I must have walked past the main branch of the New York Public Library a hundred times, but I’ve never been inside. Today, that all changed. We took in the sites, including those famous lions, a Gutenberg Bible that was on display inside, and, of course, the Rose Reading Room.
Yes, we’re back. We thought it would be a fun spot to take Sarah and Chris and the kids. Indeed, it was! We got a table by the ice rink and sat under the heat lamps, enjoying burgers and soups. We even got to see Boo, who was able to join us last minute. What fun!
Jane stayed home, and Mae was beside herself about being alone with her Mommy in the city. “I don’t even have to share my hot dog!” she exclaimed. What’s better than that?
I have some pretty cute video of Sam cooing and smiling, both in her basinet and as she stares up at the mobile on her changing table.
Thanks to Sari and Brian for the super-cute pink elf outfit, too! Videos and more photos, after the jump.
With just two children opening gifts,the living room at the Ranch got just as trashed as if all seven adults and three children were participating. The joy of giving!
And afterwards, we had a reprise of what is sure to become an SCF winter classic: Joan Nathan’s brisket (recipe here). With a bit of creamy polenta? My god is that good.
More presents and dining, after the jump.
For a little holiday diversion, we took the kids to see the butterfly exhibit and the dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Oh how Mae hoped a butterfly would land on her hand. Alas.
Everyone, however, was sufficiently wowed by the T-Rex and his cousins on the fourth floor:
Sarah and Wilson and the girls arrived late on Boxing Day. We’ll open the presents tomorrow. Today, Mae and Jane just really want to meet “baby cousin.”
And after the kids went to bed, Sarah had some alone time with Sam:
Our annual Christmas tradition: tamale supper.
This year, we started with margies, too.
We spent Christmas morning around the Farm, having coffee by the tree and talking to family members from afar. Here’s Sam, Face Timing with Jessica and Reece:
Yes, that’s one of her three Christmas outfits.
You think she knows how cute she is? A few more pics, after the jump.
We had a quiet Christmas Eve this year. Chris is here, and the folks, of course. But Sarah doesn’t arrive until Monday. And of course, Grandmom isn’t here anymore. But we welcome a new family member to the table. Merry Christmas, Samantha.
We started the evening off by walking down to church. It was a brisk evening; the kind where the wind chafes your cheeks just enough to keep them pink, but not so much where you need to draw your lapels closer.
Then we all gathered at the Ranch for Perfect Parallels, Beef Bourguignon and Honey-Spiced Madeleines with Ice Cream. Once again, Sam had milk.
Come see our evening, after the jump.
We celebrated Christmas Eve Eve with Kelli and Patrick and their family. Cathy and Ed were down from Syracuse, Mary Ellen was there from Vestal and the entire Leon family was in from Virginia to celebrate. Here’s Ralph with Meghan and Alicia:
We celebrated Leigh’s birthday with a delicious supper at the ranch. In attendance were Sam, naturally, and Les Gilberts: Peggy and Jim. Mom made her favorite lamb recipe, Lamb Charmoula, which came from Epicurious years ago. The house was festively decorated for Christmas and the whole gang had a glorious time.
The birthday boy:
Greg made up a carol to sing to Sam. It kept her quiet while we were waiting for the doctor. In fact, we think she rather enjoyed it.
Here’s another cute photo of Greg and Sam.
Our friend Mary Lynn; Marissa’s mom, Sue; and our doula, Jen, all stopped by the farm to visit Sam this week. Here are few photos from their visits.
Here’s Jen:
Mary Lynn:
And Sue:
A few more photos, after the jump.
Sam’s arrival put the kibosh on a Thanksgiving celebration out this year, so Judy and the gang invited us over for a pasta supper instead. It was pretty similar to Thanksgiving, except for the singing. And the turkey. We didn’t have any. Turkey or singing.
A few photos in bed with little Sammy. I could just cuddle her all day long.
Kelli and I are taking on a little Christmas project. Some years it’s Buche de Noel; other years, it’s cookies. This year, it’s stockings. At least we’re hoping it is! We got started the other day at Kelli’s house.
After last year’s experiment with the concept tree, we went back to our traditional white lights. We did, however, hang the Christopher Radko ornaments with special pride this year, knowing each was purchased by Grandmom.
As usual, we walked down to the local firehouse to get our tree.
Here’s a little video of Greg while we were picking out this year’s Tannebaum!
After the jump, Greg puts the tree in its stand. And a couple photos of Sam, naturally.
Sam with her stroller, car seat and bassinet for the stroller. This wonderful gear was donated to the farm by some very generous friends. Thank you Young-Yi and Amy!
A couple more photos of Sam, including a cute one with Daddy, after the jump.
Our daughter, Samantha Grace, was born at 3:07 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2011 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. She was 8 pounds, 14 ounces and 20.5 inches long.
A big ol’ slideshow of photos of her from birth through her first bath and her first trip to the mall (with Gregory!) is below. Hit the conversation bubble in the left bottom corner to see captions, if you’d like.
We got the new PDT Cocktail Book, and shook up a batch of our first victims, the Brandy Crusta.
Mom and Leigh came over and we visited with Sam in the living room, enjoying our Turkey Carcass Soup for supper.
Turkey Carcass Soup recipe here. Brandy Crusta recipe here.
For Sam’s first trip to the mall (with Gregory!), we had lunch at a brand-new food court stand called Cheese Boy, and took in a 2 p.m. showing of The Descendants. First, the sandwich.
A well-made sammy with good bread, butter and fresh ingredients. We were happy indeed. I also got a tomato soup. Photos of that, and Sam in her stroller for her first mall experience, after the jump.
Sam’s first trip to Grace Episcopal Church. She really enjoyed the music — it was like her own little lullaby.
Our friends Pete and Jeannine stopped by to pay Sam a visit on Saturday morning. It was great to catch up.
After the jump, a few more photos. Of Sam. Of course.
It was a quiet night at Sour Cherry Farm. We roasted a turkey, made some mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and ate a simple dinner in front of the television. Sam had milk and rested in her bassinet.
Earlier in the afternoon, Grammy and Leighlo stopped by on their way to Les Gilberts:
We also had a nice visit to Rockland Lake. All the day’s festivities, after the jump.
We took Sam for her first checkup. She weighed in at 8 pounds. So tiny!
Later at home, Daddy holds Sam:
What a fabulous day.We brought Sam home from the hospital and introduced her to her new home.
More after the jump.
Samantha Grace was born at 3:07 p.m. November 14, 2011 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. She was 8 pounds 14 ounces and 20.5 inches long.
Lots more photos can be found on this post here.
In preparation for Sam’s arrival, we had to turn the guest room into a nursery. A cascading effect took over the upstairs at the farm, and we ended up with two new dressers in our bedroom, new bookcases in the studio and a couple of new televisions, too.
The bookcase replacement was especially impressive. We went from cluttered and crowded to organized.
That wooden case held more than 500 CDs, all of which are now boxed and ready to be sold to a Web site. I used to keep my cookbooks in vertical piles so tall you could technically call them columns. They’re now easily accessible and neat.
Indeed, the upstairs at the farm has a whole new look. Come along to see befores and afters.
Greg got our usual box’o'hats and dressed up for the kids.
Leigh and Sondra, suffering from a power outage after the storm, stayed with us for dinner and an evening on the pull-out sofa. We had leftover brisket. Yum!
Our two favorite costumes: Spy V. Spy and a Weeping Angel from Dr. Who.
Right on, kids!
Boo!
