TIME OUT FOR CULINARY TREATS

 

Yesterday we decided to treat ourselves to

a trip to the Culinary  Institute of America.

Hubby had a doctors appointment on the east side

of the Hudson River, and since Hyde Park

was only 3 miles away from there,

why not have some wonderful thing

to look forward to.

We have been there a few times before,

but yesterday seemed special.

The rain held off, it was not mobbed,

the leaves have started to turn, but everything looks still

luscious  and green.

 

This is Roth Hall at the CIA.......

 

 

 

.....the Culinary Institute of America.

The campus is large. It is one of the

finest culinary colleges in the world.

 

 

 

The CIA is situated on a beautiful spot on the east

bank of the Hudson River.........

 

 

 

with beautiful vistas of the Catskill

mountains on the west side of the Hudson.

 

 

Look carefully and you can see the Hudson on the

right top of the picture.

 

 Anton Plaza.

It is hard to find a prettier place.

From here you can look at the Hudson or Roth Hall.

 

 

 

How nice, that people are still generous to make funds

available to give people enjoyment.

And enjoy we did.

We ran into Australians who loved our pretty

part of the world.

 

 

 

 

Just sitting there, relaxing and looking at the fountain,

 was good for our souls.

 

 

 

 

 

Lets follow these upcoming chefs into Roth Hall.

Roth Hall has three Restaurants, a bookstore,

where you can also get the latest gadgets.

Classrooms and places to see some of the young

chefs  learning the art of baking.

Unfortunately no pictures are allowed to protect

the privacy of the students.

Lots of fun to watch though.

What I found amusing....when we walked

behind a student going to class, we noticed

that she had her wire whisk hanging from her knapsack...

Cute!

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, we could not take pictures of the

restaurant we chose in Roth Hall,

The Apple Pie Bakery Café.

At least I got permission to take a picture

of this mural of the Hudson.....

 

 

and the courtyard for the students right outside of

our window.

It reminds me of a monastery, and there is also a chapel

on campus with beautiful windows.

 

 

And now for the best part of our day....

our luncheon......

 

Shrimp Nicoise!

 

Grilled shrimp, balsamic vinegar reduction, greens,

quail egg, fingerling potatoes, haricot vert, asparagus,

olives, piquillo peppers and cherry tomatoes,

with herb vinaigrette.

 

 

That quail egg looked so sweet, I could not resist taking a picture.

 

 

 

Oh, the desserts!!!!!!

Hubby and I shared  a lemon tart

presented in the most intriguing way.

It was decorated with white chocolate,

a kumquat and a meringue.

It was heavenly!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other desert was a Tart Bourdalou.

Poached pears in vanilla syrup with almond cream

inside a  crisp almond tart shell.

 

If you ever have a chance to visit, indulge!

So many wonderful things to choose from.

The students have made it all, and also serve

their creations at lunch to you.

They are eager to engage and tell you what

they are studying and what their plans

are for their future.

It was charming!

 

 

One of the displays in the windows showed

lovely breads........

 

......so of course some came home with us.

Who could resist!!!

Oh, I don't know what the 40 means on the bags,

certainly not $ 40.00.

 

 

 

This map shows just how big the campus is,

and we saw  that they are still building.

 

 

After all the eating, we had to walk some of it off.

This restaurant sits apart from the others.

It is the Ristaurante Caterina de' Medici,

and also the Colavita Center for

Italian Food and Wine.

I felt like I was transported to Italy.

 

 

Everywhere we went, we saw herb and vegetable gardens

tended by the students.

Even along driveways and roads.

 

 

And urns everywhere with edible flowers, herbs and veggies,

incredible and inspiring!

 

 

All these wonderful things end up in their cooking,

beautiful and fresh.

 

 

One huge urn still had strawberries coming.

 

 

We walked, we set in this peaceful spot.....

 

 

 

.....and at one o'clock it was time to face reality

and head to hubbies doctor.

The news was better than expected,

and we are happy.

Hoping for more good news in the next months,

and keeping our fingers crossed.

I am trying to get ready for some shows.

Also some windows are getting replaced

next week.

So, I have done no decorating for Halloween.

We will be in a mess.

But I am wishing everyone a happy, and not

too spooky Halloween.

 

God bless,

Evi

 

ALMOST THE END OF SUMMER

 

It has been a crazy year so far,

and summer has not been much different.

I have been trying to keep up with things, but

I have been failing in most everything.

My hubby has been having medical issues,

and I have not been able to concentrate on much else.

And to everyone who has been asking

about when I will make and post dolls,

I am working on them.

It has been slow going because

I have not been feeling very creative of late.

But I thought I post a few pretty pictures

of flowers we saw on a drive awhile ago.

 

 

Soon all this beauty will be gone.

But I am basically an optimist, and hope

that fall will bring better things for our family.

 

 

Our butterfly bush is almost finished blooming.

I love watching all the  different butterflies and bees.

 

 

 

Last spring I found these wonderful old

pictures of this absolutely beautiful lady

dressed for the perfect summer day.

 

 

If this does not say summer,

I don't know what does!

I wonder who this lovely woman was,

and what her life might have been like.

 

 

And with fall approaching soon,

I will enjoy the last warm days of summer.

 

Please except my apologies for not answering all e-mails,

not visiting blogs lately, and commenting.

I do appreciate hearing from all my friends.

 

I wish everyone beautiful late summer days.

 

God bless,

Evi

 

A FUN AFTERNOON

 

 

 

I have been sort of down in the dumps lately.

This has been a year so far, I wish I could forget.

And to help cheer me up,

hubby and I went antiquing to one of our

favorite antique malls,

the

Coxsackie Antique Center

in Coxsackie, N.Y.

Here are some things that caught my eye.

 

This cabinet was so lovely!!!!

Alas, not for my pocketbook.

 

 

Loved the patina, and could picture it

with magazines in it...

like my Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazines.

 

 

Some day I'll get one....

maybe not quite so big......

 

They had two chairs there.

I came VERY close to taking them home.

With a little love and paint,

they would have looked lovely in the garden.

 

 

 

What wonderful toys children long ago had to play with!

 

 

I have never been to an antique mall where there are

not a some well-loved little doggies

waiting for a new owner to love him or her.

 

This made us chuckle.

Hubby does not have a man cave,

otherwise it might have come home with us.

 

 

This looks like it has been thru many concerts.

 

 

 

Another pretty thing that I fell in love with.

 

 

Oh, the lovely patina.......

 

 

 

Maybe if I played the Mega Lottery this week,

I could afford all the things I fell in love with.

But then I would need a bigger house, or two, etc, etc.

 

 

This piece of furniture was really neat.

Of course, it was "not for sale".

What a tease!

Could have done without what was in it, (for the most part).

But with books, it would be just wonderful!

 

 

Another sweet hound.

Neat for the garden....

 

 

 

This gate is WONDERFUL!!!!

If I play Lotto, maybe I'll be lucky, ha ha.

 

And I wonder who wore the West Point Uniform.

 

 

This guy seems mighty interested in the widow at home.

Hmmmmm,

don't quite know if I trust him.....

 

 

Laura, these shutters have your name on them.

It's your blue, love.

Never seen any like this!

 

 

Now this is really bizarre, strange, and scary.

Who was the poor guy who had to lug this around?

I lifted it....it was really, really heavy.

 

 I liked this for the colors.

Another thingy for a man cave.

 

 

And this would come in handy

for all the pretty  antique sewing goodies I own.

Not to be....

Here is the wish for the lottery win again.

I MUST buy a ticket this time!

 

 

 

And now for the things I actually did come home with.

Do you remember I was looking for a small vintage

shelf for the little bathroom in my last post?

Well low and behold,

in an antique center that was closing it's doors,

there it was.

I know you are probably thinking

"big deal".

But I had been looking for just something like this,

metal, dainty, not too long, not too deep, low edge, and worn cream color

and of course....vintage....

I bought two for a mere $ 1.50 each.

Hurrah,

I am one happy camper.

 

 

Now hubby has a clock close by

 while he is getting ready for work.

 

 

And of course, I am always looking for things that I could use

for my doll making and to decorate.

I LOVE old textiles!!!

I found wonderful antique linen underskirts.

Two perfect, one with some holes.

No matter, something pretty will be made out of it

for a doll.

The prices were great.

 

I love tucks and lace......

 

 

picots and crochet....

 

 

In one bag with a collar,

I found these long black old

women's stockings.

I am definitely thinking Halloween.

 

 

And here are some of my other treasures.....

 

 

.......lovely trims and goodies.

 

 

 

This little handmade basket is exquisite.

Maybe I'll make a make-do with it.

 

 

This embroidered "ribbon" is actually a suspender,

all hand embroidered.

It will become belts to cinch my dollies waists.

One side is in poor condition...so I don't feel

bad cutting it up.

Oh, and those sweet, sweet little shoes.

What little darling wore them once?

 

 

As you can see, I had a lovely time.

The "blues" have been banished for now.

 

I hope you all have wonderful summer days,

filled with fun, love, friendship and adventure.

 

God bless,

Evi