The Big Apple -Day Four

When I sleep until 9:30, you know I must have been really tired!!  I can't remember the last time I slept that late.    Doug did some research and found a great place for brunch - The Popover Cafe.  It was delicious and we all ordered different things so we could share - corn beef hash, an omelette, and french toast:)  But first, they bring you homemade popovers!

Inside Macy's

Macy's Window Watchers

After we finished brunch, we took the subway over to Macy's to do some Christmas shopping and to see the windows.  Nightmare!!!  None of us lasted very long:)  The crowds were just amazing - wall to wall people!!  We stayed long enough for me to take a few pictures and to see the front windows - the theme this year is "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus" and buy a little something for Doug's stocking.  I needed some help (from Doug) picking out his gift so we went to a nice men's shop that he likes.  Much nicer shopping experience and he found just what he wanted!!!  I learned long ago not to buy items of apparel without approval:)

 Leigh Anne and I saw some little girls with American Girl shopping bags and thought it would be fun to walk through the store.   I used to love to sew for Janet and Sarah (and my) dolls.  When we got there, the line was about three blocks long just to get in!  We decided to save that for another visit.  During the afternoon, we did some more shopping,  walked over to see where Doug's office is located, and stopped for coffee.  We walked through Central Park back to their neighborhood so I could experience Doug's daily walk to work.

Skaters in Central Park

Dinner was at the Shake Shack - hamburgers, cheese fries and a shared shake.  Doug and Leigh Anne discovered this place last summer and told me about it several times.  My turn!   We stopped for two different chocolate chip cookies on the way home - needed to do a "taste test"!!

Leigh Anne & Doug - bundled up for the cold!!!  Shake Shake in the background.

Leigh Anne with her camera.

Stocking time!!

We were planning to open Christmas presents Sunday morning, but Doug couldn't stand it anymore!!  We opened presents and played with our gifts Saturday night!!!  Great fun.  Doug and Leigh Anne surprised me with a Kindle - and I do mean surprised me.  I love it!!!! I had time to get it charged and ready for my flight home.

My New KINDLE!!!!

The Big Apple - Day Three

NY Cheesecake

Corned Beef on Rye

Today Sara S (a friend of my children who recently moved to NYC) met me to explore the city some more.  We walked around the Times Square area and then met Leigh Anne for lunch at the Stage Deli.  What can I say???  Leigh Anne and I shared a corned beef or rye and NY Cheesecake!!!  Yum:):)  Sara's roast been looked pretty good, too!!!

Sara at the deli.

After Leigh Anne went back to work, Sara and I started walking towards Bloomingdale's and saw some sidewalk performers.  They were great - until they wanted TEN DOLLARS:)  Bloomingdales and the other stores in the area were fun for  window shopping and to see the Christmas decorations.  There was also a very weird stock room tour at CVS sometime:)  We had coffee and then headed back to the apartment to rest (I think it was me that needed to rest).  When Leigh Anne got home, the three of us headed out shopping again in the area.  Success!!!  They helped me find a really nice coat.  By that time,  Doug was able to meet us at a great Thai restaurant for dinner with a stop at a bakery on the way home.  Surely I walked enough today to erase all those calories.



Doug's Christmas ornaments which were MIA were found in my storage so I shipped them to NYC.   The tree definitely has a sports theme at the moment.

A fun day!

The Big Apple - Day Two

Thursday morning I headed to the Fashion District to visit some fabric stores.  The first one I stopped at was Paron's.  There was another lady from Pattern Review there and we visited a bit.  We both had Metro Fabrics on our list so walked over there together.    Kashi was as nice as everyone says!  He shipped the fabrics I bought from him and Paron's home for me.  Next up was B&J fabrics for coat lining.   It was fun just walking around browsing in the different shops.

Shop at Bryant Park

At lunch time, I headed over to Bryant Park and shopped and ate.  There are lots of little kiosks set up for the Christmas season with fun things to see and buy.  I bought a few stocking stuffers.

Hot chocolate at Jacques

When Leigh Anne came home from work, we headed out for a great evening.  She showed me around their neighborhood and we stopped for hot chocolate at one of their favorite little shops.   I am on the prowl for a new winter coat so we looked in some stores but didn't find the perfect one.  But we did find more boots!!!!

 After dinner we headed to Rockefeller center to see the tree and decorations.  The tree is huge and so beautiful and there are decorations everywhere.

In front of the tree at Rockefeller Ctr

 There was also a light show on the Saks Fifth Avenue building - Bubbles and Snowflakes.  I loved walking by all the store windows decorated for the holidays.  It was a great evening.

Leigh Anne did her magic and found us a cab for the trip home.  Doug is working on a big project and didn't get home until long after I was in bed:)

A great day - and only one blister:)

New York City!!!!

Yesterday I flew to New York City to spend a few days with Doug and Leigh Anne and see their apartment in Upper Manhatten.  What a trip!!!!  My flight was supposed to leave at 9:50 a.m.   I arrived at the Nashville Airport about 8:30 in case there were any security night mares.  Security took a little longer because everyone had coats and sweaters, etc. to deal with but I didn't get scanned or patted down:)  After I had a cup of coffee, I arrived at the gate to the announcement that there was a weather delay at Newark.  A couple of hours later they had us line up to board and then said "sorry" another weather delay.  We finally left Nashville with its gorgeous weather about 3:45!!!   When we got to Newark, there was another delay as planes were lined up waiting for a gate to unload passengers  This was all kind of  deja vu for me - when several friends and I came to NYC several years ago we sat in Atlanta for hours because of the weather in NYC.

After finally getting off the plane, I took the train into Penn Station and then the subway to the stop near Doug and Leigh Anne.  Great directions from Leigh Anne on the subway.  They did get an SOS text when I got off the subway to "come get me".  By then it was 9:00 p.m. so after dropping off my luggage, we went out for dinner.  A great spot just a couple blocks from their apartment.  They live in the neighborhood where "You've Got Mail" was filmed if you saw that movie.

Needless to say, I was exhausted and had no trouble sleeping last night!  But this flight still doesn't hold a candle to my Alaska flight last January:)  My "on time" flight status is not good this year!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Good Morning Sunshine!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Janet, Nick and I went camping at Lake Guntersville State Park in northeast Alabama (about an hour from Huntsville).  Janet and Nick have an Aliner camper and it was nice and cozy with the three of us:)  After we got to the campground and everything was set up, we had a picnic by the lake and went for a walk.  Later in the day we drove into Guntersville and had Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrel.  We had turkey and dressing and all the trimmings - and no dishes to wash.  You did not hear any complaints from any of us and it was really quite good.  Thursday the weather was cloudy and we knew rain was coming that night - and come it did!!!    Since we couldn't have a campfire, we stayed inside playing Yahtzee and Phase 10.  Janet and I were triumphant that night but Nick paid us back the next night.  He was getting Yahtzee's right and left - I think a total of seven in six games or something ridiculous like that.

The Campers 

Friday, we went into town and Janet and I shopped while Nick watched Auburn beat Alabama.  Dinner was ready in the crockpot when we got back and then it was time for another round of Yahtzee and Phase 10.  Friday night it got into the twenties!!!  Thank you Doug for storing your sleeping bag at my house - it was nice and cozy when we ran out of propane at 4:00 a.m.

Breakfast compliments of Chef Nick

Saturday the weather was gorgeous and we were able to eat breakfast outside.  We went hiking on the Waterfall Trail but never found a waterfall.  After lunch and another round of Phase 10 we headed for home.

Fun, relaxing weekend and a beautiful state park.

Come Hungry!!!!

In the past five days, I have been to THREE great restaurants.  Yesterday my nephew, Jeff, was in town on business and took me to dinner at Puckett's Restaurant & Grocery in Franklin.  Fun, casual place with great southern food and live music.  I had shrimp and grits for the first time ever - what took me so long?  Delicious.

Jeff had the southern classic of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans.  He thought he didn't want dessert but he ate his fair share of the peach cobbler and ice cream.  I knew I wanted dessert!!!  Honestly, it was "research" for when Sarah comes to visit.  It is her favorite:)



Maybe, I just thought I was a southern girl when I lived in Texas.  But, I draw the line at "sweet tea".  Not going there!!!


Today's Agenda:  Go to the gym

Sewing

Saturday I went to a meeting of the American Sewing Guild with Doris and Wanda.  Lots of fun and a nice group of women that sew GARMENTS!!!  The program was put on by a member who had recently been on a tour to Paris and London to check out garments and fabrics.  She had some beautiful souvenirs!!!  After the meeting, six of us went to the Puffy Muffin for lunch.  Very good and there are several cute shops to explore in the same shopping center.  Sorry, I did not take pictures.

The meeting must have been inspiring because I came home and sewed.  I made a top with some of the fabric I bought at Loes Hinse's shop in Carmel, Timeless Treasures, back in May.  Seemed only fair that I use one of her patterns and I even did a review of it at Pattern Review.

Loes Hinse #5203 - Cowl Top

Next up is a Marcy Tilton top - a little funky as most of Marcy Tilton's patterns.  I even pushed that "buy" button on her site and ordered a t-shirt kit and some navy knit.  Back in the swing:)  My tiny sewing room is a challenge but I will adjust.  It will help when I remember where I put things and get a little more organized.

BLOG READERS:  I'd like to welcome my blog readers from around the world and thank them for checking into the blog.   There is a blog tab that gives you those type of statistics which I just found recently.   I am amazed that I have readers from Germany, Poland, Russia, China, The Netherlands, Australia,  Azerbaijan, Argentina, Canada, and others.

These boots are made for walking!

Janet and Nick's college friend, Lynsey, flew to Nashville on Thursday to spend a long weekend with them.  They spent a couple of nights in downtown Nashville to "party"!!  Sunday morning I met them to go "boot shopping".  They found a boot place and needed one more person to get in on the great "deal".  As it turns out, Janet couldn't find anything she liked, but Lynsey and I scored.    It took me a move to Tennessee to get western boots for the first time.  After spending fifty something  many years in Texas, I had never had a pair of cowboy boots!!!  Since only two of us bought, we settled for 50% off each and were happy!

While downtown, we ran into Elvis.  He lives but has moved to Nashville:)  Amazing the things you see.

After exploring for a bit, we headed to a well-known Nashville cafe for lunch. The Loveless Cafe is famous for its biscuits and fried chicken as well as other southern specialties - like fried green tomatoes.  The motel rooms have been converted into shops and we had plenty of time to browse before we ate.  The wait to eat was a little over an hour.

Making biscuits!!

Carol Faye Ellis who became famous for making the biscuits died recently but her spirit lives on.  She made biscuits for/with Oprah, Ellen, Conan O'Brian and Paula Deen.  We ate our fair share.

After eating, we headed home on the Natchez Trace.  I was surprised how close the Loveless Cafe is to me.  It will definitely be on the tour for any visitors who want some Southern home cooking.

Showing off our new boots!

Leaf View on the Trace - I put my camera on the ground
for this shot.

Odds and Ends

Odds and ends and answers to questions from the past several weeks.

First Up:

DOUG PASSED THE NEW YORK BAR!!!!!  As he said, "thank God".  I know he is glad that is behind him and I am truly proud:)  Remember all those "first day of school" photos you took of your kids? (which Doug hated)  Leigh Anne sent me a "first day of work photo"!!!

Doug - first day at work:)

Sarah QUIT SMOKING!!  Yeah Sarah!!!  I am proud of her, too.  And, yes, I gave all the lectures about "not smoking" etc, etc, etc but she didn't listen:):)  This is important on many levels - not only will she be healthier and wealthier but she is the "designated care giver" when I am old:)  Not only for me but Ardell and Barbara are also depending on her to be in charge of their "depends":):)   (Note to Sarah - we have not forgotten about THE PILLOW)

Sewing - a small success!!!  My first sewing project in nearly a year was to make drapes for my townhouse.  Home dec is not my favorite for several reasons.  The main one - BORING!!!  Lots of long seams and blind hem-stitching plus I had to cut these out on the floor.  Definitely painful:)  But they are finished and hanging, and I really like them.  On the plus side, home-dec is really a money saver.  Now on to a more fun project if I can just decide on something:)

New Drapes!!

New Friends - several people have emailed/called and asked how you meet people when you move to a new area and don't know anyone.  Join something!!  I have joined a quilters' guild and a walking group.  Later this month I am going to a book club meeting.  American Sewing Guild has a group near here that I need to check out.  There is a church I have visited in Franklin several times but I want to visit a few more before I make a decision.  It has been a little bit slower process than I thought but I am getting there.  I always seem to stay busy!  (P.S. Before I finished this post, I received an email from Doris inviting me to the local ASG group on Saturday.)

Cooking -  another question has been "how do you cook for one?"  Not hard at all!  Nick is here several days a week so you have to cook for at least six!!!  Seriously, when he is here - he cooks most of the time!!!  I love it!!!  When I cook, I like to have leftovers to freeze or eat later so it hasn't been a problem.

Barbara - I have gotten questions from several people who know my sister asking for an update.  She will be having more surgery as well as chemo/radiation.    Not the results we wanted to hear!!!  Things are moving slower than we like - the Chance family is not known for "patience". Barbara has a Caring Bridge site if you would like to follow her progress.

Barbara's Caring Bridge Site


Weather - we had our first freeze of the season over the weekend.  It was in the high 20s both Friday and Saturday night but beautiful during the day.  They are coming to fix my furnace today:)

On the nightstand:  "Soloman's Oak" by Jo-anne Mapson.  I have read all her books and enjoyed them all.  This is another good one.

The Natchez Trace

Birdsong Hollow
I am in Tennessee:)

One day last week Nick and I went on a drive on the Natchez Trace which goes from Nachez, MS to Nashville, TN.  More info from the web site:  The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history. Used by American Indians, "Kaintucks", settlers, and future presidents, the Old Trace played an important role in American history.

  It is a short drive from my house to the Trace.  Our first stop was at a bridge with the idea of walking across.  Unfortunately, the height got to me and I wimped out.  Sorry I didn't get a good picture so you could see how HIGH it is.

EDITED 11/7/10  This is a picture of the bridge:)  You can't tell but the railing doesn't come too far past my knees - or it felt that way!!  I definitely got the "fear factor" and  the feeling I didn't need to be up that high!!!  Thanks to Randy Fought for sharing the picture.  His website is:  Natchez Trace Travel and you might even see one of my pictures there!

The colors were just beautiful!!  I am continuing to enjoy this time of year and am still amazed at the beauty.    Most of the time I don't know which direction to look first.  We stopped at one area and went for a short hike that led up to the original trail and walked along it for a bit before we headed back to Franklin.

Gorgeous red!!

The Trace is commercial free so you must go into the towns along the way for gas, restaurants, etc.  Some of the towns are quite picturesque so that is something on my list for the future.  This would also be a great fall ride for you Harley riders:)  I'm not so sure about bicycles!!  We saw quite a few people riding but I don't think I could make it up the hills.

You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

Nick holding a huge leaf he picked up!

Part of the orignal Trace.