Popsicles

All summer I have been making popsicles and these are my favorite recipes. They are based on Marc Bittman's Paleta recipe.
1. Banana: 2 bananas, 1 c. milk, 1/4 c. sugar, splash of vanilla. Blend with hand blender and freeze.
2. Coconut: 1 c. coconut milk, 1 c. milk, 1/4 c. sugar, shredded coconut. Stir and freeze
3. Pina colada: 1 c. smashed pinapple (do not hand blend), 1 c. coconut milk, 1/4 c. sugar.
4. Peach: 2 peaches, 1 c. milk, 1/4 c. sugar.
5. Cantaloupe: 1.5 c. fruit, 1/2 c. milk, sugar.
6. Blueberry: same as above.
7. Watermelon: just blend with hand blender and freeze.
Each of these makes about 4-6 popsicles depending on the size of mold. They are so good, so easy, and maybe healthy.

Last day

So we have had some totally beautiful weather lately. Last night we had a picnic in Riverside Park with Sparks. This is a lovely place to watch the sunset over Jersey. Also a nice view of the George Washington Bridge. I asked Mr. if he could imagine the British fleet right there kicking our butts at Fort Washington and Fort Lee. He said I was a dork. Tonight we had a picnic in our favorite spot north of the reservoir in Central Park. I was listening recently to Alice Walker on a podcast of some talks at the 92nd st. Y and she said some interesting things about belief in Heaven. Her philosophy is that heaven is here on earth. When I am happily sitting with my husband and pooch with my family and good friends in my thoughts, looking at the beautiful world- I have to agree.

I see dead people

I have been wanting to go to Greenwood cemetery in Brooklyn for awhile. I thought it was sort of a macabre desire, but then it is also the site of the Battle of Brooklyn. Since reading 1776 and starting John Adams, both by David McCullough; I have been dorking out about the Revolutionary war. So I convinced Mr. to join me on this adventure- our own "staycation" since we do live in a tourist destination.
Greenwood is shockingly beautiful and serene. Not at all creepy and totally fascinating. It is also huge- we bought a very good guide book and walked around for about 3 hours and only saw about 1/6 of the park. And that is how it feels, like a beautiful park full of gravestones and mausoleums. Above is the Alter of Liberty, atop Battle Hill commemorating the Battle of Brooklyn and near the hill which is the highest spot in Brooklyn. This is Minerva; she is looking directly through the trees to the Statue of Liberty and sort of waving to her.
Right around the corner is Lenny
And down the hill from Charles Ebbets is this guy Henry Chadwick.

I see dead people

The monument to Charlotte Canda, a 17 year old girl who died in a carriage accident after her birthday party in 1845.
The chapel
Thank you for all the jewelry and pretty windows!
The only living things we saw all afternoon were these fish at the tranquility garden which is also a huge Asian style columbarium.

Finally...free bike fridays

I am cursed. If I suggest something like a picnic or other outdoor activity- it will absolutely rain. So I now have to suggest outings like this in code and someone else involved has to "plan" it. Govenors Island is a little island off the tip of Manhattan and Mr. and I visited it last summer. This summer Bike and Roll offers a one hour free bike rental on Fridays. So recently married S. "organized" an afternoon of biking and picnicing.
There is an art installation of waterfalls around the city by Olafur Eliasson. There are about 5 of them and one is right next to the ferry station.
The day was perfect and the island the perfect size to bike around in an hour.

Chicago vs. New York

Our dear friend N. has left for Chicago to get her Ph.d at Northwestern. We are so bummed to lose her to the Windy City-but of course it just a good excuse to go there and visit. Here is her moving crew. As of this post, Mon 11:15 they are still on the road.
"Well, you know when you play Never-have-I-ever you simply have to reveal all your dirty sex secrets.""
"Really? Are ya ready for mine?"
"Lay it on me!"

Trapped in Paradise

My NYU friend M. proposed visiting this swimming hole in Harriman State Park. We were going to park at another lake and walk here. When we arrived there was a sign, *gasp*- Closed for the Season. M. fearlessly drove past it, parked and we hurried off towards the trail. Our logic was that the car might be towed- whatever, it was a rental.
It was so perfectly gorgeously and we had the best time.
Then headed back to see if the car was there. Here we are thinking we were scott-free...

Trapped in Paradise

Here we are in a delusional post swim, sunstroked car dance.
OMG! They put up a chain and we can't get over or under or around. And we can't pick the lock. And we can't call the police...thank goodness for these guys on motorcycles. M. waved at them and plaintively said "Heeelp, we are stuck."
So they backed the car up an embankment and through some boulders and to freedom! We were so thrilled and yet it was a little awkward. They wanted to get away from us silly city ladies and back to joyriding on their Harleys.