Day 2 in the City That Never...Cools Down

Stop #1 on Saturday was the Highline park.








Looks like Katie is ready to free fall.









View of the park looking south.














We came across a fun photo shoot.












Lovely stained glass.










Friends apartment. Katie and Ellie pondering how it was that Monica, Chandler, Joey and Rachel could actually afford such a nice spot on Bedford and Grove:-)










Whatcha doing? Eattin Ethiopian with my hands in Park Slope.

Falafel sandwiches in the West Village and shopping on Broadway also found there way into the day but we were too focused on both of those activities to take photos;-)

Taylor Triad Day One

Temps were going to be steamy but nothing was going to stop me and Katie from having an awesome time with Ellie who came to visit us over the weekend.

Stop one: Cheeky Sandwiches on the Lower East Side.


Upside- roasted beet, butternut squash and goat cheese sandwich!! Major YUM!

Downside--getting hit with some kind of stinky city ooze on our way from the subway. It was like we were slimed al a You Can't Do That on Television. Okay, maybe not that bad, but how did it hit all of our heads, both of my shoulders, one of Katie's and Ellie's forehead? We were still talking about it after lunch, which then caused us to accidentally leave the store without paying. We ran back as soon as I remembered. Our honesty was rewarded with some beignets. WE LOVE CHEEKY!




The Pickle Guys and Economy Candy were the next stops on our stroll. After picking up some half and full sours and Teaberry gum, we were heading north to be Dashing Divas.









I could say that we were all in need of a mid-summer pedicure, but really, do you need a reason to get a pedicure?! It was just good cool relaxing fun:-)

In the evening, we heading back into the city to watch Goonies, which was being shown on the flight deck of Intrepid. With pizza in hand, we climbed the 7 flights of stairs to the flight deck and got a great spot. We had a fun dinner--Hell's Kitchen Pizza makes a great Grandma slice! But unfortunately mother nature had a different idea for the movie. Dark clouds and lightning were on the march from the north. The MC was optimistic but Ellie declared that the storm was heading our way. She was correct! Once a tornado warning was issued, it was time to get off of the giant metal ship! Oh well, reason #1 that Ellie has to come back next summer:-)













The rain had stopped by the time we got back to Brooklyn. So the evening ended with some fudgesicles on the Promenade to see the city skyline.

What a fun day! On to Saturday...

I hope no one was in there

spotted on Hicks Street on Thursday afternoon.

????????

Up North 2

thanks to Katie for her photos.

Should have mentioned before, to see a slideshow, click the play button at the bottom of the images. To see larger images, click the big play button.

Up North

Here's the first batch of photos from my camera. Heaven!!

The Stuff That Sustains Me

It's been a historic and fun but stressful few weeks. What have I been up to? Bummer, can't really say.

BUT, what I can say is that Iris Cafe in Brooklyn Heights is responsible, in great part, for keeping me going since the beginning of June. Whether I had a rare day off and was trying to chill or was heading to work on the weekend, Iris Cafe was always the first stop! The new cafe on Columbia Place is a cool, original, friendly, tasty, most welcome addition to the Heights. My favorite item on the menu is the gingerbread muffin. Yes, I have been known to get two, they are just that good. They are super moist, just ginger enough flavored but not too spicy.

Today I had a biscuit with homemade raspberry jam, which was also enjoyable. Heartier breakfasts include yogurt with granola and hard and soft boiled eggs served a variety of ways. Fresh baguettes (French and Italian) with jam or ham and cheese also look delish! And all of that is just for breakfast. Lunch options look fantastic too.

My only slight criticism (and with all due respect to my cousins who have adorable children) is that on the weekends there are so many kids and strollers that I wondered whether I had mistakenly walked into a Gymboree class or a Park Slope bar. I know, I know, give me a few years and I'll be in the exact same boat...why can't I have my kids and eat my gingerbread muffin too? I'm just saying...

Related, most people know that Lake Michigan runs through my veins. And I am thrilled to say that I am just wrapping up the annual recharge of my batteries in Northern Michigan. Some years there's something new in the cottage. Some years, there is a new restaurant in town. This year, the new addition to Leland was Captain Carnivore. While it was not possible to pack 30 years of fun into Matt's first 5 day trip Up North, I think he got enough taste (he really did taste the lake) that we might get him to go back next year:-)

Up North photos tomorrow.