Golden Corn Salt+Pepper Shakers

Did you have a fun Memorial Day? I flew to Pittsburgh for a weekend with my fiance's family! We toured his college, hit a few of his favorite spots for drinks and food, had a brunch to introduce some extended relatives and saw the house my dad just purchased.

These golden salt + pepper shakers are a fantastic nod to the hot weather season (finally) ramping up! Designed by Michael Aram, he notes his inspiraton came from his love for outdoor summer entertaining.

Memorial Day: Connecticut

grilled peppers.
(also try tomatoes)
15 minutes. No spices needed.

little constantine checks out the pool. check out his ride.

lounge: taking advantage of thick, healthy grass.

joy.

Gathering: before the thunderstorm collapsed outside.

We bonded with shirtless neighbor and wife while watching volunteer firefighters contain a wire struck by lightening. One admitted, "Babe. Get me another drink (waved red keg cup). I'm gonna be drunk soon."

(w- Russian wine in festive bottle!)

I was cajoled out of the city for Memorial Day. A slight break from the streets littered with sailors in town for Fleet Week, a longish ride on the Metro North: redeemed by the man who stepped on at Harlem to become our friend for an hour. He spoke of his Bronx rearing, law enforcement career in Southern California, partaking in tremendous amounts of marijuana...at one point his bagel slipped from his bag. He picked it up. Took a bite. Slipped it back into the 2003 New York art stamped logo tote.

The afternoon was spent nibbling on traditional Russian dishes (my largest dose of meat in months), sipping Spanish wine and sneaking into the loft to watch Donnie Darko.

We woke early to the feeling of crisp air conditioning. After slipping on some clothes and sitting down to a breakfast of left-overs (they're always better the day after the party) we got a little masochistic and went to the Clinton Outlets. At one point, I decided to lay in the grass while waiting for others in the group to finish shopping. A guard came over to make sure I was alive. I guess reading in the grass is a bit off-kilter? I'm just going to leave it at: there was no spot to get a good cup of iced coffee, no alcohol.

Sliding back into Manhattan hasn't felt this good in a long time. There's a reason I rarely venture out.

bbq brooklyn (for the long weekend)

Burger Recipe:
Ground Beef
Seasoning Salt, Garlic Salt
Chopped Green Bell Pepper
Gorgonzola Chunks
Worcester Sauce

Chicken Tip: Season the night before to get the spices fully integrated.

Gearing up for Memorial Day, we headed out to Brooklyn for BBQ and space. Marcel (my favorite Brooklynite) spent the night before prepping handmade burgers with chunks of Gorgonzola, green bell pepper and Worcester sauce- as well we had chicken legs with Carolina Rub and shrimp on skewers. Others brought Nathan's hot dogs, Portabella mushrooms and onion for the mini grills.

Although we were fortunate enough to snag a picnic table (Marcel showed up at 9:00am to stake his claim- and spent the next three hours reassuring the family next to him that he did indeed have friends, no he didn't want a burger and yes, really he has friends and they are coming soon!), we didn't get there in time for a provided grill. Veteran Marcel improvised with a $7 mini grill from Key Foods. It seemed to do the trick.

A nice little afternoon away from the congestion and noise of Manhattan. Although our peace was somewhat disrupted by a neighboring group's constant stream of circa 1994-1997 alternative rock hits, including Fast Ball's The Way and Rammstein's Du Hast. It's nice to be reminded that Brooklyn's Prospect Park isn't too far away.

Other great spots to check out in the area:

Green Market at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn Art Museum & The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.