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.

so long march.

March ended on a rather high note. Attended the Big Cheesy, experienced the Museum of Modern Art for the first time (shameful, I know), and most recently flew the coup to Florida for Easter weekend.

My weekend at home was a perfect finish to the month, but the first sights of Spring have made coming back to New York just as sweet.

Some snaps from the grilled cheese festival and the museum:

Gilling of cheese in action

Sides of tomato soup - going fast

A sweet GC with Nutella and Mascarpone cheese - the tool on the end squeezes extra chocolate into the sandwich.

My pick for best GC - the cheddar, ham and apple from Lucy's Whey

A few of my favorites from the MoMa:

Monet

Van Gogh

Warhol

Rothko

I could have sat with the water lilies for hours.

Happy Spring!