Season's Greetings from Adrian, Serene and Brandon

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us.

Courtesy of ThePianoGuys

NY & About on Black Friday by Adrian

I was not shopping on Black Friday so why not check out New York City instead. It is never boring to stroll in New York City regardless of how many times I have been there. See for yourself..!

The Skating Rink at Bryant Park

Puppet shop

Signage for Bryant Park

The Rink @ Rockefeller Center

Santa Claus made a special appearance

Window display at Saks with Yeti character

Window display depicting "real" New York life

Giant lights

Giant Christmas Ornament

City Bike (This is for you Mike)

Well, nothing would end the outing without a nice meal.  Guess what...! We had late lunch at Les Halles. Yes, the home base of Chef-at-large Anthony Bourdain. Unfortunately, we went to the one at John Street not Park Ave, his home base. He has moved on to "bigger" things in life e.g. a travel show on CNN.

Les Halles

Fries

Portuguese Mussels

Raspberry Rum Parfait (Excellent dessert recommended by our server)

That's all folks. Till next time. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Sleepy Hollow and Philipsburg Manor by Adrian

It has been five years since we last visited Sleepy Hollow and Philipsburg Manor (2007). The are several new things included is this blog that we did not had the chance to explore during the previous trip.

Welcome sign of Sleepy Hollow (It does not look like the one from new series from FOX)

 The Old Dutch Church was opened to the public this time. 

Old Dutch Church

Reenactor portraying Dominie Guiliam Bertholf the first pastor of the church at the entrance

Church Organ added about few years back

Pulpit on raised platform (Family members of Frederick Philipse were buried underneath the communion table)

Washington Irving's tomb

Is this headless Houseman or Headless Jackie (Serene's cousin)?

Philipsburg Manor House (No pictures are allowed inside the house)

Water powered gristmill

Gristmill grinder stone (Notice the wear on the stone)

Gristmill crankshaft

Finished products (flours)

Reenactor explaining the garden herbs and its benefits

According to the Ole Wive's tale the smell of lavender eases headache 

Potato brine helps cure burn and other cuts

Entrance to the barn

Reenact-or explaining how flax is processed to be linen (Important material for clothing during the 1700's)

Barn and plantation tools

I learned something new today. Plantation in the south includes cotton, tobacco (mostly non-food) but in the north they were mostly for food (wheat, dairy, rice, fish, baked goods and etc ). Overall, it was a good Sunday outing.

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ by Adrian

We have been to the jersey shore many times but never stopped at Jenkinson's Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach. Since Serene's cousin is in town, we decided to check it out. Moreover, this was the first time we headed back to the Jersey Shore, post Sandy, besides Atlantic City. As we passed Asbury Park (hometown of Bruce Springsteen), we saw a few houses still in terrible shape due to Sandy's wrath. Unfortunately, we did not manage to take any pictures. The good news is that majority of the properties have been repaired.

Taffy shop

Food store

One of the boardwalk games

Salt Water Taffy

Mermaid (Sand sculpture benefiting Sandy rebuilding fund)

Shark

Brandon and I on a train ride

Moby Dick -Sit on the edge of your seat in this thrilling, fast-pace ride that brings you high in the sky and then takes you right back down again, and just as fast! 

Jackie (Serene's cousin) enjoying her first corn-dog

Overall, we had fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk. It was definitely worth the trip for the Labor Day weekend.

Independence Day (July 4th) at Votee Park, Teaneck by Adrian

We had witnessed the Teaneck 4th of July Parade a few years ago and this year we decided to check out the activities at Votee Park instead. It is the ending point of the parade and happens to be not too far from our house. They have assorted inflatables, fire truck display, hula hoop dancing and etc. Check it out for yourself.

Kids playing with water from fire truck

Lightning McQueen inflatable

Amphitheater

Guess who is enjoying himself..!

At least, we had something fun for 4th of July. To top it, we ended with a nice dinner and watched live Macy's fireworks on tv. Perhaps when Brandon is older we could bring him to see the fireworks it outdoor.

Empty Nest by Adrian

After waiting for two weeks, I finally found out the Robin has abandoned its nest. Perhaps it felt threaten by something around the area. I did some research online and it says even a small uneasiness will make them leave their nest for good. As I found out my neighbor's cats were looking at them from their window. Go figure...! Thanks  $#!@#%^& cat...!

House sparrow nest episode by Adrian

Last year, we had bird nesting in the side gutter and we had to clear it so that the water would flow down. Lately, I have seen birds flying in and pooped on my car %$##!&&@! and out of my house's gutter so I asked Juan (my contractor) to check it out. Guess what we saw..! Unfortunately, we have to remove this nest. Sorry bird....!

Nest with two eggs from one side of the gutter

While cleaning one side of the gutter, we saw a bird flying out from the other end of the gutter. Hmm! I told  Juan to check that one out. It turned out that the eggs have hatched for the other sparrow family. This one we had to leave it alone as there are sparrow chicks in it. Juan will have to come back in a few weeks time until the chicks have left the nest before he can clear the gutter.

Sparrow chicks

I like birds but not in my gutter. One year it has caused my water build up and it ended sipping into my basement. On the bright side, birds like our house so I take it as our place is homely to everyone including animals. 

Robin Nesting by Adrian

We have seen lots of animals passing through our house namely pest squirrels, skunk, turkey, bald eagle, possum, mole, bunny rabbits, and all kind of birds. But for the first time, we witnessed an American Robin nesting under the gutter on the down spout of our house. It all started a few days ago when I noticed strings of grass and debris hanging on the down spout. Moving forward few days later, I saw something looking  like a nest. Look for yourself what I have discovered.

Mama Robin in the nest

Closed-up on the nest when mama robin was away

Guess what is inside? Robin egg blue..!

We feel very lucky to have so many animals near our house. Perhaps lottery winning is on our way!!!  It makes us feel like nature...! Anyway, I will post pictures when the Robin chick(s) is/are visible.  Stay tuned...!