Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - Beyond the Sea, at Foxwoods.

Kevin Spacey was promoting his new movie about the life of Bobby Darin with a concert at Foxwoods. We decided to check it out.

On a frosty Wednesday afternoon we took the limo up to the casino. I was really excited cause I'm a huge fan of Bobby Darin's music, and Kevin Spacey is one of my favorite actors...Nick just likes to play poker and smoke cigars, so he was happy too.

On the way we stopped... in the middle of nowhere...at this charming little auberge perched on a rushing stream ... cause I had to use the ladies...that after drinking 3 glasses of Pouligny Montrachet en route.

We got to Foxwoods in the late afternoon. I took this photo of the cute cresant moon from the window of our room... it wasn't even dark yet.

I just had to take this "self potrait with shower". mainly because I'll probably never find another occassion to wear this glittery purple top which Nick hates and thus refused to take my picture. Loser.

The show was fantastic. He did all of the best Bobby Darin songs: La Mer, Mack the Knife, Dream Lover...then he did some little know songs which were also great.

After the concert there was a private reception...for just a few people...Nick took this photo of the ultra-nice, extraordinarily talented actor. He really is passionate about the music of Bobby Darin, and it's great that he's bringing it to a completely new audience through his movie. By the way, I was supposed to be in this photo too but Nick totally cut me out. Guess he really hated the purple glittery thing.

The Foxwoods pastry chefs always do a great job with the gingerbread village. This one looks ...good enought to eat. Guess that's the point.

Saturday, December 11, 2004 - Christmas Shopping

With Santa...on a Harley!

Spent Saturday Christmas shopping...which I always try to avoid, but always end up doing...at least to some extent. My last stop of the day was Harley-Davidson where I shoppped for all my friends with bikes.

Saturday - Sunday, December 4th - 5th, 2004 - A Baptisim in Manhattan.

Nick and I spent the first weekend of December in Manhattan. December's always a great time in New York, and this was really special because our friends had asked us to be godparents for their two beautiful daughters. It was a wonderful, memorable weekend...for all of us.

We got into Manhattan on Saturday morning and checked into the Becon Hotel on the upper west side. Then we just walked all over...it was a crisp, beautiful day...no need for an umbrella, that one is just a shop sign.

Isn't this a great juxtaposition of the "traditional and ornate" with the "modern and streamlined"...The glass tower on the right is 9 West 57th Street. Nick and I met for the first time on the 48th floor of this building...let's just say... well...it was many years ago.

That evening we joined our friends Sulay and Jill at their beautiful Manhattan home for dinner. Sulay and Nick survey the table...in the forefront Laila and Celine (arm only) are seated. They're the two gals being baptised the next day!

Jill's dinner was perfection...I especially loved the fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

Here's Laila in her bed surrounded by her buddies...I think they're giving her moral support for the next day's events.

Sunday was beautiful...Blue skies and a piercing December sun. We walked across town to the church on Park avenue. The sun seems a bit too bright for this... future godmother.

A family portrait on the church steps. The mass will begin soon.

...and here are the stars of the ceremony, Laila and Celine. They were a bit aprehensive, but in the end everything went perfectly. They handled their dip into the baptismal font with humor and grace.

The newly bapitsed girls with their Mom...there were candles to play with so that was kind of fun.

Laila and Celine with Mom and Dad. A very sweet family photo.

Here we all are just before leaving the church. Looks like Celine and Laila are a bit fed up with posing for photos.

After the mass we took a walk around the neighborhood and ended up at a Turkish restaurant. I had this vegitarian sampler dish...it was very yummy.

Laila and Celine like Turkish food too so it was a great way to end the day...a day these two gals handled...with perfection.

Thursday, November 25, 2004 - Thanksgiving

How great is it to be able to sleep late on Thanksgiving morning? That's what we did...then we went to the Hilltop for the big meal.

As we left the house in the early afternoon I spotted this little guy enjoying his Thanksgiving meal...of berries. We drove down to Westchester for a wonderful Thanksgiving buffet at the Hilltop.

..and later that afternoon we went to the Nasif's where there is always the most exciting combination of Arabic and American food. The celebration was already well underway. Here, a couple of the ladies of the house pose with guests.

We smoked the nargile, of course. Here I am sharing with Zeina. Well isn't this an integral part of Thanksgiving tradition?

So now Anis has to take a hit...mmmm double apple tobacco.

and here innocent little Frieda watches the action...as if she wasn't...like...a major nargile smoker. Yeah Frieda, I remember Beruit.

and for those with another vice...namely gaming, the table was set for that too.

...and there was a whole lot of backgammon goin on. Here's Nadine in the glittery green shirt. I hear she always wins. Damn not only is she beautiful, she's a player.

The hostess with the mostess..Josephine. Here in the glow of her sparkling chandelier.

O.K. I know, I can't compete with beautiful Nadine...that's why I'm sort of hiding behind Nick in this montage...and you know what the worst thing is...she's soooo nice. I really hate her...I'll think of a reason later.

...and this was the icing on the cake...literally...the turkey cake. I don't think anyone had the courage to cut it...much less taste it, but ...he was the perfect mascot for our Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 19, 2004 - C.I.A. dinner to celebrate Lori!

We had to find a place to celebrate Lori's upcoming birthday. What could be better than the Culinary Institue of America! If you read this blog you know it's a place we love, and there's a great choice of restaurants, and the chef/students are really cute. So there we went.

As we entered the main building we encountered this article...it set the stage for our gastronomic experience.

The occassion was a birthday celebration for lovely Lori P.

and here's good friend Jordan...impatiently waiting for food.

We ate at American Bounty. My first course was pretty extraordinary. Fois gras Cobler! Sooo good. The other gals had the soups. Also excellent.

Pat and Cat...the two little twins with the big appetites!

As for main dishes...the two young carnivores Jord and Lori ordered the filet.

Cat, well she's practically a vegan, so she ordered the mushroom and goat cheese strudel.

and this was my seafood medly. It was devine!

Here I am wishing Lor a happy 17th. Lucky her...I wish I could be 17 again...instead of ummm, like, 27.... yes 27 that's how old I am...Yes...unfortunately.

After dinner my Cheese selection was sublime...enjoyed with a glass of port, bien sur.

and this was Cat's dessert: assorted tropical sorbet under a palm tree. All in all it was a memorable birthday for Miss Lori.

Saturday, November 13, 2004 - First snow of the season... and a memorable meal.

It was just a light dusting but it removed all doubt about impending winter. That evening we had a wonderful dinner at Luc & Marie's.

We woke up this November morning to find that and inch or so of snow had fallen. Through our lace curtains, the sun dappled whiteness looked pure and beautiful.

From our porch, looking up Deer Hill Avenue, everything was covered with a light coating of pure, powdery white.

...and this is looking down Deer Hill. A winter wonderland, well before Thanksgiving.

That night we had dinner at Luc and Marie's. Here the guys are checking out the wine. Luc alway serves great wine. I love their red dining room too...it lends a warm and festive atmosphere to every gathering.

To begin with we had these broiled goat cheese croutons with pears, roasted walnuts and and a dijon vinigarette... That was followed by the most perfect roast beef.

This is the salad Marie made. It's base on the Lebanese salad called Fatouch. The dressing has pomagrant juice in it. Exotically delicious.

Do you believe this apple tarte? It's totally perfect looking...and it was delicious too.

Luc and I always argue about politics ... always! And our arguments frequently become very heated. But in the end we inevitably agree to disagree...like right before this photo was taken. Luc's a much better debater then I am anyway. Damn.