Philadelphia Freedom!

This weekend I found myself outside the city limits. Of NYC, that is.

I was visiting my family in NJ and I did what I rarely do on one of these visits - I left my parents' couch!

A few choice road trip partners and I hit I-95 and made our way to Philly, which is really only 45 minutes away.

Our #1 destination was not Pat's or Gino's, but the Village Whiskey. I first read about it here, then, also, here, so I had to see for myself!

It did deliver, friends. I was not disappointed. I had local oysters from Cape May, NJ, and french fries fried in duck fat and smothered with braised short ribs and cheddar sauce. They fanciest Disco Fries I ever did eat!

We walked around a bit and then saw the Cleopatra exhibit at the Frankin Institute. It was quite amazing.

Did you know that the city of Alexandria was destroyed by a series of natural disasters?

Did you know that the Roman Emperor Octavius destroyed all images of Cleopatra after her death so no one really knows what she looks like?

Did you know that no one knows where Cleopatra and Mark Antony are buried?

This exhibit shows the archaeological discovery of the ancient city of Alexandria and the possible tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Fascinating stuff people.

And only a train ride away!

Mermaids and tomatoes

Oh yessiree, I checked something off my list! I attended the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island on Saturday with a very dear (and long time) friend and it did not disappoint.

We saw mermaids and jellyfish and sharks and whales and pirates. I think the pirates were my favorite. I think if I were to be in the parade I would be a mermaid-pirate hybrid. They were the best.

Also, did you know that some of the best tacos in NYC are in Coney Island? I'm not kidding! If, no, when, you go, visit Plaza Mexico Dona Zita. My friend is from Texas (where they tacos very seriously,don't you know) and she says these are some of the best she ever had. I have to agree. There is no photographic evidence because I couldn't stop to take a picture. They were too good. Trust me.

I'm growing tomatoes again this year. This time around I have three plants. They are doing amazingly well after a slow start. My own private Tomato Whisperer mixed up some potting soil and lovingly transplanted them from the sad planter I originally had them in.

Making your own potting soil, apparently, is a lot cheaper and better than buying those pre-mixed bags. Here's what you need:

Equal parts peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.
That's it.

For the tomatoes we added lime to help balance the pH in the soil. About 1 cup per plant/big container.

(All of this can found at Home Depot or other garden/hardware stores.)

Or if you're lucky enough to have your very own Tomato Whisperer, then he does it all for you. We all can't be that lucky.

Come on, come on and dance all night Just bide the heat, it'll be all right

In the spirit of my friend Little Bunny (aka, Jess.) I'm making a list for the summer. I've gone through phases of making lists. I'm currently list-less (not listless) though I have attempted to keep one on my phone. Not as satisfying, though, as a nice piece of lined paper where you can cross items off with a Sharpie!

Without further ado, my list for the summer:

Mermaid Parade (hello Mr. Lou Reed!)
(Finally) visit City Island
P.S. 1's Summer Warm Up series
The Bronx Zoo
Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island
Shakespeare in the Park (starring Al Pacino!!)
more bike rides (see above picture)
Luke's lobster rolls at Hester Street Market
watch as many World Cup games as possible
finish my quilt!
4th of July on Governor's Island (featuring She & Him)


(If anyone cares to join me for one or all of these, drop me a note!)

USA vs France vs Italy vs England

Oooh did I have a busy week!!
It started with going to see the remastered version of the Jean-Luc Godard film, "Breathless." It's been playing at the Film Forum and the run is extended, so run out and go see it this weekend!! I had seen it for the first time 12 years ago, and I think, for me, it has held up over time.

I was so in love with Jean Seberg's look when I was 21 (you do the math) that I went out and cut my hair exactly like hers. I mean, look at that adorable cowlick! And the t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the little black pants! I wanted to look like her in every scene in the movie. The sunglasses! The eyeliner! The stripes! Oh, dear..... makes me want to go an buy one of these.

Before the show, we went to John's Pizzeria. It's one of my top 10 in NYC for pizza. It very much hit the spot, but for me, it was more about the atmosphere.

John's has been there since 1929 and the interior hasn't changed much. It's cheep and it's fast and it's super, super tasty so I recommend it for a pre-movie dinner any night.


Theeeeennnn..... on Saturday I went to the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria to watch the USA vs. England World Cup game. It was a snooze of a game, but the Beer Garden is a great place to watch. You have to get there super early to get a table, but it's so much fun and the food is outstanding. I had potato pancakes and they rocked. I'm going to try to go back for a least one more game during the World Cup festivities.

Coming up.... I do actual knitting!! I'm swatching to new(ish) yarns for which I have planned new designs. I'm very excited!!!

Yikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, I knew that it had been a long, long time since I put up a post here at The Works. I did not know, however, that it had been TWO MONTHS(!), as I discovered when I logged onto Blogger mere moments ago.

I can't believe it. I know I've been busy, but I can't tell you with what. I made some carrots from this book. And made a lemon tart.


The majority of my time in April and June was spent planning my friends' wedding for which I spent a week in Point Pleasant, NJ. I should have pictures to show you, but I don't.


I took a trip to the beach this past weekend and was completely amused by my coffee cup.

I knit part of a little baby sweater, of which I don't have any pictures. I haven't done any sewing other than hemming a few skirts. I don't know if I've lost my blogging mojo or my blogging voice, or what.

I'm regrouping and hope to bring you some awesome content. Soon.