Chrysalis and Ryan

The best niece and nephew in the world visited us this weekend! Michael calls them "my friends", because we hang out so well together and have a really good time, every time!

They arrived very late Friday night (or very early Saturday morning, depending upon your interpretation of the time) @ 1:30am...

We spent all day Saturday with the angels. First we went to Yumiko (http://www.yumiko-online.com/en/about2.php) a dance store on the upper west side that produces hand made dance leotards, etc. Ryan needed to visit a dance store for his class. So he modeled a few items, then bought what he needed.

Afterwards, we were all very hungry...all that dance activity...so we went to Carmine's (http://www.carminesnyc.com/) for lunch for the BEST baked clams and linguine with white clam sauce-we also shared 2 stuffed artichokes.

Following lunch, we went down to Soho to walk and explore and shop! Then we got hungry again :) so we came back to Forest Hills and went to Barosa (http://www.barosas.com/) for dinner. No, too much Italian food is not a bad thing (not in NYC anyway). We shared Barosa Calamari (yum) and chopped salad (yum). Chrysalis and I shared Chilean sea bass oreganata (yum), Michael had chicken scarpariello and Ryan had a personal pizza with mozzarella, ricotta and onions (yum). Can't complain about anything!

We all came home and fell asleep :)

They are gone and I've been doing laundry. Michael went for a bike ride with Jill this morning (so good for them!!!). And then I decided to make spaghetti all'amatriciana: tomato sauce with pancetta and onions and red pepper flake (thanks Steve). Michael helped roll out the dough.

Jesse is happy at school and with his roommates and friends. We are happy at home. Hope I didn't speak too soon...

xo

Summertime and the Living is Slow

So is the cooking.

Beach has been amazing so far. Can't wait for Family Beach Day on July 12. The Official Annual Polikoff Family Beach Day is early this year. Hope the weather cooperates!!! We order dinner in from Mother Kelly's in Cedarhurst. Their balsamic chicken is the best (so everyone says), the linguine with white clam sauce is good too. I love their salad and the bean stuff they send on the side.

We eat and drink and play and sit and talk and swim and sun and relax from noon until after dinner. It's a great day. This year we have 25 people all together. It will be a great day!

Tower Diner re-opened yesterday after there was a fire on their block about a month ago. So of course, we had to order in. I had a turkey burger (theirs are pretty good). Michael had a turkey burger also, but his was bigger than mine :) and came with no bun and sauteed mushrooms and broccoli on the side. We ordered a bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for Jesse (one of his favorite foods). All was yummy! Glad they are back in business.

Last Saturday we went to Aegean Cove with Joe and Denise and sat outside. All was outstanding!

Sunday was the 4th of July at the Shapiros. A great evening and great fireworks all around their neighborhood.

Tomorrow, Costco opens right in our neighborhood. Could be a good thing. We'll see.

No plans yet for Friday or Saturday nights. Sunday at Glenn and Eileen's for a pool party for Emily's 17th birthday. Great friends, food and wine!!! And Monday is Family Beach Day.

See you on the flip side...