Christmas in the big apple.

We took a couple of days off from homeschooling to do some nostalgic holiday roaming through NYC. Growing up there as a kid, I used to take city for granted but now, years later, I reminisce of those fragrant chestnuts roasting in food trucks, salty pretzels, all the holiday lights, the shows and strolling through the streets for store window browsing.
Holidays is the city are beautifully magical and it is so special sharing it with my little girl.

What can compare to the gorgeous Rockefeller tree?





and iceskating there amongst the bright lights?







The seeing the singing light display and window displays at Saks 5th ave?




Now that I am a mama...
An annual visit to the American girl cafe is so sweet to share tea with my best girl !







A visit to the famous Magnolia Bakery for their "Rockettes" red velvet cupcakes is a must ...













Add a beautiful night at Lincoln Center seeing the Nutcracker Ballet.




(Daddy and girl going in hand in hand.)








Daddy's girl .




And finally a great day at Radio City Music Hall to see the beautiful Rockettes!! (It had been so long!).



















Here she is...
Loving the bright lights - big city.





And for mama...
Ohhhhh, wagashi heaven!!!

















Beautiful days in the city .
(I guess you can take the girl out of the city but not the city out of the girl.)

Now on to merry making at home... where the heart is.

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Getting ready for Christmas

Getting ready for the holidays is so exciting!! I love this time of year . With so much planned ... I hope we have time for it all.
These were just some things we got around to doing this weekend...
Hope you are enjoying this holiday spirit and engaging in some merry making as well. :)

Trimming the tree and holiday carols.




Holiday flapjacks!




Ornament making ...



















And stringing popcorn and cranberries for an outdoor Christmas tree for the birds.



















~It's beginning to look a lot like christmas!

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A nest for Celeste by Henry Cole

We just finished reading a gorgeous new book called "A nest for Celeste" by Henry Cole, (a story about art, inspiration and the meaning of home).The book is a true story, a period in time in which John James Audubon visits the Oakley plantation in the south to document and paint birds of the area, but the story is told through the point of view of a little mouse named Celeste.
The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and the story is so sweet, while at the same time teaching us about Audubon, his artistic process and birds. Also, the point of view of the story, through the eyes of Celeste, gives you an idea of the trials a little mouse may encounter to survive through the seasons.











Here Audubon is painting a picture of an Osprey.







Honeypie painted a picture one of her favorite characters in the story, the little thrush named Cornelius.







And she wrote a journal entry about the parts she liked and did not like from the book.










A great read-aloud book and beautiful addition for a naturalist's library.

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Nature in a nutshell by Jean Potter

We have been working from this science experiment book, "Nature in a nutshell,100 science activities you can do in 10 minutes or less" by Jean Potter. We are really enjoying it!
It includes quick science experiments that you can do with kids about 4-7 years old.
Super easy and fun too!




Here we are investigating shadows and the sun.















We also worked with geometry tiles. So much you can do with them !










Making connections...




Having fun with science and math is very important to me. I am from the old fashioned era of complicated math and science memorization, that had no connection to my life 35 years ago. I am excited to share new outlooks with honeypie and I love seeing her passionate about math and curious about science.
As Martha would say...
"that's a good thing!".

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Eataly

Last week I visited NYC to meet a (beautiful and true) friend of mine for some mama - (minus) kids time. (So rightly needed!)
We visited "Eataly", the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the U.S.A.,owned by Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich.
I can't tell you how amazing the place was !!!
(Food heaven).
Lovely friend + great wine + fantastic food + much needed conversation = fabulous evening :)








We sampled some...

Vino!







Mushroom bruschetta...







Spaghetti squash crostini, white bean and Rosemary crostini...







Baba al limoncello...
(mmmmmm)













There's nothing wrong with having two desserts. (I had a pear gelato as well and I'm not a bit ashamed).







Bought some fresh pasta!! (Butternut squash with amaretto cookie stuffed ravioli .) WOW !!
Also bought some Italian beer that was infused with flowers ! Delicious!!







Thought about truffles ...







Walked all around the market to see all the great Italian products!! Jams, bread, chocolate, beer, pasta, produce, cheese, sweets, gadgetry and books.
So wonderful !







Of course, best shared with a great friend.








Buon Appetito!! ;)

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