I know why people gravitate towards this beautiful person. Susanna Gordon is gentle, kind, intelligent, open and easy to talk with -- she has a special sweetness and softness about her. We met up in my all time favorite city of NYC and had ourselves an amazing, artful adventure! We enjoy the same things -- delicious food, art, taking photos (her talent abounds!), good conversation -- making this trip a piece of heaven.



New York City is electric -- a playground for the senses, with something to experience at every turn. Catching a scent of curry on the air followed by a burst of sweet vanilla, conversations like music in tongues from around the world, laughter, colors and patterns of graffiti on the wall, djembe in the subway -- a perfect metaphor for the pulse of the heart of this city. Anything goes. You can be you -- stand out and blend in at the same time. It feels like home. I am equally city and country mouse:)


John Derian. It's the ultimate curio shop filled with unique collectibles that could turn any house into home.


We walked through the Bowery, Soho and Greenwich Village.



I had the privilege of putting into flight one of Susanna's winged messengers -- serendipitously so, the theme of the messenger she made me has been a recurrent theme these days -- enough to give me pause and reflect. Susanna has the ability to change lives with these gifts -- even though they are small, they are that big.


We grazed on food the caliber of ambrosia! -- from authentic Cuban food at Cafe Habana, to steamed mussels in the perfect garlicy, buttery broth at the Cornelia Street Cafe. Red wine singing with tones of chocolate, plum and spice -- a memorable toast with my friend.


...through my lens...



Sweet perfection. I can't put into words how very delicious. Magnolia Bakery.


I don't have to put it into words -- just look at sweet Susanna.
And me in this photo that Susanna took...



And before we said our goodbyes, we watched the city that never sleeps go from day to night.

You can see Susanna's post on our adventure right here.

credit:
The textures used in the apartment building photographs and the one of my boots hitting the pavement are Photo Art Blends available from Cottage Arts.

An aside:
I am catalyst #82.

woolen blankets homemade soup

i'm curled up beneath a heavy wool camping blanket this evening, staring at the empty, black woodstove, wishing it was aglow, warming me to the bone. It is a cold Maine evening here in the woods near the river -- i heard the first batch of Canada geese fly south over my roof at supper time (be still my beating heart). Maybe this glass of merlot i am sipping will warm me up in time. I do welcome the change in season and temperature -- I love to bundle up and dress myself in woolen sweaters, knitted hats and wrist warmers. comfort. And i get to wear my new soft leather cowboy boots -- ok, i'll admit, they make me feel like a sexy mommy -- i say that (chuckle, chuckle) because you can often find me in sweats behind the wheel of a minivan:)


i am feeling dreamy and so excited for this weekend -- I get to spend a day with the lovely Susanna in one of my favorite places. i can't wait to share our adventures with you!


soup. A favorite part of Fall and Winter. i love to throw together homemade soups -- i make it up as i go along. Today i used the last carrots and kale from the garden to make a hearty chicken soup. If you want to try, i took notes:

throw together:
1 chopped onion
5-6 leeks (thinly slice the white part)
5 garlic cloves finely chopped
4-5 sliced carrots
sweet potato -- cubed, leave skin on
chopped kale (between 1 and 2 cups) -- be sure to slice the leaves off either side of the stem (don't use stem, as it is bitter)
1/2 tsp dill
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
chicken cut into small pieces
about 48 oz chicken broth/stock
cook spaghetti noodles separately (chop and add to soup when it's ready)

you will find that the dill adds a special flavor -- it's officially the secret ingredient:)

i have the perfect music to accompany your culinary creating -- i am IN LOVE with this band -- I want to play that bass drum so badly -- Mmm, those rhythms make your soul move!

woolen blankets homemade soup