I hit the jackpot this weekend because Sunday was also blissfully work-free. This left Evan and I ample time for something I've always wanted to do -- leaf hunt on the east coast! So we borrowed our friend, Justin's car, crossed the George Washington Bridge and headed north along the Hudson River on the Palisades Parkway.Although I didn't catch too many with my camera, we spotted some gorgeously vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and fading greens all along the way. Passing all sorts of Stars Hollow-esque little towns, we stopped off at small farmers' market for some local Cortland apples and Bosc pears (which will go towards this dark gingerbread pear cake this week, mmm.) We kept driving north to Cold Spring, a quaint town with lots of antique shops and great views of Bear Mountain on the Hudson.We even scored this fantastic 1950's fiberglass chair! (A perfect addition to our rather seating-challenged apartment, ahem.)Apparently, the colors of the leaves are even brighter the further you head upstate, but we did spy some beauties along the way.I have to say I'm liking this first eastern autumn.
Ahh, what a difference a day makes! One thing I've learned from being in New York for almost two months is that it's very easy to work in New York. You could literally work ALL THE TIME in New York. It is, however, much harder to live. This weekend, for the first time since I started working (and excluding last weekend in San Diego), I've had my first weekend free of my ever-so-demanding crackberry, yay! Thankfully, we were also blessed with fantastic autumnal weather. Started off the weekend with a run through Riverside Park to the 79th Street Boat Basin for a taste of the Marina in the Upper West Side. Worked up enough of an appetite for Nova and cream cheese on an everything bagel from Absolute Bagel.Then met my friend, Eliza, for a spirited taiko performance outside our apartment in Straus Park.Picked up a new Obama button.Headed into the city to run some errands and happened upon a little flea market.Then indulged in some pretzel croissants and decadent hot chocolate from City Bakery, mmm.Oh Saturday, how I've missed you. Perhaps we'll meet again next weekend?
I've been insanely busy my first week of work! I seem to have a knack for starting new jobs that require immediate overtime, ugh. In any case, here's a delayed post on our trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Buffalo, New York: it's the perfect place for a destination wedding, isn't it? It is, of course, if the bride-to-be is a Buffalo native! It was a beautiful wedding and so great to see SF friends again.
The ceremony was held at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Downtown Buffalo (aka, the B-lo).After the requisite routine of standing, sitting, and crossing that goes into a traditional Catholic wedding, the happy newlyweds, Amy and Matt, emerged, beaming!We had a bit of time between the ceremony and the reception, so per the bride's recommendation (I have been working too hard), we had our first plate of proper wings at Gabriel's Gate. (Note: if you want to look like a native, wings are just called wings in Buffalo.) Mmm, these were quite tasty!Clearly.Fortified with wings, we headed to the reception, which was held at the Briarwood Country Club in Hamburg, NY.I don't have too many pictures after the reception started and the west coast girls hit the dance floor. (Seriously, the only other guests who really got down were all of the older women to the tune of Billy Idol's "Mony, Mony."* Who knew it was such a favorite?)
On Sunday, we took a trip to the American side of Niagara Falls, which in and of themselves are beautiful and quite impressive. (The surrounding touristy environs...meh, not so much.) No Maid of the Mist tour, but maybe next time, ha. Other noteworthy, but unrelated sights include the Smoker's Oasis and Butt Depot.Not sure if this is exclusive to Western NY, or if it's an east coast thing. (KW and KN, please clarify.)
We capped off our trip to Buffalo with another one of its specialties, Beef on Weck. Kind of like a french dip roast beef sandwich, but on a wonderfully soft salt and caraway seed encrusted roll. Now this is something I could eat fairly regularly! (Not that I couldn't eat wings regularly, but I think I would explode if I did. Note: the beef on weck actually came with a side of wings, ha.) Such a fun, but quick weekend. Before we knew it, we were flying back home! (See Central Park below.) Until the next eastern destination getaway!
*In the spirit of the last post, here's another musical interlude to get you dancing. Go on, cut a rug!
We interrupt our usual eastern destination posting to bring you a Mets win from Queens! Tonight, superstar ace, Johan Santana took the mound to the beat of Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana* to pitch a brilliant game against the Chicago Cubs. His focus remained intact, even after the field was rushed by an overweight, but quick and likely inebriated fan. With the Braves beating the Phils and Milwaukee losing to the Pirates, the pennant race is on!** Here's one first and last look at Shea Stadium before it's replaced by Citi Field.*In case you've been living under a rock, here's a little musical interlude to refresh your memory.
**Special thanks to my sporty guestblogger. (Buffalo post coming soon; this working girl misses her life of leisure, ha.)
Damn my complaining about the humidity! It's subtle, but there's a noticeable chill in the air and the shadows are getting longer as we enter autumn in New York City. Pretty soon, we'll be saying good-bye to the Mister Softee trucks on the street corners. It's a time for transition -- and the end my days as a lady of leisure. Come Monday, I will be gainfully employed. Footloose and fancy-free in New York City no longer, bah.
As a final Friday free day hurrah, we treated ourselves to one last weekday special lunch at Land.A bite of gelato from Grom (pistachio and bacio in the background and yogurt and pear in the foreground).And to go out with a bang, $52.58 worth of Murray's Cheese, Vermont cultured butter with sea salt, spicy soppressata, cornichons, and a bamboo cheeseboard. (We bought a bamboo board, but I thought this olive wood one had a great description and My Fair Lady reference.)
I guess I have to support my expensive cheese habit somehow, sigh.
Off to Buffalo for a wedding, so have a great weekend!
Although I didn't catch too many with my camera, we spotted some gorgeously vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and fading greens all along the way.
Passing all sorts of Stars Hollow-esque little towns, we stopped off at small farmers' market for some local Cortland apples and Bosc pears (which will go towards this dark gingerbread pear cake this week, mmm.) We kept driving north to Cold Spring, a quaint town with lots of antique shops and great views of Bear Mountain on the Hudson.
We even scored this fantastic 1950's fiberglass chair! (A perfect addition to our rather seating-challenged apartment, ahem.)
Apparently, the colors of the leaves are even brighter the further you head upstate, but we did spy some beauties along the way.
I have to say I'm liking this first eastern autumn.
