Winter Reigns: From the South East to the North East


The quick run-down:

• Bergen County schools, universities and colleges closed
• up to 2 hours of delayed opening in State and private offices
• winter storm warning till 4 p.m.
• blustery winds and low temps. (20F/-8C), layers a must!
• snow is too powdery and any attempt at making a snowman will not work
  
• powdery snow blowing into your face feels like a million splinters cutting your skin - aw!
  

Just as we thought we had seen the last of winter, it made an unexpected return last night through much of today. Living true to the saying, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb," we are now entering the second phase of this winter storm. Our area is expected to receive a total of 7 - 11 inches of powdery snow by this afternoon. Although it's not the worst, it is still not a good idea to be out and about if you don't have to.

Luckily, my boss agreed to switch my flex day (i.e. day off) from Friday to today. Phew! Treacherous road conditions and commuting delays aren't something that a person who has an hour long commute to and fro NY City wants to hear. So, I've decided to stay home and bake some meringue puffs to take my mind of work and my flooded Lotus Notes in-box. Hmm...


Several hours later


What's next? Stay warm, I supposed.

Sunday Afternoon at Stony Hill Gardens

Valentine's Day 2009

I came home from work two Friday's ago and found a lovely surprise on the coffee table :)

And, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries from Edible Arrangements :)))

THANK YOU Adrian for being such a thoughtful and wonderful husband. Te quiero con todo mi corazón!

Happy Birthday Mr. President

G.S. Williamstown's portrait of George Washington taken from the web

G.W. would be 277 years old if he was alive today. This weekend, there were celebrations all over N.J. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative. It started raining around 11 a.m. and was drizzling on and off the entire afternoon.

Here are some photos taken at Dey Mansion in conjunction of G.W.'s birthday. I hope you'll find them enjoyable as we had taking them :)

What went on indoors...

Cooking inside the "Militia Office"

Crafts inside Dey Mansion

Period musicians in Dey Mansion

Some outdoor action...

Militias engaging in guerilla warfare

Advancing their attack on the Red Coats

Red Coats firing shots at the Militias

Another Militia

Honoring G.W. with a gun salute. Hip, Hip, Huzzah!

Curtain call from the re-enactors

A traveling merchant and his wares. Say what's in the cart?

Well, a bit of this and that. Stuff soldiers would buy like spoons, fur hats, blankets, etc.

Arthur's Landing - A Eulogy of Some Sort...


I've been telling my better half for the past 2 years that I would like to have dinner at Arthur's Landing in Weehawken, N.J. Why? (1) They have a magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline, and (2) Adrian had raved about the duck he ate at a corporate event he attended there.

Not long after we came back from our vacation in Malaysia, we went to Arthur's for an early anniversary dinner. It was a quiet Sunday night. The moon was full and bright, but the weather outside was frightfully frigid. We were seated at a nice table right by the window. I ordered the seafood bouillabaisse, while Adrian had canard (what else?!)

Atlantic Seafood Bouillabaisse, pour moi!

Adrian's main - duck...., I forgot the name of the dish

Our shared dessert, chocolate banana dome served with ice-cream

I'm really glad that we finally made the effort to dine at Arthur's Landing. Not long after U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made the miraculous water landing right by the restaurant's deck, it closed its doors for good. I read that the restaurant's staff served passengers with warm soup and coffee, and provided dry clothes from the Chef's closet.

I'm sure the City of Weehawken regrets loosing such a fine restaurant. Seems like the economic and financial crisis has spilled over to every faucet of our lives. The restaurant's Chairman posted this message on their website.

Year of the Ox

"Gong Xi Fa Cai, Nien Nien Yu Yi!"