Happy 3.1415 Day

 

One of my favorite pie flavors

Mathematics was never one of my favorite subjects and it was a struggle all through school. But amazingly one thing I do remember sixty plus years after my last math class was the first five digits of Pi. 3.1415 begins the mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. I don't use this in daily life, but when I miss posting on 3.14 for Pi Day, it's completely appropriate to post on 3.15. 

I was all set to post the beautiful slice of key lime pie that I so enjoyed in Myrtle Beach when I remembered that I mentioned it in my last post. Fortunately I have photographs of other pies/slices of pie available. This cherry pie beauty was given to me by my dear friend, Betsy, to celebrate my 70th birthday. It was as delicious at it looks. I'm a fan of the lattice crust and this one was especially handsome. 

Cherry is my favorite fruit flavor, though I wouldn't dismiss a slice of apple pie, with vanilla ice cream, please. Though it's technically a fruit, I don't think of pumpkin pie the same as cherry or apple. I am, however, a fan of pumpkin pie, and I like it with a little whipped cream. What's your favorite fruit pie choice?

There are two citrus pies that are favorites, the aforementioned key lime and lemon meringue. As much as I like cherry and apple and pumpkin, I love lime and lemon. When I was a waitress in college, the restaurant where I worked made fabulous lemon meringue pie. If a slice was damaged in cutting -- easy to do with meringue -- it went to the staff. I ate and enjoyed a lot of lemon meringue in the three summers I worked there and have yet to find a better or equal lemon meringue pie. Lemon meringue -- yay or nay?

It's still winter in New York, but we're at the very end. I'm eager to put my down coat away and my gloves, but it's at least another week for the former. I know some of us are already in spring and some in summer weather, but almost for spring. Not many flowers yet, but I know they'll be here soon. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy 3.1415 Day.

Warmer Days, Longer Days

 

Up, up and away!

Last Saturday I made my way out to Newark Airport and flew south to Myrtle Beach, S.C. It was a quick two hour flight and I emerged into a warmer, sunnier universe than the land of snow that I left in New York City. 

One of the first signs of spring that I encountered was a group of new turtle friends sunning themselves on a rock near where I was staying. It was spring -- not summer -- and what a pleasure. I had been warned that it might be very warm, but I was content/elated with sixty degrees. The turtles and I had no complaints.

This is the beautiful sunset on the beach. Yes, there were other people, but since it's off season and not warm enough for swimming it wasn't crowded. I was happy to share sunset with my gull friends. 

This isn't my sand castle, but a great one. I love the design around the edge. I was an avid sand castle builder back in the day. Anyone else? 

An amazing key lime pie at Sea Captain's House

The high point of my visit to Myrtle Beach was spending time with friends. Loved seeing my dear friend, K, and members of her family. We shared meals together and I was (re)introduced to jigsaw puzzles. I also met up with another college friend who lives in Myrtle Beach. His choice for lunch was Sea Captain's House, a lovely seafood restaurant on the water. We both had fish entrees and split this fabulous slice of key lime pie. It was one of the best desserts I've had in ages. 

I returned to New York on Friday night and before I knew it the days got longer. I'm not a big fan of Daylight Savings, but I love the longer days. I'm hoping to get back in my habit of taking after dinner walks in the early evening again. I'll be on the lookout for spring flowers. 

I'm getting back into the swing of my New York City life, which usually takes me a few days. The weather is lovely -- as warm as last week in South Carolina -- and with a very few exceptions the snow is gone. I'm calling it early spring. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

The Blizzard of 2026

 I was somewhat skeptical about the forecast of snow. I was out yesterday  afternoon and it was just a little light snow. I was thinking that this was just another snowstorm, but on rereading the forecast I saw something that changed my mind. This storm was being compared to the blizzard of 1978, a snowstorm I remember in detail. 

The snow picked up after I got home and really got going in the evening. By the morning Manhattan had 15 inches of snow and by the time it stopped snowing in the early afternoon, the total accumulation was 19.7 inches. The snow and the strong winds made it a blizzard. 

Broadway in the snow

There was a ban on cars to permit the streets to be cleared and it was odd/amazing to walk out to Broadway and see one of the busiest streets in the city virtually carless. The sidewalks on my block were shoveled and with my winter boots -- one of my best investments ever -- it was easy walking. I'm optimistic that by tomorrow noon the cross walks will be cleared and crossing streets won't be an issue. I don't have to go out, but I've got a prescription to pick up and I'm ready to get beyond my block. 

Besides watching almost endless weather reporting, I took a virtual chair Yoga class, made lasagna and started a new book. I also did some of the usual puttering around -- phone calls, email and editing photographs. The only item on my calendar was going to Yoga in person, so I was happy not to have to cancel anything. 

My street with no cars, not the usual sight at 9:00 a.m.

I hope everyone else who was part of Blizzard 2026 has heat, light and and is able to clear the snow quickly. Here's to spring dreams!

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy. 

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

 

The scene on Saturday at one of my favorite florists

Roses Are Red (and pink and white and yellow), Violets Are Blue

I Love These Flowers and Most Others, Too.

This may be one of my favorite flower combinations, 

Roses, tulips and peonies

What are your flower favorites? My other favorites are lilacs. We had lilac bushes when I was growing up and the scent of lilacs for that sweet, short season in spring brings back memories of springtime with my parents so long ago.  

Blessedly the weather is above freezing and most of the time it's sunny. I know we will still have a month (or so) of winter, but I'm relatively sure that the worst is over. I've put my heavy boots back into the closet and fingers crossed that it's the last of them for 2026.

To make the most of the sunny and warmer weather, I took an excursion to Rockefeller Center yesterday to see the ice skaters, always one of my favorite activities. 

Today was a day at the gym and a lot of little errands. I'm not sure how the weeks have gotten so busy with things to do, though I think as the years have gone by I'm not able to get as much done in a day as I once did. Has anyone else noticed this? And  where do all these errands come from? They seem to grown like weeds. By the time it's night I find that I'm just tired. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

I Say a Little Prayer

 

The set for Going Bacharach, 

a great afternoon enjoying the music of Burt Bacharach  

As I've written many times, I say a little prayer for my friends in Blogland. But that phrase is also the title of one of my favorite songs, "I Say a Little Prayer," by one of my favorite songwriters, Burt Bacharach. I loved it when I first heard it during my senior year in high school, when it was released, and it's still a favorite. Even though the temperature was just about below zero with the wind chill on Saturday, I got myself out to see a great program of Burt Bacharach's music and I'm very glad I did. 

Meeting Adrian Galante, the Musical Director of Going Bacharach

Bacharach's music was part of the soundtrack of my high school years and while "I Say a Little Prayer" comes to mind immediately there are so many other songs that I enjoy and know every word, even after fifty plus years. I didn't sing along to the show, but there was lots of toe tapping. Any other Burt Bacharach fans in Buttercupland? If you are, please share your favorite song with us. 

As promised we have a winner for the Seventeenth Blogaversary giveaway. It's our blog buddy  Respice Prospice. I'll be sending a mystery from one of my favorite mystery series, Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The series takes place in Botswana and Precious Ramotswe is one of my favorite detectives ever. 

The deep freeze of last week has ended -- Hurray! -- and we're back to regular winter weather. I so appreciate that it doesn't take me ten minutes just to get ready to go outside and I don't need to wear boots. I had a fun  adventure uptown -- museum and lunch -- and I'll be sharing it in a post soon. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

My Heart is in Cortina

Though I'm no athlete, winter or summer sports, I'm a huge fan of the Olympics. I start by watching a few chosen sports -- ski jumping and figure skating -- and before I know it I'm getting up early to watch luge and curling. I was especially interested in watching Lindsey Vonn this year. 

Lindsey Vonn is one of the greatest Alpine skiers of all time. She's won Olympic medals and many World Cup races. She's also been injured many times during her skiing career and has come back to race again and again. I admire her skiing prowess, but I especially admire her courage and grit in returning to the slopes from injury. Despite a torn ligament in her knee last week, she was out and skiing this morning. I wish I could write that she was a medalist, but sadly that's not this week's post. Thirteen seconds into her race this morning she crashed and had to be airlifted off the mountain. 

I've been following Lindsey Vonn's rehab journey as I went through my own physical therapy journey. Broken bones and spinal issues have sent me to physical therapy more times that I can count. I can't say that I liked it, but I knew I needed to be there. There were many minutes that I wanted to stop, but I thought of Lindsey Vonn more times than I can count and kept plugging along. I would think, "Lindsey Vonn doesn't quit."

This is my official thanks to Lindsey Vonn. It's been a joy watching you ski and an inspiration through the years. 

I'm happily surviving this cold snap with coffee, hot cocoa and an extra pair of tights. Tomorrow is supposed to be twenty degrees warmer and I can't wait for  the heat wave of thirty degrees. I'll be outside in a few minutes for a little fresh air and know I won't get far, but will enjoy the sunshine for a short walk. My projects for today have been blogging, cleaning out the space under the sink and watching the Olympics. What's been on your schedule for the day? 

I'll be back tomorrow with a winner for our Seventeenth Anniversary giveaway. See you then. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy. 

  

. 

That Was the Month that Was

The theme of January: Snow and cold

Finally, after what seems like a year and half, the longest month in just about forever, has ended. A big cheer and I toast all of you with a cup of hot cocoa and as many marshmallows as you'd like for your cocoa. But blessedly, January 2026 is in the rear view window and the days are getting longer. Sadly, they're not getting warmer in New York City, but I don't have a lot scheduled for the weekend and I'm going to watch many hours of the winter Olympics coverage and yes, drink hot cocoa. 

I had three projects for last month and I've done okay with all three. The first was keeping my spirits up. It wasn't easy and there were hours/days when I did not do well, but somehow managed to make it through. I was helped by a special event I attended. It was a concert at Lincoln Center, with the fabulous actor/singer, Kelli O'Hara. I'd seen her in South Pacific, Pajama Game and Brigadoon and was so excited to see her in concert. I love concerts but don't go to very many these days. I'm overwhelmed by stadium venues and I'm overwhelmed by the price of tickets. But this concert was both relatively affordable and in a small theater venue. It did not disappoint. Kelli O'Hara was so engaging and so talented, and the memory of the evening warms me up just thinking about it. 

My second project was my walking. It was a tough month to get in steps and a push to get myself out and walking. But I set a goal of 75 miles and finished the month with 77+ miles, which I'm calling a win. There were a couple of days with barely a mile, and a few days with 4+ miles. One of them was my visit to the Travel and Adventure Show, which gave me some great travel ideas. Some are far away and some a lot closer and more possible. Nothing planned yet, but I'm enjoying thinking about possibilities. 

  Our new friend, Willie the Penguin

My third project was the annual No Spending January. I am proud to report that my only purchase was Willie the Penguin, who I rescued on the last day of the holiday decor sale at Paper Source. I had seen him in December and figured if he was still in the store in January, he was meant to come home with me. He wasn't at the store nearest to me, but the staff located him at another branch in the neighborhood. Willie is a little worse for wear, but with this cheery scarf and the company of the Buttercupland Crew he has settled in nicely. Willie cost $12.57, but in truth he is priceless. 

I'm thinking of doing a No Spending February. I have bought Valentines, which I consider a necessity, but no other "things." I found myself intrigued by cute pajamas in a store window this morning and had to restrain myself from going into the store. I take that as a sign that I could buy things I don't need very easily. I also had a recurrence of the dishwasher disaster and I'm contemplating replacing my dishwasher. But in the No Spending spirit, I am going to hold off and think about whether I truly need a new dishwasher and if I think that I do, I'm going to be on the lookout for a sale. Did anyone else do a No Spending month, and if so, did it work for you? 

My projects for February are watching the Olympics, No Spending February, 75+ miles of walking and a trip to South Carolina at the end of the month. I know it won't be beach weather, but it may be sixty degrees and I'll take it. That sounds like bliss to me. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy, friends.