: to cook. It’s not surprising that this multi-tasking mom enjoys doing the same with her boys. She says they’re both great helpers and definitely take after their parents in the kitchen, helping to make everything from breakfast to salads to delish baked goods. Yum!
Power Mom Pearl: “Between 4 restaurants and family to take care of, I am definitely busy. But I dedicate all my energy to those things that are most important to me. It doesn’t leave me much time for myself, but I am always very thankful for everything that I do have, rather than thinking about things that I don’t have time for.”
photo: Jackie Baisa
Do you know a Seattle Power Mom others should know about? Tell us about her in a comment.
Nothing says winter woodland like an arrangement of pinecones, but you don’t have to be a craft-master to make your home feel more woodsy. Just try one of these insanely easy ways to make your whole house fit for a squirrel. Read on for ideas.
Pinecone 101: If you are gathering pinecones from the great outdoors (as opposed to a craft store) you’ll want to bake them before use. This helps to dry them out, reduce the sticky pitch drip, kill off unwanted wrigglers and gets them to “relax” so that they open out to a nice pineconey shape. Bake on a covered cookie sheet at 250° for about on hour for about 30 minutes (or longer if they are very wet).
2. Find a decorative wooden or glass bowl and fill it up with pinecones as you would fresh fruit. Place it in the center of the table with a few boughs of green and you’ve decked your table out, woodland style.
3. Ditto that for a basket. If it has a handle you can put a festive ribbon on it, and place it near the entry way. You can also mix in pinecones and ornaments for a uber-simple but totally holly-jolly decoration.
4. Take some clothespins and glue them (hot glue works best) to one side of the pinecone, and use the pinching side to hold holiday cards. If you don’t have glue you can try wedging the clothespin in, which works pretty well if you’re not moving the cones too much. (Flocking optional).
5. Convert your summer and fall pots into instant cold-resistant decor by leaving the pots in place, cutting back or pulling out the annuals and piling in the winter greens and pinecones. You don’t even need to remove the dirt, because it gives the pinecones the boost they need to be seen.
6. To get some winter-white textures, you can try bleaching your pinecones. This one requires a spot where the littles will be nowhere near it, and a big bucket or tub for bleach. Just check them periodically, usually after a day. Keep in mind they will have a bleachy-smell, so you may need to rinse them and bake them again to reduce it.
Have you got any pinecone go-to ideas for your holiday decor? Tell us about them in the comments below!
You’ve used hot chocolate as a bribe one too many times this winter and the charm is starting to fade. It’s time for the big guns. What else can satisfy a sweet tooth and provide a much needed indoor activity when it’s cold outside? Making s’mores, of course. While s’mores cupcakes are all the rage these days, you can still find a few places to make your own s’mores with a real (tabletop) fire and all. Here’s the go-to list of where to go when a camp fire is out of reach but you’re looking for a warming culinary adventure.
Visit the Downtown Chocolate Factory
Just steps from Union Square sits Max Brenner, the famous chocolate emporium that makes Willy Wonka look like a lightweight. Gourmands will love the pure melted chocolate and banana toffee that accompanies the Urban S’mores here. A miniature grill is also brought tableside to toast the marshmallows and make your s’mores experience authentic. Afterwards, visit Union Square Park Playground to get that sugar energy out so the commute home is a quiet one.
Max Brenner
841 Broadway
(Greenwich Village)
New York, Ny
Online: maxbrenner.com
A Cozy Experience at Così
We love a place that has a specially designed tray just for making s’mores! Così is known for delicious flatbread sandwiches, but did you know they have some killer desserts too? The s’mores platter comes with bamboo skewers and a tiny hibachi for grilling your marshmallows. Portions are generous so your gang won’t need to fight over who gets what. The best news yet – you can order the entire s’mores kit with hibachi grill, wooden tray and fixings online to replicate the cozy experience home.
Così, 27 locations throughout NYC Metropolitan Area
NY: 12 Manhattan locations, Laguardia Airport, Rye, Mount Kisco, Larchmont, and New Rochelle
NJ: 2 Jersey City locations, Morristown, Livingston, Hackensack, and Secaucus
CT: 2 Stamford locations, Greenwich, and Avon
Online: getcosi.com
S’mores Delivered to Your Door
If leaving your pad in the middle of winter and trekking to the perfect s’mores experience feels like too much work, bring the party home with S’more Bakery. Local s’more aficionado Sarah Warren will deliver handmade gourmet s’mores from Brooklyn right to your door. Try the S’morgasm – when a bourbon-Madagascar vanilla bean marshmallow meets cinnamon sugar and clover honey graham crackers and is spread with a layer of Callebaut semisweet chocolate ganache.
If you’re feeling fiery, turn your gas stove on or light a Sterno and roast an earl grey marshmallow to place on top of a cocoa sugar graham cracker spread with chocolate espresso ganache. Warren’s ingredients are sold separately so you can try your hand at the perfect s’mores combination at home.
The ultimate dilemma: Your server asking “Would you like to see our dessert menu?” Even though you know foregoing dessert is an option, sometimes that after-dinner sweet tooth just aches for a little something something. So go ahead, sneak a peek at the menu. Because honestly, what’s better than dessert? How about dessert and drinks…together. The best of both worlds? We think so. Our friends at Seattle Magazine must agree, as they rounded up some great spots for spiked desserts to cap off a meal or an evening in a scrumptious manner. A.J. Rathbun writes:
Boozy Milkshakes, Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery
These are every adult’s dream. You get to feel like a kid and a grown up all at once. My pick is the Extra-Dark Salted Caramel with Espresso and Rye Whiskey milkshake garnished with vanilla sugar, but there are four to choose from and each is constructed with Bluebird handmade vanilla ice cream. And booze, naturally.
Strawberries and Grappa, Artusi
A summertime gardener’s treat (and if you’re an Italian gardener, a double treat), this flavor-packed ensemble macerates fresh strawberries in Italian-after-dinner staple grappa and then finishes it off with black pepper and lush cream. As a bonus, as it contains fresh fruit, you can convince yourself that this is really a healthy dessert.
Still need a fix? Check out Seattle’s other spiked desserts over at Seattle magazine.
This is our weekly guest post from our friends atSeattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.
For many of us, it’s not a tough trade: swapping a reliable cell signal and ubiquitous wi-fi for a sweet slice of small town heaven. Tucked away in all corners of the Northwest are tiny backwater hamlets, perched seaside, on idyllic bays or in mountain clefts, brimming with character, friendly locals and a peaceful main street to stroll. Slow your pace a while and explore these 14 tiny towns; the city, and all its cares, will be here when you get back.
Bow Edison
Be hungry. That’s the first rule of any visit to darling Bow Edison, a pair of tiny twin towns about a half-hour north of La Conner and a quick detour off farmland-scenic Chuckanut Drive. Bow is actually marked just by the turnoff to Edison; you’ll see the Rhododendron Cafe and the Bow Post Office at the Bow Hill Road intersection. Make your way into Edison.
Your first stop should be at Farm to Market Bakery (Bow, 14003 Gilmore Ave.; 360.766.6240), where you can pick up a lime-soaked polenta cake or two for breakfast or a snack. But if you’re lucky enough to be visiting on a weekend, save room for the gorgeous farm-to-table lunches awaiting in the town of Edison at Tweets(Edison, 5800 Cains Court; 360.820.9912; open Friday–Sunday only). Chef David Blakesley creates ever-changing menus that showcase the area’s sensational produce.
Browse through town and stop in at the Edison Eye Gallery (Bow, 5800 Cains Court; 360.766.6276) and the Lucky Dumpster (14044 MacTaggart Ave.; 360.766.4049), where recycled materials become gifts and reclaimed wood becomes gorgeous furniture.
Next, pop over to the Breadfarm (Edison, 5766 Cains Court; 360.766.4065; pictured left, photo by Gabriel Rodriguez) to pick up a loaf of the sensational bread (black olive baguette, Tonasket rye or multigrain) and then head back toward Bow to the Samish Bay Cheese shop (Bow, 15115 Bow Hill Road; 360.766.6707), where splendid cheeses await (the Ladysmith and Port Edison are standouts).
Bread and cheese in hand, it’s time for a scenic drive and an impromptu picnic on your way to The Wild Iris in La Conner. (There’s no in-town lodging in Bow Edison, though there are several house rentals in the area, some of them waterfront. Check vrbo.com for those listings.) It’s a pleasant trip, especially if you take Farm to Market Road or the longer (but worth it!) trek via Bayview Edison Road, which winds through farmland and offers sensational views of hidden inlets and wetlands.
Summertime visitors, don’t miss the Mount Vernon Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where both Samish Bay and the Breadfarm sell their wares. —ALLISON AUSTIN SCHEFF
GETTING THERE: About 90 minutes north of Seattle via Interstate 5. See map.
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.
