The picture above was taken last Wednesday arriving at  Kennedy Airport for my visit with Stephanie. The Spring air feels great and I can't wait to hit the streets running and savor the sights, smells and sounds of the Big Apple. NYC is my favorite place not only as my Daughter lives here, but the opportunity to experience culture, traditions, history and some of the best markets and food venues in the World.  With the Spring and Summer festivals and street fairs you are treated to the unique essence of urban city culture.  My first stop was Central Park for a walk, and as always delighted to find these Gentlemen below "jammin"  with  that Jazz feel to bring you back to the 60's flavors of a typical Manhattan afternoon! Sit back and listen to the music for a minute....

New Yorkers have such a stylish way to create container gardens and small places that are so inviting to sit and enjoy the Spring weather.  With the sun peeking through the stoop below captures the highlights of this traditional style. I absolutely Love it !!! ;)

  From a Town House to a High Rise Spring flowers are blooming all over. It is the beautiful colors that compliment the vintage architecture that completes the feeling for me. I enjoy the experience, and equate it as walking through the art that you would see in a gallery. 

      With the afternoon coming to a close Dinner became my next thought ....... Stephanie had it under control and  she whipped up a scrumptious meal of oven grilled peppers, onions and sausage with an arugula salad with beet noodles, tomatoes and carrot.  Truly a delicious way to start a Spring visit with Stephanie in this beautiful City!

        I absolutely love my pot collection!  I've accumulated many and consider them my prized possessions!  From Club Aluminum, Guardian, and Wagner to Reverware, Farberware,  Belgique, Cuisinart and Le Creuset...  I love them all!  I tell my friends and family when I'm using them I think back to when I bought them and who I was cooking with and the stories begin. ;)
             

  If you notice in the picture above I took this photo and printed it out and then decoupaged it on to a tile as a trivet. I felt so proud of myself until I saw the dirt smudge to the left and laughed for hours. I've truly learned not to fret over the little things and rather view it as it adds  character! ;)  Now that I decided  to use old pots for herbs and special pretty flowers.... I have to antique more and pick up a few additional old interesting pieces. Oh yes...Right up my alley! I started this past weekend and picked up a few while combing the antique and thrift stores. I found a lovely Pewter piece actually not a pot, rather a serving piece that had markings on the back from London.  I'm going to make it up for either my Kitchen or Dining room table. I told my husband this is a win win as with all the time I've spent setting up my garden, has left me less time to do other shopping.  The best part is all the fun things I've been doing using the herbs each day. I've recently made pickles, pickled okra, herb flavored Vodka for Bloody Marys as well as herbed vinegar. I'm really enjoying the time spent in my garden and slowly overcoming my fear of anything that crawls. It's so funny as I still wear long rubber clothes that are yellow so I can see anything that comes near my gloves! I would love to look like one of those natural gardeners with fancy apron etc but I'm dressed to protect myself from the element! LOL!  I've really come  along way working outside and really proud of the results. 

Above is a picture of the piece from England that I mentioned and two ideas for a centerpiece. One with grapes for the dining room table and the other perhaps simple greens. Of course I couldn't resist and threw in my signature Crown as an accessory. I love the charm it brings as well as all the conversation it generates! There is always something about Crowns that sparks a certain fascination.....I know it does for me!