Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made

New York City.  The Big Apple.  The City that Never Sleeps.  Did you know there are at least 98 nicknames for this city?

This past weekend was my first real visit to NYC, more specifically Manhattan.  It was electrifying.

I felt like I was living in a movie.  Drinking coffee 24/7, riding the subway like I'm legit, haling cabbies (well, I didn't, but my friends did), being a part of the hustle and bustle of millions of people like it's my J-O-B.

Ah, the Land of Opportunity.

I really mean this.  Let me tell you why.


First, we...by "we" I mean me and my insanely awesome housemates, Amy and Janell, booked a room via Air B&B. Laura, the girl who rented her room to us, was really nice and accommodating.  She rents out her room to people whenever she's going to be out of town.  She has a French roommate, Eunice, who was there, in his own room, during our stay.  For $120 a night in Manhattan, you won't catch me complaining.  He was super nice and also accommodating; we were pretty lucky.

The Girls...Dinner, NYC style

Back to the Land of Opportunity thing.  Laura was headed out of town for the weekend.  To vacation in the Hamptons.  To audition as a nanny.  For MADONNA!

A bit intimidating, don't ya think?

Well, for her two oldest kids.

Lourdes and Rocco.  My niece, Darby, looks like Lourdes.  Beautiful.

Our house girl, Laura, spent the weekend with THE Material Girl.  Madge. Mo.

Yeah, she pushes buttons.  She's probably pushed every button in the world, at one point or another.  I'm not saying anything about her character or person....and then again, maybe I am.  The point is, we were one person away from a HUGE celebrity!  My adrenaline can't help but pulse through my veins.  (Confession:  I cried at my first and only Backstreet Boys concert...not a sob, but tears...of joy.)

I am not an avid celebrity follower.  I do like to scan the magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store.  I never buy them.  I do, however, comb through them with Janell brings a new one home, or when I am at the hair store...aka, beauty salon...(who calls it a "hair store"?)...I don't wear weaves.

ANYWAYS....

I didn't get many pictures for a few reasons.

1.  I get really distracted with all of the life that's happening around me.  I just don't think about snapping a picture.

2.  I didn't want to look like a tourist. Especially an obnoxious one that stops in the middle of all the sidewalk traffic to snap a pic of the silly, boring pizza shop that she just had a delicious slice of pizza at.  That wasn't me.  I am not sure that it's ever even happened; I'm just speculating.

Here's the run down of our time spent in Gotham City.

Friday...

-Took the BoltBus from Philly to NYC...for $11.  You couldn't pay me to drive into that city.

-Settled in our teeny apt...beautiful fire escape included....found out that Laura is on the verge of being a celebrity....waited for Amy's bus to arrive.

-After Amy arrived, we walked a couple blocks to this place...

The Crooked Tree Creperie, East Village

Savory Crepes for Dinner

Sweet Crepes for Dessert

 These are not pictures of the particular crepes we ordered.  I tried to snap a shot, but it was too dim for my camera to get a decent photo.

I had a Zucchini, Onion, Mozzarella and Pesto Crepe. So yummy, btw.  Amy had something with mushrooms (yuck), and Janell had something with spinach and goat cheese.

For dessert we opted for a crepe filled with chocolate, walnuts, and whipped cream (on the side).  Not very original, but when I suggested bacon as one of the ingredients, my idea was quickly nixed.

We may or may not have had a carafe of red wine sangria with our meal.  If we had, I would probably suggest it to any future Crooked Tree visitors.  I would also probably warn you of Louis, our waiter.  I've heard he likes to keep the free drinks flowing, until you can no longer stomach it.  But that's just hearsay, I wouldn't know. :)

Janell, on someone's bike.

Saturday....

The nastiest day of the year.  If you watch Glee, you will know what I mean, when I say I felt like I had received a slushie facial...all day long.

It was supposed to snow, and it looked like it was from our second story window.  Knowing that this was our only day for our "shop til you drop" experience, we put on our waterproof big-girl panties, and braved the cold outdoors.

Haha. Ha. Ha. HA!

With only two umbrellas, one of which we borrowed from celebrity nanny, the three of us walked outside and were immediately breathless from the cold air and the lack of snow, but instead slush.  Nasty, wet slush.  We walked about one or two blocks and finally called a cab to take us to the beloved shops that we longed to grace with our presence.

Top Shop, H&M, Forever 21, Madewell, Urban Outfitters, Dean and Deluca's, and a couple other stores that I hadn't heard of.

Nothing too upscale.  What's the point in shopping if you can't even pretend to afford it?!  Why even put it on your Christmas list if you know Santa's just going to laugh and throw your list away?!

After that, we shopped until we dropped...Pretty literally.  We were beat!  I did score an awesome Madewell top.  And it was on sale.  Amy and Janell got some pretty cool things too, but by the time we entered the last store, we were numb from the cold and from all of the shopping.  We couldn't even enjoy the visually overwhelming bliss of Urban Outfitters.  Numb, I say.

Plus, we had to make a break for the apt., cause it was still raining and we needed to get a cab.  Btw, the only cab that stopped for us, after ten minutes of standing in the cold, wet weather, turned us down.  Can that really happen?  Cabbie: "Where you goin?"  Janell: "6th and 1st"  Cabbie: shakes his head and drives off.  Janell: "WTF?"


So we walk.  Janell wore suede boots and they were soaked.  We got to the apt and changed and headed back out to catch the subway to make it on time to a Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb concert.  If you don't know them, Derek Webb was the lead singer for Caedmon's Call, Sandra wrote a lot of their music (but wasn't in the band).  Derek and Sandra are married. And perfect.

Also, if you go to their websites, you can download a lot of their music for free.  All it costs is your email address.  Pretty great.

It was an excellent concert.  They are two  incredible people.  We talked to Sandra afterwards, and she's so normal and easy to talk to.

At the concert

Sunday....

Got up to make it to Kate's Paperie.  Super fun.  Super cute.  I did not buy an $8 greeting card.  But I looked and touched.  It was satisfying enough.

Ran back to the apt., grabbed our bags, rode the subway to our final destination...lunch at Chipotle and BoltBus getaway.

We were back in Philly in no time.

Already planning our next jaunt to the City of Skyscrapers for the holidays!

Rockefeller, here we come!

Keep Posted,

the rave

Bootcamp Challenge: Timed Mile

I am AWESOME!!

I feel like 10 million bucks at this very moment!

Bootcamp.

Cardio Wednesday.

Today was a special Cardio Wednesday because it was really "Bootcamp Challenge" day.

The challenge....run one timed mile.

Major suck.

The winner gets a t-shirt.  That's decent.

I don't know who won yet.  We ran the dreaded mile in three waves.

BUT!!  Here's why I'm so extremely impressed with myself....

I ran the mile faster than I have ran a mile in TEN YEARS!!!

8 minutes and 21 seconds


WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!


I ROCK!  I can't believe myself....

I timed myself, on my own, on Monday....I ran a 9m30s mile.  I will pretty impressed even then.

I have no clue how I ran it in 8m21s today.

Let me re-cap it for you:

Ten bootcamp veterans are lined up on the starting line. I'm am so nervous. Jerry yells "Go" and starts the timer.  I started Lap One at a good pace, right behind 5 other girls.  I keep telling myself to "keep a good pace, don't start off too fast".  Lap Two, I was behind only 2 girls now, breathing good, pace good.  Lap Three, girl number one got passed, but girl number two was right beside me.  We were neck and neck.  I couldn't shake her.  Last Lap, I picked up the pace.  Arms pumping, legs stretching out as far as they can, heaving in air like I was fueling some kind of internal furnace.  Girl number two, passed.  I am in the lead, ya'll (Girl lead, not boy lead.  They were way ahead).  Girl No.2 is right behind me, on my heels, taunting me with her rapid breathing like she wants to run me over at any moment.  On the last curve, before the final stretch, I hear her pace quicken.  She's coming at me.  So I pick up my pace, 'cause I ain't ready to lose (P.S. this is not a competition, but somehow I made it one).  Final 100 Meters....I am at a DEAD sprint....Bustin' it.   Chugging like a crazy train.  As fast as these big legs can move.  Rockin' it.  I cross the finish line, first of the girls in my wave. I'm sucking wind, bad.  But I did it.  In 8 minutes and 21 seconds.  I did it.

I could win that t-shirt.  Maybe, just maybe.

That's all I wanted to share today.  I feel like a champion.  A hero. Like Rocky Balboa.

It's a great way to start a day.


Keep Posted,
'cause if I get that t-shirt, you'll be seeing me in it,


the rave

Pinterest. It's What's For Dinner.

Last night, we had a fabulous meal!

Seriously, it was so good.

I am not a genius in the kitchen, by any means.

But I am really good at following instructions...aka, recipes.

Some may say that makes me less of a "chef", because I lack creativity or the desire to experiment and make a perfectly flavorful concoction. 

Well, I've got news for those folks.  I've never wanted to be a chef, and I don't really like to cook real food (I love baking sweets and breads!). 

So, if I need a recipe to thrive in the kitchen, so be it.  I feel no shame.

Besides, I've always made up for my lack of ability by working super hard to do "whatever" well.

It's worked out well for me so far.

So, for our dinner last night, I consulted my ever-deepening friendship with Pinterest.

First,  I made homemade butter.  I shook my jar of heavy cream while watching an episode of Glee (season 2, episode 11...so good!).

After making my homemade butter (you can definitely use store bought butter), I turned to this Country Living recipe to add a bit of fall flare.  

Maple butter.  Basically, combine butter, maple syrup, and a touch of hot sauce (think Cholula).

I wish I had these cute, tiny maple leaf cutters.  

It's divine.  I admit, I did lick clean one of the beaters from my mixer, after the butter was finished.  

I know, it's disgusting.  But it was so good too.  Sinful.  I'm aware.

Later on in the evening, after dinner, I made the perfect companions to this maple-y, butter-y delight...  

Pumpkin Buttermilk Scones.

So easy.  No rising.  No kneading.  Just mixing and shaping and baking.

I've had a couple for breakfast already.  With butter.  Maple butter.

On to the dinner menu.

Caleb, one of our housemates, invited a couple of guys over for dinner.  They had been camping out at City Hall for the Occupy Philly movement.  They had some pretty interesting stories to tell.  They had been at the Occupy WallStreet movement in NYC before heading to Philly. Crazy stuff.

Anyways, back to dinner.

Baked Chicken Nuggets.  I skipped the coconut oil and used 2 eggs, beaten, to coat the chicken.

Creamed Corn.

Autumn Chopped Salad.

At the last minute, when I found out that we would be having guests, and the food supply seemed like less than enough, I whipped up some **cough** instant **cough** mashed potatoes and frozen peas.  Nothing special there.

I was scrambling to fill the tummies of two nineteen year old boys, plus Dustin and Caleb.  

Let me just say that the Autumn Chopped Salad was the favorite of the night.  Everything was so delicious, but ironically, the salad was the big hit.  Go figure.  Guys and salad...anything is possible I guess.  

Now, if my dad would eat, and love, a salad like that, it would truly be a miracle.  (Dad, there's no watery, white, iceberg

lettuce in this, just pure green, romaine goodness.  I don't know if you could handle it).

If you guys decide to make the salad I would love to hear how it goes over with your audience.  I was totally surprised by the "yum" factor and reaction I got from it.

Also, ya'll should definitely make the maple butter.  It would be excellent on toast, pumpkin bread of any kind, or even cornbread!

Go all out!

Keep Posted,


the rave

A Sad Goodbye

I have been wanting to share with you my latest moment of sorrow.

It's a difficult thing to express the deep attachment that I've had for a dear friend of mine.  We go way back.  Almost 10 years back.

We've been through a lot of good times.  We've also been through a lot of rainy, muddy, dirty seasons.

But it was time for me to let go.  To move on.  

My dear, sweet, perfectly-molded-to-my-feet tennis shoes were begging to be set free.  Or put out of their misery.  Whichever way you prefer to see it.

 I guess I have attachment issues.

After much deliberation, I did preform a holy and proper burial for my running, mowing, painting, bootcamping companions.  Aka, I threw them in the trash after letting them sit on my window sill and bask in the glory of their former days for a while.

Now, I have these:

Has anyone else had crazy attachment issues with inanimate objects too??  I would love to feel affirmed in my psychotic tendencies.

Keep Posted,

the rave

From Concrete To Country

Whew!  Lots has happened since my last post.

Let me update you.

Dustin and I took a little jaunt to Lancaster County this past weekend.  Being on the cusp of autumn, the tips of trees tinged with color, the air crisp and cool and fresh, it made for a glorious weekend.  I really do believe if I could choose what heaven looked like, it would closely resemble Amish country.

Making our escape.

On our way there, once we had entered into Lancaster County, I kept bursting out into song, "America the Beautiful".  I was SO distracted.  I was supposed to be paying attention to the directions, due to my lack of concentration, we had to turn around once or twice to get back on the correct route.  Oops.

Tell me this isn't the most beautiful sunset.

Our Bed & Breakfast...for the first time ever!

An old mansion, built in 1735.  The basement held the town's first jail...only two cells.

One of 6 or 7 rooms...it had gorgeous sky lights in the ceiling.

Hand painted flowers decorated the entire room...it was so beautiful.

Outside, they had gorgeous landscaping and a great fire pit with wooden benches all around.

Great view of the surrounding area.  The barn on the right is an antique store.  They had some really cool things.

Typical.  He's laughing, but this is not a friendly environment at the moment.

An Episcopal church across the street from the inn.  Built in 1722.  General George Washington attended here twice during his encampment at Valley Forge.

A beautiful, historic structure.

The church's cemetery.  President Abraham Lincoln's grandparents are buried here. His grandfather was also named Abraham Lincoln.

Secondly, after returning from my slice of heaven, bootcamp was back in action.  I can't say enough about how much I love these workouts.  Yes, I hate them while I am in the midst of it, but I feel SO GREAT after every time.  I mean, my muscles feel so solid.  Yes, they are still hidden under these stubborn layers of flab, but they are rocks!  That's relative, you know.

Compared to they way I felt, the way my body felt, 5 weeks ago, I feel like SuperWoman.

Feeling strong is a great, empowering thing.  When I flex, intentionally or naturally, I feel this rush of energy.  Like I could jump through the roof of my house if I wanted.  Or do a walking lunge to Timbuktu.  Or really, just run up and down the stairs in my house 5 million times.

Gosh it feels good.

5:30AM...who cares.

Muscle soreness...bring it.

Extra warmup laps for being early....fine, I'll do it.

I feel like a champ.  That's champion.

However, my Groupon deal ends soon.  In about a week and a half or less.  I can keep going for $75/month.  Ouch.

Bubble has officially burst.

I can't exercise on my own.  I am so un-motivated.  I won't get up at 5:30, three days a week, by myself.  I don't operate like that.

I'm sure ya'll understand.

What do you guys think??  It feels so great to have this exercise routine, but I can't afford $75 a month.  I can't justify it, even though I feel like a rockstar after every workout.

What's a girl to do??

Moving along.  I got a job this week.  I will be the Office Manager at a chiropractor's office not too far from here.  It's part time, which is super.  I will work 3 days a week and I will get paid enough to finally get health insurance for myself and to keep up the sewing and Etsy stuff on the side.  Perfect.  Really, it's so perfect.

I will be wearing scrubs on a daily basis.  Never saw myself doing that.  But I can dig it.

Oh, I officially start Nov. 2.  Only a few more weeks of no work.  I am getting my sew on while I can.

I am actually working on a blouse for myself.  Here's a preview.

I still need to add the sleeves and hem the bottom.

I am in the process of attaching the collar...I have to slip stitch it on.  It's a little time consuming.

This is back.  I am proud of my professional looking placket(?).  I still need to add a couple of eye hooks to close it up.  I think that's what they are called.

The final product should look like the yellow top in the middle.

I don't do ballon/ruffle sleeves.  Not my taste.

Lastly, the weekend after this one, I will be heading to the Big Apple with two friends to go to a Derrick Webb/Sandra McCracken concert.  We will be there the whole weekend!!  I'm really excited.

I will be listing a few more items in my Etsy store soon.  I will let you know when that happens!

Keep Posted,

the rave

New Etsy Items

This will be brief.  Dustin and  I are leaving this afternoon to spend the weekend in the countryside with the Amish.  It doesn't get much better than that.

I have listed some new items in my Etsy store.

I bought most of them at the yard sale my church had a few weekends back.

These are mostly dishes.  Some collectible, some just really pretty.

1.  Myott Stratfordshire, England - Fruit/Dessert Bowls - set of 8 $24 (set of 4 - $16)

 2.  Mustard Yellow Epiag Saucers - Czechoslovakia - plate hangers included - set of 2 - $10

3. Norman Rockwell "The Music Maker" Collector's Plate - plate hanger included - $12

4. Norman Rockwell "Mother's Pride" Collector's Plate - plate hanger included - Certificate of Authenticity - $15

5. Paragon Dessert Plate - Honiton Pattern - $10

I will be listing a few other things soon.  Retro floral sheet & pillowcase, Retro floral tablecloth, and possibly some vintage aluminum canisters like these.  I am having a hard time letting them go, but I need to.  Sigh.


Keep Posted,


the rave