We went to NC to celebrate Mr.'s parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was really cool. The day after we arrived, Friday, was the actual anniversary and there was a special dinner planned for Saturday.
It worked out well, because that allowed time for Mr.'s father, A. to take his wife for an intimate dinner and give her this magnificent anniversary band. He also sent her an enormous flower arrangement at the beauty shop. Take note gentlemen, this is a highly recommended move.
Vroom vroom! Here is the vehicle that we drove to NC. Mr. had to keep his speed under control at all times in this ticket magnet. This ice cream truck was parked near a gas station somewhere in PA.
While in NC we went to Winston-Salem, where Mr. got his undergrad from the North Carolina School of the Arts. To prove it to you, he has a brick- check it out.
We also went to the Moravian village of Old Salem, which was totally my dorky historian kind of thing. Plus they sell special Moravian cookies. The village has people who live and work there making things and describing the hand-made goods. Many of them were closed that day and had this sign "Closed today, Open tomorrow". Very straightforward and effective.
We also checked out the gardens at the Reynolda House, which was lovely, but extremely hot. Something that we didn't get a pic of was Sampan, where we went back in time. This was Mr.'s favorite Chinese restaurant and it hadn't changed one bit in the 11 years since he had left. Very tasty.
This is a phenomenon that involved the sun setting at a point on the horizon that causes the sunset to send a golden blaze down every cross street in Manhattan. Neil deGrasse Tyson is so much better at describing why, plus he is a totally groovy guy:
"I love Manhattenhenge and cherries and blueberries and greek yogurt..."
We get continuous pressure to move to Brooklyn. All of our friends live there and A. and F. even have a backyard. Don't they look like lushes, surrounded by empty wine glasses? They are not all theirs...Also, below, is A. The party is never a party until she loves you...
For this get together I introduced Olive Oil Lemon cake with Brown Butter Glaze. Really excellent.
The weather lately has been stunning. So cool at night that I need a jacket. So I have been longing to have...picnics. This word has become cursed for me. Anytime I suggest this, it will rain on the said date. Very sad. But I planned a picnic for Mr. on Friday after work. I have had some time on my hands and discovered some new paths near the Bethesda Fountain. I really wanted to share it with him.
We tried to meet near the Bow Bridge and for whatever reason could not be at the same place at the same time. In addition, the minute Sparks saw the picnic bag out- he was berserk.
But we finally made it and this was our view...the fountain from the opposite shore and sitting on these adorable wooden benches. I had spent all day going over board making zucchini vichyssoise, pesto potato salad, and onion tart. I have never been able to make good pie crust. I see people making it on TV, quick and easy in a food processor. I don't have one and sort of reject it with a combination of practicality and principle. I don't have space for an appliance and I figure Laura Ingalls Wilder never had a food processor, so I don't need one. Anyways, I finally did it- I made some pate brisee with a pastry cutter and it was really good! See below. I also added some caramelized onions with fennel (which is easy, but incredible).
We had Friday off for the 4th- yay! Our neighbors Z. and V. who are sooo cute and wear matching sneaks joined us for free bikes on Governor's Island. It is the best. 
There is a new section open on the southern end called picnic point, with bright red chairs and hammocks!
After we were famished and went to Stone Street for Adrienne's Pizza.
On our way back to the 2/3 we stopped by Tiffany's and I took this pic of the bathroom- so fancy! Although, the fanciest toilet I have ever used is Cha-an's, a Japanese teahouse. The toilet there does everything, but..., no, it does everything...
These are my "I Heart America" Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. We also took a really nice walk on the 4th and caught the fireworks at 72nd street. I also have to report that Sparks was really good with the fireworks explosions. But he frowned upon the screaming crowds.
On Sunday we went to Gotham Bar and Grill and had a really nice meal with C. and J. She is gonna have the bebe any day now. Check out the fancies S'Mores I have ever had. Mr's desert is below and sort of indescribably architectural and rich.
