It's Always Blazing Freaking Hot in Philadelphia

Went to Philadelphia this weekend to visit my sister, Ezra and Wesley.  It was too hot to do much, but we didn't have a problem eating, swimming with dogs, lounging in the cool water hot tub, or playing Family Feud on Wii.

Abe and Wes waiting for dinner to commence.

A dinner fit for kings.

Post-dinner trip for ice cream.

Me and Wes raced for the tennis ball and I won!

Huevos Rancheros

Jaime is all business when it comes to brunch.

Brunch dessert:  rhubarb, strawberry & blueberry crumble

Wes wanted a taste of that crumble soooo bad.

Dumbest Family Feud category ever.

Enagagement Party Week

Last week Abe and I got engaged (still can't believe it!). One of the best parts of getting engaged is that everyone wants to celebrate with us!

During the week we met up at the Robeling Tea Room with a bunch of our NYC friends and family.

On Saturday we drove up to Massachusetts and my parents had a little BBQ with some of their friends (practically family) and Dave and Brit were able to come by for a little bit too.

On Sunday, Abe and I woke up super early and drove our butts back to New York to see my sister and her boyfriend. They were visiting his dad, which is awesomely near Beacon, so we had another BBQ, got to meet his dad, played with Wesley, and chopped down a cherry tree.

Abe and I also did a ton of yard work this weekend. Can't wait to share photos of the garden plans!

Beacon Parents Weekend

A busy weekend here in Beacon, NY. Abe's dad is visiting so we're doing a combination of touristy/home repair things.

On Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn and hit up Home Depot where I bought my first power saw and plywood for the attic floor. Yay!



Then we went to Dia: Beacon. The sun was shining and the light in the galleries was amazing. Probably the best part was when I looked outside and saw deer frolicking behind the building.



Later in the evening hit up Southern Dutchess Bowl for Cosmic Bowling night. In the lane next to us was a dad wearing a Seeger t-shirt with his teenager son who was pacing around with a handmade rain stick. It doesn't get more cosmic than that.



The other super exciting thing that happened this weekend is that my parents, the dogs, and Abe's dad all met for the first time!

Brunch was prepared by moi for the parental meet-n-greet.



My mom brought me gorgeous flowers and a candle that smells like cake.



Abe's dad taught him to use a power saw and work began on the attic floor.



One of my life-long dreams is to live in an old house and find a treasure map hidden behind an old framed painting, or a diary from a previous resident, or lean up against a bookcase and discover a false wall with a secret hide-out for the Underground Railroad. Well, it's no velvet pouch of jewels, but I was digging around in the attic today and found some "treasures" buried in the insulation.





A baby photo from 1986, scraps of an old magazine (I can't figure out the year, but the images show women in Victorian clothing and advertisements for 10 cent hosiery), and an old framed print.

Beacon Weekend: The Recovery

I was in zombie-mode after all the NYE festivities. My sister, her boyfriend, and his dog came for a visit Saturday night. That night, and most of the next day, we spent on the couch (all 5 of us) - taking turns to go into the kitchen and bring back more snacks, wine and Bloody Marys.




Wesley loooooves Abe. He kept wiggling over and squirming his way into Abe's arms.


Wes also loves Bloody Marys.


Wesley pretty much just loves all forms of attention.

I did manage to leave the house Sunday morning and take Wesley for a walk. That was a lot of fun even though it was 16 degrees.





Last night there was a marathon of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. It's not a good show (think 7th Heaven unsuccessfully trying to be 90120), but I consumed 4 hours of it and this morning found myself on the Facebook fan page for the show. Tonight is an all new episode. Will I watch it? The signs point to yes.

Christmas Weekend 2009

Hope everyone celebrating Christmas had a wonderful weekend! Mine seemed to last forever, which was awesome.

Santa brought me a ton of presents including a food processor, new Dansko shoes, earrings, and a Home Depot gift card, Abe made me a spice rack, my sister gave me a cake stand that converts into a punch bowl, and Allyson gave me a framed print for my future Enchanted Forest Room. There was much more, but I don't want to seem like a spoiled brat.



On Christmas morning it is family tradition to torture the pups. Phoebe and Zeke are scared to death of the camera. Phoebe will take off and hide, but Zeke is such a good boy that he'll sit and tolerate a few shots.



Phoebe was forced out of hiding by Jaime so she could show off her antlers. Zeke's face is stuck inside his Santa hat.



Later in the day I went to Allyson's house to exchange gifts with her mom and visit with the family. I am obsessed with Adam (her brother) and Carolyn's dog. Chris (her other brother) is holding up one of his famous designer cards.



Then we head to Chelmsford to hang with family. This year we had 19 people in the Yankee Swap. Abe got #2 and Jaime got #3...the worst numbers you can get...I got #17 woo hoo!



I love when it snows on Christmas Day.



The day after Christmas brought more celebration. We had dinner and Yankee Swap with family in Shrewsbury, and then we went over Dave and Brittany's for a party and got to see lots of friends.


Four out of six Green cousins. We're getting too big for this couch.


We spiced up the Yankee Swap this year by putting everything in brown paper bags.

It's Always Green in Philadelphia

Always Green cause it was the Green Family Weekend!

Abe and I drove down Saturday morning and met up with my sister and parents. First we went and had lunch at Reading Terminal Market.

Have you ever had scrapple? You should really try it some time.



A little Amish boy gave me a piece and I ate a nibble (and almost threw up).



The market was insanely overwhelming. My dad and I split some oysters and I got crab and shrimp jambalaya.









Jaime's boyfriend met up with us and we all heading off to the Mütter Museum. The Mütter Museum was founded to educate future doctors about anatomy and human medical anomalies. I saw a hair ball the size of a softball that was pulled out of a person's intestines.



Then we went to the park and played with Ezra's dog, Wesley. I love Wes and will probably steal him one day.





Then we went back to my parents' hotel and had drinks, which turned into dinner, which turned into karaoke, which turned into 2am.



Me & my mom singing "Baby Love"





Me & my sister singing our fave karaoke song - "Semi-Charmed Life".

11222 Love

On Saturday, Abe and I went for a walk through Greenpoint's "Nature Trail" located by the sewage plant. The use of nature on this trail exercises one's imagination, but all in all it was a pretty cool walk and creatively designed. I would liken it to a potentially-carcinogenic version of The High Line.


View Larger Map

Newtown Creek Nature Trail entrance looking all natural.























Leaving the nature trail behind us as we head back into the city. It felt so weird after being submersed in so much nature!



On Sunday I went to brunch with my three cousins who all live in Brooklyn. Three of us live in Greenpoint. The 4th one used to live in Greenpoint and is the reason why I chose the neighborhood 7 years ago. We both encouraged the other two to live here when they decided to move to NYC. Interestingly, our great-great-grandfather lived in Greenpoint in the late 1800's.



Sigh. I love Greenpoint.