Bah....

The last day of 2009. And I am reflecting on the past year and although mostly uneventful, there were some major changes. Biggest one was Nikki having a boyfriend. And then a dog. :-)


Nikki, Tom & Lupe

The summer was quiet and seemed to have just flown by. Autumn was even quicker. Or is it just me...and that age-thing?

This brings me to my feeling...crabby! I don't want to feel crabby but there it is. And it has to do with Christmas cards. I take them very seriously. I like picking out the card...or cards...choosing a photo and putting together a newsletter. Obviously alot of time and effort.

I have a list of people I send to. It has whittled down to about 30 people which is a manageable number. And I usually get that many back. But this year, I only received about half back. What was up with that!

Okay...so there are givens...Kathy and Marianne don't send out cards but I know and accept this. Some are hit and miss. A few emailed me. (Should I count these as a reciprocal gesture?) I heard from Ronna and she had a good excuse...she lost her camera that had great shots of her kids, my god-children...and by the time she got a new camera and new shots of the kids, it was a week before Xmas and she lost incentive. But she said she was sending out my copies, at least.

I checked my mailbox everyday in hopes that a card will come..as the saying goes, better late than never. But each day, there is nothing. I finally went to my list and started deleting people for next year. That should teach them! Ha!

Oh...and a Happy New Year to you!!! LOL

Happy Shopping!

My fabulous Christmas of 2009 continues. I was itching to go out yesterday but the weather kept me in.

But today...with the 50 degree forecast, nothing could keep me from Michaels! Armed with Nikki's gift card to me, 3 different coupons...25% off their ribbon stock, 20% off Martha Stewart items and 50% off any one item...plus the already advertised 60% off their Xmas merchandise - I was ready to do business!

Walking into the store - I was one happy camper. Immediately I began to fill my cart. About 20 items later...which ended up being 40 cents a piece...and these were nice things...stationery, labels, Xmas cards, file folders, ornaments and gemstones -I went to check out the Martha section. I saw the one thing I wanted which was her glue in a squirt bottle and then found a whole glitter set (even though Tom got me 2 bottles of glitter, a girl can never have too much) and I was going to use my 20% off the MS collection until I realized the regular price was $9.99 so I used the 50% off instead!

I picked out a slew of ribbon and already at a 60% storewide discount, I received another 25% off!

With an additional 67 cents...I used up the whole giftcard! I have 40 items! And a huge smile on my face. Thank you, Nikki!

My Fabulous Christmas of 2009!

I have lots of photos from this year’s Christmas dinner at Evelyn & Mark’s house. Besides saying that Evelyn made a scrumptious prime rib with asparagus, sweet potatoes, mash potatoes and Kathy made her home-made rolls & dessert - I served up my stuffed mushrooms, I will let the photos do most of the talking.

It should attest to the fact that we had a great time…the addition of Tom, Nikki’s boyfriend was lovely and each year, we just see the kids maturing right before our eyes.


Mark sets a beautiful table


Ready for dinner


Nikki & Tom

THE DESSERTS:

Mark’s Trifle


Kathy’s Chocolate Twist


Tom brought chocolate covered strawberries



The Girls:

Young (The Daughters)


Young at Heart (The Moms)

OPENING GIFTS:





T-Shirt I got Xavier


Nikki’s gift to Kris from Peru


My goodies from Nikki: Michaels and Momofuko gift cards, acrylic stamps,"E" seals and red Gap gloves. From Tom: Martha Stewart glitter, craft paper and utility bone folder - O'Happy Day!


Mom likes her gift


Family Shots:

Kathy & Tony


Xavier & Miranda


Nikki & Miranda


Miss Miranda the Fashionista


Tom, Nikki & Kris


Tom, Mark & Nikki


Tom & Nikki


My Kids


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Mangia!!

My brother-in-law, Tony has an Italian background so he grew up with the traditional Feast of the 7 fish dinner on Christmas Eve. When his Aunt Connie passed on, no one in the family took the reins. My sister Kathy, instead, started her own tradition and makes an annual seafood dinner for Tony, Kris, Nikki and myself and it doesn’t necessarily have to be on Xmas eve. This year, it was on the Saturday before Christmas and also the night a blizzard was to hit.

Kathy begins preparing a week prior. It is a tremendous undertaking. We always start off with a crab dip with Mazzola bread. This is usually a big hit since everyone is hungry and this year was no different. And every year there is something new and this year it was the appearance of Nikki’s boyfriend, Tom.


Tom, Nikki & Kris

While Kathy was cooking, Nikki, Tom, Kris and I played a vigorous game of Cranium. Ginger sat with us in her new red blinking light collar. We were humming, drawing, sculpting and acting out clues - it was really interactive and made for great laughs. And loads of fun.


Ginger

Dinner was ready as Kris and I won the game. Perfect timing and why the game was sooo much fun!

Kathy outdid herself. I contributed the crab-stuffed mushrooms and Kris made string bean casserole. The rest of the menu: Kathy’s famous seafood salad consisting of shrimp, conch and calamari and lots of garlic & parsley. There was also an Italian tuna & chickpea salad which also had black olives, red onion, celery and plum tomatoes. Freshly made fried calamari and a seafood lasagna which was made with a béchamel sauce and shrimp & scallops. Everything was simply delicious. Unfortunately my photos this time don't give it justice but it's all I have.


crab-stuffed mushrooms & Italian Tuna Salad


Seafood Salad


Stringbean casserole & Crispy Fried Calamari

Nikki was in charge of dessert and she had decided on individual chocolate molten cakes but for some reason waited until the day before to get the ramekins. Long story short, no ramekins were to be had and I ended up buying a jumbo muffin pan. As muffin pans go, it was a nice one but at $18, did we really need to keep it? I saved the packaging and after the cakes came out beautifully and Tony did a fabulous job of cleaning it…the pan went back to the store…none the worse for wear.


Chocolate Lava Cakes


This is AFTER baking and washing the pan! Good as new!

We chose to open gifts this evening just among ourselves. This would help in not having to be overloaded on Christmas day . I loved the way Kris wrapped my gift that I didn’t even want to open it!



On our way out, Kathy gave each of us our annual home-made Xmas sweets. We were all happy campers! Even if we had to drive home in a foot of snow!


Left to right: chocolate covered pretzels, biscotti,merengues,chocolate toffee crackers,chocolate krispies & coconut mounds...YUM!
Thank you, Kathy!!!

WINTER!!

First day of Winter........water-color by Nicole Woo

A Chinese Feast

Last night I was treated to a very special dinner. Winnie’s father had offered to cook for me, making my favorite dish of beef and egg over rice.

Beef and egg has been a favorite of mine for so long that I don’t even remember how it even came into my life. All I know is that I haven’t had it in a very long time. The last time I remember having it was when I was about to begin labor and sent Stan all the way to Chinatown to get an order for me. I ate it even though by the time he came back with it, I was having regular contractions.

I was never able to reproduce it myself. It always came out like scrambled eggs and beef. So Mr. Moy finally took pity on me and invited me for dinner and oh…what a dinner!

He was a chef at his own restaurant and growing up and being Winnie’s best friend certainly had its advantages. For class trips, Winnie would not bring the boring ham and cheese sandwich...no - she would bring fried chicken wings and I was the one to share it with her. O’glory days.

So the date and time was set. Kathy joined me along with Winnie’s mother, sister Connie and her husband, Peter. Apparently Winnie’s father wrote out a whole menu and started the soup base the night before. All I wanted was the beef and egg. This was going to be something to behold and it was.

As soon as Kathy and I walked in the door and said our greetings, we were ushered to our seats and given bowls of winter melon soup accented with dried scallops, Chinese mushroom and tiny pieces of chicken. The broth was clear and light and on the frigid night that it was, this was very welcomed.

I asked to see the chef make the beef and egg and he said it would be the last dish made. As we sat drinking our soup, the dishes started to make their appearances. First up…savory chicken “gai kew” with baby bok choy and black mushrooms,



then tender nappa cabbage and dried shrimp. A beautiful bowl of perfectly cooked shrimp in lobster sauce followed along with flavorful spare ribs in black bean sauce.

Shrimp in lobster sauce and nappa cabbage

Spare ribs in black bean sauce and roast pork (cha siu)

An order of roast pork from Noodletown. Then came thick glass bean noodles flavored with bits of bacon and onion. We were all oohhing and ahhhing…and eating and eating and eating!

Glass noodles

When the beef and egg dish was about to be up, I ran into the kitchen and watched the master. For some reason, I never thought to add hot water or broth as the “gravy”….I always thought the runny eggs made gravy automatically. Now I know.



I haven’t seen Winnie’s parents in years so this was a wonderful opportunity and certainly a delectable way to see them. I walked out totally satisfied and laden with doggie bags. And better yet, I’ve been invited again and again. Something about once a month. Hooray! Lucky me.


Winnie, Esther, Kathy & Connie (photo taken by Peter)

Where Everyone Knows Your Name...

I like a neighborhood restaurant that everyone knows you. There are a few places that are like that for me.

Sgt. Garcia’s in Forest Hills comes to mind. I had been going to the Mexican restaurant since I opened my business on Austin Street way back in 1991. My partner, Daniel loved this place and we would dine there once a month if not more. The chicken wings, fajitas and their margaritas are fabulous.

One freezing winter morning, I was about to head to my office in my full length mink coat. I noticed a gentleman approaching me and I was wary…unsure if he would condemn me for wearing fur but instead, he complimented me on how beautiful I looked in my coat. I thanked him and didn’t realized he was George, the owner of Sgt. Garcia’s until the next time I went to his restaurant and he came over to apologize for possibly frightening me. We became fast friends. Even after he sold his share to open a French Bistro , I remain friendly with his partner, Manny who bought out his shares. Both would stop at the table…welcome me and make sure everything was in order. I like that kind of attention.

Then there’s my sushi place in Rego Park. Unfortunately it’s changed hands many times over the years but the servers who knew me, would immediately bring water and tea which were my usual request. And even with the new staff, they keep getting to know me since I’m in there so much. I'm due a visit..probably next week.

I was stopping at the local Chinese coffee shop for iced-coffee so often that the lady would just start making it as soon as she saw me. Then she would asked if I wanted a roast pork bun which was something I would also get.

The Sister’s Birthday Club consisting of Winnie, her sister, Connie and my sister Kathy plus myself were celebrating Kathy’s birthday. We saw the movie, The Blind Side and went to the Tick Tock diner across the street from the theater after the show. I had been there a few times prior and after suggesting the place a couple of movies ago, we have made it a favorite. Although it was our 3rd time there, it was the 2nd time we had the same waiter and he remembered us! We were there this past August. Winnie was so excited, she hi-fived him!! We got a platter of dill pickles and cole slaw…as an extra something something. Now that’s what I’m talking about!!

Then there’s Kathy’s experience. When she first moved to Brooklyn Heights and was living on her own, she went to Burger King every night and got her usual Whopper - extra pickles. She stopped when the counter person recognized her and recited her order before Kathy even opened her mouth. She was mortified. Poor Kathy…she sure did love her Whoppers.

A Day with Lupe

As anyone who knows me…I am not a “pet” person. I grew up with animals because of my sister, Kathy. Living on my own and raising Nikki, I never wanted a pet and Nikki never really asked for one. The closest we got to one was her turtle “Neon” which she won at a fair and surprisingly, lived much longer than they are known to.

Yesterday, I babysat Tom & Nikki’s dog, Lupe. I am used to little dogs…like Kathy’s Ginger… a cute, sweet and usually calm Shih-Tzu. She loves her "Aunt Esther".


Ginger

Lupe is a pitbull/jack terrier mix and he is excitable, curious and leggy but thinks he’s a lap dog.


Lupe

As soon as he saw me, he wanted to be all over me but we were in the car and he needed to stay put. But he tried. When he quieted down in the back seat, I drove to different stores to run my errands. He would look out the window either to the left or the right and you could see he was checking everything out. When I went into a store and took longer than 5 minutes, I came back to see him sitting regally in the driver’s seat as if he was ready to drive off.

At my home, he sniffed out everything he could but never knocked anything over which always amazes me. Oh wait...he did almost knock something over...me!


Lupe giving me some love

He knew his food was in the kitchen and he would wander in there and start moaning. Once or twice, he tried to jump up and grab the bag. Lupe is very expressive - you could just see he is always thinking and when he had been bad and I scolded him, he would look at me sideways, head and tail down, giving me a wide berth.

I got him some jerky treats which he apparently loved because he knew they were on the dinning table and his quest to get them was priority. But each time I caught him and he would have that guilty look in his eyes.

It was funny when he burrowed in a corner of my sofa and fell asleep between the cushions and pillows on his back with his legs straight up in the air. He loved being petted and scratched and massaged. He fell asleep again by my side as I rubbed his head and sides.


Zzzzzzzz

In essence, he was easy to care for if I was able to keep him occupied, like with a rawhide bone or the new toy I got him. But I still liked giving him back.
Tom said he asked for me in the morning...yeah...I knew he would miss me!


Lupe with his new Xmas toy

Gilda

Today , Dec 13th would have been my girlfriend, Gilda’s 52nd birthday but then, she didn’t even get to see her 40th birthday. My lovely friend died of breast cancer at the young age of 36.



I met Gilda the summer of 1975 when we were attending a summer program at NYU. It was a small class and my first foray into college life. I still remember clearly seeing her for the first time. There are people in your life that seem to always have been there…not really sure how they came into your life. And then there are the ones which the memory is stamped on your brain forever. Gilda was definitely the latter. I was the second person in the classroom. Mark Rayo, another life-time friend was already there. We always joked about that moment since we know exactly what we said to each other. To break the ice, I asked him for the time and he told me. As other students drifted in, murmuring greetings, it was fairly quiet and everyone was low-keyed not knowing what to expect. Then a girl sauntered in, worn jeans tucked in Frye boots, a gauzy peasant blouse and a kerchief wrapped around her head, slapped her large tapestry shoulder bag onto the desk and yelled out “Hi!”. It was jarring but exhilarating. Like that moment when everything is black and white and now we were in Technicolor. My first thought…”Wow…I will never be friends with her…out of my league”.

Gilda was the proverbial “one of a kind”. She exuded the kind of person I wished to be. Just comfortable in her own skin and not scared of “being”. She spoke up and out and laughed a huge laugh. When we broke for lunch, a group of us wandered out to Washington Square Park and stood around getting to know each other and of course, Gilda took up most of the air. I was at once, dismayed and enchanted. Part of me wanted to be “the one” but knew I didn’t really have the “chops” and certainly not in the face of this colorful stranger.

Cut to a year later. We had a year of NYU under our belts and that core group from that summer program was still a tight-knit group. We had classes together, lunched and studied together and sought each other out during breaks. Gilda, Mark, Cindy, Andy, Wayne & me.

During a dude ranch trip, Gilda hooked up with Adam and I became an integral part of their relationship. Adam was living in a NYU dorm on 10th Street whereas both Gilda and I commuted to classes from home, Forest Hills for her, Chinatown for me. I loved Adam for Gilda and I was there from the beginning and became a confidente for both of them. We became super close. I spent a lot of time at that dorm which came full circle when that became Nikki’s freshman residence.

Their blossoming relationship was an essential turning point in my relationship with Gilda. The truth of the matter was that the Gilda everyone saw and loved and admired was all a façade. In the light of her burgeoning love for Adam, her mask came off and she confided all her insecurities to me. She showed herself as “worldly” but she never had a boyfriend until Adam. This was, to say the least, a shock! This gorgeous dark haired, dark eyed beauty who always looked like an exotic Gypsy to me was actually shy and sheltered. Years later I would find out that she had even more secrets about her family life that broke my heart.

In any case, showing her true self to me bonded us forever. When she decided to become an actress, I saw every one of her community playhouse productions and every walk-on part she got on TV. She was one of only two people that was able to immediately elicit a response from Nikki who was shy in front of strangers. I really loved this girl.

The last time I saw her was in LA. She had decided to move there for her health and career. Unfortunately the move didn’t help either situation. Her cancer returned and when she contacted me to let me know, I am so glad I made plans to go see her. Nikki and Evelyn came along and it was a wonderful visit. I lost her 3 months later. It was to say the least, devastating. I miss her everyday.


Gilda & me, her brother Rennie and Nikki in Santa Monica

I think of her today because of her birthday but also because I have felt many angels around me during this last week since my car accident. She was beautiful when I last saw her even though she was completely bald and I have a stunning photo of her in that state but I can’t locate it. I will post it when I find it.