New York Part 2 & 3

Much exhausted from day 1, we decided to limit the events on day 2.  We started by taking the subway to the Met.  There was A LOT of security in front of the building.  Just behind me in this picture, is several NYPD officers with assault rifles... No one seemed overly nervous, so we didn't think too much about it. 

The closest thing to a quilt that I found.  Hand embroidered on silk.

Some cross stitch.

One of my favorite things about The Met, is that they have whole rooms dedicated to a scene.  Entryways, building fronts, courtyards, all just sitting, living inside the museum like that's where they've always been.

An outdoor fountain designed by Tiffany.

This was by one of Tiffany's designers.

No big deal, just Rembrandt's Self Portrait...

The inspiration for Captain Hook?

I had no idea they had a portrait of me at The Met.  Find the difference.

After a slice of NY pizza and an authentic NY bagel, we went into Central Park.  This is Belvedere Castle.

The Alice in Wonderland statue.

I would love to come back in spring or early summer.  I imagine it's breathtaking!

Then we took the subway to Grand Central Terminal.  While we were on the subway, they announce that you can't get off at certain stops because of civil disobedience!  Never found out what kind of disobedience.  Perhaps the reason for the heavy security at The Met?  If you heard of anything happening 2/19 in NYC, let me know.

Right around the corner was a taco place where you stand at the bar to eat.  That seemed like more fun when we hadn't already walked a bazillion miles.  We had trouble finding it but because I had put tacos on my list of things to do, Shawn was DETERMINED to find them... Note to self, only put it on the list if I REALLY want it... Me, "Actually, I'm tired.  It's not that important.  Let's go take a nap."  Shawn, manically looking around, "but it's RIGHT here!  Somewhere."  The man really likes to check off things a list.  You know how I love lists, and my label maker.  After a bazillion miles, I wasn't very into it.  The tacos were great, though.  And, that was the closest we got to drama the whole time.  The man MADE me eat delicious tacos.  The nerve.

You know how I like a good door.

After a much deserved rest,  (yes, I also got that nap) we went to dinner at Keen's.  The mutton was just as delicious as Anthony Bourdain proclaimed.  We consumed enough meat to feed a small 3rd world country that night.  But, still had room for Creme Bruelle...

Day 3 we slowed down even more.  We walked down to The Empire State Building, which was just a few blocks from our hotel.

I did not go up in it.  I don't do heights.  Shawn has been to NYC a number of times, so he didn't mind staying on the ground floor with me.  After all, go UP in the building was NOT on my list...

The Flatiron Building

We meandered over to the Theater District.  

We finished off the weekend by eating at Carlo's and had Cake Boss cake.  It was pretty good, but it tasted just like mass produced cake.  Fun, though.  All in all, we ended up walking 18.5 miles.  My feet swelled like crazy on the flight home and I could barely put on shoes for work this morning.

On the way to the airport, we drove through Brooklyn & Queens.  I would be willing to do that for a trip all on their own.  Next time to NY, I think more days, less walking, a Broadway show and the Guggenheim.  We had a great time!

It's already decided that for my birthday in May, we're going to Philly!  I can't wait!

New York Adventure Part 1

Hello friends!  I went on an adventure!  I decided I wanted to take advantage of a 3 day weekend.  I suggested to my new friend, Shawn, that we go to Kansas City.  He had a much better idea.  He recommended for a little more money but a lot more fun, we could go to Manhattan!  He clearly thinks on a bigger scale than I do.  We had so much fun but, wow, that was A LOT of walking...

As soon as we landed and checked into our hotel, we took the subway from Penn Station to Battery Park.  The subway wasn't scary or gross.  Maybe, I watch too many murder shows...

We didn't take a ferry because, February.  But, we could see the Statue of Liberty from the shore.

WW2 memorial

This is a really cool merry-go-round at the park.

A community garden with a really fun gate.

Native American Museum

I wish we still made buildings this beautiful.

The Bull statue.

The walk up Broadway from Battery Park.

At some point during the day, I got a hot dog from a cart.  It was number 1 on my list of things to do in NYC.

I think this is part of New York City Hall/ Courthouse.  I should have taken better notes.

Federal Courthouse, I think.

World Trade Center

Brooklyn Bridge

St Patrick's Cathedral near Times Square.

Rockafeller Center Ice Rink

Times Square

Radio City Music Hall, in case the sign wasn't enough of a clue.

For dinner, we ate at Sarge's Deli.  This is HALF of a Corned Beef/ Pastrami Sandwich!  We also ate in Little Italy at Benito One.  I was too busy living in the moment to take pics.  We also walked through China Town.  That didn't get any pics either.  It's the place you want to be if you're in the market for a knock-off Gucci.

Walking back to the hotel after dinner, we saw this gorgeous door of the Polish Consulate.

New York Public Library

The view from our hotel.

And, that was just day 1!  Thank God, we started going to the gym a month ago to prep for the trip.  I may not have survived otherwise.  We clocked 8.5 miles.

 

The Holidays

Hello friends, now that the holidays are over, I can share what I've been working on.  I started way too late, as you do, making Christmas gifts.  Then I had a terrible sinus infection for 2 weeks.  And, my printer stopped working.  Only to say that, I didn't get these gifts in the mail until after the new year.

These were all for  my grand daughter Lucy.  They arrived just in time for her 2nd birthday.  Hopefully, I'm forgiven for not getting myself together in time.  We've all been there, right?  I have the stuff to make everything for Miles, also.  But, since I was late for Lucy, I decided to wait for another occasion for Miles.

I thought this book was so cute!

I'm also obsessed with felt work.  I've always loved doing those felt stockings.  These felt books are so much fun to make.  As long as your printer works so that you can download the patterns.  It's important to have the right tools for the job.

The little Santa is loose, so he travels to each page with you and you can come up with your own stories.

Yes, Lucy got a Santa book AFTER Christmas.  Or, did she get one EARLY for next year?  Feel free to come up with your own story.

I LOVE THE SQUIRREL BOOK!  Rich was obsessed with evil squirrels.  It was a running joke that they are spies and are up to no good at all times.  So, I made a spy/squirrel headquarters for Lucy.  I little token of her grandpa's humor.  Complete with little devious smile.

Again, he travels to each page.

We had Christmas in the middle of my kitchen renovation.  The pipes froze, I over cooked the lamb but I had my people.  Miles got a little tool bench in honor of his daddy & grandpa.  And darned, if that kid didn't know exactly what a screwdriver was for!

Did I share the finished dining room?  I went with all florals because there was no one around to stop me!  The curtains are Laura Ashley, which I always wanted in the 80s but couldn't afford.

The house is small but it's very cozy.  The kids have all said how welcoming it is when they come over.  For me, that says it all.

So, Hunter has been working hard on the kitchen & changed out almost all of my light fixtures, replaced a bathroom faucet, etc.  I'll share that later.  I will say that I'm REALLY happy with the direction it's going in.  Better lighting has been a game changer for every room!

At the new year, I decided to really focus on living in the present.  I'm down almost 30 lbs,.  I joined a gym.  Once the kitchen is done, I think I will enjoy cooking again.  My studio has better lighting and I"m quilting a little.  I started dating.  YIKES!  I've been doing a STL park scavenger hunt, that's been fun.  Life is precious, and I'm going to enjoy it while I have it.  All in all, it's been an absolute shit year but the future looks good.  I'm manifesting what I want my life to look like & I'm doing what I can to make it happen.  I hope the new year brings you all peace, love & joy my dear ones!