Friday's Excursion

The girls that I babysitt - Annie & Emily - planned a whole day activity for us three up in Rhinebeck, NY which is just 2 hours from here. They go there quite often since their country house is only a 20 min. drive from this exceptionally quaint town. Our first stop was at their country house where we unloaded their belongings and walked around their property for a bit. Emily showed me the progress of their play house that their dad is building them in the woods! I was thoroughly inspired by every tree and insect. I know that sounds obtuse for those who live outside the city, but besides Central Park, Manhattan doesn't have a whole lot of nature going on in terms of woods [correct me if im wrong] It was just great to be in real nature again and have my wheels start turning, I luckily got some fresh ideas for this fall and can't wait to start on that. Then we went into Rhinebeck and had lunch at GiGi's where we three shared some tarragon and basil french fries that were to die for! I ordered a pear, goat cheese, and fig thin crust pizza that was AWESOME!!!!! Did a little shopping, where I picked up some knee socks, barrettes, handkerchief, & a potato gun at a store called A.L. Stickleys. I is an old fashion general store type that sells anything from hard ware tools to latch hook kits. Annie got a coloring book & a box of 64 crayons...she was reminiscing back in the day [she is 14] and Emily was trying to get me to let her get this farting finger pen that is shaped as a finger and when you pull it farts! Hysterical, but after the 5th fart it lost its charm. Then we went to Calico for some dessert & Oblong Books where I got a little book on Italian for next week, and then we walked to the Rhinebeck pool for a swim which was only 3 blocks away. Unfortunately the pool was closed due to the thunder storm so we hung out at the picnic tables for and 1 1/2 until it was time for me to get on the train back to the city. For those of you who do live in the NYC area I highly recommend taking a day trip up to Rhinebeck for the food alone! The shopping as far as clothing is concerned is more for the whole foods hippie I think, but still a lot to look at.