Christmas in New York

This past month has been a very busy one.  Since I spent two months in New York with my daughter who broke her leg, I didn't expect to come for Christmas. This trip was unexpected and unplanned, but very enjoyable.  When I looked for a return flight to San Diego, American Airlines was offering the least expensive ticket on a Tuesday, Dec. 29 from JFK Airport in New York City.  When that day came, we were experiencing inclement weather with light snow and ice in Dutchess County, while it was just raining in New York City.  So, instead of my daughter driving me the approximately 86 miles, with 60 of them on icy roads, I decided to take the MetroNorth train into Manhattan.  Then, I planned to ride the Air Link shuttle for the rest of the trip to the airport.  The train ride was fine....not new to me.  When I arrived at the pickup spot for the shuttle, sheltered from the rain by only my umbrella, I saw that Park Avenue going north between 41st and 42nd Sts  was closed.  It was now a parking spot for rental bikes.  After phoning Air Link, I was assured that the driver would pick me up on that corner.  He arrived a little early and politely helped me climb into the front seat of the van.  He drove safely and maneuvered adroitly through the growing traffic.  As the traffic grew and the rain lessened, I suspected the tourists were coming out of their hotel rooms to roam the City, or possibly, New Yorkers might be leaving work early.  I really wouldn't know, but these thoughts kept me busy as the driver wended his way through the streets. The drive was uneventful except for a massive tie-up on the Grand Central Parkway, which the driver deftly circumvented on the city streets.  I arrived at JFK, calm, cool, and collected .  I'd certainly recommend this shuttle.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to eat at two restaurants that were very enjoyable.  The first was "The Tomato Cafe" in Fishkill, NY.  While the food is excellent, I especially appreciated their practice of providing half meals.  I am a small eater and usually have to take a box home to one of my grandsons who graciously eats the leftovers.  I especially enjoyed the Steak Frites and always finished my meal with a cookie chosen from the display case.  The employees are very courteous and friendly.  The restaurant seems to very busy at lunch time.  However, we didn't wait long for a table.  One Sunday after church, we called to see if they could accommodate 11 people, which they did.  The family enjoyed their meal as well as the easy going atmosphere.  I really recommend "The Tomato Cafe."

On the Saturday after Christmas, I took the MetroNorth train to Tarrytown.  My friend, Katie, met me and drove to a restaurant she likes in Irvington.  We were having Brunch at The Red Hat on the River.  The restaurant is located in a renovated Lord and Burnham factory building situated on the edge of the Hudson River.  I checked the history of Lord and Burnham and found it very interesting.

The Red Hat on the River has a loft area over the main floor.  Since we arrived early, we were seated on the main floor by the large windows, which provided a great view of the river.  Again, since I prefer a small meal,  I enjoyed a delicious crab cake.  As best as I can recall, Katie had the Eggs .Benedict.  The service was great and we had an enjoyable repast.  The atmosphere was very warm and a great place for a special meal.  As we were preparing to leave, we saw a framed letter from the author, James Patterson, to the restaurant owner who happens to be his cousin.  Outside the restaurant, Katie pointed out the views of the Tappan Zee Bridge and New York City in the distance to the south.  A great photo op despite the haze.

View of New York City in the distance looking South

Looking North, the Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson

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Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

Cicadas

About ten days ago, I was driving north on 9D near Fishkill NY.   As I passed the Stonykill Farm, I heard this strange sound....similar to the sound made by a bicycle when a card is attached to the spokes of the wheel.  I asked my son-in-law, who is very knowledgeable about such things, if that was the sound of the Cicadas.  He said he didn't think it was.  The Cicada is a very ugly bug (about 1 to 2 inches in length) that lives in the ground.  There are different species, but this one is called the "periodical Cicada."  That is because it only surfaces once every seventeen years.  It looks for a mate.   The female deposits her eggs in a groove in a tree branch.  When the egg hatches, the tiny bug frees itself from the groove and falls to the ground.  It burrows in search of a food source and stays there approximately seventeen years.  Then, it starts the same cycle again.

About four days later, we were at St. Mary's Church in Fishkill, which is situated about two or three miles east of the farm.  When we got out of the car, my son-in-law heard the same sound (now louder) and commented that it was probably the Cicadas.  My granddaughter stated that it sounded like a car alarm.  A few days later, in Lagrangeville which is northeast of Beacon and Fishkill, you could hear the same sound, estimated to be 7Khz.  It reminded me of a sound you would hear in the Southeastern section of the country.  This past Saturday, I drove south on Route 9 into Cold Spring.  This area is more heavily forested.  The nose was very loud and occasionally a flying Cicada would hit the windshield or roof of the car.  Eerie....

I noticed after a few days that I just got used to the noise.  It must be like what a person who has tinnitus experiences.  In a few weeks, the noise will subside and life will go on.

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Mother's Day

My Mother's Day celebration started with lunch on Saturday at Cosimo's on Delafield Street in Poughkeepsie, NY.  My three New York daughters and I enjoyed a delicious meal.  We started with Wood fired Crab and Artichoke fondue with Brick-oven Foccacia and Caprese.  Absolutely delicious.
Then we ordered sandwiches.  I had the Steak Sizzler, which was Rosemary scented Rib-eye with peppers, Gorgonzola and crispy onions.  Since I had the appetizer, I opened half the sandwich and enjoyed the steak, etc. and brought the other half home for one of my grandsons.  When I returned to my Beacon daughter's home, this grandson had returned from reffing a soccer game so he relished the half sandwich.  When I checked the online menu, I discovered that this restaurant has a "small plate" offering.  I probably would have  enjoyed something from that menu instead of the larger lunch.  Perhaps another time.

On Sunday, after Mass in Fishkill, I joined two daughters, their families as wells as one of my son-in-law's parents (very good friends) at the Bull and Budha Restaurant on Main Street in Poughkeepsie for their Mother's Day Brunch.  My appetizer was a crab and avocado salad.  It was so good that I decided to ask my son-in-law who is a Chef Instructor at the Culinary School at the Art Institute in San Diego to make it for my birthday.  The entree was skirt steak with a corn and edame mixture on the side.  There were two choices for dessert, a chocolate lava cake with pistachio and coconut filling, and the Chef's cheesecake.  I chose the Chef's cheesecake (his own recipe).  This will be another request for my son-in-law.

A lot of eating for one weekend, though I actually eat only a small portion of each course.  I recommend both restaurants, which I consider upscale.

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Healthy Weekend? Or Not!

This weekend, I spent Friday sleeping late and later that morning, taking a long, long nap. On Saturday, my LaGrange daughter took me along when she went to Gold's Gym in LaGrange. We walked the circuit and then, rode Exercycles while watching a film I found depressing. Lunch at her house was "sushi." I was all "healthed" out.

Then, later in the afternoon we went to my Beacon Daughter's house for a "Girl's Night." I loved spending the evening with three daughters and two friends. We had finger foods followed by a chocolate fountain with fruit, marshmallows and cake. My Queens daughter brought her 3 month old baby, who was the center of attraction, especially when she rolled over for the first time. I was upstairs but could hear all the excitement. I could just imagine the baby wondering why these five women were "yahooing" so much.

Then, one friend told us about her daughter's wedding in the Dominican Republic. Our daughters had grown up together so we hung on every word.

On Sunday, all the daughters, nieces and I joined for lunch at the Tomato Cafe on Main Street in Fishkill for a hearty lunch. The bruschetta was served with a small center salad. Both were delicious. Then, we all had our individual choices and everyone was very satisfied with them. I had a BLT with salad. It was good and filling, as well. I certainly recommend a visit.

Then, off to a happy, warm week in Queens.

Fun and Pampering Weekend

This weekend I enjoyed bowling with my Beacon daughter and her three children. While my score was very low and I broke a nail (alas, alack), it was a lot of fun. I'm sure my preoccupation with ice on sidewalks and parking lots was a bit annoying to die-hard skiers, but they were great about it.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, I had an in-house massage by Karin Ericson of Me Too Massage, Fishkill, NY (www.metoomassages.com). My daughter thought I should have it because of the schedule I've been keeping (four nights in one house, three nights in the next, etc.) It was certainly a real treat and I was very relaxed at the completion.

It actually fortified me for my trek back to Queens. While the train ride was fine, the No. 7 subway was delayed. When I got to the platform, it was literally filled with people waiting for the next train. The announcement came on the loud speaker apologizing for the delay and stating that the cause was signal problems.

In Grand Central, I purchased a Woman's World (my favorite magazine). In it there was an article, You are Beautiful, written by Amy Oscar. It is about a young woman who started a website called Operation Beautiful. I think it is a great idea to remind ourselves and our female friends of our beauty, inner and outer. Check out my favorite magazine, as well as OperationBeautiful.com.