I have never experienced so many weather changes in such a short period as in NYC. Last Friday the temperature reached 90°F and the sun was shining from a clear blue sky, and the next day we woke up to a foggy city and slightly colder at only 64° F…
Alma was here and it is so wonderful that she comes twice a month and cleans the whole apartment. 🤗
In the afternoon Olle, Vira and I went shopping on Broadway and found slippers, swimming trunks and jeans shorts for the kids – Miami here we come!
Later on we hooked up with Johan and we had a drink at the Kaña Soho Bar, next to Ear Inn. And some lovely trivia about Ear Inn, it is located at 329 Spring Street in New York and is the oldest bar in the city, established in 1817. I had no idea as I sat there sipping a glass of Pinot Grigio a couple of weeks ago… 🙂
Finally the scaffolding is goneLiljert graduation
The next day Johan and I walked Brooklyn Bridge, roundtrip! We walked the streets of Brooklyn Heights, and had an amazing PW.
Almost back home, the chaos was so palpable and the NYPD police issued notices to vacate the premises… There was a pop-up store on 529 Broome Street giving away free sweatshirts and the swag giveaway descended into a real ‘shirt’-show.
At Broome Street on our way to BrooklynPop-up store In ChinatownShanghai 21Padlock loveHeading toward Brooklyn HeightsWhat a dogpark!!!Recyckling…Tajín seasoned fruitA hidden garden in East VillageFound a Norwegian store
Last Sunday Johan and I took the 2 Train to Harlem and the First Corinthian Baptist Church. This was more of a loud and boisterous show with many commercial breaks than a gospel performance, but fun to have experienced.
On this day Olle met with his friends from school and came home with a box of little clay creations he had made…😘 Here it seems typical for adolescents to gather at a venue; like at a cat-, board game- or like now an art café.
At the churchTourists in lineLike a real showContribution envelopBig event in Rockefeller Park in BatteryDance filmingAt Brookfield PlaceA cardboard box…… of clay 😘Lovely peonies
On June 5, DanAds threw an amazing 10 year anniversary party for clients, partners and colleagues at a really cool venue, the rooftop bar at Knickerbocker hotel on 6 Times Sq. It was a great evening with so many new, interesting and exciting acquaintances! I had a full night out, so happy to be invited. 🥳
In Financial DistrictAwaited SHARK Slippers 🦈Mike and JohanSteve Paul and friendsCurtisPeo and Istvan
The Swedish National Day came and we celebrated, although our focus was more on the Gösta Day with presents and smoothies.
Really alarming is the wildfire smoke from Canada and as from Wednesday morning NYC public schools canceled all outdoor activities and all New Yorkers (like all citizens the northeast coast) are recommended to stay inside due to the extremely poor air quality.
We have also heard that Toffee is OK, but had to return to the vet because she was a bit out of it from the pain killers… Hope to see her soon. (Note, after seeing her in the bodysuit outside the elevator, I feel confident she will be OK… 😊).
NYC´s own driving rangeNY and NJGösta ❤️A strange smell to itYou can taste the air…Dystopian feelingThe orange haze reflects in the aptI put the mask on and went to the gymMy lucky number at the gym, this locker has only been occupied twice They don´t taste like the ones in Sweden though
Thursday morning and we are heading for a mini-vacay to Miami Beach.🌴 School is closed due to Chancellor´s Conference Day (at least in Olle´s highschool…😏), so therefore he only misses Friday. We opted out the west coast because of the long flight, time difference and the too short time we could have stayed.
Especially Elvira is so happy to go. Just hang around the pool and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Good food and lazy days and I second that! And due to the really poor air quality, this was the best time to get out of the city.
And the coolest, Olle was the winner for a trap competition. Out of three participating schools, he won 1st prize! Congrats! 🎉👍🌷
Perfect day to leave At JFKMy three companions About to take offBahamas!Miami Big lizzardSo cool Olle!! Impressive ❤️The reception at the Palms hotel and spaFirst eveningDoggies get to rest in Miami tooOur morning beach promenadeSomething crab look-alikeHeavy thunderstorms first eveningBeach path from hotelIn the pool areaRoom with a viewYellow carAt the beachStray catsPool barMango salad bowlA wedding ceremony at the hotelStone crab and oysters at Joe´s Stone CrabMiamiNew York
Monday morning and the air is moderate, and sensitive groups should wear a mask outside, run the air purifier and reduce outside exercise. Although if not in any known danger zone, better safe than sorry so I went to the gym for a run and some core workout.
At last, we had Toffee over for an hour in the evening – still in her bodysuit with itchy stitches…
You get cash in the mailbox, and $20 more if you submit the survey
The final countdown… only two weeks left before we turn our lives back to Täby. I leave here with such mixed feelings. So much to do and so little time and so on… But I am so grateful for this opportunity, to come and live here in the US in general, and in NYC on Manhattan in particular. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Oh, how I love living here! I am slowly starting to realize that we are actually moving back to Sweden soon. So, now I tell my friends here – not Good bye, but Auf Wiedersehen, Arrivederci, Until we meet again… Johan must come here every now and then, and either if I go with him or maybe go by myself just to say hello and live the city for a little second, once in a while. 🗽💗
Marika and Fredrik were here for four days, and we had a great time with many walks and laughs!
Oculus and One World Trade CenterFinally re-opened May 16My special gift 🙂Elvira at the ER… Feeling better nowJohan, Marika and Fredrik on Hudson RiverHad to try the famous hot dogs from Nathan´sA drink at Industry KitchenThe roof top at Johan´s jobBrooklyn BridgeA drink at Broome Street BarAt the Odeon
Also, it was my birthday last Saturday and I was so celebrated. I even heard morning song, guitar play and got lovely presents and rhymes too.
The only thing that you could complain about was the weather, the rain was pouring the whole day! I am usually spoiled for glorious sunshine, so this one was new. But it didn´t matter, it was a fantastic day. 🙂
The next morning we had a really nice breakfast at Three of Cups on Sullivan Street. Highly recommended! Then we strolled up to Chelsea Market and on to the High Line. In the afternoon it was time for our friends to back home to Sweden. ❤️👋👋 Thank you so much for these days and see you soon!
Happy Birthday 🙂A new tradition for birthdays maybe…?How wonderfulOn the High LineThe VesselThis lucid pink tree resembling the blood vesselsOutside LenaSunday morning and full of races on the riverAnother new ad!Breakfast at Three of CupsGood bye for now……see you soon!!
In the evening, Johan and I were invited to Andrew´s place, which was the venue for this Grand Potluck, AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) edition. So Andrew was hosting this event and this guy Gary Su was the one who organized the party.
At Andrew´s – lovely homemade dumplings and many different sake´sJohan and BrookieGary, Renata and Andrew in the kitchenOhh, our best best Chris. He will be missed…❤️And all these dogs and corgis 😉
I have also done my weekly appointment at Jay´s. Today he had an apprentice, who will run his job on Tuesdays during summer. My homework until next week is to supply Jay with Swedish music – and he really does NOT appreciate ABBA…
In the afternoon I ran a 10K on Hudson, so easy to do when you have so many people to watch at the same time. 🙂
Olle came home from school and had seen Marcus Samuelsson across the street. 🙂 Next time, he has to stop him for a picture! He was apparently as smartly dressed as ever.
Little ducklings in the pond in Rockefeller ParkNow with flag bannerSun bathing at Pier 26At Brookfield PlaceLooks like a cover for a really interesting movie…Out on the market again…Evening over Soho
During the last weeks, we haven´t seen Toff much due to sickness. So finally Elvira and I picked her up at Andrew´s apartment, took a long walk along on the Hudson. A more energetic and happy doggy is hard to find…
Later on that week, Johan and I had dinner with Curtis and Jen at the Sugarfish on Spring Street. The Evens is a really sweet couple and the restaurant offered amazing food, and both Jen and me celebrated belatedly, as both had birthdays just a few days ago. 🎂
Old Police carsSooo cool – Tilda bought a T-shirt in NYC years ago. Seems like she already then knew where to come visit us! ❤️Cheeky colorPolice and ambulance call-outs in our streetHard to spot, but above the trees there are lots of flyings thingsFinally, we tried the Ear Inn
Last Saturday Johan and I walked down to the Whitehall Terminal and catched a ferry over to Staten Island. Elvira and I have been there once, but today we did a longer walk and ended up at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanic Garden. A very desolate and boring road to get there, but it was in itself a lovely excursion destination! We even got to listen to a band preparing for their Farewell show… The musical experiences just kept on coming, as a baseball game was about to start in the stadium.
Once back on Manhattan we met up with the kiddos who were down at the piers. Here also, a lot was going on with parties, music, Saturday runners etc.
Manhattan SkylineStatue of LibertyAll green wooden fences at construction sites have these peekaboo windowsYellow car in Staten IslandFarewall show…!!In the botanic gardenThe stadiumThe American and NYC flagsRockefeller Park in Battery City ParkAll cayak trips for free on HudsonOne crazy gang
Sunday and Mother´s Day in Sweden. This we celebrated with a long visit at the gym and also an amazing oyster lunch at Grand Banks at Pier 25. For dinner I made a nostalgic dish, which my mom used to make when I was young. I love you! ❤️
Trying out a new machineThe wonderful Grand BanksNew street to me!In Tribeca close to homePeople lining up for cayakingLike “Amos the famous” at Manhattan Brewery
Memorial Day, May 29 and all four of us took the train over to Brooklyn and strolled around in Prospect Park. Designed in 1865, the park is considered Frederick Law Olmsted’s and Calvert Vaux’s masterpiece. Prospect Park is a milestone in the 19th-century movement to create naturalistic parks in America’s cities as a response to increased industrialization. He and Vaux thought of Central Park as their trial run, and when they started blueprinting Prospect Park they were able to correct their mistakes from the first time around. 🙂 For instance, in Central Park there are roads running right through, but Prospect Park’s road runs around the outer ring of the park, leaving meadows, ravines and groves untouched, so once you’re inside you can ramble through nature without coming into contact with a car or vicious jogger. The lake is also bigger and blessedly unhindered by tourists at the Boathouse.
Also, it was noticeably more multicultural than for example in Central Park on Manhattan with lots of different music vibes and food on the grills. Almost everyone was barbecuing (not permitted in Central Park), listening to music, playing games or flying kites. 🪁🍗☀️🏉🎸
Our bedroom view to the southJohan and I took a PW in East Village in the morningAnyone wants to try? 🙂I am going to this rooftop bar before we leave for SwedenTurtle islandElvira was here skating with her school last year!Many swan pairsPicnic housePark Slope
This evening we had a late dinner at our closest restaurant, Altro Paradiso. A more luxurious Italian and it is located in the same block as we live.
Around 9:00pm there was this really bad smell of electrical fire, and I have never seen so many emergency vehicles at the same time. There had just been a fire accident one block away on Sullivan Street. It happened in an apartment on 4th floor in a 6 story building and a father aged 95 died in the fire and his son was seriously injured. So sad.
Heading for dinnerAt Altro ParadisoNice ambienceFINOCCHIO soo delicious!!Five stretchers preparedChaos in our parkQuarrel in the subway – six NYPD cars immediately parked at the intersection with 12 policemen running down to the trains
Manhattanhenge – sunset aligns with Manhattan’s street grid and Tuesday at 8:12pm it was time for Full Sun on the Grid. We walked up to 14th Street, and it was so crowded! My pictures do not make it justice, but it was a beautiful in real life experience…
Today was a Toffee-day, so cute after a day at the groomer. She both got a haircut and bath. She followed to the famous ice cream parlor Morgenstern´s on 88 West Houston Street. We had to keep her under close surveillance on the way home, due to an abundance of marijuana cigarett butts lying around on 4th Street…
Once back in our lobby, I emptied our mailbox and there was a letter from my chiropractor. A greeting card with a lovely text and a gift in form of a free birthday adjustment!
So crowdedFull sun on 14th StJust across our streetMadison Sq ParkSo cool, an entire block like “Plantagen”It is called the Flower DistrictAt Madison Sq ParkNew art on High LineWaiting for my lunch at Just SaladFamous ice cream place. Two favorites insideI´m touched 🙂
On Monday Toffee will be spayed and will then wear a bodysuit. We have been promised to come by on Tuesday and just give her som love and cuddle.
Next week is full of work events and dinners for Johan, I am invited to one of the happenings at the Knickerbocker hotel. Look forward!
So, we have already reached March 1. The last weeks have been filled with events, from recurring friends, traveling, dog sitting and also some tough times for the youngest, and it is not always easy to know how to go about it. Hard to preempt and hopefully it gets easier further into the semester.
We had a really great evening when Andrew and Toffee came over for dinner a couple of weeks ago. We got many new tips for good restaurants in the neighborhood to try, and also fun to hang out with a real New Yorker!
During the weekends Johan and I do a lot of walking, and now it is quite nice since the sun is shining almost every day! Last Saturday we walked the Brooklyn Bridge both over to Brooklyn and again on our way home after strolling by the river at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Also new vantage points of Manhattan. 🙂
Ilze, Jannie and Lara came to dinner, always fun to hang with them. 🙂 Sunday was the big game day, Super Bowl LLVII with Rihanna in Halftime. What a ballyhoo! I was instructed by Olle, so now I at least know a little bit more about the rules than before the game. The mixed media collage class is continuously fun so I paint something almost every second day. 🙂
Calming gift The game is soon to begin
On Valentine´s Day I had my online class and then I went to the gym. Olle came home with lots of candy and cookies from school and we had a nice fika at Brookfield Place. Yesterday I went to DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) since I was invited home to Karin and Mimmi and their two cats, Zoomy and Tina (quarantine names for quarantine cats ;-)). This was a day of bright sunlight and over 64 degrees F. ☀️☀️☀️
First buds!Look at the dog in the strollerFound this at WholeFoods on Valentine´s Day…From Olle´s schoolElvira made dessert I walked the Brooklyn Brigde, what a difference in the number of people in a weekday!Yellow car Brooklyn HeightsCobble HillSvenskt fikaThe Swedish flag to the leftHome sweet homeCobble HillPark SlopeBarklays CenterNice townhouseDean St in Park SlopeZoomyTina in the backyardSummer saladsCool facade in Cobble HillBrooklyn Bridge ParkYellow carHome sweet home at Spring St
I had lunch in Peter Cooper Village at Malin´s place, also a really charming apartment with so much cool interior from the different parts of the world and cultures they have lived in. On Friday we will go for a power walk. 🙂 This is also Adam´s birthday, turning 26!
Vira and I softishYellow car outside our entranceA walk in Gramercy ParkRosemary´s
Last week the kids had their Mid Winter break, so all four of us took the train down to Washington D.C. and stayed there for a night. So few people and so many monuments and memorials.
The neighborhood of Georgetown is really picturesque with cobblestone streets and houses in beautiful architecture. Of course we did some sightseeing and experienced the National Mall, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery.
We also tried a nice restaurant, Martin´s Tavern and before we went back to NY, we got the chance to go under cover and become spies for an hour. 😉
Always…Maybe next timeBeautiful Union Station in DCUnhousedGeorgetownthe Swedish Ambassythe CapitolYellow carArlingtonArlington CemeteryJFK GravesiteBack home
Last Thursday we finally had the opportunity to walk Toffee! And also got to play with her for a couple of hours when Andrew had an appointment at the doctor´s.
Labradoodle/Terrier
We have heard a lot about Governors Island and last Friday we took the ferry out to this little island situated between Manhattan and Brooklyn. This is probably more of a summer attraction, felt a bit shabby and run down in the cold February wind gusts. The hotel is supposed to be fantastic, so perhaps we try that the next time – and also their new spa.
Hmmm…Statue of Liberty
This week Johan is in L.A. so he missed the snow, lighting and thunder on Sunday night – all at the same time! Today Elvira, Olle and I are celebrating her name-day with song, presents, dinner at Soho Diner and perhaps best of all, a date with Toffee. Who just recently got a haircut. At the time of posting this blog, I am at Eataly, a really soft place to hang out!
My second 6 miles in a week 🙂Lovely sunsetAt City Vineyard at Pier 26 before the snowAt 5 amA real character
Wow, I am so grateful because Olle and Elvira have in some way really adjusted to the life here, both school-, friends- and city-wise. ❤️ This is the best ever, even though I feel a bit impatient and restless all of a sudden, due to more time to spend on other things. Swings and roundabouts. 😉
Elvira came home with free CupcakesHow can he even hold that pencil, yet alone write anything?!Some Albin Lee MeldauTime for Vira to meet Gloria, who loves our family!At Pastis
Last Monday, Olle and I went to a jazz club called Mezzrow on 10th street in Greenwich Village. So cool and next time we will try to get tickets to Smalls as well.
Smokey eyes by ViraBassPiano, bass and drumsJazzin’ in the cellar
Nov 8 was Election Day, 2022 Midterms and Democrats keep the Senate, as GOP wins the House. The day after Elvira had her school Conference and in the evening Johan and I went to dinner with Ulf and Mona at Nat’s on Bleecker. 🙂
Oysters at Nat´s Johan and UlfMe and MonaMorning view from East SidePier 17Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridgethe OculusBryant Park RestaurantIce skating rink at Bryant Park
Once Vira and I got home from the hospital, Lotta had arrived to our apartment! We started her visit with dinner at Galli and the day after was Veterans Day, so the kids and Johan were off from school and work so we decided to see the parade – in heavy rain.
Happy hour in Spring StHe looks a bit…? Parade DayChinese paradeLooking for the right train to get home
We woke up to a lovely and sunny Saturday morning and decided to do the Williamsburg Bridge Walk, continuing the walk down Bedford Ave in Brooklyn and then crossing the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan, in perfect timing for a nice lunch in China Town. This day was also the Cocktail Party Event, and it was a great happening with funny people to talk to. 🙂
The famous Brooklyn BridgeWe came home with a goodie bag with lots of luxury gifts
This week was full of new experiences, on Sunday we had brunch with some friends of Lotta’s. They work at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York and the Consulate General of Sweden in New York, and the day after Karin invited Lotta to One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, and I was welcome too. First she showed us around her workplace and then we got a personal tour of the UN building! The whole experience was so impressive. 🙂
Finally! Well enough to hit the gymAnders, Anette, Malin, Karin, me, Lotta and Johan at the Fig & OliveBeginning to get darkLotta outside the UN buildingView from Karin´s room!View from a conference spaceUN Meditation Room Tapestry after Picasso´s GuernicaThe Trusteeship Council Chamber, design and furnishing donated by DenmarkThis mosaic celebrates the Golden Rule. “We learned it in kindergarten, but sometimes adults need to be reminded that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion wants to be treated with dignity and respect“.UN General Assembly Hall
Lotta went back to Sweden last Tuesday, but before her taxi took her to the airport we managed to visit the Hall des Lumières and see the exhibit of Gustav Klimt:Gold in Motion. Thank you, Lotta! 🙂
Two scary things this day was that Trump announced he is running again in 2024, and the initially assumed Russian missile strike in Poland.
Ghostbuster´s HQNewly purchased Chinese Bowls and chopsticks! Working perfectly well
Thanksgiving is next Thursday, but already Christmas is all over the city. Vira and I have bought some decorations and soon we´ll even buy the X-mas tree (a fake Norwegian one) but still 6ft tall… She will go ALL IN this year. 🎄🎅🦌🎁☃️❄️🌟
Elvira finally got her new MetroCard today, since her old one stated “See Agent” when she tried to run it through the turnstile. Olle did his Mathematics Regents and these The New York State Regents Examinations are a series of exams that measure achievement in high school courses and are typically required by New York public high schools for graduation.
Olle has asked for a new password for his inlog to the Swedish Highschool Application system. He can apply from mid January next year, but since we are registered here it may be difficult for him to be admitted to any school before he is registered in Sweden again. Which is not feasible from here, only an in-person meeting will do, and the processing time can be very long. Hmmm…
Friday evening and we just got home from the gym and tonight we are going to try, for us, a new dinner place called Jack´s Wife Freda up on Carmine St in West Village.
Taby goes SoHo 