Hello there my somewhat long-lost friends!
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I know, I know - it's been ages too long . . . but slow down because we have SO much to catch up on. I don't want to leave out a single minute of it all. There's business, pleasure, and (as always I've saved the best for last) a BIG surprise!
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Now! The really good stuff. I mean . . . I suppose . . . you might be wondering . . . about . . . the make-out challenge? Hmmm? Thought so - one down, four to go! Let me start by saying that my first amorous encounter was of a rather unorthodox nature. You see . . . I MADE OUT WITH A WHOLE CITY!
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Thaz right! From the moment I skipped down the steps of my hotel and heard "looka dere! Hey . . . Gore-jus. Aw come on - jus give us a smile, a wave, AN. . .Y . . .THING!", I knew that the jig was up. The men of the City were on to me. Of course I stopped and blushed and smiled and waved, which garnered a thunderous round of applause from my admirer and the rest of his garbage truck crew '-) And then a Parliament smoking Gentleman offered to walk me anywhere that I was going (it was after midnight when I got there). After which I held court at P.J. Clarkes, broke a "famous" film critic's poor heart and ended the evening with a kiss on the hand (the likes of which I haven't seen since August Bush did the same) from my Journalism Majoring bartender, Creighton. So when I tucked myself into that big, fluffy bed at five a.m., I couldn't help but think . . . "well if I didn't just make out with New York City then I don't know what!"
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And the rest of my trip was like one of those sappy running-on-the-beach videos. A Zabar's Picnic of Wensleydale, Wyfe, Italian White Anchovies, Poached Salmon and Pears Forelle in the Ramble, Pen Top with the cutest boy in the whole wide world, Yama, drinks with Maxfield Parrish’s King Cole & a truly inspiring new philanthropist friend, flying through the air on a trapeze - high above the Hudson River, and taking my inner courtesan feather shopping in the garment district. "Good Morning Beautiful" beamed the bike renter. "You are one pretty lady" swooned the hot dog vendor. And a stop at Buttercup brought a man out of the kitchen with a plate that soon became my own personal complimetary tasting tray. I had to make the chocolate milk a double!
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Jill Rogers and Sonny Curtis were right . . . Love IS all around.
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And here in Macon, it's the "Summer" of Love! To so many people, Summer Smisson Neel has always been the sunshine peeking around the corners and shining down the hallways at Stratford - or really anywhere she goes for that matter. When I used to put on the red and white striped apron to volunteer at the Children's Hospital, I can remember that even when her son was so sick - her smile made such a difference in the playroom. But now her smile isn't the only thing that's brightening our darling little city. I'm talking about the flower pinwheels that are spinning all around us. So take a minute to read Summer's story, email Jaime Kaplan, visit the Facebook group, place a pinwheel in your yard, or just say a prayer when you see one in someone else's.
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Now here’s the surprise . . . If you want to show your support in person, you can bring your own smiles to the Stratford Football Field for a send-off. Summer’s headed to Pittsburgh on Monday to have surgery on Wednesday. And the people that love her want to put the biggest smile on her face that any of us have ever seen. The festivities start at 12:30 pm (6/29) with lemonade and pinwheel cookies. Shirts, wristbands & pinwheels will also be available for purchase, all proceeds benefiting Susan Komen. Everyone will line the track as the PA bound car drives around it and through a painted “football” banner. She has no idea that any of this is going on so please don’t spoil it (top secret!) . . . just be there by 2:30. Help us light up her eyes as she Shines her way to Pittsburgh!
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I started this week a pampered woman. I had a mani/pedi at The Vineville Salon followed by a stroll through our new Freshmarket.
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The manicure and pedicure were divine. If you haven’t ever treated yourself to one at Vineville Salon – call Erin Teipel right now! She’s truly a delight and my fingers and toes have still not begun to fade – a WEEK later. I’m telling you right now, this is the real deal.
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And Freshmarket – oh Freshmarket! Let me count the ways. White asparagus, yellow carrots, and little baby squash. Sugar-cane-skewered salmon, beef Wellington, and Chicken (Paris, Vienna, Geneva & London). Baby cannoli, toasted almond crème torte, and mousse tulips. But the real icing on this pampered woman’s cake . . . the CHEESE! All I can say is . . . “you had me at” . . . Manchego.
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… And then, to my unparalleled (and DEFINITELY pampered) delight, I got “Carrie”ed away! Swept off to New York for the holiday weekend by a Southern Gentleman for whom I simply cannot make any comparison, I had a perfect weekend. I am not going to give him a clever nickname or a descriptive moniker. I will simply tell you – just that – first and foremost, this man is a Gentleman. “Carrie”ed away, for a perfect weekend, by a perfect gentleman . . . who could ask for anything more? And where do I ever begin?
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A Love Letter To New York City:
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“We had it all.”
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The flight, Friday, was exhilarating! I couldn’t wait to get there. Spotted . . . “Hellooo, Ted Turner.” XOXO
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Dinner at Canyon Road was spent sipping one of my true favorites - the Cactus Margarita and adoring every last bite of the Duck Quesadillas. This darling cantina is a place where the crisp, white, delicately southwestern, candle-lit ambiance makes you want to request the single corner table. So call ahead and have them put that cute little “reserved” card on it for you.
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And lest you doubt my adoration for the quesadilla, you should also know that I ordered them for brunch on Saturday as well. At Arriba – the (breakfast) Gerardo Quesadilla is a must. Afterwards I partook of the only truly acceptable after-brunch-activity in all of New York City . . . a stroll through The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Grecian Gods & Goddesses, Martinis on the rooftop, Superheroes . . . be still my beating heart.
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Later on, trading in my sombrero for a helmet, I had a slice of the south and the best draft beer a girl could ask for when we joined a group of Auburn Fans at Bar 515. If flatscreens-a-plenty, raging testosterone and being one of the only girls is your thing – do not miss a football game at this bar. I was “in heaven”!
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Our lazy Sunday was filled with all things New York and wonderful. Cupcakes and Milk at Buttercup, a Woody Allen Movie at City Cinemas on 59th and a couple of burgers and “skinnies” at JG Melon. But it was infused with a pinch of Macon as well – Mimosas with Maconians in the morning and Carrie Preston as “Sally” in the afternoon. The Toast of my Sunday goes to the staff at JG Melon. I have never before been to a more friendly place in all of my visits to the city. Well - I mean - FOUR people said goodbye to me! When you go, order your cheeseburger medium rare, ask for extra pickles, and “heavens to Betsy” do NOT skip the cottage fries.
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Monday was bittersweet. I relished the last day there and dreaded ever leaving. So we drowned ourselves in more of the best that New York has to offer. The Drunk Man Noodle at Spice Thai was nearly hallucinogenic, a stroll through the heart of Central Park and a Strawberry Popsicle were refreshing, and the only thing better than the Cheese Pizza at Patsy’s (once shipped all over the world at the craving whim of Frank Sinatra) was the long walk and conversation on the way there. The end of another wonderful day was spent sipping Lillet and watching the Season Premier of Gossip Girl . . . “New York, New-hew York!”
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Well what was my favorite thing about the trip you ask? Shucks, I haven’t even mentioned it yet. That’s right . . . as usual, I “go and save the best for last."
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Tourists come to Central Park from around the world to experience the magic that it offers. They row boats, rent bicycles, ride in carriages and on the carousel, sit on bronze statues to take pictures, lie on blankets and play with toy sailboats. Yes they do all of these things . . . and miss out on what I believe is the real heart-BEAT of Central Park.
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This trip introduced me to so many of the reasons that New Yorkers Toast their dear city again and again. But of these things – MY favorite was a little thing that my Gentleman likes to call “Roller Disco.” The New York Central Park Dance Skating Association is quite amazing! People from all walks of life put on roller skates and “feel the love.” The music, the colors, the costumes, the skate tricks . . . even an adult-sized tricycle. It is the epitome of people coming together for nothing more than a lift to the spirit. And it lifted me up to watch them. This may sound (to someone who has never experienced it in person) like a funny thing to say about roller skating and disco but . . . well . . . the romance of it all just broke my heart – in the very best way.
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When I was leaving I passed by a shop and saw a snow globe in the window. It said “I Heart New York” on the base so I bought it and now I don’t have to close my eyes to imagine myself back there. I do “heart” New York, I have always “heart”ed New York, and (after this weekend) I “heart” it just an OH-SO-MUCH bit more.
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Hot This Week! (Ooh Girl It Is Soooo . . . )
FRESHMARKET! I have been waiting for this since I followed my mom around in Piggly Wiggly pushing a tiny plastic shopping buggy. And It did not disappoint!
Nominate someone for Macon Arts' Annual Cultural Awards.
Step Right Up, Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out . . .
Puccini's Madama Butterfly . . . Toast of the Townie, Laura Peacock will be in the chorus as a Geisha(!) and Fantasies of the Opera Ball.
Wicked - I saw it in New York, from dead center on the third row, and can say - without hesitation - that a Broadway Musical can change the way that you see the world! It's coming to Atlanta so don't miss it.
