the last few months

This guy turned one and had no interest in his cupcake. He did however happily sample all of the gift wrap.  Oh Baby Grey.

I spent time with the always amazing Renee, gingerbread extraordinaire.  She's a genius, that carved her own templates for the brownstone details.

There was also Charlotte's 4th birthday (in October!).

And a photoshoot with Lucia and her iPad loving baby sister Senia.

Sewing has been happening too.  After the matching Christmas pajamas and Amelia's outfits, I did a 180 and made myself a shirt (Tova number 4,736).  I used Nani Iro double gauze Melody Sketch in Faded Navy and I love it so, so much.  Almost to much because now I want to buy a whole lot more.  I have more projects planned for myself and a few ideas for Amelia's May birthday.

And things that didn't make it to instagram but have been sitting on my phone....

An after Thanksgiving visit from my parents.  We arrived at the Brooklyn Flea early and were sent away.  So a quick detour to show them Barclays. (However Amy and Jamie are the only ones to have yet gone inside.  They spent a whirlwind 24 hours with us.  And the Nets.)

Followed by this amazing show at the Brooklyn Museum.

Our stocky tree, which I loved dearly.

And some Christmas morning madness with Rire and scrub clad Amelia.

Last but not least, the winter wonderland that is my parents driveway.  

the weekend

Sewing continues with the completion of an actual, official shirt for Amelia.  In between the endless loop of removing seams and redoing them (I lost count but it's a wonder the fabric hasn't disintegrated), we went to watch the 5th Avenue Mile.  Usually we run it as well but this year is not panning out as we had thought it would.  Rire has a boot on his foot!

Brenda Martinez, Anna Pierce and Hannah England.  We absolutely act like crazed Bieber fans with the cheering, shouting and high fiving.  They are our rock stars.

Olympians Matt Centrowitz, Bernard Lagat and Leo Manzano.

They treat their fans well.

shelter island, ny

(Will return to the Labor Day weekend photos shortly.  Getting these up before they're lost in the shuffle.  This happens more often than I'd like to admit.)

We spent a weekend on Shelter Island, where ferries take you to to screened porches. 

And I can continue to drink my morning coffee outside.  Just like nature intended.

And you can eat and eat and eat at adorable places like Reddings Gourmet Market.

Things like this.

And this and this.

And you do it all while surrounded by water.

And then Sunday rolls arounds and its back to the ferry and back to reality.

This view of the city from the BQE always so impressive in person, but I've yet to get a picture the fully captures it.  I imagine being in a moving vehicle has something to do with that.  I'll keep trying.

labor day weekend - sunday

Again with the pajamas and coffee outside.  And basketball.

(Rocketship pajamas purchased ages ago, they finally fit her!)

Carrot cake muffins, they're absolutely a breakfast food.

The middle of the day involved a 4 mile run (my first in a month, ouch) and a 4 mile bike ride.  There are no pictures.  So let's just skip ahead to dinner.  And the delicious rose.

Post nap fog.

And the Boilermaker, it's tradition.

labor day weekend - saturday

We both had Friday off, which made for one of the best drives we've had in ages.  We stopped in New Hartford so I could spend to my hearts desire at Joann Fabrics and he could shop for a new bike at Schuss and Dick Sonnes.  I scored at Joann's.  It takes time to paw through the bolts and bolts (and bolts...) of themed fabric, but patience pays off.  Decent stuff for $3/yard.  Now I must sew.

Saturday morning.  Coffee in pajamas, outside.  Because we can.

These two need to slow it down.  The growing up is out of hand.

He's as sweet and polite as can be.  She is fond of the word NO and her "brudder".

And then there was fishing.

Once properly caffeinated, we set off for Mt. Hope Reservoir.  This kid is mad about fishing and has no shortage of people to take him, but it was high time his aunt and uncle stepped up.  Eli even taught us a thing or two, showing R how to cast.

It's really quite pretty.

Saturday night (after R bought his bike and we killed some time at the never ever changing Sangertown Mall) we headed to my parents.  Where I channeled my inner Katniss and perfected my archery skills.  I'm not half bad, if only my parents had forced me to practice as a child...  I could have been an Olympian!

On the way back to Amy's we stopped at Walmart to sell small bits of our souls to the devil in exchange for things like deodorant and laundry soap at prices that do not make us weep.  I always feel guilty shopping there, but is Duane Reade really any better?

lost weekends

Long Beach, Sag Harbor.  I shouldn't even be talking about it.  People will go and our secret will be ruined.  We'll go again this weekend, if life stuff doesn't intervene in the meantime.  Mr. Softee drives buy and I might as well be a kid.  First in line I am.

Lots going on, nothing I plan to write about at this point though.

What I will mention... Walking through Hell's Kitchen with Rire on Saturday morning, just to catch Eli for an hour before he boarded a bus back home.  He was doubled over laughing retelling his cruise ship stories.  11 is a really really great age.  A middle of the afternoon movie.  There's always something oddly good about walking out of a heater into blazing sunlight.  The Olympics.  Meb, Bernard, Galen & Mo!  I miss track and field already.

I can't run at the moment and I'm antsy.  I like being in motion.

I'm cooking endlessly.  Shrimp scampi with sliced zucchini and yellow squash.  Pumpkin muffins (seasonal cooking is overrated).  Quinoa cakes in pitas with tahini dressing.  A roast chicken.  Rice and beans.

But, enough is enough.  It'll be Trader Joe's pizza tonight.

2016 olympics

Surely they are future Olympians.  You can't argue with this kind of form.

The incredible height at take off.

The landing, clearly a perfect 10.

Waiting anxiously for their scores from the judges...

Celebrating the gold!

Yes.  Yes, we have been enjoying the Olympics.  The real events have started.  Track and field!  Sorry swimming and gymnastics.  I like you, but I do not love you.  So we no longer sleep.  We just watch hours upon hours of recorded footage.  If only we cold mute NBC's ridiculous commentary...