Norwalk, CT

(May 3-8) Our flight came in late into JFK and Nathan, Matt's brother, and his wife Christine picked us and trollied us back to Norwalk, Connecticut. With his tail wagging and his tounge panting Jack, their black lab, welcomed us to their quaint Victorian Farmhouse built in the 1880s. We spent the next few days catching up on sleep and situating our affairs. The weather was splendid and Spring has opened up her colors with so many wonderful blossoms. The lilacs in Nathan & Christine's yard were so fragrant. Christine introduced us to A&S Deli a delicious Italian Deli that the West Coast has yet to rival. I sunk my teeth into a sopprasata, a spicey cured ham, and fresh mozzarella with balsamic vinegar. Over the course of the next few days Matt and I were lured back to A&S. My addiction to pork has reached new heights with the introduction of pancetta, procuito and now sopprasata. The pigs in Spain shutter when they think of my iminent arrival.

Friday Matt and I ventured via train into NYC. We emerged from underneath the earth to Grand Central Station. Our first pit stop off the train was to B&H Photo to acquire some back up for our photo gear. B&H is the Mecca of photographers. The only way to describe it is to image Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with grown men instead of Umpa Lumpas. We bustled around running a few errands before finally settling back in Bryant Park. Heat radiated off the concrete as the yellow globe and blue skies danced over our heads. Scattered throughout the park were small green metal patio chairs and tables. All walks of life were sitting, sleeping, and reading in the park. It was magnificent to people watch. Nathan & Christine took the train into the city to join us for dinner. Being Cinco de Mayo we had no chance of sitting let alone standing in a Mexican restaurant in their old haunting grounds in the West Village off Jane Street. Instead we sat at the corner table of an Italian restaurant called Barbuto with open air seating. It turned out to be a prime location because it was our first of several star sightings for the trip. I had scallops with gigante beans all of which melted in my mouth. Matt went for the baked sea bass that had a crisp savory crust. Dinner was followed by a pitcher of margaritas. I fall in love with New York City everytime I step foot there. I could walk the streets for hours browsing the shops and restaurants. We all had heavy heads on the hour long train ride home after such a colorful night in NYC.

The weekend was filled with leisurely walks through the park, a movie and Stew Leonards. Stew Leonards is dubbed the Disneyland of Dairy boosting a Ripley's record for largest dairy in the world. I was drawn into the Stew Leonard fold by the petting zoo outside, the dancing & singing muppets throughout the store enticing you to purchase dairy, bananas and just about anything else under the sun, grown from the land or hoofed and slaughtered in the meat aisle. You don't walk up and down aisles like a typical store, instead you weave through a maze of products. It was a slice of Americana served by motorized motown-jiving milk jugs.