Remnants from Hurricane Sandy

8th Ave. & 14th Street Apartment/Doll House

Yes, Sandy caused havoc on the East Coast with serious physical repercussions causing destitution -- but it also had mental side-effects. Out of all the places in the world where one would notice how consumed we are by media, gadgets, Internet, noise, lights, everything that distracts us and takes up our time, there is no better place to feel that loss than when it is all no longer available in the city that doesn’t sleep. Sandy stopped by briefly, yet rocked our world, not just with destruction and an increasing death toll, but knocking us off our figurative feet. When the lights go off in New York City, you don’t just light a candle and read a book, you go through withdrawal.  So many interactions and buzzing all around, all the time, that it creates a constant channel of noise. So when the lights turn off and the streets become empty, how do you turn down the noise that still exists in our heads?

Starbucks Midtown. People using Internet
& Charging Phones/Laptops

 For my husband and I in our studio apartment in the West Village where we had no power for five days, it started with a game of Scrabble. Considering we couldn't google for correct word spelling or definitions to make sure it was an actual word, (note to self: buy a dictionary) the game didn't last too long. We used up what was left of the iPad battery playing album after album of Miles Davis that night and crashed early. The next day he trekked to work enduring a 2-hour commute rather than his normal 20 minute ride, since there was no Subway and no buses going uptown. Meanwhile, I walked twenty blocks to the first open Starbucks in Midtown to bunker down and get some work done. Strangers took turns sharing outlets to charge their cell phones and laptops. 

By the second night with no power, we started to enjoy the romanticism of our little apartment completely aglow from candlelight. We each read and then had good conversation that didn't get interrupted by calls, or distracted by one of us being online or the other watching television. It was only him and I speaking and listening to one another -- what a difference it made. I decided when the day comes for a second home I want it to be a mountain cabin with no power! It forces you to look within: reading, writing, contemplating, resting, being at peace. 

Until than, still here in Manhattan, the city felt like we were out in the woods. Our neighborhood was still pitch black by nightfall with no lights other than a few people walking the streets with flashlights. By 8 O'clock in the evening it felt like it was 11. We were so used to looking out our windows to see lit stores, music blasting from the bar downstairs, cars whizzing by and flocks of people walking the streets -- but there was none of that now. We had noticed earlier that afternoon there was one local restaurant with a generator, so we decided to venture out for dinner that night.

Barraca is fairly new to the West Village so we were happy to try the Spanish Tapas restaurant regardless that it was the only place open. Although they had a generator, the lights were very low and fading in and out. So it was lit with candles everywhere, and we felt like we were in a speakeasy. Even though it felt like most people in our neighborhood left when the power went out, this restaurant was still crowded. We ordered two drinks at the bar while we waited for a table. 

The HIGOS & VODKA and TOMILLO & WHISKEYcocktails were just what we needed -- absolutely delicious!!! The vodka cocktail is made with: fig infused vodka, manzanilla sherry, spiced fig syrup with a smoked paprika rim. The Whiskey cocktail had Four Roses bourbon, thyme honey syrup, and Pedro Ximenez sherry.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait long for our table. Although they had a limited storm menu, there were plenty of mouthwatering items to choose from (and most from their actual menu). Rather than do entrees, we ended up ordering several tapas. We started with the Ham Croquetas (Jarrete De Ternera) and Mixed salad with roasted pears, valdeon cheese, caramelized walnuts and quince paste. I know croquetas are croquetas, but these were REALLY REALLY good! The Spanish ham was perfect with the creamy cheese, and they weren't deeply breaded or fried.  

We then moved onto the Veal Shank with onion compote, creme of cabrales cheese and dried apricots. The veal was a nice hearty and earthy choice for the season. It was served with warm bread that was perfect for layering the shredded veal on top. I would definitely order the veal shank again. Lastly we had Mollete de Cordero, mollete bread sandwich with pulled lamb, manchego cheese and piquillo ali-oli, and Patatas Bravioli, which are crispy potatoes with brava sauce and ali-oli. I'm not big into potatoes in general, but these were overall pretty good. I would have liked them to be more crispy but the ali-oli was delicious. The lamb sliders were clever with the cheese stuffed into the bread. I suppose I would say the menu in general was clever, and definitely creative. Barraca wasn't your average Spanish restaurant, it offered a nice spin to tapas. It also felt good to be wonderfully satisfied after tapas, usually you have to over-order and get too full, or you don't order enough and are still hungry. We were served the right amount of food, and the prices were very reasonable. 

We finished the night with two glasses of Sangria. I chose one of the sweeter options, SANGRIA CANARIAS, Viura white wine, Don Q Coco rum, lemongrass, cucumber juice, pineapple juice and Charles had the SANGRIA COMPOSTELA, Albarino white wine, sake, apple-rosemary purée, lemongrass.                                                                 

What I particularly liked about Barraca was the laid-back ambiance. There was no pretense, servers weren't snobby or stand-offish, and unlike other West Village hosts who don't realize their job description means hospitable, here they were friendly and attentive. Although we were braving the storm outside, with the delicious meal, cocktails and wonderful service from Barraca, we felt absolutely warm and cocooned from it all in our local Spanish Cave. 

Charging Station at Bonsignour Cafe

The next evening we saw that our local cafe, Bonsignour on the corner of Jane and 8th Ave. was having a community barbecue. It looked like they took on the cost to buy a generator, and created their own charging station outside for all of us neighbors to congregate to. Most generously, Bonsignour grilled burgers and provided veggies and chips for everyone. We sat and listened to transistor radios playing the evening news. I had met neighbors I had never seen before and everyone was in jovial spirits even though we still didn't have hot water or electricity. What a sense of community! 

Block Party to beat Hurricane Sandy! Thanks to Bonsignour

Maybe that has been one of the biggest shifts from Hurricane Sandy -- people took the time to stop and look, even say hello. You can walk down a busy avenue with tens of thousands of people and never share a word, everyone on a mission rushing to their destination. Bump into someone on the bus and no “excuse me” is offered. Ride a full subway car yet it's nearly silent because people have their headphones on, eyes down staring at their smartphones in a zombie like state. No one even notices the other person.  At least for a few days Downtown, albeit brief considering the lights are back on, we got a chance to get off auto-pilot and connect with people. It seems that food has that power, only needing a few people to share it with to fully enjoy together.  

First Gardening in NYC... On the Fire Escape

Step 1: Flower Shopping in Union Square Farmer's Market!

I was like a kid in a candy shop; so much to choose from at great prices and good quality. Word of advice, DO NOT BUY annuals from big box stores like Home Depot, because they do not last and you've wasted money and precious time planting them for nothing!

Step 2: Take Inventory (for me on my studio's kitchen countertop/stove)

Before going to buy pots, dirt & anything else, list what you have to work with or you will definitely overbuy or get confused when you get there and possibly buy the wrong things you don't end up needing (stick to your mission). For me it was 2 med. size pots; 1 deep size pot; 2 window boxes; 2 bags of dirt that should have been 3 (ran out again later) & a mini shovel (never used it/prefer my hands).

When living in the city notice my transportation back with shopping goods from Home Depot. A baby stroller that works perfectly for loading up full of goods.

Step 3: Choose your Planting Spot & Get Dirty

Since I had to bring the flowers up to my apartment and then

go out again to get pots/dirt etc. I didn't want to have to bring the flowers back downstairs to go outside to do the potting, to then have to move everything back upstairs to the fire escape/veranda. So I decided to do my first gardening in the city in my little studio apartment with my Gigi, Jazz & 30s swing blasting in the background, Starbucks Iced Coffee and big plastic bags spread out on the floor.

Step 4: If Putting out on Fire Escape do it at night so you don't water anyone's head while walking by :)

****TIPS****

1) Notice the fancy leather

gardening gloves on the floor above. Those were a beautiful present from my man. Although they were greatly accepted with loads of love, they're not needed when it comes to potting. Planting is like Politics, you gotta dig in & get your hands dirty to get the job done. (not bad for a one liner :)

2) When planting an herb garden separate mint and basil. Mint will overspread and take over the rest of the herbs so pot it separately. Because Basil tends to need more water then the rest of the herbs I was planting I also separated it.

3) Keep name tags for herbs to put in the pot next to each one, as to know which is which and their proper care instructions.

4) Don't put too much dirt in the pots. My mom taught me that if you load up on the dirt to the tip top of the pot, there is no room for watering and the dirt will spill over the sides. You can always add more if needed.

5) Use COMMON SENSE when purchasing, especially in the city. One flower shop was charging a whopping $10 for one 4pack of little fillers. For what I comparatively saw in the Farmer's Markets a pack was anywhere from $2-4 depending on how many you bought.

So What did I plant?

1) Herb Garden: Italian Parsley, French Tarragon, Rosemary and Thyme. Can't you just smell

the herbs?!?! I literally can every morning with the window open. If you have a windowsill it's a great place for herbs because the breeze will bring in a burst of all those beautiful "herbalicious" scents.

2) Two Separate pots, one with Mint and one with Basil. Plant some of your family members' favorite herbs in honor of them, and you have a nice reminder of your loved ones reflective in your

garden. When I think of mint all I can think of is my grandfather always having a sprig in his shirt pocket & sniffing the heck out of it throughout the day while in his yard.

3) Sunflower with Cranberry Sunsatia crawling on the bottom. The sunflower hasn't bloomed yet but it should any day now and I'll repost a picture. They just make me smile -- I'll share its sunshine with y'all when I get a good pic.

4) My Rainbow "NON-Hanging" Basket of Petunias, Pansies, Yellow African Daisies & mini orange Azalea. I wanted a hanging box for this arrangement, but I thought it more wise not to hang the box up after all. If you are going to hang any flower boxes and you live above a busy sidewalk or street, I would hang them up on the inside of the rail just to be on the safe side. The last thing you want is for it to fall on someone walking by below!

Well, as parting words I would just like to say what a fantastic day I had yesterday shopping for the flowers with Gigi, going to get the pots, doing the potting on my living room floor with singing Ella in the background and transporting all of the finished boxes out onto the fire escape. If you love flowers than there's nothing better to do on such a gorgeous day. For me the flowers aesthetically add so much to my living space, and so much fun going through the

planting process. I love looking out and noticing any new buds or what has blossomed. Not too mention my man who loves to cook especially loves reaching out the window to use our fresh herbs! I hope this post was helpful.

Cheers from Jojo and Gigi in Abingdon Square