Monday, August 22, 2011

stitchiness, the big 21, and more (looooonnnng post)

Firstly, the stitchy stuff.  You can skip the rest if that's all you want to see.

SDW so far.


I know, I know.  I'm not showing the top part anymore.  One of these days I'll try to take a pic of the whole thing.


Pretty, huh?


Love the duck.


And the star section -- so pretty!

Ok, now you can go away if you just wanted to see the stitchy stuff.  Long post coming up.

As you know, last Tuesday was the girl child's 21st birthday.  A big day here.  The girl child wanted to go into the city, but at first we were afraid we were going to be rained out.  But we lucked out.  The day turned out fine -- once we were out the door sometime past noon.

We started out at our favorite local diner for lunch.


(Note the earring in the girl child's upper ear.  She decided to get that done earlier this summer to freak me out.  Well, not really.)

Then we headed over to the train station to wait for the train to the city.  (Note the date on the sign.  It's sort of hard to read, but it's there.)


Once in NYC, we took the subway down to SoHo for some power shopping girl child style.


I tell you, I could never power shop for clothes like this girl child of mine can.

The good news is that while the girl child was shopping, I managed to squeeze in a visit to that greatly lauded land of dreams, Purl Soho.  (Photo courtesy of someone online)


Oooooh what loveliness!  Fabrics galore, wool fabric too, yarns so luscious, various bits and bobs.  I was in heaven.  A rushed heaven -- which actually wasn't necessary since the girl child was just leaving the shop as I got back to the gang.  But it was a good little stop for me!  (Too bad the boy child didn't tag along -- there was a guitar shop a couple of doors down he would have liked.)

While the girl child was power shopping in another store, the boy child, the father type and I went across the street to this interesting store -- which I had heard about before online.  Evolution.  What a cool store!  (Check out the website and you'll see what I mean.)  Also a bit creepy.


This is part of their window display.  (See what I mean by a bit creepy?)


The boy child perusing the window display.


I offered to buy the boy child a rattle snake rattle.  Or a raccoon penis bone.  But he took a pass.  :D

By the time the girl child was finished power shopping, it was just about 7:30 and we were ready for some yummy food.  The girl child loves Italian food, so we headed over to Little Italy and searched Yelp for a good restaurant.  We ended up here.  Peasant Restaurant.


It was soooooo good!  And the atmosphere of the place was wonderful!  Look at the back kitchen area.


So cool!  It was dark in the restaurant as you can tell by the next pictures.  The girl child had her first official glass of wine.


The next pics show off the food a bit.  And are from the girl child's pics.  (The others are courtesy of the father type and a couple of online sources.)


The yummy ricotta that you spread on the bread.


The girl child's appetizer (can't remember the name of it).


The girl child's main dish -- a yummy gnocchi.


The boy child with his pizza Margherita.

By the time we were done in the restaurant it was quite late.  We stopped by Zaro's in Grand Central and got a red velvet cake for the girl child's birthday cake, then plodded home on the 10pm train.  Home by 11:30 (waaaay past my bedtime!).

Then it was cake time!




Mia watching the proceedings as the girl child blows out the candles.


Yes, she was sitting on the boy child's lap.


After the candles are out.


Mia doing some advertising for Zaro's bakery.

All in all, I think the girl child had the best kind of 21st birthday.  It was a fun day for all.

Today is a glorious day outside after some nasty thunderstorms yesterday (I'm so sick of nasty thunderstorms.  How many tornado warnings can we have in NY?)   So Mia is enjoying the day.


Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

67 comments:

Annie said...

The sampler is looking great. I love those stars too.

What a fun way to do the 21st! Love looking at all that great NY stuff!

BrendaS said...

Your sampler is looking beautiful!

Great pictures of your daughter's 21st birthday. It looks like everybody had a great time:)))

I'm sick of the thunderstorms too. Ready for fall!

Bertie said...

Good progress Margaret, it is a whopper indeed lol.
Lovely to see you had a good time with the family and I can remember to shop till you drop in my 20s. Now it's mostly other shops as you can imagine:D

Kerri said...

SDW is coming out beautifully! I love the stars and the deer so far.

I grew up in NJ and really miss all the little shops and restaurants in NYC. Thanks for sharing your special day!

Can I ask if you have any tips on how you make such progress on your samplers? There are so many I want to stitch and it takes me forever to get anything done. I wouldn't even dream of starting such a large piece like this one.

Please send the rain our way - the drought here is really awful.

Bertie said...

Love the Purl shop:))

Gabi said...

What a great blog post Margaret.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your sampler. The stars look simply stunning. The birds...wow.
Thanks also for taking us with you on your beautiful daughters birthday trip. I enjoyed it a lot :)
Mia is cute as always of course.

Dawn said...

The sampler is beautiful - you work like I do down and across for variety. The peacock is FAB!
What a marvelous birthday (glad you got great train service) NYC has such energy - lucky you to hop a train and be there with the family.
Fun Times!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your SDW looks fabulous. I love those stars.
The girl child celebrated her birthday in style. Looks like you all have a wonderful time in the city. I miss NYC so much!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Beautiful progress, Margaret - I LOVE that peacock!

Fun times for you DD's 21st bithday. Sounds like a great day, all around! Happy Birthday to her.

Edgar said...

What lovely stitching on the sampler!! And a great trip to the city!!

Deb said...

The sampler is looking wonderful Margaret. We definitely need to see a picture of the whole thing!

Wonderful pictures of your daughter and her birthday too. I'll bet it's hard to believe that she is 21.

And I'm going to have to check out that restaurant on my next visit to New York.

Kathy Ellen said...

Your sampler is amazing. I especially love the "Star" section, but the entire sampler showcases your beautiful stitching!

It looks like your lovely daughter had a wonderful 21st birthday celebration! A very memorable occasion for her indeed! Isn't Mia so adorable? She always seems to get in on all of the fun going on with your family. Too cute:)

Ruth said...

Congratulations on a very successful bday adventure! It looks like a good time was had by all. She's a lovely young lady and you should be pround, mom. You did good. Oh yeah, you stitch nice too. ;-)

Leneslines said...

I love! the stars! They look amazing! And Purl Soho! Oh, lucky you. I wish, I wish. What a great way to celebrate a 21st. Lucky girl:)

Penny said...

Beautiful stitching. I love the animals. What a wonderful birthday celebration! Would love to visit the city, but it intimidates me. Mia is cute-seems all cats love a bag. Not so much fun when they get their heads through the handles though.

Siobhán said...

SDW looks great, Margaret! I love the close up shots--the detail is soooo nice.

Happy 21st to the girl child! Hard to believe--21--isn't it?? It looks like a wonderful day!

Glenna said...

Ohhhhh, happy birthday, Girl Child! Loved her birthday day--would have loved to tag along on your family outing. How fun, from Evolution (yes, creepy, but no worse than the flowered skull that Prairie Moon designed, I suppose) to Purl Soho (which I've been dying to get to and never did in all the time I was working in the city). Your sampler is gorgeous, and I love the duck and the stars also. And last, the food looked so wonderful, especially since I just power-ate a stupid McDonalds burger at my desk.

Marjorie said...

Belated happy birthday to your girl! It sounds like a great trip too--I wish I could have tagged along, although I would have passed on the clothes shopping-- too exhausting to do with "kids" (my new definition of "kid" is anyone under 25). I would definitely like to check out Evolution though! I need me some penis bones of assorted vermin...

Laura said...

Love everything in this post but must specially mention your daughter's birthday dress!!! It is so amazingly gorgeous and so is she!!!!!!!!

Kathy said...

Your sampler progress is amazing. Such gorgeous colors! I too love that duck. :)

A happy belated birthday to the girl child. :) I work in the City and have to check out that store you mention. Sounds like my kind of place. :)

I also hope this lovely weather last. Probably won't but I can dream.

Donna said...

Time goes by so quickly. My daughter surprised me with her tatoo. A little rebelious, oh well it could be worse. I love the birds on your stitching piece. Just beautiful

Katrina said...

SDW is just gorgeous!!!! I love the colors :-).

What a fun 21st birthday day, the whole day looked like such a nice time. Happy belated birthday to your DD.

Annemarie said...

Okay, that *was* a long post, but a delicious one! Wowie... the mother of a 21-year old... what does that feel like? It sounds like you all had a perfect day!

Ooooh, and your sampler! How gorgeous. I still have a soft spot for that peacock, although the duck is quite lovely as well :o)

Carmen Sutton said...

Looks like you all had a great time in NYC happy bday to the birthday girl. Your sampler is looking great! Wish I could stitch as fast.

valerie said...

Ok, I may have to go to Soho in Nov. now! I've been curious about Purl Soho not that I need more yarn considering how little I knit! I love The GC's dress...so cute and fun! I'm glad she had a great day in the city!

Great stitching Margaret!

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

la broderie est sublime, vos photos de vos enfants juste merveilleux que de beaux souvenirs ....
bisous bisous mon amie

Nancy said...

Your sampler stitching is beautiful, love the stars and the duck! Looks like you all had a great day of shopping and celebrating for GC's birthday!

woolwoman said...

Great post Margaret - I am SOOO jealous you got to go to Purl - I regret I did not visit there when I was in NYC - I went to Lion and Lamb, Tender Buttons and String and by then I had no $$ left for Purl LOL ! Love your sampler - it's coming along at your rapid rate of stitching. All the photos of the family and DD's birthday were great - nice you had a memorable day for her 21st! Have a good week - Mel

Jan said...

Oh no way would I have missed all of that, Margaret!! I have to say that your newly 21 year old is lovely beyond years! Not only is she pretty, she has an inner grace that can be seen in these photos. Happy Birthday to her and I hope that she flourishes wherever life takes her.

That is wonderful progress on that HUGE project!! Will be gorgeous!!

Liz said...

What a fabulous way to celebrate her birthday..! Wish I could visit Purls and the restaurant looks awesome, glad you all had a great day..
Lizzie
xxx

Jeanne said...

Oooh that sampler - just love it! Congratulations on your daughter's big day, she's very pretty and you must be very proud. The years fly by way too quickly don't they.

Someday I hope to get to NYC! It's on my bucket list......

Sherry :o) said...

Looks like a great 21st bday...must be so cool living close enough to visit NYC. I live about one hour from Detroit and do venture to do an event (baseball or play) but not to just wander and shop...

Your sampler is looking pretty great!

Mary said...

Oh Margaret, what a wonderful family day to celebrate your Daughter's coming of age, with Mia joining in as well!
Thanks for sharing the occasion with us. Loved the look of that restaurant and the food. Will have to google "Red Velvet Cake" and find out more about that.
Mary

Melissa said...

Something happened to my comments so I will try again. I was saying...

Lovely as your stitching always is/are, in this post, it's overshadowed by the great photos of your family's outing and the 21st birthday celebrations! It sounds like it was lots of fun! Your daughter is such a pretty girl too! Happy Birthday to her!

Roberta said...

The sampler is coming along nicely, but really enjoyed your day in NYC celebrating your daughter's 21st b'day. A day of fun and good memories.

Littlebit said...

Oh, Margaret, that sampler is indeed beautiful!!!!! And what a fun day you all had in the city..the cake looks yummy. Did she share it? LOL! What a darling picture of Mia.

Jackie's Stitches said...

It looks like a wonderful family day! Well worth getting home past your bedtime. :)

LOVE the star band - which is odd since the colors aren't "me" but my eyes keep going back to it.

Mindi said...

The sampler is progressing! I love the star band, its stunning.

It looks like your daughter had a very memorable and fun 21st birthday.

Anne said...

What a fabulous birthday party!! Mind planning mine? Love the power shopping she can do. I can't manage to power shop either, but somehow my sister can?! The shopping bug must have missed the mark with me! Love your progress on your sampler. My husband was admiring it too. He really likes the colours and the peacock. We also really love Mila and how she is all camouflaged in that plastic bag!

marly said...

Margaret that sampler is amazing. Happy birthday to the daughter! Looks like it was a memorable day. I'm having a problem with food right now and Italian is my favorite, so those pics started a real craving!

Kristen said...

That dish looks like a fresh Caprese salad (yum!).

Purl Soho! Margaret, I am so jealous! I get their emails and drool over the featured items.

Please do show a picture of that wonderful sampler you're working on. Your stitching is delicious eye candy!

Sylvia said...

Margaret, your sampler is just so pretty! The colors are wonderful.

Thanks for sharing your daughter's birthday with us - she is a beautiful young lady.

Nicole said...

Happy birthday to your daughter, Margaret!! What a fun day you all had! I love SoHo and I'm so envious you got to go to Purl. I drove by a couple years ago, but of course there was nowhere to park (not that I thought there would be). :) The train is the only way to go! I love your progress on SDW - it's such a great sampler!!

Dona said...

Margaret, SDW is looking fantastic. I agree with you about the stars - they are so pretty and the colors are radiant.

What a great trip to the city you guys had!Looks like a lot of fun. Glad the GC had her first official glass of wine!

Joy said...

How fun...family in the City to celebrate a lovely lady's 21st! I so enjoy your posts. And the sampler is looking good too!

Ellen said...

You are making such wonderful progress on your sampler!! I always enjoy checking out your blog to see what wonderful things you are stitching.

Looks like you all had a wonderful time in the big apple celebrating your daughter's big birthday. She looks so adorable in that dress.

Melanie said...

Awww, the earring is cute, I think. Not too in your face, you know? :)

Soo so so jealous you got to go to Purl Soho. *pout* I can't believe you squeezed all that in in one day. Phew! I might need to pick your brain for tips if I go to NYC for a quick jaunt this fall. What a great trip though.

Um. You might need a wide angle lens to get all of that sampler in one picture. Just saying.

Kim said...

Margaret!! A trip into the city! What better way to spend the day with DD!!! 21!! WOW!! My son wants to go to NY so bad, I hope we can go together one day. The Sampler looks beautiful, as all your work.....

Berit said...

Love that peacock, and looks like an awesome family birthday celebration! Congrats to you and DD.

Michelle said...

SDW looks fabulous - love that duck!! And it looks like a great day was had by all for her 21st!

Giovanna said...

Great going on the sampler - and many happy returns to your lovely daughter!

mdgtjulie said...

Oh, that wasn't too long. (I'm only saying that cause I just read a really, REALLY LOOOOOOOOOOONG blog, lol.) The GC looks thrilled with her day. And dinner looks fab! I like Italian too. I just made spaghetti and meatsauce for dinner. I don't know if that counts as Italian anymore, lol. Glad the gc had a good birthday, and happy belated. Also, love the pics of Mia and her boy. (And Mia by herself. She's such a pretty kitty!) Your stitching looks great. I too especially love the duck and the stars. Wonderful job!!

Sally said...

Lovely photos from your daughter's 21st. It looks like everyone had a great time.

Your sampler is looking fantastic!

Carol said...

A big duck to keep that big peacock company!! What a delightful sampler, Margaret.

So glad your daughter's 21st birthday was so special--it was wonderful that she wanted to spend her day with the whole family :)

Sherry said...

Your WIP is coming along so beautifully. Just stunning. I agree about the duck - love it!

Look at all the Halloween stuff in the stores! Won't be long and the Christmas stuff will be out.

Looks like DD had a great birthday!

Zlata said...

I admire your diligence and patience! Such a great job! And in a short period so much has been done! Colors are just magical! And what a wonderful alphabet! I like every cross!

Every time inspired by going back to your blog!

Jenny said...

Oh Margaret, "power shopping" - LOL - yes, I vaguely remember those days.... I really need new pants and make up any excuse not to get my butt over to the store.

I loved this post - thanks so much! The star-band is beautiful! The duck is a total cutie!
What I have really learned since I started blogging is that it is so much fun to read about events in the other bloggers life. The photos from the restaurant made me hungry and the "creepy store" looks really cool!
Does your son play the guitar too?

The favorite pic has to be the one where it looks like Mia is politely waiting for your daughter to blow out the candles - that one is just too funny!

Thanks again for a great post - I have come back to it many times this week until I finally had piece and quiet to really take the time to enjoy reading it slowly!

Have a great weekend!

KarenV said...

I know I'm *very* late with this, but Many Happy (Belated) returns to your DD! It sounds (and looks!) like you all had a fun time in the city celebrating :)

Lois said...

What nice progress on SDW! Great pics of your daughter's 21st. You all looked like you'd a wonderful day.

Susan said...

Looks like your daughter's birthday will be a great memory for all of you! (BTW, 8/16 is my anniversary--not too memorable this year as DH was traveling for business and I went to my quilt guild meeting).

SDW is looking wonderful!

Karoline said...

Looks like your daughter had a wonderful birthday.

SDW is looking stunning.

Tanya said...

Oh Margaret, I am going to have to stitch SDW soon. It is so pretty and so is your daughter. She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. I really need to go to NYC you make it look so inviting.

Catherine said...

Lovely stitches!!

Happy Birthday to your daughter!!! She is a beautiful young lady. Your day in the city looks fun!

Jean said...

Lovely sampler, looks like your really coming along, yes the duck is wonderful. Looks like all had a Happy Birthday

Erica said...

Was thinking about you in the aftermath of the hurricane. Hope you and your family are all ok!

Lana said...

Your sampler is looking great!!! Looks like you had a great day celebrating your daughter's birthday!! I had to laugh! In the picture of her blowing out the candles on her cake, I didn't see your son holding the cat, and thought the cat was "Sitting at the table!" LOL!!

Paulette said...

Happy Birthday to you lovely daughter!! What beautiful pictures of her! :) And Mia matches the bag she's in perfectly. LOL

Paulette