3/22/2012

Wild and Crazy Spring Break in the City

It started with paninis.


Frank's Prime Meats was delicious and well worth the train ride to Brooklyn.


She was happy with the pork chop.


The met opened a new American wing.


Like all wild and crazy spring breaks, it ended with a super-geeky tour of the library (Marshall's idea). And also Meatball Shop.


3/07/2012

New York This Winter

In January, we celebrated our five year (and one month) anniversary. Five years! We went to a restaurant called Scarpetta. Turns out it's owned by Scott Conant, a judge on The Food Network show Chopped and 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, so I was super excited being the Food Network fan that I am. The polenta was to die for and the entrees were delicious. Marsh got the spaghetti (they're known for it), I got the pumpkin casonei and we shared the dry aged sirloin. 


Trains were delayed - surprise! Had to take a cab to make our res. Marsh tried out his new point and shoot camera he got for Christmas. It did pretty good in the dark.


Marsh bought me beautiful flowers.


After dinner we went to see Real Estate at a Chinese food buffet in the middle of nowhere. It was so random, but awesome. Marsh was really happy he got to see them live. There was the oddest assortment of people there - we kept looking at each other and laughing at the amazing get ups we saw. I can't even begin to describe. Let's just say we had nick names for at least three of them: Fancy, Warlock, and the Dancing Asian. We miss them.


In February, we ate at a place called Lil' Frankies on the lower east side. The wallpapered walls and vintage photographs made us feel like we were visiting the Italian grandmother we never had. The food was delicious. Marsh got a pizza with some sort of sausage on it and I got gnocchi. 

3/04/2012

Day is Done

I went home for my grandpa's funeral in February. I was grateful that I could be with family during this time. Although it is sad to lose him, he passed away under the best possible circumstances. He died in bed, at his own home, holding my grandma's hand. His obituary, written by one of his daughters, captures him. 

One of the things I most admire about my grandpa is how well-rounded he was. He was an outdoorsman who memorized poetry. He was a science lover who feared God. A tenor who boxed. He loved knowledge and had an insatiable curiosity. And he also loved to laugh. Although, I admit, I often missed the punchlines of his jokes because he would burst into a roaring laugh before finished telling it, I just had to laugh along with him just because his laugh was so terrific. I'll miss his company, but I know he is in a happier place free from his failing body and mind.


I took these pictures a little while after the funeral. Although we missed him, we were all happy to be able to celebrate his life together as the close family we are - and the close family he always wanted. 

-M