A Valentine’s Day Contest

Q:  What’s missing from this picture?

A: Your Comments!

 

You have from now until Sunday February 7th to comment on any of our 2010 blog posts.  For each comment you leave, your name will be entered into a drawing.  If your name is drawn, you will receive something red and frilly from Yours Truly just in time for Heart Day! 

Valentine’s Day Thoughts and Recollections

It is almost the big Heart Day and I have a few things to say about it and am hoping you do too.  I know a lot of us are disgruntled with consumerism run amuk and that Valentine’s Day is now seen by many as just another ploy from the greeting card/floral industries to guilt us into spending too much. This got me to thinking and recollecting…mostly recollecting.

What I am thinking is this; most of us are pretty happy when someone they care about (or even a stranger, for that matter) goes out of their way to be thoughtful.  And, for most of us, the thoughtfulness does not require mass amounts of stuff (I said most of us).  I very much hope we all have touching Valentine’s Day stories that back up my theory.  Here are a few of mine.

When I was in fourth or maybe fifth grade my mom wrote all of my fellow students’ names on their Valentine’s cards in Calligraphy.  Lots of these kids kept these Valentines in their desk long after the big day because they felt special every time they saw their name all pretty-like on those cheap little see-through white envelopes.  Thank you for doing that, mom.

A decade or so later, my then boyfriend Tom wanted to give me a Valentine but had little money.  He handed me a single red rose with a ribbon attached.  Tied to the ribbon was an abalone shell ring.  Tom died last year at forty years old and even though we had fallen out of touch I will always treasure that ring and how special he made me feel that day.

My friend Mary loves hearts and so do I.  A couple of years ago my friend Laurie helped me make heart soaps in honor of Mary for Dakota Blonde’s Annual Valentine Show raffle.  Last year, during the concert, Mary surprised me with three beautiful black and white photos of the band, one in a sweet antiquey silver frame.  Warm Fuzzies.

As for the pot pie you see pictured above, this was not a Valentine – but the bonus red pepper heart brought much happiness that day and this photo pretty much sums up what I am getting at.  I was a very happy woman…all for under five bucks (can’t remember – may have even gotten an employee discount on it).

And now, for my favorite Valentine’s Day story…Paul and I had our first date on Feb 12th, 2006.  We had such a nice time that we decided to meet again the next night.  Instead, I ended up in the ER (car accident) and don’t remember that Valentine’s Day at all (pain meds) but I do remember him picking me up at the hospital and taking me back to his house and nursing me back to health for the next several days.  He has been my Valentine ever since : )

I am pretty sure I don’t need to tell you this…but it would be great to hear some of your very own Valentine’s stories : )  Just click the comment link above and type away.

PS I have nothing against cards and flowers.  I love them both.  I just think we could all use a little reminding that there are lots and lots of (inexpensive) ways to love and be loved.  Here’s wishing us all extra X’s and O’s this Valentines Day!

Haiti Needs Soap

Our friend Alane of Blissful Botanica just brought to my attention this blog:

http://www.greatcakessoapworks.com/handmade-soap-blog/index.php/soap-needed-in-haiti/

Don’t have any soap/shampoo to spare?  The crafting community is also stepping up and showing their support.  Find out how by going to my friend Rachel’s blog:

www.lostintheattic.typepad.com/

And if you are needing or wanting anything from Mary Janes Farm, please consider purchasing those items this week as 10% of sales will go to Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts:

www.maryjanesfarm.org/

Most of us cannot begin to imagine the circumstances the Haitian earthquake victims now find themselves in.  Thank you for doing whatever you can to help.  Hugs,

Valynne & Paul

PS I just sent 50lbs of random soap chunks in 2 large Priority Mail boxes, which cost me $29 total.  Two normal boxes would have cost me around $80 to send.  Be sure to use the “Flat Rate” boxes, which you can pick up free of charge at the post office.

Caretaker Profile: Kevin and Alicia Shea

Bob The Cat

Since Paul and I began caretaking last year, we have had several requests to house and pet sit across the states.  Because our current sit is long term (one to two years) we are currently off the market.  For this reason, I have been putting together a list of people we know and trust who caretake so that when Paul and I are asked for a reference I have their info at my fingertips.   

Kevin and Alicia Shea make it easy for me to refer them for several reasons.  I met Kevin while browsing a house sitting forum on www.housecarers.com.  It was here that I noticed that he and his wife Alicia live in Massachusetts (not far from our current sit) and had recently been profiled in a New York Times article (please see my November posts for the full article).  

I contacted Kevin in hopes he would be interested in exchanging ideas and we have established a rapport these past few months.   Alicia designed their website www.kevinandaliciashea.com, which happens to be the best caretaking website I have come across.  All that aside, the biggest reason I can give for referring this couple stems from Kevin’s most recent post on the Housecarers forum…  

“Later this month we are off again. This time it will be a repeat sit in Northeast CT taking care of our now long term friend, Bob the cat. I can’t remember exactly but this will be the 5th or 6th time for this client. They were our first way back in June 2008.

We thoroughly enjoy this sit as we have our choice of staying in the main house or at the cottage down the path from the main house. We sometimes stay in the main house for the week and then “vacation” to the cottage for the weekends. A different driveway to the cottage makes it feel as if we are truly in 2 different places, … except that Bob knows where we are and saunters over.

Bob’s favorite thing is to pluck on the window screen in the office. He gets to it by hopping up in the porch handrail, and then strums it so as to tell us, “Hey, open the door!”.  So the door valet gets up, opens the door and waits the designated time as Bob slooooowly enters the house. Of course, he then eats a bit and leaves quickly through his cat door.   

We have gotten to know the homeowners friends and they will be our dinner guests, again, on our first weekend there. It is rather funny to be entertaining folks who know the place better that we do and who can tell us where their preferred beverage is located. Our dinners with their friends have been such fun and so talked about, that the homeowners invited us for a weekend just so that they could enjoy the fine cooking and have a few laughs.

 

We have already made reservations at Still River cafe, considered the #1 Destination restaurant in New England. http://www.stillrivercafe.com/ and we are also looking forward to sipping some Cointreau Noir in front of the fireplace in the cottage while playing with Bob.  Next up — who knows?”

So, my main reason for referring this couple is that these are the kind of people I would want to be taking care of our home and pets.   Kevin and Alicia not only caretake – they establish relationships and clearly enjoy the lifestyle they have created for themselves.  Thank you Kevin and Alicia for allowing me to share a bit of your story!    

*If you are looking for caretakers in the near future, you can contact Kevin and Alicia through their website, which is listed above and to the right, under blogroll.  If you are interested in caretaking, feel free to contact me for ideas and inspiration.  Or, If you simply have any questions and/or comments to share, please click the comment link at the top of this post – I love comments!

More NY Favorites

BYOD?

I know nothing about New York real estate.  That being said, this mansion is for sale on the Upper West Side and I am tempted to call the realtor and ask if the doors and windows are extra. Just curious, is all.  If it weren’t a waste of people’s time, I would love to see the interior.  But it is a waste of people’s time.  Maybe if I said I was an up and coming blogpreneur? I mean, I did just break the 3,000 hits mark (thanks all)!  Still, a waste of people’s time.  Drat.   

Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter I

  

  

  

  

 

Alice’s Tea Cup is really sweet (as in Strawberry Chocolate Scones sweet).  I asked for lavender tea and ended up with this wonderful blend… “Serene is the composition of chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, wild crafted linden herb, organic peppermint leaves, organic osthmanthus flowers, organic jasmine blossoms, organic lemongrass and lavender flowers”.  Bliss.  And they make their own Ginger Soy Dressing.  I could drink it.  Seriously.  

Fiocchetti ai tre formaggi e pera

MEZZOGIORNO Restaurant is on the corner of Spring and Sullivan in SoHo and has been since 1987.  What you see here is small pasta pouches filled with cheese and pear.   Tuscan Cuisine…definitely in the  top five on my Life’s Loves list.  Oh, and all of the interior furnishings, including the Florentine bar,  (and the owner) were imported from Italy.  You may know this about me by now, but I have this, this thing for Italy…   

     

  

And Ireland.  I certainly could not visit NYC without stopping in an Irish Pub.  Of the several times I have been to New York (as an adult, anyway), I have proudly upheld this tradition.  These pics were taken towards the end of our stay.  Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake the night before and I couldn’t sleep for thinking of all the people in crisis.  Having been thrown out of bed and across the room during the Northridge Quake (CA) in 1994, I know the damage earthquakes and their aftershocks are capable of.  The Northridge Quake was a 6.7 and no where near as devastating as what Haiti is now facing.  So, while Paul met with coworkers on Madison Ave, I hoofed it to one of my new favorite streets and found me St James Gate and ordered me an Absolute Bloody Mary (because drinking always helps, she thinks sarcastically to herself).  Bartendress Siobhan and I contemplated many things; mostly having to do with technology and the quake.   A man named LR at the end of the bar piped in every now and then…he reminded me of the man who sits at the end of the bar at Vesuvio in San Francisco; similar beards and caps and dress; as if they stepped out of another era.  A better era.  LR  drank his pint and whiskey while reading Chronicles, Volume One (for the fourth time) until he decided to get back to work, warning Siobhan that he would most likely be back later. ..

Don’t Forget To Write

How fun is it that I found myself  in NYC the very same week that GWW (Gotham Writers’ Workshop) held their annual Winter Open House?  Much fun, for me and for Paul, who (being the gentleman that he is) escorted me to the classroom on Bowery (Lower East Side) then had himself a pint or two at McSorley’s Old Ale House while I learned how much there is to learn about writing. 

The first class (Nonfiction Writing) was taught by Pauline Millard, who had me at “I write for the The Huffington Post”.  I love that she stressed that in order to be a good writer, one really must read.  I can do that.  I know there is more to being a writer than reading a lot, but it’s a good start, isn’t it?

Ms. Millard gave us several writing prompts (my favorite being “Write about someone you can’t stand”).  A few brave souls shared their five minute manifestos with the rest of us (apparently we all have someone or something we can’t stand – relief all around).  She suggested we read On Writing by Stephen King.  Being the good (i.e. obsessive) student that I am, I decided I must read that book.  Now. 

Evan Rehill taught the second class (Creative Writing).  I enjoyed his teaching style (fired up) and the fact that he felt mortally wounded by a paper cut inflicted upon him last class. I wanted to know (and still do) what the tattoo on his inner wrist symbolized (it looked like a star that had lines missing).  Don’t ask me why I didn’t ask him – I don’t know why – just didn’t.  Maybe I will e-mail him.

Mr. Rehill taught that the words coming to life are what we give to the reader and gave us the following writing prompt:  “Pick an ordinary object and infuse it with magic”.  OK, got it.  Next prompt?  “Add conflict”.  What does my character want?  What is in the way?  Juicy.  Let’s make the impossible possible, shall we?

Now, of course, I want to take classes every Saturday in NYC.  The classes aren’t too expensive, but the travel (train, parking, subway, etc) would run a couple hundred a week, easy.  Alas.  GWW does offer classes online, which I typically shy away from…will have to think about it.  Meantime, thank you Gotham Writers’ Workshop for enriching my NYC experience!

Thrift Store Score

Geox Womens Dress Shoes

I found these darling shoes at Housing Works Thrift Shop on Columbus for $8.  This, from their website:  

The Housing Works Thrift Shops occupy seven upscale locations in New York City, selling high-end vintage treasures to bargain hunters and fashionistas alike. The Thrifts not only provide more than $12 million in funding per year, but also ensure a supply of clothing and essentials for our clients.

I love these shoes!  And I found a Paul Theroux read for Paul for $4.50.  Now, off we go to MEZZOGIORNO in Soho for some Italian eats…more later…

Strawberry Fields Forever

You can find this mosaic in Central West between 71st and 74th Streets.  The area is known as Strawberry Fields and is endorsed by 121 Countries as a Garden of Peace.  Yesterday was very crowded, so I came back this morning and sat for a while on one of the many benches surrounding Imagine, which was donated by the City of Naples. 

During that time I saw many people come and go, most of them sitting on the mosaic and having pictures taken with friends.  A man was practicing T’ai Chi Chuan on a nearby grassy area while locals walked their dogs and chatted about relationships, mostly.  I loved seeing so many young people at the mosaic and teared up listening to their reasons for coming to this place. 

Just as I considered leaving Strawberry Fields,  a newlywed couple appeared in the near distance.  I remained glued to the bench while watching them walk past the mosaic.  Several people had wished them well when I finally found my voice and stood, asking them if I could take a picture.  All I could say was “beautiful” and then came more tears as I sat back down and they continued on…

New York City – Day One

If you could live in any big city in the world, where would it be?  For me, it would be New York or San Francisco.  Or possibly Dublin or Florence or London…hard to say since I have only been to those places once.  Today, I have pretty much convinced myself it would have to be New York.  What an amazing twenty-four hours it has been! 

We left the 4Runner in Providence, Rhode Island yesterday and took the train in to Penn Station.  I began reading one of Em’s Christmas gifts en route;  The Big House by George Howe Colt.  It is a true story about “a century in the life of an American summer home” and takes place in and around Cape Cod…loving it so far. 

We are staying in an apartment minutes away from Central Park (Strawberry Fields section), the Museum of Natural History, and Magnolia Bakery : )  I am pretty much in Heaven. 

Got here in time for a walk around the neighborhood and a subway ride to Greenwich Village, where we had what could quite possibly be the perfect meal at The Place, which reminded me of my adolescent cave fantasies (definitely a blog for another day).  Think just the right lighting (dim) in a cozy underground space sans windows.  And curved archways.  And Sweet Potato Ravioli, Malbec, then Moussaka for the main course.  So impressive that Paul cannot stop reminiscing over the ravioli.

We then walked it off, stopping in shops like Bleecker St. Records  which just happened to be playing Social Distortion and happened to have a John Lennon CD (Acetates & Alternate Mixes) to add to our collection.  Life is sweet. 

But wait, it gets sweeter.  Back in the Upper West Side, we hit Magnolia Bakery for one blueberry crisp and one banana pudding (Valynne), and one apple crisp and one lemon bar (Paul).  And coffee in honor of the City that never sleeps.  Oh, and midnight snacks including garlic knots from Columbus Gourmet Food.

OK, that was just last night.  I guess if I go over every little detail of our trip I will lose you.  How about some pics from today, then? 

There were too many people around Strawberry Fields this morning to get a decent pic of “Imagine”, so I will try again tomorrow.  We are staying around the corner from the Dakota Building; pretty amazing digs.  I fell in love with this gazebo – does anyone know anything about it?  Do people get married here? 

It was bloody cold today, hence the layers, funky hair and frozen expression.  I pretty much had to have a “You’re Fired” Bloody Mary in the Trump Bar, which I have to say was the best Bloody I have had since returning to the East Coast.  Good thing, $18 later.  As we were leaving the building we were bombarded by protestors.  I didn’t quite catch what they were protesting but I instinctively felt they had good reason then felt a bit ashamed for having gone there…wonder what Trump did this time.

I love how most of the skaters at Rockefeller Center are wobbly like me…how many people skate there just to say they have, do you think?  The flags really struck me – don’t remember them being there before.  Have I mentioned how much I love New York City?  Just making sure.

Paul doesn’t like posing for pics.  It has taken me a long time to (somewhat) accept this fact.  Hence the side profile, taken in Times Square.  I really like the curls that ensue when he has gone longer than he would like between cuts…and that is why I posted this.  Below is the one billboard that I felt was photo worthy.

If and when we decide to settle down in one place, I believe this will be the table I choose to settle down with (hope you like it too, Paul!?!).  The remainder of today’s New York pics were taken at Chelsea Market.  Neither of us had been there – we were not disappointed.

I don’t need any more glass items.  But I love glass, and I can’t resist photographing it.  Bowery Kitchen is a restaurant supply that has been in business since 1975.  I don’t cook much but can spend hours in shops like this – and it is a great place to buy tools of the trade for Paul, who is an amazing cook. 

This young woman made the best looking (and tasting) latte I have ever experienced.  She was sweet in letting me take her picture with said latte – thank you, beautiful barista! 

I backed away from the candy aisle at Manhattan Fruit Exchange – but only long enough to take this photo : )  How deliciously colorful – just look at those jumbo jawbreakers!  Gummy Cola Bottles, anyone?

Not being a real foodie (or much of a druggie unless you count chocolate, wine, and the occasional caffeine rush); I know little about this fungi, aside from the fact that, much like the candies above, just the sight of them brought me joy, deeming them worthy of a mention.

The red and white paper packaging so pleased me that I hardly cared what was inside.  buon Italia (lower case b intentional) had all of this really amazing food.  One thing I find so very cool about New York City is the discovery factor.  This place had butter made from Parmigiano Reggiano.  We decided to come back for that as the line was a bit long.  Then we forgot.  I will most likely nip back out tomorrow for it while Paul is working.

Last stop at the Market – Amy’s bread.  We haven’t tried it yet, but judging by the smell and the overall vibe of the place, we will not be disappointed.  There was even a room behind glass full of bakers and equipment and bread (duh)…we love Chelsea Market!!! 

One quick trip back to the Village for a pint at The White Horse Tavern –  the very same tavern that Dylan Thomas frequented a little too frequently; the same tavern frequented by the likes of Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Jack Kerouac (who was bounced from the establishment more than once), and Hunter S. Thompson. 

Then to the newstand for a Sunday Times (New York and London) and back on the subway “home”.  There you have it…bliss, defined.

Quick CC Update

Thank you, Michele for this new and improved display pic...

First – I would like to thank Michele for her Photoshop (or however you managed that) expertise, not to mention her creativity and the fact that she’s got Paul’s back.  I am sure he will thank you profusely once he discovers this gem : ) Find out more about Michele and her mad skills at www.myvispro.com . Doesn’t Paul look good in argyle? 

Second – I would like to announce the latest CC prize winner!  Paul drew one name from the pile and guess who it was?  DENISE S!  Yay, Denise!  You, who actually reads my blogs and comments often,  have obviously been blessed by the blog gods…luvly jubly as Paul likes to say : )

Third – Paul and I are off to New York City tomorrow for a few days.  I am not your typical city girl but I do love  NY.  Paul has a business meeting there and the homeowners are here with Milo so I am off to wander (especially looking forward to reacquainting myself with the Village and SoHo).  There will be blogging involved…stay tuned!