I Can't Go For That

If you've read this blog for awhile, or know me well, you know that I love Hall & Oates. Like a lot. Like a lot a lot. You just can't be sad listening to their music. I'm eagerly awaiting the next time they come to NYC so I can go see them again. I've seen them five times since living here. I might be youngish, but I like old people music.

Yesterday, my friend sent me this great rendition of "I Can't Go For That." A few thoughts:

1. I wish I could drive and do multiple things at once.

2. Let's bring back the kazoo people.

3. This is one of my favorite songs by Hall & Oates.

4. I want to go on a road trip. Now!

Without further adieu...happy weekend y'all.

Pinterest Recipes

Hi y'all! Happy Monday. It's very windy here in the city today. Guess that's the end of March for ya. Did you all have good weekends? We had fun with friends visiting and like most other people, we went to see The Hunger Games yesterday and it did not disappoint. Though some parts of the book were cut out, it was pretty accurate. I'm still amazed by all the young movie viewers. I don't think I would have been able to handle it when I was 6 or 7 and there were definitely kids that young there.

Last night before Mad Men (ohmygoshdidyousee?) I decided to test out a new Pinterest recipe. I love pasta and am always looking for new ways to spice it up. Since I hadn't roasted peppers before (crazy I know), I thought this would be fun to try.

The recipe is from the blog, Lauren's Latest, and it was quite easy to follow, even for a beginner cook like me. Her recipe photos were what really got me excited and the final dish tasted just as good.
You can find the full recipe here and below. I didn't use the immersion blender - mine lives in NC with Sooze - so it was more chunky. I may also try with chicken next time.

Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Alfredo

Ingredients:
2 whole red bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup fat free half & half
4 oz. garlic & herb goat cheese
2/3 cup grated Parmesa cheese
1/2 cup artichoke hearts (optional)
1/2 lb. linguine, cooked to al dente
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place red peppers on baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes until peppers are charred. Remove from oven and cover with foil 10 minutes.
In the mean time, saute onions and garlic in olive oil 7 minutes or until tender. Pour in half & half, goat cheese, salt & pepper. Stir to melt goat cheese into sauce and keep warm over low heat.
Uncover peppers, peel off skin and remove stem and seeds. Chop into large pieces and place into sauce along with Parmesan cheese. Stir to melt cheese and remove from heat. Pour sauce into food processor and puree, or use an immersion blender. Place back into hot pan and toss with cooked pasta. Taste and adjust seasonings. Top with more Parmesan cheese, pepper, salt and parsley, if desired.

All images from Lauren's Latest blog.

Cotton Trees and Things

This afternoon I walked down 17th street toward my office in Chelsea. I often tell myself to look up, as the views of the never-ending buildings are my favorite and have always been so. Though today, something was different when I glanced upward - the cotton tree.
I know it's not really a cotton tree. They don't even exist (well in this sense), but this sign of spring made me imagine what a cotton tree must look like if one were real. Do y'all have cotton trees near you?

Spring is here in the city. Well, it has been for awhile now. Like most of the country, we hardly had a winter but you won't hear me complaining about it. Walking the dog hasn't been a chore lately and we find ourselves roaming the streets after work, not wanting to go back in.

After our walk last night, we were greeted in our lobby by six tall dark and handsome firemen. Why are firemen so good looking? One even looked like Matthew Crowley from Downton Abbey (again another mention of that show - it's so good!). Even The Husband commented on their appearance. I like to think that Miss Bailey picked-up on their good looks but I think she was most intrigued by their shiny axes.

Apparently we have old elevators in our very old building. A young family - and by young, I mean an 8 day old baby - got stuck in the elevator last night and the firemen had to pry them out. Can you imagine? An 8 day old baby? The mother smiled when they got out but she looked like she might lose it when she got back to her apartment. I don't blame her.

At least she had the handsome firemen to look at...

I Tip My Hat to You

This past weekend, Sooze came for a visit to the city. She hadn't been to see our new apartment and we were so glad to host her.

We caught up with old friends, got haggled in China town when purchasing a few faux purses, shopped on Madison Ave., talked about furniture I need, er, want and of course ate lots of good food. Sometimes there is nothing better than having your mom come visit - no matter how old you get, it just makes you feel good.

We joked that she was the only one in NYC wearing a bright green jacket.
One of our favorite things from her trip was the hat exhibit at the Bard Graduate Center. Just steps from our apartment on the Upper West Side, the exhibit, Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones, was one of my favorites that I have seen. The museum is a converted townhouse/brownstone and admission is only $7! Talk about cheap - especially for NYC.

We weren't sure what to expect but were quite impressed with what we saw. The exhibit displays more than 250 hats from around the world. We particularly liked those from London in the early 1900's and pictured Mary from Downton Abbey in them (by the way, how great is that show?).

Some of the other cool hats were Babe Ruth's baseball cap, Darth Vader's original mask from the Star Wars movie, FDR's top hat, a hat from the Queen mum, and Sarah Jessica Parker's funky hat from the Sex & The City movie premiere.



We went around 11 a.m. on Sunday and were the only visitors in the entire museum - even better! If you are in the city anytime through April 15th, I highly recommend you go!

Thanks again Sooze for a wonderful visit!

All gallery images from www.bgc.bard.edu/

Snapshots

I notice more and more that I'm using my iPhone camera more often than my nice Cannon one. I think it's just a convenience thing and probably a size thing too.

I was cleaning out some of my old pictures and noticed that I tend to snap random things, here and there. The Husband and Miss Bailey are my usual subjects. Though I tend to snap pictures of strange things like my subway station.
Or my old office window
Or our new mirror
Though Bailey is a better subject for sure

Or The Husband
Except when he jumps up on the table and looks creepy (yes, we do have tall ceilings!)
And just the other day, I had this lovely brunch
With these lovely ladies
There you go. A few snapshots from Southern in the City's life, er, phone.

Hello

I haven't been in the mood to blog lately or rather, I haven't had anything that I particularly care to share. I've been busy with work, planning trips, hanging out, catching up, etc. etc. And, to be quite honest, the ten people that actually read this blog probably already know what's going on. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer and write let alone upload pictures. I'm not sure if it's laziness or what but I'm not feeling creative. I tell myself, this is more like an online diary of sorts, so that's why I continue to do it. If you blog, do you ever feel this way?

I digress...Spring weather is approaching. I could feel it this morning. Despite the cold weather, the sun was shining brightly on my walk with the dog. It's as if it spring was saying, "I'm coming. Just hold on!"

Each morning, I pass by a very fancy flower shop on 86th and Columbus. I always think of my best friend Lauren who has wanted to have her own shop. [Lo, you would love this place].
The flowers are a bit pricey but the presentation is always welcoming and happy. Each season brings new and interesting arrangements but my favorite are the simple flowers like these.



Happy Monday, y'all! Back later with more creative posts I hope!