GRATEFUL…Don’t Sweat the small stuff! On this anniversary of 9/11, We often get wrapped up in small stuff that just does not matter. We stay angry with loved ones and close friends for things that are so unimportant. Tomorrow is not promised to us and God has a plan for each one of us. Tuesday, September 11th 2001 is a day that I will never forget. It was a horrific day in American History, and I can remember that day as if it just happened yesterday. I take comfort in knowing that those innocent people who lost their lives on that day will never be forgotten. I have not visited the 911 museum but it is on my list of things to do next time I am in NYC. All we can do is LIVE, and not get so wrapped up in sweating the small stuff...Life is a gift that should be treasured and never taken for granted.
9/11 Memorial photo credit: inhabitat.com
Kurt had a touching poem in his possession called “Just for Today“ by Sally Meyer a poem to a child from a mother and it touched me so much I wanted to share with all of you. (Click here to read the poem)
I can remember when I first moved to Sag Harbor 17 years ago…with a then 8-year-old and a 2-year-old. Kurt was working in NYC and I was alone in a new area with no friends or family, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. I was still working in Brooklyn for the 1st month and I remember the morning of 9/11 I had just dropped Dani off at school and I was going to drive into Brooklyn with Allura to my job. Kurt had called me because he had just received a phone call telling him his father was diagnosed with cancer and he was so distraught, I talked to him and he was able to pull himself together and continue his drive into NYC to work. An hour later he called to say Ness turn on the news…do not drive into the city today. That is when I remember turning on the TV and I felt frozen…many of my friends worked in many of the world trade buildings and a feeling of intense grief came over me. I am grateful all of my friends are doing well, but many parents did not make it home to their children. On this very special day and the anniversary of 9/11, I share this poem with many parents feelings overwhelmed and not taking a minute to just enjoy your child. Although my children are much older 25 and 18, I realize that I often get wrapped up with work and I do not stop to enjoy a conversation with them. Take the time turn off the cell phone, television, computer. When everyone is together we play a game of Sorry...a board game. The cell phones are put away and we just enjoy each other’s company.
I am so grateful and blessed for my wonderful daughters in my life and there is not a day that I do not say thank you for loaning them to me to raise, nurture, guide, love, teach and get to a place where they will hopefully one day become a parent doing what I have done for them. In life, we often sweat the small stuff and this poem “Just for Today”by Sally Meyer just put things into perspective for me as a parent and I took the time to enjoy every minute of my girls growing up because tomorrow is not promised to us. My girls are now women and I still make time every day to talk to them and when I can spend time with them doing things they enjoy doing.
Southampton, NY: Dinner and Cabaret at Southampton Inn at Claude’s was both delicious and very entertaining. I recently dined at Claude’s at the Southampton Inn with my cousin and my daughter, we decided to dine inside and stay for the show. Thursday’s nights is a Prix Fix Dinner from 7-9pm with a Cabaret show starting at 9 pm.
The $75 Prix Fix includes two-course dinner, one glass of house wine & a ticket to the show.
$40 at the door starting at 845pm included one glass of house wine & ticket to the show.
We started with an appetizer Lobster Mando Salad w/ Avocado Mousse, pickled cucumbers and red pepper vanilla bean dressing, I liked it, it was a refreshing summer dish, but I can’t say I was wowed by it. We also ordered the Maryland Crab Cakes,the Shrimp and calamari as starters .
2nd Course: I ordered the Pan-roasted day Boat Halibut with wild mushroom ragu, truffle potato puree, and crispy leeks.
My cousin ordered the Seafood Fettucine w/Truffle Cream, lobster, scallops, shrimp, and crab.
My daughter’s entree was the Roasted Murray Chicken w/ Garden Herbs, potato puree, summer vegetables, marjoram Jus.
We liked the appetizers but we did not love them, we thought each dish tasted bland but we were pleasantly pleased with the entrees because each dish was delicious, well seasoned and full of flavor. We each loved what we ordered and everyone tasted the other dishes and loved them. The halibut with the with wild mushroom ragu was delicious, the Chicken was succulent but the Seafood Fettuccine w/Truffle Cream with lobster, scallops, shrimp, and crab was incredible and my personal favorite.
As we finished our dinner the show was about to start, Konstantin Soukhovetski stopped by our table to say hello, we were fascinated with his Bespoke Swarovski Strass Shoes which he designs. This summer he is performing his “In His Shoes”on an Acrylic baby grand air piano, Thursday’s evenings until the end of August at Claudes.
Konstantin is an amazing Rock Star Pianist,” his one-man show, titled In His Shoes, Konstantin performs his own versions of the popular hits of Madonna, Celine Dion, and other iconic artists as well as a collection of stories from his international career and his experience as a Russian-American coming of age in NYC. My favorite was his rendition of Evita.
Dinner, of course, is not complete without dessert and we were not disappointed. We ordered three desserts but my personal favorite was the caramelized banana tart w/Nutella center, miso butterscotch, and coconut gelato. It was hot and heavenly.
Overall, we had a beautiful dining experience at Claude’s, the Prix fix with a cabaret show with delightful, something different in the Hamptons. The ambiance was aesthetically pleasing, the service was impeccable and attentive, the food was delicious and the entertainment was a perfect ending to a beautiful night out. Going out to eat is a treat and as such, you would like to have a fantastic dining experience, but a dining experience is not just about the good food there are other factors that complete the experience. Good Food, Ambiance, Service and topped off with entrainment makes for a good evening.
Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Hills 2018 –Sagkanda by the sea: The 7th annual summer kick-off party and fundraiser was fun and I was happy to be part of the celebration. Summer attire was Wakanda inspired ( Dashikis and Caftans). Everyone had fun with the Wakanda attire, it was great to see almost 100% participation. I even got in the grove with my Wakanda summer caftan. Unfortunately, I was so busy taking photos I am not sure anyone got a picture of me in my beautiful caftan.
Sag Harbor: One of the vendors that I really liked was Christy Creations, her beautiful collection of hand-painted bags were beautiful. Christine is a multi-talented award-winning artist from St. Lucian who has earned recognition for her impressive skills in different artistic genres. Her products are individually crafted, hand-painted and fashioned into a guaranteed original one-of-a-kind. I cannot wait to sport the original bag I purchased.
Sag Harbor is so rich in History, especially black history. Many African Americans bought property in Sag Harbor after the 2nd World war but they were limited to specific Neighborhoods, Sag Harbor Hills, Ninevah and Azurest, Eastville and Chatfield’s Hill. These Lots were cheap, so many paid with cash since loans were not available at that time. Many of the homes were small, if you walk through the neighborhood today you might still find some of the originally built homes. The character is, however, changing with many new homeowners building bigger homes, developers pressuring homeowners to sell and they subsequently combining the lots to build mega-mansions.
Thank You Sag Harbor Hills for inviting me to your 7th Annual Summer Kick-off, I had a great time and it was nice seeing everyone. I look forward to seeing everyone at the annual Labor Day Races and the end of summer party. Have a wonderful summer.
I am in love with this Crab salad at Bobby Vans in Bridgehampton, I have ordered it 3 times in the last 2 weeks and each time it has tasted exactly the same as the first time. I love the consistency of good food. I often find a lack of consistency in the Hamptons during the summer season. I am not sure why perhaps because of the influx of people during the summer. It is very rare that I make the effort to dine out in the Hamptons during the summer, but when I do I want that dining experience, good food, and amazing service.
This salad hit all of my taste buds, it includes avocado, bacon, lumps of real crabmeat, lettuce, shredded carrots, yellow tomatoes and wontons for a crunch, topped off with a delicious homemade dressing. I was pleasantly pleased and it left me wanting more and daydreaming about the next time I would have it. My only hope is when I return I will have the same dining experience. The service was wonderful, the atmosphere was enjoyable and it was not a long wait for our food to arrive. It was the perfect dining experience for a beautiful lunch with my hubby on a summer Monday afternoon in the Hamptons. I might add it was not over the top expensive.
I am a fan of Bobby Vans because I have always had a wonderful dining experience in many of the locations I have visited. I remember dining at an NYC location a couple of years ago with my daughter and we had a food experience that literally put us in a food coma.
Next time you are in Bridgehampton stop there for lunch I also recommend the SWEET CHILI TOSSED CALAMARI, the calamari was tender and the sweet chili sauce gave it a pop. OMG, it was so delicious.
Hamptons -The Hamptons Events List 2018 … Which Hamptons events 2018 are you interested in attending this summer? If you’re planning your own event check out classic party rentals. Get a head start on planning your summer in the Hamptons, listed below are some of the bigger events Happening this summer in the Hamptons. Visit my Facebook Group: HAMPTONS MOUTHPIECE EVENTS for daily Hamptons events. This year some event changes, Art Hamptons has been postponed this year, Art Southampton is back July 5th -9th at Nova’s Ark Project Ground. Super Staurday is being moved from the Hamptons to NYC, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance has hosted Super Saturdayin the Hamptons for the past 20 years this year the iconic event will move to Manhattan in September 2018. I have no information on the Annual ART FOR LIFE Hamptons event or Stony Brook Southampton 60th Annual summer event yet.
APRIL 2018
Saturday, April 21th KATY’S COURAGE 5K 830am RAIN or SHINE| Water Street, Sag Harbor7:00 – 8:15 am check-in |8:30 am start |$25 pre-registration, $30 day of race Click for more information and to register
