Saturday, September 26, 2015
Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Top 10 reasons we love fall in the Northeast...
Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Top 10 reasons we love fall in the Northeast...: Okay, here goes.... 1) the weather - You won't find more pleasant weather than you do in September in the Northeast. I'd say tha...
Top 10 reasons we love fall in the Northeast...
Okay, here goes....
1) the weather - You won't find more pleasant weather than you do in September in the Northeast. I'd say that 80% of the days are sunny, clear and seasonably warm.
2) the food - some of the best produce is available in the fall, and that means apple pies, blueberry pies, any kind of pie... Hello, what about apple cider or blueberry wine? Who doesn't enjoy a nice hot toddy with your favorite muffin. Not to mention squash, pumpkin, chestnuts. You can't walk down New York City streets and not be enticed by the smell of roasted chestnuts and hot pretzels.
3) football - it's time to bring out the beer, and the corn nuts, and hang out with your favorite people.
4) while on the subject of beer, let's not forget Oktoberfest. Hello?!! A favorite festival for those who love beer and wiener-schnitzel (or not?!). Who, in their right mind, would turn down an opportunity to party with cool people, while downing pints of ice-cold beer? Not I!
5) Feasts, feasts, and more carnivals - specifically the Saint Genaro Festival in lower Manhattan, where we get to hog on sausage'n peppers, funnel cakes, and every one's favorite cannolis. And let's not forget Tony—that would be Danza!
6) Hay rides, apple picking, and rides in the country to see the changing of the leaves. Or how about you take the long-awaited trip abroad. Airfares are at their lowest at this time of the year.
7) Halloween - I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but I'm probably alone. So an ode to Halloween, the day you get to be whoever you want, and eat all your kids' candy then say you're gonna go a diet.
8) New Cars - in the mood for a new car? Now's the time to trade in that old jalopy and get yourself some shiny new wheels. Prices go down in November when they bring in the new models, so take advantage of the great sales (if you can).
9) Thanksgiving - how great is the second greatest holiday ever! Another opportunity to hang with the family and friends (put up with that one family relative); show off your Martha Stewart-entertaining skills; and/or eat turkey for four or more days.
10) Prelude to winter - Okay, so it's not all about food and drinks, or is it? (Oh, yes it is!!!). But seriously, fall is a prelude into winter and all the greatness of that season—evenings by a blazing hot fireplace, weekends reading in bed while snuggled in warm fleecy PJ's, while looking forward to Christmas and New Year's.
In addition, our lovely Crissy's birthday is in October.
I've listed my ten favorites reasons to love fall. What are some of yours'?
fresh produce and more:
Di Pieros Farm
300 W Grand Ave, Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 391-4576
apple picking:
91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 462-0756
Oktoberfest celebrations
132 W. Houston St. (SoHo location) and 7A 109 Avenue A (East Village location), (212) 812-1482; (212) 812-1482
Comments are always welcomed.
1) the weather - You won't find more pleasant weather than you do in September in the Northeast. I'd say that 80% of the days are sunny, clear and seasonably warm.
2) the food - some of the best produce is available in the fall, and that means apple pies, blueberry pies, any kind of pie... Hello, what about apple cider or blueberry wine? Who doesn't enjoy a nice hot toddy with your favorite muffin. Not to mention squash, pumpkin, chestnuts. You can't walk down New York City streets and not be enticed by the smell of roasted chestnuts and hot pretzels.
3) football - it's time to bring out the beer, and the corn nuts, and hang out with your favorite people.
4) while on the subject of beer, let's not forget Oktoberfest. Hello?!! A favorite festival for those who love beer and wiener-schnitzel (or not?!). Who, in their right mind, would turn down an opportunity to party with cool people, while downing pints of ice-cold beer? Not I!
5) Feasts, feasts, and more carnivals - specifically the Saint Genaro Festival in lower Manhattan, where we get to hog on sausage'n peppers, funnel cakes, and every one's favorite cannolis. And let's not forget Tony—that would be Danza!
6) Hay rides, apple picking, and rides in the country to see the changing of the leaves. Or how about you take the long-awaited trip abroad. Airfares are at their lowest at this time of the year.
7) Halloween - I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, but I'm probably alone. So an ode to Halloween, the day you get to be whoever you want, and eat all your kids' candy then say you're gonna go a diet.
8) New Cars - in the mood for a new car? Now's the time to trade in that old jalopy and get yourself some shiny new wheels. Prices go down in November when they bring in the new models, so take advantage of the great sales (if you can).
9) Thanksgiving - how great is the second greatest holiday ever! Another opportunity to hang with the family and friends (put up with that one family relative); show off your Martha Stewart-entertaining skills; and/or eat turkey for four or more days.
10) Prelude to winter - Okay, so it's not all about food and drinks, or is it? (Oh, yes it is!!!). But seriously, fall is a prelude into winter and all the greatness of that season—evenings by a blazing hot fireplace, weekends reading in bed while snuggled in warm fleecy PJ's, while looking forward to Christmas and New Year's.
In addition, our lovely Crissy's birthday is in October.
I've listed my ten favorites reasons to love fall. What are some of yours'?
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| Awesome views of leaves changing.... |
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| did anyone say Oktoberfest?! |
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| Wiener-Snitzel |
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| a good time to plan to take that long-awaited trip..... |
Di Pieros Farm
300 W Grand Ave, Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 391-4576
apple picking:
91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 462-0756
Oktoberfest celebrations
132 W. Houston St. (SoHo location) and 7A 109 Avenue A (East Village location), (212) 812-1482; (212) 812-1482
Comments are always welcomed.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Ode to the Jersey Shore.....
Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Ode to the Jersey Shore.....: Having bought a small place on long Island eight years ago, I don't often get the chance to visit the Jersey Shore as often as I'd l...
Ode to the Jersey Shore.....
Having bought a small place on long Island eight years ago, I don't often get the chance to visit the Jersey Shore as often as I'd like.
This summer I had the rare opportunity of visiting three times, and what a treat that was!
Yet, as the three-year anniversary of Sandy approaches, I call to mind the devastation we suffered in the Northeast at the hands of Sandy. And while I realize that New Orleans and surrounding areas didn't have it at all easy with Katrina, we here in the Northeast, particularly in Staten Island and at the Jersey shore had our share of devastation with Sandy. I'm sure most of you remember the pictures, the jokes, and all the comments on social media.
I had forgotten just how breathtaking our shores are. How crystal-clear and green our waters can be. How the good the grainy Jersey sand feels under our feet—no rocky sand here! The contrasts to Long Island beaches are quiet obvious. For one—the water is much warmer, as are the waves more tolerable. And of course, the people are so friendly. We can still get taffy at any beach, and there's always the amusement park at almost every beach.
What Sandy did to New Jersey and New York, particularly to the Jersey shore was inconceivable, as the pictures show. But what a welcome change! Sometimes God works in mysterious ways! Take for example the town of Asbury Park. I remember looking at houses there in the summer of 2007 when we were in the market for a second home; and passing the abandoned casino and the beach bereft of any human life. And now it has taken a new life—modern buildings and restaurants, well-manicured green areas, and new updated parks sprouting about everywhere. If you missed a trip this year, there's still time. Now that most of the tourists have gone home and the beaches are freer may be one of the best times to visit.
Lastly, I would like to mention the Stella Marina Restaurant right on the beach and adjacent to the old casino, it is by far one of the better restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining at. The food is fresh, delicious, and presented in a pleasing way. The ambiance is chic and modern and there is a well-stocked bar and a wine list to rival any. We hope that this place stays in business for many years to come. I will certainly go back.
This summer I had the rare opportunity of visiting three times, and what a treat that was!
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| love the color of the water and the calm waves...... |
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| Bathers soaking it up...... |
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| Rocks in background home to thousands of tiny small creatures.... |
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| Sunset somewhere at the Jersey shore. |
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| As the picture reads: Point Pleasant in 2009. |
Yet, as the three-year anniversary of Sandy approaches, I call to mind the devastation we suffered in the Northeast at the hands of Sandy. And while I realize that New Orleans and surrounding areas didn't have it at all easy with Katrina, we here in the Northeast, particularly in Staten Island and at the Jersey shore had our share of devastation with Sandy. I'm sure most of you remember the pictures, the jokes, and all the comments on social media.
I had forgotten just how breathtaking our shores are. How crystal-clear and green our waters can be. How the good the grainy Jersey sand feels under our feet—no rocky sand here! The contrasts to Long Island beaches are quiet obvious. For one—the water is much warmer, as are the waves more tolerable. And of course, the people are so friendly. We can still get taffy at any beach, and there's always the amusement park at almost every beach.
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| Barnegat lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island towers magestically...... |
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| one of so many beaches along the Jersey shore..... |
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| Point Pleasant sunset..... |
Lastly, I would like to mention the Stella Marina Restaurant right on the beach and adjacent to the old casino, it is by far one of the better restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining at. The food is fresh, delicious, and presented in a pleasing way. The ambiance is chic and modern and there is a well-stocked bar and a wine list to rival any. We hope that this place stays in business for many years to come. I will certainly go back.
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| more interesting artwork at the old casino...... |
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| Gables Inn & Restaurant in Beach Haven. on LBI .... |
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| there's nothing like the fresh ocean air to bring you invigorate one's soul.... |
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| the newly renovated boardwalk.... |
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| Jersey native Bruce Springsteen gave a free concert here just a day before we arrived. Other popular musicians like Jon Bon Jovi, Patti Scialfa, and Southside Johnny all started their careers here. |
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| Depictions of Jayne Mansfield, reminicent of Andy Warhol's work, grace the outer walls of the old casino. All pictures are courtesy of Google Pictures! |
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