SCENE THIS WEEKEND...

A nice weekend if not a busy one. All told, a bit of a little of everything this weekend. Friday found me at the Capital Street Duo's for some visiting and cocktails on the lovely balcony which is off my guest quarters when I stay there. It's like a little oasis. They are only about a block from the Capital Building, hence their nickname on this blog, with views of the dome at night. Even their pup Flyer digs the balcony.

Then it was off too early in the AM for clan member Preston's birthday up in NYC. After a nice train ride up, it was off for a birthday cruise and some fun before heading back and getting in late last night.  I got to play New York tourist as we all pitched in and got a cruise for Preton for his birthday and thanks to Captain Todd, he spun us around the harbor and Lady Liberty while we drank and noshed. It's been years since I have been out that way. The weather was overcast but no rain. It was certainly a great time.

Today....nothing.! And it's been nice. 

The morning started out with breakfast out back in the garden and I surmise, the rest of the day, with exception to a rain that rolled in, will be spent outdoors relaxing.

Mind you, I should be making vacation preparations. 

But as Scarlet O'Hara said, "I'll think about that tomorrow. After all... tomorrow is another day."

KINGSTON CHARM

I'm back on a two-day work week... and I must admit a nice little spring jaunt was just what I needed. Nothing wrong with an extended weekend, sometimes just as enjoyable as one of my longer vacations. The weekend was spent visiting with most of the clan in New York City and then I head for a two-hour drive on Monday to visit a man friend of mine I haven't seen since before covid times, who used to live in the Philly area. I am not sure what took me so long to visit Kingston, but I was pleasantly surprised by this jewel of a town, and I can see why know our dear Anne Marie always told me to go see the Hudson Valley. Kingston is indeed in the Hudson Valley and is charming, blending rich Revolutionary era history with a very quaint yet vibrant and hip feel, all along the Hudson River waterfront. The reason Hudson Valley has an idyllic reputation in the first place I'm thinking, is because of towns like Kingston. A great mixed creative arts district, much history, and the town is dotted with stone houses and Federal era brick building which house everything from private homes to museums, bookshops, art galleries and farm to table eateries, with not one chains, big box, equity backed coffee shops in sight. Yay for Kingston! Meanwhile the downtown area is nestled right on the banks of the Hudson River. I didn't have time to get in and see many places for a long period of time but did see and get the feel of the town pretty good. My friend even took me out on his sailboat as nippy as it was. I have to go back for the lighthouse tour one day. Some visual aids I took...

I swear the northeast is filled with more quaint towns around.

SCENE IN PHILADELPHIA

A glorious weekend!!!! The weekend jolly was nothing more than a mere weekend getaway, spent with a few friends just to get out, drink and be merry. It also became a small celebration of sorts as I learned Thursday I got a company award for Visual Showroom Manager of the year! Quite a surprise!  Who knew my Joan Crawford standards and OCD would pay off?  I got back to the Casa this morning met with cooler temps, some drizzles and cool gales. Yesterday was warm and sunny and we even caught a glimpse of the Obama's, and Clintons arriving at the Kimmel Center. Earlier at lunch at my favorite Cuban eatery, we had seen a huge motorcade and had no idea what or who it was, but no fear it was the dump. He hates Philly and would never show his face again. It was later while walking we caught the glimpse of the Obama's and Clintons at the Kimmel Center. I learned later all four former presidents were present along with Jill Biden and the likes of Tina Fey, Kate McKinnon, Nicole Kidman, Hoda Kotb, Garth Brooks, Tom Brady and many others were all present for talks and interviews on American History, the past and current times, immigration and what it means to America, democracy, social justice and healing division. The event was apparently sponsored by the History Channel. Again, in Philly one never knows who you'll see. Anywho...some nice sights on a wonderful spring walkabout. Most of our time was spent in the fabulous Rittenhouse Square neighborhood this trip. 

Rittenhouse Square one of my favorite places to hang out was planned in 1682 by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme making it the fourth oldest park in the US. Of the five Philadelphia parks they planned, Rittenhouse is the only one to continuously retain it's original intent: an urban square to be used as as a place of retreat and respite. And the park is very well tended to. If you live there no doubt you've seen the staff and volunteers cleaning benches and weeding and other chores to keep the park a lovely place to visit.

And no visit to Rittenhouse is complete without dinner and cock-a-tails at the Parisian inspired brasserie, Parc!

Lobster cocktail

There's always time for a cock-a-tail!

And dessert...profiteroles.

Enough said.