Three Monkeys and a Hobo

Okay so this post has nothing to do with nothing.  Hmmm...double negative?  Everything to do with nothing?  Whatever.

Anyhow, sometimes I just get all giddy momma and take random pictures of our monkeys for no apparent reason other than I want to preserve the moment.  I get all hormonal and emotional and that camera just comes out like a reflex.  It's like the only way I can stop them from growing is to freeze frame them forever in a digital holding pattern.

I love these three monkeys and their crazy antics.

Also, I love the hobo on the bench next to them. 

Shhhh!  He's sleeping. Despite all the noise from the monkey gallery next to him. 

Hugs, 

Melissa

Magnifying the Bombastic City

We have now entered our fourth and final week here in New York.  This city is so vast, so diverse, so dynamic.  It is layer upon layer of people, history, culture, art, cuisine, fashion, industry, transportation, recreation, nature and on and on.  Such a big, bombastic city on the surface, but let's go deeper, look a little closer at the million tiny details that mesh together to make New York, well...New York.

These are some shots from today...(please click on the picture to enlarge).

Golden Wreath from Ancient Greece (MET)

Reconstructed facade of the Tiffany Family House in New York (MET)

In a hurry in Central Park.

Bath time in Central Park.

Guardians of the East 81 Street Playground in Central Park...

Love...

Tunnel of Angels frescos and mosaics in detail (Central Park)...

Hidden Owls... (The Mall in Central Park)

Flowered Bench (The Mall Central Park)

Central Park Carousel

There is so much more that I want to share with you.  Yesterday's ferry ride, our favorite haunts for food, tips for traveling with kids, our hiking adventures, but I just felt the need today to slow down and take in all the details, smell the roses, see the forest for the trees, and all that jazz. 

Hugs,

Melissa

Two Fleas and a Dog

Flea markets that is, with Asian style hot dogs thank you very much.  Of course, my monkeys weren't going for the pork belly or kimchee toppings.  Plain Janes!

The past two weekends we have ventured over to Brooklyn to attend the super delicious Smorgasburg and vintage vibby Brooklyn Flea.  Neither disappointed.  I mean come on, what's there not to love about...


Takoyaki, which I ADORE and have not had since we were in Osaka 10 years ago.  Taste buds let me reintroduce you to my little friends tako and yaki.

 How about Connecticut style lobster rolls?  All buttery goodness.

 Frozen s'more, anyone? No?  Okay, I'll eat yours, and mine, and theirs...

The big dogs went in for the kill with buttermilk battered, fried chicken and cheddar waffles. No, they did not share.  Bad dogs!

The little dog went for some McClure's dill potato chips.  He didn't share either.  I basically had to sneak a few. Incidentally, Bob McClure, the founder of McClure's Pickles is such a family man.  I had the pleasure of seeing him speak at Alt Summit in June.  It was so nice to hear someone putting family before business.  Plus, their pickles are AMAZING!

How fun are these brick gardens?

These antique ceiling tiles were calling my name.

Plus, this table and chair set?  I am so digging that emerald green.

Distressed purple?  Purple is such a fun flashy color and it was very unexpected to see it distressed.  I like it though.

Antique fan, keys and cameras...

What a cool set up they have over there in Williamsburg!  Fantastic food, cool finds, and gorgeous views of Manhattan. 

Plus, Brooklyn?  You are quite the character.  It was fun to meet you!

 Hugs,

Melissa

What's Happening Hot Stuff?

Do you remember the movie "Sixteen Candles" with Molly Ringwald?  It was my ABSOLUTE favorite movie so, so very long ago when I was...ahem...younger.

It's funny, because when I watched it just recently, I didn't think it was as hilarious as I remember it being.  I mean, there are some great one liners that Molly Ringwald had to endure from her gentleman suitors. The scene where Anthony Michael Hall, is dancing around saying, "Very hot, very hot!" kills me every time.  Also, this scene....

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAH!!!!!!!!! (Time out! I need a puff from my inhaler.  This cold we have all come down with has kicked my lungs.) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Speaking of candles, birthdays and gentlemen suitors, I recently celebrated my 31st birthday (plus 10 years).  It was tons of fun to party with my monkeys and Pete here in the big city!!! 

There was chocolate cake (Dad is great!  He gives us the chocolate cake! Name that movie.)

A candle app (because if we had used that many real candles it would be a fire hazard)...

A yuppie fern bar...

Parmesan / Truffle french fries...

My gentleman suitor....

Live music....

And just a really awesome, amazing time!  Getting older is not so bad.  Right? Right? (crickets chirping)

Hugs, 

Melissa

Divine

There is a stunning cathedral, Saint John the Divine,  just down the street from where we are staying.  We can see it as we walk west.  Yesterday, the sun was setting behind the church and the dome was aglow.

Earlier in the day, the girls and I had gone to Saint John's to listen to a children's choir from Valencia, Spain.  Their angelic voices resounded in the mammoth main hall of the church, swelling higher and higher up, up to the tippy top of the domes, caressing the arches and our ears. Such a treat!

After their stunning performance, we had some time to explore the massive basilica with its seven separate chapels.  I may have taken quite a few pictures, but I just could not help myself.  Oh, and I am a sucker for stained glass, so be prepared. 

This is my favorite window in the whole church, the picture does not come even close to capturing its beauty.  The one on the website is much better.  If I had to have a license to use a camera, I wouldn't be using a camera. I stink at taking photos.

 I also LOVE doors.  Especially ornately carved ones with super amazing handles.

 Arches, and buttresses and domes, oh my!

This picture below is my favorite. It reminds me of Lite Bright.

The cathedral is of the Gothic Revival style and construction was first started on it waaaaaaaay back in 1892.  It is the largest Gothic Revival Cathedral in the world. The Statue of Liberty could stand comfortably inside the Central dome.  Guess what?  It is still under construction!  Sadly, a fire destroyed a large portion of the east wing of the church.

We are discovering something new every day here.  This was one of my favorite little massive finds.

Hugs,

Melissa