A toast to a second chance at life!! I know this is more serious than my usual blogs, but sometimes it’s good to put all the fun stuff in perspective. The plays and the trips, all which fulfill my soul, are not the only things that matter. It’s the people you share those experiences with that matter. As Adam Lambert sings: “if I had you that would be the only thing I'd ever need, yeah if I had you, then money, fame and fortune never could compete.” That being said, I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have seen more than my fair share of miracles. My prayers were answered even though I didn't know if there was anyone listening. I know the difference between loss and tragedy. It is one thing to lose someone you love to old age and prolonged illness. Loosing someone you care about is never easy. There will always be the hole in your life and heart from that loss. However, it is quite another thing all together to watch someone your age, who is just beginning their journe...

  The last time I was at the Bronx Zoo was about fifteen years ago. All I remember from that first visit was how large the zoo was and that it was kind of like when I went to Epcot in Disney World; I never got to see the whole thing. I decided I wanted to go back to experience it as an adult and to photograph the animals. I was also going with a bunch of friends and my gorgeous 1 ½ year nephew. I couldn’t wait to see what he thought of it. And of course, take his picture. For starters, I don’t know how anyone with kids leaves their house. I knew it would be expensive to get in but this place is literally charging and arm and a leg. Or more specifically, you are being charged for: a gorilla, giraffe, and sea lion. It cost $30 for an adult all inclusive admission. What that means is that you pay up front instead of walking for two miles, getting to an animal exhibit, paying for that entrance, and then repeating the process over and over again. That didn’t see...

Father’s Day as been a national holiday since President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. It might have been one of the only decent things he did, but I digress.  What did you do for Father’s Day this year?  My family normally goes out but this year I decided I would try to recreate my father’s favorite foods at home. Since I am not a wizard in the kitchen I enlisted some help from Paula Deen. Now unfortunately she wasn’t standing next to me but, I used some of her recipes. I made fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and creamed spinach. It came out so good I thought I would share my experience. Paula’s recipes were easy to follow and required relatively few ingredients when compared to other chief’s recipes. The most important part was reading them ahead of time so that I become aware that the chicken had to soak in buttermilk from the night before. I used seasonings I had bought from The Rendezvous (check it out: http://www.hogsfly.com/ ) as well as som...

Another item can be checked off my 2011 to do list!! And even better I can also cross it off in my book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”, which is my guide to life. I have finally been to the legendary Carnegie Deli. Now I know why it is so famous: because it is so good.  The Carnegie Deli opened in 1937 across the street from Carnegie Hall. They are known for their sandwiches that stack piles upon piles of meat so high they could touch the heavens. The Deli was immortalized in Woody Allen’s film, “Broadway Danny Rose.” The Deli’s slogan is “If you can finish your meal, we’ve done something wrong.” From the outside it doesn’t look like a place that is written about in every New York guide. It actually looks like a bodega from across the street. However once inside, it is adorable! The walls are lined with framed, autographed photos of the celebrities that have been there. If you are there when it is crowded, the seating will be close quarters. The Deli does not ...