I guess I can call this one "Mom's week(end)." Last Tuesday my Mom flew in to visit for a few days over my birthday. Bottom line... it was fantastic. After seeing her for less than a day between Christmas and now, this was a well needed visit. I had everything planned. Once she arrived at my apartment, which she hasn't seen in nearly a year, we walked around the corner to have high tea at
Alice's Tea Cup. I have only been there for scones and breakfast, but never for lunch. We had petite chicken curry salad sandwiches, egg salad, scones and Casablanca tea. A meal fit for a queen!
After indulging in sweet treats we ran a few errands and then ventured over to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the current Picasso exhibit as well as "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. This was my favorite part of the whole trip. The best part was the bamboo exhibit on the roof of the Met (pictures below). We ended the night at Little Owl for dinner.
Wednesday, Mom and I slept in a bit and then I took her on a four mile walk through the park and the Upper East Side until we made it to
Sarabeth's for brunch on Central Park South. We paused in the park for a snapshot.
After brunch, which was amazing, we decided to go shop along Fifth. Well, leave it to Mom to check out all the crowds and figure out what's going on. Turns out Christina Aguilera was doing a concert for CBS outside their studios. We stopped for a bit and listened to a couple songs, but we didn't stay long as it was about to pour down.
Thursday was my birthday. We enjoyed scones in bed from Alice's and then went to my favorite store in the neighborhood,
Olive & Bette's to pick up a couple birthday goodies. Afterwards we headed down to Soho to play before our lunch reservations at
Balthazar. Mom hadn't been before so she was in for a real treat!
The first time I ever traveled to New York was with a small group led by one of my favorite high school teachers. Ms. B's theatre tour in 2004 was phenomenal. From that trip forward I knew I would live in New York at some point. During that trip I turned 17. Six years later she is still bringing groups to New York to experience Broadway. I was unable to make it home for her retirement party last week, but seeing her in New York on my birthday was icing on the cake. The three of us enjoyed drinks at the W hotel and caught up. To Ms. B: Congratulations on retiring! You have impacted thousands of students lives and given encouragement to so many. You inspired me to step out of the box and go to Mizzou, reach out and move to New York, and above all, you've always told me to follow my dreams. Thank you.
Ms. B and I outside the W
Mom and I outside the W
Thursday evening Mom and I dined at
Bobby Flay's Bar Americain. We enjoyed champagne cocktails, soft-shelled crab salad, perfectly cooked steak, as well as a glutenous piece of German chocolate cake with homemade caramel sauce. It was by far the best birthday cake I have ever had! Thanks Mom for such a wonderful birthday!
Before Mom had to leave on Friday afternoon we woke up bright and early to see Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan perform in Central Park for the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series. Each played four songs and gave a great show. Mom and I are kind of hooked on Sarah McLachlan. She gave an awesome performance.
It is always fantastic to have visitors, especially when it's family. You made my birthday oh, so special Mom! Thanks for visiting and staying with me. And thank you to all my friends and family who made me feel so loved on my birthday! Thank you for all the phone calls, cards, and birthday wishes.
