Part II NYC

Fancy Upper East Side Holiday Window Juice from the Union Square farmers' market My favorite neighborhood Snacks for an arty movie at the Angelica Jersey humor
In general, it was a day both doing things I've long meant to do and revisiting places that I'll miss. I think my habit has been to sneak off for a largely unscheduled day in the city about three times a year. I'll miss being able to do that.

Part I NYC: Monday 29 November 2010

CampusIndustry Bagel and Metropolitan Diary Grand Central Chrysler Building

Went to NYC. Took the train from downtown New Brunswick, which costs more than ferrying in, but which is fun. Fulfilled my desire to read the New York Times' Metropolitan Diary in the city. Did so, in fact, sitting in Grand Central while eating a really good bagel. Then went in my favorite building, the Chrysler. Afterward, walked so much I have blisters on both feet. Am now (happily) exhausted.

Part II: Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

New Tree. Ornaments.
Our old tree drowned in the flood. Since we're moving soon, we thought we might just skip the tree this year. But in the end we got a new, bigger, fake tree on sale at Target. I was worried we wouldn't have enough ornaments, but I made a slew of these glitter ones last holiday season. By concentrating on the front of the tree, I had plenty.

Part I: Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

My Patented Nor-Cal Stuffing. Local NJ Cranberries.

We had a great Thanksgiving with friends, but made some stuff at home too.

Tuesday 23 November 2010

(T's trademark) Pie Supplies. Irn Bru.

Ready. Irn Bru: Made with girders. The drink o' my people. Love that Wegmans carries it.

Monday 22 November 2010

Suede Hippie Purse. Broken Plate.

I'm going to list some stuff on ebay: things that still are of value either becaue they were only barely used (down Land's End coat) or never used (suede coach purse). Interesting (in ways both good and bad) to see what I've spent money on over the years, when my imagination has gotten away from me. I loved, loved, loved this plate. Just had the one, but it was used for lunches, snacks, breakfasts. Accidentally broke it yesterday by knocking the dishsoap into the sink. I'm bummed it is gone, but happy I got good use out of it. Now there is space for a new beautiful, useful thing.

Friday 19 November 2010

Glow globe.
From the stack of things I'm not getting rid of as a sort through my crap: This thing is made out of, oh, boiled petroleum and lead maybe? It smells synthetic and feels a bit icky. In certainly isn't terribly useful and it's hard to defend it as beautiful. But the inner 18 month old in me adores it. It slowly, silently changes colors and I could watch it for hours. (Maybe my inner pothead is also a fan?) Furthermore, while environmentally dubious, it has nice memories linked to it. My best friend had similar thingies in Glasgow and I much enjoyed having them light up the bathroom, rave style, as I showered while staying at her flat. I found this one later on in that same trip while picking up postcards at a pound store in Chester.

Thursday 18 November 2010

Charms.
I've started collecting charms when we visit places. I now have a nice little batch going, though I wish I'd been doing it the whole time I lived out here.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Shoes.
The big move is coming up very soon, so I've been increasingly brutal as I pare things down. I probably could move every pair of shoes I own, but I don't want to. I actually love the cleaning out that comes with moving. I've been on this coast, and in this house, long enough to gather up too much crud. I've held on to too many things for the wrong reasons. That said, I do also see the beauty in a gorgeous thing. I adore an object that serves its purpose well. And I think I'm well served by the process of both rethinking and appreciating that happens as I whittle down my earthly possessions. It seems especially appropriate as I'm on the brink of a big life shift here as well.

The pattern on this blog has changed a bit. I've been busy and sick, so posting at all is enough for me. Still trying to get to the everyday a bit. And still trying to see both positives and negatives. Just more often allowing that to only require 1 pic.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Notebook. Light.
Little notebook for addresses, lists, info. So useful in helping me be organized. This light needs new bulbs. And it seems every room needs at least one lightbulb changed. Bah.
100th post by the way. Woo.

Monday 15 November 2010

Canolli from Brooklyn. Sample sale wallet.

East coast things I'll miss. I like a good cannoli and just discovered a Brooklyn satellite store in Metuchen. Sample sales allow me to buy things I love but could never otherwise justify. I hit maybe 2 a year, but I'll still miss them.

Thursday 11 November 2010

Phone with Japanese cat charm
Having a day of being fond of modern technology.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

5:04 p.m.
Fell back.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Candle. Hearth.
A burning candle makes the whole house smell gorgeous, which is especially lovely when coming ome on a cold, wet day. Our hearth, however, is less glam and homey.

Monday 8 November 2010

Color Spectrum umbrella. Starbucks holidays cup.

Freezing rain today, but fall is an excuse to bring out my beloved MOMA umbrella. White Mocha to take off the chill. Seems early for the holiday cups. Reminds me that last year I actually bought a Starbucks holiday cup Xmas ornament. I was sooo busy until Dec. 24th that the cups were the main thing that told me what time of year it was. This year, I'll try to get some fun out of our last holiday season in NJ/NY.

Friday 5 November 2010

Nasturtium

Planted late spring. Had a rough summer. Just now blooming. The good: Finally. And they are gorgeous. And oddly fall appropriate. The bad: I'm already losing other plants to frost. Some of the buds won't make it to blossom.

Thursday 4 November 2010

Sick. Blue and Orange.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Clean hallway. Rice cooker.

Nice to come in to a non cluttered space. The rice cooker is loved and hated. It gets the job done and is ancient. But is also Alzheimery chock full of aluminium and has a cord that has to be angled just so for it to work right.

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Dentist appointment at 7 a.m. Ferry into NYC with my parents. Fancy lunch at Bloomingdales. Visited Tenement Museum. Had fun, but took no pics. Exhausted by end of night.

Cape May Cont'd: 1 November 2010

Pink VictorianSeaside Taffy

Lighthouse

Cape May: 31 October 2010

Congress HallCongress Hall Pig CookiesHouses on the Park

Beach
Parents visiting NJ. Weekend trip to Cape May.