Ugly Pajamas

Uh oh - it looks like a 3-cup morning. It used to be that it didn't matter if it was a weekday or weekend - I was up at 6, dressed by 7 and out of the house a half hour later. I've always thought of Sunday as a good day to chill out and hang around the house but in reality - especially when I was younger - there was just too much to do! I would spend most weekends in the City with friends: bar-hopping Saturday, brunch and a movie on Sunday. Later, shopping or exploring new neighborhoods was the norm. More recently though it has been lazy days around home. Is it my age? Is it my somewhat recent indulgence in home ownership which means a new project always waiting? Nothing much else has changed, except work - but that's certainly no more demanding than it used to be - in fact it is less so! I mean, I always intend to get up and hit the day with gusto but then I turn on the TV to ease into it by watching a little Law & Order and 5 episodes later I'm still in bed! Or - like today - I get into the kitchen, brew that "get-me-going" cup of coffee and find I'm still staring out the patio doors watching the world go by - scary, mismatched nightwear and all - with a THIRD cup of joe in front of me. Oh well, today at least I have the vegan carrot-cherry cookies I made yesterday (recipe courtesy of Joy the Baker) to ease my guilt a bit. Of course the loud & ugly cotton drawstring pants, torn old sweater & pilled Pashmina shawl ...well, there is no excuse that can be made for that!

Kid

I was twenty-something in 1986. I used to be a big Mets fan but I wasn't so much then. I was working hard and - well - okay partying hard in '86 and really the 1969 team was more in my wheelhouse. But I have since come back to the fold. You can't have been any kind of fan of the New York Metropolitans in  these years and not been enamored with Gary Carter. The stories that are told; the ever-present, over-wide smile; the infectious ebullience. They had to make you love - and appreciate - 'Kid' as much as his teammates did. The wild, slightly obnoxious and always arrogant 1986 Mets were hated by everyone outside New York. In fact they probably would have been hated just as much within the area had they not finally won it all that year. Even quintessential loudmouth New Yorkers hate braggarts and blowhards (talk to Rex Ryan about that). But Carter gave the team a little shot of seriousness. By all accounts his ability to remain professional and responsible while happily coexisting with the wild bunch he shared the field with was invaluable in guiding the team to a successful post-season. Thanks for that, Kid. Rest in peace.

Cold and Raw

Yes, it's finally a cold and raw in day in New York. A good day to stay in. Sleep late. Two cups of coffee. Shower later 'cause it's gonna get messy around here. Yes, this kind of day is perfect for - organizing! I finally gave in last week and moved my office. It took me all these years to admit that it had to happen (stubborn much?). I always wanted to believe I could have one of those pretty, sparse, period "writing desks" with a clean simple laptop, maybe a lovely little vase of flowers and nothing else. Hah! Not gonna happen. There's the printer, the to-do pile, the i-phone dock, the USB thingie, the...well you get the idea. So off the whole shebang went to the spare room. (Course I'm not sure you can call it a "spare" room when it serves as the library, guest room, craft room AND office). Anyway today was dedicated to re-storing all that stuff. I planned ahead and picked up some soup last night. Pretty good cheddar and broccoli. But I doctored it a bit with more fresh broccoli, a little low sodium chicken stock and tomato garnish. Alongside: one of the best store-bought breads I've had, a potato-chive focaccia toasted up nice and crisp. All served up pretty with a black place mat, pumpkin colored dishes from PB, classic white bowl and - always - fine silverware. A pleasant little break, no work at all, and just the right kick to keep me sorting and storing all afternoon!

Hello Kitty

I am kind of obsessed with these colors right now. I have a young niece and a very young grand-niece (great-niece?). Maybe that's why I am drawn to them. In fact these parts and pieces were from little Kayla's (6 going on 16) birthday presents. They are young. They are pretty. Dare I say it? They are girlie. It's a funny concept - that colors are girlie - or feminine - or masculine. How did that ever get started? Did Caveman only wear buffalo skin {brown} leaving Cavewoman to rock the {pink} flamingo feathers? Really. So silly. I have a standard answer when anyone asks me what my favorite color is. I tell them I don't have a favorite. I love all color. It's all about how you use them.