So many fun things!

So little time...
The days are ticking away...I'm off to China for a MONTH on Monday... so we've been packing in the days and nights with as much fun as possible! This week will include a Mardi Gras celebration, 2 plays and the opera. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Plus working feverishly to finish Dan's hat before I fly on Monday.

Catch-up:
Knitting: I'll be passing the swatches past Michelle tomorrow night for her Shapely Shrug. I'd like to work on it while I'm in China this month. Hopefully I'll have time to finish it! Meanwhile i've a few hours left on my fingerless gloves and likely 12 hours left to finish the Merino Wool cap I'm making for Dan.

NYC Theatre: I recommend Transatlantic Liaison now playing at Theater Row here in NYC thru April 2nd. We went to see it Saturday during previews.
For Show description: Click here.

Food: OK - SO the Brussels review will have to still wait (sorry!) But we had a lovely diner at Pastis last night. LOVE their burgers...I'd been craving one for weeks!!

Friends: Dejay and I zoomed to New Jersey this weekend to see our college roommate Nicole for her Baby Shower... although Quinn surprised everyone by arriving on Valentine's Day! When ever Dejay and I get together we have a blast...it's always an adventure... for instance... Teaching Dejay how to wrap an oversized box in an industrial parking lot amidst unbelievably high winds... After i stopped laughing we worked it out... she's really good at handing pieces of tape! [big grin]

Of course it was wonderful to see Nicole!!
A warm thank you to her clan for making us both feel so welcome!

Congra-tulations again my friend!!!





China Trip: Today I picked up my parents Passports with their new China Visas in them -- now we're set! Yeah! Only a few small details still to work out! Tick tick tick! Anyone going to the Chinese Consulate here in NYC... always beware that you need to have a project with you as the wait can be hours long... that said, I suggest a project that dosn't need 100% of your attention as they fly thru the numbers in an odd order and your number could come and go in a flash! When you see your number is only 2 spots away... get up an hover 'round the windows!

Shopping: Lord & Taylor is having their final winter clearance... This means thier Cashmere cardi's and tops are down to an unreal price of $30-$45 per piece - 100% Cashmere - in fantastic colors! Beware -- most styles are available in the midtown store in only XS & Small... but the Small is more of a Medium. I cleaned up on some classic pieces (great for travel!!)

The Devil is in the Details...
Last week I was swept away - captivated...and fell a little behind in work. (Well worth it mind you!)

So I'll just give you the important points with things filled (restaurants etc..) in later...
Question:
What's a girl to do when she's told on the phone..."Pack your bags, we're booked for a trip to Brussels, tomorrow, for the weekend!" and receives a text "How about Brussels for mussels and frites?"

She packs her bag and voila...

I'm in Brussels...walking thru a beautiful city with the most amazing man on my arm...having a BLAST! The architecture...the FOOD! WOW!


















Still smiling...but getting back to work!

PS -- Per your questions...we met on eHarmony! :-)

Just One Word...

Brussels.

A Blur...of the BEST KIND

This last week has been a blur...of the best kind.
Simply put...I've been swept off my feet.
That's all I'll say for now... as sometimes less is more.

Hope the Olympics are zooming along for everyone!
Cheers!

Back in the living

I'm putting in a half day at work...so I've only a minute.

I've FINISHED my 1957 Cardi while I was laid out on the couch -- including making the buttons! I'll post this weekend about it all!

I'm also working on finshing these...
I pulled them out and figured out my dodgy notes (I have one finished which helped!) and have worked my way from only 1.5" of the arm to the start of the the thumb gusset... I want to wrap them up so that I can dive into my Olympic Knitting...

Which has needed to change suddenly -- the charity knitting will continue to be happening... but I've been commissioned to design/make a shrug that needs to take priority. I've swatched it on a number of different needle sizes...the evenutal owner of said shrug will stop by tonight to tell me which she prefers...then I'm ON IT!

That's all the knitting news for now!
Cheers!

:-( Sick

It hit me Sunday night and seems to be gaining speed...even with the meds I began yesterday...
I've got Strep Throat. Hmph.

I'll fill in the past few days (lots of fun) as soon as I'm feeling better!

Fondue for you?

Tonight I checked out Punch & Judy...a cozy wine bar down on the Lower East Side. Stroll on in and say hi to the bartenders. They'll treat you right all night long. Since the owner spent time in his families wine business prior to opening P&J, the wine list is very interesting...over 30 available by the glass. I enjoyed two different Rieslings and a tasty Muscato with dessert.
Eats? We enjoyed a great meat and cheese platter followed by one of the best chocolate fondues that I've had in the city (Out side of the one I make myself of course!) It's served with strawberries, blackberries, small rice crispy square bites, cake, candies pecan covered bananas and peanut butter cookies. Simply put...Yum.
Around 10pm the DJ kicked in playing a fun mix of 80s classic pop and good old Rock-n-roll. I loved hearing the music go from the Stones to Talking Heads to AC/DC. I'll go back.

Peep n' Riingo

Since I spent the morning through early afternoon shopping the market (checking out the stores to see what my competitors have out.) Today's shopping time was in Soho, where I checked out Peep for a nice Thai lunch. The website makes it look like it's this hip spot...which it may be for dinner. It was, though, a nice lunch stop. For $7 or $8 you get an appetizer and a main dish...it was too much food for me to finish, although my dining partner finished every lick. I'd go back for lunch... it's a nice, fast option in that part of town.


Tonight my Aunt Ann joined Michelle and for a Restuarant Week treat at Riingo. The Tuna Tartare was yummy! Ann RAVED about the Trio of Lamb (chop, shank and skewer!) Personally -- I liked the Aqua Cosmo(white cranberry aquavit, citrus, white cranberry juice)...yummy.

I can't easily convey just how nice it was to spend time with my Great Aunt. She's so full of life -- bursting with energy! She's fun and smart and sweet all rolled into a feisty woman who will turn 75 shortly! Simply amazing! I can't wait for her return visit!

The Pajama Game

So...what was in the packages? My first order from KnitPicks...and the book Self-Made Man.
It will all have to wait a bit... but I'll get to it soon!
























CARDI UPDATE: Sleeves done! Now it's time for the finishing...and lots of it!
My Great Aunt Ann came to town today and we'll enjoy yhe next few nights out together. FUN! We started our night at La Rivista...a standard fare Italian restaurant that hit the spot. After dinner we dashed to 42nd Street to see The Pajama Game. Kelli O'Hara is fantastic. She seems to have a great chemistry with Harry Connick, Jr. who makes his Broadway acting debut in this revival. Both Ann and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. The audience is treated to some jazz piano at the fingertips of Mr. Connick. Simply fun. If you're in town, do check it out before it closes...I do believe it's a limited engagement.