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