Let the Sun Shine

On the road again and writing from The Villages in Florida. Cousins Terry and Marilyn are spending another year here and avoiding the cold weather and snow in Chicago. We are having fun visiting and eating up a storm. Jeff, Sirius and I drove here in the RV on Saturday afternoon just in time to enjoy a home made dinner with our cousins and Rick. It is our annual reunion and so much fun.

On Sunday we met for brunch at TooJays which is an authentic deli and loved the food. Jeff took home a pound of delicious rugelach and they are all gone now. Terry and Marilyn took us to see a new shopping area and recreation center.

We were very impressed with the Eisenhower Center. It has a grand lobby and six large card rooms plus a theatre with a raised stage and comfy chairs. Each room is decorated with military memorabilia and uniforms. All the items were donated by residents and it is an impressive collection worthy of a museum. I toured all the rooms and saw many interesting exhibits and photos. Comfortable seating areas were placed throughout the facility, so a great place to spend some time or pick up a card game or organized activity.

The new shopping area has an impressive entrance and some interesting birds in the lagoons. I saw American White Pelicans, Wood Storks, Hooded Mergansers and other Ducks and Herons.

In the afternoon Jeff and Rick retired to the RV to watch football while the gals hung out, shopped and gabbed. Later we met for dinner at Carrabba's.

Today is Monday and we all slept late. I was on a mission to get the RV clean. Washed out the fridge and then dusted, did the bathroom and vacuumed. Now I feel better and the place looks great! We met for lunch at a bagel joint where we sat outside so Sirius could join us. Who knew that he likes bagels and cousin Marilyn shared her lunch with him. We sat there for a long time enjoying the sunshine and conversation. Afterwards Terry found a dog park where Sirius could get some exercise while we all watched. Now we are home resting and waiting for our next meal. It is such a beautiful day and so appreciated. Rick took this family portrait.

Update, we met for dinner at a Sonny's where everyone but me enjoyed ribs. I had BBQ chicken and afterwards we said our goodbyes. In the morning we will head south to Orlando and Rick will drive south to participate in a Roads Scholar program in Fort Lauderdale.

Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah

Come light the menorah....

We are in Boston and it is cold, brrrr! Staying with my sister Carol while Brian is lodging at cousin Jon's along with Laura and Larry. Have only ventured outside once to go to dinner on Tuesday night. Good Italian food is worth braving the weather.

Yesterday was the first Hanukkah candle and we spent the day quietly reading and doing laundry. Sharon and baby Brielle are still in the hospital and we will see them today. So nearing dinner time we arranged the menorah, presents and started the latkes. I declared myself the latke queen and shooed everyone out of the kitchen while I did my magic with the potatoes.

Voila! Five pounds of potatoes fried to perfection.

Now to feed the hungry masses.

With everyone seated Carol and Jon lit the menorah.

Now to eat and then exchange presents. A perfect family holiday.

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Wish I had brought boots as it has been cold in New York. Today it is gorgeous so Brian and I strolled through Central Park on our way to see the Chagall Exhibit at the Jewish Museum. We left West 72nd Street, got our Starbucks tea and coffee and entered the park at Strawberry Fields with the "Imagine" mosaic on the ground. Headed north and east through the Rambles and climbed to the top of the Belvedere Castle. Behind us is the Delacorte Theatre.

We walked around the reservoir and arrived at the museum in time for lunch. They have a great cafe with delicious onion rolls! We explored the top two floors which house the permanent collection and then wandered through the Chagall paintings. I love his work with people floating in ecstasy and the vibrant colors. He tackles lots of difficult themes too. On the first floor we viewed the Art Spiegelman exhibit featuring his book "Maus" and his comic books, etc.

We took a taxi home and rested for a few hours. Later we had Chinese food and saw the movie "Hunger Games: Girl on Fire."

Siman Tov, Mazel Tov!

It's Monday and I have just become a Great Aunt!  Mazel Tov to me, the proud parents. Sharon and Jon Charwick and my sister Carol Liff who is now a Grandmom.

This little darling is Brielle Hailey Charwick born this afternoon and weighing in at 8 pounds,15  ounces. She is 22 inches long. We are driving to Boston tomorrow and will meet Brielle. Very exciting for our entire family.

Going Out of My Head

Stopped by the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on our way out of Tarrytown. Saw some graves from the late 1700's and lots from the Civil War era. Washington Irving is buried here in a family plot which is a National Heritage Site. He set many of his writings here is Sleepy Hollow, land of Rip Van winkle and Ichabod Crane.

You Oughta Be in Pictures

Unity Church in Tarrytown with large Chagall window.

With friends at Jason and Jackie's wedding.

Judee and Albert

New York, New York

We are staying in NYC at Brian's apartment on West 72nd Street. I just got home from the Vermeer Exhibit at the Frick where I saw "The Girl with the Pearl Earring." It is cold today, only 29 degrees and I had to wait outside for about 15 minutes to get in to this small museum housed in an old mansion. Lovely venue and amazing art collection including three Vermeer's and much more. 

We got to New York on Tuesday after stopping in Trenton to visit our parents and families at the cemeteries. Spent a few days staying with Brian and saw the Billy Crystal show, "700 Sundays." Friday I got to do some shopping and exploring on my own and that night we had dinner with my cousin Meryl, her husband Rich and their older son, Matt. On Saturday we headed to Tarrytown for the wedding of Jason Algazi and Jackie Cohen. All my closest Yardley friends were there and we had a great time being together. It was my old Mah Jongg group so we have lots of history. One gal had grown up in Tarrytown and she took us touring and we saw the Chagall windows at the Unity Church. Today Jeff and I explored the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and then drove back to the city. Tomorrow Brian and I are planning to go to the Chagall exhibit at The Jewish museum. I will have my fill of culture for a while.

We are driving to Boston on Tuesday and will spend Thanksgivukkah with Carol and all her kids. She is expecting her first granddaughter any day now so we are all excited.