Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.  They have a way of creeping up, and all of a sudden it means you are a year older.  How does it happen so fast?  I've always loved my summer birthday so no matter what the birth certificate says I try to ignore the numbers and just carry on as if nothing much has changed.  What's the alternative?  Life is good, and another year means more cake and ice cream at the very least.

For as long as I can remember, it has ALWAYS been hot and sunny on July 17th.  If you're planning a wedding, pick that day.  It Never rains.

When I was a kid, my Dad told me that the day I was born was one of the hottest days on record . . . St. Mary's in Hoboken, and he was sweating, pacing, worried, excited.  

Somehow, I do believe that my dear Mother had a bit more to contend with on that day, :), but I am so grateful to both of them for the gift of life they chose to give to me.  I miss them both everyday. 

Sunday birthdays (like yesterday) are my favorite because it seems that everyone's around and there's more time to do the special things that I want to do. This is how the day went:

Mass at 7:30 with Jack.

Coffee following . . at a great new spot in Palisades NY, The Market/Filling Station, on Route9W. 

 This is what it looked like back then.  The pic is a little distorted because I had to shoot it from a photo which was hanging crooked and up high.

 Here it is now. . . 

 Nice outdoor seating. . .

 The Filling Station Menu . . . 
Hot Dogs, Burgers, French Fries & Ice Cream.  Perfect.

 Inside the market. . . Coffee/Tea,  Croissants, Muffins, Fresh Breads . . 

And other assorted goodies in the coffee bar.

Read some nice birthday messages from my FB friends, who are SO incredibly thoughtful.  Love them! 

Back home to paint in my studio.

Had an amazing omelette prepared by my middle daughter Julia.

Had a nice long walk with my favorite walking bud Jackson, where, btw, he was almost picked up by an adorable white bijon. Too funny, especially since she did not know he is afraid of girl(dogs).

 Actually  I don't really paint in these clothes.  But I was there painting right before a change for the gallery opening. 

Back to the studio to paint some more.

A beautiful light lunch courtesy of my amazing daughters . . .

One of my abstracts behind the sculpture.

A visit to the Flywheel Gallery for our Summer Interlude Opening Reception.

A great dinner with the family on the terrace of Knickerbocker CC.

And finally, Ice Cream CAKE at home with some of my favorite family members. Didn't count the candles.  I couldn't have asked for a nicer day. 

Well, it is summer, and by definition a SALE is considered a reduction in price, so I guess at SWITCH we qualify on both counts.   We have a really nice collection of summer (sale and non-sale) items waiting for you here at the shop . . . ALWAYS at a great price.  Most of our consigned pieces have been reduced 20%, but for the most part our regular stuff (which is the other 90%,) is so affordable anyway that it's almost a no-brainer.  Well, not really, but almost.   

If you come in now you can still get a great deal on summer items for the NEXT TWO WEEKS.  Mary and I are closing shop for the month of August, so if there's a good time to visit, it's NOW before everything goes away.  (Actually, we may have a few summer items by the time September rolls around, but you never know!)

Have a great week, and if you're having a birthday soon . . . HaPPY BirThday!