holiday wear

I'm just back from a holiday coffee where the hostess served the most delicious frittatas, fruit salad with mint and mini ginger scones. Scones were from my kitchen-away-from home, Aux Delices. It was fun to catch up with people I don't see any more as the girls have graduated from the local high school and my social world has contracted. In a good way. Something that continues to amaze me (even after living in this country for over 20 years) is the attention to festive clothing, particularly in December, particularly at holiday coffees. Much as I think I want to find that perfect red sweater, possibly embellished with a few sparkly silver and white snowflakes, I just can't commit. Other ladies look lovely in their holiday garb - me, not so much. So for now it has to be the tartan "perfect" shirt from J. Crew and, when that is in the wash, a black sweater accessorized with an Hermes scarf - "Les Plaisirs du Froid" or "Joies d'Hiver". Now that's festive dressing.

holiday sights

Here are a couple of delightful sights that I wanted to share yesterday but it took w-a-y too long to load the pics so I'm trying again today. Spur of the moment, on a chilly but sunny day last week, I drove to the NYBG to look at the Xmas tree - it's huge and gorgeous and it's actually trees, plural.

Yesterday, when I was in the city, my friend and I spent some time looking at the Bergdorf Goodman windows. The detail is incredible and they seem to get more creative every year.

NYBG

under the sea

everything in this window is made of paper

what did i do this week?

Or what did I accomplish? I did a lot and accomplished nothing. Such is the life of a empty nester and it's quite nice. After two months of the girls being away, I think I'm finally getting into a routine (some may call it a rut...). Wake up, drive the Mr. to the train, head down to the beach, walk for an hour, shop for groceries, go home. Do various administrative tasks, have lunch, take the dog for a walk, cook dinner, greet the Mr., have dinner and find something fun to watch on TV. Repeat. Routine or rut? You decide. In addition, this week I also: had a day in the city, voted in the local elections, waited for cableguy, went to yoga, played 9 holes of golf, attended needlepoint class and played mah jongg. I do miss having my girls at home but I'm enjoying the new normal. Not going to lie.

how does he do it?

So today a friend and I went to the NYBG to watch genius Ray Villafane carve the world's largest pumpkin - over 1,800 lbs. When we got there he was already at work: he explained that he had carved some pieces beforehand to get a "head" start. Yesterday he added the arms and today the hands and fingers appeared before our eyes. He took a block of flesh from another massive pumpkin and, without drawing or measuring, he expertly modelled perfect zombie fingers. We left before he had quite finished the other hand but we'll be watching him on Halloween Wars on the Food Network tonight.

look ma, no hands



zombie two around the side



almost done...

fairfield femme goes to frat party

Strange but true. So, my fab sisters and a niece have just left after a whirlwind trip to Connecticut (and more). In three weeks I drove to JFK four times, into the city three times, and to Virginia TWICE. Their visit was basically one long highlight but some of our favorites were:

• breakfast at Barney Greengrass
• a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens
• the High Line
• the Sessa exhibition at Gagosian Gallery
• lunch at "Seako" at UMW
• a soccer match at UMW
• daughter one's 21st birthday party at Orzo
• Monticello
• UVA vs Idaho football

And during our visit to Charlottesville, I got an invitation from a charming young friend of D1 to his fraternity fund raiser - so I went with my sister (and D1 of course). We didn't stay long as to not embarrass the crowd but we got to pose with the host (and a red solo cup). I did not actually go INSIDE the frat house - I knew better than that.

walkway at UMW



nybg close up



monticello



sessa exhibition



view from high line

what a week

It's Tuesday - hard to believe that a week ago we had left the northeast to drive daughter two to college in the south. (Does Northern Virginia qualify as "the south"?) As we were driving our cell phones buzzed with texts, most of which said, "Are you alright?". Seems that we were headed into an earthquake zone... Fortunately there was not too much damage to people and property, and daughter was able to move into her dorm the next day. BUT, that night there was a strong aftershock that woke me and many others, and the next day there was a massive electrical storm in Virginia resulting in a power outage at daughter's school. Same daughter then had to spend 36 hours in her dorm as Irene tore up the East Coast. What a way to start freshman year.

And then there is the post-Irene effect around here: so much damage and so many people without power. We have been lucky so far - a few "power less" hours last night and no water damage. Long may it last!

nabe at nite

With the Mr. and daughter one down south and daughter two saying farewell to high school classmates before she heads off to college, I found myself home alone last evening. But my lovely neighbors were sitting on their porch and invited me over. Their porch is a small square of delight, open on one side to a flower garden and with a view of street activities on the other. No matter that a violent thunderstorm struck while we had dinner - it was a perfect spontaneous evening with friends.

leaves of three

Inadvertently I did not "let them be" and now I am covered in a poison ivy rash. I'm not sure how I came to be so affected - there is a patch by the mailbox and fence; there's some on the golf course; there's a wall of it on my dog walking route. Perhaps there is no way of avoiding it? The Mr. got it first - he was gardening and I'm not sure he'll ever garden again. I thought he was a bit dramatic regarding the itch and the burn. Oh no, he wasn't. My dear dermatologist friend prescribed some cortisone and that helps calm the itch for a bit but then another patch appears... I'm just going to have to ride this thing out. And be more careful of those leaves of three.

On a more positive note, tomorrow I am taking my dog to a paw-ty. It's to celebrate the birthday of these two adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and I'm going with my friend and her dog. This year it's a 60's theme - Dixie doesn't dress up but most of the other dogs do. I'll try to get some photos!

fun and festive fireworks

Ok so I haven't posted in a while. There was all the end-of-the-school-year stuff including prom (pre, actual and post) and graduation (pre, actual and post), plus parties and let's not forget the driver's license. Yes, she got it! Now I must calm my nerves enough to allow her to actually DRIVE... Oh, and all the planning for that daughter's trip to England, Israel, England, Switzerland and Israel with the cousins. And the Mr.'s triathlon for which I was enormously supportive (according to me) during training and the event. I will admit to having spent quite a lot of time doing a couple of things for myself as well - playing rounds of golf and making batches of hot fudge sauce.

But now I'm back and last night we went to watch the fireworks with our lovely neighbors. They do ALL the work setting up the picnic area in the park and we show up with our bits and pieces of contribution - last night it was swiss chard tart and green salad with lemon vinaigrette. There's nothing quite like dining outdoors with family and friends especially when dessert is Ina's brownie tart. And after dessert, fireworks: this year they seemed a little too close and a little too noisy but visually they were as spectacular as ever.

sign of summer

With twisters and tornadoes in other parts of the country and wet weather followed by heat and humidity here, we finally got a touch of summer yesterday. Fortunately it was my 9 holer day - it was a gorgeous morning to spend outdoors chasing that little white ball around. It was so nice that I did the same thing this morning - how lucky am I?

Summer announces itself in my rather shabby garden by a burst of pink peonies. They are beautiful and then they are gone. Perhaps I should spend more time in the garden and less on the golf course?

they've gone



empty nest

The chicks all flew away on Sunday. I spent a large part of the day watching them cautiously step/hop out of the nest on to a branch; hang out for a while; and then, in an enormous feat of courage, spread their wings and fly away - to the neighbor's house! The last one to leave had a touch of "failure to launch" - he or she fluttered down to the steps and, not liking that, went back to the nest. That one hung around a bit and yesterday even ventured onto the windowsill for a rest - the dog was quite curious. Today I see no sign of Jnr. so I suspect he/she found the necessary wings to be independent.

neighborhood news

When I peeked out of the window this morning I noticed that one of the robin chicks had ventured out of the nest and was standing on a branch. I think the babies are getting ready to leave the nest. It's getting pretty tight in there - I'm surprised they can all still fit. The parents continue to supply them with bugs and worms but soon they will be on their own. I'm going to miss them terribly. BUT at least my nest is full with the return of my college daughter (and all her stuff) for the summer.

how do they all fit in there?

My lovely neighbors were busy yesterday cleaning the garage. Mr. L. reminded me that when I moved here 17 years ago from the city I asked, "Why would anyone need to sweep out the garage?" It took me only a few months of a harsh winter and pollen-laden spring to work that one out!

on the neighbor's porch

chick update

The four teeny robins are growing up so fast! When I first spied them they must have just hatched because they looked all embryonic and smooth. Yesterday their wings were visible - just the skeleton really but the feathers are starting to come in. The parents are spending all their time looking for worms and bringing them back to the nest. The chicks are hungry all the time. I got a little close for the mother's comfort and she almost dive-bombed me. I felt bad for upsetting her so I'll be staying away and watching through the window from now on.

azaleas at the new york botanical garden

eggs have hatched

The photos were taken through a window but how cute is this?

spring golf

I am an awful golfer - I have no style, no strength and no situational awareness. I came to the game late in life and it's been downhill from there. But I love being out on the course. I love a good shot when I occasionally have one; I love an effective chip out of the rough; and I love the sound of the ball rolling into the cup on the putting green. Today was my first official round of the season and early spring golf it was. But I had a fun partner; it didn't rain and I didn't lose any balls in the water. I consider it to be a good start!

neigborhood nest

I've been mildly jealous of our neighbors for the past few springs. Lovely as they are and lovely as their vine-covered porch is, I don't understand why the robins make their nests over there and not over here. There's something promising about a robin flying in and out of a carefully constructed curve and when the little eggs hatch and the chick's mouths open for food and song you know that spring is here. So, I invite myself to sit with the neighbors to share the pleasure. But this year the Mr. pointed out a nest in the holly bush RIGHT outside the front door! It's carefully camouflaged and up high out of the way of predators so I live in hope of chicks and cheer any day now.



just moved in



wedding and anniversary

Yes, I got up early to watch William and Catherine get married and turned on the TV just as the bride emerged from the hotel wearing that gorgeous gown that suited her slender figure so well. It's my wedding anniversary today: this time 22 years ago we got married in a ceremony that could not have been less like a traditional wedding - on the beach in Key West. I wore a white shirt and a patterned Kenzo skirt with a marvellous pair of green suede flats. Husband wore shorts and a button down shirt. I had a garden flower bouquet; he had a great tan from windsurfing that morning. There were four guests. A little different than today's hoopla but, hey, we're still together and in fact we are celebrating by playing golf this afternoon - a true test of true love!

easter treat

When my girls were little (and not so little) the wonderful neighbors would leave a message from the Easter bunny written in chalk on the driveway and scatter candy-filled eggs on the lawn. The girls would eagerly await Easter morning to see what the bunny had written and left for them. They would scurry outside with their little straw baskets to pore over the greeting and collect the treats. It never failed to delight. Today I looked out and saw two little eggs - one greenwich green, one lilly pink - tucked in next to the morning paper. Yes, we were delighted! 




a bit of color on a cloudy day



a day of activities

for someone else. Perhaps it's time my daughter got her driving license? It's school vacation and we don't have plans - she's keeping herself busy enough but she IS old enough to drive and I really must make that happen. It doesn't qualify as a "favorite thing" for me but it should be for her and I might be getting in the way of that. So today she will drive to track practice, the eye doctor and her viola lesson and I will sit next to her while I try to be calm, patient and quiet. Taking my pulse surreptitiously.

wonderful wedding weekend

I'm just back from the.best.weekend.ever. Husband and I flew to the west coast of Florida for a wedding. My dear friend had spent months planning the wedding and allied activities and it was evident in every second of the magnificent and magical weekend. Fortunately travel all went smoothly (apart from a major traffic jam on the Whitestone Bridge on the way to JFK) and we arrived in time for sunset cocktails and dinner on the beach. 




picture perfect evening



Much later after dinner we wandered over to a quaint establishment for additional refreshments. That night I felt like a college student but not so much the next day when the sun rose! Husband went off for a round of golf and I headed to the beach where I made a new friend and we walked and talked up and down the shore. I spent the day swimming and sunning and enjoying all the treats of the beach club. The wedding ceremony took place on a banyan tree lined street in the middle of the village - it was a glorious evening and the bride was a vision of beauty in an off-white lace dress and family veil.




base of a banyan



After the ceremony we all walked together through town to the inn for the reception - dinner followed by dancing until the wee hours: so many lovely people, gorgeous flowers, great band, delicious food - including midnight treats. There's something to be said about a grilled cheese sandwich eaten as the clock strikes twelve during a night of revelry (and wine)! On Sunday morning husband struggled bravely on his run to the lighthouse before joining me at the beach for a swim. Suitable energized we joined the family and friends for brunch before catching our flight during which the Mr. was able to watch the Masters. Nice!

walk the course

eleventh fairway

the pond

After having spent nine hours in the car yesterday (accompanying daughter to an accepted students day at a college in Maryland) I needed to get out this morning for a walk and a think. So off to the golf course. The dog and I kept up a brisk pace as it was sunny but cold - she was off leash and and all I had to do was call her name every now and then when she ran off a little too far. 

back to the bronx

Yesterday I went back to the New York Botanical Garden with two of my friends. It was a spectacular sunny day: we spent some quality time with the orchids and then wandered over to the forest to see if we could catch a glimpse of the owl. And we did - it was far away and high up in a tree so we really needed binoculars...  A gentleman shared his sunflower seeds with us and we shared them with the chickadees - too cute!

which one should i choose? (thank you for the photo, f!)

divas of the plant world

Today's treat was a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens to peek at the Orchid Show. This year's theme is "On Broadway" or something along those lines. Entering the pavilion the first thing you see is a huge stage of orchids in the middle of the pond. Spectacular. I obeyed the signs and wandered through the various climate zones wondering where the performance was. And then I came upon it - truly a singular sensation - a huge chandelier of orchids hanging over a pool surrounded by layers of plants like rows of seats in a theatre. Plus a walkway of orchids everywhere; all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, fragrances: a multisensory feast. These photos don't do it justice - do visit if you can between now and the end of April.

city time

One of my favorite things is home from college for spring break. She's exhausted having had tests every day last week (plus the social commitments of a sorority girl...) and she still has work to do while she is home. One assignment is to discuss a piece of Etruscan art so yesterday we drove into the city and toured the Roman and Greek Galleries at the Met. In all my years of visiting the museum I had never been to those rooms. There are many beautiful and interesting items on display - too bad I know nothing about any of them. Fortunately she was able to enlighten me and I left a little bit wiser. A trip to the Met is not complete without a stroll over to E.A.T. on Madison Ave for a tiny ficelle sandwich - the most uncomplicated and delicious treat: a piece of crusty sourdough with butter and a couple of thin slices of either cheddar, salami or ham. And we HAD to pick up a box of cookies from William Greenberg for dessert. It was one of those perfect days to be in the city - sunny and just a little chilly - so we extended the pleasure by shopping and stopping and we had great success adding to the summer wardrobe at Olive and Bette's - what a fun store.

Another favorite thing has been rehearsing for her senior class show so I haven't seen her much. Looking forward to the first performance tomorrow!

swimsuit shopping

I'm trying really hard to post only my favorite things BUT at this stage I must share what has to be one of my least favorite things: swimsuit shopping. A couple of days ago I was browsing around Lord and Taylor for a suitable black frock for my daughter to wear for the salsa dance  (yes, salsa!) in the senior show. It must have been just minutes after the swimsuits for summer '11 had been put out on the racks. And what a cheerful and bountiful assortment of suits there were: bikinis and tankinis and full suits and cover ups in all shapes, sizes and colors. Something for everyone, I thought at the time. I didn't have time to try anything on right then so I returned the next day full of enthusiasm and hope. Perhaps I would be able to find the perfect suit to take to a wedding in Florida next month. I've been alternating between a tired, reversible Tyr racer back lap suit and some frumpy black thing from Lands End for the past couple of seasons so I'm definitely in need of an update. I cheerfully pulled a selection from the racks and went into the dressing room. Oh dear. There's a reason they don't show the full view in the 360 degree mirror on "What Not to Wear" - it's not nice. This fairfield femme's reflection gave me pause - I had to avert my eyes and almost fled in horror empty handed. But I was brave, took a deep breath and tried on one more suit. Thankfully I found it to be acceptable. It's a nice looking suit on the rack. Does it look good on me? No, but it was the best of the bunch and it will do the trick (for a few more years!).

femme and friend

went to the gym last night. I use "gym" in the losest sense of the word - it's the pool house at the golf club that is turned into a fitness center (?) over the winter. Seven machines in a row, some of which are in serious disrepair, a set of mismatched weights, some sort of upper body apparatus and one of those large body balls. It's grey. Grey. What's wrong with red or blue? Two tiny tvs, one of which wasn't working. Why do you use that particular gym you might ask? Well, it's close and the price is right. Oh yes, there is rarely any one else there - not surprising. My daughter wanted to work out so we went together and I'm so glad we did. She pedalled away on the bike and I took a stroll on the treadmill and watched CNN. It gave us an appetite for the curried shepherd's pie (Amanda Hesser) for dinner. Company, calisthenics and cooking: what more does a fairfield femme really need?

congratulations

to my sister who became an Iyengar yoga instructor yesterday. It has been a long, arduous and extremely physical process but she put in everything that was required of her (and more) and it paid off: she is qualified to teach and she is in the BEST shape. I'm awfully proud of her since I only attempt the beginner's beginner level and it's challenging enough - to do what she does is a quite a feat. Speaking of physical, we had another six inches of snow last night and woke up to a winter wonderland. Usually I smile but, because of the intense winter we've had so far, I groaned, pulled on snow pants, picked up the shovel and got to work on the driveway. Thankfully it's a holiday today so the Mr. is home and he helped. And my dear, sweet friend was visiting for the weekend with her six year old daughter so everyone pitched in. We all got a workout AND we got it cleared in no time at all!

I never see anyone I know

at the Westminster Dog Show. It's not surprising really since the dogs and owners come from all over the country for two days of delight at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps one or two are local but I don't know them and I love the anonymity of the event especially since I can't help myself from chatting to everyone who makes eye contact. Today was particularly good - we arrived in between sessions so it wasn't too crowded in the benching area and the first dog we saw was a HUGE Italian Mastiff. Of course I make the comparison to "Best In Show" the whole time - just HOW do the handlers perfect that walk? So we strolled around and admired all the beautiful dogs. And the people? Lets just say that Stacey and Clinton from What Not to Wear and Jenny from Jenny Craig could find seasons worth of suitable challenges. Oh I know, people in glass houses... We watched a few sessions in the ring and were lucky enough to see our faves, the Brittanys, gather before their contest. We'll be watching the championship round tonight.