The Proposal

I hope Nikki & Tom won't mind but Nikki (finally) forwarded the photos and I just had to share!

Love-Love

This post took me so long to write and upload photos that the Open is already over!  Nikki invited / treated me to the US Open on the second day of play.  We got to see my favorite, Novak Djokovic (#1) and Victoria Azarenka (#2).

I started to love tennis...particularly the US Open when Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert were at the height of their success and became a short-lived couple - they were tennis's sweethearts and I love a romance more than anything.  This was mid to late 70's.  I got hooked.  Over the years, I followed the slams on TV - resulting in Pete Sampras being my all time favorite player.  I have yet to "love" a woman player - I guess if I had to name one, it would still be Chris Evert.

I have attended a few US Open matches held in Flushing Meadows.  Never at the old Forest Hills stadium. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center housing Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, Grandstand and the surrounding smaller courts plus a wonderfully varied food court - is a great experience.  This visit was Nikki's first time and I'm so happy I got to share it with her.  We were so lucky we had an exceptionally beautiful night for the matches - no - gulp - rain.  PS:  Nadal won the Men's and Serena won the Women's.

Food Court seating

In front of Arthur Ashe

Gift shop

Great view of the World's Fair sphere from the top level of Arthur Ashe

Overlooking the side courts

In our seats

Djokovic

Mayor Dinkins - always at least one appearance

"Vitka"

Mexican & Salted Crack Caramel

A chance to dine with Nikki....always a good thing.

After working 6 hours, I drove to her place and asked her to decide on how to fill my empty tummy.  She asked if I wanted Mexican.  I can always go for Mexican.  I like her area with it's trendy and trending new eateries and one can never go wrong with a "foodie's" choice.

She said "Chavela's" on Franklin had great chicken Mole.  I was game but not to walk there.  Not after being 6 hours on my feet and on a muggy humid day with possible threats of a thunderstorm.  We drove over and easily found a spot.

I was thrilled that it had good AC.  And a nice lunch menu...$6.95 for a nice variety of Mexican eats. Choosing one from the left and one from the right of their "Duo" option - I got a chicken Mole soft taco and a Flor de Calabaza (squash blossom & queso Oaxaco) with an ice coffee.  Nikki ordered the tortilla soup and 1/2 torta.  So fresh, so delicious with the typical slight kick in seasoning.

My ice coffee & water in glassware that makes one
feel like you're in Mexico!

Nikki's Lunch

Mine

Nikki treated me to this excellent meal and as we left the restaurant, I asked if she would like some dessert. Ice cream in particular to which she exclaimed she knew exactly the place!  I asked her for the name and when she said "Ample Hills" - I reacted as if I had just met a movie star!  I had just seen them featured on one of the cooking shows and it looked so good that I vowed to make sure I make a visit!  A quick drive over and we were inside sample tasting their hand crafted flavors.  Nikki loves their "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake" and I couldn't resist the flavor shown on the show - "Salted Crack Caramel".  I went with a cone which was a mistake.  It's a pretty good size scoop and on such a humid day, it was melting faster than I could get it in my mouth.  But it was extremely tasty and a decadent treat.

Stock photo - Eric W.

As I said to begin with....dining with Nikki = a good thing!

Lupe & Rainbows

Forgot the "grand-pup" who seemed to be having the best time of all...

Lupe just loved hanging on the grass

A huge smile!

Nothing like a good chase

The party ended and a rainbow appeared.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Mother of All Celebrations!

What a weekend!  So much to celebrate and so much going on.  It's been a watershed year...between reaching milestone birthdays (18 & 50), engagement and marriage and I'm not talking about the same couple!  - moving up from junior high to high school and another from high school to college....yes...we needed to do it up big!

I thought my annual 4th of July family get-together would be the perfect time.  I wished the weather thought so too but I guess you can't have everything!

It was tremendously muggy and hot.  Today...the day after - the temp dropped to 70 degrees upstate climbing to 80...how perfect that would have been!  But okay...can't complain.  It turned out well all the same.

Nikki, Tom, Kris & Baz showed up on Friday which was fantastic to have them there for a nice length of time.  We played games - Charades & Trival Pursuit - hilarity ensued.  So much f-u-n!  Bicky...you must come earlier next time so we can have more time to play.  Kathy even joined in and let's just say, bathroom breaks were needed - yeah...peeing in your pants laughter!  LOL

Kathy outdid herself in her baking. Creating 4 cakes for the 4 different occasions.  It was a covert operation between Kathy & myself - trying to figure out flavors of cakes, shapes of cakes and toppers for cakes. I can only say it was a labor of love.  xoxo

The Food

The Cakes

Grad Cake
Flourless Chocolate cake served with raspberry puree

Birthday Cake
Chocolate Mousse Bundt Cake

Engagement Cake
Lemon Layer Cake

Wedding Cake
Pineapple Coconut Filling

The bride and groom reenactment of the topper

Bride feeds the Groom

Something happened from the looks on Nikki's face
but I'm not sure what...

SBC #19 @ City Island

I think what I have been enjoying about the SBC besides the obvious of all of us getting together, is that we're finding different things to do.  Today was Winnie's birthday and although we did a "traditional" shopping run - we skipped our usual sushi lunch and went to City Island for a Lobster Special!  After the tremendous 3 course meal, I drove the ladies down to the tip of City Island to enjoy the view and see the popular Johnny's Reef Restaurant which is a fast (sea) food court - think "Coney Island" and picnic tables.  If the weather wasn't so steamy hot and muggy, that would have been a nice choice for some good chow-down.  Next time.

Love Kathy's first look at her lobster!

No doubt about it
WeAreLikeThis

Winnie gets a surprise serenade!

At the tip of City Island - a Look-Out point