NYC

My aunt wrote me a note in my christmas card and said that the holidays in NYC must be really pretty.  I haven't really been out and about to see...I didn't have to do much shopping and I really don't like crowds.  I prefer to shop on a totally off day in a neighborhood that is not a destination- like say, the Upper West Side, which also happens to be where I live, so I am lazy. But, since I had a day free for the first time in weeks, I proposed that we plunge into the torrent of tourists on 5th Ave.  We went first to 59th Street to see the Plaza Hotel and the windows at Bergdorf Goodman.  BG is the fanciest department store in the city and I have never wanted to go in.  I know that I won't buy anything and I assume that the salespeople will treat me like they know that I won't buy anything.  But tonight I had courage and I figured there were a lot of tourists just gawking and I would fit right in.  It was pretty insane: $13,000 earrings, $800 shoes, dresses that were 70% off and still cost $900.  The windows were stunning...

From there we went down 5th.  Under the disguise of needing to get warm we popped into Tiffany's and Henri Bendel.  Everything was totally lit up and festooned with garlands.  We finally made it to Saks, which is right across from Rockefeller Center.  All my pics of The Tree were blurry and too dark- so just imagine the way it looks on the TV, then add the cold, the snow, and a about a million people jostling you- it is just like that.  
This is the Gothic Bridge which is near 94th and the Reservoir.
The Winterdale Arch near 82nd on the west side.  
The Reservoir running path, facing west along the north side.  Essentially, Sparks demand that I walk him all over creation when it is snowy out.  I hate to deny him, cause the snow never lasts that long.
The view from our living room window, while the snow piled up!!!

All done!

So, I am finished with all my school stuff- class, papers, student teaching, and finals.  This semester was...overwhelming.  My student teaching experience was a bit of a challenge, but I know I learned a lot.  I totally fell in love with the students and the final concert was such a blast.  Totally unconventional and like nothing I had ever experienced, but filled with joy.  I had a lot of classes this semester, but next semester I am taking a guitar class, a voice class, a method class, and a choral class- should be fun, less writing.  I am also going to be student teaching with a doctoral student from NYU, with whom I have taken several classes.  So I know a lot about him, his teaching philosophy and about his program.  Hoping that it will be really good.  

But now, I am done with that!!!  So, I can cram in all the holiday stuff I have been ignoring.  Although, that isn't that much stuff.  We are traveling, so I am bypassing a lot of decorating.  I decided that I didn't want to send very many holiday cards this year.  I really don't like doing it: it feels like an obligation, it isn't particularly environmentally friendly, and I could frankly save a few dollars.  So, if you didn't get a card from me- that is why.  My family drew names this year- so my gift is on it's way via the internet.  I will do some last minute things on Monday and then we take off on Tuesday.

So, what I am doing- taking Sparks out in the snowstorm.  Knitting, baking, cooking.
Sparks has a mania for knocking down snowmen.  Any snow that is stacked up is abhorrent to him...
He spends a lot of time bossing me around.

"Snow more, please, snow more..."

Giving Thanks

Mr. and I decided that we would stay home- just the three of us and have some quality time. This semester has been really crazy with the election and student teaching and class and etc. So I had some much needed downtime and I cooked a giant dinner just for us. We got a turkey breast and I made a new Ina Garten recipe- celery root puree. It was good, interesting, sort of sweet; it also had fennel-so it was slightly licorice-y. Mr. made stuffing, or dressing, whatever name you prefer. I made cranberry sauce- which was yummy and easy. And we had a pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust- it is ok.

Sparks likes Thanksgiving.

Then we went on a long walk- this is at the base of the Soldiers and Sailors monument at 90th and Riverside.

An unsuccessful attempt to get the three of us in a photo....
Another comment about food! The store only had double cans of pumpkin that made two pies. I was absolutely not going to make two pies, but I found a recipe for pumpkin pasta sauce. It was so good, so easy. Saute fresh rosemary sprigs in olive oil until crispy- remove. Then add minced garlic, 15 oz. pumpkin, and parmesan. You also need to add about two cups of the pasta water. Toss with penne and then sprinkle with rosemary. Wow.

WOW

What an amazing night! I am still exhausted from the late night, but so thrilled. People were in the streets-cheering! It was better than winning the World Series...

We voted for Change

Amazingly, we didn't have to wait very long. But there were more people than I have ever seen at my polling place. I almost cried when I pulled the lever...

GO VOTE

I can't believe it- finally. This is all so thrilling! Anyone who actually reads my blog knows where my interests lie. But really, it is important for everyone to vote- to be informed- and to make a sure our votes are cast and are counted!

Check out these heirloom tomatoes

Aren't they sweet? So pretty and tasty. It is now soup season, so I have been making some wonderful chicken and veggie stock. There is nothing better and you can use it for any soup and it is amazingly fast.