I had a 12:15 doctor's appt this morning, and I had to skip breakfast since I was getting a cholesterol test. As poor Mark certainly knows, I am not very fun to be around when I miss a meal! I get very cranky. Breakfast is usually the worst, as I almost always wake up hungry. Today was ok though, and I didn't get to eat anything until about 2:15pm! I just tried to focus on work, which was actually helpful (for once). After running from work, to the doctor's office, to the hospital to get the bloodwork done, then back to work (across and then downtown and across and then back up), I decided on trying the Daisy May's BBQ cart on 50th street for a late lunch. When I got there at 2pm, the only item left was a BBQ chicken sandwich (I got the very last one). I'm not usually a BBQ chicken fan (I was hoping to get their chili), but I thought I'd give it a try since I was hungry and in the mood for something more soulful than pret-a-manger, or one of the many horrible deli options. wow am I glad I gave it a try! The man in the little cart was super-nice, and the food was delicious! As you can see from the picture, it is also quite plentiful. The sandwich elements all come separately, so you can assemble as you wish. I like that, since the roll does not get soggy. in my bag was a huge roll (not sure what kind of roll it is, but it was a bit sweet), pickles (i thought it said jalapeno pickles on the menu, but they were just standard pickles), onions, and a nice sized container of the chicken. i only used half of the chicken for my sandwich and it was more than enough for me, even in my famished state. I also got a 'sweet tea' since i've never really had sweet tea before, and i felt like checking it out. the menu said it was 'sweet tea in a mason jar mug' which wouldn't be very large, but i ended up with a shisl (as my mother would say in Yiddish) full of it. It is an enormous take-out container (i think it's a quart) of tea! Now that is a size I made for me! The tea is actually pretty good, but a little too sweet (i'm guessing that is how 'sweet tea' is normally made). i sometimes like a little bit of sugar in my black tea but i'm usually more of a tea purist, unless it's crappy tea. It was more than enough simple syrup for my taste. it had fresh mint in it as well which is fine, but i'm not a huge mint fan. so i fished it out and it left a pleasing hint of mint. Not too bad but i probably won't get it again.
now that the weather is getting cooler, I'll definitely check out the cart again soon. but earlier in the day so I can grab some of the Texas chili. if i'm going to indulge, i may as well go with the bowl 'o red!
The weather this weekend was absolutely amazing, so of course we spent most of our time outside! I had some 'Hana time' on Saturday, because Mark had to work for part of the day. We took a long walk around DUMBO and Brooklyn heights (as I drooled over the immaculate homes), and ended up at our favorite playground. Hana tried to rummage through all of the strollers, in between having fun on the swings and slide. I certainly got a workout running around after her. Then we ended up back at the Brooklyn bridge park, and we had a little picnic. Hana of course ate everything we brought! 
she also tried out some acrobatics. I'm not sure where she learned to attempt standing on her head! I guess I need to get her into a gym class. On Sunday morning we went for an early walk, and Hana enjoying looking at our shadow on the pier.
We then went up to Westchester to visit Mark's parents, who were in town for a long weekend. It was a fun gathering, where we had a delicious brunch, and Hana of course ate everything in sight. She showed off for everyone, toddling around and saying some of her favorite words. After brunch, we all went to an arts festival in Greenwich, Ct. The festival was nice, but smaller than I expected. There were some lovely examples of still life in pastel, and realistic landscapes, as well as some pretty nature etchings, but there wasn't anything that really jumped out at me. I always look for works that are new and exciting at art festivals, but I rarely ever see it. I guess it's easier to make money on the crowd pleasing styles. But it was a lovely day, and the trees are starting to turn up there, leaving 
brilliant colors everywhere you look. I didn't have time to take photos, but snapped a quick one of the leaves with my phone. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love so many things about it- the changing colors, the crisp but not cold weather, pumpkins and other squashes, Hana dressing up for Halloween, and our wedding anniversary!
