NYC

I joined Mom & Dad's NYC trip last minute, and it turned out wonderfully! We stayed in Midtown right next door to Grand Central Station. The first night, we alienated Dad's French co-worker and his wife with gross Americana in the form of Times Square, giant Reubens, and a Holiday lights tour with no lights. But it was pretty much all uphill from there.

Best in Food

Grimaldi's Pizza. The pizza was alright, but I loved the cannoli. Carnegie Deli, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, and Bloom's Diner were also good. And NYC has the coolest little gourmet grocery stores!

My only must-eat was Laduree. I know, it's French. But I didn't get to try macarons in Paris, so this was my chance. Verdict: the hazelnut flavor was so good, but I could pass on the rest. Mainly I love the packaging.

Best in Decorations

There were pockets of cool holiday decorations, but NYC wasn't nearly as magically lit-up as I expected. We took probably the worst tour of all time in an attempt to see the lights--super long, barely any lights, and they wouldn't let us off the bus. And we traveled alongside a Bar Mitzvah bus blaring Yiddish rap (hilarious).

The best windows were the miniature scenes at Tiffany's.



The best festive atmosphere in general was probably Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park. The latter had a nice little Holiday mart--not quite Paris, but nice.

Best in Art

The Frick Collection was the only museum we visited. Mom chose it because she'd never been and because I love architecture, it's in a beautiful neoclassical mansion across from Central Park. The collection has some really famous works, including this series by Fragonard and four works by my favorite artist, Corot.

They didn't allow pictures, but I snuck one of the window hardware in the lobby. It reminded me of Paris.

Best in Architecture

Grand Central Station is so beautiful, down to every little detail both inside and out. It probably also helps that I love subways.



The Brooklyn Bridge was cool--we didn't walk on it, but ran underneath it trying to find a water taxi in the pouring rain.

I also loved the lobby of the NY Public Library. The famous reading room was big, but not very exciting.

Best in Shopping

We went to two stores I had previously only ever shopped online: Madewell and C Wonder. Both awesome. I also strangely liked Purl Soho, a knitting store we visited for Mom. Apparently it's famous?



But the best atmosphere was at Chelsea Market--maybe not during the rest of the year, but it was great at Christmas!

Best in Parks

Mom and I walked across Central Park briefly on our way to the Frick. I could go there every day. This was really the only place I requested to visit on our trip, and it was my favorite. The High Line was also cool, but a bit sparse this time of year.

And though it's not a park, per se, the plaza at the Ground Zero memorial was also special and peaceful. I love the symbolism of the waterfall memorials.

Best in Views


We went to the Top of the Rock the morning we left-- the only clear day of our entire trip!

Next Time...

NYC was never on my wish list, but I had a great time and I'm glad I can say I've been there. I wish we had been able to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (both closed due to docks damaged by Sandy), and I bet Central Park is amazing in the Spring or Fall. 

The Sick Blanket

On Sunday, Dad texted me to see if Todd and I could drive up to see him and mom in NYC this weekend. Todd couldn't come, but I said (somewhat jokingly) that I could if Dad lent me a few frequent flier miles. Done, I leave tomorrow.

Scheduling a trip invoked my unwanted talent of getting sick for vacation. The above has been my view for the past 3 days (a few more than that, truthfully): me, the Sick Blanket, and Downton.

As I recall, the original Sick Blanket was a wedding gift from my aunt to my parents. It's simply two sheets with a layer of batting in between--exactly warm enough for any occasion, soft, and only improved with age and use. Whenever one of the kids was sick, this was the blanket we wanted. 

Mom, Caitlin, and Shelbey tied us our own Sick Blanket as a wedding gift, using fabric that looks nearly identical to the original. We use it constantly. Sick or not, it's the best blanket ever.

Governor's Mansion & Gone With the Wind

This morning, we were sitting around trying to figure out something interesting to do, and Todd discovered that the governor's mansion was open for Christmas tours. YES.

The open area was really just the entry, since the governor still lives there. The interior was traditional and lovely and all decked out for Christmas. Also lovely: the weather. Nearly 70 degrees in December.

We walked across the street to the state history museum, to see a special exhibit of memorabilia from "Gone With the Wind."

Todd and Shelbey both think I look like Scarlett O'Hara/Vivien Leigh. I think it's the sassy face.

To the Moon(s')

We took a quick trip up to Virginia this weekend to visit our favorite Moons for the blessing of their new baby. On our way in, we stopped downtown for a few hours to hit up some Smithsonians.  My favorite part about museums are the buildings themselves--everyone is there to see the Hope Diamond and I'm like, "Look at the staircase!"

We checked another item off my To Do in Virginia List (after we moved) by going to see the DC temple lights. It was very festive, it's starting to feel like Christmas!



The temple is on a hill with woods around it, so I expected a lot of those trees to be lit. But they actually just light a section of parking lot by the visitors center. Kind of weird, but still pretty. 

And today was Kellan's blessing. Dustin did a great job and we were so glad to be there with him and Mallory and the boys. Bryson is still my bud--he loves me, but barely gives Todd the time of day. Most kids are the opposite, it's pretty funny. And if Kellan doesn't make you baby hungry, you lack a soul. He is so sweet and smiley!

It was a quick trip (less than 36 hours total), but it was fun to get out of town and see our friends. And being in DC made me very grateful for one marvelous blessing of living in Raleigh...  very little traffic!

Christmasy Satur-date

On Saturday, we rounded up our collection of Starbucks gift cards and went on an afternoon  hot chocolate "date." The Starbucks nearest us is inside Target, so we checked out all the Holiday stuff and came home with three new Christmas movies. We've kind of made a tradition of getting a new Christmas movie each year... except we've actually acquired several each year, so we now own pretty much every one we wanted:

Elf

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Joyeaux Noel*

A Christmas Story

The Original TV Christmas Classics

A Christmas Carol

White Christmas

Holiday Inn

The Family Man

It's a Wonderful Life

Mr. Krueger's Christmas

I know the list doesn't include "Miracle on 34th Street," but I've never liked that movie. In the future, we may add Home Alone and the animated version of the Nutcracker I watched when I was little (the one in which Keifer Sutherland voices the Nutcracker Prince). Todd wanted to include "Just Friends," but I can't do it--so inappropriate (aaaaand we can quote the whole, hilarious thing).

*We watch this one edited--just skip the bedroom scene and you're good.

After some afternoon football watching, we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant here (so far), Paparazzi. The name is cheesy (as is the "CHOW! Welcome to Paparazzi!"), but the ambiance is just right and the food is delicious-- I had the best short ribs I've ever eaten! I also love the cafe lights in the little faux-French-village shopping area.

When we got home, I lit our pine tree candle and made my favorite gingerbread cookies for dessert while we watched "Elf."

What is more Christmasy than THAT?

Most Perfect Fall Day(s) 2012

I've been a little bummed with our fall color situation. October in Charlottesville was amazing, but October in Raleigh yielded just a little yellow. The month ended with leaves covering the ground, so I figured that was it.

Then on Monday, we woke up to beautiful, blazing reds and oranges all around! Perfect weather and completely beautiful! I declared November 12 the Most Perfect Fall Day of 2012.

Then Tuesday was better-- even brighter colors and it was overcast (a bonus, in my book). I took a drive just minutes from our house on a street that's high enough to see for a few miles. The view was breathtaking-- possibly more beautiful than Virginia. November 13: The Most Perfect Fall Day of 2012.

I try (and fail miserably) to veil the fact that I haven't had the best time of things since moving to Raleigh. I'm not sitting around moping about it-- we're meeting people, exploring, and legitimately trying to make it home. And it's silly, but the fall color finally showing up made such a difference. I was simply looking for the good stuff in the wrong month.

In which Marissa picks the worst restaurant ever.

Preface: Todd thinks I pick the worst restaurants and worst movies ever. Sometimes he is correct.

So last night I told Todd he could pick wherever he wanted to eat because he was hungriest and grouchiest. He suggested Golden Corral. Oh, try again my friend. So after way too much time looking into places nearby, he told me to pick between two and I picked a place we hadn't tried yet.

It was a tavern. I get that tavern means bar, bar means bar food, and bar food is bad. My appetizer plate had a quarter-sized wad of gum stuck right on the top. And the waitress didn't even notice! Should have left then and there. Then the appetizer wasn't good. Todd's DP was flat and watered down. (Really, how do you mess up DP?) The chicken tasted like 3-day old, re-heated rubber--it was maybe the worst chicken ever, including Pinterest fails. And the BBQ sauce was so gross I literally could not eat it without thinking I might throw up. We paid way too much for half-eaten, horrible food. And, extra bonus, we both got sick from it! 

The. Worst.

Meanwhile, the "cold" weather post-Sandy scared us indoors. All those warm layers are just way too much effort. (How did I survive Chicago?) During this little pre-Winter spell we've watched every episode of "Revenge"-- we have no answers for why we watch this horrible show with horrible acting and a horrible plot. In not-horrible TV news, I've devoured 2.5 seasons of "Parenthood,"which is some of the best TV ever.

Today was lovely and sunny and in the 70s again. We went back to Umstead Park for a little nature walk to see the leaves (still turning) and stopped by the international market for some Guarana--the only two gringos in the tienda got some weird looks. Worth it: we needed a guaranteed good treat after last night. The worst.

Sandy

Like the Great Earthquake and Hurricane Irene, Sandy passed us by without a scratch. Though she did take the leaves off my favorite tree (above) AND brought winter-- highs in the 40s! That's actually colder than the average winter day here. Getting into the Holiday Spirit might be difficult without snow or cold.

Today is Halloween, and in our typical non-festive fashion, we've neither carved pumpkins, planned costumes, nor purchased candy for the trick-or-treaters. I just don't see the point of making a huge mess carving up produce and leave it to rot on our porch or confusing kids by telling them it's okay to take the stranger's candy this time, so there you go. I have no soul.

I actually love Halloween, though! Favorite Holiday after Christmas. Mainly I like decorating in a victorian-y, colorless, decrepit way and having that be okay. I try to add one thing to our decorating stash for each holiday, and this Halloween I made a wreath.

Spooky.

October

Remember how we were called to be Primary teachers like one second after we moved here?

Well, we got released. Todd is going to be the Teacher's Quorum adviser / assistant Boy Scout leader and I'll be a ward missionary (again). Todd didn't do scouts, I didn't go on a mission... LOL, there you have it. 

Did I mention we got bikes? We got bikes!

And because I have no shame, here is a picture of my spectacular first-ride get up. The clothing quotient didn't occur to me until it was actually time to ride. I looked super absurd (especially when I added my fuzzy red mittens later). I've since upgraded.

And we went to the state fair!

It was... a state fair.

Todd worked straight through this weekend.

The leaves are starting to change and the weather has been glorious!

And that's October.

Asheville Deux

 Dad, Mom, and Cait came to see us in NC for Cait's Fall Break. Todd and I drive down to Charlotte to pick them up, and the first great adventure of the trip was my misdemeanor speeding charge for going 84 in a 65. I can feel the speed in our car, but the rental I was driving was so smooth I didn't realize I was going nearly that fast. I was in an unfamiliar area at night, so my attention was on where the other cars were and making sure I planned ahead for our exit. I'll admit to speeding a bit every now and then, but we're talking 5 over at the most and only when that's the flow of traffic! I'm pretty upset about it.

But on to the good stuff:

DAY 1

First stop was Ballantyne, NC--yes, it exists! We had breakfast at the Ballantyne Hotel and bought everything in their pro shop and the one at the Ballantyne Country Club. 

Ballantyne!

We took them out to see the Biltmore. Love that place!

Caitlin claimed it as her future abode. (No worries, I called Versailles.)

We got to go out on the roof and through some of the off-limits areas.

Like any good castle, the roof is guarded from evil by Grotesques. These are deer--the others have tails, but this one's got hacked off, so...

I love the view from that house so much. The guy who built the house owned all the land from here to one mile past the farthest peak!

We barely made it to the estate in time for our tour and arrived with only 7 miles worth of gas left in the tank. The drive out of the estate was 8 miles, plus there was a mile-long line backed up at the entrance. AWESOME. We made it to dinner at Ruth's Chris (DELISH) on prayers and fumes.

DAY 2

The reason we chose Asheville for our weekend trip was to see the leaves in the mountains. It's still almost totally green here in Raleigh, so it was nice to see a little fall color along the Blue Ridge Parkway! We drove along listening to Thomas Newman soundtracks and it was basically great.

We did a short hike at Craggy Pinnacle, which overlooks the reservoir where the Cornucopia scenes were filmed for the first Hunger Games movie. We were in the Arena.

We stopped at a big antique shop (best in Western NC!) and briefly toured a local chocolate factory (also best in Western NC--not!). We spent the evening meandering around downtown Asheville and checking the score of the BYU game on our phones. I know Asheville barely qualifies as a city, but I realized I like city life a lot more than I thought.

DAY 3

Does this look familiar?

Hint.

This is Henry River Mill Village-- a real-life abandoned factory village and location of Peeta's bakery, Katniss' house, and a few other buildings from District 12 (Hunger Games references again). Pretty cool that these places actually exist outside of a sound stage and are all on the same little street.

I had read that the man who owns the property is very strict about keeping people out, so we expected to drive by with Caitlin hanging out the window snapping pictures while being chased down by a grumpy old man with a shotgun. But it was totally open! We wandered all over.

It was a great time!

Charlottesville Day Trip

I took a quick trip up to Charlottesville on Tuesday to get started on my new/old job. I'm working for UVa again (WAHOOWA!!! SO HAPPY!!) doing communications/PR/social media from home. I've never been so excited about a job, it's perfect.

I was so happy to see my friends at work, walk on Grounds, and drive the Thomas Jefferson Parkway. There were nearly tears at Darden. And I accidentally (really, I forgot Garth connects to Barracks) drove past where we, the Moons, the Millers, and the Teuschers used to live... and I missed the 70s wallpaper and the crappy kitchens more than you'd think.

Wrightsville Beach

Today we went to the beach. Because we wanted to.

Crazy that we live that close.

P.S. the Atlantic is salty.

Fighting dragons. From the future.

This happened.

Todd's co-workers did an outing in Raleigh and went on a Segway tour. 

I go crazy every time I see these tour groups gliding around. Nerdy to the max, LOVE.

(The title, like the contents of 90% of our conversations, is an Arrested Development reference. Watch it.)

#StayAtHomeWife

I stress when people trash recyclable stuff. IS IT SO HARD TO SORT?!

A bag of Tim's Chips last me 1.5 days, average.

The Relief Society presidency came to visit. I asked them what to do around here and they suggested the mall.


Toddlers and Tiaras. No words.


Things I have seen on our stairwell this week: a leaf bug, a marker, and a Halloween sock.

Accidentally doubled the salt for cookies. Still ate every last delicious one.

Someone tell the fashion bloggers that braided bangs have looked good on no one ever.

Meal planning is the worst chore.

I am opposite of most people: I was feeling a bit depressed, then it started raining. All better.

These commercials where the security company comes over the intercom with INTRUDER, LEAVE THE PREMISES NOW! are hilarious.

Sprayed the spiders outside the door with Windex to kill them. Hope they don't mutate and come after me.

Jif Natural peanut butter is legitimately better than regular.

So many beautiful girls are ruined by their Utah tadpole eyebrows. I want to help them.

North Carolina drivers swerve and weave and drive on the grass. Also need to learns about blinkers.

Two Parks

This weekend, my opinion of Raleigh improved by about 50% thanks to the discovery of two awesome parks.

1. Umstead Park

This pretty park is between downtown and the airport. We found all sorts of mushrooms--not kidding, these ones were highlighter orange. There are trees and lakes and bunches of walking and hiking paths. I think we'll be going there a lot, especially in the Fall!

2. RDU Observation Park

The Raleigh-Durham airport has a designated area for planespotting. Free parking, a covered observation tower, plane diagrams, air traffic control over the loudspeakers and WAIT THERE'S MORE: a miniature play runway. Some people die of cute from baby animal pictures, some from backyard-sized runways.