Fabulousness continues, with a dollop of unbridled misery - so it goes!
Jane and I were treated to an amazing Saturday - having left the confines of our Long Island digs, we headed upstate towards Kingston ... a picture perfect if humid day, humming along in the Mini Cooper, with nary a care in the world. Outfitted with Total Greek yogurt and bottles of seltzer, we made our way along the west bank of the Hudson, reaching Kingston a bit later than anticipated. There, like a beacon on the hill, stood the Courtyard by Marriott, beckoning us with the promise of wood grained formica, a neat indoor pool, and 24 hour coffee center. In reality, what could be better. And guess what, it was darn near the best hotel I ever stayed in! We even opted for a room overlooking the parking lot instead of the mountains (mysteriously told that it was quieter). Overlooking Lowe's, Target, and other big box retailers, we felt happy and content!
We quickly changed: she in a dapper sundress from the Nolita Sunday market, he in Rwanda worn H&M khakis (yes, I said khakis!), skinny black tie, and safari style shirt. We crossed the Hudson, following the route through Red Hook to Lea and Vic's amazing annual feast! We were warmly greeted by our hostesses, Kathy and Gilles, and all of the other interesting and familiar faces that we've grown happy to see at this yearly event ... catching up, toasting, heckling, and talking about architecture, life, travel, food, film - heavenly and fun filled!
Most (other than those of us who become particularly slothy in the summer months) were busy prepping in the kitchen, where Victoria was lord over the lowly serfs - chopping, marinating, mashing, slicing, dicing, etc.. The table outside beckoned with fuchsia table cloth and clean, white tent ... a table set for 40? Delightful, with a smattering of gorgeous children playing tag and swimming.
We had a drink or two, and when dinner was called, all descended upon the table ... flowers, candles, tivoli lights, and great company ... Lea served as master of ceremonies, and we all were given a lovely copy of the evening's menu ... hand drawn, inspired by Roy's phenomenal wine selections - each course matched to a different beverage, perfectly suited and amazing. We were all broken into 'teams' - making the final preparations for a particular course, plating said course, and serving it (not to mention picking up the plates upon completion!). A great way to get everyone 'invested' in the spirit of the evening!
We languished for hours in the garden, slowly filling up on course after course of delicious and inventive food lovely orchestrated by Vic and Roy ... and sadly it was time to move on in the wee hours. Alas, as Jane and I got into the Mini, it had decided to sleep for the evening ... and would not start! No amount of prodding or pushing would move it, so we abandoned it and took Lea's car back to the hotel, for much needed sleep. The next morning, after complimentary coffee and a quick workout, Jane and I headed back to the house for breakfast and a quick boost ... off we motored, to nearby Bard College to see the Fischer Hall designed by Frank Gehry, architect du jour (and some jours gone by!). It was great to see and even more fun to photograph for Andi, who LOVES Frank Gehry's work. We continued on from there, passing through the lovely Hudson Valley and finally hitting I-87 ...
Traffic got a little tough as we neared the Tappan Zee Bridge - it was stop and start, more stop than start ... suddenly we heard a loud 'boom', and a second later we were rear-ended by another car, that had been hit by the vehicle behind them, plowing us into the car in front of us ... four car pileup, everyone being perfectly fine (we were barely moving), but of course our car sustained the most damage, looking not unlike a Frank Gehry building - fluctuating sheets of metal twisted in many different directions!
Fast forward two hours, police report in hand, not our fault miraculously, we continued home - stopping for a quick Fontana gyro lest we not be well fed while aggravated ... Jane with her Greek salad, me with my sandwich, in the mangled Mini - it was quite a sight!
We made it home, and decided the only remedy would be a French movie ... My Best Friend, with Daniel Auteil ... very cute, light, and perfect for the evening ...
A glass of wine took the edge off when we returned home, ready for Monday's inevitable battles - not so bad really!
Hope you had a great weekend too,
Harley
Jane and I were treated to an amazing Saturday - having left the confines of our Long Island digs, we headed upstate towards Kingston ... a picture perfect if humid day, humming along in the Mini Cooper, with nary a care in the world. Outfitted with Total Greek yogurt and bottles of seltzer, we made our way along the west bank of the Hudson, reaching Kingston a bit later than anticipated. There, like a beacon on the hill, stood the Courtyard by Marriott, beckoning us with the promise of wood grained formica, a neat indoor pool, and 24 hour coffee center. In reality, what could be better. And guess what, it was darn near the best hotel I ever stayed in! We even opted for a room overlooking the parking lot instead of the mountains (mysteriously told that it was quieter). Overlooking Lowe's, Target, and other big box retailers, we felt happy and content!
We quickly changed: she in a dapper sundress from the Nolita Sunday market, he in Rwanda worn H&M khakis (yes, I said khakis!), skinny black tie, and safari style shirt. We crossed the Hudson, following the route through Red Hook to Lea and Vic's amazing annual feast! We were warmly greeted by our hostesses, Kathy and Gilles, and all of the other interesting and familiar faces that we've grown happy to see at this yearly event ... catching up, toasting, heckling, and talking about architecture, life, travel, food, film - heavenly and fun filled!
Most (other than those of us who become particularly slothy in the summer months) were busy prepping in the kitchen, where Victoria was lord over the lowly serfs - chopping, marinating, mashing, slicing, dicing, etc.. The table outside beckoned with fuchsia table cloth and clean, white tent ... a table set for 40? Delightful, with a smattering of gorgeous children playing tag and swimming.
We had a drink or two, and when dinner was called, all descended upon the table ... flowers, candles, tivoli lights, and great company ... Lea served as master of ceremonies, and we all were given a lovely copy of the evening's menu ... hand drawn, inspired by Roy's phenomenal wine selections - each course matched to a different beverage, perfectly suited and amazing. We were all broken into 'teams' - making the final preparations for a particular course, plating said course, and serving it (not to mention picking up the plates upon completion!). A great way to get everyone 'invested' in the spirit of the evening!
We languished for hours in the garden, slowly filling up on course after course of delicious and inventive food lovely orchestrated by Vic and Roy ... and sadly it was time to move on in the wee hours. Alas, as Jane and I got into the Mini, it had decided to sleep for the evening ... and would not start! No amount of prodding or pushing would move it, so we abandoned it and took Lea's car back to the hotel, for much needed sleep. The next morning, after complimentary coffee and a quick workout, Jane and I headed back to the house for breakfast and a quick boost ... off we motored, to nearby Bard College to see the Fischer Hall designed by Frank Gehry, architect du jour (and some jours gone by!). It was great to see and even more fun to photograph for Andi, who LOVES Frank Gehry's work. We continued on from there, passing through the lovely Hudson Valley and finally hitting I-87 ...
Traffic got a little tough as we neared the Tappan Zee Bridge - it was stop and start, more stop than start ... suddenly we heard a loud 'boom', and a second later we were rear-ended by another car, that had been hit by the vehicle behind them, plowing us into the car in front of us ... four car pileup, everyone being perfectly fine (we were barely moving), but of course our car sustained the most damage, looking not unlike a Frank Gehry building - fluctuating sheets of metal twisted in many different directions!
Fast forward two hours, police report in hand, not our fault miraculously, we continued home - stopping for a quick Fontana gyro lest we not be well fed while aggravated ... Jane with her Greek salad, me with my sandwich, in the mangled Mini - it was quite a sight!
We made it home, and decided the only remedy would be a French movie ... My Best Friend, with Daniel Auteil ... very cute, light, and perfect for the evening ...
A glass of wine took the edge off when we returned home, ready for Monday's inevitable battles - not so bad really!
Hope you had a great weekend too,
Harley
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