First Weekend of Spring

So after snowing on the first official day of spring it was actually pretty nice this weekend, so we took advange and went hiking Saturday with Nick & Gin, our Australian friends. We went to Palisades Park which is right over the George Washington bridge. It's so close to the city but it feels so far away. It felt great to get out into nature. Buddy led the charge, good thing too because I started thinking he was too fat and old to keep up with us. Poor guy, I feel bad for doubting him now. I was so exhausted when I got back that I just stayed in and watched The Holiday that night. Today was a perfect day. We walked Buddy all the way to Park Slope and did a loop through the park, then I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and had an amazing facial at Bliss Spa with the certificates I got for my birthday. The nice weather really energizes me and I feel like I have to take advantage of it here. Later I cooked a delicious dinner with recipes from the Cakebread Cookbook. For those of you that live near Napa, you need to go to the Cakebread winery and do a tasting. It's so fun and their cookbook is the best!

A Visit From Mom

My mom flew out this week for a surprise last-minute visit from Wednesday to Friday. It was a really quick trip, but my parents are still trying to figure out if they’re going to buy a place in Battery Park so that’s why she came. They’re trying to negotiate with the developer, who is so far being really stubborn in spite of the declining economy – what a dummy. It was fun having her though. She, Paul and I went to an amazing Greek food restaurant for dinner Wednesday night. In fact it was so good that I went back the next night LOL! It was kind of a fluke because Kristin was going to have me and Ashley over for a girls night, but then her husband ended up staying home so we decided to just meet in the middle (Union Square) for drinks and dinner and I suggested the Greek place, etc etc. I called my mom and invited her to join us and we had a great time. I, like always, drank a little too much wine, but hey, I think that’s just how life is in the city. You either keep drinking or you go home. And pacing myself is just not really an option, I at least try though. I always have a great time with Kristin (my NY BFF) and Ashley, one of her best friends from growing up. We’re already plotting our next night out in a couple weeks. Our husbands always get nervous when we hang out because we always end up coming back drunk. I never sleep well when I drink wine though so I’m pretty tired today. At least I have a nice, mellow dinner with my two sisters-in-law tonight, who are both pregger’s so there won’t be too much partying going on. It’s supposed to be beautiful this weekend – in the 50’s! woot woot! – so I’m planning on going hiking. I’ll take lots of pics and post them soon.

Snuggies

I'm sure by now everyone has seen the info-mercial for the Snuggie. So at my friend's party one night a group of us were talking about them for about an hour and dying of laughter with all the different scenarios where you'd wear one. We were crying from laughing so hard. So our friend who was visiting that night decided to send us a thank you gift, and lo and behold when we opened the package it was two Snuggies. Paul and I could not stop laughing, so we had to take a few pictures. In all honesty they suck. They're so commical though that it's worth wearing every once in awhile.

Weekend in Asharoken

Yesterday we went to Paul's dad's new house that just finished being built. It is absolutely amazing. It is on a huge lot with lots of grass right on the bay. The house is really modern and immaculate. It has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and a massive kitchen, which I love. Every time we go out there we get spoiled with good food and wine and can really just relax. It's so nice! Especially in the summer when we can lay in the sun all day. I definitely feel extremely spoiled being able to visit there. Anywho, this time we just ate, drank and relaxed. We ordered food from my favorite Italian place in New York, Maroni's. We got linguine with clam sauce, roasted green beens and a fresh loaf of bread. Tony served us amazing white wine (we finished 3 bottles! a bottle each is normal, right??) then had frozen custard for dessert. I don't know how I managed to fit it all in my tummy, but somehow it was possible. Today we came back and bathed Buddy because he was disgusting and we're making fajitas tonight. It was a pretty mellow weekend. Friday I grabbed a couple early drinks with my friend Virginia, from Australia, in Carrol Gardens in Brooklyn. I think now I'll go to the gym to try and work off some of that food I ate so I don't turn into a total fat-ass. Peace for now!