HERE COMES MONDAY

I won't lie, I do not look forward to this Monday!!!!! Let's just get it over with. shall we??? Last week was a long week, but a fun one. The work load for me has dropped to quiet till after the New Year now, so I am using some personal days before I lose them. Last week saw me in New York City for our usual, tour of windows... then there was the Madame X concert, which as predicted Madge was 40 minutes late for. I will say she sang great...but one could tell she was taking her pain in stride and held back a little, but she was still pretty amazing for being her age and in pain!!!! Thank goodness I was off the next day. Then this weekend found me out of town to visit the Lad in Virginia. Not only did a get the three gifts I have to get each year done, but we had the second Christmas party to attend too. It was called the "X"mas Party. Dress code: jock straps only. I won't beat around the bush, it was a sinfully good time...filled with many sight, grabs, strap cracks and more then a few cup grabs. There may even have been a ménage a toi.... but I'm much to shy to divulge details. Why I'm blushing as I type this..... This Mondays Moments are some sights from around the last week....

Philadelphia Museum

Elfreth's Alley

Boathouse Row

Wanamaker's Organ and Light show

Dillworth Plaza

Cock-a-tails at the Beekmam Hotel In NYC

Excellent seats too!

When I got to the Lads he complimented me on my layering of clothes. He said I looked handsome but so layered...to which I replied,  Clothes make absolutely no sense, unless they inspire men to take them off you"  By Saturday night it was a different story....

Christmas Sugar Plums!!!

There now...we all awake???

Happy Monday All!

SEEN IN PHILLY

Every year I love being around Philly in the early part of the season to get in the mood. Philly always has the old time city feel come Christmas.. Seems every where one looks, there is something  or some pretty view to see. Here are some snaps from through out the season....

My favorite of course City Hall!!!! In and around City Hall is one place to hit if your limited in time. City Hall becomes quite a thing to see, between it's Christmas Village of local artisans shops and eats, the Wintergreen Gardens, the ice skating rinks, and the highlight, the spectacular light show.

Shiny objects!!! Mouth blown ornaments at one of the booths.

Can you say yum?

Even the Grinch can be seen at City Hall!

But the light show is really something to see. I have no idea how they do it, but it is downright so cool and so precise how it outlines the architecture so perfect. My favorite part is the effect of the building icing over. This will be the coolest thing you see today.....

Other sites I enjoyed...

I always enjoy the Main Hall in the museum and the statue of Artemis. I snapped these when I saw the fashion show there.

The Rodin Museum

It disturbs me John Wanamaker's is no longer with us, but at least Macy's continues their tradition of the organ concert and the huge tree and light show every year. The tree is just so perfect and changes color. The Dicken Village can still be seen in the Egyptian Hall.

Love me a group of street musicians.

Various statues at a fountain at the art museum.

Rittenhouse Square

The beautiful and calmness of Boathouse Row.

But how about that light show at City Hall. magical right?

WEEKEND ROAM

Well, the weekend started out with very beautiful weather wise, and you know the Mistress can't sit still to long. After having a half day at work Friday, and the staff at the Casa having everything under control for once, I decided to take a fall walk about in Philly for the day. After a huge breakfast, I was afraid to leave the Casa in fear my jeans might split from the waffles and bacon I swallowed whole, but I left anyway in hope the zipper and snap would hold. I met up with a friend of mine I hadn't seen in some time....and we potted around the Art Museum and Fairmount Park section, as I wanted to take a few snaps.

Looking toward the beautiful Boathouse Row......

You may be wondering what are all the Roman looking pillared buildings from above and below.The Fairmount Water Works was Philadelphia's second municipal waterworks. Designed in 1812 by Frederick Graff and built between 1812 and 1872, it operated until 1909, winning praise for its design and becoming a popular tourist attraction. It now houses a restaurant and an interpretive center that explains the waterworks' purpose and local watershed history. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its architecture and its engineering innovations. It was also the nation's first water supply to use paddle wheels to move water. 

After a nice walk in the air all afternoon, I mentioned wanting to go to Barbuzzo for some drinks, but of course... and to try out the menu. Philadelphia right now is exploding with many new eateries and restaurants.....a diners paradise. Laurel was on the radar, owned by a winner of Top Chef, but impossible to get into without reservations, So Barbuzzo it was. I great choice.

Since opening, crowds have been packing the tables for the affordable small plates and creative pizzas featuring toppings like braised bacon and truffled farm eggs. We both had pasta dishes, but the appetizer was delicious as hell. Sheep's Milk Ricotta!

Along with their excellently made cock-a-tails!!!!!

Be sure to save room for dessert. Enjoying Barbuzzo’s salted caramel budino could be described as a life-changing experience. The creamy dessert, topped with a dark chocolate crust, vanilla bean caramel and sea salt, has proved so popular,  that our waiter said it is often offered for sale separately during the holidays. Barbuzzo’s small space offers an intimate dining experience and it was safe to say we made pigs of ourselves.

It was a painful ride home on the train,since I apparently have no self control when it came to eating this weekend, filled with to much earthly delights. Today was spent relaxing. But it was worth a weekend for the senses I think.

Local Spot- Boathouse Row

Another favorite spot the Mistress and the Boy-Toy like to go see is Boathouse Row.When we are down in the city we always like to go there and see what's going on, and that area of the city is just gorgeous. Boathouse Row is a national historic landmark located in the Fairmont Park/East Falls area of Philadelphia. It is also where that beautiful Laurel Hill Cemetery is that a did a post on a while back. You can see that here. Anywho, Boathouse Row consists of a row of boathouses housing racing shells and each has it's own address on Kelly Drive which is named after the famous Philadelphia family members,oarsman John B Kelly Jr. and Princess Grace Kelly. Boathouse Row hosts several major rowing regattas every summer, drawing thousands to the Fairmont Park area. They are very interesting to watch, and with some big ole muscle men in the boat, you should see how fast those suckers go. In 2004 the old houses had a major refurbishing and the houses were outfitted with computerized LED'S that can light up in various colors, depending on the season. Today, most of the house are now owned by various colleges in the area for their fraternity rowing teams from Drexel, Saint Joseph's, Villanova,University of Penn, LaSalle, and Temple. Here are just a few of the houses I snapped some pictures of.











Of course, another reason to go to Boathouse Row is all the hot men! Between the muscled oarsman and all the cute runners, oh dear! The Mistress usually requires her parasol to keep the sun off her so she won't over heat and pass out.Her temperature tends to rise from all the sites!