the dead florist

Today we were running errands in the nearby neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens. Walking along the busy street we came to a number of stores closed and abandoned. Most were empty or had minimal garbage strewn about their dirty floors. Then I looked in and saw this. Clearly a florist had closed and not bothered to take the perishables, but it looked so much creepier than the reality of what it was. It looked like something from the Twilight Zone, complete with the lit cooler and total absence of life. Needless to say I had to capture the moment.

our first Christmas tree, Astoria, New York

Christmas in PA

Above: Keira was napping when Kate, Jerome and Janaya first arrived. Talk about a perfect gift for the holidays, not quite six months old.
Below: Janaya got her first skateboard - Santa RULES!!!

Driving in PA

Loving being out of the city, in PA for Christmas #1 with the Dunkle clan.
Note: no blizzard in the forecast
Ahhhhhh!

return of the winter sky

Walking down Fifth Avenue after work, kicking off the long holiday weekend, it's a nice walk.

perfecting the Dirty Banana

Since being back from the Caribbean I have been missing the killer bevy of blended cocktails that we enjoyed so I figured there was only one logical thing to do. My loyal Osterizer blender was promptly taken out of retirement and given front and center status on the kitchen counter. One of my first challenges was the Dirty Banana. Thanks to some cross referencing of internet recipes and a few ripe bananas on the shelf I came pretty damn close. This one was good enough to photograph. To answer my friend Greg's question, and for anyone else that might be interested, this is all you need:
1 oz. dark rum
1 oz. Kahlua
2 oz. milk
1 ripe banana
4-5 regular sized ice cubes

Blend for one minute.

Heavenly.

Clemente's Crab House!

For Christmas we decided to get a gift certificate for my brother and his family to Clemente's Crab House in Sheepshead Bay, one of their favorite Brooklyn destinations for all kinds of yummy seafood. The only catch was that Clemente's only takes cash so we were forced to drive down there and have the place to ourselves for an impromptu winter feast this Sunday afternoon. I tell ya, this Christmas shopping stuff is exhausting! ;-)
Cheers everyone, and remember, it's about love and family and celebrating life, or should be at least!!!

Christmas in Queens

It really is the stone lion wearing the Santa hat that really gives this one that extra special Queens flair!

Our neighborhood is like any other during the holidays. Everyone loves to go all-out, no matter how big or small their front stoop. Freshly back from a long and relaxing time far away we realize we are not used to the Christmas hustle and bustle already well underway. A mild evening we took a walk after dinner with our cameras. It certainly helped to get us into the spirit.
Happy Merry everyone!

Hector dog

For the second half of the month my folks offered to dog sit for a friend in the city. My mom was psyched, my father less so. But as with all things Feleppa, it was a pretty funny scene! This is Hector.

Tropical Tree/Shrub ID: Bauhinia

My first time coming across Bauhinia, a tropical tree growing outside of where we were staying in St. Lucia. The fragrance of this guy, commonly called an orchid tree, was so rich and pungent in the evening air it would stop you dead in your tracks. Thanks to Charles Y. for helping me ID this one.

the pirate ship

another tough day in paradise

tropical trunk

tree trunk outside Simon's restaurant, near Soufriere, St. Lucia

Krissy and the barn kitty

Trim's National Riding Academy, St. Lucia, West Indies

We got to know Trim's via our honeymoon at the Sandal's Grande St. Lucian. I just saw that other tourists complained about their experience with this local stable, but I have to say that we had a wonderful time and very fun and comfortable experience. Is it like some of the wealthier stables we are used to here in the States? No, of course not. But we felt like the men and women of Trim's kept a clean and safe establishment and the guides especially, Jackson and Lee, we thought were tremendous. We made friends quickly and easily with everyone, and needless to say it took no time before Krissy found the barn kitties. ...or rather, they found her.

horseback ride and swim

Today we went to Trim's National Riding Academy in St. Lucia where we rode horses down to the sea's edge and after removing their saddles waded in for a swim riding bareback. It was a truly extraordinary experience.

Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

local graffiti, Pigeon Island, St. Lucia