Reading Material: Milestones Edition

Rooseveldt Park New York, NY

Today I turn 35. This seems impossible and my brain refused to compute that information mainly because I don’t feel that old or like I could really be in my mid-thirties, no way. I woke up just the same as yesterday! I think I’m supposed to be worrying about eye cream now (why are there so many?), but instead I’ve decided to reflect on my blessings.

I’m grateful that I started my birthday on a long walk with Maddie pup. The air is crisp, the leaves are finally starting to turn, and the rising sun illuminated the plane trees in the park making them look like sculptures. I’m grateful that we came inside to a cozy apartment and that breakfast was a giant cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal.

I’m thankful to be loved and supported by my husband, family and friends. The calls, cards, and well-wishes began to roll in from across the globe starting early this morning and that later this afternoon Mike and I are going on a little adventure to the North Fork this weekend to celebrate.

In the end I’m grateful for the years behind me and the experiences they contain. I hope the years to come will be as kind. For now, I hope the future holds more time with my family and friends – preferably gathered around a table with something delicious cooking in the kitchen.

Reading Material:

This cocktail called the “522 North Pinckney” from the Joseph Leonard menu sounds perfect for a birthday celebration. (via Bon Appétit)

SO, so delighted to hear that Aran Goyoaga of the gorgeous blog Cannelle et Vanille is teaching a workshop at Sunday Suppers in Brooklyn this May!

Personally, I don’t think the black & white cookie needs any updating, but if you’re in the market for some new ideas Grubstreet has some thoughts…

The Kitchn applied Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up to, well, the kitchen. Particularly helpful for those of us living and cooking in small spaces!

Not food related, but I thought this one question style quiz on Apartment Therapy was fascinating and accurate! I’m a Simple Chic with a New Traditional rising, in case you were curious.

Happy Holidays!

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Mike, Maddie-pup, and I are off for a few days to celebrate Christmas with our families, which if I have my way will involve lots of cooking, baking, and long walks through the Upstate New York snow drifts. Boots are packed, sweaters are rolled up in our suitcases, and the goodies are tucked in the Boat & Tote. I wish you all a wonderful, happy, healthy holiday season and I look forward to being back with you here at goldfinch & scout next Monday!

Labor Day

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In honor of Labor Day, long weekends, and the un-official beginning of fall in New York Mike and I have been celebrating with dinners out in West Village and Tribeca restaurants that were blissfully empty – special shout-out to Joseph Leonard and the 70s dance party! But today it’s been all about lots of coffee, a leisurely breakfast at home and some reading I’ve been meaning to catch up on. I hope you had a great weekend too – see you Wednesday for some Cooking with the Contessa!

Fourth of July City-style

 An Ode to Flag Cake | Image: Laura Messersmith

 An Ode to Flag Cake | Image: Laura Messersmith

This past weekend a tide of New Yorkers flowed out to the beaches along the East Coast for Independence Day celebrations complete with traditional flag cakes, clambakes, and sparklers.

Mike and I stayed put in the city, our feet planted firmly on the concrete sand, and once Hurricane Arthur passed us by - thankfully taking the sticky temperatures with it - we had three days of blissfully cool air and holiday-quiet streets.

I love New York at its bustling high water mark when the sidewalks are packed, but there’s something so amazing about having it to yourself for a few days too. The traffic thins out making it possible to cab it from the East Village to the Upper West Side in 15 minutes (unheard of!), restaurants are less crowded, and the pace slows to an easy-going stroll. Heaven.

We had two lovely evenings exploring new spots downtown, re-watched a solid portion of Top Chef Season 6 (aka Vegas with the Voltaggios), and I made meandering progress through the Judith Jones memoir I picked up a few weeks ago from a shady spot in Central Park.

Mix in a healthy splash of Rosé and a generous handful of the ripe peaches and berries perfuming the air around the farmers market and you have the perfect recipe for Fourth of July in the city. We’re both feeling refreshed, ready to return to our regularly scheduled programming, and thankful to already be home. No road trip required.

How was your weekend? Did you do something special to celebrate the Fourth? 

PS: This is my Ode to Flag Cake: Vanilla Chobani + Fresh Strawberries & Blueberries. Delicious and no oven needed!

An Ode to Flag Cake | Image: Laura Messersmith

An Ode to Flag Cake | Image: Laura Messersmith