hot fun in the summertime

Rob and I just ran a 5k for Harlem Health this past weekend. This was not actually race day. I was just going to pick up our numbers, though, and happened upon the APOLLO Theater! Race day was rainy, hot and humid. I realized at the 2 mile mark of the race that, once upon a time, I would have been finished. I'm okay with my 10 min. mile now, though. I can observe my surroundings a lot better.
Rob, some friends and I gallivanted about the Lower East Side a couple of weekends ago sampling all of the tasty treats we could stomach in one afternoon. Here we are at Economy Candy---oooooh, the candy!
I was able to purchase a half pound sampler bag of tootsie rolls, multi-colored taffy, those caramel candies with the creamy center, and my fave, Mary Janes.

I found pickled okra!
I'd heard great things about the Doughnut Plant and finally we made it. We each got a different doughnut (pbj, banana pecan and coconut glaze) and had a taste of each. Coconut glaze was my personal favorite--ultra gooey! Apparently, they just stay open 'til they sell out, which appeared could have happened a lot sooner than expected.
Here is Rob being awesome at his Coney Island Frisbee tournament.
Mom, here is the beach at Coney Island, which does not actually seem that crowded, but I realize that is because it is Coney Island and there are a gazillion other places for the masses to be besides the beach, like riding rides, rollerskating, visiting the aquarium, drinking beer, singing karaoke, standing in line for a Nathan's hot dog, viewing a freak or burlesque show, and on and on...this picture is not an accurate depiction of the Coney Island congestion. Surprisingly, though, it is not unpleasant to go there; it never ceases to amaze somehow.
Union Square: where people gather to do what? I don't know, everything and nothing. There's the Empire State Bldg in the top left hand corner. Also, the Farmers Market is there to the left below the trees.
The beautiful Brooklyn Bridge at sundown.
We're going to miss this place.

Red Hooked

Drift wood garden--brilliant!
The side of probably some old, grumpy pirate's house.
Flowers from the garden walk along the Red Hook pier.
A random and colorful mural that wrapped around a whole block.
Red Hook is all gardens, all the time!
Interesting Feng Shui.

My friend Abbey and I walked and spent the day in Red Hook, Brooklyn this past Sunday. Red Hook is probably my most favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn, because it boasts a seemingly endless array of gardens, as well as random oddities. It is also right by the water, which, even though Brooklyn is surrounded by water, one tends to forget, because it is not so accessible. Red Hook, for that matter, is not so accessible, but on a nice day, it is a relatively pleasant walk. One of our favorite coffee/pastry shops, called Baked, is another mouth-watering RH draw. I just bought the recipe book and Rob and my housemates are now reaping the tasty benefits:p

Happy birthday, Robert...and all the rest of you Leos!!

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1.) Rob with his ice cream scoop and candle--cumpleanos feliz!
2.) All the Leos in my life...a feisty bunch!
3.) Rob takes his position at the grill.
4.) This was the inaugural event of the newly renovated abode--party in the garden, what?!