So, about this weekend...

Happy weekend, friends! Tomorrow (or today, by the time I actually post this), Saturday, July 16th, is an exciting day for Pip Cooks. I mean, Saturdays are pretty exciting all by themselves, but tomorrow is a fun one.

I'm happy to announce that Pip Cooks' treats will be available for purchase starting this weekend at The Bean in NYC's East Village. The Bean happens to be my favorite spot in the neighborhood for coffee and conversation. Local artists, independent bakers (ahem), and fun regulars add distinctive flare to this charming shop.  Beginning tomorrow, my Cinnamon-Crunch Donut Holes and PB&J Tartlets will debut alongside The Bean's already delicious selection of desserts. While my snacks and flavors will be rotating, they will ONLY be rotating if they are eaten by happy, hungry coffee guzzlers.

Sneak Peek: Donuts, Tarts and Cookies headed out to The Bean!

SO, dear foodies, if you happen to be walking around in the 'hood tomorrow or later this week, I would so appreciate your popping in for a bite!

Thanks for sharing the love!

A tree grows in the East Village.

This beautiful spring weather that's finally graced us with its presence has me thinking of dining al fresco.

I have been living in the East Village for over a year and in that time, have never visited the East River Park. Urban dwellers are mostly all familiar with its counterpoint, the Hudson River Park, which lures visitors with its sparkling water, glamorous High Line and all-around ritzier setting.

The East River Park involves a stroll through a seedy stretch of town, a stop at Mister Softee (thanks, Brian), and a walk over the FDR Drive. It was worth it.

In its 57 acres, there is a baseball and soccer field, a track, a concert venue, and a field for barbecuing. It seemed like every other downtown New Yorker caught the same case of spring fever that we did.

Just when the day couldn't get more idyllic, we stumbled across a smattering of tiny gardens on the way home.

Along a quiet section on 6th Street we found the 6BC Botanical Garden, aka: the-cutest-little-utopia imaginable. Fountains trickled, people picnicked, cats walked on leashes (seriously).

As great as it was to find these peaceful, hippie havens, the best part was learning that each garden was founded and maintained by volunteers who had the insight to think, "hmm, we might want a patch of grass to hang around in 50 years when everything is bulldozed." To this day, the gardens are funded by donations and groomed by locals who give of their time to plant flowers and tidy up. So inspiring.

Jungle gym for the neigborhood birds at the Creative Little Garden

And the best part is...

Branches run beautifully amok.

They are available to rent for outdoor dinner parties!

I see picnics in my future.