Visiting my sister and her family in Yonkers, New York is always a treat. I get to eat the yummiest of the food, take long afternoon naps and enjoy a beautiful home and garden.

Thursday, I drove down to New York. Despite the high gas prices, it always seems to work out to take the car. I usually start off, thinking, I need one bag of clothes and that is it. Soon enough one bag has led to one box of wine and champagne, another box of pressure washer, my pillow, another bag of goodies for the kids and sister, and some more clothes, that I might just need, perhaps a cooler to put fish in (there is a great fresh fish store near my sisters place). By and by, there is no other option but to take the car. I really do like to drive and my car needs the workout. My car mechanic mentioned to me, that I should drive my car more often. My 9 year old car has less than 35000 miles on it. It is not my fault, really, every time I moved residences, the office moves within public transport distance, so there is no need to take the car, when I can be 'chauffeured' to work. Anyways, I digress (as usual), the short of the long, is that I drove down to my sisters place.
On the way, at Southbury, I stopped and shopped! I always do. I don't know what the attraction is, but I seem to always find something really cool and nice and on sale. This time was no exception; one of my favorite dresses (the one I have been keeping an eye out for!) was on sale! I snapped it up and I was on the road again happy as can be. The rest of the journey was uneventful. On and off, some rain clouds decided to pester with some drops, but nothing too major.

The next day was a hot, humid, and sunny day to be out and about town. But the whole family was out for my sister’s graduation ceremony from City College of New York. It was a great fanfare and could have been better, had it not been sweltering heat. Poor little kids (one 3 yrs and the other 7 yrs old), were hot and miserable. Thankfully the whole thing was not too long, but like all these things, there are loads of speeches. Somehow, Presidents and Valedictorians love to hear themselves speak. By and by they were done and we made a beeline to comfort of home.

This weekend was also, the 7 yr old’s birthday, well, he turned 7 years. So we had a bit of celebrations and some cake and Spanish Cava and more of ice-cream and I am 4 lbs heavier. Along with all the celebrations, we also got some yard work done. The pressure washer was put to good use to clean up the concrete patio, which went from dull gray to bright gray.

Whilst all this was going on in New York, back home, my landscaper finished the planting 101. Yeah! The yard looks lovely, with the few plants and cedar mulch. It looks so different from where we started. Pictures coming soon!

It was a great weekend with family and friends. I did miss a BBQ, which I would loved to attend, but cannot have everything.