Hudson Valley

On our way home from a weekend away in Massachusetts with SB and gang, we took the scenic way home and stopped for a hike and dinner in Woodstock, NY.

Yes, home of the famous concert.

The Hudson Valley is one of my favorite parts of the country, and I'm thrilled to be just a 1-2 hour drive from such an historic and beautiful region. Never mind that it's close to the Berkshires, upstate NY and CT!  It's also named after Henry Hudson, first guy to settle on the island of "Manhattan" in the 1600's via the Dutch West India Company.

Don't worry, I'll be back a LOT with tidbits about the Dutch settlement of Manhattan and the surrounding area. Quite intriguing (for me) that we moved from Old Amsterdam to New Amsterdam, loads to explore on this topic.

A nice closing moment for my birthday.

We hiked Kaaterskill Falls, the tallest two-tiered waterfall in NY. It's a bit dried up right now, but a cool expeeriment for the kids if we're able to come back in spring and see it gushing.

Kaaterskill Falls is also a pretty good novel, if you haven't read it.

Isn't this restaurant just sooooo fall?!!? Our dinner at Cucina in Woodstock made my night, but mostly because this is where my awesome daughter wrote a birthday poem for me.

 

Finally, lest I forget, DS handed me a very cool early birthday present back in September--Adele tickets! Awesome show, awesome night. #madisonsquaregarden

DS and I were on a roll that week. We also went to see KT Tunstall at Irving Plaza a few days before Adele. Another great show.

Country Weekend

We headed upstate (and out of state) for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. The get-away was more about seeing some old friends, and spending a beautiful autumn weekend in the country, than it was about my birthday. But, as anticipated, it was the perfect birthday present in and of itself.

I am so, so happy to see you again SB. I'm counting on your prediction that there's likely lots of hikes in our future. No matter how much time or distance, it always feels like coming home.

Kids giggled their way through oodles of outdoor time, and oodles of arts-and-crafts time. Meanwhile, the adults giggled their way through the second presidential debate--it was the only way to cope with absurdity of it all. Well, other than the wine and popcorn.

Please note the Sunday NY Times crossword. Getting my game on again! First crossword in three years, and it felt GREAT. And so much better with a buddy--thank you, MB, for sharing (wink, wink).

The crossword wasn't the only game going down that weekend . . .

DB and MB have the best backyard EVER. It's no contest. Bike racing, zip lines, tree swings, tree house, magic hideaways. Can't wait to come back in the summer for the pool!

 And the view ain't too bad up the street from SB's and NH's house!

Of course, one of the highlights of the weekend was reuniting with our dear Fiona. We are all very grateful to DB and MB for taking in Fiona, almost two years ago now, and giving her such a loving home. We miss her, but we're so happy she's happy. It's a tremendous gift to know where she is in the world and be able to visit her. Thank you from the bottom of our doggie hearts for all you have done, for rescuing our hearts from a loss we could have never anticipated. We love you, and we are forever grateful.

The Star

I received beautiful, heartwarming birthday wishes from friends and family around the globe this weekend. I am touched and very grateful.

For this gift of a poem, given to me by my gentle, soulful daughter, I will always strive to "shine like a star."

The stars shine bright

You shine bright

As sunny as a star

Wind blows

And you shine like a star

You are on your pillow going to sleep

Shine like a star

UWS

Pulling my head out of the boxes and school year start-up to finally explore my new neighborhood. 

Yesterday, DS and I dropped the kids and went for a walk in Central Park for the first conversation in a month when we weren't totally exhausted or interrupted. 

#newamsterdam #nyc #upperwestside #Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir 

And today, I treated myself to an extended lunch, book in hand, and can across this adorable flower truck parked in front of the restaurant today. It pulls at my Dutch heart strings, and I think I may have to chase it all over Manhattan. 

#newamsterdam #nyc #upperwestside #uprootedflowertruck

And I think I lost an hour at Zabar's, gathering goodies for our weekend upstate--our first weekend off from soccer since school started. So excited to see old friends!

#zabars #upperwestside #freeforthree

Sideline Sweet

Love this time with my girl.