Today Dishing: Today is Giving Thanks Day

Seems we are all partial to certain holidays. My favorites are Halloween, Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day. The 4th of July was big for me at one time but not so much anymore.  Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day and Labor Day are fun but offer little  to excite me. But for some unknown reason the holiday I really can’t get into is Thanksgiving.

I know. What’s my problem? It makes me sound ungrateful, even un-American in that Thanksgiving is such a uniquely American holiday. For me it’s right up there with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Sweetest Day and even Veteran’s Day. Aren’t we suppose to show our mother’s, father’s sweeties and Veterans appreciation everyday? Am I to give thanks only on Thanksgiving? I am confused.

I believe I am a thankful person. Years ago I received a piece of advice that stuck with me and now reveals my view on thankfulness. A gal I know told me that when she prays she doesn’t ask God for things, instead she thanks Him for things. She gives her thanks as they apply to her life in the present. Asking for things means we are looking for more instead of reminding ourselves of what we already possess. This advice changed my life.

For example, as I write this I am sitting next to a swimming pool on a sunny 80 degree day in Florida. For sure it is easy to be thankful for this especially when it’s 35 degrees at home. Believe me I have given thanks. I am grateful for this because it is beautiful and warm but more importantly because my son lives here and I get to visit him.

The routine of our everyday lives sometimes makes it difficult for us to see the elements  that make our lives extraordinary. There is nothing wrong with designating a day for the sole purpose of reminding us to inventory our lives and give thanks for all the blessings, but I can’t help thinking our lives and perhaps the world would be better served if gratitude and thanksgiving guided us each day. Maybe don’t wait until Thanksgiving to inventory the blessings. If you are like me,  the list of blessings will humble you and make you reluctant to feel worthy of asking for more.

Photo courtesy of google.

                        
So go ahead, eat that turkey and be grateful for it and all who gather with you to share it.

Today Dishing: New York City Blueprint Continued

Day 3

1. Stroll 5th Avenue
Check out the Tiffany Diamond at Tiffany’s. Amble through Bergdorf- Goodman. Light a candle at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

2. Go to the Whitney
Hopper exhibit on display. We weren’t crazy about the Whitney or the exhibit. Would not recommend this stop.

3.Drink at the Carlyle.
We had intended to lunch here but because we were dressed for walking, sitting in the dining room was not appropriate. Instead we noshed and had wine at Bemelmans Bar. The bar named for Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the Madeline children’s books, displays  the art of Bemelmans on the walls throughout the bar. In exchange for his artistry The Carlyle provided Bemelmans a year and a half of accommodations for him and his family. Most definitely worth the stop.

                                    

                                                  Photo courtesy of google.

The mural depicts Central Park scenes.

                                                                            
4. Dinner at the Bryant Park Grill
Review to follow.

5. See Kinky Boots.
This Tony Award winner is a must see. Perhaps the best musical I’ve ever seen. A trip to NYC would be worth it just to see this alone.

Photo courtesy of google.

These suggested activities are only a few of the many the city offers. But planning ahead allows for accomplishing all this in three days.
                                

Today Dishing: New York City Trip Blueprint

NYC evokes a myriad of reactions from people. Some people hate it feeling it’s dirty and the people rude. Others love it, street garbage and all.

Before visiting New York, or anywhere for that matter, making a list of things you want to see and accomplish is a good idea. Over plan. If you don’t get to all of it at least you won’t waste time by not having enough on your list. Also making restaurant reservations and securing theatre tickets well in advance allows you to make the most of your time.

The list you make depends on how many visits you’ve made. This was my fifth trip to NYC therefore this list differs from the list I made on my first trip. This trip was theatre and food oriented, although several items include neither. This is our agenda including reactions to several of them.

DAY 1

1. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. The site of many TV and movie scenes, this iconic walk provided dazzling views of the harbor and the city. The bridge was under construction which impaired views to the west but most of what you want to see like The Statue of Liberty and the harbor were easily visible.
Overall the experience did not disappoint. Definitely worth it.

On a clear day the view from the bridge is quite something.

The iconic walk.

                                                                
2. Investigate DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) I desperately wanted to lunch at The River Cafe. Repairs are still being made from the devastation it incurred from Hurricane Sandy. My visit there was not to happen. Instead we lunched at 7 Old Fulton which provided just the right amount of local color.

3. Ride a water taxi from Brooklyn to 34th street via the East River.  For only $4 you can take the scenic route back to Manhattan avoiding the $20 cab ride.

The pier in DUMBO where the water taxi originates. The view here is not shabby either.

                                
4.Visit Madison Square Park. This park in the Flatiron District features art installations and abnormally friendly squirrels.

5. Stop by The Little Church Around the Corner. This  little church at 48East 24th Street is steeped in  history and is still operational today.

6. Dine at The NoMad. My thoughts on this are contained in my previous blog.

7. Night Cap at the Library Hotel Bar.

DAY 2

1. Breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner. When visiting NYC it is almost mandatory to experience a New York deli or diner. This diner did not disappoint.

2. Take a walking tour  of  Central Park. Having had a pedi-cab Tour of the southern section of the park two years ago, I wanted to explore the northern section. Blessed with a beautiful day, the two hour walking tour allowed us to see even more than we anticipated. We saw The Reservoir, climbed the narrow stairs of Belvedere Castle, rambled through The Ramble, whispered at the Whispering Bench, strolled along Shakespeare’s Garden, saw the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, awed at Cleopatra’s Needle Obelisk, took pictures at Bethesda Terrace and learned much about the historical, political and social make up of the park from our well-informed Tour Guide, Jayda. Our tour ended at the Loeb Boathouse where we lunched on beet salad and salmon while watching the canoes on the lake. I enthusiastically endorse taking a tour of the park and eating at the Boathouse.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park

Belvedere Castle. Photo courtesy google images.

Alice in Wonderland Sculpture. Photo courtesy google images.

View of the Lake from our table in The Loeb Boathouse.

Beet salad at The Boathouse.

3.Buy  chocolates at Payard’s. Payard’s now located in the lower level of The Plaza Hotel in the Todd English food court, offers fabulous French chocolates. The food court,  new since my last trip, features all sorts of food areas. An oyster bar caught my eye and provided a delicious snack and a half dozen oysters "on the house”. Free food in NYC. Go figure.

4.See Matilda The Musical. The musical is the song and dance version of Roald Dahl’s book. It is difficult to imagine this much talent in people so young. The singing, dancing and acting chops of this cast blew me away. Do these kids start taking singing lessons when they are three? There is something for everyone in this production. I give it a big thumbs up.

Matilda the Musical. Photo courtesy of google.

5. Eat. A light post-theatre snack at the Bryant Park Grill. Because of the truly stellar experience here a separate blog about the Bryant Park Grill is coming.

End Day Two

New York Trip Blueprint.....to be continued

Today Dishing: Audra McDonald Concert

Photo courtesy of Google and Getty Images.

Saturday evening  the five time Tony Award winner, Audra McDonald graced the stage of Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center delivering what was, for me, the most moving concert of my life.
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Expecting her to sing songs from Ragtime or Porgy and Bess she surprised by singing no songs from either. Instead she sang some familiar songs as well as several I’ve never heard. One such song “I’ll Be There” is a song telling the story of a loss from Sept. 11. A moving song and a heartfelt performance left few dry eyes in the audience.

When she sang songs I knew it was as though I was hearing them for the first time. She delves into the words of the songs and shines new light on them. Both “Make Someone Happy” and “Over the Rainbow” will never be the same for me. Her performance transcends mere music or maybe that is how music is meant to be delivered and I am just now getting the memo.

I pass this on only to say that if the opportunity to hear her live ever presents itself, run, sprint, race for tickets. I believe you may find Audra McDonald’s performance not only life affirming but perhaps life changing.

Thanks to Marianne for a birthday experience I will long remember.

Today Dishing: Fall into October

 Because of the warm weather it’s hard to believe the first week of October is behind us. But the calendar tells us it’s time to buy the pumpkins, pull out the Rubbermaid boxes filled with all things ghoulish and start decorating.

I enjoy the break summer brings from holiday decorating. Red, white and blue pretty much takes care of May through September. But now it’s time to get serious.

I tend to go a bit over-board with Halloween but you can achieve a great Fall look with just a few additions.

Pumpkins and mums establish an Autumn feel.
                                                         
Mini pumpkins fill in almost anywhere. A bowl or jar of them in a kitchen or dining room makes a tasteful centerpiece.
                                                
Candy corns are cheap and easy as a delicious decoration.

Scented candles in Fall colors are visually and aromatically pleasing.

Fall colored and Halloween inspired tablecloths abound. They are easy to find and usually quite affordable.

These ideas don’t require much time to implement  so even if you are pressed for time, transforming your home into a cozy Fall retreat is possible.

If you choose to go a few steps beyond the basics, I offer the following suggestions.

Christopher Radko offers an entire Halloween ornament line.

                                               


Witch shoes attach to chair legs to give the illusion of The Wicked Witch under Dorothy’s house.


                                   
This skull table incorporates glitter skulls on plates and hanging from light fixture, black candelabras and a silver sequins runner. Skeleton canape plates rest atop green chargers.

Dinner guests include a family of glitter skeletons.  Masks attached to each dining chair provide guests with entertainment during dinner.

Witch hats can be placed anywhere.

Fall garland and LED candles make a backdrop for Mr. Bones.

Black crows nest among the tree branches in the kitchen light fixture.

It’s Halloween, don’t take the decorating too seriously. Have fun and enjoy!