READING REPORT

WHAT BOOKS HAVE I READ LATELY?

I WILL BE THE PRESENTER OF THE TIGERS WIFE AT MY BOOK CLUB'S  NEXT MEETING.  THIS SHALL BE VERY INTERESTING AS THE BOOK IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL.  I  HOPE TO MEET THE AUTHOR TEA OBRETH, NEXT WEEK A HUNTER COLLEGE.

BOOK I CAN'T PULL DOWN "FINGERSMITH" BY SARAH WALTERS

WHO'S THE BOOKWORM ABOVE... A LOOK A LIKE TO MY GRANDPUPPY HULA!

Time to Remember

THIS PAST WEEK I VISTED THE CEMETERY, WHERE MY PARENTS, AUNT & UNCLE, ARE IN ETERNAL SLUMBER.   WHILE SPENDING TIME REMEMBERING THEIR BEAUTIFUL FULL LIVES....... I WITNESSED A FUNERAL OCCURRING.  IT WAS A FUNERAL OF A SOLIDER.  THERE WAS A COLOR GUARD WITH FLAG AND FIVE ADDITIONAL SOLDIERS. I WATCHED AS THEY SAID GOOD BYE AND GAVE A FIVE  GUN SALUTE. HOW VERY CHOREOGRAPHED THEY MOVED AND FINALLY FOLDED THE AMERICAN FLAG AND GAVE IT TO THE SOLDIER'S MOTHER.  I WAS MESMERIZED AND MOVED.  WE DRIVE THROUGH OUR DAILY LIVES, FORGETTING THAT SOMEONE IS RISKING THEIR LIFE SO THAT WE CAN ENJOY OURS.... EVERY DAY I BELIEVE, SOME WHERE IN THE USA,  A SOLIDER IS BEING BURIED SO THAT WE CAN ENJOY OUR FREEDOMS.  WE SHOULD TAKE A MOMENT EACH DAY AND BE THANKFUL

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Bwana wanted to go for a delayed valentine special dinner.  He figured we try COLICCHIO & SONS downtown near the meat packing district.  Of course we didn't make a reservation!  we thought we would just chance it.  Sometimes this works and makes the evening more intoxicating.  We thought 9pm would be  a good bet.  When we got to the restaurant, the lovely ladies told us we are FULL BOOKED, until 10pm, but we could seat you at the CHEFS TABLE, a little "bar" area in the 

 Taproom (more casual dinning area in the front of the restaurant)  We said sure!  So we took our barstool  seats and were introduced to the Chef, KYLE KOENIG,  his two great sous chefs.  We order the tasting menu, def the way to go!  In front of us was dishes upon dishes of the evenings roasted veggies and other delights that would garnish the dishes.  A Huge wood burning oven roared in front of us  (ladies wear a cute little black dress if the heat gets you) The average temperature was 620 degrees....NOW THAT IS HOT.  that was the secret to quick roasting, and searing that made each dish come out D LISH.  They only use cast iron..... something I've been tooting for a long time, for it's even cooking properties!

WHAT DID WE EAT?  CHECK IT OUT!

HANDMADE PIZZA, ROLLED OUT IN FRONT OF US!

 

BACON WRAPPED STURGEON  

THE WELL ORCHESTRATED CHEFS TABLE WITH SOUS CHEF WORKING LIKE A FINE TUNED BALLET

VIEW OF THE WINE BAR

CHEF KYLE KOENING ADDING THE FINAL TOUCHES TO HIS DISHES

VEAL WITH MUSTARD AND BREAD CRUMBS NESTLED WITH SPRING BABY VEGGIES,.....MOUTH WATERING!

Dessert, why little bomboli  ( fried donuts) hidden to keep them crisp and warn with a warm dipping sauce of  fruit.... need I say more?

Bwana with the adorable wife of the Chef, who happens to be so very knowledgeable about wine.  So very fine with Bwana

Two of the handsome, fabulous servers!

NOW THAT THE SECRET IS OUT, MAKE SURE I GET A SEAT AT THE CHEFS TABLE!

A VISIT TO AN HERBALIST

I was on a mission.   I need some fresh dried herbs for an art project I was working on.   Sometimes I want and need  instant gratification (don't we all?) So buying on the internet was out of the question.  Since, I live in the Big Apple and am a believer of using the resource at hand.  I search out an Herbalist in the City.  Sure enough,  I found just what I was looking for in the East Village. Once known as an area for its danger and drugs, Now its brimming with exotica, perfuming the streets with scents for far away places.  Walking is my best friend.  I headed out to find my area of alchemy.  It was a little whisper of a shop.

Does this bring me back to my roots as a flower child in the 60's?  Of Course it does......

shelves from floor to ceiling lined with rows and rows of  ingredients for potions

so many choices!  what to do?  what to do?

Inviting?  you bet!  and so very enchanting and quaint.

The store front window was pet friends to meows and woofs.

Satiated with aromas and bottles and jars of inviting herbs..... I walked home a happy camper with my purchases.   Valentines did have that certain  special quality thanks to these herbs.

A JOJO DAY

MY GOOD FRIEND JOJO IS A FABULOUS ELEMENTARY ART TEACHER, WHICH MEANS WE DON'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TOGETHER FOR A DAY ON THE TOWN VERY OFTEN.  I CALL THE DAYS WHEN WE DO OUR EATING AND EXPLORING, JOJO DAYS.  THIS ONE WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

THE ADORABLE MENU FOR BRUNCH JUST GAVE YOU THAT LITTLE POPUP SURPRISE THAT NO MATTER WHAT AGE WE LOVE 

WE ALWAYS START THE DAY EARLY SO A CUP OF HOT STEAMING JOE , WARMED US DOWN TO OUR TOES

JOJO WAS ALL SMILES WHEN HER DISH ARRIVED, LOX, AND YUMMY SOURDOUGH BREAD SMOTHERED IN BUTTER!

MY EGGS AND CHEESE, MADE MY SMILE CHEESY TOO

ROMANTIC TOUCHES IN THE LOO! WHO CAN RESIST LAVENDER AND LACY?

THE WINE/ ROOT CELLAR WAS SO INVITING

A SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE WAS HAM & CHEESE CREPES..... WE GOT TO PEEK AT THE KITCHEN AND WATCH THE PREP  (THEY WERE TOTALLY OVER THE TOP)

THE RESTAURANT WAS BUVETTE, ONE OF MARTHA STEWARTS FAVS (HER DAUGHTER LIVES NEAR BY IN THE WEST VILLAGE.   WE LOVE IT TOO!

 AFTER A BRISK WALK OUR NEXT STOP WAS PURL IN SOHO,  THIS IS A WONDERFUL EMPORIUM FOR SEWERS AND KNITTER....AND ANYONE WHOOOOO HAS A GREAT IMAGINATION

NEXT STOP OUR FAVORITE SPOT FOR VINTAGE HANDBAGS TO Y'ALL  BUT POCKETBOOKS TO NEW YORKERS

FRANCOIS

FINALLY WE FOUND WERE FRANCOIS PAYARD BAKERY MOOVED!  A LITTLE ENERGY BOOSTE BEFORE HEADING HOME TO THE HUBBIES.

UNTIL ANOTHER FREE SCHOOL DAY,  I'VE GREAT MEMORIES TO MAKE ME SMILE AND LOL WITH JOJO.

VALENTINE SWAP

A SPECIAL LITTLE PACKET WAS MADE JUST FOR THE HOSTESS OF THE SWAP CHERLY FIGLIOLA

I LOVE VICTORIAN VALENTINES.... SO I GO TO FLEA MARKETS TO  FIND OLD POSTCARDS, I COPY THEM AND THEN SEW THE PICTURES ON TO TAGS.  WHAT FUN

CLOSE UP OF MY TUSSIE MUSSIE SWAP

A LTTLE FEATHER HERE A CABBAGE ROSE , A SWEET LITTLE BEAR ARE  THE FILLINGS ON MY TUSSIE MUSSIE.   ISN'T THE LITTLE CAT SACHET EVER SO SWEET!

THE BOTTOM ROSE IS MORE LIKE A CORNUCOPIA BOTTOM!

TEDDY IS DRESSED UP WITH CUPCAKE RIBBON AND A CRYSTAL

VALENTINE CARD JUST FOR MY SWAP PARTNER

 VALENTINE HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT I CREATED FOR YOU!

THE BEAUTY OF WINTER

I KNOW MOST PEOPLE HATE..... IS THAT TO HARSH A WORD? WINTER..... BUT I TRULY LOVE IT.  I CAN LAYER MYSELF UP AND KEEP WARM ( OK SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A LITTLE KID IN A SNOWSUIT ALL BUNDLED UP AND WADDLING AROUND). THERE IS SUCH BEAUTY TO BEHOLD.... HERE ARE SOME IMAGES ON THE LAST WALK I TOOK WITH MOOCHIE

A BERRY CAUGHT IN THE FREEZE 

BLACK EYED SUSAN CENTERS WITH THEIR WINTER COAT( YES BAD GIRL DIDN'T DO A PROPER FALL CLEANUP.... THE SNOW STORM AT HALLOWEEN DIDN'T HELP)

A BLURRY BARBERRY BEERY WITH A ICE WHITE BACGROUND

A WINTER ROAD, BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY AND  EVERGREENS DRESSES IN WHITE.

A OLD FARM WHEEL WITH A BLANKET OF SNOW

MOOCHIE READY FOR A GOODBOY TREAT

IRIS PODS GLISTENING IN THE SUN LIGHT 

ICY POMPOMS BURRING NATURES TREASURES

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LITTLE WALK IN MY WINTER WONDERLAND.....HAVE A GREAT DAY AND KEEP WARM.....HOT CHOCOLATE MAYBE?