I went away for the weekend and didn't even bring my camera.  For shame.  A recap, in no particular order — grilled pizza, four mile run, oysters at the swanky new Out, a little singing, grilling in the rain, s'mores, Pegu cocktails, hot tub, challah french toast, bacon, more bacon, more rain.  Home early for some interview transcribing and packing prep, and now early to bed.  Thanks so much to Caroline for bringing me along!

I spent 4 1/2 days deep in the woods, and although I had cell phone service, I was pretty much off the grid the entire time.  I had a wonderful and relaxing time — it was a perfect way to ring in 2009.  I learned a few things about myself while I was there:

• The caffeine from tea is enough to keep my coffee addiction under control when no coffee is available.
• If I could nap every day, I'd be a happy camper.
• I can live without indoor plumbing, at least for a short period of time.
• The relief you feel after visiting the outhouse in 5 degree weather at 7 in the morning far outweighs the benefits of the continued warmth under the blankets when your bladder feels like it's about to burst.
• I have learned to like gin, at least in cocktails.
• Making a New Year's Resolution to curse more is fun for everyone.
• I am happy that I have a habit of always bringing earplugs when I travel (there are some serious snorers out there).
• I make a kick-ass apple pie.

Some of the pictures are here — the ones with people in them have been redacted to protect the identity of the monkeys, with whom I was very happy to spend my New Year's weekend.

PS — Congrats to the bearded one for winning the Beard-Off!

You'd think I'd have a little time on my hands these days, now that I'm done with Gothamist, but alas, not so much.  I ran off to Chicago for about 24 hours last week then drove up to VT and am finally catching up.  Some photo highlights:

Deus — the champagne of beers.  Literally — it's made in the methode champagnoise.  Rachel and I had this delicious little number at The Publican.  The rest of the pics came out kind of crappy so I won't make you suffer through them.

Holy cow!

The mysterious and mystifying corn maze. 

The rest of the OJ pics are here.  Since I returned, I've been laying relatively low, catching up on laundry, throwing out junk, and finally getting rid of my old TV and desk.  I can't wait to have the space!!  I might even hang a thing or two on the walls this weekend, at least around furniture I know won't be moving.  The one exception to laying low was Monday night, when I took a field trip to Brooklyn for a visit to Jakewalk and the Clover Club for some stellar cocktails (p.s. — was chastised for my post where I said that I had a gin cocktail that I liked.  In reality, as pointed out, I tasted a gin cocktail that I liked.) and snacks, then finished up at Blue Ribbon on the way home.  Out too late on a school night, but well worth it.

I know Pete was disappointed when he realized that there wasn’t anything terribly exciting happening after I said that.  I literally meant that people should hold on to their silverware for the next course — it just sounded like something wild was coming up next.  “Hold on to your silverware, folks, it’s time for the flaming shots!”  Or something.  But no, merely another course in the pan-Asian dinner I cooked up on Saturday night after a week at the beach.  I copied the menu from a dinner party I had earlier in the year (for those of you interested in the recipes, you can find the links to some of them in this post; the rest are in New Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant).  The rest of the week was filled with sun (although not enough), a few recovery-paced runs (thanks to Tara for the company), food, friends, and good laughs.  It also included building of a new bike rack (not by me — see the picture above), a trip to Ocean Beach, some delicious biscotti made by Emilia, and one perfectly perfect martini. 

The only stress in my whole week was not being able to get the ice cream maker to work — I literally yelled at it at the top of my lungs.  I screamed at an inanimate object.  While I was on vacation.  We had delicious ginger “soup” instead.  Enjoy this week’s pictures.  Just a note — some of the shots include Caroline’s gorgeous makeup jobs on both me and Tara — the pictures don’t do it justice.  Frank took the professional (FoPro) shots.  If you are ever in need of a makeup artist for a wedding or special occasion, I’ll put you in touch!

Today is all about counting the hours until I can take off for the beach.  Looking forward to sun, sand, good times, and THE PIG!!!!  (see past entries for details)