Extreme

The Sister's Birthday Club had a meeting today. The hottest day of the year...possibly century! Extreme heat! We were celebrating Winnie's birthday and plans were already made. Since it's not easy getting our schedules to mesh - I didn't want to cancel or postpone. The girls met me in Forest Hills at 9:30am and we took off soon after. I loaded an insulated cooler with ice packs, frozen bottles of water and even a frozen face cloth.

Our destination was Tanger's Outlet at Deer Park. The last time we were there for my birthday, we discovered the Christmas Tree Store. Or rather Kathy & I did and it was overwhelming and unfortunately the last store we stopped in before we had to leave for lunch.

So this time, we went there first and really got to look through each and every aisle to our hearts content. After that, we visited other stores on our own and although it was lovely to walk into nicely air conditioned stores, exiting was another story.

It was H-O-T!

We left around 2pm to head back to Queens for our traditional sushi. And as always, it hit the spot and filled us up. I drove everyone back to Chinatown where after dropping Winnie & Connie, Kathy & I made a quick surprise visit to our mother.

I am so glad I belong to this "club" - it's simply an extremely GOOD time!
Thanks Ladies!!

Cuba & Asian Fusion in One Day

I had a dine-around kind of day today. First I met up with Winnie - did our 10,000 steps though I am sure we did more than 10,000! Then we rewarded ourselves with lunch, as always. Today's was abit more special. I wanted to treat Winnie for her birthday. We were going to go for lobster on City Island but yesterday I was in Forest Hills and drove by La Cabana. We have been there a few times always enjoying their Chicharonnes and Winnie asked to dine there. I have always loved their Caribbean decor of different bold colors on the walls. The lunch special consisted of a choice of soup or salad..we opted for salad. The crispy chunks of chicken were juicy and tender on the inside. Served with yellow or white rice with red or black beans. Very yummy.



Later, I picked up Nikki from her office and we went to "ssäm bar". Finally. A couple of years ago, Nikki gave me a Momofuku gift card for Christmas and I was excited since I had been wanting to try this restaurant. Last year, we made a date, went to Momofuku Noodle Bar and was told the gift card was only good for ssäm bar! Sure enough, in small little letters, under the big bold MOMOFUKU on the gift card was "ssäm bar". That certainly left a bad taste! So I have been holding this card waiting to use it. Tonight was the night. But I didn't have high expectations.

But it started off pretty well. Driving over from Varick St to 2nd Ave & 14th was not bad. And then there was plenty of parking on 14th St. ssäm bar is located on 2nd Ave on 13th Street. Meters were done by 7PM - we were there at 6:52 and waited the 10 minutes in the car.

When we got to the restaurant, it was already pretty packed. But we were told it would only be a 5 minute wait and asked to wait outside. Space is at a premium. The hostess came out to get us and we were seated at the long bar with tall stools. Not my most favorite of seating. I thought we would be sitting next to each other but Nikki actually walked around and sat opposite me. The other diners were right at our elbows. Under the counter are hooks to hang your purse or bag - I don't know what happens if you have a coat. Momofuku Noodle Bar has the same set-up and I remember sitting on my coat! At least this time we didn't have to deal with that.

We both decided to share their popular pork buns. Presented more like Peking Duck than chai sui baos. It was much better this time than my first time which had very fatty pork.


I bit into it before I remembered I needed to take a photo!

Nikki ordered: "roasted lamb loin & belly– bulgur, snap peas, egg yolk"

And I had the: "poached chicken – sticky rice, morels, spring onion"


Surprisingly both dishes were quite tasty. My dish was like an avant garde "nor mai gai" which is chicken stuffed with sweet sticky rice except it was reversed and the rice was surrounding the chicken. Nikki gave me a bite of her lamb and it was done well and had nice flavor and texture. I had to admit I walked away very pleased.
I have to apologize for the quality of the photos...too busy eating!

July 4th Get-Together

Ahhh....4th of July. One of my favorite times of the year because the family gets together at my upstate house. And for the last few years, I have been able to get a family portrait taken.

Evelyn's family showed up around midnight(after a drive-in movie)and stayed over on Friday night. The next day, Nikki arrived by train around 11am and Kris around 3pm. We had glorious weather and so much side-splitting laughter...it was truly wonderful.

And now a tradition, we celebrate Xavier's and Mark's birthdays which fall on June 24 & 27th.

For brunch: my 4th of July waffles:


Served with bacon and sausage (not shown)

In between meals...hanging out on the deck with our beautiful kids:



The MEAL: Kathy's famous ribs (spicy and non-spicy, boned and boneless), corn(not bread)souffle - apparently people go crazy if "bread" is mentioned
My garlic chicken wings with chimichurri sauce, shrimp ceviche, potato and egg salad & Texas garlic toast



The birthday boy:


The Family (this year, we missed Tom & Lupe)

Skinny Cow Part 2

Last year the Skinny Cow event was held in SoHo and Winnie, Nikki and I had signed up for the first "fitting". We were 4th,5th and 6th in line! But this was also a first time event so things weren't so smooth. It all worked out for us in the end but there were some glitches. Such as a "No one under 21 allowed" and a "No men" policy. When we got inside, there were plenty of men and children...in fact, lots of small children and Winnie purposely didn't include Liz because of this "rule"! So unfair!

This year, much better organized. Held on 18th Street on the West side - Under 21 was allowed with someone over 21 - reason for the "Under 21" was because they were serving alcohol. Men were included but not allowed a free bra (duh!) and so not included in the raffle drawings. (Last year, a man won a prize!) So..now fair.

Winnie, Kathy, Nikki, Kristina, Liz along with me were in attendance. We had 12 noon appointments although Nikki was considered a "walk-in" but it wasn't a problem. She still got her packet and a fitting.
Kathy was there first, I came along and then Kris joined us. There was a line but a rep passed out Skinny Cow ice cream while we waited. By the time we three got inside towards registration, Winnie & Liz were outside on line. Nikki showed up about an hour later. I was so happy to have her there!

We had a choice of 2 drinks which included wine, lemonade or bottled water. The "eats" were an array of cheeses and crackers, veggie wraps, ham & cheese sandwich and crudites. Last year, guests were allowed to just help themselves (although there were only crudites and cheese) it made for abit of an overrun. This year, there were servers. More fair.





They continued the "beeper" system for the fitting. It wasn't much of a wait for them to sound off. We didn't win any of the raffle drawings. And Winnie joined me in a silly photo session. Oh...I forgot to mention...it was also Winnie's birthday so it seemed fitting that she wear a tiara for our shoot. Hmmm...I'm looking very "Dame Edna"!!




We got our "to-go" ice cream cups and on the way out, got our goodie bags. This year even better than the last. A tote, a tee shirt with choice of size, free bra coupon to be redeemed at Macy's, a clear plastic make-up bag with a lip gloss, the new Skinny Cow candy bar, Skinny Cow & Beringer Wine coupons. Very nice!



The last time this set of mothers and daughters got together - it was for sushi and a Jewish ladies comedy show...way back in 2007? Maybe even 2006? Let's say it was a while ago so this was really a treat - I LIKE IT!



And P.S. I've added to my tote collection this week with a free Staples tote and today's Skinny Cow one. This now makes the tally at 3,257...LOL!!!

Congrats to Kris!

After almost 3 years, Kristina completed her veterinarian tech studies and tonight was her graduation or what is called a "pinning ceremony" in her field. Held at her college, it was informal but festive. Family and friends attended to celebrate and cheer the students on. It was funny, sweet and emotional. It was a proud moment when Kristina received her pin. She didn't say so but I am sure she thanks her parents, her Aunt Esther and most of all, Nikki! LOL.


The Proud 'Rents



Kris & Nikki


We Are Family

The Pinning of Kris:








Kris' class


Kris' pin....photo from Kris' FB page

Nikki's Birthday Present

Okay...so it took 3 months but today I finally was able to give Nikki her birthday present. Spa treatments and dinner.

We have been using The Water Lily spa on Broome and Elizabeth. A no-frills place...there's no locker room or serenity waiting room. The bathroom has a shower but no extra amenities like combs, toothbrushes or hair-dryers. What it does have is a fantastic "special". 2 Hours of treatment for $100. And there are 9 treatments to choose from. On top of that, I purchased Spa Wish gift certificates at BJ's. $100 gift certificate for $70! What a deal! Water Lily charges $5 tax pp for using the gc's but still...totally worth it.



Nikki wanted the Hot Stone and Deep Tissue massages and I had the Aromatherapy and Foot reflexology massages. I fell asleep during the second hour while having my left foot worked on because next thing I knew...my right foot was being worked on and I don't remember the switch. I also realized I was missing the massage so stay awake!

For dinner, we went to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. On Baxter Street but don't even ask me what's the name because I don't know. I ordered their fried calamari to share. It came with a sweet dipping sauce that looked spicy but wasn't. And Nikki and I both had #48 which is their marinated grilled pork over noodles and topped with spring rolls. SO GOOD!


Fried Calamari


Grilled Pork dish

Nature..a beautiful thing...

I have just spent almost a week upstate at the house. When I got there, it was almost 100 degrees and when I left, it was in the 70's. I went from tank top and shorts to long pants and fleece! In a matter of less than a week. So bizarre! I wonder what the summer will bring.

Last year, on a whim, Kathy who has irises growing on her property, dug a couple up and replanted them at my house. I am not a gardner by any stretch of the imagination. My dream was to always have cut fresh flowers on my desk signifying that "I made it" but even in my most lucative years, I never fulfilled that fresh flower thing. Only every once in a while I treated myself.

Last year, I started a small garden in planters & pots. Using seeds. And it was amazing to see the whole process. I finally understood all the hoopla but in the end, it's TOO MUCH! I started to worry about these plants. Too much sun. Not enough water. Too cold. Too hot. Oy!

In any case, I've done it again. Planting. But I am going to try not to obsess. Although it's already started! Thoses irises that Kathy planted has produced! And they are beautiful! But I know I'm going to miss all the other blooms while I'm back in the city.