It's The Same Old Song

Check out this rehearsal footage of Rod singing his new single, "It's The Same Old Song" from his new Soulbook album. Go out and buy the whole amazing album. . .and a copy for your friends. . .and more for your family too!

MORE BACON please

Wow, Emilie found a treasure for me. Bacon dental floss. What more could a girl want? Yoweeee!

Per Se

My favorite restaurant list needs to be modified. Yes, La Folie, Melisse and Cafe Routier are still in the Top 5. But now add Per Se. Unquestionably a *special occasion* restaurant. . .and indeed it was for Jennifer and I. She lives in Hong Kong, while I am in LA, so for both of us to be in New York on the same weekend is rare!

Here we are with big smiles after an exquisite meal.

Boobie's Party

Space in New York is at a premium, and that's why I feel spoiled every time I am at Boobie's apartment's gigantic backyard deck. This weekend, I felt like a princess because Boobie (I just can't say Bob) threw a barbeque while I was visiting NYC, titling me Guest of Honor, and because I am a huge fan of every person that joined the soiree.



Above, Boobie, Ingrid, Kraus, Ventura, Meredith and Heavy down below.

Boobie's place exudes comfort and happiness, thus many were getting smoochey! Kelly and her boyfriend.


Meredith getting some Boobie lovin'.



And Ingrid and Steve sharing an affectionate smack.


Ingrid didn't want the fun to end, so leaving for Wanda was not an option!



From Keyes South to Building B to Chiswick to Commonwealth Ave to Church & Reade to Greenwich Street. . .


Intoxication and elation! Thanks again Boobie!!

Joy Division

I highly recommend the arty, black and white movie, Control. It came out in 2007, and I was resistant to seeing the film because I thought I didn't know any songs about the subject of Control, the band Joy Division. I was wrong because I love this one below.



I was absorbed as the characters drew me in -- partly due to inner demons torturing the lead singer of Joy Division, Ian Curtis, played by Sam Riley, and partly because of Samantha Morton's stellar acting as Deborah Curtis, Ian's wife. Although Ian Curtis' dysfunction was a major theme of the movie, the film showcased his massive talent and made his torment chillingly relatable. Some say that Joy Division laid the foundation to the melancholy alternative music that I love now, and for all these reasons, you should watch this exhilarating and moving film too!

I Love The Nightlife!

We did the ultimate whoop up in Saybrook and went to Rock & Bowl on Friday night. (Seriously, IS there anything else to do at night aside from movies and the Farm?) Doesn't bother me, show me the lanes and I'm smiling!

Here are Drew, me and Emilie. We even had a swing by from Hilary too!



Not sure how Emilie manages to raise three children under age 6 and look youthful and pretty. . .and beat everyone at bowling!



I've lost my game entirely. Granted, I can save face by hitting 100 -- this time on the button -- but check out the score of the last "L" up there. That's LINDSAY's score! She killed it with a 116. I guess this year's Sister Bowl at Thanksgiving is going to get heated!! Maybe TJ is her good luck charm?

Cafe Routier

No trip to Connecticut would be complete without a visit to Cafe Routier. For food, I have my favorites that no other restaurant makes as good, so I usually don't depart from my regular order of french fries cooked in duck fat with a truffle, tarragon aioli; fried oysters with panko and a spicy, tartar sauce; and the simple meatloaf with crunchy green beans.

Lindsay, the sassy lassie, is much more varied with her ordering and when I saw this triumph arrive in front of her, I have to say I was jealous! Cous cous and tomato tower with grilled zucchini over sauteed spinach. Yum!

Troutman Children

So fantastic that my Grandmom's rehab is a mere 15 minutes away from the Jenn's enormous house in Norfolk. Lovely little Charlotte was very playful and she smiles a lot. Especially when you stand her up like this cutie pie picture.


And here's the beloved Loki, giving me her sexiest gaze.


And many thanks to hubby, Ramsay, for watching little ones while Jenn and I went out for a decadent dinner at Zebra's. I can never get enough of the girlie catching up with Jenn -- especially with a newborn news and excitement. And if you are ever in her 'hood, Zebra's pizza with fig and lobster was insanely marvelous. Do you think it would survive a LA trip by Fed Ex? :)

The Stewarts Support Froggies

The old Hollywood rule for actors is from W.C Fields and states: "never work with children or animals." Fortunately Penny and Rod ignored it to support the Prince's Rainforest Project. With all of Rod's tireless charity work, it is surprising that he hasn't been knighted yet!

Ooh, a tart!

I wish I could have several jobs in one week. Weekends I would travel to gather more info for my travel guide. Monday, I'd manage Rod's professional life. Tuesday, I'd be half food critic/half vegetable gardener. Wednesday, I'd be in the darkroom developing photos. Thursday, my kitchen would emanate delectable scents from all my baked goods. Friday, I'd blog it all!

Alas, I have to squeeze in my other dream careers while on vacation. So when I was home, I discovered more than 15 apples in my parents fridge. I suspect that Lindsay and Terry love apples and therefore each of them buys four at a time, thinking that the other will enjoy too. Unfortunately, another batch of four accompany one of them home before the original four are consumed. Great for me since I decided to make use of the less than prime ones. Et voila, my first tart!



What I love about this salad is that only the mozzarella was store bought. The tomatoes, basil and flower were all grown in my Dad's garden. YUM! You just can't get any fresher -- unless you ate dinner while squatting IN the garden.