Sarah and Elizabeth Agnes Stewart

It was so lovely spending the morning in

Astoria with beautiful little Elizabeth

and Sarah.  Sarah makes being a new mother

look so easy and graceful.  I couldn't believe

Elizabeth has a full head of hair and her little personality

is already coming out. Thanks for the Visit girls.

***



A vist to the Cloisters

Susan invited Tony and myself to the Cloisters

last week. Tony stayed for a little bit but Susan and I

were able to take our time and walk slowly enjoying every

corner of this amazing museum. Susan invited me because

she new I would really appreciate the chanting in the chapel, they were exercising exposition there for the next month or so. There are 60 or so speakers set up in a circle inside the first chapel

as you walk in.  Starring up at the crucifix and looking at the faces

of the people around you was very moving.  The reason for the speakers was

to stand in front of one so you could hear the individual voice of the singer.

My whole LIFE I have been drawn by the communal reciting, chanting and singing of the Psalms. I

think it brings a unique sense of wholeness and order to my day.  I use to and still do listen to it when

I paint or stretch out after a workout.  I cant explain why, it establishes a sort of rhythm in my life.  When words are chanted with a pulse between two and four seconds, a pulse that "recent neurological researchers" now believe to correspond to an internal system in the human brain.  This type of chanting can help the brain to process information from the right side to the left.

This is remarkable to me, and no wonder I find it so uplifting.  I feel if you have

just a little reverence in you or even none at all if you gave this type of

music a small listen to just to meditate on nothing, I'll tell you, it's transforming.

***



Beautiful Diana

Today I met a friend.

I can count on one hand how many amazing girlfriends

I have, the kindred spirit kind.  The ones that know that

friendship is a two way street and not one, with you doing all the work.

The ones even if you cant see everyday they still call to say

how are you, and I miss you.  Diana has been sick In the hospital

so we decided to go for a quick lunch at X2O on the Hudson.

a quick lunch soon turned into 3 hours of laughing and talking...

She's so dear and pure of heart.  She wrote this blog post

about your little date, it's perfect.

 

 

NEW FRIENDSHIPS ARE BEST SERVED WITH GREAT FOOD!

Posted on October 10, 2013 by madewithmilkandhoney

 

Well, in my line of work, you never know who you would come across. I have met weird people, crazy people, lonely people and most of it genuine people. Today I met Bethy Blue Bonnet, lol! a great person who reminded me of my girlfriends whom I missed oh dearly so! I have forgotten how nice it felt to just have a girlfriend to talk about random stuff. So random that you don't talk about these things to your own husband. A girl thing I would call it. I forgotten how alive it made me feel.  I forgotten how much I've missed it. I forgotten how it could take hours just talking over random stuff with great food to accompany the dirty talks.
Today, we spoke about our hearts , our ideas of fun, our travels, things we would love to buy or do, bitches we hated and losers who lost our friendship, all over some Coconut Shrimp, Sirloin Steak and Flan Cream w/fresh fruits. if i had not stopped consuming alcohol, we probably would have finished a whole bottle of red wine…lol! As for Ms Bethy Blue Bonnet, She had some warm Butternut Squash Bisque, Grilled Salmon over Orzo and a whipped cream strawberry parfait.

We of course finish it off with a few laughs and a side serving of coffee. I could drink coffee all day but after all that food, i was stuffed..
I always believed, when having conversations with great food, great friendships and relationships are formed. I have personally met strangers over food and we are still great friends up to now. Food is a universal language everyone shared but not everyone could understand the chemistry of explosive details in your mouth from the food. Only selected people would understand that relationship.

To some people, food is just to fill the stomach. But for people like us, food, GOOD GREAT FOOD, is love, its a connection, an art, its comfort, its happiness, its life…
i think today is a great day! a great day for a new friendship with Ms Bethy Blue Bonnet.
The next time we go out, I'm going to introduce Ms Bethy Blue Bonnet to this Irish Restaurant near the Bronx that have the best melting steak served with seafood over rich creamy savory gravy that's to die for. So that's another story for another blog…=)
xoxo

Stone Barns Blue Hill Harvest Fest. 2013

My Favorite Fall Festival in the world.

They had fabulous blue grass and French Ragtime music

on every corner of the Farm.  We made homemade butter, my own

flower crown, tasted champagne, and had the best

hot dog...ever!  You just cant go wrong here with your family.

A very fun filled day.

***



red mango

Lorena just opened her new

store in New Canon CT, were so happy

for her.  They hired me to take the photos

of the new Red Mango store. I collaged them here

just to make it easier. 

I would love to move to this beautiful town.

**

*



65 Years

My Grandmother Peggy met my Grandfather Frank

when she was only 17 years old.  She was walking her brother

home from school in Queens when she went by a stoop full

of good looking Tennis players when one spoke to her, My

Grandfather.  He played Tennis for Saint Johns University

and my Grandma was a model.  She posed for children's books

when she was younger and then did dresses and swim wear.

The war started and my Grandmother lied about her age and

they got married.  They were so beautiful.  Shortly after

their 50th Wedding Anniversary my Grandfather passes away.

My Grandmother is one of my hero's, a woman so humble and dear.

They made 8 beautiful children together and now my Grandmother

has 85 Great and Grand children. 

***

 elopement wedding day

 8 Smith Kids

Peggy have photos taken for a children's book