Bedfellows: ownership & generosity

I'm not ignoring my fighting girls in the next room. I can hear every word they're saying. I'm letting them work it out.

1: "Get off my BED!!!"

3: "Why are you screaming at me? Why is it such a big deal?!"

1 "I have to scream at you because when I ask you to get off, you don't get off unless I scream at you!"

1,2,3: Variety of yelling, screaming and high pitched harumphing.

Maybe I am ignoring them. I'd better see if I can model some problem solving skills for my beloved daughters.

Me: Do we live in a big house or a small house?

1,2,3: A small house.

Me: Do you have lots of private things and spaces or actually just one private space in the whole apartment?

1,2,3: Just one private space

Me: And what is that private space?

1,2,3: My bed

Me: That's right. Your bed is your one private space that is just for you. You do not have to share it. However, because your bed is your one private space it also gives you an opportunity to be generous. You can extend an invitation to a friend or a sibling to sit or play on your bed and that should be recognized as an act of generosity. In this house, you are not expected to agree all the time. You ARE expected to be kind and respectful to each other. If someone says you cannot go on their bed, I will back them up on that.
Below: This is how we fit five kids into one bedroom (crib left of door)


I'm actually happy that I get to share my bed with someone I love, but it does make me wonder, what is my private space? I share a desk, a computer, a dresser, a closet and a cell phone. Honestly, there is usually somebody reading over my shoulder. My only privacy is in my thoughts. Generally, I want to share those as well. Maybe since my thoughts are the only things that are truly mine, sharing them is the only way I can be generous. So like Dogberry of Much Ado About Nothing, I bestow all my tediousness on you. ;)

HAIKU: Not Torpedo

Phone. Remote. Mouse.
Open window.
4th Floor.
Gone.
Not Torpedo.
The stuff.

Chocolate Tour NYC

For my dear friend's birthday myself and several ladies were instructed to dress spring flirty and meet for a limo tour of New York's sweetest chocolate spots. We didn't make it everywhere and I must admit that being with friends was absolutely the sweetest part, but if you get a chance you may want to check out some of the following locations.

p.s.
I'll upload a picture when iPhoto stops crashing.

New York Chocolate Tour

Martine’s Chocolates 82nd and 1st
These exceptionally rich Belgian creations can take up to three days to make.
What to try: Chocolate “Butterfly” filled with hazelnut praline and fresh whipped cream.


Maison du Chocolat 1018 Madison Ave., nr. 78th St.; 212-744-7117
Long worshipped as one of the premier Paris chocolatiers, thanks to its combination of luxe ingredients.
What to try: Tennis ball size, just-crunchy-enough Rocher pralines.


Teuscher 25 E. 61st St., nr. Madison Ave.: 800-554-0624
The ne plus ultra of Swiss chocolate companies, thanks to its simple but rich and incredibly smooth creations.
What to try: World-famous champagne truffles.


Jacques Torres Chocolates 250 Hudson (at King Street)
Redefines decadent with everything from delicate bonbons to giant kid-friendly bars.
What to try: Pistachio marzipan dark-chocolate bonbons; “Mom’s” peanut brittle


Li-Lac 120 Christopher St., nr. Hudson St.; 212-242-7374
This West Village institution has been turning out small batches of handmade confections for more than 80 years.
What to try: Scrumptious dark-chocolate almond bark, butter crunch almond toffee. Pecan almond chews

MarieBelle Fine Treats and Chocolates 25 Prince St., nr. Mott St.; 212-925-8800
Maribel Lieberman owns two cute shops, supplying them (and Bergdorf’s) with whimsically painted bonbons packed with exotic flavors like chipotle and cardamom.
What to try: Decadent, thick “Azteck Hot Chocolate

Chistopher Norman Chocolates 60 New St., nr. Beaver St.; 212-402-1243
Paris old-world methods with a modern aesthetic to create unexpected tastes that never seem forced.
What to try: A whimsical chocolate walnut shell filled with banana-nut-cream truffles, butter crunch almond toffee.


Vosques Haut Chocolat 132 Spring St., nr. Greene St.; 212-625-2929
Just over a year old, Vosges specializes in exquisite truffles infused with odd ingredients: Jamaican beer, wasabi and wild-fennel pollen
What to try: The “Rooster Truffle” –dark chocolate with Taleggio cheese, Naga Truffle, Red Fire Truffle and Balsamico.


Kee’s Chocolates 80 Thompson St., nr. Spring St.; 212-334-3284
Chocoholics swear by the exceptionally creamy truffles made daily at this Soho boutique, inspired by flavors like green tea and ginger
What to try: Vanilla custard-filled Crème Brulee Truffle”, Passion Fruit Truffle and Ginger Truffel

God's Children

Sitting in traffic in Times Square for the first time in months I realized one of the reasons I love living in New York City: so many of God's children gather here. I see His hand in oceans, mountains, forests and flowers, but we are the crowning creation. Above are a few of our neighborhood favorites.