the hunt.

I imagine that finding an apartment in New York City is a lot like hunting. I am not a hunter nor have I ever hunted anything - but, I know from movies & television that it requires a good eye, patience and comfortable shoes. 

We set out on foot last weekend and kept our eyes peeled for numbers to call and moving trucks to stalk. After fueling up with brunch at Little Owl, we scoured the West Village - stopping to window shop and actually shop finding refreshments along the way. We may not have made stellar progress, however the hunt continues through mid-summer where the Spring scene downtown won't be nearly as pleasant as it was last Saturday. 

Flowers outside Little Owl. 

whole wheat carrot muffins.

In effort to entertain myself and be kind of healthy, I made something with whole-wheat flour. It even has a vegetable in it. Killing 2 food groups with 1 stone.

I like carrot cake. I love hummingbird cake. With a combination of brown sugar, shredded carrots and walnuts I figured these would be pretty good and they were. I tore the recipe out of the latest Coastal Living magazine that I found at work and strapped on my apron last weekend:

fast food: savory open-faced egg sandwich.

My weeknight dinners have many identities. Monday could be a bowl of cereal. On Wednesday, maybe it's carrots, hummus and half the apple that doesn't make it into my salad for lunch the following day. By Thursday night I might have forgotten dinner altogether and just had ice cream.

But, on days when my limbs have just enough energy to walk to the fridge and crack an egg into a pan, this happens:

Open-faced egg sandwich with caramelized onions and parmesan cheese. Plus a glass of whatever wine that escaped the consumption of the weekend before. 

Here's to Tuesday nights. 

the park.

With our lease on the Upper East up in June, we've tossed around the idea of moving. We're always venturing downtown and I now work on the west side, so a move to a more convenient neighborhood in the city isn't out of the question (no matter how traumatic moving in New York can be). 

We'd be thrilled to stumble across a new place within our budget ready and waiting for us to move in this summer. But, if for some reason it doesn't work out - I'd sure be happy to not have to give up our proximity to Central Park. My neighborhood park. The only place in the city where you can get some fresh air, be surrounded by so much green, and catch moments like this at the Bethesda Fountain when looking at a familiar scene through the lens of a camera feels like the first time you've witnessed it. 

up for air.

It's been a long week. Thankful for the weekend, finally. Hope you are enjoying it where ever you are.

Some spring for your Saturday morning:

 

spring, finally.

And just in time for another sister in town. This time it was the little - and we celebrated the new season with lunch outside, crisp white wine, dinner at a new place, a broadway show and Mister Softee.

Friday evening in Brooklyn.

Lunch at Tartine

Pre-theater dinner at Le Philosphe - order the mussels. 

Sights and sweets on the UES

Can't wait for you to come back, Lucy!

lately.

My view lately:

A quick pause on my walk to work

What I've been eating for lunch

Receiving mail for millennials - Postagram

A new excuse to host a party

The object of my daydreams this month

black + white cookies.

I had an idea for a friend who is moving away from New York and that idea was to make black and white cookies. I see these cookies all over the city. They are behind every bakery, deli, and even Starbucks counter. And they are delicious. I thought, how hard can it be? 

I’ve been on a Smitten Kitchen-kick lately ever since I finally picked up her cookbook that’s been collecting dust on my shelf - so I consulted Deb's site for this project. Even though my first batch of batter tasted great -  I completely screwed it up. Started again with a second batch, and formed these cookies way too small. I was baking into the wee hours on a weeknight before I figured out I need to start scooping bigger hunks of dough. A sugar high and a helpful roommate contributed to it all getting done eventually.

While they aren't as pretty as the professionals at the corner delis, they tasted pretty damn good:

Half way done...

risen.

When I mentally prepare for a weekend at home, I can start to feel my body begin to relax. I read on Joanna’s blog that for some people – the planning stage before a vacation is the most relaxing part. I wouldn’t go that far, but I can definitely sense a happier mood in me the week before taking off to 78 and sunny. 

I shopped for Easter candy, went to yoga, arranged sparkly eggs, played with the dog, lunched with an old friend, got a trim, prepared an awesome Sunday brunch with my sister and celebrated one of my favorite holidays at home in Florida. 

Strolling in Hyde Park post-yoga

Cinnamon Toast-French Toast via Smitten Kitchen for Easter brunch = huge success.

Peeps attack Nellie.

Lobster tails for dinner on Sunday.