One week later the pumpkins are starting to show decay.

I was wrong about the jack o’ lantern display in my neighborhood. They actually put the pumpkins out on Halloween and leave them up throughout November.

Check out the Kane Street Pumpkins for yourself.

This weekend hundreds of Brooklyn artists open their studios to general public. Be sure to visit our friend LJ’s studio this weekend at A.G.A.S.T. I love her work and wish I had lots of money and wall space because I would buy her entire Lock Series.

Everyone had a blast last night at the 3-2-1 Launch! party at the Bell House. We wanted to say a big Thank You to all of you who came out for some great music, fun raffle prizes, yummy Calexico tacos, tasty drinks, the best chocolate chip cookies ever and the biggest birthday cake celebrating Realty Collective’s 4th anniversary. The best part of the evening was hanging out with all of you!

Vero and Tam working our xtrapulp table.

Annie and Deanna handing out raffle tickets and free Calexico taco coupons at the door.

Dave from King Killer Studios and me working the raffle prize table. LJ loved the Hannah Montana game that she won.

Hand silk screened bags from xtrapulp. We’ll soon have these for sale online.

The OrangeYouGlad ladies took advantage of the Bell House’s photo booth.

More photos on flickr.

Join us at the Bell House on June 29 at 7 PM for a FREE Night of Rock celebrating the launch of two new local Brooklyn-based businesses – King Killer Studios and xtrapulp, and the 4-year anniversary of a third local business – Realty Collective.

The evening will feature 5 bands, tacos by Calexico (first 50 tacos are free!), and we’re also going to hold it down with an actual free raffle. That’s right, show up and you can win stuff. Stuff!! Will be raffled!!

What else have you got to do on a Monday night other than keep it local and go bananas at a raffle?

You will raise the devil horns to these bands:

Wounded Buffalo Theory
Kabona Zombies
Mike Hunchback and the Weird Fantasy Band
CONDO
In Musth
Dj sets by Robot Hot Dog

More about the event online on facebook.

A new joint opened up in our neck of the woods – Olga’s On Smith. Finally a place to get a coffee right on our block! Olga’s serves up healthy, kosher, and delicious fare, in a really nice and elegantly simple little storefront just up the street. (401 smith). There are a number of vegan, dairy free and/or gluten-free items.

I’ve been hitting them up for breakfast and lunch lately and I have a few favorites from their menu. Namely the Israeli couscous salad with mint (pictured below), the vegetarian lasagna and my favorite of favorites the pan fried eggplant in a pita with vegan dill sauce (also shown below). Unfortunately I’ve also become helplessly addicted to their Hungarian raspberry shortbread. Why shortbread? why did you have to come into my life?

eggplant sandwich. Going to get one today. YUM!

Hey Musician (and artist) folks – our friends have opened up a new rehersal/artist space in the Carroll Gardens / Gowanus / Slope area called King Killer Studios. They have a pretty sweet set-up including lounge, free wi-fi, easy load-in, inhouse recording studio and a bunch of nice rooms.  And they are located right near the subways (F/G & M/R).

One of Red Hook’s best treats is the weekend fare at the soccer fields (around the corner from the pool). There are a number of vendors there selling a delicious and affordable selection of South and Central American dishes. Some vendors go as far as to provide shade, seating and music.

A band arrives and take requests. The food vendors turn down their stereos for the occasion.

Coconut, Lime, Cantaloupe, Pineapple and Watermelon Juice. All fresh!

I ordered a pork and cheese papusa which I then smothered in picked onions. Some cabbage salad and fried plantains on the side.

This was a new one for me – fresh mango sprinkled with salt, chili powder, paprika and lime. THIS IS REALLY GOOD!

I can’t think of a better way to finish off the afternoon.

Meet Little Girl, my most favorite of all shop cats in the neighborhood- I happily give her the “Best Shop Cat of the Nabe” award. She helps run the show at a local luncheonette, greeting customers, saving a chair for her favorite folks or playing with her good friend Zeus (Chihuahua). If you run into her, she’ll much appreciate a good rub under her chin.

Ain’t she the cutest? I’m also told “she loves plastic!”

Little Girl sleeps in on weekdays mornings, staying clear of the traffic in her box above one of the drink fridges.

During my afternoon stroll this Sunday (today) I happened upon a few new and nifty things.

A&A Spice: 532 Court between Huntington and 9th street.

The first is a new little spice/grocery market at 532 court called A&A Spice. They are still stocking the shelves and packaging up some bulk items such as almonds and chocolate pretzels, but the little shop promises to have a few interesting spices for your kitchen. They specialize in Middle Eastern spices. I picked up some kabob marinade, some mediterranean spiced crackers and also some chocolate spread. (something like nutella but without the hazelnut flavor – just not a big fan of hazelnut). It seems like a very sweet family owned store and I even got a few pointers for tonight’s kabob marinade.

Cafe Scaramouche: 524 Court Between Nelson and Huntington

My second news item is to announce what I believe is the Best Cookie in Carroll Gardens. The award goes to Cafe Scramouche ‘s Dulce de Leche cookie! This delicious cookie sandwiches a thick caramel-y gooey interior between two soft shortbread-esq style cookies. They then coat the outside in coconut. There is also a chocolate coated variety, and a mini-variety – all exceptionally delicious but a sweet tooth is required.

Enjoy your cookie at the cafe even, it is a relaxed, low-key kinda place (away from the standard coffee shop hustle and bustle!)