Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Catskills?
If Winter Storm 2010 doesn't hit, Seth and I are off to the Catskills this weekend.
Back in 2008 we packed up our leftover turkey, green bean casserole and German chocolate cake (it was the day after Thanksgiving and the day of Seth's birthday) and headed to Phoenicia. We've camped in this area many times since moving to NY, but this was the first time we stayed indoors:
And I must admit, I'm hooked. Nothing like cozying up in front of a roaring fireplace and sleeping in a nice, warm bed (especially when you're the type of camper who never seems to dress warm enough or bring enough blankets and padding). The stained glass windows, log cabin walls and big stone fireplace with candles on the mantel was just right:
This was a regular home, in a regular neighborhood, so we were ideally situated to explore a winter wonderland...
...and to window shop at the local hardware store:
This time we'd like to get a bit more off the beaten path. I searched the Web last night the entire time Seth was watching the Superbowl*, but still didn't find lodging with that perfect mix of rustic charm and indoor plumbing. Well, Brigham Place looks right up my alley, but it's already booked. And Fourpeaks seems great, but not until the Spring since I don't want to freeze my @$$ off in the "privy." Plus, it's in the Adirondacks which is too long of a trek for a 3-day weekend. (In my opinion, at least!) If only the Wawbeek was still open to the public and somehow magically transported to the Catskills. Cue the Dirty Dancing soundtrack:
Why are we grinning like that?
Ethan and Hsingyi on Ampersand Mountain. The wind was so strong, I was truly worried about being blown off the side. This was a grueling hike, but the views at the top were worth the pain and suffering.
If you ever see this stand on the side of the road, stop. Make a U-turn and double back, if you must. This kettle corn is the perfect blend of salty sweet goodness!
We had the time of our lives! What are your favorite vacation spots in the Catskills and Adirondacks? And anywhere else, for that matter. If you don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear about them!
*Did you see Lance Moore's awesome tumble through the air during the two-point conversion? And how he held onto the ball even when pivoting on his head? It's even more fun in slo-mo!
Back in 2008 we packed up our leftover turkey, green bean casserole and German chocolate cake (it was the day after Thanksgiving and the day of Seth's birthday) and headed to Phoenicia. We've camped in this area many times since moving to NY, but this was the first time we stayed indoors:
And I must admit, I'm hooked. Nothing like cozying up in front of a roaring fireplace and sleeping in a nice, warm bed (especially when you're the type of camper who never seems to dress warm enough or bring enough blankets and padding). The stained glass windows, log cabin walls and big stone fireplace with candles on the mantel was just right:
This was a regular home, in a regular neighborhood, so we were ideally situated to explore a winter wonderland...
...and to window shop at the local hardware store:
This time we'd like to get a bit more off the beaten path. I searched the Web last night the entire time Seth was watching the Superbowl*, but still didn't find lodging with that perfect mix of rustic charm and indoor plumbing. Well, Brigham Place looks right up my alley, but it's already booked. And Fourpeaks seems great, but not until the Spring since I don't want to freeze my @$$ off in the "privy." Plus, it's in the Adirondacks which is too long of a trek for a 3-day weekend. (In my opinion, at least!) If only the Wawbeek was still open to the public and somehow magically transported to the Catskills. Cue the Dirty Dancing soundtrack:
Why are we grinning like that?
Ethan and Hsingyi on Ampersand Mountain. The wind was so strong, I was truly worried about being blown off the side. This was a grueling hike, but the views at the top were worth the pain and suffering.
If you ever see this stand on the side of the road, stop. Make a U-turn and double back, if you must. This kettle corn is the perfect blend of salty sweet goodness!
We had the time of our lives! What are your favorite vacation spots in the Catskills and Adirondacks? And anywhere else, for that matter. If you don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear about them!
*Did you see Lance Moore's awesome tumble through the air during the two-point conversion? And how he held onto the ball even when pivoting on his head? It's even more fun in slo-mo!Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New Orleans Souvenirs: Day 5
Today was all about alligators (well, mostly): we saw them, held them, and ate them. I got reprimanded for squeezing this little guy's neck even though the tour guide (behind me) said to hold on tight:
This is a nutria. They have beady yellow eyes and a tail like a rat and, according to our tour guide, taste great when served with the holy trinity (onions, celery, bell peppers) and a bottle of fine wine:
It lives in the bayou:
Another alligator, this time with chili garlic aioli at Cochon. It does taste like chicken--really, really rubbery chicken:
This is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. According to the guide book scenes from Interview with the Vampire and Easy Rider were shot here:
This is Frenchmen Street:
If you love listening to music, drinking, and dancing in the street, don't miss it!
Especially The Spotted Cat:
Thanks for the memories, New Orleans! We'll be back soon!
This is a nutria. They have beady yellow eyes and a tail like a rat and, according to our tour guide, taste great when served with the holy trinity (onions, celery, bell peppers) and a bottle of fine wine:
It lives in the bayou:
Another alligator, this time with chili garlic aioli at Cochon. It does taste like chicken--really, really rubbery chicken:
This is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. According to the guide book scenes from Interview with the Vampire and Easy Rider were shot here:
This is Frenchmen Street:
If you love listening to music, drinking, and dancing in the street, don't miss it!
Especially The Spotted Cat:
Thanks for the memories, New Orleans! We'll be back soon!
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Orleans Souvenirs: Day 4
There are about a million things I'd rather have for breakfast than oysters on the half shell, but bellying up at the bar at ACME Oyster House was great fun.
Seth ordered a half dozen and I tried one, then quickly washed it down with a big ol' swig of spicy bloody Mary with a tasty pickled okra garnish. 
This oyster shucker wasn't going to let me get away that, though. He plopped the biggest, nastiest, grittiest oyster ever down in front of me and waited until I choked it down. Literally. Then, he laughed and said, "You a bad woman." Here he his demonstrating how big the oyster was. That seems about right. How many oysters does he shuck in a day? "Between a bunch and a shitload." Judging from the pile of empty shells behind the bar, that seems about right, too.
The oyster was actually nice and mineral-y and not fishy at all. But still, it made me queasy enough to want to try one of the old-fashioned remedies at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
Mexican "Bowel" Pills, perhaps? Or maybe a voodoo spell? 
Back in the good old days you could get it all at your corner pharmacy, even a cocaine Coca-Cola at the soda fountain and a box of glass eyes:
And they kept track of prescriptions in beautiful linen books with tiny pockets on each page.
From there we headed to Willie Mae's Scotch House for a taste of their legendary fried chicken.
It had such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If Seth and I ever get a house of our own, I hope the kitchen looks just like this, with high ceilings, wood floors and beadboard lining the walls.
The perfect kind of place to enjoy the ultimate comfort food, and the perfect food to cure whatever ails you. I could eat this every day!
***
Here's Seth at City Park:
Have you ever seen a swan like this? The little stripe on its beak looks like it was painted on.
Here's Seth again posing with what could be the biggest tree in City Park:
It's hard to believe, but we went out to eat again after this. My one regret? Not having the energy to check out Kermit Ruffins Night at Vaughn’s Lounge in Bywater that night. (Guess, that's what I get for being a homebody the rest of the year.) Legendary jazz musician Kermit Ruffins cooks up barbecue for the audience before the show then jams the rest of the night. Yet another reason to go back!
Seth ordered a half dozen and I tried one, then quickly washed it down with a big ol' swig of spicy bloody Mary with a tasty pickled okra garnish. 
This oyster shucker wasn't going to let me get away that, though. He plopped the biggest, nastiest, grittiest oyster ever down in front of me and waited until I choked it down. Literally. Then, he laughed and said, "You a bad woman." Here he his demonstrating how big the oyster was. That seems about right. How many oysters does he shuck in a day? "Between a bunch and a shitload." Judging from the pile of empty shells behind the bar, that seems about right, too.
The oyster was actually nice and mineral-y and not fishy at all. But still, it made me queasy enough to want to try one of the old-fashioned remedies at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
Mexican "Bowel" Pills, perhaps? Or maybe a voodoo spell? 
Back in the good old days you could get it all at your corner pharmacy, even a cocaine Coca-Cola at the soda fountain and a box of glass eyes:
And they kept track of prescriptions in beautiful linen books with tiny pockets on each page.
From there we headed to Willie Mae's Scotch House for a taste of their legendary fried chicken.
It had such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If Seth and I ever get a house of our own, I hope the kitchen looks just like this, with high ceilings, wood floors and beadboard lining the walls.
The perfect kind of place to enjoy the ultimate comfort food, and the perfect food to cure whatever ails you. I could eat this every day!
***
Here's Seth at City Park:
Have you ever seen a swan like this? The little stripe on its beak looks like it was painted on.
Here's Seth again posing with what could be the biggest tree in City Park:
It's hard to believe, but we went out to eat again after this. My one regret? Not having the energy to check out Kermit Ruffins Night at Vaughn’s Lounge in Bywater that night. (Guess, that's what I get for being a homebody the rest of the year.) Legendary jazz musician Kermit Ruffins cooks up barbecue for the audience before the show then jams the rest of the night. Yet another reason to go back!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
They don't make 'em like they used to--UPDATE
Scenes from the Williamsburgh Savings Bank on the ground floor of The Clocktower. Mosaics, mosaics and more mosaics, everywhere you look, each more beautiful than the next:
According to An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn, by Francis Morrone, the mosaics on the ceiling in the photos above and below were designed by artist Angelo Magnanti. The mosaic above is hand painted. The one below is a grand depiction of the zodiac in gold and pale blue. This photo doesn't do it justice:
These remind me of the ornate designs on the front of the Brooklyn Public Library. Does anyone know more about them? Are they by the same artist? Update: I think they're by Rene Chambellan. The iron figures in the first photo definitely are.
Squirrels on either side stand guard as this girl holds on tight to a beehive:
According to An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn, by Francis Morrone, the mosaics on the ceiling in the photos above and below were designed by artist Angelo Magnanti. The mosaic above is hand painted. The one below is a grand depiction of the zodiac in gold and pale blue. This photo doesn't do it justice:
These remind me of the ornate designs on the front of the Brooklyn Public Library. Does anyone know more about them? Are they by the same artist? Update: I think they're by Rene Chambellan. The iron figures in the first photo definitely are.
Squirrels on either side stand guard as this girl holds on tight to a beehive:
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