Three Thanksgivings

What could be better than three Thanksgiving dinners in three different cities? I managed to stretch Thanksgiving out for 4 days.

Thanksgiving Number One—Last Tuesday afternoon we had our first annual office Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch. I volunteered to take charge and managed to stay relatively calm about the whole thing. I started to panic the morning of though when I got four phone calls from people saying they forgot to bring food…luckily everyone else did! We had more than enough food for the 250+ people in my office and it was a huge success. I made 10 pounds of gruyere mashed potatoes and received several emails asking for the recipe:

Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

- 4 lbs red skinned potatoes

- stick of butter

- 1 cup heavy cream or milk

- 1 lb gruyere, grated

- salt

Cut potatoes in large chunks and place in covered pot with water. Bring to a boil and remove lid. Salt and cook until soft (about 12 minutes). Drain water, leaving potatoes in hot pot. Stir in butter, cream/milk, and cheese. Mash potatoes with a fork or potato masher.

(My favorite part of the meal! I stayed up late making the placecards too.)

Thanksgiving Number Two—On Thursday morning, Winston, Jimmy, and I drove up to Connecticut to Jimmy’s dad’s house. I stayed for a few hours and helped cook and then took Winston over to Kelly’s. Her parents, 2 brothers, and boyfriend were there, as well her black lab, Liam. Liam and Winston played in the backyard while the boys threw the football—Winston managed to run across the pool cover and get soaked! He had a great time though, running, rolling on the carpet, and eating turkey. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures—probably because we were too busy playing Landmine. I haven’t played drinking games in awhile so after three beers, Kelly and I moved to water. We had fantastic appetizers (celery with sherry blue cheese, brie, goat cheese torte with cranberries) and then an even better dinner. Kelly’s mom introduced me to my new favorite Thanksgiving food, creamed onions (I’ll be making them for dinner tonight Jimmy!)

Then it was back to Jimmy’s dad’s for cake for Jimmy’s little brother’s 12^th birthday.

The only pictures from Thursday I have are of the Cinnamon-Sugar Pecans I made for Jimmy’s and Kelly’s families.

We went back into the city Thursday night and then Friday afternoon after a half day of work, we left for Raleigh. Winston was an angel and loved his Burger King chicken nugget dinner.

Thanksgiving Number Three—This was my first time cooking turkey and it actually turned out well. The only thing that would have made it better would be having Mom there.

I didn’t do much in Raleigh—a lot of eating and laying around by the fire and a little backgammon and needlepoint.

It was so nice to see Winston able to play around outside!

He was tuckered out after…

Now that I’m back in chilly NYC with no dog to walk, it’s time to get some keychains finished!

Will’s Birthday in NYC

I’m not very good at this blogging thing. I read everyone else’s blogs but don’t post on my own. I guess a lot has been going on since I last posted the end of September.

My mom was in the hospital from October 13^th until yesterday. I feel so bad for her and I miss her so much. I miss talking to her everyday. It’s hard too because she’s so far away (she’s been at Duke) and I can’t be there. I think she’s doing a little better and it’s good to know she’s finally home. It’ll be nice to have her home for Thanksgiving, even if she can’t eat dinner!

I’ve been busy with key fobs too! I’ve got my template all set and everyone seems to really like them. I’m looking forward to finishing up all my Christmas projects and being able to sell custom fobs on the website. They’ll be there by January!

I’m making fobs for all my managers in my office and my dad’s office for Christmas. I think they turned out really nice and will be perfect little gifts.

My little brother came up to NYC for his 12^th birthday and we stayed very busy (the only way to deal with a 12 year old with ADHD!) He came into work with me on Friday and we went to the Sony Wonder Tech Lab at lunchtime. Our picture was up on the big screen.

On Saturday we went to FAO Schwartz and the Apple store and then Jekyll and Hyde for dinner. We spent over four hours at Jekyll and Hyde and he had a blast.

Sunday we got up really early and went to the taping of the Today Show. We had a quick doughnut breakfast at Dean & Deluca and then got a spot on the plaza. We finally got on TV with 5 minutes left in the show and it was really cold, but worth it.

Then it was off to the dog park.

Winston, as my brother says, “got a little too friendly” with him and knocked him into the dirt. We were out of clean pants by then from plane rides, hot chocolate spills, and a rainy Saturday. Luckily we bought two pairs of khakis on Saturday afternoon! After the dog park we went back up to midtown to the Central Park Zoo. It was my first time there and everyone was telling me it wasn’t worth it and we should go to the Bronx Zoo instead, but for a kid with ADD, it was perfect. There wasn’t enough to overwhelm him and we were able to see everything in about an hour. The polar bears were our favorite and we joked that they were Winston’s grandparents.

Our last activity before heading to the airport was flying his remote control helicopter from FAO Schwartz in the park. This was probably my favorite thing. He was so cute chasing it around and everyone stopped to see it. Last minute, we decided to run back to FAO and get another helicopter so he and my dad could fly them together. I was more exhausted than I’ve ever been by the time I put him on the plane on Sunday night, but we had a great time and I got to do things in the city that I wouldn’t normally do. As difficult as he can be, he’s really the sweetest, nicest kid. Will, I know I told you you’re not allowed to come back to visit, but I didn’t mean it! (I must have a really short term memory…)

Since I always end with pictures of Winston, here’s his reaction to Will’s helicopter. Curiosity got him off of my bed and into the family room to check it out….

Curiosity quickly turned into fear…

Apparently miniature helicopters are really scary when you’re a hundred pound lab…

And a terrified dog is apparently really entertaining to a 12 year old…

Will thought maybe Winston’s mommy would be able to get him over his fear…

Instead, I think he felt like I betrayed him for not protecting him from the scary helicopter.

We’re back on good terms though now that the loud 12 year old and his scary helicopter are far, far away! Little does he know he’ll be reunited with both of them in North Carolina next Saturday!

25

25 is scary. When we used to play house, I always had a husband and about 4 kids by 25. I understand now that that’s unrealistic (I don’t really, but I’m trying to convince myself it is!) Even though I don’t have all the things I thought I would by 25, I still got some good stuff: a sewing machine, coffee table, TV table, and cashmere dress from my parents (plus lots of quarters for laundry), a couple books, a new set of running headphones, and flowers from Jimmy.

Friday night he took me to the Red Sox-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium too. On Saturday night we went to dinner with my best friend, Kelly, and her boyfriend, Trevor, at Max Restaurant in Tribeca. She gave me the most thoughtful gifts: a coral print Vineyard Vines belt (she knows I love coral—see duvet cover with Winston below), Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story, and white cashmere gloves (perfect for walking Winston in the winter—his fur won’t show!) Thanks Kel!

Kelly and I met years ago at tennis clinic on Cape Cod. We actually couldn’t stand each other at first. The boys in the clinics thought it would be funny if they told each of us things the other one said. By the end of that first summer though, we were best friends. I don’t have many close girlfriends so I really value my friendship with Kelly. She’s my needlepointing buddy too! We’re the only girls in our twenties whose favorite thing to do is sit on the beach and needlepoint. I might need her help with my own needlepoint if I keep getting so many orders!

Anyway, on my actual birthday (Monday), my boss got lunch for us and then Jimmy and I went out for sushi. Then it was home in the pouring rain to watch Gossip Girl and finally try to finish the belt I’m working on (2 inches left!)

Poor Winston has been really strange lately—I think it’s because he’s alone a lot and it’s been raining so we haven’t been to the dog park in 3 days. He’s been getting into the trash again and just doing odd things. Two nights ago, he laid down on a pile of Jimmy’s shoes.

His paw made it into one of the Cole Haans (at least he has good taste!)

So I reluctantly took the order form off the website yesterday, for several reasons:

1. I can’t keep up and don’t think it’s fair to make people wait months for belts

2. It’s a little crazy right now between training for a 10K next month, exercising Winston and work, I feel really tied down and guilty if I’m doing anything but needlepointing

3. I’d like to start working on some new projects (keychains, coasters, etc)

4. All my family and friends want needlepoint, either for themselves as Christmas presents or to give to others, and I haven’t had time to make anything for them in about a year

I’ll probably put the order form back up in about a month and hopefully at that point will also add a key fob order form and coaster form. The belt feedback lately has been great and I’d like to also add a testimonials page as well.

Thanks for hanging in there! There are bigger and better things to come!

Cigars, Sinatra, and CSI

Labor Day on the Cape was great. Winston had a great time playing outside and loved the cool weather. We watched the Red Sox, played Backgammon, went out for lobster, and both my dad and I finished Prince of Tides.

We also had beautiful tomatoes from my boss’ backyard garden on Long Island!

This past weekend was even better though. My parents came to the city for the first time in over a year. They saw my new apartment and helped me do a little decorating. We turned the weekend into an early 25^th birthday celebration, going to PJ Clarke’s for burgers, cigars at Club Macanudo, pasta (and more cigars) at Florio’s, and drinks and music (and more cigars!) at the Carnegie Club.

Saturday nights at the Carnegie Club are “Sinatra Saturdays,” which ended up being the highlight of the weekend for me. On Saturday afternoon, we spent about an hour at the dog park and they got to meet all of Winston’s friends. We bought some apartment furniture and even found a Crime Scene Investigator shirt for my little brother.

We had a great time and I was sad to see them go back to Raleigh on Sunday. Back to my routine!

(Winston was sad to see grandma and grandpa go too!)

Grip Its and Noodles

I think I found the answer to my poor, sore fingers’ prayers! My mom, sister, and I were at Hancock Fabrics when I was in Raleigh two weekends ago and my sister found these at the check out…

The back says, “Just stick these dots to your thumb and any fingers you use to pull or push needles. Their special adhesive will keep them securely in place, even through hand-washing.” They’re amazing! I’ve even slept with them on and they’ve stayed on through the night. I tried building calluses and was almost there, but picked them off. So this is the next best thing. I’ve been wearing them on the pads of my right middle and ring fingers and on the side of my left pointer finger. They’re pretty thick and sturdy and don’t get caught in the stitching like bandaids. This is a huge revelation for me—I don’t have to carry Neosporin and bandaids in my needlepoint bag anymore!

Speaking of Raleigh, I had a great trip home. I got my license renewed (I refuse to get a New York driver’s license).

I also got a sewing machine for my birthday and an expert tutorial from Mom, went to Target (I hadn’t been there in four months! Too long!), played with “the noodles” (pictured below), and watched football. Wake Forest had a great game against Stanford—I only wish I could’ve been in Winston-Salem for the game. Watching on the back porch was pretty nice too though.

And now…meet “The Noodles”…

Pete (Maltipoo)

His sister, Dixie (my mom says they’re “twins” cause they’re from the same litter)

Coco (Cockapoo)

And Peanut (rescued Jack Russell)

Cape Cod

I’m finishing up at work and heading out to the Cape! I haven’t spent much time there this summer and my whole family will be there this weekend. It’s my favorite place in the world. I can’t wait to take a shower outside, run to the ocean, see my family and best friend Kelly, watch Winston run around the backyard, and needlepoint! (My fingers are a lot better!) The only thing I don’t like about going out to the Cape is going out there. It’s a really long drive. Without traffic it takes about 4 and a half hours, but I hit traffic every time, so it’s usually between 5 and a half and 6 and a half hours. Long time in a little car with a big dog. I’m usually really happy for the first hour or two because I never get to drive and it’s fun to put on some music and put the top down. It gets old fast though when you’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic across the entire state of Connecticut. Totally worth it when I pull in the driveway though!

I love this house. It’s my favorite house we’ve ever lived in (and we’ve lived in a lot of houses). The porch is my favorite.

Before I know it I’ll be sitting out there watching the Red Sox and needlepointing! With this guy of course…