RASKOG

Maybe this name holds little meaning for you but in this household, Raskog is a darling.


I fell in love with Raskog, this beautiful turquoise 3-tiered cart, when doing some online window shopping this Spring. It became available at Ikea a month ago nearby our home and we left promptly at 7am on a Saturday morning to be sure to get her.  After returning home and a rather tough time getting her up the stairs, we opened up our flat box to put her together and found Raskog was in fact Stenstorp, and we were not impressed. The next day, all the 'real' Raskogs were sold and I was left once again to scour the nearby locations on the Ikea website, hopefully checking each store's "stock prognosis".  


At one point, Yahtzee even rode over an hour away at the promising show of six trolleys in stock in Connecticut, returning empty-handed to a very disappointed Dasha. 


Well this week based on another lead, Yahtzee took a ride out to NJ to pick her up "again, of course calling ahead of time to be sure she was really on the shelf. Tonight he put our little Raskog together and here she stands in all her amazing blue glory, ready to be stuffed to the brim with make-up and perfume and nail polish and scarves and pretty hair clips!


Husband does good.
He's a true blue little darling too.

 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

sure appreciate everything you do

wish we could have also spent the day with you

looking forward to a tall glass of ice tea with you on the porch during the next visit in

When moths invade

Room 1

Room 2

Room 3 aka bathroom

Our little flat has become one big closet.
For several days i have been washing folding hanging and CURSING!  Clothes moths have made a meal out of one of my favorite sweaters, and a pairing with a dress and one of Yahtzee's shirts..though i doubt that was near as appetizing :-)


On another note I am taking close inventory…. and I clearly have nothing to wear.

 

Hello Rocco!

Well we are just one day back from vacation and already paying the price. Both me and Yahtzee worked tonight till 9ish in the name of "catching up".  On the bright side, Yahtzee works just a 10 min walk away from me so i got a personal escort home from husband.  As a treat we made a stop at Rocco for a baked good of my choice and a coffee with frothed cream.  I chose a "double chocolate" cookie but i can tell you, its not an easy choice. No sooner did we pay did i wish i got the cannoli, no, the pignolis, no wait…the cake, the CAKE!!!

I should say that even with this passion and enthusiasm for my double chocolate, Rocco is actually my 2nd favorite bakery, DeRobertis Pasticceria is my first love for the biscotti alone, forget about anything else. But the coffee not as tasty as Rocco's, thats a sure thing.  

The other sure thing…this guy!  He put together my new jewelry box for me and even followed the instructions (proof, they are on the floor!) which explains why this is a first without bickering AND record time. just realized as I write that this little success and how easy it is to come by took 3 years of marriage to grasp.  Hmmm,  I hope this isn't the rate at which men begin to realize the value of a women's good advice and conventional wisdom.  

Still, Ill take it!  Dasha doesn't do tools.

I hope your night was double sweet like mine.

Take me home, country roads...

well it wasn't our best driving time ever, but we made it to Pittsburgh for a day and a half of visiting with our family and it was quite relaxing. I still love it when we finally make it off the highway and get to roll down the windows and take in the fresher air and quietness. No beeping of horns, competing for greenlights and watching for bikers and boarders and joggers at every turn.  Just the rattle of the car, the wind blowing back my hair and the promise of a hug from mom in the very near future.

causing a few stares - strategy

Of course, we played things a little differently this time. First stop was the golf course where Yahtzee and my brother played a few holes with friends. Yahtz wore his lederhosen for good fun though i am sure that a few of those guys are under the impression all germans are running around like this 24/7.   Then I was off to the beauty salon - thanks to dad for the gift certificate at christmas.  I met my little sister there and together we got our locks done. I love it when they straighten my hair, but how come i have such a hard tie getting it so straight and smooth and shiny myself???  I have all the same tools and potions and lotions at home but no joy. My sister got a new look going on too with some highlights which i think look great.  She is still getting used to them 2 days on but i have a hunch she will go lighter still next time - and be a natural "dark blond" like me.

Once at the compound, the kids were already suited up and in the pool. i am not sure how they do it because the water is quite cold still, but they are certainly braver than me. I did not even manage to dangle my feet in the shallow end.

We somehow got quite a bit accomplished in the short time we were there, mainly because everyone was in one place for a change.  We talked through the invites for my brother's wedding and shower. My older sister is making the invites and i was reminded of how creative she has been since a little girl when my mom pulled out some of her earlier school projects later in the evening.  Her writing and artwork were well advanced from the get-go.  Lets see, i also got some interior decorating advice on what color to paint our cabinets that are currently being built.  I used to take a crack at Mom when she would have 30 carpet samples spread out and having a tough time making a decision, but this is exactly what i have been going through with my paint samples the past three weeks. We landed on After the Rain and was then rewarded with a tasty steak dinner.  I  also got to drive a "nice car" for a change and drove my sister's NEW Mazda over to my brother's NEW house.  didn't get to see the inside yet but I know he and his wife-to-be will quickly call it a home. Oh, and i sooo want a new car!

Mostly, we took special time today to remember those who fought for our freedoms and have sacrificed their lives in the process. There have been countless brave men and women who should be commemorated, and my Uncle Donny is among them.  We paid a silent tribute to our heroes.

Thanks again mom and dad, for making our trip so nice.  Wish we could stay longer and already looking forward to more homemade Jelly, warmer pool water, a bbq at bro's new place, morning talks over coffee and more shopping on the next trip!

And hopefully a record-time drive in with our own NEW car.    

I hope you all had a wonderful long holiday weekend.

                

Brace face.

Braces. The one thing every kid had to have but was NEVER cool. I still remember those awkward moments of smiling at a boy and feeling like he was staring directly back at my silver lined mouth… On second though, judging from this photo, it could have been my too permed hair…of course this picture leaves much to comment on including Mom's old kitchen and the "shadowy wall" - almost looks like a little afro-action)

First of many Jean Jackets and bad hair-dos

Oh and that awful retainer that literally hurt your whole jaw as you lie on your back in bed dreaming of a white toothed smile.  That day did finally come for me in 9th grade, and lasted quite a few years too. In my 30's, however, those darned bullyish teeth decided to go again this way and another - landing me right back to those dreaded days of seeing an orthodontist.

Only this time, I AM a cool kid.

the retainers are in, you will have to squint

I got my new Invisalign retainers 2 weeks ago and today was my first checkup. This is a pretty cool system, firstly the retainers are clear AND come out.

I will have to swap out the retainer about 10 times over 20 weeks as my teeth shift. The orthodontist was pleased with my progress after first checkup and I am on track for a new smile due September 15. There is little drawback to these guys if you can escape the 2-week lisp that occurs when learning to talk with the retainers (i overcame this in about 10 minutes, some say i talk too much..).

Best of all they prevent you from snacking outside your dedicated meals since you have to remove them to eat.

Not to mention I am in good company with my modern day braces of which are also sported by a few other lovely ladies around the office.  Yeah, we are trend-setters alright.


Anyway, be on the lookout for my new winning smile this fall.

getting dolled up for Daniel

I was in for quite a nice night.

Husband invited me to Daniel restaurant and it was an absolute treat.
We had the best table in the restaurant, service was bar none and the food was honestly so beautifully presented, it was like a piece of art on a plate.  Not so beautiful that i had any problems eating, mind.

Best part of dinner, the company!

Afterward, we caught a little glimpse of Central Park, and I got to show off my new dress and shoes a little. It was fun to get snazzed up and go out. Thanks for a lovely Saturday night, Yahtzee.

 

Meep Meep

When we met i called him Photon because he was always back and forth between US and Europe, always a step ahead of me in just about everything, not to mention running circles around me where grad classes were concerned.

Well, he has slowed down a little since then but this past Sunday, for one hour and 53 minutes and 45 seconds, he was the Photon once again. Yes, Yahtzee beat his previous year's record at the Pittsburgh Half by about 4 minutes, which is everything in running time.  I think the turbo boost is part due to my words of encouragement before the race and with the texts I sent throughout.  No matter, he is quite pleased with himself - running around the house saying Meep Meep as if he is the roadrunner for past week.
He did not run this race alone. My brother has been running the race for several years now without fail (whereas me and Yahtz have been more sporadic) and also training more religiously. Bro is an old pro, and this year, even amidst his wedding planning, new homeownership and new job (yes, all three of the 'biggies' in 6 month time span) - he managed to keep on schedule and run a good race - coming in at 2:01:57

I am very proud of you both - Meep Meep. I may just get back on track next year myself, very inspired by this Hawaii 5-0 duo xxx

After the race…

Gatorade addict

digging the headband

Later that night, my niece drew a sweet picture for Yahtzee and even wrote his name out perfectly backward, it the the sweetest thing.

Running any race for any length of time is very admirable

Congratulations to both Bro and Yahtzee

 

Parked.

Well its with great pleasure i can say, we have finally taken the plunge and got a proper parking spot for our car.  The inauguration was last Monday - and with mixed emotions we dropped Dumb off at the garage.

Gone are the nights of my husband gone missing for 30 minutes or longer a clip, the angst of determining the legality of a spot, "oh no, that's my spot buddy" fights (there are too many to tell), remembering "now just where did i park that car", the tickets, the late night conversations with the tow pound on west side highway that only result in more frustration and too high fines, taking the measuring tape out to be sure we are "15 feet" away from the hydrants, friendly husband/wife competitions who can get Dumb into the "tighter" spots, letting our NYC visitors experience the pleasures of repacking nightly with us, and just becoming all time champions at parallel parking….over and over and over again.

Here are the days paying monthly fees for car storage, walking 15 minutes to the parking garage, remembering to call one hour ahead to retrieve Dumb and the tips that must be paid out upon pick-up.

But here are also the days of spending a few extra hours a week doing something a little more productive - like blogging and just spending time with Yahtzee - parked here at home.

 

For something to bloom...

Somewhere in Chelsea

I have not purposely taken a break from my blog, but its kind of turned to that way.  I appreciate all the personal notes in the three months asking for more posts and wondering why i went undercover.  I definitely have not stopped blogging, it was just a little break.

Here is my best recollection that led to my little hiatus.

It was Ash Wednesday. I was in a strange mood, kind of going through the motions of the day without putting any thought or effort into what i was actually doing. I went to a church service at Middle Collegiate Church - and the service was about, fittingly I suppose, that in order for something to bloom, something else must die. While this sounds somewhat dark, i liken it to one door closing and another opening.

Then over the next months, I started looking around me and wondering how this applies to my own life. Of course, some things are noticeable and right at the surface, others you have to look deeper in the soul. Regardless, its easy to overlook the things that might be ready for changing, but none-the-less many things are ripe for change in the name of comfort, obligation, reflection, selfishness, laziness, love, attachment, indecisiveness, spreading time too thin, not wanting to be wrong, … here are a few of the things across the spectrum that ran through my mind.

Attachment: Our beloved "Dumb" turned 200,000 on the way home from Philly.  Could this mean a new and SAFER car soon? Or better, NO car (smile).  Ok no chance, Husband already has sights on a "real car" - aka German car.

Laziness: We have been talking about decorating our little abode here for at least a year. I finally got some paint a few weeks back, but it doesn't put itself on the wall. My husband picked up a paintbrush for the first time in his life to paint our bedroom, which turned out fabulous by the way.  Could this mean less talking and more doing in the coming months, now that I have my own super mario around? Hello Boring Living Room!  


I should also mention we also bought our first major appliance, a fridge with water dispenser- only to find we need to first hook up a water line… oh SUPER!

Spreading to thin:  I had another Improve show at UCBeast with a really talented group.  All the stress of being coached was really was worth it when we are live on stage.  As much fun as it is, I am not sure I will carry on because of the time commitment - i can't play guitar, create, hit flea markets, take dance classes and be a rockstar wife all with the same gusto. Something's got to give….Could this mean I am giving up a life on the stage for a more homey lifestyle?  Maybe soon…but don't hold your breath...

After the show

oh la la

Love: Well no doubt about it that its an easy decision to spend a weekend in Flordia this little lady. Bambi was certainly a looker in her younger years, and she is just as magnificent in her 90s. Ever the storyteller, she kept us entertained with her quick wit and "advice". I am very lucky to have been able to share so many memories and laugh and sing along with Irish Eyes. 

Spending time with Bambi makes me realize that there are things to look forward to over time, like meeting later generations and retirement and travel (without blackberries)

Happy St. Patty's day birthday, Bambi

Could it mean I will learn to love the skin I am in more, rather than always raging against the machine, aka mother nature? Errrr

Reflection:  My parents came in for a visit - hurray! We did lots of fun stuff, including a comedy club (Dad got totally picked on) and a Tennessee Williams play - and a few new cuisines for the P's like Racalette and Indian.  We also went to the Freedom Tower and Reflection Pool. I have to say I was so touched by the elegance of the fountains, how they symbolized peace at a site of one of the worst atrocities in my lifetime - and the people that were honored and remembered.  While we walked around the park and tried to imagine the site prior to 9/11 and also how it will look once the rebuild is complete, I was comforted by the fact that we (as humans) have this ability to acknowledge something - in all its wonder and sadness and glory - and still have the ability to look forward.

A few of my favorite people on the planet

Makes me wonder what the things are that I will be looking forward to in the years to come, and what moments will i reflect most on?  I know for sure, these moments with my mom and dad will be top of the list for sure. I am already missing their hugs.

And you know what, 

for all the pondering in the last three months, 

something really did bloom

I am slowly getting my mojo back,

looking forward to some changes

and Springtime in NYC is perfect for delivering little reminders

Could this mean more blog postings from Dasha in the near future???

a sure YES

an e10th st doorstep

 

Dancing on the Stage of Memory

Sister
Fleeting visits pass
Still they satisfy
Reminder of the next
Overshadow goodbye
- the Nixons

It wasn't so long ago that i had a nice visit here in NYC from my sister

Of all the fun things we did,
singing an acoustic duet together
to Sister
was by far my favorite

Sister, I miss you.

Sister, Happy Birthday

 

Lox of love

I have been watching and waiting for Tompkins Square Bagels to open since this summer.  I got especially excited when the store sign went up, being a long time fan of mosaics.

They finally opened in December and so this morning, we decided to have a look.

I ate a Lox Deluxe  - which is wasabi cream cheese, capers, onions and lox on an everything bagel.  I made it through half and will have the rest later. Deliciouso x

And Bonus! They sell Stumptown coffee.

I hate to tell my good friends in Astoria, but i think TSB gives ol' Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee and run for their money.