Happy Fourth of July

Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor, NY

Happy Fourth of July!   On this day, we celebrate the anniversary of birth of our United States of America.  I heard a commentator on TV state that we Americans are privileged to live in this United States of America.  In my opinion, that is true.  While the past 237 years have fluctuated from hard times to good times and back, through wars (political or not), we have sustained.  I believe that this is because we have preserved our Constitution, despite the actions of our elected politicians.  In my opinion, we Americans are not a perfect people.  As a whole, we have to remind ourselves to be thankful for what we have as we celebrate with parades, picnics and fireworks.  However, we Americans are a generous people as evidenced by our rush to help our fellow man in disasters at home or, in fact, anywhere in the world.

I'd like to take the time to thank our Military (active, including my eldest grandson, a new United States Marine, and our Veterans) for the protections they afford us.  We would not be able to freely celebrate this day without their sacrifice. 

World Trade Center, New York, NY

Happy Independence Day!

Hudson River at Hyde Park, NY

Balboa Park, San Diego CA

Times Square, New York, NY

Hudson River at Poughkeepsie, NY

Coastline at La Jolla, CA

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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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"Eat Out" Weekend in Dutchess County

This weekend I visited with my daughters and started a weekend of eating out. On Friday evening, we went to Frank's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Wappingers Falls, NY. It was hard to find parking, but it was worth the effort. I hadn't been there in years. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the waitress and other workers were very nice. I ordered Lasagna, which was okay, but one of my daughters had Eggplant Parmesan. I took a taste and I was sold. The eggplant was sliced very thinly and the dish was delicious. I would definitely order that next time. Then we shared the Chocolate Lava cake, which was served with ice cream. Wonderful!

Then, the next day, I went shopping with my sister and stopped at Twist Burger in Hopewell Junction. I enjoyed a cheeseburger with guacamole and an order of onion rings. My sister ordered a regular hamburger with lettuce and tomato. She chose french fries, which she offered to share with me. I tried a few and they were great. The portions were generous and more than I am used to eating.

On Sunday, my LaGrange daughter took me to Babycakes Cafe in Poughkeepsie, across from Vassar College. She ordered the quiche. When it came, it was accompanied with a very appetizing salad. She mentioned to me that as much as she enjoyed it, it was too bad that the quiche was mostly spinach and only two tablespoons of eggs. I, on the other hand, ordered pancakes with bananas. The pancakes were light and I was delighted that I ordered them. The presentation of both meals was very inviting. I would go there again. My daughter told me that they also had great desserts. Maybe we could work it in when we visit the photographic exhibit at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. Already scheduled to return to Queens, it wasn't possible today, but I'm looking forward to it.

And then that evening, on the way to Jackson Heights with my Queens daughter, we stopped at Five Guys in Whitestone NY. My daughter and her husband really enjoyed their hamburgers and fries. I could barely fit in a kosher hot dog.

Of course, I could have said, "No thanks." What a weekend!