'livin la vita' in NYC

Meeting up with London friends in New York City....how fun is that? Especially when it includes a night of dinner and the premiere of a Broadway play, followed by an early morning on the stage of GMA. I always say, "I am so very privileged to know people who know people!"

First, dinner at the famous Sardi's and then a walk to 47th to the Brooks Atkinson Theater for the new and exciting performance of Peter and Starcatcher....

 PETER AND THE STARCATCHER "A wildly theatrical, hilarious and innovative retelling of how a miserable orphan came to be The Boy Who Never Grew Up, upends the century-old legend of Peter Pan. A dozen brilliant actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters using their enormous talent, ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination."

The next morning, early, we were escorted to the Green Room on the set of Good Morning America. It was thrilling to watch the whole morning show proceed without a hitch. The cast is quite, so much of the interviews are pre-recorded, until the camera rolls and then they truly "crack each other up"!

We were hustled outside and given a prime viewing spot for the live entertainment on Time Square........

Yes...Ricky Martin and cast of Evida!

We were 'livin the life' with great friends in New York City!

Rioja and Chorizo

We hoped to escape the rain in San Sebastian with a day over the mountains in the Rioja region. Our cute guide picked us up early with supplies in his trunk......proper coffee cups, a thermos of hot water, and the best instant coffee I have ever tasted. As he drove he talked about everything from Rioja wine to the history of the Basque region. The coastal landscape and bright green fields changed quickly to dry vineyards as far as the eye could see.

Our first stop, rising out of the medieval town of Elciego, was the incredibly unconventional Marques de Riscal Winery and Hotel designed by Frank O.Gehry (who also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa).

You might recognize this particular Rioja from it's bottle wrapped in a gold netting with a silver label wrapped around the neck. The guys made note of the years they preferred! If you look back at the picture of the Hotel you might be able to see Frank O. Gehry's inspiration for the gold, silver, and rose colored building.....or NOT!

While we were touring the winery our cute guide went into the town for a snack. While there, he was approached by the MAYOR who complained that the tour guides take the tourist to the winery but never bring them into his beautiful town. So when we found out we had been invited to have a glass of wine in the local cafe/shop with the mayor we were honored and honestly, it was one of the highlights of the day. As it turned out the mayor was an interesting character, young, enthusiastic, dressed in black, several piercings, and plays the saxophone in a band. (Certainly not our image of a small town Spanish mayor!) The wine, white asparagus, and local chirizo were delicious and of course we bought some to show our appreciation. The town of Elciego was lovely too!

Savoring San Sebastian

Upon arrival, you might be distracted by the picturesque harbor or the crashing waves along the ocean side walk.....

or a couple of "hot" young men in traditional Basque Berets.....

The main attraction in this coastal town are the Pintxos bars - the Basque equivalent of Tapas bars. Pintxos are tiny bar snacks held together by a toothpick, or served on a slice of bread or a muscle shell. We were so clever to book a Pintxo tasting tour with our old friend Jon at San Sebastian Food. Eli was delightful and did such a good job of guiding us through the streets, the key was to drink slowly and keep moving. Starting with a traditional pour of Txacoli (white wine from the region), delicious grilled shrimp and grilled peppers.....

We moved on to muscles, fried squid, and potatoes...where you just through the shells and napkins on the floor!

Switching to a Rioja and a perfectly grilled tender piece of steak on a slice of toast...the guys were happy!

Wait this is sliced ham...too many delicioso dishes to recall!

Eli really wanted us to experience the traditional and the modern - try to guess what these are???

There is nothing wrong with my camera, Rick and Sandra are sitting in a cloud of smoke as we were served individual grills to smoke our fish That's not an egg you see, it is actually a dessert plate...when you crack the "yolk" a sweet lemon fill oozes over a meringue next to a coconut sponge cake tower. We were all instructed to bite the flower bud last which left us with a mouth numbing sensation similar to the feeling you get at the dentist!

Last, but not least, the cheese cakes...oh, the cheese cakes! Just the right amount of creaminess and toasted on the outside...the best I've ever had!

We loved it so much that the next night we found a place that made the most delightful Gin and Tonics....and we started all over again....yes, even the cheesecake!

Not your average race day!

You have been to ASCOT with me before! Yes, it's about the horse racing and "Winner's Circle".....

It's about the fashion - Oh! I envied these spring green shoes with "cherries on top".....

But this was a special race day, it was family day! Look at some of the fun activities going on "between" horse races.....

Pony rides...

Jockey training on a mechanical horse....

Driver's Ed.....

Rock Climbing...

Geese herding...

Hound racing....

My personal favorite, the terrier races! (Now we all know terriers are NEVER going to bring the ball back!)

The kids loved it, the parents loved it, and as always...we had a great day at the races!

Tea at the Pelham

It is never easy to say good-bye but enjoying Afternoon Tea and a few laughs together somehow makes it easier!

The Pelham Hotel is a gorgeous boutique hotel located in a row of Victorian Terrace townhouses just steps away from the Victoria & Albert and the Natural History Museums. As many times as I have walked in front of it on my way to the AWC I really have never noticed it..... but who could resist this pretty pink room and special attention to detail...it was amazing! Just look at my special order gluten free selections....

Here are the "typical" delights.....

Oh, and the scones with clotted cream and jam...no picture but you can imagine!