A free day and an open road (and lots of fun links)!

I'm not afraid to do things by myself.  I enjoy my own company; a chance to do what I want to do, please no one but myself.  I'm very adept at talking to strangers and do so whenever I have a willing participant.

Yesterday, I ventured out to see The Fabulous Beekman Boys in Groton, New York.  They were doing a book signing for their two books, The Bucolic Plague and their new cookbook, The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook.  I already own The Bucolic Plague as an e-book but was looking forward to picking up a copy of the cookbook so I could get it signed.

A little about Groton.  Groton is a tiny town about 45 minutes from my home.  I had never been there before but knew it was very rural.  I found visiting this village was like stepping back in time.  The remnants of its Victorian beginnings are still visible (the library has been beautifully preserved) but it appears time stood still right around 1958.  You can almost hear the theme from The Andy Griffith Show playing as its soundtrack.

I also found the only 7-11 I've ever seen in Upstate New York.  Too bad I don't eat chili cheese dogs anymore!

I found my way to the library using these charming local goats as a clue to its location.

Inside the library, I found a packed house with Josh and Brent signing books and greeting fans.  As many of you may know, the "boys" won The Amazing Race last week and I'm sure it has brought a new flock of fans not to mention a $1,000,000 prize.

One line was reserved for those buying cookbooks with a second line for those waiting to meet Josh and Brent and get said cookbook autographed.  I chatted with the ladies in line sharing my best Beekman Boys trivia and sharing pictures of myself with them.  I'm sure they were thrilled.

It wasn't until it was my turn to pick up the cookbook that they announced they were sold out but books could be ordered with signed copies would available for pick up at a later date.  This wasn't what I wanted so I relinquished my place in line and slipped out the door.  I knew I'd be seeing them in Ithaca on Monday and would have the chance to get a copy signed in person then.

Since the weather was picture perfect, I decided to drive 35 miles to my friend's winery on Cayuga Lake in Interlaken, NY.  Americana Vineyards is a beautiful winery with outstanding wines.  The resident labs, Max and Rubie have their very own clever blog and Max was waiting for me on the front deck when I arrived.

The winery has a fantastic little cafe to which I love to introduce my friends.  The last time I was there, it was with a dear friend from Massachusetts who crossed my mind many times as I sat inside enjoying my lunch with a glass of Chardonnay.

Today's choice was pure indulgence; cheddar, Gruyere, goat cheese, smoked gouda and tomato on sourdough bread.  I ate half and saved half as a culinary souvenir a.k.a. lunch for the next day.

Next stop:  Hosmer Winery to visit my high school sweetheart who works there.  It was a quiet day in the Finger Lakes so he and I caught up for a few minutes before I stole a hug and went on my way.

On my way home, I decided to stop in Ithaca to the bookstore where "the boys" would be doing their book signing on Monday night.  Buffalo Street Books is a cool community-owned co-op bookstore inside DeWitt Mall near the Ithaca Commons.  The DeWitt Mall also boasts one of Ithaca's best eateries, The Moosewood Restaurant which is famous not only for its wholesome and delicious food but many cookbooks.

I scored a cookbook and decided to do a little shopping on the commons.  After dodging a very friendly and persistent Greenpeace volunteer soliciting donations and members, I popped into a few stores in search of Christmas gifts for the last few people on my list.  Alas, the only thing I ended up coming home with was a bottle of Ralph's Momma Sauce, my son's favorite.  He will get this along with another gift for his 23rd birthday this week.

When I got home, I still had wanderlust so I decided to go to my favorite local place, Aiello's Restaurant.  All my friends tease me about how much time (and money) I spend here but it's truly become a second home to me.  Their mussels appetizer is to die for so I had that and two Guinnesses before heading home; wanderlust satisfied and ready to climb into bed with my pup.

What's your treasure?

Picture I took in July 2012 of an artist capturing the beauty of 

Seneca Lake from the vineyard at Atwater Estate winery. 

The great seal of truth is simplicity.

~  Herman Boerheave

I will be spending the next two days at a bed and breakfast in the Finger Lakes, namely Cayuga Lake.  My companion and I will be visiting the wineries, enjoying some great food but most importantly, enjoying life.

If I've learned anything over the past few years it's that it isn't important to have material things and how much that "stuff" can hold you hostage.  I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy spending money on good meals and vacations but those luxuries would be meaningless without my children or my friends to share them with.

So this weekend I may be indulging in delicious food and probably too much wine but the memories my friend and I will bring home will be our treasures.  A crisp, autumn day.  Music as we drive.  A cozy bed.  Conversation over coffee.  Sitting on the porch enjoying the night sky.  Our time here is short and must not be wasted.  We need to spend it living and cherishing time with one another before it's too late.

Thankful

God can be worshiped in no more beautiful way than by the spontaneous welling up from one's breast of mutual 

converse with Nature.

~  Goethe

 

 I drove home earlier this week just as the sun had set.  The sight that met me at the overlook took my breath away.  Instinctively, I sent up a thank you to the Universe for allowing me to witness such beauty.  A prayer was offered up at a time I would not have considered myself to be in prayer.  Life is so good!

 

Photography

I was recently given a nice Canon digital camera by a man I was dating.  Things didn't work out for us but he insisted I keep the camera telling me I have the potential to be "an outstanding photographer".  Photography has always been an interest of mine and this gift has enabled me to flex my creative wings a little bit and have some fun.

I worry that my friends on Facebook will tire of my endless pictures of Whitney Point Lake but I've been encouraged by many of them that they enjoy each one and some have even printed them off.  For this reason, I will continue to post them on Facebook but will also post them here as a way to collect and comment on those I feel are among the best.

I hope they are enjoyed by others as much as I have enjoyed sharing them.

Reflections on cruising

I just returned from a week long cruise to the Bahamas.  My only traveling companions were my 12- and 14-year old daughters.  We had a blast!

I spent a lot of time alone due to the girls wanting to spend their time with new found friends which led me to some observations I recorded:

Eavesdropping on conversations between family members at neighboring tables makes me so happy to be by myself.

I never thought a Singles Mixer would mean I'd be the single attendee.

Day 3 of the cruise and I'm contemplating an obscenely early bedtime.

Taking a ship that leaves out of a New York Port means you end up with passengers who are a combination of the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond and Jersey Shore.

And on the 5th day, my liver rested.

Norwegian Cruise Lines:  Because Filipino Cruise Lines just didn't have the same ring.

If the gift shop sold 50 Shades of Grey, not only would they make a bundle of money but the attendance at the singles mixers would increase.

There is nothing quite as obnoxious as a stranger showing off his supposed knowledge of tequila.

Martinis and I are back to not being on speaking terms.

I should be flattered that my teenager steals my clothing but I'm annoyed and mostly because she looks better than I do in them.

Who knew the most fun I'd have all week would be with a married couple from Nottingham, England.

By the end of the cruise, a single cruiser tires of being asked by waitstaff, "just one?" or "are you waiting for one more member of your party?"

Not only is the mojito the greatest drink ever invented but it's also the best to drink right after you've brushed your teeth.  Minty goodness all around!

I wonder if there's a 12-step program for children who've acquired a habit of eating soft serve ice cream every ten minutes.

The smell of sausage on the grill is pushing my vegetarian convictions to their limit.

I'd like one more week, please.

Remembering

I am known for posting quotes as my status on Facebook. Sometimes one will capture me and I share it in the hopes it will capture someone else. On Monday, I shared my own inspiration:

Good friends will never expect you to be anyone but yourself. Great friends will help you remember who you are.

This came to me as an epiphany following a discussion I had with a friend. Over the past four months, this dear man has been incredibly supportive and at times will give me a much needed reality check as good friends do.

In the above mentioned discussion, I was lamenting the fact that I would never find a man who was a good fit for me. I worried that I had been alone for too long and that I'd die alone. I added the dramatic visual of the paramedics finding my decrepit body half consumed by my 15 cats and left to rot amongst stacks of unread books.

But that's not how he saw the end of my life.

He saw me spending my life the center of attention flamboyantly wearing loud colors, bright, oversize jewelry and being a complete embarrassment to my children. I added to this visual by saying I'd be bathed in patchouli, bra-less and wearing sequined flip flops. He said he will be proud to know that fun loving Chrissy.

It made me think about who I really am. Not only to myself but to others. For a long time, I was led to believe I wasn't good enough. I'm not thin enough, I'm a lousy housekeeper, I'm demanding and I don't know how to raise my children. If you hear those things often enough, you begin to believe them.

A great friend helps you remember who you are.

I am a spiritual seeker. A woman who believes in kindness and gratitude being the keys to happiness. I love to laugh but mostly I love to make others laugh because I firmly believe laughter affects the positive vibrations of the whole universe. My greatest joy is when I can help someone through a difficult time. I adore anyone over the age of 80! I pick my battles with my children. I don't mind spending the afternoon by myself reading, walking, baking.

I express myself through the colors I wear, the sounds of a great charm bracelet or earthy herbal scents. I love to get my hands in the dirt to raise vegetables and richly scented herbs to create amazing foods. I love to immerse myself in different cultures and learn about our world. I am an audacious, brazen, unabashed, shameless flirt.

I have a rich life and I may never find someone to share it with me. But if I do, he will be someone who will never ask me to be anyone but myself but will only help me to remember who I am every day.