Had to share

Because we live in such an urban city, even the tiniest bit of nature mesmerizes us. Last Sunday's sunset was no exception.

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Something Unknown

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Oldies but goodies

I haven't been using my cameras much since getting an iPhone, but found these photos from a visit to NYC last April. Now that we live here again, I don't always stop to relish in the beauty of the city.

making our way into the city as the sun comes up

blooms in the 'Heights

mini bridge in Cobble Hill

my favorite house in Cobble Hill

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This moment . . .

Inspired by Amanda Soule - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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Typical weekend

I can't believe it's been 3 months since we made the trek south back to NYC. We're not living in our old 'hood this time around so we've spent a lot of time on the weekends trying to find new places to make "our" places. Of course, I had to find the closest Starbucks!

Our local Sbux sits on Shellbank Basin, which empties into Jamaica Bay. There is ample outdoor seating, both on the ground level and a 2nd-storey deck, which overlooks the water. Though it's never empty, it's a big difference from the busy-ness of my usual Sbux near work and such a fun way to wind down after a long jaunt in the park with my boys.

the basin

dome lids always make milk taste better
[cassius is lounging under the table]

a rare photo with my boy

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Shark attack!

It's daylight savings time for those of you in my part of the world. Did you remember to "fall back" an hour? I thought I'd use the extra hour to finally finish my Halloween post.

pretty pumpkins

This was the first year [of 3] that Indio actually had some idea of what was going on. He was super-excited the days before because he knew he would get to wear a costume, though he kept changing his mind about what he wanted to be. In the end I picked up a cozy shark costume from Old Navy, which was perfect since Indy has been studying oceans at school and promptly told me he was going to be a "predator" when he saw his getup!

On Monday afternoon we set out to visit Louly's house -- my traditional Halloween stoop hangout pre-Indio and a perfect perch to watch all the costumes in the neighbourhood parade by.

Indy joins the gang on Louly and Bill's stoop

You cannot imagine Indio's delight when he realized that not only did he get to wear a costume, but he also got candy from complete strangers! After almost 3 years candy-free, my boy was delirious with excitement and an overdose of sugar! Lucky for us, he has no idea where his stash is now and doesn't seem to care. Phew!

After what felt like hours of trick-or-treating, we settled in on Ginna and Henry's stoop for a glass of vino with cheese and crackers. Thankfully, Indy ate some of the crackers and cheese and finally stopped with the candy only because Henry put him up to the task of handing out candy. Now I know what to do next year!

treats from Henry

the loot!

sugar overload

And a few from the previous weekend's parties:

pumpkin rings are the tastiest

snow in october? didn't anyone get the memo: we aren't in Canada anymore!

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In search of the Great Pumpkin

Did you know NYC actually has a bonafide farm in its midst? I was shocked too!

We drove out to Queens Country Farm this past windy Saturday in hopes of visiting their pumpkin patch to find the perfect gourd for our Jack O'Lantern. We were kind of dismayed at the lack choice and didn't end up taking a pumpkin home. We did get to squeeze in a few barnyard animal sitings before someone declared it nap time by way of fussiness with a touch of crankiness.

It definitely wasn't a farm like the ones past the suburbs, but it was a brief escape from the concrete of the rest of the city.

king of the hill

"found one!"

so many chicks, so little time

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On the move . . . again!

I've seriously neglected this blog for too long. I have a bunch of post ideas lined up in my head, but haven't had the time to sit and actually formulate my thoughts. I'm hoping this will change once we make our big move back to NYC. Yep, it's official, I can't deny it any longer: we're moving . . . on SUNDAY!

I'm overwhelmed with emotions that span the spectrum: anxious about the preschool application process in NYC, excited about going to work at my *old* school, sad to be leaving family and friends once again, but oh-so-happy to have E at home all.the.time. No more of this traveling back and forth for him, leaving me and Indio alone in Toronto.

I hope you're all having a fabulous summer. I've kept up with some of my blog reading, though I'm still a bit behind. I'll catch you all up-to-date soon with a few posts about what I've been up to while in complete denial about this move all summer! xo

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A boy's-eye view

As Indio gets older, our visits to his birth city become more of an adventure for him [and me, trying to keep him busy!]. I try to think of new and exciting things to do with Indy, who is at an age where he's curious about everything but has the attention span of a, well, a 2-yr old.

We took a customary subway trip along the A line from Indy's grandfather's place towards Far Rockaway. The train travels above ground in this segment and goes through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and along the ocean, so there's lots to see. Not surprisingly, Indio was just as intrigued with the workmen repairing the tracks as he was the Atlantic.

here comes the A train!

playing footsies on the train

Indio's current obsession with all things transportation meant a visit to the NY Transit Museum was in order. We met up with Julie, Jonas and twins, Jesse and Miles for a morning of exploring buses, trains "from the olden days" and enough turnstiles to make you dizzy.

don't let the pigeon [or toddler] drive the bus!
supervising an oil change at the mechanic

A trip to NY always includes a visit with Alicia, Monty, Dulce and puppeteer extraordinaire, Kirsten. And much to Indy's delight, our night was filled with children's songs, complete with actions!

there was a great big moose . . .

Of course, Indio wouldn't leave all the picture-taking to me. This boy has an eye.

indy showing off his shutterbug skills to me and louly

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Well Fed: Brooklyn

I know I've been MIA for a bit, but I finally found a moment to sit and catch you all up on our most recent trip to NYC.

Whenever I return to New York my trip seems to centre around food . . . delicious food. This trip was certainly no different!

My first stop wasn't actually in Brooklyn. After an overnight drive through torrential downpour I met up with my cousins who were stopping in Manhattan for the night for a piece of Crack Pie from Momofuku. And yes, it is every bit deserving of its moniker because it's that good. Bonus: it was served alongside a cup of Stumptown java.
Back in Brooklyn later in the week, we enjoyed dinner at Bocca Lupo in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The evening began with an aperitif of Tequila with fresh strawberry, basil and balsamic vinegar. YUM!

My final night in Brooklyn I met up with Sophia for a delicious meal at Iron Chef in Brooklyn Heights.

new york, crazy couple and hardrock rolls

We walked through DUMBO before heading back to the 'Heights for some Crumbs cupcakes: Raspberry Swirl and Baba Booey, aka heaven in the form of peanut butter and chocolate!

bklyn bffs

love

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Home away from home

Packing for a visit back to my other home. So excited to see everyone!

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I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel

I woke this morning to read in the Toronto Star that the iconic Hotel Chelsea is up for sale. It's been a well-known hotspot for so many famous artists and celebrities, and for me, the Chelsea holds special meaning: It was the place where E and I re-ignited our romantic relationship and where he threw my *Dirty Thirty* surprise birthday party. He even had 2 of my cousins fly in from Toronto for the shindig!

Though I didn't frequent it often, I'll always have fond memories of Hotel Chelsea.

^via

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Technicolour Thursday: week 38

I'm really getting good at missing my Project 365 deadlines! Maybe it's a secret blessing in disguise that you can see two weeks worth in one shot...what do you think? It's funny how *not working* makes me feel more busy and overwhelmed than when I had a job! Hmmm... Well, we were in NYC for 5 days, which always throws me off and then I had my photos in so many different cameras that it took forever to download-then-upload them all.

Thanks for sticking with me this far. I don't know if I'll do this project again next year. Maybe I'll follow Paula's lead and do a *Project 52* next year: one photo a week!

[day 260: Picking up cupcakes in the rain from the Flour Studio, mmm....so delish!]

[day 261: Breakfast at St.Lawrence Market--peameal bacon sandwiches--YUM!]

[day 262: At the playground with Papa.]

[day 263: The best stop on the road--Sheetz gas station and coffee bar all in one! I always seem to stumble across new M&M's on our trips to NYC. These coconut ones were oh-so-tasty!]

[day 264: Riding the NYC subway always revs up my appetite too.]

[day 265: I always thought this place was called *Tea and Honey* until I finally looked at the sign up close...really close! Now I know where everyone is going when they say, "I'm going to grab an ice coffee from Ted and Honey!"]

[day 266: A little boy's dream--posing with a fireman and his truck. Extra special fact: Ladder 110 is from my old 'hood, Fort Greene!]

[day 267: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when it's enjoyed with Aja (grandpa) before heading out on the road back to Toronto.]

[day 268: Crazy-cool flower in North Park, Toronto.]

[day 269: Another day in the park with Papa.]

[day 270: Crazy-cool clouds. Crappy phone pic.]

[day 271: It is officially cool enough to test out the new fuzzy Australian slippers given to Indy by my aunt. And another crappy phone pic.]

[day 272: Late night laundry. The joys of cheaper *time of use* electricity rates.]

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