Florida to NYC

Photo courtesy of NYC Tourist

Such a crazy week this one is going to be. It goes something like this… I have a few more days to wrap up work here in Florida, then it’s time to head home to Cincinnati, where I’ll have a day to catch up before I board a plane on Friday for a quick weekend trip to New York City… Yay!

It’s a double bonus trip. I get to see my son Tyler and his girlfriend Jaimie and revisit my old stomping ground – a place that holds a piece of my heart. Look at this photo I took years ago from a tiny little 4 seater plane above Manhattan. Back then you were still allowed to fly around the city…

When I lived there those precious twin towers were standing tall. Oh, how I  love that city. It seems like just yesterday I was dancing at Studio 54, scouring flea markets in the village, having Sunday breakfast at a diner in Chelsea and hitting Broadway to see my favorite Musical, 42nd Street.

I cannot wait to get back. In January, Tyler (my son) played his last down as an Ohio State Buckeye and a month later landed a job in the Big Apple. His girlfriend Jaimie, a buyer in the Fashion Industry, moved there in 2012.  They share the top floor of a brownstone on the upper west side – a block or so from Central Park. To say I miss them is an understatement.

Their apartment, which I’ve only seen via photos and FaceTime is adorable, yet like most city spaces it’s pretty small. I’m looking forward to seeing it and blogging about it when I get back.

While there, I’m thinking we’ll hit broadway, have breakfast at neighborhood diner, and brunch or dinner at JoAnne Trattoria NYC

photo courtesy of  Ida Mae Astute/ABC

Joanne is owned by Lady Gaga’s parents and features a menu by Head Chef Art Smith, a dear friend of GiGi’s. Here’s a photo I found of Art, Lady Gaga and Jesus (hay-soos) at Art’s restaurant Table 52 in Chicago last year…

photo courtesy of nbc5 Chicago 

I’ve been dying to try Art’s food. I am always hearing about how amazing it is from GiGi… you would think she would let me tag along to meet Art and Jesus one of these days, wouldn’t you?

I’m looking forward to visiting F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) and a couple of my old professors. I envision walking to Central Park (a block from Jamie and Tyler’s apartment), sharing a sundae at Serendipity, cannolis from Little Italy, people watching in Washington Square… oh my. The possibilities are endless. I just can’t wait. Do you have any “must-do’” suggestions for NYC? I hope Tyler and Jaimie are resting up…  xo Amy

Tea Parties, Toads, Baby Mockingbirds, Brown Rice Tortillas and Baby Great Horned Owls…

    

I really am getting work done here in Florida, but there are a ton of distractions from Mother Nature today. I am in continued awe of the beautiful things surrounding me here in Florida…I stayed within a 50 foot radius today and saw some pretty cool things! See if you agree…  

This little guy actually greeted us when we got home the other night...

 

Isn't he cute? Thanks for the greeting Mr. Toad!

 

To kick-off the afternoon, Loring stopped by to visit and invited me to a fabulous tea party

 

I'm pretty sure we solved some the world problems during this conversation

 

and I'm thinking I need a few sets of this children's silverware from Ikea to use with appetizers at my house - it has tiny forks, spoons (2 sizes) and knives...isn't that a great idea? You can get service for 4 for around $5.00

 

Look inside this thorny Bougainvillea bush. Is this Baby Mockingbird not adorable? Just to let you know I risked my life for this shot...mamma was about to dive bomb me. She was not happy

 

For lunch we had my new favorite dish. I am telling you it is to die for...low calorie, with a bit of crunch, juicy and healthy. Plus: it's ALL organic. We simply toasted the tortillas via a frying pan in grape seed oil, spread on a bit of Vegenaise (like mayo) and filled with a corn and black bean salsa from Wal Mart. Delicious!

 

Last time I was here, two (obviously mated) Great Horned Owls were pretty guarded about this Banyan Tree. Today, it cradles a couple of surprises...

 

Look waaaayyyyy up at the top of the tree on the end of a branch...

 

Do you see four sets of baby owl eyes looking down? Their adorable little heads followed us with their eyes wherever we walked...

 

Here Mom (or dad) is on the right, with her two babies to the left. One is being pretty brave now that mom is sitting next to her, the other is barely peeking her ears up...

 

The babies don't fly and have really soft looking feathers. Do you see his little head looking at me?

 

I just can't get enough of them, they are that cute...do you see mom's ears on the left? A storm was brewing, so their feathers are blowing with the wind.

 

 Okay, it’s time to get back to work…hope you discovered something fun today! xoxoxo Amy   

Salmon, The Caloosahatchee River, Cows, Ducks, and Sunflowers

Oh my, so much to share…I’m busy here in Florida and thought the easiest way to share the last 24 hours is just to give you a snap shot…check it out! 

Last night we had a great after dinner river cruise down the intercostal waterway...isn't it beautiful?

 

Lisa made a great dinner of Salmon, potatoes with onions and fennel and polenta. All organic of course!

 

We hopped on their boat for a quick cruise down the river at sunset...

 

The Spanish moss was gorgeous...

 

We saw lots of beautiful homes and even a few alligators...

 

We came home to an iced pitcher of Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) Water...mmmmm Some Jasmine is poisonous, so make sure if you try this, you use one that is edible :)

 

This morning the ducks had a ball in the new reflection pond...

 

Ming Ming was a shaking and a dipping...

 

Lisa had to go out to check on the bees...Yep, I stayed inside...no photo's of that!

 

We had to run out to get a super for the bee boxes...aka a box for them to make more honey. Sorry Gucci...you can't come with us!

 

We had to stop along the way and visit with some new friends...

 

Aren't her babies adorable?

 

I looooooveeee these sunflowers at a local Farmer's Market...

 

This is my favorite photo of the day...

 

Have a GREAT weekend…xoxox