We Blog

Susana and Austin came to stay with us for a few days as they made their way along the East Coast. I realized as I was vacuuming after they left that they were our third set of houseguests in just under a month. I love having the familiar faces and the company, and other folks to get out and see the city with.  But I’m starting to understand why I always feel tired and like the weekends are flying by! Yet another reason why I’m like my mother (gasp!) — I enjoy being accommodating and taking in old friends and family.

Now Curtis and I get our chance to crash at someone else’s place (thanks, Saul!). We’re taking the Amtrak to Washington D.C. tonight to see the sites, drink and hang out with the Miyamotos/Saul/Andrew & Paige for the weekend. It’s supposed to be 90 and humid — the conditions are ripe for a Lydia meltdown, pun intended. I’ll post photos when we get back.

We finally made it out today around 4p.m., and strolled two miles to Fort Greene for the ‘grand reopening’ of the Cafe Habana outpost — an eco-friendly Cuban restaurant (highly recommended by co-worker Aaron). I don’t know if it was the nice weather, the fact that it was a grand reopening, or both, but the place was packed. After paying for or order, we handed our receipt to two chefs in a truck, who were whipping up fresh Cuban fare at breakneck pace. We stood in a mass of scantily clad patrons, listening to the live band, watching the chefs roast corn, chop grilled chicken, pour ladles-full of black beans. The ~45 min wait was worth it. The food was super fresh and yummy, perfect for a warm spring afternoon. Added bonus: the whole operation was ‘green.’

Then we hopped the F to Chelsea where I tortured Curtis with a combo trip to Bed Bath & Beyond and The Container Store. He’ll never admit it, but he enjoyed looking at all the different kinds of trash cans. We also found some good kitchen-addition options, but we’re going with this one from Target.

More photos here.

We topped the day off with chocolate dip ice cream from a truck. Wow, that’s a lot of food from trucks for one day.

Now, Suns-Spurs, and shooting for a reasonable bed time.

We stayed up all night watching the West Wing. When we realized it was already light outside we decided just to stay up, so we went for a walk through Prospect Park. The birds were chirping, the air was fresh, the ground was damp. We got to the Farmer’s Market before the stands were set up, and we got to Cousin John’s before they were open. Of course, when they let us in, they said they didn’t serve breakfast until ten – just pasteries for the time being. So we got a blueberry muffin fresh out of the oven and moved on. We ended up at Grecian Corner and got breakfast specials with a total bill of ~$8.50. Then, at 7:45a.m., bedtime.

Now it’s 3p.m. and time to start the day.