Caroling, Caroling Now We Go

This past Sunday was a monsoon. We'd shot the Christmas party the night before and were up late. So we slept in. We made breakfast pretty late. And by late I mean, it was almost lunchtime. And stayed in our PJs while it rained and poured outside. I love being inside when its rainy outside. Rainy Sundays are maybe my favorites. So it was only the great great love that I have for my best friend that could possibly drag me from my happy cocoon and out into the rain. And to the Upper West Side. Which is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo nowhere near my house. But Alison was hosting a caroling party. And I was not about to miss it.

Having failed epically at capturing the amazing spread we had at Amanda's shower, I was determined to not have the guilt and disappointment of a repeat failure this time. In fact, as soon as we arrived, after quick hugs all around, I barely spoke to anyone and just busted out my camera. Which basically forced everyone else to stop enjoying the spread so as to not ruin my shot. Slightly rude? Perhaps. Priorities askew? Almost always.

These puppies were pretty amazing...




Now this is my kind of party....this is about all I need.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I love olives.


And really, what holiday party is complete without...


And it was homemade too. Beat that!

There were many fun peoples. As per usual at Alison's parties.


Alison & Sarah party it up (i hate using "party" as a verb. it's just wrong.)


Classic Jon & Alison


And her wee tree was so lovely. *sigh*


Homestrung popcorn and cranberries. Of course.


After much socializing we moved into the musical portion of the evening. This was a caroling party after all. Sadly all of our piano players were MIA, I suppose on account of the monsoon.

Wussies.

So we decided to soldier on anyway. A capella. And attempting 4 part harmony. Now, there were three people in the room who have been on Broadway. And then there were the rest of us. Sadly, Broadway could not save us. I mean, I was a trained musician in my day, but it's been a while. The ole pipes just aren't what they used to be. Some over-ambitious person suggested we start with It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Well, that was a ROUSING success.

This picture was snapped about 4 notes in. Please notice how a majority of us are doubled over in laughter.


Sarah tries to keep it together. James doesn't even bother. Which I love.


We fared a bit better with Silent Night and Joy to the World.


But there were still plenty of moments of laughter and vocal disaster.


Despite the wonky harmonies and me questioning the long term use of my college degree, we had an awesome time. It was good that we were in the safety of Alison's living room, as we would have potentially had tomatoes chucked at us, or at minimum, doors slammed in our faces had we been attempting to go door to door. At least during It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

Regardless, a good time was had by all. I vote that it become an annual tradition. Who's in?

For Alison

I read this in my book. It made me think of Alison.

A young girl, newly arrived in Paris....

"I'll never be French, she thought. I don't really respect shoes."

- from Lost Geography, by Charlotte Bacon

It made me smile.

That is all.

Another Sunday, Another Brunch

Sunday we met Alison for brunch at Eatery, this great place on 53rd and 9th. It's always packed there, but the food is really good. I'd never been for brunch. But my new intern at work waits tables there and when he described a sweet potato hash pancake with eggwhites topped with a guacamole mango salsa I was intrigued. When he said it would change my life, I knew that was the place for us. He was not wrong. I loved it.

After a lovely brunch and two bloody marys (yum), we wandered up to Central Park to sit for a bit. Geoff was exhausted after a long wedding shoot the night before, but it was SO GORGEOUS outside, I couldn't imagine not being outside.

Things we saw on our walk up 9th Avenue:

This guy. Takin' a stroll. Makin' a statement.


Pretty colors


The bar of a cute restaurant called Bocca di Bacci (or something like that)


Passing some fruit


And flowers


Liked this sun-dappled sign...


This kid wanted to share his snack with me I think...


Columbus Circle


And in the park, sitting on a bench, we met the tiniest dog. Her name is Gabby. And even though I am not usually a small dog fan, I thought she was pretty stinkin' cute. Her owner was kind enough to let me have a mini-photo shoot.




Lots of sticking out of her tongue. Which was adorable. There were also a TON of shots when she was just a blur. She's fast!


Look at that face. Please keep in mind that her torso is basically the same size as Geoff's hand. She's teeny!


After Gabby we headed home. A nap was in order for Geoff. And I took him out to dinner at Bliss, one of our neighborhood haunts. The owner and waiters all know us and are so nice. We had a lovely meal and great conversation. Can't wait to do that every day on vacation in 10 days!

Farmer's Market

Last Friday I left work early. We're supposed to get off at 2pm every Friday in the summer, but with my job we rarely actually do. Well, I defied them all and bought tickets online for a 3pm Time Traveller's Wife (not the worlds greatest movie, but Rachel McAdams was amazing and I definitely cried at least 3 times, so just perfect for a summer Friday).

After the movie we had about an hour to kill before going to see our friend Marisa's show on Long Island. So we wandered through the Union Square Farmer's Market. Now, I LOVE a farmer's market. Particularly this one. I will never forget the morning of my friend Megan's wedding two years ago when Marisa, Alison & I went to this very farmer's market to buy a bunch of flowers and then took them to the church and created the centerpieces for their reception. One of my favorite NYC memories.

Well, Alison instantly bought some blackberries, so she could make a tart. Clearly. I heard later it was a blackberry tequila lime tart. Um. Can you imagine?

I didn't have my real camera with me...just my little digital point & shoot....but took a ton of pics.

Tomatoes...as far as the eye can see...


Peaches in a wooden crate. Clearly. My friend Courtney & her family go to a farm every weekend in the summer and pick their own fruit. This is my version of it.


Endless produce




Hanging Peaches...


Flowers in galvanized buckets!! I was BESIDE myself and took a zillion pictures of them. I love things in galvanized buckets.


Alison loved these flowers when she was a kid. I can't remember what their called, but when she was younger she thought they looked like brains.


Plants - I love them. I want to buy them all. I want a garden!


As we were walking to Penn station, sadly leaving the Farmer's Market, we saw this lady. Wish I could have snapped her from the front. She had an amazingly huge pink cowgirl hat and I think huge pink sunglasses. She is amazing. And hopefully, she is also headed to the Farmer's Market before she goes to her gig. Man, I hope so.

Nantucket Red - Winding Down

Sunday morning - another gorgeous day. Clay & some of the guys headed off for golf. The rest of us chilled on the deck. Us New Yorkers had decided we were going to enjoy the day and travel back late night to avoid traffic. I was in a little bit of a funk, honestly and needed to get away. So after a little deck time, the three of us (plus Rupert) hopped in the car and headed to Orleans with the idea of lunch out and a little bike ride.

Rupert with his hair in the wind...


We stopped for lunch at The Lobster Pot, a great little seafood place with a huge front deck and picnic tables. Homemade onion rings to share. Alison had inquired about Steamers, but our waiter's description sounded a little scary, so we opted out. Something about a "membrane" put us off. Our waiter was awesome by the way. Classic Cape Cod-er. Probably late 50s, gray hair in a pony tail, skin weathered by the sun and sea air and the classic Cape Cod accent. A few moments later, he came back with a plate full of steamers and sat down at the table with us. "I'm gonna give you a little lesson," he said. "I'll talk you through." So he gave us instructions and it was awesome. And they were good! I'd never been a huge seafood lover. But now....look out! Alison and I even both ordered Lobster Rolls for lunch. Never done that before either. I knew mom would be so proud.

We had a long, leisurely lunch. That and two margaritas cured my funky mood. And also ate up about 2 hours, so we opted to skip the bike ride and head back to the house, as we had secured a boat ride with CLay for the afternoon, just the four of us.

Got back to the house and rested briefly before heading out in the boat. It was so awesome to have Clay to ourselves for an hour. We packed a bottle of wine and some snacks and headed out.

Clay & Alison



Alison


Me lovin' the boat....


Saw a ton of awesome boats....here's the awesomest one (yes, I know that's not a real word).


More super cool boats






Clay & Alison again...



Hooray for the Cape. And for the weekend extravaganza. Wish we could get there more often...