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.  

Inspired by Monet at the New York Botanical Garden

A good friend of mine Christine shared this beautiful video collage of flowers and classical music with me. Thanks Christine, I agree, it is "SPECTACULAR"!

Going in line with this video, I wanted to share my recent floral inspiration after visiting the Monet Exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden. I love New York for its surprises -- who would have thought that right in the middle of the concrete jungle of the Bronx is one of the most glorious nature preserves. As you walk through the gates into the 250 acres of preserved landscape you are taken by the tall Pines, Oaks, Maples, Evergreens, Spruces, and exotic breeds of trees that have been gifted to the NYBG. Visit the Azalea Garden in the spring or the Rockefeller Rose Garden, or the Conifer Arboretum.

The Monet Exhibit is a recreation of the painter's gardens from his home in Giverny. It is a mix of vibrant colors and aromas that inspired the French Impressionist to create his masterpieces such as The Waterlily Pond, Le Jardin aux iris, Giverny, or Red Poppies.    



"My Most Beautiful Work of Art is My Garden."
                                        --Claude Monet

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED in the BERKSHIRES

Other than basking in the sun at Tanglewood on a Sunday afternoon, we also got to visit two places we really wanted to go to in the Berkshires. I absolutely have to share my enthusiasm for The Mount, Edith Wharton's Estate and the Norman Rockwell Museum. If you visit the Berkshires you have to make time for these two extraordinary places full of beauty and artistic expression.

Freedom from Want (1943) 1 of the Four Freedoms

We started at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, where just the ride out there is worth it, let alone the largest collection of Rockwell paintings inside.

The Problem We All Live With (1963)

As a former print reporter, I appreciate Rockwell's paintings as social commentary for the era he lived in, that speak so eloquently, through imagery, of our America. He so wonderfully captured what the zeitgeist of the nation was during World War II and going into the 70s. He not only chose powerful scenes to capture, such as, The Problem We All Live With (1963) to The Four Freedoms (1943), and The Golden Rule (1961),

The Golden Rule (1961) Also found in the
United Nations Building as a mosaic on the 3rd floor

but the way he painted the people's expressions in his art was as if you could see their thoughts, or at least imagine your own — ones that transcend time. The museum's free guided tours are so informative and descriptive of the collection and the artist — the guide we had was wonderful. I very much enjoyed learning about the story behind the Four Freedoms, and how Rockwell painted those after being inspired from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union Address in 1941, and how they were published in The Saturday Evening Post to rally the country during war.

May we be rocking away in these when we're old & gray.

After we left The Norman Rockwell Museum we drove to Main Street in Stockbridge to do some window shopping at the country stores, and take a break on the rocking chairs at The Red Lion Inn. Main Street in Stockbridge is like a blast from the past -- you may just be stepping into the 50s, and if you go to the Red Lion Inn you may just be stepping into the 1850s. The Inn from 1773 has hosted six U.S. presidents.

Entering the Estate

 We reached the Mount, the spectacular gardens and estate of the American Author, Edith Wharton. It is one of the most beautiful walks on a pathway through the forest, lined with grand pines, ferns and mossy patches.  After learning Wharton's story as the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, first woman to receive an honorary degree from Yale, a humanitarian volunteering in World War I, a free thinker, and her classical philosophy of simplicity for home design, I fell in love with her. I happily purchased three of her books at the Mount's bookstore including The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence because I was told 100% of the proceeds goes towards the restoration of the estate. I just started reading Wharton's autobiography, A Background Glance.  After touring the estate and admiring Wharton as a human being, I have now become a member, which not only helps preserve her memory as one of America's great female authors and supports the estate, but you also receive great perks like free visits throughout the year, invitations to special events and a discount to the bookstore. 

Dining Room

Foyer

Enjoying lunch & wine on the terrace overlooking
the gardens. Live music & lectures are also
offered on the terrace. 

Charles at the fountain in the gardens

Tanglewood: 1 Year Wedding Anniversary

The Forest walking towards Edith Wharton's Estate, The Mount

I don't mean to start this beautiful celebratory piece on the macabre side, but after visiting Lenox this past weekend for our one year wedding anniversary, I now know where I want my ashes to be released (not the exact spot, but I sure do know it's in the Berkshires). You might be asking why start this blog post with the image of death, but for me it more validates that this anniversary trip returning to the place Charles and I got married only validated that we chose right, not only in life and love but yes, even in death.

We chose right to be husband and wife, we chose right to stay together for 9 years going strong, we chose right in choosing each other to complement the other, and we chose right for Lenox. Our decision to get married in the Berkshires ultimately came down to who we are individually and as a couple, our interests and values and who we want to be moving forward together in our union. The Berkshires are a splendid respite to the daily chaos, a natural setting filled with culture, arts and peace.

We started our anniversary weekend at Tanglewood. We arrived a little late, but we made up for it staying past the wee hours being the last ones to leave the grassy field. When we arrived the lawn was filled with picnic-goers enjoying the classical music from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. My God, it was something unearthly to be in this majestic heaven of greens and blues -- these bright colors from nature while listening to the most glorious music. Everyone was silent and at ease. We were amongst people taking a few moments listening to music as to quiet the mind. I was so moved by the scene I found myself in moments of tears behind my sunglasses. Tears of joy that I needed nor wanted anything other than to be right there... right then... with the man I love. It was a moment of gratitude.

This was much too planned to be our picnic. Sure is nice though

We decided to take off last minute from the city so we didn't do too much planning, yet our quick picnic was just enough. We brought a sheet for the grass with some colorful placemats for a little decor since another blog I read went in depth about what to bring for the true "Tanglewood lawn" experience. It said to bring candelabras, a floral arrangement, fine china and glassware -- and everything to be in white and pink. I think that was more for the evening lawn concerts if that happens at all any longer, and either way we didn't get it together in time for that, but I did bring two wine glasses and our wedding napkins as a memento. We stopped in town

August 27, 2011 feels like yesterday

at Nejaime's Wine Cellars for some fantastic cheeses, olives with herbes de provence, smoked duck, grapeleaves, crackers and realllly good dark chocolate with sea salt.

When the music was done we stayed on... it was too special on our grassy spot to leave just then.

Not a soul in sight but us & the squirrels.

So we read The Sunday Times and drank more wine. Even a ladybug stopped by to visit. We went into the world renowned acoustic pavilion or more widely known as the "Shed,"

and admired the sound quality as if our loud echoes were like those coming from a deep canyon. Charles made a great comparison about this great institution that was also celebrating an anniversary, its 75th. He said this is like Fenway, two great Massachusetts landmarks made with the highest quality and full of talent and history.



Wines we brought perfect for a sunny afternoon: Bogle Riesling & Nautique Esprit de Blanc

Definitely check out the New York State blend of 6% Pinot Grigio, 88% Chardonnay and 6% Riesling -- the Nautique Esprit de Blanc -- great quality, fresh & crisp, and the price is right

Last ones walking to the car at 7PM. There's a wonderful order to Tanglewood, yet in that order is freedom & respect. We easily came and went with no guards or strict rules. No one is forced to leave or sit anywhere
specific. People bring wine & beer -- yet there is no littering at all and everything was controlled & fine.

      

What a spectacular tree. The trees throughout the Berkshires
are phenomenal. Each has its own personality, with a story to bear. 

Thanks Mom! Thank you for giving us such a special first anniversary that meant so much to us. 

Lost In Central Park... What a Wonderful World

The other day I followed my puppy Gigi in Central Park and went down whatever paths she chose. It ended up being a great adventure, traveling parts of the park I had never seen before. There are some parts of Central Park where you feel like you are in a wild forest in New England. This section in particular was through the entrance on West 81st Street, take a left up the hill. You forget that there are skyscrapers outside the canopies of trees — and other than the squirrels, turtles, birds and geese around you, is a city of more than 8 million people. 


The famous architect Frederic Law Olmstead designed Central Park with Calvert Vaux, after winning a contest in 1857 to create a park in New York City that would rival those in London and Paris. There is a great website that not only gives great historical insight to Central Park, but also other attractions in New York City: http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/centralpark.htm


Olmstead envisioned a place where people could relax and find peace, amidst the chaos and fast city living of Manhattan. In these 843 acres of respite is a few hundred thousand trees, reservoir, pond, so many habitats of birds, insects, fish, geese, squirrels and so much more. Of course there are the modern additions like the Zoo, Alice In Wonderland Sculptures, tennis courts, water fountains and the children's carousel. For a good link on things to do in Central Park and sites to see visit the official website: http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/


After that day in Central Park I heard the song What A Wonderful World sung by Louis Armstrong on the radio. I know we all love that song, but I really listened to it this time, and realized it has the most beautiful lyrics making the song so uplifting and eternal. Sure the melody perfectly matches the lyrics, but when you really listen to what Louis is singing, you think, This is what life is about, the simple joys. 

These simple joys can be experienced by all people in parks, gardens, forests —NATURE. Conserve Nature and conserve our parks. Our earth is too precious to not preserve our land. Please help by holding our government accountable, and by visiting the National Parks Conservation Association to donate: https://secure.npca.org/site/Donation2f_id=1390&1390.donation=form1&s_subsrc=top_nav&JServSessionIdr004=8l4k823l4c.app331b


First read the lyrics, then play the song on the video below, and hopefully you will have a new found appreciation for the song... just like I did.

What a Wonderful World
Songwriters: George David Weiss, George Douglas and Bob Thiele

I see trees of green.... red roses too
I see em bloom.... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... What a wonderful world.


I see Skies of blue.... clouds of white
Bright blessed days... dark sacred nights
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world.


The colors of the rainbow.... so pretty... in the sky
Are also on the faces... of people.. going by
I see friends shaking hands... say'n.. how do you do
They're really say'n... I love you.


I hear babies cry.... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more... than I'll never know
And I think to myself... What a wonderful world